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Player Ratings v Villa

Player ratings

  • Lloris

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Walker

    Votes: 82 27.2%
  • Alderweireld

    Votes: 13 4.3%
  • Wimmer

    Votes: 1 0.3%
  • Rose

    Votes: 8 2.7%
  • Dier

    Votes: 4 1.3%
  • Dembele

    Votes: 2 0.7%
  • Alli

    Votes: 13 4.3%
  • Eriksen

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Lamela

    Votes: 82 27.2%
  • Kane

    Votes: 83 27.6%
  • Carroll

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Mason

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Chadli

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • Who cares...we won

    Votes: 13 4.3%

  • Total voters
    301

Frozen_Waffles

Well-Known Member
Jan 26, 2005
3,760
9,505
Space The FInal Frontier

Funny fucking game. In this new, richer, tougher, fitter, smarter, tactically more astute EPL, where cannon fodder have become as tactically astute as an Italian 1990's scudetto winner, we have Aston Villa who have decided to completely buck the trend and be utterly shit.

So it was no surprise really that we pretty much dominated a huge chunk of this game. But what was a little disconcerting was how at various stages in this game a team as shit as Villa still managed to have the ball in acres of space and threatening positions, particularly towards the latter stages, managed to rattle our woodwork three times and only had one less shot on target as we did.

There were times when Villa made this game so easy it was almost like part of an absolutely genius left plan, like plying us with some pinot noir and slipping us the footballing tactical equivalent of a rohypnol, and we became woozy and almost ended up getting our knickers pulled down and what at first seemed like it was going to be a fun night nearly ended up with us getting arse fucked, only saved by the fact that Villa couldn't get it up.

There was so much space out there at times it almost seemed to confuse our players into thinking they were in a time/space continuum conundrum and hyperdrove the ball straight back to Villa players who didn't even want it.

I know there's this theory that Dier and Dembele are the fucking Batman and Robin of the CM universe but I thought it would have been great to have seen at least one of Mason or Bentaleb paired with one of them or instead of both. We desperately needed CM's (or at least one) who could get hold of the ball, see plenty of it, not dither and fucking dawdle, pass it quickly and efficiently and a bit more incisively.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, but Bentaleb once passed the ball badly and a black hole was born and swallowed the universe, I know that, but Dembele got caught dawdling on the ball on our D for about the 1000th time in his career with us, so lets not pretend he's fucking perfect either. Neither him or Dier were terrible, I'm not saying they were, I just think it wouldn't be the worst thing pin the world if Poch freshened things up, made us less predictable, added a something to the CM blend. Just try one of Mason and Bentaleb with one of Dier or Dembele. Then maybe we'd combine some of the qualities of each and get a better blend. Clearly on the evidence of quite a few games, these two aren't infallible.

Alli had another one of those games. His quick thinking set up the first goal, I think his pass for the second was for Lamela, but either way he played a vital part in the second goal, but for much of the rest of the game he was fucking atrocious. I don't know he managed it against such a pile of shite that Villa are, but he somehow managed to give the ball away a higher percentage than everybody on our team including Lloris.

Like I said, it was a funny fucking game, We could have scored 3 or 4 in the first 30, then just when you're thinking "one of those days" we pop up with the goal, then there was a spell for about the first 25 minutes or so of the second half where I thought we had the game under total control and were doing the right things, managing it well, but as ever there is this switch that just seems to go off with us and the last 15-20 minutes we just lost that control and if they hadn't contrived to miss chances that seemed easier to score we could have fucked away our easiest chance of points we ever get.

But we didn't, so everything's groovy…or so I am told.

Individual

Lloris - Distribution was woeful at times.

Walker - Very good game (but to be fair Ayew seemed to have decided to take the day off) mostly but a couple of Walkerisms, like the time in the second half when things were starting to get hairy when he just wonders off and leaves Lamela 2-1 on the edge of the box. I just don't know what goes through the boys mind at times. He does the most bizarre things. Not like not picking up a runner, or losing his marker (all bad things) - just utterly random weird shit that defies logic.

Alderweireld - Alderweireld

Wimmer - Decent, except when he did that stupid thing that defenders do sometimes, where they have the chance to whack it clear and instead turn it back to a keeper, who is 15 yards further back and who you know isn't great at kicking for him too whack clear from further back. Why ?

Rose - Good game.

Dier - Solidly meh.

Dembele - Saw lots of ball, wish he'd learn that he doesn't have to dribble with it every time he sees it.

Lamela - Lively, not a bad game.

Eriksen - If I was Poch I'd give him the week off, send him off to Dubai to sit on a beach. He worked hard, saw plenty of the ball but is looking understandably mentally a bit jaded. Could have been rested in the week if we didn't give a shit about the game, especially if we hand't idiotically sent Pritchard out on loan or with Onomah played in his stead.

Alli - As above. Two assists, lots of assisting Villa get the ball back. (yes I know @THFCSPURS19 I need some new material).

Kane - Decent game today I thought. The obligatory shot or two from utterly stupid positions, but apart front hat he worked hard and took his goals well.

Agree with all of this, the one thing I would add is what were we doing after the second goal, we seemed to be 'seeing out the game' but great teams finish them off. We seemed to be obsessed with passing it backwards and dribbling in the middle of the park only to lose it or pass it backwards. 2-0 is not a scoreline in which we can piss about with, keep attacking, really annoyed me this. Villa were there for the taking we should have pushed for the third. We were almost punished out of complacency.

Lloris as well, what is he doing in training, he is an immense goalkeeper, so just practice kicking. And for the love of god, you have two feet use your right from time to time.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
While I would have rested Dier for another week because he was so jaded in recent games, you might get your wish about Mason getting some game time though most likely just from the bench but I think the chances of Bentaleb playing ( other than probably as one of the sacrificial lambs on Thursday ) looks remote because it looks like Pochettino would rather play Carroll as a back up midfielder than Bentaleb . So it seems like you are flogging a dead horse with that one. In terms of those 2 midfield spots clearly Dier and Dembele are his first choice followed by Mason, Carroll, moving Alli or Eriksen back there and then if all 6 of those players are out then he might consider Bentaleb. In fact when Vertonghen comes back he would probably convert Wimmer into another Dier next which would make Bentaleb number 7 on the list. Sad but true.

I think you are almost certainly right, worse, as me and @thinktank were hypothesising in the match thread, I think Bentaleb has probably been caught taking a shit on Poch's back lawn during the summer barbecue, because when teeny tiny Tommy is getting picked to play in a CM2 at Dortmund, and even Eriksen or Alli ahead of Bentaleb for any CM, you know it's not just about football.

I fear Bentaleb's days are over. And I think it's a great shame. I think it may well have been going off to Algeria when the club/Poch didn't want him to.
 

mano-obe

Well-Known Member
Mar 2, 2005
4,238
7,518
Walker has matured so much this season. I always considered him and Rose potential liabilities but they've really matured in their play.

Walker used to fire crosses into the box but he's so focused on ball retention and looking for other options incase he cannot get back in time. He's using his brain a lot more.

MOTM for the game against Villa, the fella ran his socks off, their full back couldn't believe his pace, space and how much ground he covered, almost scored as well.

Lamela also was brilliant, and Kane hit a great brace.

Villa lacked quality all over the field and only decided to cause a bit of trouble around the 85 minute mark, we were in total control. I still can't help getting nervous when I see Mason and Carroll come on though, I don't know why, maybe it's just me
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
I'm just watching Sky's highlights of the game. 8 minutes in Lamela plays Kane clean through - Pundit: "I thought Lamela played the wrong ball there". One minute later Alli fucks up trying to play Lamela in - Pundit: "Lovely ball back from Alli, Alli's such a classy player".

34 minutes Alli runs the ball into their defender when in a great position - Commentator: "Delli Alli, lovely feet".

Look, we all know Alli is capable of good stuff. His a 19yo who clearly has buckets of potential and if he fulfils it he will be at the very least another Lampard/Gerrad type influence (I know they were very different players) but at the moment he's earning his place with moments, character and presence and by virtue of the fact that other options are the work shy Chadli, the erratic Son or the 18yo Onomah and some of the pundit hyperbolic bollocks is really ludicrous. For the majority of todays game he definitely wasn't the messiah, he was a very naughty boy, but every game I watch now, pundits are telling us Alli is brilliant whether he's shit, brilliant or indifferent.
 
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DaleMurphy

Well-Known Member
Sep 4, 2014
807
1,710
Kane is the MOTM I feel like Poch has told him to be selfish to a certain extent and while he could've had 4 he buried 2

Lamela has become an intregral part of the first 11 for me HM

Just ordered a Toby jersey (third kit purple) he is the best summer signing in the Prem imo

Most everyone was good thought Dembele and Eriksen were offf today tho
 

sim0n

King of Prussia
Jan 29, 2005
7,947
2,151
7.5 across the board, MotM to Walker. Another 3 points and really was kind of a "rest" for the squad. no cards, no injuries, and no fuss....

basically coasted to a 2-0 without breaking a sweat - great team effort!! Not too much more anyone could sensibly ask for, so COYS!!!!!!!!!!!! the pressure is on Leicester now :watching::ninja:
 

Spursidol

Well-Known Member
Sep 15, 2007
12,636
15,834
Space The FInal Frontier

Funny fucking game. In this new, richer, tougher, fitter, smarter, tactically more astute EPL, where cannon fodder have become as tactically astute as an Italian 1990's scudetto winner, we have Aston Villa who have decided to completely buck the trend and be utterly shit.

So it was no surprise really that we pretty much dominated a huge chunk of this game. But what was a little disconcerting was how at various stages in this game a team as shit as Villa still managed to have the ball in acres of space and threatening positions, particularly towards the latter stages, managed to rattle our woodwork three times and only had one less shot on target as we did.

There were times when Villa made this game so easy it was almost like part of an absolutely genius plan, like plying us with some pinot noir and slipping us the footballing tactical equivalent of a rohypnol, and we became woozy and almost ended up getting our knickers pulled down and what at first seemed like it was going to be a fun night nearly ended up with us getting arse fucked in a back alley, only saved by the fact that Villa couldn't get it up.

There was so much space out there at times it almost seemed to confuse our players into thinking they were in a time/space continuum conundrum and hyperdrove the ball straight back to Villa players who didn't even want it.

I know there's this theory that Dier and Dembele are the fucking Batman and Robin of the CM universe but I thought it would have been great to have seen at least one of Mason or Bentaleb paired with one of them or instead of both. We desperately needed CM's (or at least one) who could get hold of the ball, see plenty of it, not dither and fucking dawdle, pass it quickly and efficiently and a bit more incisively.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, but Bentaleb once passed the ball badly at Old Trafford and a black hole was born and swallowed the universe, I know that, but Dembele got caught dawdling on the ball on our D for about the 1000th time in his career with us, so lets not pretend he's fucking perfect either. Neither him or Dier were terrible, I'm not saying they were, I just think it wouldn't be the worst thing in the world if Poch freshened things up, made us less predictable, added something to the CM blend. Just try one of Mason and Bentaleb with one of Dier or Dembele. Then maybe we'd combine some of the qualities of each and get a better blend. Clearly on the evidence of quite a few games, these two aren't infallible.

Alli had another one of those games. His quick thinking set up the first goal, I think his pass for the second was for Lamela, but either way he played a vital part in the second goal, but for much of the rest of the game he was fucking atrocious. I don't know how he managed it against such a pile of shite that Villa are, but he somehow managed to give the ball away a higher percentage (36.9) than everybody on our team including Lloris.

Like I said, it was a funny fucking game, We could have scored 3 or 4 in the first 30, then just when you're thinking "one of those days" we pop up with the goal, then there was a spell for about the first 25 minutes or so of the second half where I thought we had the game under total control and were doing the right things, managing it well, but as ever there is this switch that just seems to go off with us and the last 15-20 minutes we just lost that control and if they hadn't contrived to miss chances that seemed easier to score we could have fucked away the easiest chance of points we'll ever get.

But we didn't, so everything's groovy…or so I'm going to be told I'm sure.

Individual

Lloris - Distribution was woeful at times.

Walker - Very good game (but to be fair Ayew seemed to have decided to take the day off) mostly but a couple of Walkerisms, like the time in the second half when things were starting to get hairy when he just wonders off and leaves Lamela 2-1 on the edge of the box. I just don't know what goes through the boys mind at times. He does the most bizarre things. Not like not picking up a runner, or losing his marker (all bad things) - just utterly random weird shit that defies logic.

Alderweireld - Alderweireld

Wimmer - Decent, except when he did that stupid thing that defenders do sometimes, where they have the chance to whack it clear and instead turn it back to a keeper, who is 15 yards further back and who you know isn't great at kicking for him too whack clear from further back. Why ?

Rose - Really good game. I'd actually be tempted to give him MOTM.

Dier - Solidly meh.

Dembele - Saw lots of ball, wish he'd learn that he doesn't have to dribble with it every time he sees it.

Lamela - Lively, not a bad game.

Eriksen - If I was Poch I'd give him the week off, send him off to Dubai to sit on a beach. He worked hard, saw plenty of the ball but is looking understandably mentally a bit jaded. Could have been rested in the week if we didn't give a shit about the game, especially if we hand't idiotically sent Pritchard out on loan or with Onomah played in his stead.

Alli - As above. Two assists, lots of assisting Villa get the ball back. (yes I know @THFCSPURS19 I need some new material).

Kane - Decent game today I thought. The obligatory shot or two from utterly stupid positions, but apart front hat he worked hard and took his goals well.

Generally agree with that, but think you overstate Vila's attacking - BBC has it as 8 shots on target for Spurs and 2 for Villa, think both sides hit the woodwork twice.

IMO Spurs were coasting in the 2nd half, but if Villa had scored we'd have pushed more for the third rather than doing it without caring too much if we did score, nice to have but just not essential at 2-0 up.
 

Matthew Wyatt

Call me Boris
Aug 3, 2007
2,224
1,988
Walker MOTM. Occupied that entire side of the pitch and even popped up centre and left on occasion, all without being caught out of position. Nice goal attempt too, and, despite what people say, I think he's an attacking threat -- so do the opposition.

Everyone else was at least ok. Nobody let us down. As has been said though, it's worrying that we tend to lose control towards the end. Lucky it was only Villa.
 

Bulletspur

The Reasonable Advocate
Match Thread Admin
Oct 17, 2006
10,690
25,246
I'm just watching Sky's highlights of the game. 8 minutes in Lamela plays Kane clean through - Pundit: "I thought Lamela played the wrong ball there". One minute later Alli fucks up trying to play Lamela in - Pundit: "Lovely ball back from Alli, Alli's such a classy player".

34 minutes Alli runs the ball into their defender when in a great position - Commentator: "Delli Alli, lovely feet".

Look, we all know Alli is capable of good stuff. His a 19yo who clearly has buckets of potential and if he fulfils it he will be at the very least another Lampard/Gerrad type influence (I know they were very different players) but at the moment he's earning his place with moments, character and presence and by virtue of the fact that other options are the work shy Chadli, the erratic Son or the 18yo Onomah and some of the pundit hyperbolic bollocks is really ludicrous. For the majority of todays game he definitely wasn't the messiah, he was a very naughty boy, but every game I watch now, pundits are telling us Alli is brilliant whether he's shit, brilliant or indifferent.
I could not agree more. Refreshing to see someone else sharing the same opinion as me
 

ackie

Well-Known Member
Dec 29, 2005
8,780
6,660
I'm just watching Sky's highlights of the game. 8 minutes in Lamela plays Kane clean through - Pundit: "I thought Lamela played the wrong ball there". One minute later Alli fucks up trying to play Lamela in - Pundit: "Lovely ball back from Alli, Alli's such a classy player".

34 minutes Alli runs the ball into their defender when in a great position - Commentator: "Delli Alli, lovely feet".

Look, we all know Alli is capable of good stuff. His a 19yo who clearly has buckets of potential and if he fulfils it he will be at the very least another Lampard/Gerrad type influence (I know they were very different players) but at the moment he's earning his place with moments, character and presence and by virtue of the fact that other options are the work shy Chadli, the erratic Son or the 18yo Onomah and some of the pundit hyperbolic bollocks is really ludicrous. For the majority of todays game he definitely wasn't the messiah, he was a very naughty boy, but every game I watch now, pundits are telling us Alli is brilliant whether he's shit, brilliant or indifferent.
He's actually been quite poor for a few games... Whether it's fatigue, an injury or just a young lad. But still two assists though.
I think he needs a rest along with Eriksen.
 

jezz

Well-Known Member
Aug 21, 2013
5,650
8,650
Dele did well for his assists especially the first one.
But dispossessed 9 times and 6 unsuccessful touches with a 64% pass completion is woeful.
 

ohtottenham!

Well-Known Member
Aug 15, 2013
7,497
13,029
Think it was a good peformance all round. Despite Villa's obvious lack of quality, some other title contenders failed to get the 3 points at Villa Park. We did the job!

Defence was pretty solid for the most part. Lloris, not much to do, but for someone who is so safe and confident with his goalkeeping hands, way too nervous and eager with his distribution. Rose and Walker nullified most threats they had on the wings and got forward plenty to start or support our attacks.

Wimmer has stepped in pretty seamlessly to fill the big shoes left by Verts. Toby was a star as usual - almost Ledleyesque in his reading of the game and being in position before a threat has the slightest whiff of materializing.

Thought Dier was sound, and needed the rest from the Dortmund game. Dembele, a bit subdued, but I think his remit from Poch was to focus more on his defensive duties and mop up possession from their AM's, and immediately distribute to our AM's and forwards.

I thought Eriksen had a good game; not at his creative best, but he's had a lot of minutes recently, and was still full of running and pressing for the team cause. Lamela was a livewire and I thought he either created the movements, or maintained the momentum for some of our best attacks today, including the goals.

Alli hit and miss, but his hits are almost always game changers or game winners, just like his assists today; one intentional, the other maybe not. But, he sees developing plays and just sneaks into those positions which catch defences off guard in every game. He'll either score, put in a killer pass for an assist, or put it into an inviting area for a rushing attacker to deliver a strike! Frustrated by him coughing up possession several times today. Opponents have sussed out his flick and turn when he receives the ball with his back to the defender. But, hey ho, he'll learn! So young, loves the game and it'll teach him and develop his game.

Kane, my MOTM. We've run him into the ground, barely had a break, and leading the line like he does for us, with our pressing game, is exhausting! Recently, his legs have looked heavy and his sharpness compromised by his constant playing time. Yet, he's scored 3 great goals in the last two games. Great striker blessed with a natural gift and an undying will, and thank God we have him and he hasn't gone down injured!

Looking forward to the soon-to-be, one game a week run in which we have a fully fit, refreshed and energized squad of players players giving all their focus and energy toward each remaining game. Other teams will do what they do, but right now we look great for our own run in!
 

Gilzeanking

Well-Known Member
May 7, 2005
6,093
5,019
Agree with general opinions here . Played well for periods . Walker Kane Toby Rose (7.5 the lot) oh and Lamela too .

However with a view towards the rest of the season I find a coupla things a worry .

If we are in full press mode , everything is ok . The probs come when we are anything less than that . 10 man Arse can score and a well beaten Villa can sweep through us to create gilt edged chances they somehow missed , Dortmund arse fucked us all night bar 1st 5 mins when we tried something different to our high press.

We don't have a defensive shutout mode...which is terrifying . Its the old no plan B prob we used to talk about .

Title winners generally have this ability...Leicester certainly do . I can't help thinking this will bite us in the arse in the difficult matches to come . We need a solid bus park mode for crisis/knackered moments . C'mon Poch sort it .

At the mo we have full press OR we are wide open .
 
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JimmyG2

SC Supporter
Dec 7, 2006
15,014
20,779
Curate's egg: good in parts.
Team and players.
Gone into survival mode now:
For survival read Champions' League qualification or more.
Europa ditched, exciting football forgotten.
A win is a win, wish we could wake up with the job done.
But this is uncharted territory for all concerned
and slack has been duly cut.
MOM ?Walker, Rose, Lamela, Toby, Alli, Kane.
All for different reasons.
Chose Lamela.
Like the boy.
 

mattdefoe

Well-Known Member
Jul 16, 2009
3,182
2,572
has to be kane. I thought Lamela was bright but it was nothing more than a training session, he just has no conviction at all. Where in comparison to say a mahrez, I think we need a silky winger as we do in lamela but a lamela with more conviction.
 

TaoistMonkey

Welcome! Everything is fine.
Staff
Oct 25, 2005
32,629
33,577
only had one less shot on target as we did.

Are you sure?

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