Match Thread: Tottenham Hotspur vs Aston Villa

[VTID85]

Right then, let's 'ave it! I've never started one of these before so hope no-one minds.

First game of the season, what are we thinking people? After last weekend against Leipzig, I'm looking forward to us giving a good account of ourselves. We're definitely on the telly because the FA are hoping for a highlight-reel drubbing of the Villa. Well newsflash: Harry Kane is going to be shit this season, he's had it and Potchetino will be on his knees begging Grealish not to put them to the sword on their fancy fucking new pitch with their stupid old fans who still think they've got a chance of winning the league. Arsenal have got a better chance and they're not going to win it any time in the next ten years.

Liverpool vs Norwich has just finished and the Reds took no prisoners in the first half giving the Canaries a 4-1 roughing up. Good, fuck the Norwich fans too and especially that Delia fuckface.

Anyway, I'm going for 2-2 on the night tomorrow, McGinn and Marvelous to score.

[LVBrit]

Ok, batteries recharged and heart rate back to normal after the play offs. For some reason am really looking forward to this season. however it turns out. You just feel like this team won't just roll over at the slightest hint of adversity. Oh well, lets hope for a large portion of mashed spuds tomorrow or at the very least one of the battling performances we got used to at the end of last season. Nah.....i'll just take the mashed spuds thanks.

[VTID85]

Ok, batteries recharged and heart rate back to normal after the play offs. For some reason am really looking forward to this season. however it turns out. You just feel like this team won't just roll over at the slightest hint of adversity. Oh well, lets hope for a large portion of mashed spuds tomorrow or at the very least one of the battling performances we got used to at the end of last season. Nah.....i'll just take the mashed spuds thanks.

Same! I've just heard the radio commentary for the Derby game against Swansea and fuck me they're a dour bunch, 0-0 in game 2 and it's like Craig Rammage has had his dog shot. Pathetic.

[VTID85]

3-1 FT.

Not disappointed, the scoreline flatters Spurs really and what it won't tell anyone who didn't watch it was that we were the better team for 73mins, Spurs only really had possession over us til that point.

Definitely looked better than Norwich did last night. There will undoubtedly be a lot of gushing now over how superb Spurs were and what a great game Kane had. Neither of those things are true. Eriksen was far more influential on the game and he missed the first hour!

Mings man of the match for me.

[deadbuzz]

I can't ever not be disappointed with a defeat so I wouldn't want to just dismiss it, I think over the course of the season we're going to have at least get a few results against the top six. That said I wasn't expecting anything from today's game, they'll beat most teams at home, they could beat Liverpool or Man City, and it wouldn't be a surprise. Just need to learn from it, and hope we can do better going forward.

Was surprised that we started with last season's full-backs, but I suppose if we'd have started with Targett and Guilbert, Mings would have been the only player from last season's back five starting.

[bruka]

Smith out ! What a shambles ... We need new owners ASAP !
Now that's out of the way I thought we were decent, we invited them onto us a little too much in the second half for my liking but let's be realistic they were in the CL final for a reason. They beat City and Ajax on the way there and I'm just impressed we held our own as long as we did. That said I think a certain Brazilian forward could do with a rocket up his arse but McGinniesta and Mings were absolute beasts tonight.

[Army villain]

Well was surprised with the team selection, we have a lot to learn, I liked DS remarks on the game, he admitted that he made a few mistakes, just hope the team can pick themselves up, next game will not be that easy, but it's at villa and I think DS will have more players to pick. UTV

[VTID85]

I can't ever not be disappointed with a defeat so I wouldn't want to just dismiss it, I think over the course of the season we're going to have at least get a few results against the top six. That said I wasn't expecting anything from today's game, they'll beat most teams at home, they could beat Liverpool or Man City, and it wouldn't be a surprise. Just need to learn from it, and hope we can do better going forward.

Was surprised that we started with last season's full-backs, but I suppose if we'd have started with Targett and Guilbert, Mings would have been the only player from last season's back five starting.

I did think the absence of Guilbert was a little odd and if the justification of unity from last season was the reason I think that's counter-intuitive but in DS we/I trust.

I agree re: never not being disappointed with a defeat - of course, the eye has to be on 3 points every game. I think for me though it's about context and perspective going into the first game as the last-placed promotees against Champions League opposition who - let's be honest - are a big step-up from the Leipzig team we played last weekend.

The relegation cut-off over the last 5 seasons averages at 34 points I think. I have no doubt in my mind that we can do much better than that and if that includes a couple of top 6 scalps along the way then great but even without them there are plenty of points within our grasp.

[villafansince1989]

Some positives to take away from the defeat even though I was surprised our line up against such an attacking side had no specialist defensive midfielders - I don't put Hourihane in that category. Rather like Smith used the fullbacks from last season he did the same in midfield and kept Douglas Luiz and Marvelous Nakamba on the bench.

I would probably even use them both against a team like Spurs, Liverpool or Man City. They are so free-scoring what is there to lose? Maybe Smith was concerned Spurs were good enough to give them a bad debut with unstoppable long shots flying in all over however well they played so it was just a bad game to start them in.

[FoxyAV]

I think both El Ghazi and Wesley are going to have to man up PDQ.

[VTID85]

I think both El Ghazi and Wesley are going to have to man up PDQ.

I think El Ghazi probably got a bit caught in the moment, although a couple of times he was taken down and he was right to protest at no foul or advantage given. It wasn't a big problem in his game last year, don't see it being one this year.

Big Wes just needs to find his feet in English football. He'll be fine. It reminded me of a certain young CB20 after first moving over (although I will concede maybe my addled memory is drawing a clearer comparison than is warranted!).

[Army villain]

DS will be attempting to get new signings into the team, takes time , at home will be a big game. Crowd should be behind the team which will be a great advantage, a good win is what we need with this team it can be done. UTV.

[FoxyAV]

I think both El Ghazi and Wesley are going to have to man up PDQ.

Sorted.

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