PLAYER RATINGS: Spurs 1-1 Fiorentina

With no Harry Kane or Ryan Mason in the starting line-up, fans were keen to see how we’d fair out during this fixture – the first of a very tough and important run-in.

Hugo Lloris - 6 – Only made one save and had two claims to make. Will be disappointed to have conceded on the brink of half-time, after our control over the game early on.

Kyle Walker – 7 – One of Walkers better games today. Used his blistering pace to perfection and was instrumental in our domination down the right during the first-half. Combined nicely with Townsend on the overlap.

Federico Fazio - 6 – Never troubled by the height and hold-up play of Mario Gomez – winning 3 aerial duels and making 2 tackles. Could have been caught out by Salah on a few occasions, but improving.

Jan Vertonghen – 6 – Looking a lot more accomplished in defence – making 5 tackles tonight. Also very positive bringing the ball out from the back and calm in possession.

Ben Davies – 6 – Doesn’t have the pace of Rose, but is a very accomplished footballer. Tried to overplay when in the final third, but was unlucky not to get an assist with some decent crosses across the box.

Paulinho -6 – Thought BT commentator Owen Hargreaves was rather harsh with his analysis of the Brazilian. Was one of the key players in our strong first-half performance – always wanted the ball and positive in possession.

Nabil Bentaleb -7 – Another complete performance from the Algerian – adding an element of balance to our side. Had 3 shots, made 3 tackles, had 3 successful dribbles and won one aerial duel. Importance cannot be underestimated.

Andros Townsend -7 – Full of confidence tonight – running and beating his man during a frantic opening half. Had 6 successful dribbles and two shots – and will be disappointed he didn’t get on the score-sheet.

Nacer Chadli - 7- One of the shining lights in our attacking four – composed on the ball and causing the Fiorentina defence all kinds of trouble. Made 3 successful dribbles and had two shots. Not bad, considering it was his first start since mid-January.

Christian Eriksen - 6- Not his most polished display – giving the ball away on several occasions with sloppy passes. Showed his slick class on a few occasions, and made up for the mistakes with a fantastic work ethic.

Roberto Soldado – 7 – Got himself on the score-sheet with a fantastic goal. Confidence was growing after the goal – evident by his audacious attempt of a bicycle-kick. Not as mobile as the other strikers to play in our system – but classy build-up play brings others into play, and did so tonight.

SUBS:

Harry Kane – 6 – Renewed optimism when he came on the field. Was too deep to get involved in any chances, but in those areas – picked up the ball to drive attacks forward.

Erik Lamela – N/A – Not on long enough to influence the game.

Ryan Mason – N/A – Not on long enough to influence the game.

With the tie well-and-truly open, it will be interesting to see what line-up Pochettino goes with next Thursday – three days before our cup final against Chelsea.

Bring on the Spammers on Sunday, COYS!

 

Dear Josh. I think that you are too nice with our beloved players... 7 for a totally innefective paulinho in second half is too much. OK Soldado gave us some dream with his goal but how can you give him a 7 when it's his fault on the fiorentina goal...? He never had to tackle in this area. .. and even if I love Eriksen he had à very bad Game tonight so à 5 would be more logical. How can you give him the Same rating than Verthongen Who was excellent tonight?

 

Feels like a game we should have won. Away leg will be tough but can see us scoring out there. Think the Italians will be the happier tonight but you never know. Coys.

 

Good first half hour then Europa Snooze mode, needed to wrap up the win really the return will be difficult.
Great finish from Soldado, Townsend played well, thats about it really.

 

First half hour was positive and quick, but once fiorentina changed their tactics, we failed to break them down.
I thought Hargreaves was kind about Paulinho. He was negative and slow and offered little impetus.
It comes down to the point I keep making, our second string are just not good enough.
It was great to see Bobby get a really good goal, but we will have to play a lot better than this next Thursday. Our next few games will define our season so we have to dig deep and show what we are capable of.
Come on you spurs.

 

I get more confused about Spurs with every passing game - ARE we improving under Pochettino? We all thought the Chelsea game marked the return of the fast, attacking play hardly seen since Redknapp's departure, and then we went and blew it against Leicester. We beat Arsenal, happy days were here again, and then we lost a genuine 'six pointer' against Liverpool, and now we're outsiders to progress in the EL (as if we were ever likely to win it!). If the near-certain spanking from Chelsea materialises, it will just about be the icing on the cake.

 

I agree wiv most about we controlled the 1st 35mins but again possession means nothing if u don't put away your chances which we had plenty of and the game should of been over by half time! Once again wat do people see in Paulinho he is piss poor every time I see him even make our bench I jst wonder why??? Didn't think eriksen had the best of games he gave silly balls away to easily but I suppose he can't be our best player every game, thought bentaleb was superb today! I have to question pochess subs and the timing of them could of gone wiv 2 up top earlier and thought the game was crying out for dembele to drive forward but we were really slow second half and to be honest how many times is poch gona come out after games and say something different other than we deserved more??? So another frustrating night and I do fear the worst over the next 10days when our season will be told but all u can do is keep faith,hope and believe things will go our way this season. COYS

 

Lamela not long enough on to be rated??? He was awful, absolutely awful. Hope Townsend plays next week in Florence, very dangerous and could have scored if he had been a little more greedy on occasion( not often I would say that!)

 

McP right Lamela was terrible! What exactly is his role? I thought he came to Spurs as a free scoring winger/striker. Well he doesnt do any of that now. Dont see the point of him in his current role.

 

Come on - Lamela was not as good as you say.
Good plan from Poch - try and win the tie in the first 30 minutes - nearly worked, and would have had it not been for Eriksen misfiring and some bad luck.
We should play a very open game in the return tie and hope we score as many goals as they do.

 

Paulinho is a nothing player. He picks the ball up in nothing positions passes it sideways and repeats. Bentaleb runs at people, Paulinho is a sloppy tackler and does nothing with the ball.
I was there last night, truly thought we'd go on to put 3/4 past them. Frustrating second half, credit where it's due Fiorentina changed set up three or four times in the whole game and it caught us totally unawares. Fazio at fault for their goal IMO, was the wrong side of Gomez, and lack or communication with Lloris meant Gomez practically left Basanta with an open goal to aim at.

 

Mmmm. Tonight was nearly good, even though my view on this Cup is that diverts us away from the main task. 8 more games and you still may lose it.
That said I can't agree with some of the ratings here and the two worthy of comment are Paulinho and Chadli. As one earlier wag said my wife's got a better Brazilian than him. He's hopeless. No end product. Watch his every move and what he really contributes. Sweet FA. Chadli...so frustrating. Needs to work much harder for me. Lazy, languid.....Chadli the Chugger. Definitely a Needs Improvement.
Others - liked the full backs, Benteleb. Thought Townsend worked his socks off. Off day for the Great Dane.
I for one wouldn't be diasspointed if we went out next week.
COYS