- May 26, 2004
- 4,797
- 2,139
We’re back after a small hiatus, but then again it’s not like you’re paying for this so stop complaining!! We include a bit of the international break as well as the win at Swansea
Good Week
Gareth Bale
What I’ve been most impressed with when it comes to Bale playing in the hole is his awareness. It was demonstrated on MotD how he ran the defence back, then dropped into the space to receive the ball from Vertonghen, before turning and chipping a lovely ball over the top for the onrushing Belgian. My fear has always been that Bale is only good when there is space for him to move into, typically on the counter attack, but if he can make his own space then he is a danger in any match situation.
Jan Vertonghen
Super Jan continues his scoring streak. Before the Swansea game Jan had more shots on goal than Adebayor – I expect that’s still the case after the weekend.
A driving run and classy finish for his goal, it is great to see Vertonghen striding out of defence and with his ability he can add some vital goals to our cause.
Jordan Archer
Impressive spell out on loan at Wycombe, the Scotland youth international was recalled and put on the bench after Lloris picked up a knock playing for France.
It’s great to see young players popping up on the bench every now and then, even more so keepers. It was one of my gripes that we had a load of keepers blocking the path for any and all of our young prospects, it was simply bad squad management. Now we have a fantastic number one, a great number two, and plenty of youth prospects should we need someone on the bench. No doubt it was a fantastic experience for the youngster.
Emmanuel Adebayor
Bit debatable this one, but hear me out. I think Ade started at the weekend because Defoe was away with England, and while he had one gilt edged chance that he finished woefully, it was at least pleasing to see him notice the space, make the run, and bust a gut to get ahead of Ashley Williams, who isn’t exactly a slug in a foot race. Yes the finish was dire, but now he just looks like a striker short on confidence and in need of a goal, rather than a mercenary content to pick up his wages and avoid giving the kit man too much washing. Adebayor also looks to work fairly well with Bale, in so much as he is helping drag defenders’ attention away from our star player.
Jermain Defoe
Two goals against San Marino are hardly going to set the world alight, but as they were his first goals of 2013 he has to be pleased.
Aaron Lennon
He returns, we win.
Swindon loanees
Parrett and Luongo started both games, while Bryne started one for the promotion chasing league one team. Along with Kevin Stewart at Crewe, and the other loanees that went out last week, it looks that we are at least getting the boys some first team experience.
Losers
Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Rumours have linked us with Southampton’s Luke Shaw, and while it is no disgrace to be rotated in a AVB defence (practically everyone bar Walker has had to sit out some games) it is obvious that BAE is not automatically first choice at left back. His deployment at left midfield against Fulham was bizarre and perhaps showed the manager is not fully convinced by Disco Benny.
Harry Kane
On the subs bench for a team that has won one in 10 (Leicester). With Nugent back fit it looks like Kane has dropped out of the reckoning, and it is another wasted loan spell. Depending on what business we do in the summer, it will be interesting to see if Kane goes back out on loan again next season. I fancy him to stick around for the first three months or so, then evaluate.
Jonathan Miles
Keep a clean sheet on debut for Dagenham & Redbridge, then conceded four on Monday, one of which came from his poor free kick. He’s still young though, and he’s playing, unlike...
Ryan Mason
Sent over to France, struggling to see the match day squad let alone game time, you wonder what the future holds for Mason. With over 21s needing to be registered, it looks like crunch time for Ryan and the likes of Jon Obika.
Good Week
Gareth Bale
What I’ve been most impressed with when it comes to Bale playing in the hole is his awareness. It was demonstrated on MotD how he ran the defence back, then dropped into the space to receive the ball from Vertonghen, before turning and chipping a lovely ball over the top for the onrushing Belgian. My fear has always been that Bale is only good when there is space for him to move into, typically on the counter attack, but if he can make his own space then he is a danger in any match situation.
Jan Vertonghen
Super Jan continues his scoring streak. Before the Swansea game Jan had more shots on goal than Adebayor – I expect that’s still the case after the weekend.
A driving run and classy finish for his goal, it is great to see Vertonghen striding out of defence and with his ability he can add some vital goals to our cause.
Jordan Archer
Impressive spell out on loan at Wycombe, the Scotland youth international was recalled and put on the bench after Lloris picked up a knock playing for France.
It’s great to see young players popping up on the bench every now and then, even more so keepers. It was one of my gripes that we had a load of keepers blocking the path for any and all of our young prospects, it was simply bad squad management. Now we have a fantastic number one, a great number two, and plenty of youth prospects should we need someone on the bench. No doubt it was a fantastic experience for the youngster.
Emmanuel Adebayor
Bit debatable this one, but hear me out. I think Ade started at the weekend because Defoe was away with England, and while he had one gilt edged chance that he finished woefully, it was at least pleasing to see him notice the space, make the run, and bust a gut to get ahead of Ashley Williams, who isn’t exactly a slug in a foot race. Yes the finish was dire, but now he just looks like a striker short on confidence and in need of a goal, rather than a mercenary content to pick up his wages and avoid giving the kit man too much washing. Adebayor also looks to work fairly well with Bale, in so much as he is helping drag defenders’ attention away from our star player.
Jermain Defoe
Two goals against San Marino are hardly going to set the world alight, but as they were his first goals of 2013 he has to be pleased.
Aaron Lennon
He returns, we win.
Swindon loanees
Parrett and Luongo started both games, while Bryne started one for the promotion chasing league one team. Along with Kevin Stewart at Crewe, and the other loanees that went out last week, it looks that we are at least getting the boys some first team experience.
Losers
Benoit Assou-Ekotto
Rumours have linked us with Southampton’s Luke Shaw, and while it is no disgrace to be rotated in a AVB defence (practically everyone bar Walker has had to sit out some games) it is obvious that BAE is not automatically first choice at left back. His deployment at left midfield against Fulham was bizarre and perhaps showed the manager is not fully convinced by Disco Benny.
Harry Kane
On the subs bench for a team that has won one in 10 (Leicester). With Nugent back fit it looks like Kane has dropped out of the reckoning, and it is another wasted loan spell. Depending on what business we do in the summer, it will be interesting to see if Kane goes back out on loan again next season. I fancy him to stick around for the first three months or so, then evaluate.
Jonathan Miles
Keep a clean sheet on debut for Dagenham & Redbridge, then conceded four on Monday, one of which came from his poor free kick. He’s still young though, and he’s playing, unlike...
Ryan Mason
Sent over to France, struggling to see the match day squad let alone game time, you wonder what the future holds for Mason. With over 21s needing to be registered, it looks like crunch time for Ryan and the likes of Jon Obika.