Dan Ashcroft
Manstack vs The Gay Chimney
- Jan 6, 2008
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Siggy looked good once Ade was on.
Ratings -vs- Aston Villa
- Thread starter OmarsComing
- Start date
Siggy looked good once Ade was on.
Petmaister
Member
- Sep 7, 2003
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Who did actually get mom ?
AngerManagement
Well-Known Member
- May 15, 2004
- 12,518
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Imagine if we had managed to sign Isco to play behind Ade in front of Dembele
Spurs_Bear
Well-Known Member
- Jan 7, 2009
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What a difference a goal makes, until the goal Villa looked well organised and like they were going to cause us problems. We scored a goal and they turned into a pub team.
Lloris - 6 Lightening quick off his line, was 100% the right decision to play him. Poor throw out led to their best chance, but otherwise was a relatively quiet afternoon for him.
Walker - 6 Is in a rut at the moment, fuck all to do with his technique or limitations etc, he is just in bad form. He'll get it back.
Gallas - 8.1 MOTM for me, cant agree with those saying he didn't look good. Marshalled the defence well, was good on the ball as well, him and Caulker look good together.
Caulker - 7 Decent, doesn't do much wrong, very strong in the air and not bad at bringing the ball out either.
Vertonghen - 7.5 Oozes class, wasn't tested too much at left back as Albrighton was dogshit, don't think I've ever seen a defender as comfortable on the ball as him before.
Sandro - 7 Poor first half where he kept giving the ball to Villa, but made up for it in the second where he was immense.
Dembele - 8 Absolutely brilliant. Tackling, dribbling, and looked to be playing with his head up a bit more which was good.
Lennon - 7 Crossing was poor in the first half, scored a good goal though.
Dempsey - 7 Industrious and aggressive, decent.
Bale - 7 Did some good things, set pieces were poor though in general.
Defoe - 3 When you offer as little to the team dynamic as Defoe does, you need to do what you do best to a decent level. Unfortunately that level was poor today, took what seemed like 10 shots from outside the area and don't remembering him working the keeper.
Adebayor was good when he came on, looked sharp, I think the other players will look better with him to interchange with.
Lloris - 6 Lightening quick off his line, was 100% the right decision to play him. Poor throw out led to their best chance, but otherwise was a relatively quiet afternoon for him.
Walker - 6 Is in a rut at the moment, fuck all to do with his technique or limitations etc, he is just in bad form. He'll get it back.
Gallas - 8.1 MOTM for me, cant agree with those saying he didn't look good. Marshalled the defence well, was good on the ball as well, him and Caulker look good together.
Caulker - 7 Decent, doesn't do much wrong, very strong in the air and not bad at bringing the ball out either.
Vertonghen - 7.5 Oozes class, wasn't tested too much at left back as Albrighton was dogshit, don't think I've ever seen a defender as comfortable on the ball as him before.
Sandro - 7 Poor first half where he kept giving the ball to Villa, but made up for it in the second where he was immense.
Dembele - 8 Absolutely brilliant. Tackling, dribbling, and looked to be playing with his head up a bit more which was good.
Lennon - 7 Crossing was poor in the first half, scored a good goal though.
Dempsey - 7 Industrious and aggressive, decent.
Bale - 7 Did some good things, set pieces were poor though in general.
Defoe - 3 When you offer as little to the team dynamic as Defoe does, you need to do what you do best to a decent level. Unfortunately that level was poor today, took what seemed like 10 shots from outside the area and don't remembering him working the keeper.
Adebayor was good when he came on, looked sharp, I think the other players will look better with him to interchange with.
Lloris.............. 7 impressively inactive. Loses a mark for dodgy moment.
Walker.............5. The boy has lost it whatever it was.
Gallas...............7 Competent.
Caulker.............7.5.. Composure beyong his years
Vertonghen........8.5..I seemed to always vote for Modric but Jan has taken over.
Sandro..............8.. One or two stray passes but powerful performance
Dembele............7.. Strong but moves the ball too slowly and got caught in possession
Bale...................7. Could be so much better if he looked up occasionally
Lennon.............. 7 .Nice goal, some good runs
Dempsey............6 Not impressed yet. Should have scored.
Defoe.................5. And on his birthday too. Too self obsessed.
Walker.............5. The boy has lost it whatever it was.
Gallas...............7 Competent.
Caulker.............7.5.. Composure beyong his years
Vertonghen........8.5..I seemed to always vote for Modric but Jan has taken over.
Sandro..............8.. One or two stray passes but powerful performance
Dembele............7.. Strong but moves the ball too slowly and got caught in possession
Bale...................7. Could be so much better if he looked up occasionally
Lennon.............. 7 .Nice goal, some good runs
Dempsey............6 Not impressed yet. Should have scored.
Defoe.................5. And on his birthday too. Too self obsessed.
sloth
Well-Known Member
- Mar 7, 2005
- 9,018
- 6,900
That's the third match I've got to this season, which is about as many as I usually get to in a year. Anyway, I thought we were disjointed first half, but much better in the second once we got our tails up.
I thought everyone was about a 7 except Defoe who gets 5 and Dempsey who gets 6.
Two observations to make - they've already been made by others too to be fair - first is that Lloris played the sweeper role in a way that Friedel wouldn't. I don't think he did anything I wouldn't hope any keeper would, so it's not that he should get huge props, but it does contrast with Friedel - who else thinks Friedel would have backed off from the foot race with Abonglohor? He made a poor decision for the the throw out towards Bale which could have cost us, but I don't think in the long run distribution is going to be an issue with him.
The second is about Adebayor: his willingness to move into the channels, to over-load areas where the opposition aren't expecting to be overloaded, creates havoc with their shape, because he comes deep he allows our AMs to over-lap, and all of a sudden there are options everywhere and we start to tick. I think it's a massive bonus that we are where we are having played almost a fifth of the season with Defoe as our only striker, but his days are numbered, simply playing of the shoulder of the last man is not enough. For me, Defoe's only chance is if he can reinvent himself as a run the channels type of striker, and so play in a team with Adebayor. I don't hold out much hope though.
I thought everyone was about a 7 except Defoe who gets 5 and Dempsey who gets 6.
Two observations to make - they've already been made by others too to be fair - first is that Lloris played the sweeper role in a way that Friedel wouldn't. I don't think he did anything I wouldn't hope any keeper would, so it's not that he should get huge props, but it does contrast with Friedel - who else thinks Friedel would have backed off from the foot race with Abonglohor? He made a poor decision for the the throw out towards Bale which could have cost us, but I don't think in the long run distribution is going to be an issue with him.
The second is about Adebayor: his willingness to move into the channels, to over-load areas where the opposition aren't expecting to be overloaded, creates havoc with their shape, because he comes deep he allows our AMs to over-lap, and all of a sudden there are options everywhere and we start to tick. I think it's a massive bonus that we are where we are having played almost a fifth of the season with Defoe as our only striker, but his days are numbered, simply playing of the shoulder of the last man is not enough. For me, Defoe's only chance is if he can reinvent himself as a run the channels type of striker, and so play in a team with Adebayor. I don't hold out much hope though.
jimmy_the_yid
Well-Known Member
- Jan 2, 2006
- 545
- 310
Agree with this, he was really good, and the only one who could compete with Benteke in the air. I think the sun has given him MOTM as well, thought more people on here would have!
padgateyids
Active Member
- Nov 27, 2006
- 446
- 122
Me too. Might be one where if you were there you could see the job he did, great marshalling loved it when we were 2-0 up and screaming at bale to mark up on a throw-in.
Is walker injured? Looks it to me.
bomberH
Well-Known Member
- Jun 4, 2005
- 28,471
- 168,308
Sandro, Dembele and Verts & probably Gallas were our best I thought. Sandro edges it because of that ultra skill thing he did in the 2nd half on the floor. Verts is still my hero though and Dembele is just goddamn awesome, how did no-one else take a gamble on him.
elDiablo
SC Supporter
- Feb 2, 2005
- 4,579
- 2,950
Agree with all of this. Sandro battling with 2 or 3 players and still got the ball, and used his quick feet to break away. Also sprayed the ball about effectively on a few occasions. Dembele did they same i think, which is promising for our midfield, and may go some way to compensating for the loss of Modders.
And same for Verts. Like JimmyG2 above, i constantly find Verts a candidate for MOM. The guy oozes class, and the fact he was bursting forward hoping to receive a flick from bale was the highlight. Just get the impression he would easily talk to someone like Woy on the tube or something. Not sure what it is about the low countries by the seem to filled with pretty cool guysh.
Yid121
Well-Known Member
- Aug 9, 2008
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Lloris - 7 - came off his line well, with Friedel in they may have scored.
Walker - 6 - very poor. He's having a terrible run of form at the moment! Looked very ordinary today especially in comparison to Verts
Caulker - 7 - Calm on the ball, but caught out positionally occassionally
Gallas - 7.5 - Some very good interceptions on crosses, he reads the game well.
Vertonghen - 9 - absolute class MOTM, he has everything as a CB and LB.
Bale - 6.5 - Not bad, but not great either looked quite threatening but Vlaar kept up with him well.
Dembele - 8.5 - perfect replacement for modric, some great interceptions today, along with great forward play. Maybe should be MOTM on hindsight but I just thought Verts was awesome too.
Sandro - 7 - beast
Dempsey - 6 - average, with occasional brillance
Lennon - 7.5 - frustrating until his goal
Defoe - 7.5 - looked very sharp and the 1st goal was essentially his
Walker - 6 - very poor. He's having a terrible run of form at the moment! Looked very ordinary today especially in comparison to Verts
Caulker - 7 - Calm on the ball, but caught out positionally occassionally
Gallas - 7.5 - Some very good interceptions on crosses, he reads the game well.
Vertonghen - 9 - absolute class MOTM, he has everything as a CB and LB.
Bale - 6.5 - Not bad, but not great either looked quite threatening but Vlaar kept up with him well.
Dembele - 8.5 - perfect replacement for modric, some great interceptions today, along with great forward play. Maybe should be MOTM on hindsight but I just thought Verts was awesome too.
Sandro - 7 - beast
Dempsey - 6 - average, with occasional brillance
Lennon - 7.5 - frustrating until his goal
Defoe - 7.5 - looked very sharp and the 1st goal was essentially his
steve
Well-Known Member
- Oct 21, 2003
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I was worried about this game I must admit - playing 3 games in a week with mostly the same players it's not reasonable to expect them to be at their best mentally and physically. Villa were always gonna park the bus and try and hit us on the break, problem is they're piss poor as a side, possibly even worse than last season.
As it turned out we didn't look too tired at all - we just looked like what we are, a solid, powerful, pacy side almost completely bereft of any brains in the final third. At home against bus parkers with Defoe up top we'll struggle to score - without the guile of a Modric or a VDV that's only exacerbated. We need Ade for these games especially and we desperately need some brains in January.
Lloris showed why he's better than Friedal the first time he came off his line. His save/block from Agbonlahor was top drawer keeping. Yes he made a a cock up from which they should have scored but he was trying to get us moving quickly and our attackers didn't show the same awareness so he should be cut some slack.
Verts again was class as were Gallas and Caulker. Walker is the weak link right now, reactive, emotional and almost completely devoid of composure under pressure - he needs to grow up and fast.
Dembele and Sandro were generally very good as was Lennon who got more involved today and continues to work harder off the ball. Bale flitted in and out but I do think his work rate has gone up off the ball. Dempsey was decent.
Defoe does some very good things at times but he's not suited to these games, his movement isn't good enough nor is he strong enough to hold the ball up and bring others in. He should've scored when Caulker did and he flashed another wide which was very close but he's been better this season and the quicker Adebayor comes in the better.
We'll do ok, we're solid and strong and better defensively than last year but we really need some brains in January in order to get the balance right - if we can do that and stick with the pack between now and then top 4 isn't out of the question...
As it turned out we didn't look too tired at all - we just looked like what we are, a solid, powerful, pacy side almost completely bereft of any brains in the final third. At home against bus parkers with Defoe up top we'll struggle to score - without the guile of a Modric or a VDV that's only exacerbated. We need Ade for these games especially and we desperately need some brains in January.
Lloris showed why he's better than Friedal the first time he came off his line. His save/block from Agbonlahor was top drawer keeping. Yes he made a a cock up from which they should have scored but he was trying to get us moving quickly and our attackers didn't show the same awareness so he should be cut some slack.
Verts again was class as were Gallas and Caulker. Walker is the weak link right now, reactive, emotional and almost completely devoid of composure under pressure - he needs to grow up and fast.
Dembele and Sandro were generally very good as was Lennon who got more involved today and continues to work harder off the ball. Bale flitted in and out but I do think his work rate has gone up off the ball. Dempsey was decent.
Defoe does some very good things at times but he's not suited to these games, his movement isn't good enough nor is he strong enough to hold the ball up and bring others in. He should've scored when Caulker did and he flashed another wide which was very close but he's been better this season and the quicker Adebayor comes in the better.
We'll do ok, we're solid and strong and better defensively than last year but we really need some brains in January in order to get the balance right - if we can do that and stick with the pack between now and then top 4 isn't out of the question...
ShelfSide18
Well-Known Member
- Aug 23, 2006
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I think that's spot on Steve.
Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
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That was our best 90 minute league performance this season in my opinion.
Villa were extremely well drilled and pressed extremely coherently and with vigour. They weren't offering much in an attacking sense but were making it as hard as possible.
Up until we scored and then Adebayor came on, you really couldn't fault our application and endeavour, just our guile and craft. Our approach play was good, but numerous times we got ourselves to the point of making the telling ball that our approach play had earned, only for the position to be wasted because none of our players have the required combination of brains and ingenuity to deliver what is needed exactly when it is needed most of the time. Like I said, there were plenty of things to admire today, we worked hard and were coherent, our midfield pair of Sandro and Dembele were outstanding, providing a good platform for the three attacking players (+Defoe) ahead to play. Those players tried but largely failed to take advantage.
When Defoe's shooting goes to shit he may as well not be there, because the rest of his game is so limited. He made 7 accurate passes in 68 minutes, Adebayor made 20 in 22. As soon as Adebayor came on we looked a different team. Likewise, Dempsey is a willing body, but is again hamstrung by his limitations. I am very non plussed by Sigurdsson, but surely at home it would make more sense to have him in the central attacking role of the 3 (in the 4231) than Dempsey who lacks any kind of wit or vision.
Lennon, until he scored was very disappointing in terms of end product, but did wiz about a bit. Bale contributed much more to the game as whole, seeing much more of the ball.
There was a hilarious moment in the second half that summed Walker up. He'd misjudged an arial pass to Agbonlahore, realising this he shoved him in the back, then finding himself in acres of time and space (and the referee not penalising the shove), compound this blunder by panicking and proceeded to bicycle kick the ball into touch when all he needed to to do was trap the ball and calmly play it to one of three team mates around him. He also made a mess of a simple situation on the touchline. He was caught ball watching when Villa had their best chance (as a result of the bad throw out). The amount of times Walker finds himself wrong side of his man is frightening. People are saying this is "form". This is bollocks, it is his inherent deficiencies that are just being regularly exposed, that many people just chose to ignore last season because they desperately wanted him to be the english Cafu. His reading of the game is shockingly bad, his technique lets him down under duress, when he needs it most. And this is on an easy day. That is the most disconcerting thing that should ring alarm bells in peoples heads. The kid has a great attitude, and quick feet, but is a poor footballer in many ways.
There were a couple of sublime moments provided by Sandro. Let's be honest, he's not exactly Zico is he, and sometimes his passing is a bit utalitarian to say the least, but today he had one of his best footballing games, his ground juggling moment, his sweet little drag back and even sprayed a couple of long diagonals. 54/60 passes is pretty good for a busy ****.
It was nice to see LLoris play. I've seen a bit of him, and said when we signed him that I have some reservations about him, but would still prefer him over Friedel. You could see little glimpses of the basis some of those reservations today and thursday; The misjudged throw, the dodgy punch save, the mishandling when being proactive on occasions. But you can also see IMO the advantage of this type of keeper over a Friedel/Robinson type. He was quicker off his line, saving us a dodgy situation a couple of times, and he came and dealt with a cross and got something on it. And we haven't really seen much of his other strength yet, as he is an excellent shot stopper.
I really enjoyed today, we looked like a proper team from start to finish. Most pleasing was how we didn't stop playing and if anything got better after we scored, particularly after Adebayor came on.
Ratings:
Lloris 7 - Not loads to do, but did it pretty well, bar the throw out.
Walker 6 - Effort but a distinct lack of intelligence.
Gallas 7.5 - Was outstanding today. Dealt with everything with panache.
Caulker 7 - You just don't notice him there. Very smooth.
Vertonghen 7 - Very involved.
Sandro 8 - We know what he can do and what his limitations are, but today he was outstanding - and entertaining.
Dembele 7.5 - Very good game. Very strong on the ball and wins it too.
Lennon 6.5 - A very typical unsubstantial Lennon performance until punctuated with a goal. Until that point his actual contribution had been minimal in a creative sense (and he's not there for much else).
Dempsey 6.5 - He's OK, works hard enough I guess, but has limitations.
Bale 7.5 - Saw a lot of ball today, worked hard offensively and benefits from having the intelligent and technically good Vertonghen on his side.
Defoe 4 - he's done OK..(ish)...(for him) lately but today was the bad Defoe. Poor finishing (even the shot that bounced off Caulker was going wide from two yards out), selfish, and 7 fucking passes to a team mate. I don't mind a striker that doesn't score if he's facilitating team play and and ergo chances for others. Defoe gave us fuck all today.
Adebayor - No mark for 20 mins but saw loads of ball when he came on and made us look a different team.
Sigurdsson - No mark again for limited time but I actually thought he would have been a better option in the hole that Dempsey, and his role actually made more sense when Adebayor was on the pitch.
Villa were extremely well drilled and pressed extremely coherently and with vigour. They weren't offering much in an attacking sense but were making it as hard as possible.
Up until we scored and then Adebayor came on, you really couldn't fault our application and endeavour, just our guile and craft. Our approach play was good, but numerous times we got ourselves to the point of making the telling ball that our approach play had earned, only for the position to be wasted because none of our players have the required combination of brains and ingenuity to deliver what is needed exactly when it is needed most of the time. Like I said, there were plenty of things to admire today, we worked hard and were coherent, our midfield pair of Sandro and Dembele were outstanding, providing a good platform for the three attacking players (+Defoe) ahead to play. Those players tried but largely failed to take advantage.
When Defoe's shooting goes to shit he may as well not be there, because the rest of his game is so limited. He made 7 accurate passes in 68 minutes, Adebayor made 20 in 22. As soon as Adebayor came on we looked a different team. Likewise, Dempsey is a willing body, but is again hamstrung by his limitations. I am very non plussed by Sigurdsson, but surely at home it would make more sense to have him in the central attacking role of the 3 (in the 4231) than Dempsey who lacks any kind of wit or vision.
Lennon, until he scored was very disappointing in terms of end product, but did wiz about a bit. Bale contributed much more to the game as whole, seeing much more of the ball.
There was a hilarious moment in the second half that summed Walker up. He'd misjudged an arial pass to Agbonlahore, realising this he shoved him in the back, then finding himself in acres of time and space (and the referee not penalising the shove), compound this blunder by panicking and proceeded to bicycle kick the ball into touch when all he needed to to do was trap the ball and calmly play it to one of three team mates around him. He also made a mess of a simple situation on the touchline. He was caught ball watching when Villa had their best chance (as a result of the bad throw out). The amount of times Walker finds himself wrong side of his man is frightening. People are saying this is "form". This is bollocks, it is his inherent deficiencies that are just being regularly exposed, that many people just chose to ignore last season because they desperately wanted him to be the english Cafu. His reading of the game is shockingly bad, his technique lets him down under duress, when he needs it most. And this is on an easy day. That is the most disconcerting thing that should ring alarm bells in peoples heads. The kid has a great attitude, and quick feet, but is a poor footballer in many ways.
There were a couple of sublime moments provided by Sandro. Let's be honest, he's not exactly Zico is he, and sometimes his passing is a bit utalitarian to say the least, but today he had one of his best footballing games, his ground juggling moment, his sweet little drag back and even sprayed a couple of long diagonals. 54/60 passes is pretty good for a busy ****.
It was nice to see LLoris play. I've seen a bit of him, and said when we signed him that I have some reservations about him, but would still prefer him over Friedel. You could see little glimpses of the basis some of those reservations today and thursday; The misjudged throw, the dodgy punch save, the mishandling when being proactive on occasions. But you can also see IMO the advantage of this type of keeper over a Friedel/Robinson type. He was quicker off his line, saving us a dodgy situation a couple of times, and he came and dealt with a cross and got something on it. And we haven't really seen much of his other strength yet, as he is an excellent shot stopper.
I really enjoyed today, we looked like a proper team from start to finish. Most pleasing was how we didn't stop playing and if anything got better after we scored, particularly after Adebayor came on.
Ratings:
Lloris 7 - Not loads to do, but did it pretty well, bar the throw out.
Walker 6 - Effort but a distinct lack of intelligence.
Gallas 7.5 - Was outstanding today. Dealt with everything with panache.
Caulker 7 - You just don't notice him there. Very smooth.
Vertonghen 7 - Very involved.
Sandro 8 - We know what he can do and what his limitations are, but today he was outstanding - and entertaining.
Dembele 7.5 - Very good game. Very strong on the ball and wins it too.
Lennon 6.5 - A very typical unsubstantial Lennon performance until punctuated with a goal. Until that point his actual contribution had been minimal in a creative sense (and he's not there for much else).
Dempsey 6.5 - He's OK, works hard enough I guess, but has limitations.
Bale 7.5 - Saw a lot of ball today, worked hard offensively and benefits from having the intelligent and technically good Vertonghen on his side.
Defoe 4 - he's done OK..(ish)...(for him) lately but today was the bad Defoe. Poor finishing (even the shot that bounced off Caulker was going wide from two yards out), selfish, and 7 fucking passes to a team mate. I don't mind a striker that doesn't score if he's facilitating team play and and ergo chances for others. Defoe gave us fuck all today.
Adebayor - No mark for 20 mins but saw loads of ball when he came on and made us look a different team.
Sigurdsson - No mark again for limited time but I actually thought he would have been a better option in the hole that Dempsey, and his role actually made more sense when Adebayor was on the pitch.
Mr Pink
SC Supporter
- Aug 25, 2010
- 55,390
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Agree Steve, and personally I would loved to have seen VDV in this present set up - in behind Ade, and with that powerful midfield platform behind him.
I do think we'll see more from Sig and Dempsey, particularly the former when Ade comes back into the side. He has an eye for a pass and already looked better in his cameo today feeding off some clever interplay with Ade - albeit they were down to ten.
But yes, a more creative talent who can play across that three behind Adebayor would really shape this squad well.
steve
Well-Known Member
- Oct 21, 2003
- 3,503
- 1,767
I agree with the Bale comments bus man, I was a bit harsh on him and generous towards Lennon. Bale will always be a better player, but Lennon will always work harder off the ball which caught my eye today. A Cazorla playing off Ade and putting balls in for them both would elevate us comfortably into the top 4...it's very frustrating to lose VDV without replacing him properly...can we do it in January?
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