Matchday discussion

I know the Guardian has never been known for sensible takes … but perhaps this piece takes the cake?

Kane is no doubt in the twilight of his career … but last I checked he was the European Golden Boot last season … and is on a similar pace again this year.

I think the problem with the modern English team is very evident … an extremely well-ingrained inferiority complex … an almost Spursy veneer. Even when they clearly have the best team in a competition … as has been the case these last couple of years … they simply don’t realise it … and instead default to play like second citizens.

Perhaps Tuchel will bring some fearlessness to this loaded squad. God knows Southgate wasted an awful lot of talent.

 

Tuchel is possibly the only England manager appointment that gives Kane a chance to extend his England career

 

This man has been responsible for at least 5 goals against because he does not pick up players in the box and is out of position so many times.He has the ability to be class but lacks concentration

 

I love Harry but there is truth in the lack of pace and if Tuchel wants to play with a press then Harry is not good at that.It depends on which system Tuchel decides to go with

 

What a ******** is Betancour.How can spurs play him again whatever Son says.

 

I think he is more really stupid than anything. Firstly South Americans are known to be less pc than us. However I am sure in the dressing rooms there is still this kind of “banter” that goes around, meant as humour. Not saying it is right but don’t think it makes him a nasty person , just stupid.

 

Agree … a very foolish comment but ultimately innocuous. Wiping him for close to 20% of the season is absurd. I’ve no doubt those responsible for the punishment say far more offensive things behind closed doors.

 

I don’t recall him being a liability this season. His discipline has improved immensely. Has he been beaten? Of course. All defenders will be at some point. But he’s top notch. And one of the few true leaders on this team.

 

You must have missed a few games if you don’t recall him costing us at corners by losing his man at least 3+times

 

No apart from the Arsenal game where he was pushed from behind, I don’t recall him being beaten on a corner. Perhaps I’ve forgotten, as I’ve watched all our games.

I do recall van de Ven being responsible for 2 goals in a single fixture and Udogie being responsible for 3 goals in a single fixture.

You know Romero has won 4 continental/intercontinental cups these last few years. That’s incredible, and he’s recognised as a linchpin in that side. We’re certainly a much better team when he’s on the field. Not sure why you want to criticise our best player. No one is safe if that’s the case.

 

So just read Bentancur was fined 100K pounds on top of his 7-game ban? for saying Koreans look alike more or less?

What an absurdity … who on Earth are these people? and what would they have ruled had Bentancur actually said something truly wicked? Place him in front of a firing squad?

It’s 1984

 

If Betancour said what he said about black people instead of Korean would you still think this was harsh.It was wrong so take your punishment and I am surprised Spurs are appealingw

 

Black people? who exactly are you talking about?

Bentancur was referring to Koreans … as a subtle rebuke to the interviewer who didn’t name Son but only referred to him as the Korean … yes it was a rude and tone deaf comment either way … but hardly a hangable offence

Yet you think that’s worth 100K?!? And a 7-game ban? and enrolment in a ‘rehabilitation’ program? where do you think that 100K is going by the way?

If you’re good with all of that then you might want to be careful … the Ministry of Love may well come knocking on your door one day

 

What nonsense Betancour made a horrendous mistake in this day and age and was punished. Maybe harsh but how do you stop it.Move on he was not the first and he won’t be the last.We needed him on Saturday to help stifle city.Looks like we will go into the game with Davies and Dragusin trying to control the best goalscorer in the premiership .I am not the greatest fan of Romero but at least he would be able to stand up physically the other two will amaze me if they do

 

You stop it by not kowtowing to this absurd hypersensitive level of censorship. It has gotten completely out of hand.

As for City? yes, with no starting centre backs, we are in trouble.

 

Agree about the centre backs but i do think dragu has physicality about him. It’s whether his game reading is good enough and his receiving the ball under pressure
I would say they should do more long balls from the gk in this match with those 2 as cb

 

Agree we should not play from the back all the time with Dragusin and Davies or we will get pressed to death by city.But you know that it won’t happen because (that’s the way we play mate).This could be a very important game because a big defeat could be disastrous but a win or draw could be a confidence builder.Still not happy with letting Phillips go because we could have done with him

 

City will have a lot of the ball either way. We should try and control it when we can.

With a makeshift backline we’re in a difficult spot. City may have lost 4 in a row but they’ve all been away. I see us getting beaten here, but will wait for the final lineups.

 

Big Man’s 50th game tonight … have the players got anything in the tank?

 

I’m not going to make a result prediction- you wouldn’t like it!