Posted on Monday, 8th October 2012 by Harry Hotspur
Good morning
Much better and well done to all them for getting their acts together. The game itself was extremely watchable and it was to our credit as this looked like the Aston Villa that McLeish fielded, a token striker and 10 men behind the ball.
The tactical shape was pretty much spot on and I think we’re slowly but surely growing into and developing a tempo that both suits and can be sustained. One prominent factor was our ability to pinch the ball off the Villan’s toes. Postionally we used the width of the pitch more and it showed.
Some kindly souls thought I was overly beating Brad up last week and so here’s a thought for you. Yes, Lloris did boot the ball up the field but he did it a lot less. The net result was a passing accuracy rate of 67% opposed to Brad’s 18%. I know it’s boring, but if you give the ball away you’re a liability, you’re not a benefit.
Okay, let’s fly through the individual performances and see what we saw.
One iffy throw out but I thought he looked brand new. Lively coming off his line on a couple of occasions and a good punch out. All this Brad’s lost his place stuff in the media needs to be sniggered at. We paid good money for this lad. Brad’s 141.Get over it.
On her way to the city, Dorothy meets Kyle Walker, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion , who lament that they lack respectively a brain, a heart, and courage. Time to make a definite separation in people’s minds between ‘athlete’ and ‘footballer’. If Levy is cute we can flog him to some schmucks who haven’t clocked the fact he can’t defend. 53% of Villa’s attacking moves were down the left wing. You work it out.
Won 5 headers, won 2 off-sides and generally ran the back line show like a good’un. The influence of Billy must not be glossed over. What happens when Kaboul returns? Difficult decisions are the burden of rank.
This is very out of character for me. This ‘kids’ coming through always have some glaring deficiency that seemingly only nasty old me can see. You know, until they’re loaned out and disappear into the ether. But Caulker is a cut above. Thoughtful and technically mature he really could become quite some player. A 92% pass accuracy rate.
Almost embarrassingly busy. It’s ‘interesting’ to consider the difference between his forward runs and those of Benny’s. Add to this that we don’t appear to suffer from the ‘all hands on deck’ routine that normally follows one of Benny’s forays.
He was pretty exceptional out there. The midfield was packed. It was messy. But he genuinely did a job on the Villans; add to this a pass accuracy rate of 90% and you’re looking at an indispensable player.
He had one of his best games in the shirt yet. Head up, he was looking and elegantly achieving wherever he went. Every time he got the ball he did something useful with it. Few footballers can be accused of that. The only player to match the passing accuracy rate of Caulker.
Really frustrating performance. Yes a goal and I’m not being dismissive, but his runs seem to increasingly achieve little. Most of his attempted crosses also fall into the same category of indifference. He’s been called up for England and I really wish he’d decline and focus on the Lilywhite.
He’s going to be one of those guys who occasionally comes good but is unlikely to set the world alight for us. A really excellent vanilla ice cream.
Much more involved and I swear I came away from the game thinking he’d really made an effort defensively. Fortunate not to get booked for the dive. We’ll be discussing that in depth on the next blog a little later.
Exasperating. His shots were so off target it was painful. The Caulker ‘goal’ was a mental blast from 3 yards out that was heading towards a hamburger stall before it was deflected. 6 shots and the one on target was weaker than a blind kitten in a tumble dryer.
Really mixed it up and that puts the Midget Gem back into a file marked ‘Impact Sub Only.’ He opened up channels and caused havoc drawing markers and doing something with the ball analysts are referring to as passing to team mates.I’d like to see him play with Siggy ‘in the hole’ behind him instead of Dempsey. Creatively that appeals. Lots.
The boss got a good performance out them and if you squint your eyes we’re quite frequently playing push and run. He needs to be sharper with his substitutions. I thought Dempsey and Defoe both looked time expired by the half time whistle.
A few gifs for @sharoconnor …
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Posted in Blogs, Premiership, Tottenham Hotspur | Comments (91)
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October 8th, 2012 at 9:58 am
Slightly disagree.
Iffy performance.
Their goalie did not have that much to do. Perhaps a 4-3-3 might help?
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October 8th, 2012 at 9:58 am
Really relieved that we got there in the end. Happy to see our long term keeper in place. I rate Friedel and it is great to see the competition for places. A totally brainless performance on the right
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October 8th, 2012 at 9:58 am
1st and 2nd. Wow!
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October 8th, 2012 at 9:59 am
Good summary!
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:03 am
BIt harsh to say that Villa were Mcleish like, thought they played reasonably well
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:05 am
Defoe is killing us. Against great teams some games are decided on half a chance you may get a couple of times a game. He needs 12 of those to get a goal with some luck. I love the lil’ bugger I really do but he is not a team player and we need someone who can conduct the orgy of footballing delights with immense footballing dimensions. Ade Ade Ade.
Ade and Siggurdson together was the first time in the season that I BELIEVED in us beyond tactics. There was magic there.
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Alee Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 5:45 pm
I agree about Defoe. He scores goals but Adeybayor is going to be absolutely vital for us this season, as he was last season.
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:07 am
The new boys Vert and Dembele have been a revelation so far. Dempsey is solid, Lloris looked good, now we just have to get Sig cooking. Caulker looks like he’s been there for years, but I’d agree about Defoe; shots were too wild and it might be Ade time next weekend vs Chelski
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UnkleKev Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:38 am
The only way we’re going to get Sig cooking is by dropping Dempsey. And that’s fine by me. Dempsey, like Pienaar before him, looks out of his depth at a bigger club (no disrespect to Everton intended). His missed header from six yards out was shockingly bad. Ade and Sig did more together in ten minutes than Defoe and Dempsey did in eighty and that’s how we need to start against Chelsea.
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LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:46 am
You need to take into consideration that Villa were by that point 2-0 down playing with 10 men and a makeshift defence. Such circumstances would surely flatter any attacking team.
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UnkleKev Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:56 am
Do you honestly think that Defoe and Dempsey would have looked that good if they’d stayed on? I don’t.
LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:49 am
No, but then Siggurdsson has routinely looked poor this season, until that 10 minute cameo.
I agree that Ade will make a difference, but we knew that already.
October 8th, 2012 at 10:09 am
good performance.not great but good.signs of a team coming together? still think bale isnt trying.put ade & defoe together against chelscum and give terry something to think about.1 up will play into their hands i feel.
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Habib Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:30 am
They’ll pass around us if we play 4 in the midfield. They have the best passing midfield in England if not Europe. Of the top 3 players among top 5 European leagues from last season till now with most assists, two are Mata and Hazard!
We need the power of Sandro and Dembele in midfield and the ability to get the ball to Ade who can then bring either Siggy or wingers in.
We’ll get hung out to dry in a 4-4-2
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TriniSpurs Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:43 am
Agree Habib. But would it necessarily be 4 4 2 if both Ade and Defoe started? Ade is very clever and gets himself into the game by dropping deep, popping up on the wings to receive the ball. Thought we lacked urgency in 1st half which is a bit worrying.
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Habib Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:27 am
Seeing Rooney and RVP together I hear you. But then Ade would play where Siggy plays. Problem is Defoe is not RVP
But I’d like to see this combo in a cup or Europa game once!
October 8th, 2012 at 10:09 am
Caulker is the new King!
Dembele is doing what I thought he couldnt. I just thought he was the same as Siggy & Dempsey. He is the creative heart of a decent mid field.
Defoe! The worlds greediest midget. The Media really frustrate me with their addoration of Defoe’s “strikers instinct”. I hear this & interpret straight into “c***”. He should have beaten more at school. Please please please sell.
Adebayor should be an automatic starter for us. A quality football performance. A team player. A positive attitude
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Bukkake-breath Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:48 am
So you’d sum up our 9th leading all time goal scorer as a c*nt?? Who needs enemys with so called fans like you.
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Bukkake-breath Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:48 am
So you’d sum up our 9th leading all time goal scorer as a Cnut?? Who needs enemys with so called fans like you.
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The Tottinghams Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:09 am
I am giving my opinion of the team. What is yours?
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Bukkake-breath Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:41 am
Don’t know why that posted so much.. I think for most part of this season Defoes played brilliant there can’t have been many spurs fans happy to see him play alone up top and with exception of yesterday I’d dare say his all round play has been pretty damn good, yesterday he was trying too hard chasing goal no200 and maybe he fancied a birthday goal I’m not sure. The fact is upto now his been our only striker and I’m not disappointed
Bukkake-breath Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 10:58 am
So you’d sum up our 9th leading all time goal scorer as a c**t?? Who needs enemys with so called fans like you.
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:10 am
I might be one of those few who is worried by our first half performance. If we want to be top 4. take a cue from Chelsea. We need to tighten the noose at will and not like some awoken drunk.
Dembele and Vertongen are a cut above. I could smell galacticos all over.
Bale flatter to decieve, if he wants to be a Great. Take a cue from the 2 Belgians in terms of application and consistency
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:17 am
Just watching the game again. Lennon and Bale often suffer from a similar disorder. All the speed in the world but they often choose poor options and fail to deliver quality ball to our attacking players.
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:24 am
yay we won. Lets point out the few negatives.
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:26 am
I just had a quick check of the Pure Filth Football League. Very poor from Chicken Badge Heroes! The leader of BIOYC should apply to the FA to work in football management immediately
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Harry Hotspur Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Hahahaha. Does it show I haven’t looked at it?
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chiversmetimbers Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 1:40 pm
he picked andy carroll….pure genius!
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:28 am
There is plenty to nit-pick from the performance but the evidence is there for long stretches of the game: the AVB system is starting to take root. Not perfectly, not all the time, but you can see it starting to work. Very very encouraged here.
I agree HH, this in mid-season form, with Ade and Siggurdsson developing a partnership. Dempsey can push Lennon – it would be nice to have a less dramatic, but more stable presence on the right.
And when Kaboul comes back, how tempting would it be to try playing him at RB? Maybe give Walker a look at right winger too. But a back line of Kaboul-Gallas-Caulker-Vert….that would be formidable. Caulker is really something.
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Jan Vertiginous Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Good shouts all round. Turns out Bale wasn’t a left back. Same could be true of Walker at RB, and there is no weak link in that back line even though a Vertonghen and Kaboul Central defence partnership would be quite a prospect with adequate full backs.
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CptCaveman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:21 am
Good point but I have a real issue with Walker when he attacks. Ever notice when he beats the man and could easily cut in from the right and poss pass or get a shot off…he always goes back so he can head towards the byline…and therefore has to beat his man AGAIN…its like his brain is telling him ‘YOU MUST MAKE THE BYLINE’…no, Walker…its not written in bloody stone! If you’ve beaten your man then talke advantage of it. Bloody frustrating!
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Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:50 am
He is swift but only with his feet.
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:29 am
Very good Harry.
Agree re Lloris
Walker you were a bit harsh but yes he is dumb
Gallas has been great,Kaboul has to grow more but has all the potential to do that
Caulker agreed
Vert agreed
Sandro MONSTER
Dembele think that he will be great
but thought he had an ok game
Lennon,thought he played well.Excellent goal.
Needs a real striker to work with
Dempsey think he can grow more into a VDV role
I think because we are attacking from the wings more he is ineffective.When we develop inside play more he will thrive more
Bale goes 100% when he came to Tottenham and for years gave 100% and kept on getting injured as a one stud up tackle would kill him in full flight.So maybe he found a way to pay them back.It has looked like it has helped his game because maybe defences think twice about touching him
Defoe.Has a lot of the style that Greaves had but is not smart enough to find space by himself and is marked out of game but tries to shoot his way out of it,missing a lot.In a situation with a billy legit striker I think Defoe would thrive playing off of him
Ade supreme presence.Can change tempo.But hasnt really been a threat around goal because he spends his time on the wing.Maybe works for the 4-3-3 well.But the box is always short of a physical striker
What about Sigg?????
I think he is very talented and we need to develop that inside game more.The threat again is generally coming from the wings but if we could get that box striker Sigg will look for the marker.
AVB I hope will learn as he goes along.We dont look THAT much different than we did under Harry.
Our defence definately looks better and more organized but our flow is not constant and we are missing options,like the inside game for one.
Still I prefer AVB because when its a thinking game it can be solved.
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LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:00 am
You keep saying we don’t have a ‘physical box striker’, but to what end? We didn’t buy one. I think we probably should have bought another striker too, but we didn’t, so no point in going on about how we are lacking one now.
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Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:05 am
I was pointing out the effect of us not having one on players like Sigg and the Wing game too.
But it is a fact. Someone mentioned yesterday that we didnt need one,that Ade works in the 4-3-3 very well and if thats the case we dont have room for one.
For me a lot of what the wingers do and the development of Sigg and Dempsey would find an advantage in a box striker.
Anyway your point is about policing my comments more than the point itself.Maybe you should go and get your own site and start editing.
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LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:14 am
Yeah, it was me who was saying that Ade works in the 4-3-3, in so far as he works better than Defoe. I didn’t say we couldn’t use a better striker, but there aren’t many positions we couldn’t theoretically improve on. I just don’t see the point in continually harping on about what Ade can’t or doesn’t do or isn’t like, when he can actually do quite a bit to improve us in my opinion.
If Defoe is going to play, it is in a 4-4-2 or not at all, if we have Ade fit of course (which he hasn’t been until now). But since AVB would probably sooner cut off his own testicles as play 4-4-2 then he should be looking to get Ade in the starting line-up and Defoe on the bench as soon as possible. Like in the next game.
Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Its not the position itself only that a striker will improve on,its the fact that wingers,backs,midfielders and many with pace are creating openings that are not being finished off enough because of that.Its not a player for the ‘position’ its the key to getting to the next level.
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LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:33 am
Nope, sorry, I’m lost…
Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:38 am
Too bad
Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:45 am
Ok to clarify.With all the supply we have we need a striker who will go for goal.A box striker.
We dont have one that has any presence.Defoe needs space and the play off someone and Ade spends too much time being another supply player.
This all works well on the counter but not in situations with tight defences.
We do need a new striker that can play the box in lieu of that Ade would do but he has to be focused on shooting than running out of the box to pass
LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:55 am
But we are going round in circles. We don’t have the striker you want us to have. We have Ade who is very effective at linking up the play and providing assists for the likes of Bale or the other midfielders, or indeed Defoe if he plays with him. And as his stats show, he can chip in with a good number of goals himself.
I actually don’t believe we are missing a humungous amount of chances. I don’t think we are creating enough and I think a large part of that is that we are using Defoe who’s hold up play and awareness of other players around him is non-existent.
Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Yes we are going in circles.
We are not creating enough because nobody is available once the supply pleyers come to the end of their wing run.Most of the time they just cut inside and shoot.There are no open men in forward positions. Ade runs out of the box.Defoe ia always covered (sometimes gets bounces)
LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 12:22 pm
And yet Ade scored 18 goals and created 11 more last year. Go figure!
October 8th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Good result. Performance still not so great and if Villa took those 2 chances, it would have been interesting (they had more chances than the Greeks!). Some parts still not clicking fully. Interesting how many don’t recognise the work of Lloris. He comes out for the ball, and the one to come out against Aghlanbour was brilliant. Friedal would have stood on the line and that would have been a shot on goal. Agree on walker, lennon and defoe. When Kaboul comes back, I would play him at right back, and I hope we make a move for Willian or a decent winger. The game was won when Adebeyor came on, but we looked so much better than Defoe. And if we can get Moutinho (to replace Dempsey) it will look very good.
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:35 am
Agree with most of the ratings.
It seems to me that the team is playing under pressure to “force” the first goal, and once we get it, we seem to relax a little and start playing more fluently.
Defoe is a means to an end. when he recieves the ball, he either scores, or turns over posetion.
Adebayor’s movement and link up play was a breath of fresh air, more of the same please.
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:37 am
Comparing Lloris’ distribution success in this game at home to Villa to Friedal’s away at Old Trafford is frankly imbecilic.
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Harry Hotspur Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:12 am
Do expand.
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LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:25 am
Well, for a start I believe the 18% figure is from the 2nd half only? Either way, playing away at Old Trafford, the area to pass to from goal / defence is a lot more congested than it is playing at home to Villa, who were not pressing our defence at all. In the 2nd half of the game Utd were literally camped at the edge of our box. Seeing marked defenders and midfielders literally everywhere, Brad took the long route to try and force the play further up the pitch. Yes, this was a tactic which didn’t really work, especially given that our target / hold up man was Defoe and our out-ball was Lennon, 2 midgets among men, but given the intense pressure Utd were putting on our defence and midfield I can see why he didn’t want to slip it out calmly a few yards.
Contrast that with the way Villa played and Lloris had a lot more time and room to find a team mate because they let us have our own half to ourselves.
See what I mean?
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Habib Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:29 am
I wouldnt use that word but I would say Away to Man U and Villa to home cannot ever be used to prove a point on benchmarking.
But I am sold on Lloris as our future.
LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:40 am
I’m sold on him too Habib, but I don’t see that we need to denigrate a fine pro who really hasn’t had a poor game in our colours to make that point.
Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:48 am
I cant see why we cant use both
LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:51 am
Perhaps if we got one to stand really close or behind the other, but eventually I think someone would notice.
Alspur Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 12:29 pm
….just, not at the same time…
Alspur Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 12:31 pm
doh!!!
Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:31 am
Habib Im with you.
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Gus Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:56 am
I think AVB might use a new concept and rotate the two keepers, just a hunch…
Habib Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 4:12 pm
No man. You dont rotate keepers. They need consistency more then any other player.
October 8th, 2012 at 10:38 am
I thought azza blud looked expired by half time. We do need another flying winger who can actually cross the ball with effect and not just hit the first defender or play it back to Kyle to attempt a cross. Wish we got Willian!! Great result though and I agree with your analysis. Onward and upward
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:39 am
Vertonghen and dembele are getting all the plaudits, but for me Sandro is THE MAN!!!!!! Defo is like darren bent but needs more chances lol. Arrys sandra could out score him! for me Defo is to hit and miss in his last decent (what you would expect from a striker playing for a top 4 team) season 5 of his goals came in one game, total lack of consistency 5 in one game and none in the next ten! Is the same old story for the last 4 seasons we need a solid 20+ goal a season striker.
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Habib Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 4:14 pm
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/tekkers-sandros-epic-720-degrees-turn-tottenham-v-aston-villa/
Only Sandro can do this! He is turning into a MONSTER!
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skankehmonkeh Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 9:06 pm
He is a turning monster.
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:43 am
Lennon has been one of our two or three best players in almost every game this season, and it was so again yesterday. What are you banging on about? He was a constant threat, sent a few decent balls into the box and scored a sweet goal. Really frustrating?
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October 8th, 2012 at 10:52 am
the difficult decision when kaboul is fit is that he replaces walker who is going backwards at the same time we are pushing on – that is why he looks so bad.
coys and coygfg
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October 8th, 2012 at 11:00 am
A very good analysis of Defoe in the Think Football site.Here…
http://thinkfootball.co.uk/tactical-analysis-how-has-jermain-defoe-adapted-to-the-lone-striker-role/
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October 8th, 2012 at 11:00 am
53% of Villa’s attacking moves were down the left wing. You work it out.
…47% came down the other wing?
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Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:09 am
17% down the other wing
23% down the middle
5% were Ultra Left wing
2% swing to the labour party in Orpington
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Jan Vertiginous Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:25 am
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October 8th, 2012 at 11:09 am
If we’re going to play Ade up top on his own, then we need a whole lot more from Lennon and Siggy/Dempsey. Ade will drop deep and someone has to push on and play the target role to keep their defenders stretched. I’d prefer Dempsey for this. Although, and I don’t know if this was just the case yesterday, Ade was often out on the right wing which totally eliminates Lennon’s threat as he needs space. I suspect if Lennon doesn’t deliver when coming inside a bit mroe regularly, AVB might give Townsend more of a crack at it. Alternatively Siggy might do a job wide right, cutting inside with Walker outside him…?
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Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:27 am
Ade doesnt play up top.He plays up wing
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October 8th, 2012 at 11:13 am
Harry, was coming on here to have a moan…433 at home bla bla bla but you’ve said it already above. Yes this system can work, and well but we need the likes of Ade to bring the other attacking players into it to create more chances otherwise were left with Defoe hitting wide AGAIN from 25 yards or Defoe offside AGAIN!! I like Defoe but not with this system. I to would like Sigs on fire behind Ade etc…Dempsey can also do a job though…really excellent vanilla ice cream, lol. Unfortunate to drop Defoe but its that or 442.
PS. Bench and squad is looking better by the day. Finally when we have long term injuries – Parker, Kabool, A&E, we have real quality replacements!
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October 8th, 2012 at 11:14 am
How long till parker fit he will have some fight to get in ahead of sandro maybe push dembele up behind striker ?
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Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:28 am
He is Euro material,Carling Material…
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Jan Vertiginous Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:52 am
I can see that. He’s had an injury but Parker was the main reason for the success of last season.Him and Sandro jumping on everyone with Moussa freed up to do the slick stuff. Don’t mind if I do.
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Alspur Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 12:46 pm
Would work well on some of our tougher away jaunts… plus, it’s all about rotation, rotation, rotation… plenty of games to go round, if we keep winning and staying in competitions…
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October 8th, 2012 at 11:28 am
And did you see Caulkner yapping away all the time? Very impressive for a youngster & imo a possible Spurs captain in the making.
Good to see AVB didnt go negative after we scored. He’s learning! But as has been our story since the Berba/keanne days we really lack the killer instinct to finish teams off.
Btw, did anybody notice Adebayor sit down on the ground looking cokpletely wiped out?
My mate, Barry 5inch had a pair of binoculars. He reckeoned his eyes looked so blury he could have been pissed
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October 8th, 2012 at 11:30 am
When Kaboul is fit he should go to right back where he was excellent last season. Walker should be taken aside and schooled in the art of positioning, otherwise he will end up with Defoe’s spatial awareness. Defoe was back to his old habits yesterday, but I hope that he learns as he has done before. I think that some of his passing doesn’t work because it catches his own team mates by surprise. For the Chelsea if we don’t have a five man midfield we will get murdered.
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Ronnie Wolman Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 11:36 am
You know I can see Sandro/Parker/Dembele
Across the middle for that one
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October 8th, 2012 at 11:31 am
Anyone else like to see Carroll brought on? Maybe in the league/fa cups whn the fixtures start mounting up. Looked really promising.
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October 8th, 2012 at 11:52 am
Bit unfair to say we set out the same as McLiesh’s side last year. Last year we didnt have a single attack of any note in our worst and most embarasing game of a terrbile season. This year we had a couple of great chances to take the lead. same result in the end tho.
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LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 12:02 pm
I thought you were OK yesterday, better than last year for sure, especially first half, though we were a bit ‘meh’ first half. I think he has you more focused and organized than McLeish.
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October 8th, 2012 at 12:23 pm
We are gradually erasing the myriad questions that were there immediately post Redknapp.
Walker will learn the hard way that one spectacular goal against the Arse will not give him a John Barnes and England style automatic place. Ask Danny Rose. There is no doubt he is being firmly targeted by anybody we play. Short term it can only be Naughton or Smith, medium term Kaboul until Billy G has to hang up his boots but long term we are going to need a new right back.
The other issues are with the front pairing. I fully agree with the Defoe comments. He just is not the answer and is one of the reasons why we have a problem with the “off the striker” position, where neither Siggy nor Dempsey have so far proved up to the task.
I guess they both deserve a run each with Adebayor up front but my instinct is that we are going to need somebody else. Perhaps it could be Dembele and then we buy a busy midfielder like Carzola. Shame in a way to see Modric getting arse splinters at RM when he could have played that role. Otherwise we keep Dembele where he is and try to find a Peter Beardsley type player.
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LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
Ironic really as I could see Dempsey scoring loads playing off someone like Berbatov…
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October 8th, 2012 at 12:41 pm
.
I disagree. In my view Walker has all the attributes to be a top drawer right back, he just needs to learn a few lessons and be coached properly. He appears to have gone a little backwards compared to last season during which he showed in exemplary fashion how to ease players off the ball rather than rashly or recklessly commit.
He may be taking longer to adjust to the new tactics than his teammates and may also need to be debriefed re his penchant for roaming out of position.
Coaching is the key and that’s not his job.
Go on the Walker.
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LLL Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 12:48 pm
He just never seems fully in control of his actions. His feet are quick but his decisions always seem a second or so behind them. I’ve never been sold on him, even last year I couldn’t really understand the hype.
He needs to learn how to use his pace intelligently and choose his moments to get forward. He doesn’t combine well with Lennon, which given both their pace is criminal. He is also frequently caught out of position and 50% of his headed clearances fall to the feet of an opposing striker in our box. In other words, he needs a lot of coaching!
As soon as Naughton is fit I’d rather see him at RB and see what he can do in his true position.
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Habib Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 12:54 pm
He also has the worse free throws in the history of football. I mean he just doesnt use his brains when lining one up and it inevitably gets the ball turned over.
Look pace can unlock Barcelona. It is that terrifying and powerful a thing. But we need his pace optimized to our benefit. And I have to agree one needs to get him to understand his role.
But someone said what about Jan Caulker Gallas and Kaboul as our back 4 and I am umm sexed out at that thought!
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BrizzleSpur Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 1:11 pm
I really enjoyed Walker last year especially in the wake of Hutton and Corluka. I had hoped he would of improved after the break defensively.
When a player like him pops up and shows a positive attribute to his game its very exciting, but when you are nailed on to start every game for a prem side you cant have glaringly obvious faults that can be exposed by everyone. Must improve, simple as.
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October 8th, 2012 at 1:04 pm
Agree with nearly all of that. Especially Walker. Tut tut.
Vertonghen is immense, what a great addition!
Excited about seeing more of Ade and I hope he will compliment Siggy and Bale’s style.
It’s really frustrating watching Defoe squander chances, he’s really showing himself up. It’s important to note that he does bring goals in some format and isn’t by any means useless but he’s also squandering a lot of chances. I like having him at the club though and he’s great to have on the bench.
I’m not gonna rise to that Brad Friedel comment I think i made my point in the past. Lloris came away with a clean sheet and that should do his confidence the world of good and I hope to see him playing more confidently against the Chavs.
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October 8th, 2012 at 3:01 pm
For the West London Blue Racists I think we will have to stick with Walker as Kaboul won’t be match-fit. Either way they will attack us down the right flank, which I don’t mind as they usually try to murder us through the middle. The point is that the present WLBR is basically an AVB template and hopefully he will know the weaknesses. JT will not be there and that means the other players worrying that he might visiting their WAGs.
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Habib Reply:
October 8th, 2012 at 4:28 pm
They will go through everywhere. Hazard, Mata and Oscar together are on fire. But I think if Bale and Lennon track back we can take ‘em. Sandro and Dembele are monsters.
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October 8th, 2012 at 4:35 pm
i don’t see why walker cannot play further up like lennon and get in a defender to right back,i’m still a lennon fan,good goal from him
midday against the chavs isn’t it,i prefer later on myself for the bigger games,if we beat the chavs at home next,then its rock and roll from here,defo adebayor upfront and dempsey i think to start,he might finally get a header in for us
COYS
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October 8th, 2012 at 5:40 pm
“weaker than a blind kitten in a tumble dryer.” LOL Harry, you so crazeh!
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