I wasn't aware of athletic = fast. James Milner, Henderson, Fabinho was their midfield last night, they pressed for 90mins, neither of them would beat Trippier in a foot race, would they?
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Fabinho is fast, and Milner...once was.
Or Son. I don't think Firminho is fast is he? Shaqiri is probably quick over 10yrds, anything over 20yrds must be like a marathon, he can't press for shit, it's why he doesn't play that often.
So, that's Son & Lucas vs Salad and Mane. In any event only really useful when playing on the counter, so a handful of games each per season.
Short-burst quickness versus speed over a distance is another distinction here.
Toby can cover 5-10 yards as quickly as anyone on the team, and has the agility to do something when he gets there, another sort of athleticism.
The thing that our squad, on the whole, lacks is the ability to be on you in numbers just seconds after regaining the ball. Liverpool are brilliant at that, Leicester and City as well. We struggle to keep the lid on pace like that.
We've lost many players that used to do that for us gone/unfit/injured. We ARE a pressing team, we've done it for 4yrs, this season and a bit of last we've dropped our press into midfield. We aren't trying to win the ball high up the pitch that often. Up front, whoever his furthest forward will press the 'keeper that's it, with those behind covering the short pass options. We aren't trying to win the ball there but trying to get the team to go long. We then press the 2nd ball in a midfield block. This is because are unbalanced and don't possess the personnel to do it right now. Also, maybe, because almost our entire team had no pre-season due to the world cup we had to change the way we press to adapt to that too?
Let's see what a summers rest, a pre-season and the recruitment of some players that can replace Dembele, Wanyama and Tripps for starters. Having one of our most relentless pressers, in Dele playing higher up the pitch and having Kane fit and rested to do what he's done for us in previous seasons.
We certainly are. But we're not, generally a lightning counterattack team. And weren't really even earlier in Poch's reign.
The thing we were so devastating with at our peak was immediately squeezing the opponent upon losing the ball in the final third and having them give it right back to us. The opponent would play what looked to be a counterattacking out ball, but nope, Toby or Dembele would be right there to swipe it and Spurs would be right back at them. Awareness, good tactical setup, and a bunch of guys that could really, really tackle.
That's still what I look for when watching us play, every time we're able to do that a couple of times in a row, that's when we're really starting to tighten the noose.
But that's what I've said, THIS season and some of last we've dropped out press into midfield, we play with a mid-block, not a high-press. This is tactical as our front players are that same (with the exception of Lucas), it's done because we are an unbalanced side, with key personnel missing from midfield and wing backs that no longer bomb up and down the wings (it has taken Rose until after Christmas this season to start to look good).
Let's see what the rest and pre-season give us alone with replacing Wanyma/Dembele/Tripps/Rose(?)
What the fuck is with Poch saying he turned down Real Madrid and that he would go home if we win the CL. Focus on the fucking game.
Poch's tears are my new favorite ever moment as a Spurs supporter.
Wonderful emotion from Poch at full time
And even better watching him saluted by our fans after the game
He is Spurs and we are so fortunate to have him
Such a special atmosphere at our club and he created that
Magic
And even better watching him saluted by our fans after the game
He is Spurs and we are so fortunate to have him
Such a special atmosphere at our club and he created that
Magic
When he broke down talking about his family really shows what type of human being he is 
Just thought i'd bring this back to everyone's attention.
John the floors all yours...... drops mic
Slag him off now boys ! You know who you are 
Man is 24carat Spurs an absolute legend and a fucking superb human being
Man is 24carat Spurs an absolute legend and a fucking superb human being
Apparently when one of the journos asked him when Kane was expected back in the post match presser he just said "we just advanced to the final and this is what you ask me?" and left.
Big dick energy.
Big dick energy.
Another game changing sub. Never underestimate this man