'1-0 in your Cup (semi) final'
Thursday, July 30, 2009 at 9:39AM I know I said we should not read too much into pre-season friendlies, and we should definitely not get too excited about reaching the final of the Asia Cup (cough) but there are still plenty of positives to be taken from the uber-comfortable 1-0 win against a very inept West Ham United. Compared to the way we played against Celtic, it was nice to see some sustained effort from all players present.
O'Hara was industrious. Palacios commanding, which is nothing less than expected from him. Jamie might just have a place in the squad as decent cover. The pair of them in central midfield actually allowed for more creative freedom from other areas of the side, although I'd much prefer a slightly more creative partner for Wilson in the middle. Jenas, absent due to injury. We'll have to wait a little longer to see the return of a Palacios-JJ combo.
Pav looked sharp, far better movement and touch than for long periods last season and should have scored if it wasn't for the pesky post getting in the way. And he worked well alongside Defoe, who should have scored a brace.
Having Keane on in the second half alongside JD sort of proved that the reason these two struggle to play well together is because they appear to bring out the greed in each other, shooting when passing is the better option.
Naughton continues to impress. Has some great qualities about him (calm and versatile and very quick).
Modric was Modric. The usual class act. He will be VITAL for us this season.
Huddlestone wasn't too shabby either, although he's no centre-back. Talking of which, we need to sign one between now and the start of the season as Dawson and Woodgate look set to miss the big kick-off and Ledley is, well, he's Ledley...so we can't assume he'll be 100% for the Liverpool game.
As for Livermore, I like the cut of his job. Very confident on the ball. We might see quite a bit of this lad this season. More so than Bostock and Rose. Finally might be able to celebrate a break-through player from the academy. Rejoice!
As for lickle West Ham, they looked a mess. Unfit and disorganised and lacking any bite up front. Flattered them the final score really. Still, 1-0 (a little credit shared by Rob Green) does once more suggest that we don't take our chances during periods of dominance. Bit more composure and luck in front of goal required.
Still, let's not read too much into it, right?
Reader Comments (11)
i think modric did a great job as captain. granted, it's only a preseason match but still, great effort from this quality kid. the way the team held the ball was key. we will score goals, we just have to properly and patiently build up to it. i wrote a small post on my blog about the team moving forward, check it out if you get a chance.... ibleedhotspur.wordpress.com
Well said! I think all we need now is Bassong as CB cover a we're ready for the season. I know everyone bangs on about LM but that is where Modders will play this year as unfortunaly i dont think he is ready for the CM role in the prem. Livermore has impressed me massivly the last couple of games and instead of wasting money on aother CM (VIera!) we should give the youngsters a go this year, they look hungry enough.
Anyone who takes pre season seriously is a doughnut , remember last season spudettes you were unbeaten and darren bent as scoring for fun and what happens you had your worst start to a season ever
Spot on about Keane and Defoe, they can play together if they look for each other (as typified by the lob over the top to defoe) otherwise it's a waste of time. Pav looked good and was a little unlucky to see the ball come back off the inside of the post (new ball 'flies straighter' apprently, that won't suit the goons at all on a number of levels). But ironically what we seemd ot lack is a player who could just hold up play and add an ariel threat, hmmm now who could do that for us.
But in general Modric was good (and honest), OHara great terrier like performance and showed vesatility, Wilson good but started to fade a bit in the second half I thought wit ha few stray passes that was unlike him. Same goes for Naughton, looked good in the first half.
However the opposition wasn't really up to much and their best player for me was probably Collins who put in a few well timed blocks. And the encouraging thing is that we have less work to do on getting the team to gel (our previous problem).
What this did show me was that we can play a team with one up front and dominate, I say this because of the Hutton naughton link up. Naughton and Modric's natural tendancy is to cut inside play and not advance too far, allowing Hutton and BAE to raid outside them huggin the byline. Effectively lining up 6 against 5 in build up play and the pushing the midfield back to the defensive line.
Corluka (who showed he is better at RB than CB for my money) and Lennon works well in a 4-4-2 up against another 4-4-2, but at long last we now have a plan B which we haven't appeared to have for a while on the right side. Signs aren't good for Bentley though if Naughton starts to look like the right side equivalent of Bale (a forward thinking defender as opposed to a midfielder with defensive duties - a subtle difference but a useful one none the less) good little acquisition that..
I agree Terry, taking pre-season seriously is for mugs. A more accurate basis to see how we'll get on against the Spammers this season would be to look at last seasons games wouldn't it? What's that? Oh.
Good point Christoph - I suppose the same could be said for the games against Chelski too :D
Not losing to teams like Stoke, Hull and Blackburn (especially away) will really help our points total this coming season. We've already proven our ability to mix it up a bit with the Sky Sports 4.
I am optimistic as ever that we'll at least give a good show of ourselves this season. And losing/not performing in pre season means sweet F A if we get of to a good start!
Terry you cheeky cnut, we even finished above the Spam last season!!
pre season of course but.......we looked good etc.......o -hara..!..making a point!..,could of been five.....
lots of options......clearly the better squad......a shade more resilience........hull will be more physical test......
to all those on the daily mail internet team......the battle of agincourt to you!
Terry, a doughnut is defined as "Sad whammer who should stick to the knuckle draggers' sites". Best of luck to next season.
I think terry is clearly well informed, maybe he's a closet spur?
Fact is, I'd rather be playing barca's b-team, celtic, spam and Hull than the balearics fish farmer XI and beating them 8-0.
Maybe he actually (and inadvertantly) has a point, but one that works in our favour and means we won't be going into the new season with a complacency that has blighted us for the last couple of seasons.
Spot on Tricky