Observations
Saturday, December 24, 2011 at 12:00PM Just a few thoughts from the Spurs/Chelsea game (following up from the match review here).
Sandro
Beast. The more game time he gets the better. Has adjusted to the Prem's tempo and will improve (for us, with us) over the next season or two as he continues to tally up on appearances. He sees the ball, does not care for much else when looking to reclaim it. He'll protect it and win it and brush off whatever player had it momentarily before him. But he's not just a brick wall. He can play too. An absolute superstar in the making. Okay, so he's naive and makes mistakes and lacks composure at times. His passing needs to improve, but then that's a given considering his age. Has everything and more to surpass Parker and claim the role of defensive king-pin. In time. Sandro is The Future.
Sturridge
Hungry. I rate him. Can't be alone in thinking that. Things would be different if Torres was worth his weight in gold. Would be more so different if City didn't feel the need to splash out several tens of millions of pounds on marquee names.
John Terry
His footballing credentials were never in doubt. So can idiots in the media please stop using sound bites alluding to 'hero' and 'proving a point'. There is something surreal seeing him being applauded by the away support almost in defiance of the accusations made against him. Surreal that is until you remember its Chelsea fans applauding him. Then it all makes perfect sense.
Pav
It's like Giacomo Casanova not bothering to go out on the pull and sitting indoors browsing porn because he knows he could pull he just can't be bothered with all the chit chat he has to do when seducing.
Gareth Bale
We don't tend to accept diving or play acting at the Lane. I've cringed at the antics of Zokora in seasons gone by. It's not becoming of us. Bale has a habit of staying down when fouled. I've at times allowed this to not irk me mainly as a means for the kid to protect himself. Why not make certain all is okay before jumping back up? Hardly the ethos of a Dave Mackay, but these modern footballers...they're a delicate bunch. However, adjusting body mid-air to allow for an extra bounce or twist when kicked - unacceptable. This is not La Liga. Equally so, we're not Chelsea. Let them retain the dramatics and time wasting. Keep the moves for the goal celebrations.
Luka
In the middle. Play three at the back with wing-backs if necessary in a five man midfield - just retain Luka in the middle. Once upon a time he dinked in from the left with much acclaim but he's masterful in a central role. The side has to be built around him (from one game to the next). Seems like we hand the opposition an advantage when he's pushed wide because we're unable to sustain a cohesive pattern to our play. Easier said than done I'm sure, what with our reliance on pace down the wings to compliment the Croatian's deep play making.
Reader Comments (20)
With Lennon and Rafa seemingly out of the next game I'd love to see Harry play 3-2-3-2 with 3CBs, 2 wing backs, Modders, Scott and Sandro central and Bale working from wing to wing and into the centre off of Ade up front.
But we all know he'll stick with 4-4-2
BUT - that's what's got us up to third at pretty much the half way point, and with a game in hand too, so you can't argue too much with it.
Good calls but I think you're harsh on Baler.
He stays down less now since Harry started holding back the physios when he cries "medic". He does get kicked a lot as people can't stop him any other way. That's why so many players get booked/sent off for challenges in him
Both Bale and Lennon are kicked as a matter of course when defenders can get close enough to them. But they both also dive, as does Huddlestone on occasions, when fit and playing. It is not something I like in a Tottenham player, however good.
Would like to see 3 centre backs, Bale and Walker, Modric Sadro and Parker, Defoe and Adebayor. We looked great when we played this way against Stoke second half...only chnage is Sandro in for the injured VDV.
Three centre backs?? Do we actually have three fit ones at the moment!?
In my fantasy, yes...yes we do.
Harsh about Bale who was one of our only players who gave his all the other night. The modern game is ... the modern game.
Oh, and did you see our possession in the first 30 mins or so? This IS La Liga and we are Spurs-alona :)
I agree with Spooky Re: Bale, there was one instance in particular where Ramires clattered into him in the first half and he went down like he'd broken his leg....fair enough go to ground but don't agree with the hysterical waving and yelping...
5-3-2 with wingbacks is a tempting option but only in the current situation (Lennon out)
Otherwise I think our main attacking strength lies in our overlapping on the wings and having full backs AND wingers is essential to this way of playing....otherwise Bale and Walker will lack wide options ahead of them every time, and be forced to play inside passes.
Happy Christmas to all of you. It's been absolutely great having this forum for voicing our views and 'even our emotions' all year.
Thanks Spooky.
My three wishes are (1) Llorente, to spread the load, to lead the line, the future Champions League striker. (2) Vertonghen, add steel to the back, a proven leader. (3) A non custodial payment plan. All the rest (CL qual, new stadium, etc) will follow.
Sandros tackle was perfect, a text book tackle if ever i saw one, in a years time he will be awesome and then some. Benny keep it simple, on the ground. Parker you set a high standard, not surprising it`s tailed off slightly. Modric must play central, wasted out of position. Bale inspiring. Ade, god loves a trier. VDV hamstrings have been a problem for 9 years now, brilliant at times when fit. Walker improving but a way to go. Gallas puts in a fair shift. King, the best Centre Back England never had, the Leader, the Talisman, our Anchor. Freidel steady, reliable, marshalls well, timings good. `Azza need you back !!
In light of what cookiebun said about our possession in the earlier part of the first half; According to the commentators, in the first 15 mins we had 84% possession, and they said our passing was Barcaesque. I felt a bit warm and fuzzy, but then you know how it went from there.
Two disallowed "offside" goals in the space of two weeks? My observations deduce that H.Webb and his officiates are a bunch of blind cunnies.
Our injuries give me cause for concern, but with the upcoming games I hope in any case, we can bring in Townsend or Rose for our wings, as they are pace merchants. Can' think of anything else to say about Lazyluchenko, that I haven't said before. Anyway merry xmas you lot, it's been a fun and interesting season thus far! COYS!
I agree with most of the comments with maybe the exception of the criticism of Bale which was harsh. As one punter points out he will get clogged in the modern game as he is fast and dangerous. This has been a tatic of most modern defenders, at the beginning of the game, on the principle of you won't get a card early on. Liverpool and Man U defenders are well schooled in this tactic as are many others.
As to the comments on Terry one could write a book. Yes he was, in his time, very good but has lost his pace, as has Ferdinand, which was a major reason why England were such a shambles in the last World Cup. And against top-class strikers pace is absolutely essential. Footballing aside, I suspect that most non-Chelsea people think he is a rather unpleasent individual. If he is convicted there will be copious statements by all at Chelsea that he is kind to old ladies, dogs and children and is not a racist, and really is a disciple of Mother Theresa. All of which makes no odds at all. Racism is detemined by actions, of which, racist comments are but one element. He is not the first sporting 'hero' to be flawed, and while many fans overlook the frailties of people, like Gaza and Adams, clubs and fans stand by them. In Terry's case, however, if he is convicted, such a stance would be a shame on the nation and the game, particularly after the welcome stance of virtually all in the UK game on the idiotic comments by Blatter on racial abuse on the field.
Merry Xmas people.
Not too worried about buying a defender. Dawson to return in January, Caulker to return in the summer ;)
Dear Mr Claus, please could I have a top notch striker for Christmas!
Merry Christmas Yiddos!!
COYS!!
We need Vertonghen, Ledley may manage 20 games this season but at what cost ? Think about the future and CL next season. Will Daws even get in the team before Easter ?
Merry Xmas fellow Spurs across the planet, from North London to Singapore, may it be peaceful and bright.
Merry Xmas Big Sky and fellow Spurs supporters across the planet.
COYS!!!!!!!
Merry Christmas follow Spurs... from the Munich crew!
Merry Xmas or whatever you celebrate from Canada.
WHL and Spurs are what I really miss!!!!
David