My first Match report of the new year, but it was the same old Tottenham I am afraid to say. Lack of tempo? Check. Lack of creativity? Check. No goals? Check. Unbalanced team? Check. Awful to watch? Check. No confidence in the team to get a result? Check.

I just cannot fathom how we get out of this year long rut we are in. There is no “THIS IS IT” solution. It’s going to be a long time before things get better, but you wonder how many bad times we have to go through before the green shoots start appearing. From the outside it kind of looks rosy.

Last years Champions League finalists. Check. A Manager with the most trophies in the game. Check. World class stadium and training facilities. Check. Some brilliant players with a core that’s been together for a while. Check.

Troubling times at Tottenham

However, things are just not right. Let us have a look at what’s happening.

The team that has got us to the highs or the previous seasons is mostly still here. This is now a huge problem. Lack of investment has left us so far behind clubs we should be competing with. Complacency set in and this played some part in Poch going and our form over the past 18 months. We did try to strengthen this year, but injuries have kept both Ndombele and Lo Celso from really establishing them as we had hoped. An ageing (and now really showing) back line. Sanchez and now Tanganga are hopefully stepping up to try and help this. We Still do not have a back-up for Kane, huge problem, which I go into during King or Kaboul this week.

Match days are now simply just boring, with no expectation at all. Mourinho has not been in the job long enough for anyone to really criticise his work. However, so far his tactics seem much behind were we would like them to be. Aurier being number one right winger, just baffling. Still persisting with the overloading of one side, without the “proper” personnel. Playing our most in-form player back in a position where his skils and strengths are diminished greatly. Playing Son and Lucas in the same starting 11. I could go on and it might seem like I criticising but these are just things looking in from my lofty position as a fan have picked up on.

We shall see what happens come the end of the season but I think the season is just going to be a lost cause. Get some of our new and younger players integrated so we can start next season in a better position. Hopefully we get a few more signings in this window will help us achieve that.

Tactics

Out of Possession 4-3-3

We started as we do nowadays, with a *back four* Tanganga playing left back in this game. Aurier starting as a defender and progressing up the pitch as he does now. Winks played the more deep lying midfielder, Dele playing to the left of him and Lo Celso playing between the centre and the right wing. Lamela and Son started on the wings as expected with Son playing more through the centre in Kane’s absence.

In Possession 3-4-3

This was really the rough formation and positions when we had the ball. As you can see Aurier plays as the default right-sided midfielder, with full licence to get up and down that flank. We go to a back 3 when this happens, Tanganga tucking in to be the left-sided centre back. Winks played deeper and tried to get the ball moving to out more progressive players. Dele played deeper than he has been, which gives some protection against the midfield trio of Watford. We couldn’t afford to get overrun by Chalobah, Capoue and the ever impressive Doucoure. We lose so much from Dele in this role, as he has to start his trademark runs from 20 yards deeper. His control and passing are still an asset but he does not worry teams and pull them out of position from this deeper role.

Lo Celso played in an attacking right-side midfield role. He was neat and tidy and offered for the ball but ultimately did not create too much in the congested midfield. The Argentine still needs to start our games from now on, we cannot keep turning to a player who is on his way out to rescue games. But again, Mou seems to have hinted that our wantaway Dane will be playing vs Norwich on Wednesday. Pffftttttt

Onto another Argentinian, who looked like he really wanted his goal bonus this match. We saw glimpses of his strengths and weaknesses during his time on the pitch. With effortless rolling of the ball under his foot to wayward shots. Still gets me excited when he is on the ball as he can offer that killer ball we so often need. Denied a winning goal as a fellow country man cleared off the line late on. It is just whether he can offer more for 90 minutes.

Out of form

On the other side Son played as a left winger and a few times we looked for him and he got free. He blazed a hard chance over and just generally looks a little off it. Son cannot play with back to goal well he needs the ball over or him to be running at people. The impact of not having a real forward in the team is impacting everyone. But the obvious impact on our attacking players who need to fill his goalscoring boots is really showing. Lucas played through the middle, but is not a striker and is not really a first-choice player. He has moments during games, and is scrappy and hard working. But so is Shane long, I do not want Shane Long leading the line for my club. Now his excellent close control and pace mean he can run at players, but again with back to goal he isn’t cutting it up top.

Transfer Window update

So, we have a player in. Shock Horror I know. I have seen glimpses of Gedson in the past 2 years and he looks a useful addition. Albeit, with a few caveats. He is not the 6 we crave but more of an 8. Of which we have Ndombele, Winks and Sissoko in various guises of that position. He can play a little more advanced ala Sissoko but not a true right winger. Mind you who is as this f*%king club. He looks to play forward which is a good trait. But after a falling out with the manager he has not really been in the team in 2019. 18 month loan with no obligation to buy is a bonus for us really.

What we still need:

Striker

It’s a must we get someone in to help the goal shy team. I have no idea who though. Being this time of the season, no one is going to want to sell anyone who is performing remotely well. Time for DL to get his cheque book out or remove his daily withdrawal limit on his debit card.

Defensive Midfielder

We still are searching for a true Defensive midfielder to pair with Ndombele (when he is fit). Again, options will be short. But as we have seen with Gedson, someone will be out there we just have to find them. Mobility is key for us in this role as we don’t have the paciest centre backs.

Right Back

As much as I have targeted Serge this season for his performances, I do feel as though we won’t sign a right back. Mourinho seems to have this tactic in place for a reason. With this he has stated that he could tighten up our defence but at the sacrifice of the offence. This leads me to believe that he will accept some rubbish from Serge providing we use him as the outlet he has been. He has not been all bad this season but is still a personal concern for me whenever he is in the side. He has been one of the most used players this year, that tells you something. Tanganga is showing his worth with his performances so far and can cover along that back line.

Next up..

Hopefully this Norwich match is a game to get our mojo back. They are without mini Hazard, Buendia for this game and the suspended Godfrey. Pukki is back and we need to limit his space in and around the area. Sanchez should be back to help with this. We need a win for the race for sixth and to get some momentum going. Tricky game vs the current Champions a week on Sunday. Hopefully VAR doesn’t mess them over again, that would not be funny!

FPL Prospects

Will be brief as time is against me this week, Solicitors and School run! Yay!

Gazzaniga – 4.6m / 4.8% TSB / 14 points last game

Penalty save and a clean sheet vs Watford. Great for any owners still on him. A cheap way into a Mourinho defence. But like I said above. Mourinho is not that fussed on tightening us up if it means sacrificing what attacking intent we have. Gazza is an ok shot stopper as he has proven so far this year, but is not the commanding presence we need with our regularly changing back line.

Tanganga – 4m / 1.4% tsb / 5 points last game

Young defender JT is what I call fodder. Is playing, and will get rotated at some point but I think he could start vs Norwich, Villa and Wolves out of the next 5. With Mou opting for experience vs City and Chelsea. He did play vs Liverpool though so who knows. Mou has confidence in him so far. But see how the returning players impact his place in the team.

Aurier – 5m / 6.1% /6 points last game

You know my thoughts, but he is advanced, there are better options around this price if you ask me.

The rest…

Son – Not in form and asked to do more in the absence of Kane.

Lucas – See above.

Dele – Playing too deep in a midfield 3 to of any FPL use.

COYS

Thanks for reading my Match Review on my site. All feedback welcome as well as support. Means a lot that people still want to read my views. Please get in touch if you have any questions regarding Spurs.

Mr WP

@Writehartlane