MOM and player ratings - Hearts Vs Spurs
- Thread starter Monkey Bastard Hands
- Start date
Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
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The proverbial game of two halves. Jam Tarts were shit in both, we were just a bit shit in one. But the first half was one of the most enjoyable 45 minutes I've watched us play for ages. I know they were shite, I know it was the equivalent of playing a first division side, but you can only play the team your up against, and we played them off the park first half with some scintillating football. The Livermore, Kranjcar, VDV triangle became a Bermuda one for Hearts, with little give and goes fizzing around to feet beautifully and creating two absolutely top drawer goals that would have graced any game and been hard to defend at any level, shite or shinola.
There was a real effervescence about everything we did first half. We pressed higher up the pitch (hoo-fucking-ray) and with VDV dropping and darting everywhere he was unplayable for that 45 minutes in which we looked barcaesque at times. (OK it was only fucking hearts but it felt nice to say). Our movement off the ball was excellent, and hearts just could not live with it.
First half every one gets 9's.
Second half we just didn't get started. Hearts did come out with gusto, but even after their ten minute storm, we still couldn't return to the rhythmic and dynamic interchange of the first half. Hudd came on, and though he did spray a couple of very nice passes, he can't do that zip pass move, zip pass move. He stands, strokes, stands. The dilemma is that when you are under pressure Kranjcar isn't much use. When you are in possession and every one is moving, Kranjcar looked great. But once hearts started getting a bit busy, Kranjcar went a bit quiet.
For me, the dynamic movement and energy of the first half is exactly how I want us to play. As nice as Huddlestone's unchallenged passing can be, we will never be able to play that way with him in CM. He can't operate quickly in tight spaces.
Livermore had an outstanding first half, his goal capping off a very assured display, and was the slickest move of the night, just. The second goal was also a sweet little tippy tappy affair that was a joy to watch.
It was a shame we reverted to a little bit more ordinary in the second half, but the subs were probably wise.
ratings:
Gomes 7 - Even when he makes a good save now commentators seem to try to find fault in it.
Walker 7 - Competent. One very good tackle second half, getting back to strip the ball off their fella, but I've got to be honest, I know he's been tipped for greatness, but I'm just not feeling it. Technically not quite assured enough, doesn't seem vey intelligent (in the footballing way), has got tenacity and pace but doesn't read what's happening always very well. He's no where near as good as Glen Johnson and I don't think he's better than Hutton - just a tad quicker maybe.
Dawson 7.5 - Good first half though not really tested, ok second, but always looks a bit flappy when the pressures on. And if you watch their third corner (when they had three in a row) he just stands in acres of space no where near anyone. Piss poor.
Kaboul 7.5 - decent enough game.
Ekotto 8 - Assured on the ball, a good game.
Lennon 8 - Good game, especially first half, but nice to see start and finish the move for the fifth.
Livermore 8 - Great first half, faded a little but overall a damn good effort.
Krnajcar 8 - Excellent first half, faded a bit second but was always involved.
Bale 7 - Took his goal well, but I was a tad disapointed a couple of times that his final ball choices weren't a little better, and second half his help of Ekotto remains half hearted at times, and it fucking troubles me.
VDV 8.5 - Anyone doesn't get what this bloke brings to the table needs to just give up football and get a new hobby. You're never going to get it. He pulls the opposition all over the pitch, and can operate under pressure in tight spaces. We need to learn (through coaching) that when he pulls a marker out of position that someone else can glide into the space he's opened up. The Livermore goal is a good example of what happens when you move in unpredictable ways. The opposition can't pick you up.
Defoe 8 - Good game. Dare I say "looked sharp". Involved in two or three build up's for goals, and played a good ball for Lennon.
Hudd 7 - Couple of lovely passes. Couple of poor ones. Did perfectly fine, but doesn't fit the system, if you want a quick zippy system. If he made two passes like that most games it would create a payoff dilemma, but he doesn't, because he doesn't usually get that long on the ball and teams aren't usually that shit in the EPL.
Redknapp 8 - Good choices, signs of some improvement in our play first half.
There was a real effervescence about everything we did first half. We pressed higher up the pitch (hoo-fucking-ray) and with VDV dropping and darting everywhere he was unplayable for that 45 minutes in which we looked barcaesque at times. (OK it was only fucking hearts but it felt nice to say). Our movement off the ball was excellent, and hearts just could not live with it.
First half every one gets 9's.
Second half we just didn't get started. Hearts did come out with gusto, but even after their ten minute storm, we still couldn't return to the rhythmic and dynamic interchange of the first half. Hudd came on, and though he did spray a couple of very nice passes, he can't do that zip pass move, zip pass move. He stands, strokes, stands. The dilemma is that when you are under pressure Kranjcar isn't much use. When you are in possession and every one is moving, Kranjcar looked great. But once hearts started getting a bit busy, Kranjcar went a bit quiet.
For me, the dynamic movement and energy of the first half is exactly how I want us to play. As nice as Huddlestone's unchallenged passing can be, we will never be able to play that way with him in CM. He can't operate quickly in tight spaces.
Livermore had an outstanding first half, his goal capping off a very assured display, and was the slickest move of the night, just. The second goal was also a sweet little tippy tappy affair that was a joy to watch.
It was a shame we reverted to a little bit more ordinary in the second half, but the subs were probably wise.
ratings:
Gomes 7 - Even when he makes a good save now commentators seem to try to find fault in it.
Walker 7 - Competent. One very good tackle second half, getting back to strip the ball off their fella, but I've got to be honest, I know he's been tipped for greatness, but I'm just not feeling it. Technically not quite assured enough, doesn't seem vey intelligent (in the footballing way), has got tenacity and pace but doesn't read what's happening always very well. He's no where near as good as Glen Johnson and I don't think he's better than Hutton - just a tad quicker maybe.
Dawson 7.5 - Good first half though not really tested, ok second, but always looks a bit flappy when the pressures on. And if you watch their third corner (when they had three in a row) he just stands in acres of space no where near anyone. Piss poor.
Kaboul 7.5 - decent enough game.
Ekotto 8 - Assured on the ball, a good game.
Lennon 8 - Good game, especially first half, but nice to see start and finish the move for the fifth.
Livermore 8 - Great first half, faded a little but overall a damn good effort.
Krnajcar 8 - Excellent first half, faded a bit second but was always involved.
Bale 7 - Took his goal well, but I was a tad disapointed a couple of times that his final ball choices weren't a little better, and second half his help of Ekotto remains half hearted at times, and it fucking troubles me.
VDV 8.5 - Anyone doesn't get what this bloke brings to the table needs to just give up football and get a new hobby. You're never going to get it. He pulls the opposition all over the pitch, and can operate under pressure in tight spaces. We need to learn (through coaching) that when he pulls a marker out of position that someone else can glide into the space he's opened up. The Livermore goal is a good example of what happens when you move in unpredictable ways. The opposition can't pick you up.
Defoe 8 - Good game. Dare I say "looked sharp". Involved in two or three build up's for goals, and played a good ball for Lennon.
Hudd 7 - Couple of lovely passes. Couple of poor ones. Did perfectly fine, but doesn't fit the system, if you want a quick zippy system. If he made two passes like that most games it would create a payoff dilemma, but he doesn't, because he doesn't usually get that long on the ball and teams aren't usually that shit in the EPL.
Redknapp 8 - Good choices, signs of some improvement in our play first half.
Dare!
Well-Known Member
- Jan 20, 2011
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:lol:
ThorntonSpur
every away game is a home game
- Jan 21, 2011
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i went for defoe as he looked the most improved from last season.
gomes 5 easy game but he made it look difficult in second half.
walker 7 great pace and link up with lennon - i feel his pace will get us out of trouble quite often this season
dawson 6.5 solid if unspectacular will need to know who is going to be his full time partner needs stability
kaboul 6 got a needless booking
BAE 7.5 same old same old quality
lennon 8 very good performance
kranjcar 8 floating around looked good linked well but a player of his class should with the space he was allowed
livermore 8 energetic performance
bale 8 looking good
VDV 8 another quality performance linked veryu well with both nico and JD
defoe 8.5 2 assists and a goal looked very sharp and appeared to be more of a team player passing to team mates when he has shot in the past - did it once and then learnt. feel we may see a big season from him
huddleston 7 looked quality
townsend 7 promising deserves 90 mins next week
pav needs game time
gomes 5 easy game but he made it look difficult in second half.
walker 7 great pace and link up with lennon - i feel his pace will get us out of trouble quite often this season
dawson 6.5 solid if unspectacular will need to know who is going to be his full time partner needs stability
kaboul 6 got a needless booking
BAE 7.5 same old same old quality
lennon 8 very good performance
kranjcar 8 floating around looked good linked well but a player of his class should with the space he was allowed
livermore 8 energetic performance
bale 8 looking good
VDV 8 another quality performance linked veryu well with both nico and JD
defoe 8.5 2 assists and a goal looked very sharp and appeared to be more of a team player passing to team mates when he has shot in the past - did it once and then learnt. feel we may see a big season from him
huddleston 7 looked quality
townsend 7 promising deserves 90 mins next week
pav needs game time
hughy
I'm SUPER cereal.
- Nov 18, 2007
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IDK why, probably force of habbit but I voted VDV. He was good, but I'd probably give MOTM to Niko. Showed how lucky we are to have players like that waiting in the wings, albeit against what looked to be League 1 opposition. Livermore and Walker were both very good, too. The former looks like he could get a good few games in Cup competitions if he isn't sent out on loan. Walker, I think should be our number 1 Rb. Showed he can play with Lennon.
Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
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I actually thought I'd given him a 7. Reduced on appeal.
Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
- 39,837
- 50,713
I'm a generous man.
To be fair, if you marked them in the first half, everyone would have been a point better off than I've ended up giving them. You can only play the opposition in front of you, and we tonked them for 45m. It was like barca v manU out there.
OmarsComing
Mentally Disturbed Individual!
- Jan 2, 2011
- 7,255
- 7,665
BC Favourites.
Gomes
Wilson
Kaboul
Can do no wrong in BCs eyes
BC non-favourites.
Dawson
Hudd
Defoe
hughy
I'm SUPER cereal.
- Nov 18, 2007
- 31,973
- 57,284
You know what? Whilst watching the first half it did cross my mind that it had shades of the Barca/Arsenal 'Messi' match. Apart from We didn't concede. Us > Barca.
brett.spurs
Banned
- May 22, 2007
- 7,388
- 2
And yet people are obsessed with sticking a big lump up top that can "lead the line" :roll:
Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
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It would be different if that first half performance was our default Brett, but it's not.
Adebayor is hardly an immobile lump who can't play football.
shaqTHFC
Well-Known Member
- Jan 28, 2011
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If we get Adebayor which looks increasingly likely we'll have someone who can play very well on the floor like we did tonight whilst also being an option for Lennon/Bale crosses. Win/win situation
stov
Well-Known Member
- Jul 20, 2005
- 3,353
- 6,112
All true...but he also showed, alas, that he is too greedy and takes to many have chances on when team-mates are in much better positions (otherwisse we might have really wrapped the game up tonight:grin.
a goal and 2 assists- very greedy
Very enjoyable match.
Biggest surprise for me was Livermore. Was very comfortable in possession and happy to receive the ball at all times. I had him down as more of a workhorse but off the back of that appears to have more in his game.
I liked Walker at RB too. With Dawson in CB I think it's important to surround him with fast players to cover. Walker did that perfectly when they had an opening from someone running past Dawson, catching him a bit flat footed.
I think our best defender is Kaboul. He has everything in a "New Ledley" kinda way. Strong, quick and looks to pass it out of defence. Was really noticeable that whenever Hearts play broke down on the left hand side of the pitch Kaboul and BAE (mostly) played the ball calmly out, sometimes when under pressure too.
5 goals from open play is always good. 4 off the back off really nice passing moves/hudd pass is even better.
Roll on Monday!
Biggest surprise for me was Livermore. Was very comfortable in possession and happy to receive the ball at all times. I had him down as more of a workhorse but off the back of that appears to have more in his game.
I liked Walker at RB too. With Dawson in CB I think it's important to surround him with fast players to cover. Walker did that perfectly when they had an opening from someone running past Dawson, catching him a bit flat footed.
I think our best defender is Kaboul. He has everything in a "New Ledley" kinda way. Strong, quick and looks to pass it out of defence. Was really noticeable that whenever Hearts play broke down on the left hand side of the pitch Kaboul and BAE (mostly) played the ball calmly out, sometimes when under pressure too.
5 goals from open play is always good. 4 off the back off really nice passing moves/hudd pass is even better.
Roll on Monday!
900triumph
Got my beer on the sideboard here.....
- Apr 6, 2005
- 1,495
- 235
Lots of 8s and a few 7's, really hard to pick a MOM, so I didn't. Defoe's performance pleased me, I've been feeling a bit pissed off on his behalf when so many posters have seemed happy to see him go.
Hopefully he can maintain form more consistently this season - don't forget he was on fire until he got injured playing for England, never seemed to recover from that fully, but now he looks to be ready bang in the goals again.
Hopefully he can maintain form more consistently this season - don't forget he was on fire until he got injured playing for England, never seemed to recover from that fully, but now he looks to be ready bang in the goals again.
fatpiranha
dismember
- Jun 9, 2003
- 8,337
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We looked brilliant in the 1st half but let's not kid ourselves, that was like beating a thalidomide at arm wrestling.
Everyone played very well but there were a few concerns for when we face better opposition.
Corners - why do we look in such a panic defending them but ineffectual when we get one? I really think we need to do some more work on them in training.
Walker - fast and strong but his positioning has to improve because against premiership attacks he's not going to be able to make up for his mistakes.
Krancjar - I love watching him play but he's a bit of a passenger when the opposition have the ball.
VdV - class act but is fitness an issue? Early season I know but from the evidence of last season he does seem to tire and give the ball away and commit rash challenges.
Defoe - it seems harsh to criticise him on what was probably his best performance since the 9-1 against Wigan but he still got caught offside, fluffed several shots and gave the ball away too often for my liking. Of all our players tonight he is the one I worry most about being able to reproduce this form in the premiership.
Just a few minor niggles on what overall was a great performance.
Everyone played very well but there were a few concerns for when we face better opposition.
Corners - why do we look in such a panic defending them but ineffectual when we get one? I really think we need to do some more work on them in training.
Walker - fast and strong but his positioning has to improve because against premiership attacks he's not going to be able to make up for his mistakes.
Krancjar - I love watching him play but he's a bit of a passenger when the opposition have the ball.
VdV - class act but is fitness an issue? Early season I know but from the evidence of last season he does seem to tire and give the ball away and commit rash challenges.
Defoe - it seems harsh to criticise him on what was probably his best performance since the 9-1 against Wigan but he still got caught offside, fluffed several shots and gave the ball away too often for my liking. Of all our players tonight he is the one I worry most about being able to reproduce this form in the premiership.
Just a few minor niggles on what overall was a great performance.
