DIY
Sunday, August 7, 2011 at 9:26AM Did you catch the Athletic Bilbao game? If so, you probably caught more of the game than I did. Making this is a platform for you to 'do it yourself' and write up your own thoughts on the game and let me know if I missed anything of consquence.
Uninspiring first half from the sounds of it, spent mostly in the kitchen, I managed to time my return into the living room to see us go a goal down. What I did witness looked lacklustre and without cohesion. I did however catch the second half (lucky me) which was a far more composed and controlled performance with plenty of direction and intent. Lennon and Bale flying down the flanks. Modric dictating. Two forwards scoring a goal a piece. Hedonistic.
I never place too much emphasis on pre-season friendly games for obvious reasons, but it was still enjoyable to see the team react positively. Talking of positive reactions, Luka got a very healthy mix of cheer and applause. If I was there, as previously cited, I'd have supported him because of the shirt he had on his back and the team he was playing for. Not sure I would have clapped my hands together and most definitely would not have been vocal about it. It's up to him to perform out of his skin once the season starts and claw back some of that genuine love we lost during this agonisingly boring summer of nothingness, punctured by his ungentlemanly quotes.
Still, it was okay that he got some cheers and applause by others more willing to sacrifice a little for the good of the club and the team. First step in moving on for everyone. Not literally moving on Luka. Don't get excited, West London you'll visit but only in Lilywhite colours.
Other footnotes from the game:
Pienaar injured.
Niko looking like a man holding his still beating broken heart, ripped out of his chest by fate. The look on him as he stood to take the penalty was touching on the tragic.
Lennon diving, poor show.
The Mexican wave. I'd take that over 'stand up if you hate <insert other North London club name here>' any day of the week.
Llorente's 'alright' performance. Disappointed that Levy didn't race on at the final whistle with a contract between his teeth, holding hands with Adebayor and Samba whilst watched on by Diarra in the stands, wolf-whistling his approval.
442 is better than 4411.
Harry Redknapp laughing in an interview before kick-off re: lack of transfer activity. Personally think for once he was covering up the fact that Spurs are probably balls deep in negotiations. Yes, I'm still banging that drum of hope.
Knock yourselves out with your write-ups.
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Reader Comments (28)
Harry trying to flirt with Kelly D. Bet she could call him a wheeler dealer .
I thought I knew the voice. Since when did she join ITV? Must have missed it.
Great article. I for one am not suprised to see the lack of players coming through the doors. We over value our drift wood. And before anyone says anything, no the tottenham riots were nothing to do with Jermaine Jenas still be 1) a spurs player and 2) a professioanl footballer. I would rather we keep the players we got if we could sell Jenas!!! Let's look at that arguement. 1) Keane - Play him every game you would get 20 goals plus from him this season 2) Defoe - Play him every game and you don;'t get 20 goals plus from him!!! Pav - you would get around 15 goals and then Crouch would eget around 12. The players we can attract to Spurs won't get more than 20 goalsd per season anyway, so might as well stick with what we have got!!! And Levy...you might think you are saving a quid or 2 buying minutes before the deadline but how many drops point will we suffer between now and 31st August, then miss out by those exact points!!!! Levy.....If we don't get into the top 6 this year will you please leave???????? Poor Modrice, Bale, Van...another season of broken promises. It's no wonder you want to leave Tottenham. European town of non culture 2011!!!!
So another preseason game that means nothing - without signings I think we'll stuggle eary part of the season, this we must start positvely otherwise Hansen and others will be on our backs . So what about the riot? Less than a mile from the ground, is this the excuse that Levy needs?
the most i took out of yesterdays game was that llorente would have further convinced his "fans" in spurs shirts, and for the more cynical like myself he didn't give me any more confidence that he is the prolific striker that we need. I've had enough of 10-15 goal a season players we've got enough of them at the moment.
Our fixture list for the opening couple of months is ridiculous.
Since or swim.
I think we'll do just fine. Perhaps a few draws in there but considering the opposition, I'll take them.
I think you covered it Spooky.
First half was a lesson from Bilbao on how to play football, but without looking too threatening. We by contrast were diabolical. They played a fast tempo, first-time passing game and we played kick the buggers if you can't catch them.
A few moments of good play from us between Charlie and Lennon, once setting Krank up with a free shot from 10 yards but he hit it wide. BAE performed very well although caught out of position a couple of times, and Hud justn't wasn't effective at all, save for one great pass out wide to Charlie.
Dawson should have been taken-off at half time, if not before. He was simply abysmal both with distribution and positioning.
Second half you saw. Big improvement but still not totally convincing. I agree with those who think we play better as 4-4-2 but if VDV is going to play we have to change to something better than 4-5-1 which just doesn't work.
Llorente failed to convince me that he is what we are looking for in a striker. Great at holding the ball up, worked hard all around the pitch but not a dynamic goal threat for me.
As we don't really know the strength of the opposition or what team they put out i can't really judge, but I didn't see anything yesterday to convince me we are going to compete at the top this season.
Modric was outstanding, along with BAE, Lennon and Bale, but you could see his frustration with players who do not how to move off the ball or make sensible runs up-front, Bale excepted.
If you have your own Spurs site I'd expect you to at least watch the whole match on TV if you can't be bothered to go and support the team.
I know we needed a striker badly but come on, a little over the top last night on Tottenham high road, lol
Have we signed Bobby Zamora??
First half dire with Michael D spraying awful mis-passes around ......... Jenas failing to understand the concept 'marking', and a whole range of dodgy bits. BAE comitting a dire foul that in a PL game might well have got a booking and led to the cross from which they scored (he was excellent otherwise). Awful marking from the set piece. A lot of activity in midfield but a complete mystery to most as to who was going to move where ........ I felt we really missed Sandro (he's almost become an essential now) and even Modders when he came on to (mostly) a very positive reaction really didn't dramatically change much in the first half. Also felt sorry for Krank and Pienaar both worked hard in a system that didn't; Jenas and Hudd didn't, Hudd fouled liberally and looked slow and short of passing options; Aaron was busy but in that 'I look good but nothing will come of it' mode. I felt that the first half was a team not convinced by the formation or the selections and giving about 20%. The second half was different: taking control quickly, maintaining high pace and a sense of purpose until the lead was gained, with a great deal of promising movement off the ball. It was completely evident at this stage that THIS was the formation that made sense, and Athletic went from a position of some ease to chasing shadows fairly quickly. The penalty was 'won' - I can't say from my position high on the shelf and behind him whether Aaron dived or not ..... but I was pleased that everyone gave Niko the penalty and kind of (sadly) expecting him to miss it. He looked crestfallen and it was nice to see the crowd giving him a lot of positive encouragement - at one stage he gave the crowd a little clap. After that it drifted, but with retained authority. We gave up the idea of getting a hatful, and settled to winning without creating injuries. Walker gave good indications in going forward that he can link up well with Bale and Lennon; he kind of grew into the defending bit and for me the jury is out as to whether he's ready yet. Maybe he should play for us against the lesser teams, but I'm really not sure - I DO know he's one for the future and needs encouraging. Dawson was much improved by Kaboul who, in his impersonation of a big kid is infectious. He will make mistakes, but he is looking increasingly authoritative and decisive in defensive situation. Modders was great second half making little triangles all over the pitch - no signs of negativity there. Livermore looked fast, strong and imaginative in his cameo. Crouch did what Crouch does, no more, no less and you couldn't say that Llorent looked better - - he was just STILL Crouch with that agonised look when he cocks up and a tendency (not overdone this time) of drawing high balls like a magnet. Defoe played VDV quite well, actually switching positions, playing on and behind the line, PASSING (a lot) and finishing the once decisively. Gareth was very fast and clearly enjoying himself. He would look at Walker and point over the Bilbao full-back's head, inviting the opportunity to turn on the after-burners! Nothing to choose between the keepers and I would go with Gomez and drop him the first time concentration goes, making it clear that the position went to the better performer. I hold to the view we need one striker (at least) one defensive midfielder and one central defender. Whether we get them, who knows!! The Bilbao supporters were charming and got and gave a standing ovation at the end and (as you say Spooky) it was better than 'Stand up for the Arse'!!!!
Think she has been there a while now spooky.
WTF is going on here these days. Spooky watch all the friendly games alright.
I haven't got time to right my own reviews of a game I cant be bothered too watch because it is meaningless.
BTW, it wasn't pleasant walking through the small and very dodgy-looking yoof demo outside the police station on THR; it looked 'fortuitous', and as if it was bound to kick off eventually (as it did). There were plenty of the 'usual suspects' chucking empty cans at the police and then ducking out of sight, and the idea of having a proper demonstration of community feeling as opposed to 'trying to get things going' clearly occurred to no one.
Iain, slightly more important one year old daughter sort of just about takes priority, hence the missing of the first half. I did try to cello-tape her into a box but she kept escaping. The damn rugrat.
442 is better than 4411.
Perfectly good summing up if you ask me!
As for the riots. Levy started it. It's true I tells ya, I saw him torch the first shop! Fresh from watching Police Academy 5 our Daniel hit upon the idea of buying ALL the property in Tottenham. Under normal circumstances this would be an expensive undertaking but, after instigating a riot, Levy now finds himself trying to buy burnt out buildings and properties of residents who, in fairness, are desperate to get out. Naturally, with people wanting to give their houses away, compulsory purchace orders are no longer required and the NDP is more than back on track. Expect a new 100,000 seater stadium by 2017!!
JohnnyB - brilliant analysis - next :
Levy offers to re-house the homeless in the luxury flats at the new 'Park Lane' end and feeds them on brioches and skinny lattes from the Lidl Local, stylishly placed next to the 2011 riots memorial (opened by Boris, wearing a Wycombe Wanderers scarf and bicycle clips). Kelly D tries to interview him but he bikes off before the Man Dem decide to half-inch his wheels. Respec' !
We performed much better 2nd half than 1st thanks to a better balance and a rigid 4-4-2.
With regards to Llorente, I'd rather we enquried about Muiain, especially if we go ahead and sell Modric this week. Llorente works hard and comes to get the ball, but he wasn't doing anything in/around the box yesterday. We need a poacher.......
Cannot post at GG, but I can tell you: Costa Rica-born FC Twente forward Bryan Ruiz estimates his chances of joining Spurs this week at 50%
me "david (moyes) ave a picture with me son"
DM "sure"
me "bet your not frightened for next sat now"
DM "your kidding my lot look useless at moment"
i kid u not word for word.......gives me hope for the week ahead - (and he was nice to my boy)
Fuck me, it's kicking off all over London at the moment. Supposedly orchestrated in some places, planned 'in advanced' for a while now.
test
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If support read this - its now working. Seems to randomly stop me from posting comments, much like it affects other users on this blog too.
3rd time now I've had to clear cache, re-start browser etc - over the course of 2 days, so surely this is a server side problem that needs fixing?
David Moyes sounds like a good bloke,i'd welcome him when arry gets England job or goes to prision
I had similar thoughts about Krank during the PK. At first he looked like he was trying to remember the rules of the kick, then he made this goofy expression that said, "Well, here goes nothing......"
1st half, meh, 2nd half better. it showed:
How massively influential luka is too our midfield.
How much the tem lacks that real direct attacking play without bale.
Why we need to lose jenas,
Niko is better 1st reserve than the aforementioned JJ in midfield.
walker is a prospect, still slightly raw but a prospect nonetheless.
kaboul >> bassong
Defoe only relly works when wingers can get ahead of him to make the pass (therefore beating his old friend 'the offside trap'.
Even though everything about crouch on appearances is wrong, he does still score when it doesn't really matter it seems. If he gets a hat-trick against either manchester team though , I might be willing to change my mind. For I am fickle too.
In other news, London's burning! I hope the looting bastards get sent to saudi for their punishment.
oh yeah, and ditto on Moyes, said it for a while now, he works hard and managing the team and finding real prospects.