Match Thread: EFL Cup Semi Final First Leg - Spurs v Liverpool

[CCTV]

I think Jones and Macca Don't work together. Its either a 3 of Grav Macca and szoboszlai. Or Jones for Mac Allister, with the other 2. I don't think Jones is a number 10 not with Jota in the team. Macca and Jones are two midfielders that like to run late into the opposition half.. otherwise sit and help out Gravenberch

Jones has a natural aversion to getting stuck in. He can ghost through first half's and tonight wasn't his worst in that regard. It's an issue when he starts mainly. Not sticking the boot in as he's having a good season.

[teesred]

Should have been taken off at about 10 minutes (at most) after the haftime restart.

There must be something wrong with Elliot (fitness-wise), is the only reason or explanation I can come up with for why Slot didn't do so.

Or maybe he would have taken him off and brought on Endo if he hadn't been forced to bring on Endo earlier for the injured Quansah.

Ironically, Endo was one of the few players who gave a good account of themselves with his performance stepping in for Quansah and playing CB. In those couple of minutes playing there he had what seems like one the best performances as Virg's CB partner back there.
Very assured, composed and reliable.

In any case, ....yeah,....Jones needs to do some serious soul-searching about these "invisible man" performances of his lately.

You'd have thought Elliot would have started tonight. Maybe Slot just doesn't fancy playing him like Quansah and Endo who are only being played out of necessity.
A couple of months ago Jones looked like he'd turned a corner in his consistency, played brilliantly but was then dropped a game after he'd scored a couple and been excellent. Must have pissed him off but since then he's been poor. Can't help being in and out of the team but he needs to maintain a level for when Grav and Mac aren't on theirs. Last two games he hasn't been anywhere near it.

[justme]

Jones has a natural aversion to getting stuck in. He can ghost through first half's and tonight wasn't his worst in that regard. It's an issue when he starts mainly. Not sticking the boot in as he's having a good season.

hes good then hes bad...hes not been good the last 2 matches. Been caught in possession to often and losing out physically under pressure.. hes been more consistent this season so far. Its time for him to kick on

[CCTV]

Illjured...

A night for briefs not boxers

[3underpar]

Jones is the king of holding the ball about a second too long…

[jinky]

Only saw last 10 mins.
First thing to say is I want Newcastle to win this anyway. Shame for their fans under 60 odd to have never tasted victory.
A couple of comments re Alan Smith on this thread already. I always dread when he does Liverpool games. He's a bitter Arsenal fan.
Why aren't we copying Arsenal at corners. We're giving the keeper a free ride. They target the keeper with obstruction or blocking or rough stuff. If they get away with it why can't we.
Thank God next match is Accrington. Mess that up and the annual Jan slump is deffo back to slap us in the chops.

[Crimson Dynasty]

I think part of the big problem is that neither Jones nor Elliot are good starters.
As in, they don't play well when they start games, but tend to do great when brought on as subs, - ....which then tends to lead people to think that, "Hey, they should be starting".

That's part of the reason I strongly believe Slot wouldn't have gone wrong today taking out Jones and bringing Elliot on. At least that might have given us more energy in the middle that was missing from Jones' game all day.

The ideal situation I suppose would be starting Szobo (if he's fit) - and I never thought I'd be saying that about Szobo, but he's really improved over the last couple of games before his illness - and then bringing on Jones or Elliot for him in the 65th-70th minute depending on the type of game and what it calls for in the middle.


Jones seems to start games invisible and stays there (unless he starts great, which is rare), while Elliot might have great starts every now and then, but then fades out quickly as the game wears on.

[jr81]

Chiesa couldn't even get 20mins in a league cup game. The gamble that many thought it was hasn't paid off. He should be starting the fa cup game.

With quansah going off ill, Szobo being sick, and lethargic displays of some, maybe that flu is going through the squad. Would at explain the poor performances lately.

[reddownunder]

I'm assuming there's no "away goals" rule any more and that if we win the return leg 1-0 or 2-1 we're going to go into extra-time or penalties?

Straight to penalties I think

[Crimson Dynasty]

Straight to penalties I think

Cheers, mate.