11 Jan 2017 22:07:48
Just want to add my take on our form recently. We've had 3 pretty bad results back to back and what makes it worse is the performance in those games especially from certain players but if you look at the context of the results we haven't lost much ground. The last round of PL fixtures was a bittersweet one as Chelsea finally lost but we couldn't capitalise and be 3 points behind, instead we gained one point, that is not lost ground. A draw against Plymouth is disappointing under any circumstances especially as it means an extra game in an already packed January but that game will be played by the youngsters and we will most likely win. We are still in the competition so again nothing lost there. In this game against the saints, I think it's the only game in which we received some sort of deficit as we are a goal behind, but it's a 2 legged match with the next match being at home under the lights with most of our important players due back, so again we are far from out of it and should still be favourites to get through. 3 points on Sunday and I'm sure all this is forgotten as we will have the Plymouth and Southampton games shortly after to correct these wrongs, and we have proven we're capable of doing it, we will though, I'm not so sure.

My concerns where always these run of fixtures in January and it seems to have halted our momentum big time. Beating united is always a big ask but in terms of form it doesn't look like it will happen. I think we go into the game exactly how we'd want to mentally as everyone's saying united will beat us so the pressure is on them to do that. I do prefer that rather than the pressure being on us as we don't do well under pressure, but I get the feeling it will mean little on Sunday. What these last three games have shown is that Henderson is arguably the most vital player to our team and our system. We shouldn't rely on one player that much, we're awful in midfield without him and I'm glad people are finally realising how important he is. One thing is clear, Can shouldn't be in the first team. I have said this since the summer but Fifa players where saying Henderson was the problem not Can lol. Now Can obvious insufficiencies in midfield are coming into fruition for all to see. He just lacks in vital areas of a midfielders game, and he certainly isn't good enough to cover Henderson. If we are to purchase anyone in January, it should be a midfielder, not just to cover Henderson but to improve the starting midfield. Can is only good when the rest of the team is playing well otherwise he doesn't know what he's doing. I'm not saying get rid of him, I'm saying he needs more time to learn his trade so he should be a squad player for now because he does well against certain opponents, but it's obvious he shouldn't be in the first 11. And I'm not trying to slate him, I'm just frustrated it's taking this long for people to realise this, we need to improve this midfield sooner rather than later otherwise we will have to settle for top 4 I feel.

1.) 11 Jan 2017
11 Jan 2017 22:16:21
I agree with you on can, He's been a problem for us these last few games.

2.) 11 Jan 2017
11 Jan 2017 22:22:18
". Moving the ball quickly. " is the most vital part of our system. A part which got Brendan sacked when he moved out. Liverpool move the ball quicker than light and when that stops we becomes extremely preductable.
Henderson is one of the vital part of this system but we still had all other senior players available today.

3.) 12 Jan 2017
12 Jan 2017 03:49:02
Heartless, I agree with your post globally that but disagree with the assessment that we should not be drawing with Plymouth in a game we played predominantly with U19`s or U23`s at best. Plymouth may be a lower league team BUT they have seasoned professionals who are physically fitter, stronger and more experienced in the pro game than our kids so I wasn`t surprised that we didn't win cos of these reasons and of course, the whole of Plymouth as parked in front of their goal. We`ll see what happens in the replay and if the kids play again, of course I`ll back them to win BUT it won`t be easy.

4.) 12 Jan 2017
12 Jan 2017 07:31:31
Just like to point out that can is a squad player. If every player is fit, like at the start of the season, he doesn't get picked. Injuries brought him into the team and have kept him there

5.) 12 Jan 2017
12 Jan 2017 11:53:59
Hamilton, I see what you're saying and it wasn't much of a surprise to me either but that was the same sort of team that beat spurs second string side and Leeds full strength side which are both much tougher opposition. Add the fact that it was at home and realistically we should be winning that game. I expect the same sort of line up to play the rematch and we'll most likely get the win.

Slowdog, whilst it's true injury was what brought him in, he was still being accommodated for at times and even when we had wiji lallana and hendo all available he was still getting in ahead for a while. I think we need a better option than can, and I don't mean a squad player better than can, I mean someone that improves the starting midfield and plays alongside hendo lallana/ wiji. It's a simple case of, we need a better player than Can or wiji (who I think has been pretty decent for the most part, just not as effective as I'd like him to be) . Plus wiji can play more than one role meaning we wouldn't even need a replacement for mane and wiji can play further forward when needed. It gives us more quality options in midfield and attack, not just attack.

6.) 12 Jan 2017
12 Jan 2017 14:37:02
Kman92, the Spurs team had their own share of youth players like Vickers, Winks, Anomah and a few back up senior players like Trippier, and Nkoudou and Vincent Jansson. We had Studge, Mane, Lucas, Klavan, Moreno and Origi along with our kids. Compare these lineups to Plymouth`s who played their full first team vs a team dominated by teenagers with Moreno, Can and Lucas as senior players. In no way are both games nor team lineups related. The game being at home makes no difference either cos the fact that we played literally the academy team, leveled the playing field for Plymouth. I do think we will win the tie if we play the same lineup but with a one or two tweaks here and there.