Plan B, not pretty, but it works
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 8:46AM Liverpool 0 Tottenham 0
All things considered, a good point at Anfield.
Tottenham’s Plan A is one of majesty, pace and devastation when applied with pomp and confidence. A full strength Spurs side is arguably the best footballing side in the country, and by virtue of the quality we possess it means we can compete with anyone. Sometimes, it falters a little, we make hard work of it which can result in a bit of a grind to churn out the three points. Every team has its off day, but truly aspiring teams with tough mental strength and spine can still win when playing below par. We still prefer the occasions when the swagger is wonderful and the opposition mesmerised. But you can’t always be at full strength.When we’re not, we’ve got Plan B.
It’s not really a Plan B though, is it? It’s more of a damage limitation exercise. Actually, that’s unfair. Scrap that. It’s more of an emergency restructure. It’s usually something we witness when we lack width (either one or both of our flankers). But Plan B is good for the soul, if not beauty to behold when watching it unfold on the pitch. When you’re not at your most effective and can’t attain full pelt, you dig deep. Its more slow brooding and stop-start. Depending on the opposing side, this can be a test of fortitude and concentration.
I’ve written about our squad depth a number of times this season. The fact we are so finely tuned that a key player missing here or there weakens us with far greater impact because of how much we rely so heavily on our system. I said in the preview for the Liverpool game that this is a testing period, every game is now massive in terms of retaining momentum. Every point vital as we aim to consolidate third or better.
If we trip and fall, I have no qualms about our ability to stand up, dust off and continue the march.
We didn’t trip and fall at Anfield on Monday night. We got pushed about a little by a side that likes to impact games with their physicality. In response we simply defended resolutely. We displayed grit and courage and even though the game as a spectacle was poor (boring at times - edit: need to elborate on this, what I'm refering to is the expectancy of say how we performed away to City in the second half in comparison to soaking in pressure at Anfield) we played with professionalism and gained an important point in doing so – momentum intact.
Several players unavailable (Lennon, Defoe, Sandro, Kaboul, van der Vaart) which meant others deputising with the usual team responsibilities. The bench consisted of the following outfield players: Nelson, Khumalo, Rose, Luongo, Lancaster, Saha. Illustrating again how strong our first team is but how we lack the same ‘replacement’ quality when they are missing and have to make do with youth and oldies.
Luka in the Rafa role, an example of the deputising, pushing more forward offensively rather than staring in his more natural deeper position. We shaped up in a 433 with Livermore, Parker and Modric in the centre and Bale/Niko behind Adebayor. Bale is obviously going to be contained on the left with no concern for the right with Lennon missing – which is why Bale once more ventured into the middle (to help out our lone striker). It’s not perfect, but there was no criminal negligence in terms of lack of discipline.
Slow starts for one or two others (Livermore’s positioning was tricky to work out early on), but the midfield trio worked their socks off across the 90 minutes. Parker outstanding in the second half making up for one or two mistakes in the first. Modric again imperious in terms of pass production and close control and perhaps understated by some who seek more dynamic creativity from him. Can’t be expected in every game. The way he retains and recycles possession should never be scoffed at. Sometimes we simply need to match and attempt to better our opponents to make sure we don’t lose the midfield. Its also apparent how important van der Vaart is, dropping deep and linking play.
Dawson another stand out player at the back, no coincidence with King by his side. Friedel alert when called into the game to shot-stop. But alas, the match lacked end to end clear cut chances. Adebayor mostly isolated up front and when in possession not able to keep it or use it’s efficiently. Walker also struggled a little to get past Johnson but got himself involved in terms of defending.
There was no disputing a solid first half of football. Liverpool don’t lose at home (don’t win many either) and although I was confident of a win pre-match – changing my mind after the injury news – I was more than content with how the game was playing out. We were not being bullied or struggling under pressure. There was no pressure. No mistakes either. Containment with the added bonus of perhaps a cheeky counter-attacking winner. The key here was to get Bale into the game or for Bale to get himself into the game more and for us to support Adebayor and for him to hold the ball up.
No Harry Redknapp at the game. Insert joke about the Anfield Cat being Harry’s next bank account. Nothing Kevin Bond couldn't handle (team talk, not the cat). We looked to continue the consistency in the second half. Which came to life when Bale was fouled and got up and pushed Agger, then got a yellow card for it.
By fouled I meant dived. Have not a clue what was going through his head. Only part of his game I disapprove of, it’s not clever and it’s not Tottenham. We don’t cheat and we don’t dive. Well, unless you’re Bale. He’s done that twice and got booked twice for simulation this season. I know there are some stats that show Bale v Ronaldo and how Bale has scored more and assisted more at this point in his career than Ronaldo has. But please Gareth, don’t try to own the play-acting stat too. Lucky not to get a red. Perhaps frustration was getting the better of him. Another learning curve to navigate.
However (there’s always a however). Being critical of the player, it doesn’t sit well with me. I want him to develop and to continue to progress and improve to truly world class stature. But I don’t want to spend my time bemoaning the kid whilst he wears the Lilywhite. Remember when he was a left-back that couldn’t win a game? He’s come a long way, he’s picked up a few bad habits. We’ll have them ironed out of him in time. He didn't quite manage to fulfil my half-time wish to get into the game more. He's not always going to have the space. He'll learn how to manipulate it from one game to the next, from one class of opposition to the next. Neo couldn't leap from a building or stop a bullet in the early days. So let's hope Redknapp does a good Morpheus impersonation.
For now, enjoy while you can. And be patient.
Bale could have won it for us late on (86th min). A rare fluff in a one on one. Carroll equally wasteful for them, so no complaints. And Suarez more so (87th min) with a free header.
Saha made his début, a like for like replacement for Adebayor, isolated and difficult for him to get into the game. Parker shot blocking a Gerrard effort and was also assaulted twice by Suarez. Niko – we are quick to be critical of him when he doesn’t perform, so best to give him credit for his work, especially his defensive shift.
That’s twice I’ve mentioned the returning hero (Suarez) in what Sky Sports were building up to be a fairytale return for the lad. A standing ovation no less from the home support and salivation from the commentators. What a guy. No fairytale ending though. He'll have to make do with the banners.
In the end, goal-less. We passed our test. Emphasis more so on defending than attacking. King always glues the back four together and everyone played their part. Collectively, as a unit – they all played a part in making sure we took that point.
Liverpool, in form, could not break us down or get any clear stranglehold on the game. It’s frustrating in some ways that we could not play what we are accustomed to seeing. Liverpool are Stoke but less effective. Plenty of dirtiness, little class. On and off the pitch. Skrtel on Bale. An occasion where Gareth is well within his rights to stay down. Off the pitch, can I mention Suarez once final time and the embarrassing siege mentality of Dalglish? An ugly football team, an ugly club. Happy to see them sat in the pot along with one or two other sides that can’t quite get the better of us these days.
Football cycles. You live through them. You deny it's happening to you, whilst others embrace the change. Soon enough, all you have is a turn of your head whilst you look back and remember the past. Then there are those busy with looking forward, making the future theirs. We are still living through it. Nothing has yet to be set in stone.
Proud as ever to be Spurs. Hope we get the core (first team starters) of the missing players back for Newcastle. That’s going to be a massive three points. Like every other game.
COYS
Love the shirt.
Reader Comments (34)
Spot on, a great point for us given the circumstances. As for Modric, there wasn't the magic that some people demand but there was a moment when he had three people all kicking at him and he still came away with the ball, just what we need in those games.
"Football cycles. You live through them. You deny it's happening to you, whilst others embrace the change. Soon enough, all you have is a turn of your head whilst you look back and remember the past."
Beautifully put spooky... I know a few of them "You's" too.... eat yer heart's out, and get used to it!!
COYSSSSSS
Hard game and a well deserved pint.Like you say not a thriller but at times the battles between different players was good to watch.This must give the guys another lift as if they needed it.To go there with so much missing against a near full strenght liverpool get a point and nearly win it shows again how far we have come.Will need a few back for the game on Saturday as it will be just as tough.Every game from now will be tough but with performances like that on Monday To Dare Is To Dream.
A well written article although to describe the game as "boring" I don't understand. In every area we fought hard to challenge the Scousers physicality and never backed off from the challenge. The game was fascinating from beginning to end, a game you could not leave even for a few seconds. To see our team standing up to this made me proud. It is a game of the type often in the past we would lose a real team effort in and as part of that was a great performance from Livermore who is improving all the time.
good article, said before the game if we won i,d really fancy us for 3rd, if we,d lost then i think we may have been dragged back into the scrap for 4th, but i think it was a brilliant display, as you say many names missing which does effect our game plan, and i now really fancy us to give our best finish to a prem. season, really impressed with everyones display, even benny who does make the bum it bit squeezy, no snow please for sat., as the toon will be missing a few from midfield, and by the way would love to see them get 4th,
Spot on Spooks - I think Livermore deserves a shout too tbh, very tidy in possession and although he does make some mistakes, he doesnt look out of his depth in our midfield.
Recycled possession well with Modric and Parker.
If we can get through these next 5 games, we have the easiest end-of-season runs of the whole 'top 4'.
WE CAN STILL DO THIS. COYS.
Hate to admit it but the game was boring mainly down to our negative tactics for the entire 90 minutes.
For me a world class player adds something to every game he plays, bale unfortunately was a passenger and in my opinion should have been subbed, he had the chance to prove his class and win us the game but fluffed it. Cant believe kranc was taken off, i have been his biggest critic but thought he was excellent both in keeping possesson and defending! Also, livermore is one that shouldnt be played, spent most of the game chasing shadows, every 10 times you hear modric/parkers name you hear livermores once at best, poor mans jj
Great article as always. Wisely written with the clarity a few days of reflection provides, I've learned a lesson, was far too harsh on Bale on VS. Cheers Spook.
In my opinion the defining match of our season will be Man U at WHL. A win, not a draw, will be monumental. As is every game from here on in I suppose, so soldier on you lovely Spurs!
Northern Spur - Boring in comparison to the football we've been spoilt with and the fact that Liverpool are so bland. However, I appreciate (as stated) that we have to get through games like this.
Nice article. Agree about Bale - his dive 'n' writhe habit is getting embarrassing, and I really REALLY wish he would cut it out. In fact I genuinely worry that he's doing it in order to prepare himself for continental (ie Spanish) football.
I'm afraid that Livermore will never be good enough to be a first-team regular. Doesn't intercept or tackle much, and some of his passing is Palacios-esque. Also Adebayor, as you say, is becoming increasingly hopeless at "holding the ball up" - which along with his abysmal finishing means he's added very little to the team of late. Was worried about Dawson but he proved immense.
A dourly professional team performance, but I was rather saddened by our approach - pretty much an admission that we've given up on our title challenge and are consolidating CL qualification.
He'll end up in Spain no matter what. Prefer he waited until he got there to play the dramatics.
Just not sure we had enough to get them yesterday in terms of how we lined-up. If Defoe was fit, might have gone with a 442.
Thoughts on the game... I guess I’m happy…ish I would have settled for a point before the game when I saw the team and subs bench, plus the fact HR was absent.
There were IMO some great performances from our boys…PNB was superb and totally deserved MOM, I thought Daws & Leds were also outstanding, gota give a special mention to Walker, he was up against a Bellamy who is bang in form, he snuffed out the danger every time, and when Bellamy was replaced with Downing he did the same to him. Oh yea one last mention Friedal what a top keeper. Having him and PNB is most definitely the reason why we are so improved this year.
The most important thing was not to get beat and we didn’t.
A brilliantly written article, again, Spooky.
Agreeing with "Northern Spur", as a bit harsh to call the game boring. From a defenders point of view, it was a masterclass. The (defensive) movement of Parker, Livermore and King was fascinating to watch.
Disappointed with Bale's effort on goal (at Reina's legs) towards the end. Those types of games are won with those types of moments. It's important the lads are learning from games like these, especially the likes of Bale, Livermore and Walker.
A hard earned and vital point away at Anfield, and as mentioned before, a game which, in the past, we most likely would have been travelling back with 0 points.
On another note, loving The Fighting Cock Podcasts. Keep it up.
The game was (a tad) boring due to Liverpool! There is a reason why they do not lose at home. There is a reason why they have only conceded 8 goals at home. If the game was at our place, it would not have been dull. The onus is on the home side to dictate the pace of the game. Admittedly we could have attacked more, but we were missing 3 attacking players and Liverpool had just got 2 back - Suarez and Gerrard.
It's like havng done a job you were dreading, like clearing an old smelly drain. Now that we've done what needed to be done at the 'bindippers' with satisfaction, we can move on and play some football.
Got you lot on Saturday, gotta say dreading it! pleased im at work haha.. Not a bad blog compared rest of the lot, good job. What ya'll think results for Satuday? pleased with a draw or all want the win? Me personally erm i think we'll get battered been a fantastic season for the toon though, onwards and upwards!
There was a point, midway through the first half, when my wife asked why I was sitting the way I was. Normally I'd be laid out on the sofa, but on Monday night I was just sitting. It was quite possibly the most uncomfortable viewing of a game I've had all season, and was nothing to do with me or the sofa, but what was happening out on the pitch.
It was horrible........ yet at the same time it was a defensive masterclass.
It was a game that I'd already said I expected us to lose, and do so spectacularly, but the way Liverpool go about their business, on and off the pitch, made any threat of a goal even more nerve/soul destroying.
Was bloody relieved when the full time whistle went though!
Shaggy - should be an open, end to end type of game. At least that's what I'm expecting. You lot look like you'll fancy your chances in terms of having confident strikers. Although not sure how your injury woes are compared to ours at time of writing.
We have to go for it. We have to win.
Good luck (not in this game) - would be pretty fantastic if you got ahead of Chelsea.
Can't agree with you about the game I thought it was mesmerising and tense. Whole heartedly agree with you about liverpool they are Stoke but without any class or character! And as for the sycophantic scouse biased commentary we had to endure throughout the game? Well DON'T GET ME STARTED!!!!!!
In defense of Bale...I was also disappointed when Bale went down without contact until I saw the head-on replay - Agger was "full-tilt" on the slide intent on kicking Bale into the third row of the stand. Bale's response, in my opinion, wasn't simulation it was self-preservation. Notably he didn't writhe in agony as tho the snipper had him. He got straight up and pushed back. Yes, a yellow card for retaliation. But Agger should also have been booked for the attempted assault.
Was Bale supposed to stand his ground and let the bus hit him?
it was as you described a well earnt plan b.....with injuries and redknap's absence which must have added pressure on bond and the players.......
NOT GUILTY!!!!!!!!!!
Can we get on with normal life at Spurs now please, without media intrusion?!??!
good read (wipes feet) - I personally thought that Bale was out of the game for way too long, he was getting frustrated due to the fact that he does not know how to play the vdv role, who incidentally was missed massively by us..
his movement awareness was really sub standard and modric really had very little to aim for, as with bae on the wings, nothing over lapping or moving in to good space when needed.
it was frustrating that we simply played for the point from so early on ( risky business )
no changes in shape or personnel - thought that the late sub for the slightly waning ade buy your new porsche yet? was a tokenistic one and that saha showed how to win headers and offer power to go with ( as old as he is, on his day an absolute dynamite stick) ade bour looks sluggish and is not as quick as i remember him being. That said - he is everything crouch could never be, so...
Parker - on just about every level a one man wrecking machine , total asset to our club.
Kranjcar - thought he showed why he is a squad player at best, that was a jj performance in my books, just that he has a footy brain * kinda makes the two yard passing threshold a little worse ( bale ball aside, flacid )
next stop - geordie land
coys
We earned a very good point it could have been two if our great player Bale had taken the great pass from Kranky into the middle of the gaol. When Gareth set off his first touch took the ball away from the middle too the outside of Rainas goal he made is one on one difficult and this put Raina in charge. This is what he should have done was used his right foot and aimed for the far corner or cut back in front of the chasing Agger and Slelaton and then he could have shot at both corners or took Raina on. The reason for saying this is not too criticize Bale but too explain why his burst of speed looked laboured in the first half pointed out by Spooky the scary one he was clattered into the advertising boards and he hurt his back you could see he was walking very slowly and he looked hurt. We all remember last season when he missed six weeks with a bad back and then ankle trouble later in the game he got a bad tackle and scar of the same player Skelator who got a red card at Spurs through Bale and he was after revenge. I believe both these tackles blunted Bales game and in defence of his dive this is how i seen it Agger was losing the race and if you look again this was like when someone throws a punch and you jump back Agger stuck his foot in the direction of the flying Bale and memory's of his bad tackle against Birmingham must have come flooding back when a side on tackle left him out for the rest of the season. You may think his ankle and back are 100 percent but i no with having a bad back at his age it leaves you protective from injuring it again and rather than take the tackle your protective in stinks kick in i believe this is what happen too Bale. The same thing apply's too Lennon who has also been a victim of dirty tackles over the years and he protecs his groin and for a long time would cut inside so he would avoid a side on tackle the worse one you can face for bad impacts and injury's .. So these things have too be taken into account when we criticize both these very fast exciting players playing in a league with more and more dirtier tackles by the energized desperate week. I no more than most how great this point was too our exciting season and i have just one criticism of our bench and its the subbing of Ady for Saha they should have taken Kranjar off who was tiring and we could have seen what these two could do for the Newcastle game The reason is. because now we have no forwards in scoring form only Defoe whose head has been wrecked by Harry snubbing him even when he won games and Vaart who has scored one goal since October has not helped Aby or Defoe 442 should be our system on SATURDAY. COYS
Can't imagine writing this much, but well argued, davspurs.
My reading was also that Bale dodged the tackle and got this legs tangled. When that happens at speed, sometimes even the player doesn't know that he has actually tripped himself over. The anger he showed suggests he thought contact was made, or that (as dav says) he was just annoyed at the cynical and dangerous nature of the tackles that were coming in on him.
Same for Lennon.
I thought Livermore was excellent, nobody else agree?
Spooky,
I'd love top 7 in all honestly, talk of championsleague for newcastle is mad!!
Tottenham have to win but inform Ba is quality.. hopefully a fantastic match
Livermore has surprised us all.
Geordie.
To be honest i have seen newcastle quite a few times this season and think Ba is pretty terrible but he always seems to score! Poor first touch, cant pass, poor technique but i guess all you want in a striker is for him to score goals and Ba is certianly doing that! I obviously hope the goals dry up for him this weekend!!!!
Great article as ever. I thought it was a great game. We were solid and looked comfortable all the way upto maybe the last 10 min when they really turned the screw. But we held out and defended so solidly. It reminded me of the Fulham away game but without the goals, thats where a JD or Azza would have come in very useful. It was an extremely well earned point, one which keeps us in the mix. All we need now is to get some of those injured boys back, and now Harrys a free man, bring on the barcodes. YIDS
I actually thought Bale's reaction wasn't for the tackle (or lack of it) but for the verbal abuse that Agger launched at him afterwards.
If you look at the whole sequence, Bale doesn't react to the challenge at all, other than by lying on the ground. It's only when Agger goes back over to him and says something that results in Bale reacting.
If Agger had stayed away then nothing would have happened.
Davspurs does make a good point though. Players know what they will get from certain opponents. Bale was kicked all over the place in the game at WHL, and knew that Skrtel etc. would target him again. The last thing he wants to do is pick up a serious injury. It's all a mental thing though. Some players are able to overcome it and be fearless, others shrink away a little.
As always Spooky, great article! Agree with almost everything! I also don't think enough has been made of Suarez kick at Parker... That was disgustiong, worse than a studs up, two footed tackle (not in way of potential end result) but worse in the sense that rather than being late or crap at tackling, he took exception to the fact Parker wanted the ball more than him, so he looked straight at him and scissor kicked him in the stomach... Parker, then played without reaction in the most prefessional of manners! The man is an inspirition to kids and fellow prefessionals everywhere!
I would just love it if Newcastle finished fourth ahead of Chelsea, Pool and Arsenal.
The phrase "defensive masterclass" is not one that would have been associated with Spurs teams in the past and I was very proud of the way we played. I don't know why Bale didn't try to chip Reina. Bale was kicked from pillar to post and I think that what we saw was not diving, but self-preservation. He didn't do that with the Skrtel tackle and was lucky not to have got a worse injury. If we get three points against the Toon then we will put a lot of pressure on the others. I do hope Harry doesn't take up the England job or only offers to do it on a part-time basis, but if he does go then I wonder whether Mourinho would be tempted.