Yesterday was the worst performance I can remember from him since he signed - so, so careless with his passing and a complete passenger out of possession.

Too many of this squad are coasting as they know they get a start regardless - he's definitely one of them.

Probably about 5 years ago, I heard that Eze need to improve his work off the ball, that he needed to add work rate to his game.Later I heard that when he is "On it" he is unplayable but that he hasn't always been "On it".
Alas nothing has changed.

For me Ward should have gone with Kane because he was nearest to him but Schlupp just stopped and made no attempt at closing down Gil like he always does and it's the reason he's an utterly useless left back. He's so lazy at closing down crosses and just doesn't. Theres this myth about Schlupp that he's versatile but to me he can play left midfield and thats it, anywhere else and he's a liability.
Guehi was covering the middle and by the time Ward and Schlupp had the pi55 taken out of them it was too late for him to do anything about it. Maybe he could have thrown himself in front of it but the shot was so quick I don't think he knew much about it.

There were Schlupp and Ward just looking in the direction of Gil with no attempt to put him under any pressure whatsoever and Kane with his clever movement just drifted into acres of space. Allowing a player of that quality and finishing ability that much space is scandalous.

Yesterday was a prime example of us as a team given Tottenham predictably played two different halves of football.

1. It was predictable to anybody who pays half an eye on football however of course looked like news/ a surprise to us, as everything always does.

2. Against a passive, uninspired first half spurs we looked the better team, more likely to score but failing to do so. I say more likely with the barometer being spurs didn’t even come close to looking like doing so.

3. Second half, two CBs who are more comfortable in possession of the ball than defending, supported by two full backs who might constitute ’OK’ back up players at best but not starting XI, and a non existent midfield meaning every Spurs attach either looked likely to result in a goal or did.

4. We didn’t match them for effort and desire.

5. The leadership of the team either on or off the pitch is not evident anywhere.

6. We have no midfield, poor fullbacks and no recognised goal scorer.

7. Zaha looks to have checked out mentally but still showed more fight and desire than all others.

8. Goalkeeper fantastic shot stopper but poor in all other categories especially in the air and with ball at feet.

I’ve said for a while now when things go our way we look good but the moment it doesn’t we look scarily awful. We’re being beaten by multiple goals to none by second rate and out of form teams. We still need investment in the starting XI and very sincere doubts are starting to creep in about Vieira. It’s not looking good, certainly the next few games.

Now Zaha's got a bit of green grass ahead of him here... and finds Ambrose... not a bad effort!!!!

Absolutely spot-on.
Both Andersen and Guehi are "Modern Day" ball-playing centre-halves and Andersen in particular has a long diagonal pass in his locker but under pressure in 1 v 1 situations they are found wanting.They can both be bullied off the ball and dominated by more aggressive players.

I also agree with your assessment of Guaita.

Edited by Willo (05 Jan 2023 12.46pm)