Spurs needed one of United's players to win today's game

The state of Spurs is always up for discussion, but current belief is that we are healthily heading in the right direction. After a hard-fought point was earned today, this Spurs side are now showing certain qualities that we have not seen in quite a while.

Credit must go to Pochettino, whose side were rejuvenated and riled up after the interval; and would’ve felt that a point today could’ve easily been all three. But despite fighting spirit, excellent commitment and superb fitness-levels, what we are really lacking is added quality.

The tale of two

Analysts of today’s game have dubbed it a tale of two halves, as United led the opening 45 while Spurs were comfortable in the second. Today’s game was also a tale of two sides - who were evenly matched but very much in contrast.

United’s threat came from individual stars such as Mata, Rooney and van Persie – whose small glimpses of individual skill crafted chances for their side. In comparison, Spurs’ work ethic and pressing in numbers was what looked most likely to get them a goal.

The winning formula for a game like today’s was probably a balance of both styles, and over the course of the season United will probably pick up more points that Spurs because of their added quality.

Spurs in need of a ‘United star’

I believe that if Spurs had either one of those United players listed above in their side today – then we would have come away with all three points. That is not to knock any of the player’s performances today, especially Lloris, but Spurs today were maybe one quality player away from winning the game. We were comfortable in the second half, but never threatening.

Despite our assured dominance in the second-half, I was unable to watch it with ease. Even though we were in cruise control at times, there was always a doubt in the back of my mind. Rooney, Mata, Falcao and van Persie – no matter how quiet they were, there was always an inclination that they could produce a moment of magic to clinch it for United.

Unlike Spurs, there was no-one who I thought could take the game by the scruff of the neck to hit that winning goal, whip in a wonderful cross or play that angled assist in for the winner.

Team ethic will often trump individual brilliance, but in the end – quality will always shine through. Whether that means buying in January for Spurs or giving our star players the time to develop over the season - the positive fact of the matter is that we are one or two quality players away from being a very, very good side.

 

Unfortunately Spurs could not afford the transfer fees / wages of the four players listed. Spurs are a club without a sugar daddy or massive debts and a relatively small ground so we have to live within our means and try to develop players.

 

Agree with the above, we are harder to break down but lack the final ball, thought we could have nicked it, even if undeserved!!!

 

1 or 2 players from being a very good side?
Utd could have easily walked out 0-4 winners today but for mainly the brilliance of Lloris. Utds biggest weakness is their massively average defence and we barely troubled de gea at all.
We had a short spell in the last 15 mins where we went forward but with miniscule cutting edge, the game was mainly dominated by Utd.
We are miles away from being a very good side not while were carrying sooo many average players. Theres at least 10 players that could/should be sold that wouldnt harm us in the slightest. We have money for much better caliber players than we have if we didnt bloat it with absolute nobodies!

 

We are not brilliant but neither are United. Look, I am a negative Spurs fan, I know that, but today we played well. Not exciting, but well. Second half we played nasty and got stuck in. Sometimes you have to dig deep and today we did that.
It is not pretty at the minute, but we are building each week. As I have said before, this season is about getting on the right track and I think we are getting there.
A point or even three against Chelsea and we will be looking in very good shape for the last part of the season.

Come on you Spurs!!!!

 

We showed alot of fight today and battled throughout. We did look like the away side at times and I was impressed with Utds wing back system, its a brave way to play, one that I thought Spurs might do in the recent past. They clearly had the better players and an attacking system but Poch is getting the best from the players we have at the moment. We wont play many better sides than United this season and we know we can improve and go for it more in games to come. Coys

 

None of Uniteds stars won the game today!!!

 

Thought it was a fair performance today, and definately a game we would have lost in the past few seasons-utd have not lost at whl since 2001!!!
When I saw the teamsheet with Chiriches in at RB, I feared the worst, but he did well in the end, making a couple of telling blocks. This lad Yedlin could play his part come January as he has pace to cover the sometimes isolated Fazio. The 2 CBs played well together and are forging a good relationship, and in the main kept their attacking prowess quiet! I like Mason because he can play and hes not afraid to get stuck in, unlike dembele and capoue. Kane was excellent but needed a partner, especially at home. Hopefully Soldado and Kane will play together against chelski?? Happy with the draw in the end, and realistically, a draw with chelsea would make it a good xmas, with winnable games on the horizon. COYS!!!!

 

I think the other way around - if manure had one of Spurs' players, Harry, they would have been over the horizon by half time.
Fed up with reading how manure are 'still' in the fight for the title - if so, we should also start making room in our trophy cabinet.

 

I thought we played well in the second half, it was a game either team could have snatched with the chances that were created. Yes Man U could have been out of sight at half time, but as the team in red have proved themselves several times this season, a quality goalkeeper can keep you in a game when the other team are playing better. Man Utd have turned that into an art this season, we shouldn't beat ourselves up for playing them at their own game.

We do perhaps lack that bit of quality to get us into the top four, but Kane looks better every game and Erikson has come to the party this season. We have two players who should be giving us the 'added quality' - Lamela and Dembele, but they are frustratingly inconsistent. Lamela always puts in a shift at least, but Dembele jogs about looking far too unconcerned about winning for my liking. Maybe I'm misreading the body language, but I wouldn't protest if they ship the Belgian man out in the window.

Dunno what Fazio had for breakfast, but he looked a lot more confident in the heart of our defence. I do hope that wasn't a 'one off' performance because never mind 'superstar' attackers, you build a successful team from the back. He is due another stern examination when the Chavs come calling, I'd be delighted if we could keep a clean sheet against the best team in league, it would definitely signify progress.

If I'm honest I'd be surprised if we get anything against Chelsea, they are a better team than Man U. Nonetheless, I'll continue to back Pochettino, there are signs the team is beginning to shape up. COYS.

 

Think the point further up the post is a great one regarding spurs could benefit from the wing bk system for the following reasons
1 we have quite a few centre half's none great defenders to be fair so you can employ an extra one to compensate that deficiency and all 3 play the width of the penalty area thus more compact.
2) we are currently struggling for quality and form in wide areas in relation to the inverted winger nonsense. We do however have many players very capable of playing wing bk roles in Davies rose and in particular walker and the incoming yedlin. Also I believe Townsend could be Taylor made for this role.
3) it allows the team to continue to deploy the common trait of playing with 3 cmids without the necessity of playing with only a lone striker which is the key advantage to the whole system. We have often struggled to get numbers close to whoever plays the lone role. Soldado needs to play as a two pronged attack which he has shown his best form in my opinion. So basically if u cannot defend as a team attack as a team. It makes poor sides look better than they actually are is utd and Holland team with limited ability. They would line up something like
Hugo
Chiriches fazio Jan
Walker. Dembele masonTownsend
Eriksen
Soldado. Kane.

The system requires fast wing BKS with great engines but attacking instincts also which the above obviously do and the book end centre half's also able to operate as full BKS as they will often come across as cover. Hull had decent success with this last term and Wigan stated up for many year and won the fa cup playing it also..
This season Liverpool and soton both reverted to this system of late with success after faltering form. Juve Italy's top boys of the last few years also using as did Chile who were superb in the WC with average players!! Personally I would look to replace mason with a better player and one or two centre half's to come in. Also another main striker ie bony benteke Adriano and a younger one ie berihino ings ponce or the young Croatia boy looks a real talent reminiscent of lineker. The Croats do seem to settle well. It is a fair bit of investment but let's be fair there is a lot of deadwood to be flogged plus whatever the budget is..

 

I presume that you are referring to Kramarić? News last night in Croatia was that Chelski have offered 7mil for him, but he would be loaned out to Vitesse for the remainder of this season. If we put a similar bid in, it might be more attractive as he would have the chance to get straight into our starting X1. The guy is on fire now, half a season in clogs might not seem that attractive!

 

Agree with Big Fran about the attacking possibilties of the wing back system. Maybe we wouldnt use it in all games but against opposition that turn up at the Lane and ' park the bus' it could be deployed.The Chile national side uses a 3-1-3-3 system, that would be brave leap forward, but why not try these new and dynamic strategies when the opportunity presents itself. To dare is to do. Happy new year to the Spurs faithful everywhere. Coys.

 

Yeah looks Chelsea bound unfortunately but if you can offer the lad more first team football a nice sign on fee and a few more quid a week sometimes u can entice these players from these poorer countries!! And of course he will get a move to Madrid if he does well!!