HawK

Regardless of whether we or the referee thinks it's a penalty, an attacker was in possession of the ball and was cleared out by a blow to the face whilst in possession. VAR needs to check and either clear or invite the ref to the monitor. VAR not to do anything at all is scandalous.

This post from Conjo in the Match Thread today vs Spurs switched a lightbulb on in my head. Something that I've highlighted this season, especially at the start, is we're not a team that suits breaking down a low block. That's not rocket science to figure out, mind, and we've all posited this at some points in a match thread throughout the season. We've got some very pacey players in our midfield and our front line, some very good ball carriers as well. Our whole team suits breaking and playing on the transition. So when we slowly migrate up the pitch and position ourselves into attacking a low block, we aren't very good (we're better now with Tonali in there but I think my point still stands). What has this got to do with Martin Dubravka? Well, he doesn't come off his line. In games of yesteryear, and especially in the Nick Pope era, it has been something that we on the forum have complained about so much - 'If only Pope was there he'd have swept that away'. With Pope, our defence pushes up and it creates a period of time when we attack a low block because we've compressed the pitch into just playing within the opponents half. It looks pretty, it looks 'good', but we can't actually capitalise on it and we sort of exist in this purgatory of not conceding but not scoring. Again - what has this got to do with Martin Dubravka? Because he doesn't sweep, doesn't venture far from his box, the defence naturally positions closer to our half when we're in possession. We invite teams onto us to press, and with Tonali in the middle with Bruno, Hall on the left and to a lesser extent, Livra on the left, we can now begin to play through them. This gets us into passages of play that allows us to pass through into transitions and gets our attacking players running forward into spaces for through balls or to ball carry whilst the opponents are backtracking. To be blunt, Martin Dubravka lets us play it around the back, so that we can beat the press and create opportunities where we break or attack with pace against a non-static defence. Why this now works and didn't before is 4 reasons: - Hall on the left is elite with the ball at his feet - protecting the ball, finding a pass, receiving the ball. - Livramento instead of Trippier on the right - Trippier would always race up the line and receive the ball high up the pitch.. and then stop play. He'd wait for the whole team (and the opponents) to 'set up' before beginning to attack the low block. He's the captain, he calls the 'plays' to use an Americanism - Tonali - not much needs to be said here, he can receive the ball, he can pass, he can break the lines with through balls and runs - Murphy - He doesn't wait to be told to cross the ball, or to shoot, or to attack the box with a run. He does what comes naturally which is to attack space with pace. I noticed a lot with Trippier and Murphy together there is a disconnect from the patient approach Trippier wants against the more instinctive play of Murphy. In short, there is a combination of factors at play here as to why I think we've suddenly become 'good' since Martin Dubravka's come into the side.

Botman's grown into the game after an expectedly shaky start. Don't forget he's never played on the right with Livra before either, let alone a partnership with Dan Burn. Think he's done OK and he'll push on in second half.

Would make me so happy for some reason

Townsend > McCoist on co-comms for me

Murphy having his Almiron purple patch, long may it continue.

finally someone tells me who has scored My stream is a couple mins behind

Predictably we're growing into this game as Tottenham's gas tanks start to deplete

So good Lewis Hall there, well done

To be fair, we know he's elite on the ball as centre backs go. Passing, running with it, shooting. Sensational footballer.

Had to turn off TNT and watch an international feed, can't stand him on commentary.

This start was inevitable, it'll calm down as players start to feel the pace of the game. That's when our class will prevail.

AI image generator prompt : A goalkeeper with the faces of Eddie Howe, Glenn Hoddle and Harvey Barnes combined

The triangle of Tonali, Hall and Bruno really helps take the pressure from our centrebacks to find good passes under pressure. Schar does it anyway because he's an elite passer. My point being, I don't think an offensively limited centreback alongside Burn will be all that bad, as long as we have that new strength in front and around them.

It only just dawned on me, that Burnley post completely misses the point The drunk crop duster in the movie that originally says that line, says it to the aliens, before killing himself and them. Ergo, the insinuation here really is that he's back at Burnley, and he's going to burn the place to the fucking ground

Sure, agreed on the point he might not be interested at all in coming here, but I was just thinking more broadly about the idea of signing a top keeper who'd we get no money for down the line from a squad development / PSR perspective.

I think Alisson would perfect for us in this transitory period where we can't spend big for quality in every position. Yes it's not money that can be recouped, but 10m in the grand scheme of things is essentially throw-away spend now. Means we still have money for a good RW. Whereas if we skip on Alisson we might need to pay 30 or 40m+ for someone of comparable quality.

Dear lord

I reckon a win at Spurs sees Postecoglou gone

Are we getting into a Given / Harper situation?

Aye.. just goes to bits generally against the 'bigger' clubs. Great when he has time on the ball out wide but should never try to come inside for a pass.

The team in front of him allows him to show a side to the game we haven't seen before. This is one of our strongest teams we've had in the league imho.

That tunnelcam was like when you're playing against the lower school Tiny looking team

Ball retention is elite, that was evident the day he came into the team tbh. Passing is quality too. He just lacked positional awareness and shape but that will come.