- May 26, 2004
- 4,794
- 2,135
Good Week
Gareth Bale
Became a father for the first time, scored a goal, his absence for two games showed how important he is to us.
William Gallas
Billy G had a nightmare against Chelsea however he was a rock against Southampton, putting in a performance that belied his age. While I personally don’t think that should be enough to stop him being benched when Benny and/or Younes is fit, as Caulker is not just the future but the present as well, the Frenchman showed when he’s good, he’s still very good.
Tom Huddlestone
His display against Maribor was pretty poor, and he was yet again subbed off around the hour mark on Sunday, but in the grand scheme of things two starts represents good news for Tom.
In the summer his future was full of question marks. Thankfully he didn’t go to Stoke on loan – we did not have enough cover and I don’t think he would have found the experience particularly productive there – and now he appears to be first reserve.
He still needs to improve his game (that defending for the Maribor goal would embarrass an eight year old) but he had been inactive for a long while, and I think a tweak of tactics would benefit Tom and everyone else. The formation is set up for intricate pass and move and counter attacks, however we don’t have the players to play Barca-lite football. Tom’s long range passing is a boost to the central midfield which is direct and physical, but he doesn’t have the mindset to play triangles and get into advanced positions. Who’s style will break first? Tom or AVB?
Yago Falque
Nudging into the first team squad, the young Spaniard did well against Maribor, although I think he still has a lot to prove. He has more technical ability than a lot of players his age, as shown by his dominating U21 performances, but does he have the game awareness, passing, and the physical capacity to make it in the Premier League? I’m still unsure where his best position is.
Jermaine Jenas
Ended his month loan at Forest with a well taken goal, beating the keeper one-on-one with a nice little prod/chip that showed Premiership class. He impressed Sean O’Driscoll, the Forest manager, although not enough to start a match.
Bad Week
Andros Townsend
There was some talk after the Chelsea game that Andros might have been a better option on the left than Sigurdsson/Dempsey. Thursday evening and things looked a lot different. Andros did not make much impression, with most of his dribbles resulting in him running into someone, his passing resembling someone trying to master manual passing on Fifa for the first time, and he was hauled off at half time.
I do feel a little for all our wide players because if they do get into a crossing position and they cannot pull the ball back, there is no option for them. Defoe is never going to score with a header and often the attacking midfielder is too deep to offer an option. At least Lennon has Bale to pick out at the far post, the left winger looks up and sees a couple of dwarves in the box.
However, that does not excuse Andros’ performance in Slovenia. He did not look suited to the left wing role AVB desires from the 4-2-3-1 system – neither getting up with the striker not terrorising the opposition’s full back – but the team in general was woeful yet again in Europe so its not time to write the kid off.
Travelling fans in Europe
At least the games kick off relatively early. We should have won in Athens, we should have won in Maribor, but for some reason we look shockingly complacent on our European travels. Two points from two terrible games, two goals conceded that should have been defended a lot better, and a travelling support thoroughly ripped off.
Emmanuel Adebayor
While you should never believe what you read in the papers, Adebayor would have to have some balls to be complaining about not starting. I haven’t seen anything in his fleeting appearances to suggest he is worthy of starting ahead of Defoe, and having dodgy tummy and an achy back just when you do have the chance to play does not gain sympathy.
We need a striker to not just compete with Defoe but also to partner him as a lack of forward options on the pitch, not enough players in the box and the lack of an aerial threat (see above) limits our game, especially when faced with teams who are sitting deep and defensive.
If he doesn’t play against Norwich or Wigan you have to wonder if we aren’t better off replacing him with someone who gives a damn.
Jan Vertonghen
Might be a little controversial, and I love Super Jan, but his performances at left back are starting to get a little ragged and I think the sooner we move him back to the centre the better. His positioning is leaving a lot to be desired and I also don’t think he works hard enough to get back into position after a foray forward. It’s not exactly his fault – he is a centre back by trade – but something to keep an eye on.
Brad Friedel
Okay, enough is enough, it is time for Hugo. Brad has not done badly, but we now have a top keeper at the club and it is time to play him.
And I think it is effecting Brad. Despite the ball being about 6-8 yards out, Friedel was still very slow coming from that Saints free kick that ended up with Gallas heading off the line, and then from the corner I thought he might have parried that ball out a bit wider rather than back into such a dangerous position.
An unpressured Friedel would have stayed routed on his line because that is his natural style, but because it is one of Hugo’s strengths he has strayed away from what he knows and was caught out. When you stop doing what comes naturally you are in danger of making errors. Like a faithful old Terrier, its time to take Brad out back and put him out of his misery.
Gareth Bale
Became a father for the first time, scored a goal, his absence for two games showed how important he is to us.
William Gallas
Billy G had a nightmare against Chelsea however he was a rock against Southampton, putting in a performance that belied his age. While I personally don’t think that should be enough to stop him being benched when Benny and/or Younes is fit, as Caulker is not just the future but the present as well, the Frenchman showed when he’s good, he’s still very good.
Tom Huddlestone
His display against Maribor was pretty poor, and he was yet again subbed off around the hour mark on Sunday, but in the grand scheme of things two starts represents good news for Tom.
In the summer his future was full of question marks. Thankfully he didn’t go to Stoke on loan – we did not have enough cover and I don’t think he would have found the experience particularly productive there – and now he appears to be first reserve.
He still needs to improve his game (that defending for the Maribor goal would embarrass an eight year old) but he had been inactive for a long while, and I think a tweak of tactics would benefit Tom and everyone else. The formation is set up for intricate pass and move and counter attacks, however we don’t have the players to play Barca-lite football. Tom’s long range passing is a boost to the central midfield which is direct and physical, but he doesn’t have the mindset to play triangles and get into advanced positions. Who’s style will break first? Tom or AVB?
Yago Falque
Nudging into the first team squad, the young Spaniard did well against Maribor, although I think he still has a lot to prove. He has more technical ability than a lot of players his age, as shown by his dominating U21 performances, but does he have the game awareness, passing, and the physical capacity to make it in the Premier League? I’m still unsure where his best position is.
Jermaine Jenas
Ended his month loan at Forest with a well taken goal, beating the keeper one-on-one with a nice little prod/chip that showed Premiership class. He impressed Sean O’Driscoll, the Forest manager, although not enough to start a match.
Bad Week
Andros Townsend
There was some talk after the Chelsea game that Andros might have been a better option on the left than Sigurdsson/Dempsey. Thursday evening and things looked a lot different. Andros did not make much impression, with most of his dribbles resulting in him running into someone, his passing resembling someone trying to master manual passing on Fifa for the first time, and he was hauled off at half time.
I do feel a little for all our wide players because if they do get into a crossing position and they cannot pull the ball back, there is no option for them. Defoe is never going to score with a header and often the attacking midfielder is too deep to offer an option. At least Lennon has Bale to pick out at the far post, the left winger looks up and sees a couple of dwarves in the box.
However, that does not excuse Andros’ performance in Slovenia. He did not look suited to the left wing role AVB desires from the 4-2-3-1 system – neither getting up with the striker not terrorising the opposition’s full back – but the team in general was woeful yet again in Europe so its not time to write the kid off.
Travelling fans in Europe
At least the games kick off relatively early. We should have won in Athens, we should have won in Maribor, but for some reason we look shockingly complacent on our European travels. Two points from two terrible games, two goals conceded that should have been defended a lot better, and a travelling support thoroughly ripped off.
Emmanuel Adebayor
While you should never believe what you read in the papers, Adebayor would have to have some balls to be complaining about not starting. I haven’t seen anything in his fleeting appearances to suggest he is worthy of starting ahead of Defoe, and having dodgy tummy and an achy back just when you do have the chance to play does not gain sympathy.
We need a striker to not just compete with Defoe but also to partner him as a lack of forward options on the pitch, not enough players in the box and the lack of an aerial threat (see above) limits our game, especially when faced with teams who are sitting deep and defensive.
If he doesn’t play against Norwich or Wigan you have to wonder if we aren’t better off replacing him with someone who gives a damn.
Jan Vertonghen
Might be a little controversial, and I love Super Jan, but his performances at left back are starting to get a little ragged and I think the sooner we move him back to the centre the better. His positioning is leaving a lot to be desired and I also don’t think he works hard enough to get back into position after a foray forward. It’s not exactly his fault – he is a centre back by trade – but something to keep an eye on.
Brad Friedel
Okay, enough is enough, it is time for Hugo. Brad has not done badly, but we now have a top keeper at the club and it is time to play him.
And I think it is effecting Brad. Despite the ball being about 6-8 yards out, Friedel was still very slow coming from that Saints free kick that ended up with Gallas heading off the line, and then from the corner I thought he might have parried that ball out a bit wider rather than back into such a dangerous position.
An unpressured Friedel would have stayed routed on his line because that is his natural style, but because it is one of Hugo’s strengths he has strayed away from what he knows and was caught out. When you stop doing what comes naturally you are in danger of making errors. Like a faithful old Terrier, its time to take Brad out back and put him out of his misery.