TOTTENHAM AT ST MARYS

This would be a great game in which to get back to winning ways, can we do it?

Really about this game, hopefully the players will be up for it and understand this is the game saints fans want to win, going though for a 1 - 1 draw

another disappointing result and hearing Koeman afterwards maybe he is just starting to realise the problems. he talked about players having the desire to win the battle and yesterday there were several who you would question are really that bothered. its a shame though he is only just seeing this. He started as normal with Mane, Tadic and Pelle, they have scored 3 goals between them in effectively 30 games, a terrible stat yet Koeman sticks with the same players and system. In his interview he mentioned players have to play the system but every now and again you have to change the system to move forward, the insistence to stick with 433 is worrying when the players seem unable to deliver and certainly results show it is not working.

Again we were let down by a 10 minute period when the players took their foot off the pedal, lost concentration and allowed spurs space to get into the game. For the first 30 minutes we had been the better side and had good chances, wasted again, to have taken the lead. Mane did every thing right with a shot just inside the box but Lloris got down quickly to his right to save, and a defender cleared, however Pelle was with the defender, never though about a rebound and as result when the save was made he was on the back of his feet static and unable to react. We had a few corners, notably when taken by Tadic wasted, hit with little pace so easy for a goalie to take, same again with a free kick we had where again he insisted he took never made past the first defenders. Classie was doing some good work breaking up play and Cedric when he got forward meant we had some good pressure on the right, a few times we worked the ball down the left but final ball from Tadic was poor. Spurs had a couple of chances, shot wide of the far post with Gazza beaten and a header by Alderweld always going over but they didn't really look like a great threat until we did our usual self destruct, Davis and Wanyama both lost the ball leading to Kane getting in on goal and placing beyond Gazza. Could see the confidence go and no took charge, Fonte had a poor game and didn't seem capable of firing the team and second goal had the same hallmarks, losing the ball in midfield, though I do believe Bertrand was fouled when on the ground meaning he was out of position which lead to the defence being opened up for Ali to score. Ali is another England player but he is a dirty player, fouling constantly and diving, afraid we don't have anyone in our team to sort that out on the pitch, we are really soft.

second half again we play okay had some chances without ever looking like we would score, Pelle had a shot but fairly easy save for Lloris was far to central, he then had a header but couldn't really control and went wide of the post. Final chance at the end summed us up Ward Prowse in but again Lloris more than match for it with a save to his left. Tadic and Davis were subbed halfway through he half which could have happened earlier as both ineffective. but Koeman brings on Long and Juanami u which effectively meant we had a midfield of 2! Sure e enough Spurs were able to create chances though fortunately did not take any, Ward Prowse came on for Classie who I though had a reasonable game.

Gazza 6 didn't really do much wrong but spurs do have a world class goalie, we don't
cedric 6 did okay got forward when he could, Koeman blamed him for second goal but looking for scapegoats.
Fonte 5 thought he had a poor game, some weak clearance and certainly did not lead the team but he knows if fit he plays
Virgil 6 not as smooth as first appeared but little support around him
Classie 7 decent first half won the ball and broke up several challenges, needs others to play with him
Wanyama 5 half hearted, again, stick him with U21s and bring in Romeau
Davis 5 gave the ball away, unable to win a tackle, should be dropped as eyes are on France 16, replace with JWP or Reed
Tadic 4 for all his talent his inability to play for his team mates means he should be on the bench if we need to create anything
mane 5 had a decent shot but not a goal threat needs to be played down the middle not out wide
Pelle 5 won some balls but again moans to much at others when he fails to get the ball

subs
Juanami 5 pretty ineffective
Long 5 at least he played more central
JWP 5 gave the ball away but hard when you come on late in game

Thanks Matty.

Thanks for another great report Matty.

The one positive I took from what you said, was the favourable comment on Classie. I had been beginning to think signing him was a big mistake.

I suppose Koeman's criticism of Cedric will mean that he will drop him and replace him with Yoshida for Arsenal. I think that would be a mistake so I hope not.

Seems to me that Koeman should now be thinking of bringing in a couple of the youngsters. It would be good to see them getting stuck in.

Yeah I am expecting to see Yoshida start against Arsenal which is unfair on Cedric, Davis and wanyama giving the ball away in midfield was the problem. I am not so sure he will bring in the youngsters, few make the bench nowadays. I suspect Long possibly starting, Yoshida in at right back and Ward Prowse starting instead of Tadic, shuffling the pack more than anything.

He could bring in Targett at Lb, move Bernard into left side of midfield, with Romeau, JWP and Classie then play Long and Pelle together. Have Mane on the bench to bring on when fresh, with Reed on bench (seems to have been night clubbing which may explain why not been seen) that would at least bring in effort in midfield, full backs to provide the width.

Or he could play Mane up front with midfield of 5, Bertrand, Classie, Romeau, Davis and JWP. Would allow width from Bertrand and JWP and Davis to get in behind Mane. Solid defence and midfield with Long Pelle and Tadic on bench if it doesn't work which means other team also have to change their formation if we changed