Reserve Match:Ledley King (Pictures)
- Thread starter Real_madyidd
- Start date
Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
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Anybody there to see how King & Rocha (and Rose) played.
BoringOldFan
It's better to burn out than to fade away...
- Sep 20, 2005
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The trouble with writing a long report on reserve games is that someone always gets in there with their thread first :wink:.
Anyway, this is how I saw it:
Fulham reserves benefited from a hotly-debated decision to secure a barely-deserved last-gasp win over their Spurs’ counterparts at Craven Cottage.
Spurs’ sub David Hutton was bowled over in their penalty area by two defenders, but instead of a penalty being awarded, referee Hopkins booked Hutton for diving. The home team then raced up the other end to score the winning goal in added time.
The main interest in the game centred on the long-awaited comeback of Ledley King. It was his first appearance for any Tottenham team this season, and along with Ricardo Rocha formed the centre of defence. Both centre backs played the first 45 minutes and did well, although were rarely put under any pressure.
Another returning player was Jamie O’Hara, back from his loan stint at Millwall and looking sharp and lively in midfield. His tigerish tackling and good passing range with his left foot were high spots of the game. He was made captain for the second half after King was substituted by another returning centre back, Dorian Dervite.
The first half was a scrappy affair, with Spurs getting few shots on target. To be honest, I counted none. Fulham had a couple of openings, one courtesy of left back Joe Martin*, who frankly had a nightmare at left back. Poor passing, letting the ball slip under his foot for a throw-in were examples of his lack of confidence, and it was no surprise when he mis-controlled the ball to allow Fulham a chance on goal. Fortunately Alnwick was equal to the task.
Now becoming a reserve team regular, Wayne Routledge had a bright game on the right wing. Some good touches and passes, but most of his crosses failed to find their target. He did set up a chance for Pekhart in the first half, but the striker was offside.
King and Rocha gave way to Dervite and Riley at half-time, with Martin moving to centre back. Fulham took control of the game early on, but couldn’t take any of their chances. Then Spurs came back into the game very strongly.
Fulham ‘keeper Tony Warner had to be alert to save a free kick from Jamie O’Hara, and also when a left wing cross was headed smartly down by Pekhart. In another surging run down the middle, Pekhart fell to ground and was stretchered off, his right leg heavily strapped. He was replaced by David Hutton.
Martin's night got worse when he was booked for persistent fouling. Fortunately his centre back partner Dervite was looking increasingly commanding in the air and on the ground. Typical. You wait months for a centre back to make a comeback, then three come along at once.
Another cross from O’Hara, this time from the right, was nearly headed past Warner by Fulham’s no. 14. O’Hara then laid the ball off to Rose on the edge of the area but the midfielder blasted the ball over the bar.
Then came the incident that turned the game. David Hutton burst into the Fulham penalty area and pushed the ball beyond two defenders. As he ran between them his foot was clipped and he fell to ground. A definite penalty in my view – no real protest from the Fulham players – but instead, Hutton is booked for diving! Coming after the Niemi/Ronaldo clash the previous night, Fulham can’t really complain that only the ‘big clubs’ get the disputed decisions.
From the free kick, they surged up our right flank and for once Dervite was found wanting, as Ismael Ehui eased his way past him and smashed a left foot shot past Alnwick.
The goal was completely against the run of play as Spurs had dominated for most of the second half. If anything, they’d played better without King and Rocha. Seems like not even the ressies are getting any breaks these days.
Crumbs of comfort have to be that three centre backs made successful comebacks, and once again Jamie O’Hara played a very influential role in midfield.
That’s it for reserve games this year; Clive Allen will next be leading his team out on Monday 7 January 2008 to face Derby reserves at Brisbane Road, Orient.
Official report.
* I originally thought our LB was Yuri Bechiche, so was relieved to see from the official site it wasn't.
Anyway, this is how I saw it:
Fulham reserves benefited from a hotly-debated decision to secure a barely-deserved last-gasp win over their Spurs’ counterparts at Craven Cottage.
Spurs’ sub David Hutton was bowled over in their penalty area by two defenders, but instead of a penalty being awarded, referee Hopkins booked Hutton for diving. The home team then raced up the other end to score the winning goal in added time.
The main interest in the game centred on the long-awaited comeback of Ledley King. It was his first appearance for any Tottenham team this season, and along with Ricardo Rocha formed the centre of defence. Both centre backs played the first 45 minutes and did well, although were rarely put under any pressure.
Another returning player was Jamie O’Hara, back from his loan stint at Millwall and looking sharp and lively in midfield. His tigerish tackling and good passing range with his left foot were high spots of the game. He was made captain for the second half after King was substituted by another returning centre back, Dorian Dervite.
The first half was a scrappy affair, with Spurs getting few shots on target. To be honest, I counted none. Fulham had a couple of openings, one courtesy of left back Joe Martin*, who frankly had a nightmare at left back. Poor passing, letting the ball slip under his foot for a throw-in were examples of his lack of confidence, and it was no surprise when he mis-controlled the ball to allow Fulham a chance on goal. Fortunately Alnwick was equal to the task.
Now becoming a reserve team regular, Wayne Routledge had a bright game on the right wing. Some good touches and passes, but most of his crosses failed to find their target. He did set up a chance for Pekhart in the first half, but the striker was offside.
King and Rocha gave way to Dervite and Riley at half-time, with Martin moving to centre back. Fulham took control of the game early on, but couldn’t take any of their chances. Then Spurs came back into the game very strongly.
Fulham ‘keeper Tony Warner had to be alert to save a free kick from Jamie O’Hara, and also when a left wing cross was headed smartly down by Pekhart. In another surging run down the middle, Pekhart fell to ground and was stretchered off, his right leg heavily strapped. He was replaced by David Hutton.
Martin's night got worse when he was booked for persistent fouling. Fortunately his centre back partner Dervite was looking increasingly commanding in the air and on the ground. Typical. You wait months for a centre back to make a comeback, then three come along at once.
Another cross from O’Hara, this time from the right, was nearly headed past Warner by Fulham’s no. 14. O’Hara then laid the ball off to Rose on the edge of the area but the midfielder blasted the ball over the bar.
Then came the incident that turned the game. David Hutton burst into the Fulham penalty area and pushed the ball beyond two defenders. As he ran between them his foot was clipped and he fell to ground. A definite penalty in my view – no real protest from the Fulham players – but instead, Hutton is booked for diving! Coming after the Niemi/Ronaldo clash the previous night, Fulham can’t really complain that only the ‘big clubs’ get the disputed decisions.
From the free kick, they surged up our right flank and for once Dervite was found wanting, as Ismael Ehui eased his way past him and smashed a left foot shot past Alnwick.
The goal was completely against the run of play as Spurs had dominated for most of the second half. If anything, they’d played better without King and Rocha. Seems like not even the ressies are getting any breaks these days.
Crumbs of comfort have to be that three centre backs made successful comebacks, and once again Jamie O’Hara played a very influential role in midfield.
That’s it for reserve games this year; Clive Allen will next be leading his team out on Monday 7 January 2008 to face Derby reserves at Brisbane Road, Orient.
Official report.
* I originally thought our LB was Yuri Bechiche, so was relieved to see from the official site it wasn't.
BoringOldFan
It's better to burn out than to fade away...
- Sep 20, 2005
- 9,955
- 2,498
Having seen King and Rocha play tonight, I would be surprised if neither were in the squad on Thursday.
BoringOldFan
It's better to burn out than to fade away...
- Sep 20, 2005
- 9,955
- 2,498
As there were six threads all on the same topic of Ledley's comeback in the reserves tonight, I've merged them together.
stemark44
Well-Known Member
- Mar 17, 2005
- 6,598
- 1,829
What is it with us and officials,something really needs to be done!All our incidents this season should be catalogued with video evidence and shoved down the F.A's throat.
Don't even think for one second that the shit that has happened to us will be evened out throughout the season.Bollocks!Why are we always the victim!
Don't even think for one second that the shit that has happened to us will be evened out throughout the season.Bollocks!Why are we always the victim!
thfcsuperyid
New Member
- Apr 25, 2005
- 883
- 0
well done king mate...good to hear your back.
speccy_spur
Active Member
- Aug 2, 2005
- 1,192
- 0
His ankles do look fragile in this pic. And I am not convinced those are shin pads - I think that is scar tissue!
Good to see The King of White Hart Lane back.:grin:
TheVoiceofReason
Well-Known Member
- Feb 5, 2005
- 6,330
- 15,715
Those thin ankles are simply an illusion. From a profile angle those ankles are a metre wide.
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