Monkey claims to fall off back. Wasn't on it in the first place.
Monday, September 17, 2012 at 7:56PM Thrown some thoughts on the game together. It's been a long tiring day, hassled through out it. So excuse the lack of craft. But who cares when Tottenham displayed so much of it on Sunday. Badum tish.
Reading 1 Tottenham 3
Well that was nice. Fluid, effective football with some ample finishing to see off opposition that we probably should have blown away in the first half. This game wasn't just about picking up the three points but doing so with a bit of style and structure. Which we did. Can’t really sit here and complain about not scoring enough goals or not making it look even easier than it was when the reality is, the side is still adjusting under Andre Villas-Boas. Monkey off back. Then again, there wasn't a monkey on it in the first place. Onwards we go with two successive games at the Lane. That momentum is fluttering her eyelids at us, it would be rude to ignore her advances.
There was no Livermore or Benny, both injured, the latter out for a month and replaced by Naughton. Dembele started alongside Sandro – the combo we all wanted to see and although it was up against a weak side, it was very reassuring to witness some life after Luka Modric. Dembele was progressive with movement, looking for the ball from Sandro. Both playing in tangent and protecting each other’s space and making sure availability to receive the ball was always evident as we looked to move higher up the pitch. Dembele, effortless when attacking space. Sandro dominant pressuring opposing players, intercepting and tackling with supreme belief that he owns that patch of grass in the middle.
Did Dembele start because Livermore was injured? He probably would have started regardless, especially as VB stated he wanted us to be more offensive against Reading. Sigurdsson, the third part of the midfield trio, and responsible for a killer ball splitting the defence for Lennon to cut back for Defoe to score for the 1-0. So much to like about this. The fact it almost seem to play out in slow motion even though it was over in seconds. The vision from Sig. Lennon’s awareness to receive the ball. Defoe’s scuffed effort perfectly beating the defenders and keeper. Striker’s scuff the ball on purpose, right?
Defoe starting ahead of Adebayor might have raised some eyebrows. I guess he's in form now, so you can’t drop him out of the side although as per usual we have to weigh the good with the bad and if JD can repeat this type of bullish performance against a better class of opposition then we still have good options up front (or at the minute, from the bench). Isolated, this was a cracking performance. His second goal (for the 3-1) was very well taken. Although given the freedom of the park he still had to retain composure which he did. He had other chances including a majestic take down and outside of the foot shot that deserved to go in.
Because of the comparative ease of playing against Reading, having the midfield trio behind him, the team was able to play to Defoe’s strengths. They supported him, he delivered (he had several shots at goal). Against sterner teams that make the midfield congested and turn it into a battlefield, he won’t be able to lead the line in the manner he did on Sunday. Which is why Adebayor will always be the better fit because he can drop back and work the channels effectively. However, this is a side coached by someone with Powerpoint slides. It’s quite possible that Defoe will improve his game, his awareness and positioning under Villas-Boas. You can’t change a player that is driven on by pure instinctive play but you can attempt to control the areas of the pitch he attacks though far more ticky to improve his link up play. Can’t fault his effort though. And he's scoring goals so I expect the same against QPR.
gifs by Eperones
An improved Defoe is better than one that just runs around a bit and waits for a chance to fall at his feet. However, not sure he can bring the midfielders into the game as effectively as Adebayor. This is going to be very interesting. How VB handles the two players in rotation and how effective each player is against lesser sides and the stronger ones.
Naughton did well. Gave away a couple of needless free kicks but seemed to be quite disciplined and solid in possession. Vertonghen was brilliant at the back, might well be one of our best signings in recent years and makes the retirement of Ledley King a little easier to deal with (best to avoid dreaming about the fantasy line-up of Vert and King at the back though if you want to sleep tonight). Sigurdsson wasn’t as influential as I’d have liked him to be, but can hardly complain what with the ball played for the first goal. Once Sig slots into his role he'll have more impact on the game.
Bale was quiet first half. Better in the second. Scored (another scuffed shot, there’s got to be skill in this) and looks to be slowly improving. Just a case of him finding his groove. Better he slow starts than fades away later on. He needs a pulsating home display. Can’t help feel that his responsibility and effectiveness will start to take shape in the next few games. Has to be used more as an outlet and he has to run that flank with authority. With so much more reliance on tactics these days, I’m still struggling to see a definitive change in what he’s meant to be doing. With Lennon it’s clearer that he’s beating opposing full-backs by finding space rather than ball at feet attempting to beat them time and time again. But sometimes people expect explosions from Bale when it’s the subtle stuff he does that needs a nod of approval, like the dummy run he made that allowed Defoe to do the damage for his second.
Huddlestone, Dempsey and Townsend all on as subs. Add Scott Parker, Michael Dawson and Hugo Lloris to the fold and our squad depth doesn’t look too shabby. All those players likely to be used in the coming weeks as opposed to simply warming the bench. Lazio on Thursday, QPR on Sunday – there has to be a little rotation.
Conceding late on was disappointing. It keeps happening. There was a batch of pressure in the second half where we struggled to clear the ball convincingly and it looked more like panic than tactical instructions. Leadership is something else that needs to stranglehold the latter stages of games. We have to retain the ball, take the sting out of it and boss it rather than sit back and invite. In addition, if you go back to the early stages – we can really put games to bed if we are clinical. That cut-throat side of our game has to be worked on. Not just up to the striker – the midfielder need to get in the mix more. I’m confident this will happen with Sig and can pretty much guarantee Dempsey will relish the opportunity. We could be one more goal to the good each game.
As for the host? Reading are not very good. At least on this display they allowed us far too much time on the ball and let us dictate practically from start to finish. But that is really not relevant. Cliché: beat the teams you face. We did that and there's still so much room for improvement. Improvement that will come by virtue of this side understanding the new system more with each passing week. Confidence will see to it. Application was spot on, as was pace and tempo. Players all looked like they had an understanding of what they were required to do and when in possession players seeking the ball made themselves available either in support or by attacking space with intent. Less pressure away from home? Do we feel the pressure back in N17? We'll find out soon enough.
Feet firmly on ground. We had a job to do, we did it.
Other footnotes.
The kit. It's not terrible but it's not really Spurs. Aside from the fact that it is Spurs because we were wearing it. Just not very traditional.
AVB on the touchline. Adore the way he celebrates goals. Looks no different to a supporter in the stands. Looks better in fact, what with that beard and that suit.
Reader Comments (60)
So no pie?
Come on moe dont be shy, what was the best? If you can't answer that then I'll have no option other than to draw a very bleak conclusion.....you lied!
Must admit moe, the 'lavender bush' was a nice touch, I've now trained the cameras on it - just in case!
Log entry: 21.14 - no word from moe.
Blimey you tell me to lay off then I come home from work to find you positively courting my attention!
Best - hard to choose from FA cup v City (first trophy win witnessed), EUFA cup Tony Parkes and all that (was there - fantastic), FA cup semi v l`arse, League cup v Chavs.
Worst - tonight. Got home to find kids had recorded a film and in doing so cancelled the match recording. Entered kitchen only to find missus had wisely hidden all the knives.
Your watch is 2 minutes fast by the way.
And the egg in that pie is in fact a disguised camera watching you watching me. For gods sake man wipe that marmite off yourself and let the dog get some sleep.
C`mon approach the lavender bush - I haven`t any section 136 paperwork, honest.
Log entry 08:26 (tomtime) "CONTACT"
A jumbled array of words finally appear - could this possibly be the result of the '100 monkeys experiment?'
Moe, or should I say..... ooh ooh ooh eee eee eee aah aah aah? Leave it out, you don't fool me with your false flag tatics - champions Leauge qualification/football loooooooomed over those, so called, 'best (bits)' like an alcoholic over fresh sick!
Ps.You work late don't ya? Don't usually see trolleys being collected after 5pm.
ooh ooh ooh eee eee eee aah aah aah... Thump - for now..
Firstly, I find your attack on my occupation offensive. I provide a valuable service to the community.
Your type would be the forst to complain if you arrived at Lidl to find no available trollies in their alloted place.
Your thinly veiled envy is clearly based upon the fact that your day release does not extend to the hours of darkness.
I thought those with no freedom of speach or choice were either Chinese or gooners.
But I can resist no more, if we can find a suitable appointment I will have the Wisky Tom chip inserted in order to comply with your opinion.
If this is still simmering from the `arry debate then I`ll repeat this - I will always be grateful that he rescued us from the mire and gave us a taste of CL.
However, being played off the park in the QF led me to believe that we cannot properly compete in that competition yet and therefore it was not my personal (if I may venture that far) high from following Spurs for 40 odd years.
If it was yours, then fine.
Last season, i desperately wanted us to qualify for CL, as I thought it may signal a new era for us and because it would derail the goons for a year.
Yes, of course I want us to challenge for it again, but I wouldn`t trade in my personal highs for it.
Gooner trolls come on here and remind us about CL, like a stuck record, it`s their be all and end all to qualify for it without a massive chance of winning it.
For me that would be a dull existence. CL every year and no trophies, or EL punctuated with the odd piece of silverware?
Given the choice, I would go for the latter. But I have no wish to attempt to condition my fellow fans to feel likewise.
It's Friday evening people. Go have a beer.
Lazio match reporty thingie coming up this evening.
En garde - Last forray - SonOfSkeletor wrote - 'George Graham and Juande Ramos got the silverware, but it was Martin Jol and Harry who gave us our club back' This statement sums it all up for me - have a good weekend pest!
Ps. I'm really sorry I called you a monkey. I like monkeys
Evening Spook.....
Ground control to wisky tom your circuit`s dead there`s something wrong can you hear me wisky tom.......
You think like a gooner, talk like a lazio fan and claim to be a yid. No wonder your posts are so tortured.
Not denying `arry gave us our club back, but he`s gone now.
Maybe we can ask Spooky to allocate us individual time slots so that we can avoid hurting each other.
It`s been a fiesty spicy brief affair, but now it`s clearly over. Enjoyed it whilst it lasted though x.
Wow! That was some pretty fcuked up shit - I deduce that the monkey 'banter' hit a raw nerve (hurting each other?) and considering you actually beleive you can hear me talk (talk like a Lazio fan?) you can't, well I hope you fcuking can't - stares at iPad - and that you question my authenticity....(claim to be a yid) Ha ha ha ha hostile too! I'd just like to leave you with this pungent thought.
DILLIGAF?
talk like a lazio fan - ok that should have been types like a lazio fan (oo oo ee ee ah ah) monkey noises - you`re the last one I`d expect to explain that to - you`re losing your edge.
I see the `claim` reference hit the intended spot - sorry that was a gratutitous low shot, intended as dark obtuse humour - again you of all people....?
Yes I think you were born with that IGAF look, but no I don`t think you do GAF. in fact I hope not.