I know where you are coming from LT, but there is another angle to look at. We are not outscoring or winning comfortably is just as much down to us conceding too many goals. So while goals are coming from everywhere, the lack of a solid and stable midfield is making us vulnerable at the back. Compounded by extraordinary absentees at the back.
After today, we are the 2nd highest scorers in the PL @ 44. However, we've conceded 31 = worse out of the top 6 teams. Pretty obvious where the issue lies.
Season 2022-23 after 21 games, those two figures were 40 and 31 respectively.
Season 2021-22 they were 28 and 23 respectively.
So IMO the Kane argument is a red herring.
Midfield and defence weaknesses (thru enforced absences) need to be addressed.
Fair points guys and no problem with optimism. As Ange himself said yesterday, no system is perfect and even with our strongest side out, his setup will concede chances. In an open game we are a match for anyone. However the more we dominate the more opponents are forced to park the bus and that's when we struggle to score and where I think City and Liverpool have the edge on us. From where we were 3rd would be an amazing result.This weekend we played Utd, and City played Newcastle. Pep's team found a way to win that game but it wasn't because of a Kane or Haaland. It was because of a KDB and a Bobb, from a strong bench in a deep squad.
For Spurs to win this league, it will be around the 6 key midfield players - Biss, Bents, Sarr, Madds, Gio, Kulu. At times only 3 might start, but having the others on the bench will be amazing.
Also worth observing that the Utd goal came from a Johnson cross. Ange allows his players to burst forward and support the wide players. When your wide forward just crosses it into the keepers hands, it's difficult to reset especially for those roving full-backs. That is forgivable from Johnson if you do it once or twice in a game. Yesterday, it felt like every cross was catching practice.
There are many ways those 3 forwards can contribute to the defensive record but it will mostly be combinations of Biss, Sarr and Bents that really help the guys behind them to tighten it up.
Fair points guys and no problem with optimism. As Ange himself said yesterday, no system is perfect and even with our strongest side out, his setup will concede chances. In an open game we are a match for anyone. However the more we dominate the more opponents are forced to park the bus and that's when we struggle to score and where I think City and Liverpool have the edge on us. From where we were 3rd would be an amazing result.
Nor do I, they'd both have to go through really bad runs and we'd have to win just about every game left, but at least it shows Ange's level of ambition.Not now with that draw, if we'd have won then yes (just about)
It's likely 8 points behind Liverpool and 6 City. Really don't see us making up that many points on both of them,
I don’t disagree with this assessment LT. However having watched Maddison and his close control especially in the penalty area and along the byline I think he will be the key to unlocking packed defencesccFair points guys and no problem with optimism. As Ange himself said yesterday, no system is perfect and even with our strongest side out, his setup will concede chances. In an open game we are a match for anyone. However the more we dominate the more opponents are forced to park the bus and that's when we struggle to score and where I think City and Liverpool have the edge on us. From where we were 3rd would be an amazing result.
I have a feeling Werner will also have this quality.I don’t disagree with this assessment LT. However having watched Maddison and his close control especially in the penalty area and along the byline I think he will be the key to unlocking packed defencescc
Nor do I, they'd both have to go through really bad runs and we'd have to win just about every game left, but at least it shows Ange's level of ambition.
It isn't just us who have this problem though, 54, it's all clubs.I don’t disagree with this assessment LT. However having watched Maddison and his close control especially in the penalty area and along the byline I think he will be the key to unlocking packed defencescc
Simple reply Geof....fcuk the woke twats and the Swat team lol!Good post, mate. But I think 'the fat lady' is an illegal phrase and should now be substituted by 'the woke person of no specific gender or religious affiliation'. Is that a SWAT team outside your house? I've got your back, mate.
plus we rarely score from corners or dead ball situations - do we still have a dead ball coach from Italy?People keep forgetting to mention the, 'Elephant (S) in the room here The, Ref and, VAR, how often has VAR Won or lost a game.
City won the league last year but' 'Quietly' Amassed the most awarded pens, as well.
Now like it or not these decisions can turn a loss into a draw or a draw into a win, or if given early enough, have a lesser team chasing a result which may be beyond them.
I haven't looked but I'd say they have, around 5 pens to our 1 this season so far, put those into games, we've drawn???
We've scored 8 goals from set pieces in the PL this season so far. That's joint third. Only Arsenal and Everton (11) have scored more. We're doing okay in that department.plus we rarely score from corners or dead ball situations - do we still have a dead ball coach from Italy?
That used to be the case sld but as Gary points out we've been somewhat better this season.plus we rarely score from corners or dead ball situations - do we still have a dead ball coach from Italy?
Salah is Liverpool's top scorer with double the goals of anyone else in the team. He's now away at AFCON. This needs to severely hamper their form for us to stand a chance.
If they keep up their current points per game we'd need to win 15 of our remaining 17 games to win the league. I'm an optimist and I'm not saying that's impossible, but it would be a better run than anyone has done for some time in the prem I believe. So either Liverpool need to dip in form and City and Arsenal need to carry on being inconsistent and we edge them out, or we can afford to not win 2 more games and pick up 3 points in the rest which seems highly highly unlikely.
Overall though I expect us to improve on our first half of the season form. We've yet to see a Biss/Bents/Maddison midfield 3. Plus Werner adds options up top, and Dragusin hopefully means if we pick up another knock at CB it won't cost us as dearly. United came a week too soon for player fitness/injuries IMO but we're looking like we'll be in really good shape from here on in if we can just stop picking up so many injuries.
I went 2nd in a poll earlier this season and got a bit of stick. I still think we're probably 2nd best team in the league - but that 4 game streak that put us behind will likely mean we finish 3rd/4th even if we pick up proper momentum - an 8 point gap with our run in is too big unless Pool implode and City keep messing up.
"One player who seems to have found his place in Postecoglou's football is Richarlison. The Brazilian had an off-day against Burnley in the FA Cup but at Old Trafford, his strength on the ball and link-up play were excellent. He also contributed at the other end of the pitch with two tackles and one clearance.plus we rarely score from corners or dead ball situations - do we still have a dead ball coach from Italy?