Ratings v Twente

[camaj]

Just the main points:
VDV: Quality or what! Did a bit of hand waving when Bale didn't pass to him, of course the people that moan about Keane will ignore that.
Stupid to get sent off although the first yellow was harsh he knew he was on a yellow, you don't go jumping into players like that when you've been booked once.

Crouch: God knows why Harry thinks he's good enough to start ahead of Pav or Keane. We played a lot of high balls into him too at the start of the game, which isn't his fault but it rarely seems to work (other than YB)

Pav: People call him lazy but when he came off he'd run a kilometer more than the team average. Hopefully that puts the accusation to bed. Either took two poor penalties or knew what he was doing. Won us a third by shooting straight at their defender.

Lennon: He's scared of something. He had a few chances to run down the wing but turned back when anyone came near. What's gone wrong azza?

Keane: Did well to pounce on a loose ball but should have layed it off to Lennon rather than try to go past the defender

Huddlestone: Saved this for last. People talk him up since he started getting picked ahead of Palacios. At times he does well but he also makes some very bad mistakes that undoes all of that and a lot more on top. He almost gifted them two goals and was very lucky not to get sent off for an idiotic elbow. His turn in the box was ill advised too. If he'd lost it there we'd have been screwed. Safety first

 

[leffe186]

I think it went down exactly as BBLG said.

 

[Chinaspur]

Hutton: A couple of times on their breaks he was ball watching while his man was running past him - luckily their strikers didn't have the vision to spot it

Modric: Coming back from injury, but still oozes class

VdV: Missed penalty added passion to his incredible class and touch. Pretty sure he spent the whole of the half time break pounding punches into Joe Jordan's shirtless (and inexplicably oiled up) washboard abs while Joe called him a penalty bottler and showed him photos of Sylvie in his bedroom just wearing a bottle of irn bru. That's why he was first back out onto the pitch scored so soon...unfortunately he couldn't calm down and got himself sent off (admittedly joe waving a bottle of Scotland's favourite soft drink at him every 2 minutes didn't help).

Bale: bit obsessed by targeting crouch at the back stick tonight - missed a great opportunity to put VdV through, but still had a great game otherwise. Right now for me he is a left winger who can defend a bit...not a LB who's good going forward.

 

[Damian99]

Huddlestone: Saved this for last. People talk him up since he started getting picked ahead of Palacios. At times he does well but he also makes some very bad mistakes that undoes all of that and a lot more on top. He almost gifted them two goals and was very lucky not to get sent off for an idiotic elbow. His turn in the box was ill advised too. If he'd lost it there we'd have been screwed. Safety first

Well for once i actually agree with BC(just).

In the second half the bloke was fantastic, yes he lost the ball in the first half and Gomes bailed him out.

But everyone is wanking over PAVS second half display but Huddlestones pissed on that, cept he didn't score two penalties.

Huddlestone played two fucking beautiful passes in the second half, one right foot then one left foot, weighted inch perfect on a fucking very greasy surface. He won headers inside our own penalty area and lastly HE DIDNT LOSE THE BALL IN OUR BOX, so quit with your crying.

 

[Michey]

Gomes - 7

Hutton - 7
King - 7
Bassong - 7
BAE - 6.5

VDV - 7 (would've been 8 or more if he didn't take that stupid second yellow)
Huddlestone - 7.5
Modric - 7
Bale - 7.5 (Love him but it's time he starts to lift his head now and then and mix it up when storming up and down that left side)

Crouch - 6.5
Pavluychenko 7.5 (poor first half but he wasn't invited in the game at all when we hoofed everything towards Crouch)

Jenas - 6.5
Lennon - no time
Keane - no time

 

[Damian99]

Jenas 8 - Excellent, had a very specific job to do and did it brilliantly. His work-rate and dedication to task, together with Pav's goals, won us the match tonight.

I know you are a Jenas fan, but he did nothing more than ok when he came on.

He had very very little to do with us winning the match and Palacios at the point would have been just as an effective change, possibly.

 

[stevenqoz]

Seriously thought that Huddlestones better work in the first half came from the number of times he made interceptions/got his foot in for blocks. In the second half .....especially when we were down to ten he seemed to actually play ten yards further forward found more space and sprayed some beautiful passes around. He did get caught flat footed early on in the first half but it was from a poor lay back from VDV I do believe.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I love the fact that some people are having a go at Hudd because you could have been sent off, but not VDV even though he was sent off

Hudd and Bassong are coming in for some unfair stick on here I reckon, mainly I guess because of a dodgy opening patch

I re-watched it last night and thought both played their part, especially Hudd in the 2nd half who was awesome

 

[talkshowhost86]

Gomes - 7 - We just look more confident at the back with him there

Hutton - 7 - Looks a player reborn. Pretty tight defensively and looks dangerous going forward. Deserves to keep Charlie out of the team on this form

Ledley - 7 - Solid. Makes everyone more comfortable and made a couple of big interceptions in the second half.

Bassong - 8 - Thought he was brilliant tonight. After the Young Boys debacle I was worried about him but he's looked very composed since then and is starting to bring the ball out from the back a bit more which is a good sign.

VdV - 7 - Would have been an 8 but for his red card which was daft. I still think we need to find a regular position for him but he seems to be doing pretty well wherever he goes at the moment.

Hudd - 8 - I harshly said that he hadn't been in the game at half time but I think that was because he was doing alot more defensively (as was needed due to our lineup) and in the second half he was quality in the defensive midfielder role. A very mature performance which suggests he may be able to play the 'Carrick role' more regularly for us.

Modric - 7 - Didn't do anything spectacular but never lost the ball and looks like he's getting back to full fitness. Long may it continue.

Bale - 8 - He just looks dangerous every time he gets the ball and even when they doubled up on him he seemed to go past them with ease. I think he'll be our player of the year and I suspect Maicon won't know what's hit him at the San Siro.

Crouch - 6 - Didn't really get into the game but won every attacking header that he was given. We need to realise that if we play the ball to him we need to get players around him. VdV did that in the 2nd half and look what happened.

Pav - 5(with 11 men) 7(with 10 men) - I thought he was rubbish in the first half. Poor control, no real link up play with anyone else and generally not contributing much at all. But when up front on his own he seemed to put alot more effort in and really helped with our rearguard effort. Took his penalties very well as well, but that's not really enough if he wants to be our regular starting striker.

 

[finnoathletic]

Not going to bother giving individual scores as I thought they were all fantastic. We just beat the Dutch Champions who'd of thought that two years ago. Special mention to VDV and Bale though who were different class. Modric and Hudd who although seemed quiet, controlled everything, just got the ball and kept it moving allowing our wide players to frighten the lives out of Twente's full backs. and also to hutton, just thought it was great to finally see us with a proper right back, who had pace to get into the opponents penalty box, and get back and defend. Very good game after only three appearances for us, imagine what he'll be like when he's upto to match fitness after 10-15 continuous games.

Well played lads, we're in the Champions League and we're looking Good

 

[Fatcat]

Was a good all round performance, I thought Hudd was MOM, was not his normal elegant passng display but if it were not for him helping out at the back and making some superb blocks we could of easily been behind. I can remember one attack he charged down 2 shots and then block ed the cross, was a little lucky with the elbow but don't think he was trying to elbow him ein the face

 

[The Apprentice]

On a side note, I was really fucked off that greedy bollocks Keane didn't just slide Lennon in for a 1 on 1 instead of trying to dribble past 2 defenders.

Not because he fucked it up but because it would have done wonders for Azza Blood's confidence if he'd have scored.

Good performance all round. Worked bloody hard and need to replicate the effort and application in all games.

This Champs League lark is pretty fun eh?

 

[RobinLeonard]

Gomes 7 - Welcome back

Hutton 7 - I am a big Charlie fan but it is nice to see a fullback with pace to burn.

King 7 - Very glad to see him play

Bassong 8 - A bit generous but I am so happy to see Seb returning to form. We have crazy depth in central defence.

BAE 7 - Calm and collected.

VDV 7 - Fantastic passion, fantastic goal but if you are a 27(?) something player with experience from all levels of competition you can't take such a stupid red card. It could have lost us the game.

Modric 7 - I love the guy. The commentators keept saying he was having a poor game but he has to be smart in a two man midfield. He got the ball, invented some space and passed it along. Should have taken his chance on the left but I think it was another high standard performance from our best midfielder.

Huddlestone 7 - During the last 40 minutes Hudd really got going and was one of our better players which was nice to see because that's when he usually dissapears. But during the first half he lost the ball in some awful positions and had it not been for a very good save by Gomes we would have conceded for it. Had it been Jenas or Palacios doing that people would be complaining. But Hudd gets away with it.

Bale 8 - Tormented his fullback all night. Got a goal, won a penalty and got a few crosses in which a striker should have gotten to.

Crouch 6 - Won a penalty and assisted VDVs goal. But he should do better in general at home in europe.

Pav 7 - Again generous but his coolness from the spot won us the game. Mostly frustrating but then he got going a bit after he scored. He really is the most irratic player I've ever seen.

 

[tRiKS]

I have to say I thought Modric was the stand out player. Yeah VDV had the ball in the most dangerous areas and Bale was consistently dangerous but the control we had in the game was down to Modric. The player that made best use of the ball and who performed their roles most outstandingly was Modric. The man loves to play football and I daresay given the choice would be playing it in the final third of the pitch but his attitude, adaptability and responsibility means that you’d never know that by watching him last night.

a spurs fan on the radio after the game even said “VDV was a level above Modric” ??? Not for me, if anything it’s the other way around.

 

[Yiddo1982]

I was really disappointed by Huddlestone's actions. That elbow was delibrate. He should not risk being petulant, as it will be team that ultimately suffers.

 

[$hoguN]

I have to say I thought Modric was the stand out player. Yeah VDV had the ball in the most dangerous areas and Bale was consistently dangerous but the control we had in the game was down to Modric. The player that made best use of the ball and who performed their roles most outstandingly was Modric. The man loves to play football and I daresay given the choice would be playing it in the final third of the pitch but his attitude, adaptability and responsibility means that you’d never know that by watching him last night.

a spurs fan on the radio after the game even said “VDV was a level above Modric” ??? Not for me, if anything it’s the other way around.

I agree with you here mate, I thought Modric had a very good game, he should have scored, but gave us so much control in midfield that when Jenas came on they put Huddlestone on the right rather than Modric.

 

[NickHSpurs]

I thought Bale, VDV and Huddlestone were outstanding, confident show from Bassong too.

People say Hudd has a quiet first half, but I thought he showed a proper DM display, made some hugely important blocks (despite one bad moment) and when Bassong or King went up the field Hudd's covering was exceptional, he clearly did a lot of work that went unnoticed by some!

Nice to see Bale back to his affective self and reminding Harry why he needs to play LM!

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I'm just happy we have both Modric and VdV. They are different and many fans will appreciate the shots and more directness of VdV but Modric is so composed in space and plays with his head up. The linkup with VdV is going to magical when it gets going.

Nice to see Gomes back he is a great character to have around. Loved VdV's passion, even if he might have been a little over the top. We have some characters in the side now and hopefully that will help us impose our football more.

Pav was awful first half and very good second. I think Harry must have told him to just not fall over and that seemed to make a difference.

Overall it was a good night and we played with a spark in the second half that had been missing. Hopefully we can carry that on against Villa.

 

[whl_yid1982]

Gomes 7 Great one handed save in the first half

Hutton 7 Great surging runs going forward, wastes possession occasionally and is too often caught out at the back. Still a better option than Corluka though.

King 7 So composed on the ball and reads the game well to cut out most threats

Bassong 6 A little bit shaky at times and has a preference to hoof it up field but will learn more with experience

BAE 7 Links up well with Bale, great going forward and continues to improve his defensive side

Hudd 6 Caught in possession a number of times in the first half and was poor in general. Better in the second half with some penetrating balls

Modric 7 Solid performance but nothing spectacular. I think he is somewhat overshadowed by VDV

Bale 9 MOM Our Welsh wing wizard continues to provide devistating forays to the byline. Good finish for his goal

VDV 8 Great performance, great going forward, great on the ball, gets stuck in and seems to cover every blade of grass. Always puts in 110%, good goal aswell shame about the sending off

Pav 7 Was anonomous for most of the first half game, scored 2 vital penalties and seemed to build in confidence after them and began to hold the ball up well with some nice touches and also nearly set up Modric

Crouch 6 Wasn't his best game, that shot in the second half was comical. Solid enough.

Jenas 6 Came on nd had a couple of nice touches, needs to get stuck in more and not back out of challanges so often.

 

[$hoguN]

Gomes - 7. Made a great save early on and was solid throughout, he couldn't do anything about their goal. Great to have him back.

Hutton - 7. A very solid game from Hutton. He gave us an option on the right overlapping from VDV but always got back into position as soon as he could, which is something which he has not always done.

Bassong - 7. Solid game from him, one great run but nobody bothered to go help him out.

King - 8. He is such a special player, he marshalled the defence well and was very solid.

BAE - 7. Much like the rest of the defence he had a decent game, was solid at the back and linked well with Bale. Considering how all the Twente players were rolling around and trying to get our players booked, BAE had a very admirable moment, when their right back dived in on him and he just got on with it.

VDV - 8. He is truly world class, clearly wants to be here and be successful. He worked very hard, showing commitment/passion and scored a vital goal to put us ahead. Its a shame he got sent off but you could see it coming. I'm more annoyed with their keeper than VDV over the penalty miss as their keeper came well off his line significantly narrowing the angle.

Huddlestone - 7.5. He worked his b*****ks off all night, showed a very cool head as he dribbled the ball out of defence near the end. However his moment of madness could have seen him get a red card and cost us the game.

Modric - 9 (MOTM). He controlled the game from midfield, he worked hard the close players down and always found people when in possession. He was absolutley vital in calming us down after VDV got sent off.

Bale - 8.5. Does this guy ever run out of energy? He worked hard all night and always looked threatening. He could have played a couple of balls short to VDV if he had looked up faster, but was sensational.

Pav - 7.5. He was awful up until his first penalty. Yet after, he was impressive, his first touch improved, he actually held the ball up and put in a shift. He also took both penalties very well.

Crouch - 7. He was solid, but unfortunately we looked to use his ehight as a weapon a little too often for my liking. He did cause them trouble and was a useful at times, i'm glad Redknapp had the sense to take off Crouch rather than Pav though.

Lennon, Keane and Jenas were all solid after they came on, all of which played a role in seeing out the game which was very pleasing.