Premier League - Tottenham Hotspurs vs Ipswich Town Preview & Matchday Thread

[Charnwood]

I thought we got lucky with the hand ball from seeing the highlights, could it be VAR appolgising for the c*ck ups last week, they're too spineless to do it publicly.

I thought the current rule was if it wasn't deliberate and your arm wasn't in an 'unnatural' posistion, then it's not a handball? I don't think it fits either of those criteria, certainly not as a 'howler' that VAR is meant to intervene on?

It certainly wouldn’t have been disallowed by those clowns last week. The referee wouldn’t have seen it and VAR wouldn’t have intervened.

[hallamblue]

I doubt it would have even gone to VAR today had Ashton / McKenna not raised our concerns with the officials at PR this week.
The pundits on motd are as usual VERY condescending towards Town. Saying things like Spurs have had a hard mid week European match. Bunch of tossas the lot of em.

[hallamblue]

I can’t believe how much I enjoyed watching that game from the moment I saw our 3:4:3 line up and from there on my day just got better.

Maybe some of the doubters on here will now start believing we actually do stand a chance of avoiding relegation and if we achieve that I will be very happy.

Maybe we finally got it over the line because McKenna FINALLY adapted his approach?

[shabba]

Oh my, what a day!!!!!

I was lucky enough to be at the game, albeit not with the town fans.

- SO proud of the fans today, they sang all match and were loud and proud

- Defintiley good to see the 3-4-3 today, we looked more solid, the attackers were a bit isloated but with Szmodics, Delap and Omari you have 3 hard working players, and Delp and Omari are SO good at carrying the ball.

- The atmosphere in the stadium was very flat first half, it massively ramped up when they scored the goal that got ruled off, however it soon turned very toxic in there! Fans felt somewhat entitled and were moaning alot!

- Spurs were poor, really poor, they had a few pot shots, a few chances they should have done better with- we had some chances and Delap and Omari were superb for us.

- We were VERY streetwise today, taking our time, going down when needed, winning fouls, really peeing off the home crowd.

Thrilled we got a win!

[Charnwood]

I know we lined up 3:4:3 but I didn’t actually see a huge difference in our approach. Maybe having 3 up front almost in a line rather than having Delap with 3 behind him meant our front three had more space to work in and didn’t get in one another’s way. Whatever it was it worked well and will give a real boost to morale and confidence. What did help massively today was the combination of having Tuanzebe plugging the gap at RB and the fact that every player to a man put in a huge shift without a weakness anywhere on the pitch and for once no individual costly errors. We’ve had periods in most games where we’ve had good spells (admittedly I missed the Everton game) but we’ve not before had every player on their game for 90 minutes. I’m just hoping and praying that this game will kick start our season. One thing for sure if we can win at Spurs we can pretty much win anywhere, so from this week onwards we don’t have to fear what many of us expected today.
For be the best individual performances came Hutchinson, Delap and Szmodics with O’Shea and Muric not too far behind. In fact for me nobody in the team performed less than 7.5/10 and that includes the referee, our best so far even tho he was a bit hasty booking Tuanzebe in the first 15 mins for a petty first offence.

[hallamblue]

Exactly Andy. Tjis win today against a really good, established PL side will have a massive impact on our squad's self belief I think.

We really haven't been outplayed by many teams this season. I'd like us to continue with this formation tbh.... but we'll see what happens. But I am so made up with this win tonight . I'm on cloud 9 .....

[Charnwood]

Exactly Andy. Tjis win today against a really good, established PL side will have a massive impact on our squad's self belief I think.

We really haven't been outplayed by many teams this season. I'd like us to continue with this formation tbh.... but we'll see what happens. But I am so made up with this win tonight . I'm on cloud 9 .....

Lorraine couldn’t believe it Liz but that win brought tears to my eyes and made me feel really emotional. I just wasn’t expecting it today although having Tuanzebe back gave me a bit of a lift as did the change in formation. I said to Lorraine before kick off, “I don’t believe this but it looks like we’re going for it”. Little did I expect what followed.

Like you I’d be happy with the same starting 11 v Man Utd although if Greaves is fit I think Burgess will make way which would be very disappointing for him.

[ITFC2024]

Great win! Hopefully we can build on this. Delap tied at 7th for most goals scored with Jackson & Wellbeck.

We’ve created goal scoring chances in most of our matches, that’s really a good sign. Fix the defensive errors and we just might survive.

I’m cautiously optimistic. Funny though, I haven’t read any complaints about Omari playing in the middle today.

[AzzurroMark]

Funny though, I haven’t read any complaints about Omari playing in the middle today.

I saw the MOTD highlights and thought OH had a fantastic game, really giving Spurs a lot to think about it. His (and our) decision making, as the pundits said, was really spot on. Keep those performances up and he will be justifying his price tag. I don't get to watch much of us, but felt he looks at home in the PL on that performance.

Apparently we played a 5-4-1 formation and certainly from a MOTD still frame, our shape showed that. KM used to talk about 'fluid' formations, and from moving that particular still frame forward from the defensive shape to the way we commited players when going forward was very fluid.

[Bluemike]

Great win! Hopefully we can build on this. Delap tied at 7th for most goals scored with Jackson & Wellbeck.

We’ve created goal scoring chances in most of our matches, that’s really a good sign. Fix the defensive errors and we just might survive.

I’m cautiously optimistic. Funny though, I haven’t read any complaints about Omari playing in the middle today.

It's a good point regarding Omari, I definitely think the change in formation helped him in that regard, but his positional play fluctuated throughout the game because if you recall he was getting down the right a fair few times and getting crosses in, I don't he was an out and out number 10, the 3 up front definitely created more space for him and indeed Szmodics who was getting into dangerous positions, in the opening minutes Sammy had an effort blocked while he was attacking down the right, he then scored while central and created Delap's goal attacking down the left. The Three up front definitely worked and caught Spurs out I think.

[Bluemike]

Goals in their first 10 starts in the English top tier:

Liam Delap: 6
Harry Kane: 5
Wayne Rooney: 5
Alan Shearer: 3
Michael Owen: 3

#ITFC

[mendipblue]

I can’t believe how much I enjoyed watching that game from the moment I saw our 3:4:3 line up and from there on my day just got better.

Maybe some of the doubters on here will now start believing we actually do stand a chance of avoiding relegation and if we achieve that I will be very happy.

I actually feel Town have been competitive in the PL all season. Had quite a few injuries to key players and have been on the wrong side of the breaks. Team is learning evey week at this level. Middle to front been decent, defensively had to improve.
Role on to Man Utd at PR, which will be very interesting game

I think the injuries to Tuanzebe and Greaves were particularly damaging and played a significant part in some of Muric’x blunders without him having the confidence of having them around him particularly when defending set pieces. In my opinion Tuanzebe is probably our best defender in these situations and if was a great bonus having him back today.

Set pieces? Like corners? Wasn't he at fault for their goal from the corner

[Charnwood]

Great win! Hopefully we can build on this. Delap tied at 7th for most goals scored with Jackson & Wellbeck.

We’ve created goal scoring chances in most of our matches, that’s really a good sign. Fix the defensive errors and we just might survive.

I’m cautiously optimistic. Funny though, I haven’t read any complaints about Omari playing in the middle today.

I think you must have watched a different game to me 9, I watched all 105 minutes and hardly blinked throughout and don’t consider Omari to have played the game in the number 10 role in the middle of the park. Admittedly he covered a huge area of the pitch and cut into the middle a fair bit but mostly after collecting the ball from the right as he did for Delaps goal. For me he was at his best because he played on the right of an attacking line of three ( Szmodics, Delap & Hutchinson.

I’m not sure which defensive errors need fixing from yesterday as we didn’t make too many although to be fair Spurs were pretty poor and didn’t test us too much.

As for Solanke who I thought would be a major threat, I bet they wish they’d played £20m for Delap and not £65m for their man.

[Bluemike]

I actually feel Town have been competitive in the PL all season. Had quite a few injuries to key players and have been on the wrong side of the breaks. Team is learning evey week at this level. Middle to front been decent, defensively had to improve.
Role on to Man Utd at PR, which will be very interesting game

I think the injuries to Tuanzebe and Greaves were particularly damaging and played a significant part in some of Muric’x blunders without him having the confidence of having them around him particularly when defending set pieces. In my opinion Tuanzebe is probably our best defender in these situations and if was a great bonus having him back today.

Set pieces? Like corners? Wasn't he at fault for their goal from the corner

Yes he was at fault, lost his man but our defence is much more solid with him there.

[AzzurroMark]

Another piece, the bold part in particular, courtesy of the EADT, which makes you feel proud of just what we achieved on Sunday;

Tottenham were strong favourites for a reason. Theirs is a squad that cost in excess of £500m to assemble. They went into game week 11 as the Premier League's leading scorers. They'd won seven of their eight home games across all competitions. Only Man City and Arsenal had got victories at their impressive 62,000 capacity home this calendar year.

[ITFC2024]

Goals in their first 10 starts in the English top tier:

Liam Delap: 6
Harry Kane: 5
Wayne Rooney: 5
Alan Shearer: 3
Michael Owen: 3

#ITFC

That's amazing! And to think I thought he would struggle to score!

[ITFC2024]

I think you must have watched a different game to me 9, I watched all 105 minutes and hardly blinked throughout and don’t consider Omari to have played the game in the number 10 role in the middle of the park. Admittedly he covered a huge area of the pitch and cut into the middle a fair bit but mostly after collecting the ball from the right as he did for Delaps goal. For me he was at his best because he played on the right of an attacking line of three ( Szmodics, Delap & Hutchinson.

I’m not sure which defensive errors need fixing from yesterday as we didn’t make too many although to be fair Spurs were pretty poor and didn’t test us too much.

As for Solanke who I thought would be a major threat, I bet they wish they’d played £20m for Delap and not £65m for their man.

I've only seen the highlights, but on paper Omari was in the middle. Like I said before though, line ups on "paper" don't necessarily mean it's a concrete position.

Regarding defensive errors, I meant over the course of the season. If not for errors, we'd have at least a few more wins already.

[Shed on tour]

What really pleased me yesterday was our game management. When necessary we broke up play when Spurs were gaining momentum in the 2nd half and another example was near the end when Omari had the opportunity to take a low percentage shot but did the sensible thing and kept possession of the ball.
All in all a great day out.

[marko69]

What really pleased me yesterday was our game management. When necessary we broke up play when Spurs were gaining momentum in the 2nd half and another example was near the end when Omari had the opportunity to take a low percentage shot but did the sensible thing and kept possession of the ball.
All in all a great day out.

[Bluemike]

Yes we were very streetwise yesterday, broke up their rhythm, slowed the game down, went to ground to kill time perfectly.

[hallamblue]

Brilliant IMO. We see it all the time by opponents against us... about time we started to get streetwise.

Still on cloud 9 after that win lol

[hallamblue]

Goals in their first 10 starts in the English top tier:

Liam Delap: 6
Harry Kane: 5
Wayne Rooney: 5
Alan Shearer: 3
Michael Owen: 3

#ITFC

That's amazing! And to think I thought he would struggle to score!

He's improving with every single game isn't he.... becoming undroppable now. I just hope we dont go and sell him in Jan!

[Charnwood]

I think you must have watched a different game to me 9, I watched all 105 minutes and hardly blinked throughout and don’t consider Omari to have played the game in the number 10 role in the middle of the park. Admittedly he covered a huge area of the pitch and cut into the middle a fair bit but mostly after collecting the ball from the right as he did for Delaps goal. For me he was at his best because he played on the right of an attacking line of three ( Szmodics, Delap & Hutchinson.

I’m not sure which defensive errors need fixing from yesterday as we didn’t make too many although to be fair Spurs were pretty poor and didn’t test us too much.

As for Solanke who I thought would be a major threat, I bet they wish they’d played £20m for Delap and not £65m for their man.

I've only seen the highlights, but on paper Omari was in the middle. Like I said before though, line ups on "paper" don't necessarily mean it's a concrete position.

Regarding defensive errors, I meant over the course of the season. If not for errors, we'd have at least a few more wins already.

According to Theo Walcott last night we’ve dropped 12 points from winning positions. Last year it was all about winning points from losing positions.

I think yesterday we were much more street wise, maybe we’ve learnt more than we think over recent weeks.

[Charnwood]

Goals in their first 10 starts in the English top tier:

Liam Delap: 6
Harry Kane: 5
Wayne Rooney: 5
Alan Shearer: 3
Michael Owen: 3

#ITFC

That's amazing! And to think I thought he would struggle to score!

He's improving with every single game isn't he.... becoming undroppable now. I just hope we dont go and sell him in Jan!

I’m sure the big boys will be queuing up for him Liz but no chance of him going anywhere at least for a couple of seasons.

[Charnwood]

What really pleased me yesterday was our game management. When necessary we broke up play when Spurs were gaining momentum in the 2nd half and another example was near the end when Omari had the opportunity to take a low percentage shot but did the sensible thing and kept possession of the ball.
All in all a great day out.

So pleased you were there to see it Tony. MOTD pundits also mentioned your point when Omari ran the ball into the corner to avoid loosing possession so late in the game. That’s avoiding an error that’s definitely cost us points in recent weeks when

[Charnwood]

I think the injuries to Tuanzebe and Greaves were particularly damaging and played a significant part in some of Muric’x blunders without him having the confidence of having them around him particularly when defending set pieces. In my opinion Tuanzebe is probably our best defender in these situations and if was a great bonus having him back today.

Set pieces? Like corners? Wasn't he at fault for their goal from the corner

He probably was if you’re looking to apportion blame although it could be said Bentancur did exceptionally well to get in front of him. To be honest after our first Premier League win for 20 years I’d rather focus on the positives rather than see who I can blame for a goal that made no difference to the result.

[Shed on tour]

What really pleased me yesterday was our game management. When necessary we broke up play when Spurs were gaining momentum in the 2nd half and another example was near the end when Omari had the opportunity to take a low percentage shot but did the sensible thing and kept possession of the ball.
All in all a great day out.

So pleased you were there to see it Tony. MOTD pundits also mentioned your point when Omari ran the ball into the corner to avoid loosing possession so late in the game. That’s avoiding an error that’s definitely cost us points in recent weeks when

Thanks Andy, really enjoyed the day. It was great to see young Town fans coming out of the ground after the game with their dads and celebrating like we had won a trophy. Probably with some of them neither had seen Town win a Premiership game before. When we got back to Kings Cross station after the game there were quite a few Spurs fans about and I was so tempted to do a rendition of the Liam Delap chant but the wife wouldn’t let me.
Daughter is also chuffed as she has now seen Town play at all of the current Premiership and Championship grounds and 76 out of the current 92.
If possible and health is ok hoping to do all the aways this season as will definitely be cutting back next year whether we are still in the Premiership or back in the Championship as finding some of the trips tiring now.

[mendipblue]

I think the injuries to Tuanzebe and Greaves were particularly damaging and played a significant part in some of Muric’x blunders without him having the confidence of having them around him particularly when defending set pieces. In my opinion Tuanzebe is probably our best defender in these situations and if was a great bonus having him back today.

Set pieces? Like corners? Wasn't he at fault for their goal from the corner

Yes he was at fault, lost his man but our defence is much more solid with him there.

Agreed, he is. Also we need Greaves back. Burgess is getting better also.

[shabba]

Watched the full game back last night, as it’s always different to seeing it in the moment in person.

Omari really was immense! Worked so hard for the team.

[mugen1]

Anyone seen the injury to Hirst?

F me that must have hurt. But funnily enough no punishment for their player as it stands