►►►►►► Match Ratings VS Blackburn Rovers ◄◄◄◄◄◄

[Bus-Conductor]

I must admit I was delighted when we sold Hutton, always rated Charlie way above him despite his lack of pace. He was better positionally, a far better reader of the game and was generally far more composed on the ball. Walker is already light years ahead of the Scottish Cafu

I don't even think Hutton will last at Villa wants big Eek gets the chop.

Last season Hutton was being picked ahead of Corluka on merit. And when Hutton first came he was good for us, no one was grumbling then.

Corluka was a more intelligent, technically gifted footballer but he was woefully slow, a very bad quality in a full back. Hutton wasn't as clever but was pretty comfortable on the ball, tenacious and liked to get forward and his end product when he did was often OK. And he was quicker than Corluka, but not Walker quick.

As I have said, I would choose Walker now of the three but I think we could do better. I was watching the City game last night and was very impressed with Zabaleta for example. Quick tenacious and gets forward well. He had a great game last night. Strange how Neville didn't make him MOTM ?

 

[Mr Pink]

Last season Hutton was being picked ahead of Corluka on merit. And when Hutton first came he was good for us, no one was grumbling then.

Corluka was a more intelligent, technically gifted footballer but he was woefully slow, a very bad quality in a full back. Hutton wasn't as clever but was pretty comfortable on the ball, tenacious and liked to get forward and his end product when he did was often OK. And he was quicker than Corluka, but not Walker quick.

As I have said, I would choose Walker now of the three but I think we could do better. I was watching the City game last night and was very impressed with Zabaleta for example. Quick tenacious and gets forward well. He had a great game last night. Strange how Neville didn't make him MOTM ?

Zabaleta should of been MOM, totally agree. Even on the 70 min mark I said to my old man, he should be getting MOM by a distance.

I must admit I'm enjoying the Neviller this season but his MOM awards are becoming a tad predictable. Yes Kompany was commanding and scored the winner but he didn't have that much to do last night. Zabaleta was in the action non stop, up and down his flank and took up some fantastic positions.

Sandro should of been MOM on Sunday as well - again by a distance IMO.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Zabaleta should of been MOM, totally agree. Even on the 70 min mark I said to my old man, he should be getting MOM by a distance.

I must admit I'm enjoying the Neviller this season but his MOM awards are becoming a tad predictable. Yes Kompany was commanding and scored the winner but he didn't have that much to do last night. Zabaleta was in the action non stop, up and down his flank and took up some fantastic positions.

Sandro should of been MOM on Sunday as well - again by a distance IMO.

Making Walker MOTM away at Chelsea was even odder. He was literally our least impressive player that day. Neville's entertaining but, like most pundits, he still spouts his fair share of tripe.

Like last night emphasising how losing a title on GD was Ferguson's biggest nightmare, trying to gloss over that in fact losing a title having been in the box seat, to Manchester City of all teams isn't an even bigger nightmare.

 

[Mr Pink]

Making Walker MOTM away at Chelsea was even odder. He was literally our least impressive player that day. Neville's entertaining but, like most pundits, he still spouts his fair share of tripe.

Like last night emphasising how losing a title on GD was Ferguson's biggest nightmare, trying to gloss over that in fact losing a title having been in the box seat, to Manchester City of all teams isn't an even bigger nightmare.

Forgot about that actually, another one indeed.

I'm glad City won last night, they deserved it. They played the better football and Ferguson's containment strategy didn't come off, he tried to make the game dull and uneventful and didn't get away with it.

Really though I wanted City to be well up for the Newcastle game, safe to say that's set up nicely from our point of view now.

 

[Legend10]

The fact that you have to go back nearly a year and a half to find a game against decent opposition to back up your point should surely tell you something.

You and Southlondonyiddo seem to be able to completely ignore the vast amount of tangible evidence that suggests in all but the very easiest of games, and nearly always at WHL playing Bale and Lennon (especially with Modric) in a 4 man midfield has rarely seen us perform well and has invariably made us vulnerable and away from home seen some of the worst performances.

Why don't you actually post what I have said about Hutton instead of trotting out silly stuff. Over the period he was with us I said he was just as good or even sometimes a better option out of the RB's we had (which was mostly him and Corluka). I thought both had merits but that it was an area we badly needed to upgrade because neither were good enough.

Before this season I would have said he was still my choice of the three (Walker having come back) but I would definitely choose Walker of the three now, but it doest say that much because despite the bullshit claimed, I have always said we need to improve our RB's, and I still don't rate Walker as much as most seem to.

He scores a wonder goal and Gary Neville makes him MOTM and for the first time in months the Walker fan club have a flag to wave. For much of the season he's been very iffy defensively and has cost us some important goals with the very poor reading of the game (the sort of thing Hutton would get slaughtered for) and if analysed with an unbiased eye has actually contributed very little in an attacking sense to our season - and this is supposed to be his forte. Even Sunday he made a couple of massive howlers and until his goal, despite getting into several great positions, was very poor with his end product - and he won't get an easier game.

He's quick, has a very good attitude and is tenacious. Qualities which make him the only choice for us at the moment (the fact that he has no actual competition helps I guess). But I think, a bit like Lennon, a lot of people are a bit blinded by what he promises than what he actually delivers.

And the endorsing Defoe comment is just silly. Just because I accept we have played well with Defoe in the side, doesn't mean it's right for us every week. Kranjcar played in a couple of those, I wouldn't play him every week either, same Livermore etc etc.

But there is overwhelming evidence that playing Bale and Lennon in anything but very easy home games is not the best format and the reasons are obvious. Only someone who can't accept they are wrong would refuse to accept the evidence of many performances and results.

My apologies but I thought you described Hutton as an 'outstanding right back'?

Thinking about it I'm pretty certain that you did describe him as that, no?

Who cares about who gets the MOM? It's just a silly thing for the kids watching as much as anything else. But the Premiership's best ever right back seems to think that our lad is pretty good, do you think that Neville might have a pretty good idea for what's required to be decent in that position?

I didn't have to go back a year and a half to find anything but what I was saying is that it was arguably our best performance of recent times, would you argue that?

Also whether you like it or not we've had plenty of good performances with both of them and Modric the same as we've had poor ones, but the same can be said about every other formation and combination that we've played as well, no?

 

[Bus-Conductor]

My apologies but I thought you described Hutton as an 'outstanding right back'?

Thinking about it I'm pretty certain that you did describe him as that, no?

Who cares about who gets the MOM? It's just a silly thing for the kids watching as much as anything else. But the Premiership's best ever right back seems to think that our lad is pretty good, do you think that Neville might have a pretty good idea for what's required to be decent in that position?

I didn't have to go back a year and a half to find anything but what I was saying is that it was arguably our best performance of recent times, would you argue that?

Also whether you like it or not we've had plenty of good performances with both of them and Modric the same as we've had poor ones, but the same can be said about every other formation and combination that we've played as well, no?

As far as Hutton goes, for as long as I can remember, certainly the last three/four years I have been saying we need to upgrade on both Hutton and Corluka but that he's never been any worse for the team than Corluka. And that's about the size of it. When he first came to us, before his long term injury I think he was playing well and a good right back in the context of the league at that time.

As with a lot of players I think Hutton was pilloried for things Corluka and now Walker seem to get leeway with. Walker has made some diabolical errors that have cost us big. If he was bombing forward setting up goals and chances with intelligent wing play every week you'd say "ok, we'll take his defensive frailties and mitigate" but he isn't.

The same illogical approach was applied to Robinson and Dawson for way too long, why ? because they were likeable characters who had the lemmings all gooey at the knees. If I remember rightly I had "lost the plot" for criticising those two as well.

You don't care who Neville makes man of the match but you'll hang off everything else he says. The point I was making was he's clearly not an infallible judge.

The premierships best ever right back ? Neville ? Not in my opinion. But it wouldn't matter if he was. Maradonna was the worlds best player once but as manager made some ludicrous decisions.

And by your own logic, if the same can be said about all formations - that we have had good and bad - then why would you state that Bale/Lennon is the best one, based on one game over a year ago ?

And no I do not agree that the Inter game was our best recent performance. It was a cup game, at WHL in which we had nothing to loose but to go at it, which we did for a half, largely thanks to Bale's performance.

Milan away was far more impressive. As were a few of the games this season where we played cohesive, pressing, passing football for 90 minutes in tough games, some away. None of which involved Bale and Lennon in the same side. So for me, there is no way that I can say that we are intrinsically better with those two both playing, based on the reality of what we have actually seen.

 

[Legend10]

As far as Hutton goes, for as long as I can remember, certainly the last three/four years I have been saying we need to upgrade on both Hutton and Corluka but that he's never been any worse for the team than Corluka. And that's about the size of it. When he first came to us, before his long term injury I think he was playing well and a good right back in the context of the league at that time.

As with a lot of players I think Hutton was pilloried for things Corluka and now Walker seem to get leeway with. Walker has made some diabolical errors that have cost us big. If he was bombing forward setting up goals and chances with intelligent wing play every week you'd say "ok, we'll take his defensive frailties and mitigate" but he isn't.

The same illogical approach was applied to Robinson and Dawson for way too long, why ? because they were likeable characters who had the lemmings all gooey at the knees. If I remember rightly I had "lost the plot" for criticising those two as well.

You don't care who Neville makes man of the match but you'll hang off everything else he says. The point I was making was he's clearly not an infallible judge.

The premierships best ever right back ? Neville ? Not in my opinion. But it wouldn't matter if he was. Maradonna was the worlds best player once but as manager made some ludicrous decisions.

And by your own logic, if the same can be said about all formations - that we have had good and bad - then why would you state that Bale/Lennon is the best one, based on one game over a year ago ?

And no I do not agree that the Inter game was our best recent performance. It was a cup game, at WHL in which we had nothing to loose but to go at it, which we did for a half, largely thanks to Bale's performance.

Milan away was far more impressive. As were a few of the games this season where we played cohesive, pressing, passing football for 90 minutes in tough games, some away. None of which involved Bale and Lennon in the same side. So for me, there is no way that I can say that we are intrinsically better with those two both playing, based on the reality of what we have actually seen.

I'm pretty certain that you did lord Hutton as an incredible right back!

Diabolical errors? Sure he's made errors, he's a very young professional in his first full year in the premiership, what do you expect? But diabolical ones, not that spring too my mind!

I didn't say neville was a good manager or anything like that, I said I think he knows a thing or two about playing RB and what makes a good one, wouldn't you agree?

Did I base my Bale Lennon point on 1 game? Nope I certainly didn't I just happened to mention 1 game that a fair few people would probably describe as one of best performances in recent years!

As I said we have good performances with them botha nad we've had bad performances with them both, in pretty much the same way as we've had good and bad with other formations, combinations and personnel. But I maintain that we look a better side when we have both and we are moving the ball and playing at a high tempo!

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I'm pretty certain that you did lord Hutton as an incredible right back!

Diabolical errors? Sure he's made errors, he's a very young professional in his first full year in the premiership, what do you expect? But diabolical ones, not that spring too my mind!

I didn't say neville was a good manager or anything like that, I said I think he knows a thing or two about playing RB and what makes a good one, wouldn't you agree?

Did I base my Bale Lennon point on 1 game? Nope I certainly didn't I just happened to mention 1 game that a fair few people would probably describe as one of best performances in recent years!

As I said we have good performances with them botha nad we've had bad performances with them both, in pretty much the same way as we've had good and bad with other formations, combinations and personnel. But I maintain that we look a better side when we have both and we are moving the ball and playing at a high tempo!

I have never called Hutton an incredible right back.

Of course they don't spring to mind, that wouldn't fit. How about the ones at ManC, the game where we were about to become title challengers ?

See, you use "both" in the same sentence as "moving the ball" and "high tempo" as if one begets the others, but our best games this season, when we have moved the ball superbly and played at a tempo did not include "both" Lennon and Bale. Liverpool, Norwich, Wigan, Wolves away, Newcastle, Chelsea away, Chelsea home first half, Swansea home for example, game we moved the ball well and played at a high tempo.

Then you have games like Norwich home or Chelsea at Wembley where with "both" we didn't move the ball well or play at a high tempo. And yes there will be games, usually at home, against fairly poor teams where we have played well with Bale and Lennon (and Modric) in the same midfield. But rarely away or rarely in tougher games, because playing both doesn't facilitate moving the ball well and playing at a high tempo in these circumstances because they leave us too open and concede too much ball to do that.

The truth is in many games we have looked a terrible side with the pair of them playing. In fact our worst performances recently, have nearly always involved them playing together and I have provided you with the examples.

 

[double0]

I must say I'm so glad we've sold Hutton what a shit player. Can you believe he cost us 9Million? Just as bad as paying 15M for Bentley.... they saw us coming twice! Chimbo was a better right back!

As for Walker I believe he'll progress well to be the real deal we can all see the potential and slight flaws with experience and games will iron out, in all, Walkers good points far out weights his bad.

As for our best performances it doesn't surprise me that against lesser teams at Home 442 is thrilling to watch with Bale and Lennon (on form) bombing down the wings but It has a shelve life that’s past its sale by date when intelligent team pack the midfield and control possession.

The elite clubs in European football are playing 4231 433 we haven’t implemented enough those tactics (in a funny way our fans might not be as patient as we think Blackburn you felt the crowd wavering for blood and thunder open football) our players are not used to playing that way i.e. controlled functional patient football in formation 4231 433. I think Harry is very naive to think we can blow teams away playing open football though it’s only really happened once against Inter Milan at the Lane. We need to get with the program AC Malian Barcelona ManU ManC Bayern M Chelsea Arsenal Brazil Spain Argentina Germany the very best teams in world football play 4231 433 so why not Tottenham?

 

[Spurs_Bear]

I have never called Hutton an incredible right back.

Of course they don't spring to mind, that wouldn't fit. How about the ones at ManC, the game where we were about to become title challengers ?

See, you use "both" in the same sentence as "moving the ball" and "high tempo" as if one begets the others, but our best games this season, when we have moved the ball superbly and played at a tempo did not include "both" Lennon and Bale. Liverpool, Norwich, Wigan, Wolves away, Newcastle, Chelsea away, Chelsea home first half, Swansea home for example, game we moved the ball well and played at a high tempo.

Then you have games like Norwich home or Chelsea at Wembley where with "both" we didn't move the ball well or play at a high tempo. And yes there will be games, usually at home, against fairly poor teams where we have played well with Bale and Lennon (and Modric) in the same midfield. But rarely away or rarely in tougher games, because playing both doesn't facilitate moving the ball well and playing at a high tempo in these circumstances because they leave us too open and concede too much ball to do that.

The truth is in many games we have looked a terrible side with the pair of them playing. In fact our worst performances recently, have nearly always involved them playing together and I have provided you with the examples.

Wigan away we were terrible.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Wigan away we were terrible.

for 10 minutes.The game lasted 90.

 

[Legend10]

We were terrible for the entire second half at Wigan!

 

[Mr Pink]

We were very good first half against Wigan, second half had a womble but it wasn't exactly disastrous. Overall a good performance that yielded 3 points.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

We were terrible for the entire second half at Wigan!

No we weren't. We just were't outstanding like we were in the first 45 minutes. They came out 2-0 down gave it go, got a goal, got a man sent off and then we just controlled the game. They had something like 3 shots in the whole game, we had 64% of the ball over the whole 90. That first 45 minutes was as good as anything we've played away from home all season.

Terrible is what we were against Fulham, Blackburn, Liverpool, Chelsea at Wembley or Norwich at home. For 90 minutes. Not 10.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

We were terrible away at Wigan.

 

[Legend10]

We were terrible second half at wigan

 

[Legend10]

Bus-Conductor said: ↑

Alan Hutton is an amazing right back​

 

[Legend10]

Wasn't sure how to post that in as I'm a computer illiterate, but you were right and I'm sorry!

You didn't say that Hutton was an incredible rightback, you said he was an amazing one so I stand corrected!

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Chill the fuck out Partizan.

 

[Mr Pink]

61% possession, 9 corners to their 1....21 shots to there 9. That's pretty dominant whatever way you cut it.

 

[Legend10]

I have never called Hutton an incredible right back.

Of course they don't spring to mind, that wouldn't fit. How about the ones at ManC, the game where we were about to become title challengers ?

See, you use "both" in the same sentence as "moving the ball" and "high tempo" as if one begets the others, but our best games this season, when we have moved the ball superbly and played at a tempo did not include "both" Lennon and Bale. Liverpool, Norwich, Wigan, Wolves away, Newcastle, Chelsea away, Chelsea home first half, Swansea home for example, game we moved the ball well and played at a high tempo.

Then you have games like Norwich home or Chelsea at Wembley where with "both" we didn't move the ball well or play at a high tempo. And yes there will be games, usually at home, against fairly poor teams where we have played well with Bale and Lennon (and Modric) in the same midfield. But rarely away or rarely in tougher games, because playing both doesn't facilitate moving the ball well and playing at a high tempo in these circumstances because they leave us too open and concede too much ball to do that.

The truth is in many games we have looked a terrible side with the pair of them playing. In fact our worst performances recently, have nearly always involved them playing together and I have provided you with the examples.

Jeez you call those mistakes diabolical for a first year Premiership player learning his trade, wow! I've seen far more senior international RB's make worse mistakes! Diabolical, just wow, you seriously have agenda's against individuals and it massively clouds your sense of reality BC!

We can both dig out pro's and cons of good and bad with/without performances and it will become what is already a pointless game of tennis so i will retire from it with blisters on my left foot in the 5th and final set!

Good luck in the next round!