The Europa League being a distraction/tiring is just bullshit. Once our players are told this , they start to believe it. We've enough players to be able to balance an approach for all the competitions we're in.You'd have thought that we'd be used to these Sunday KO's, seeming as we have had 25 of them since last season. What could the problem be? Ade, Dembele, Vlad, Kaboul, Rose did not travel. Capoue had15 mins and Lamela 30. Only Lloris travelled and played 90.
So, the reason for these dreadful displays, maybe Saturday nights?
For the life of me I don't understand why Vertonghen is not starting in the EPL.
How many more times are we going to let this EL f-uck us up. It's not worth it. The final will either have a CL team drop out team in it, or a CL drop out team win it.
So, MP has bought Fazio, Davies and Stambouli to play in the EL. We give JV a new contract and don't play him in the EPL? How has that sorted out our defence? We are playing with the same back 4 as last year.
Pre season the team had better movement, shape, inter changing and passing with Lamela, Soldado, Lennon, Kane, Capoue and Mason.
Now we have to accommodate Chadli, Eriksen, Paulinho and Dembele. Only one of them. Pauly, finds spaces. He may be shit at shooting but at least he does when he has the chance. Lamela, well at least he tries. He tries too hard.
Sorry to single out, but has nobody realised Dembele is waste of time? Tell me what he contributes considering he is not playing as a defensive midfielder, but the box to box.
Get the ball, skip left, put you arm out, hold him off. Stop, turn and play it sideways or back. Does he ever get near the box, shoot or pass forwards. Does he ever find that killer ball? He is the most overrated player we have ever had. I see his potential, but guys, he's not going to realise it.
When you play 4231 you need attacking full backs. At present we only have one. You also need one of the 2 in front of defence to link with the front. He's the one that should be all over the place. He should be the man coming through from midfield. Going past Eriksen, linking up with Eriksen.Giving their defence headaches and drawing people out of position. It's as if he has a device installed that stops him from going 60yds forward before he has to check and pass sidewards.
As it is Adebayor stands in the middle of 4 defenders back to goal. Eriksen is isolated receiving ball to feet with his back to goal. Lamela comes in off the right leaving us less width as we have no attacking RB. It's all easy for the opposition defence. There are no surprises. It's easy for Four players to control 3 of ours and 4 defenders control Ade. Capoue, Dembele or anyone else is venturing forward.
And by the way, if we get back in the Champions League, we'll have to play in Europe midweek. How about viewing the Europa as an opportunity for getting disciplined and hardened to this?