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MOTM?


  • Total voters
    263

THOWIG

Well-Known Member
Feb 14, 2005
6,499
8,329
I would imagine the "Modric was poor" clowns, are the same fools spouting we could replace him with Joe Allen, was he even playing today?

Good performance from back to front, with a few stand-outs, and wasn't it great to see Aaron back at the end!

COYS!

Yes he was really dissapointing.

I apologise for making any comment about Modric.
 

ShelfSide18

Well-Known Member
Aug 23, 2006
8,386
3,122
Modric poor? Fuck me, must have been in the toilet when he threaded through Bale in the build up to our first goal. A couple of dodgy Un-Luka like passes early on aside, he was the same old Modders, hanging out with a nice 90% pass completion. Mebbe he didn't see it as much as he often does at WHL, but that is mitigated by the fact that Swansea are the best ballkeeping team we'll see at WHL this season.

VDV was on another planet today, world class. Adebayor worked like a trojan all day and deserved his 2 goals, all in all a good day out. Good team selection, why did Harry sway from this I don't know but we should still be in the title race in all honesty.
 

StartingPrice

Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
Feb 13, 2004
32,568
10,280
I liked that. We've benefited massively from having Billy Gallas back.

IN an unstated way, I think he has been massively instrumental in turning things around...really good to have him back, and today was so composed.
 

Spurger King

can't smile without glue
Jul 22, 2008
43,881
95,147
Modric wasn't poor, but on several occasions he highlighted how much better his performances were last season. There were a few bad passes, and times when he lost the ball too easily.

Last season he was untouchable. He rarely lost possession, and every pass found its man. This season he just hasn't seemed so imperious, and today was another example of that.

That's not to say he was 'poor' today by any strength of the imagination. However I think a lot of people are judging him on how good he can be, in which case I can see their point.

Having said that...a below average Modric is still far better than most premiership players.
 

shaqTHFC

Well-Known Member
Jan 28, 2011
1,546
807
Managed to get to the lane today and imo the best player was easily Parker. He was absolutely everywhere and was back to his best that we saw in the first half of the season. Truly awesome player and so glad we have him.

I actually didn't think Bale was amazing. He had a pretty good game and stayed on the left more. What I did like was that he seemed to track back more than I've seen previously.

Kaboul was really good today imo and seemed very focused and concentrated. Watching him command the defence was very encouraging. Gallas was very good too but Kaboul edged it for me today.

Modric definitely had one of his poorer games. Awesome ball for the 1st goal but he gave it away quite a lot.

Rafa was very good again today and his importance to us is underplayed imo. Well taken goal and a touch of class with everything he did. Tracked back and tackled too.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
The thrill of the press.

Fuck me, we are a good team when we get our tactics right and press properly. Chelsea away, Bolton Cup and today in terms of tactics, coaching and performance is possibly the best three consecutive three games we've played under Redknapp.

We were superb today and today's performance can be added to the list of outstanding performances of the season. Our pressing, led by the magnificent Parker was the key, and we played that game spot for the majority of it. What makes it more worthy of praise is the quality of the opposition and how hard we had to work to make our superior quality count for a result.

You know Redknapp has worked on the training ground when Ekotto, who usually plays like he's just done a bong, was like a terrier, biting into tackles and stealing the ball constantly. He was superb.

For the third game running it was really hard to pick a MOTM because the team effort was so well spread out. Mostly people did what they should be doing, all over the pitch when we didn't have the ball, and our quality players delivered quality when we did. There was the odd lapse in pressing and a few poor decisions at vital moments - Modric was possibly the guiltiest on both fronts today, but was still the player seeing more ball than anyone else on our side and I like seeing him getting into advanced positions even if he does get altitude sickness a little. He was the only player I saw standing still a couple of times ball watching when he should have been pressing, which I believe he was a little guilty of at the start of the move that led to their goal. But that aside he was still instrumental in performance.

The team selection was spot on, the tactics were spot on. I believe if we'd made that our default style of play most weeks, we'd be up there now, because when we get it right we really are as good as anyone in this league.

By pressing them we constantly won the ball higher up and were able to feed our creative players in better positions, often isolating them against single marker's instead of letting Swansea's pressing get into shape and coherence. With Sandro and Parker in there we had the balance just right in terms of ability to win ball and ability to create.

In tandem, our movement off the ball with Parker, Modric, VDV, Bale and Adebayor was excellent and meant we always had a man available to receive a pass.

Although they did have good possession at the start of the second half, I thought their goal was somewhat fortuitous and we hadn't really allowed them much of a sniff throughout.

I was really looking forward to this tussle for all sorts of reasons and it didn't disappoint on most levels. Redknapp got everything right, team, tactics, subs and in the last three games has clearly worked on stuff in training like the pressing, set pieces and general work rate.

If Redknapp does go, I also saw enough to reinforce my belief that Rodgers is ready for a job like ours. (Bale's reaction to the question "did you have to work for that" spoke volumes). But more importantly, I saw that we are ready for an philosophy like his....

Ratings:

Friedel 7.5 - Outstanding save but I thought he was a bit lardy for their goal. Harsh ?

Walker 7 -

Gallas 7.5 - Good game.

Kaboul 7.5 - Got in a few great blocks and tackles, came out with the ball really well a couple of times but must cut out the odd hump he does.

Ekotto 7.5 - Defensively hasn't had a better game. Was tenacious and constantly nipped in and stole the ball and fed attacks.

Sandro 7.5 - Busy. 34/41 passes.

Parker 8.5 - Set the tone. Was outstanding, particularly first half. Was the vital component in our ability to prevent them from establishing their game, which in turn gave us the platform to impose ours. 49/54

Modric 8 - Made some poor choices a couple of times today, should have played Adebayor in or at least hit the target first half, and should have done better with a couple of positions second half but saw more ball than anyone and was instrumental with a lovely ball for the first goal. 57/63

VDV 8 - Very good today, beautiful finish. Great corner delivery. Oozes quality but covers a lot of ground too and worked hard off the ball. 44/47

Bale 8 - Does still make poor choices or fails with his final ball a little more than someone with his ability should but when he is on this kind of form he is so instrumental in our ability to terrorise teams. Was very good again today and was actually better off the ball as well, in fact worked harder defensively than I've seen for a long time. 20/25

Adebayor 8 - worked hard and possibly would have had a hatrick if people had passed to him when they should have done. Took his two goals superbly at vital times.

Lennon - Great cross for the goal.
 

shaqTHFC

Well-Known Member
Jan 28, 2011
1,546
807
The thrill of the press.

Fuck me, we are a good team when we get our tactics right and press properly. Chelsea away, Bolton Cup and today in terms of tactics, coaching and performance is possibly the best three consecutive three games we've played under Redknapp.

We were superb today and today's performance can be added to the list of outstanding performances of the season. Our pressing, led by the magnificent Parker was the key, and we played that game spot for the majority of it. What makes it more worthy of praise is the quality of the opposition and how hard we had to work to make our superior quality count for a result.

You know Redknapp has worked on the training ground when Ekotto, who usually plays like he's just done a bong, was like a terrier, biting into tackles and stealing the ball constantly. He was superb.

For the third game running it was really hard to pick a MOTM because the team effort was so well spread out. Mostly people did what they should be doing, all over the pitch when we didn't have the ball, and our quality players delivered quality when we did. There was the odd lapse in pressing and a few poor decisions at vital moments - Modric was possibly the guiltiest on both fronts today, but was still the player seeing more ball than anyone else on our side and I like seeing him getting into advanced positions even if he does get altitude sickness a little. He was the only player I saw standing still a couple of times ball watching when he should have been pressing, which I believe he was a little guilty of at the start of the move that led to their goal. But that aside he was still instrumental in performance.

The team selection was spot on, the tactics were spot on. I believe if we'd made that our default style of play most weeks, we'd be up there now, because when we get it right we really are as good as anyone in this league.

By pressing them we constantly won the ball higher up and were able to feed our creative players in better positions, often isolating them against single marker's instead of letting Swansea's pressing get into shape and coherence. With Sandro and Parker in there we had the balance just right in terms of ability to win ball and ability to create.

In tandem, our movement off the ball with Parker, Modric, VDV, Bale and Adebayor was excellent and meant we always had a man available to receive a pass.

Although they did have good possession at the start of the second half, I thought their goal was somewhat fortuitous and we hadn't really allowed them much of a sniff throughout.

I was really looking forward to this tussle for all sorts of reasons and it didn't disappoint on most levels. Redknapp got everything right, team, tactics, subs and in the last three games has clearly worked on stuff in training like the pressing, set pieces and general work rate.

If Redknapp does go, I also saw enough to reinforce my belief that Rodgers is ready for a job like ours. (Bale's reaction to the question "did you have to work for that" spoke volumes). But more importantly, I saw that we are ready for an philosophy like his....

Ratings:

Friedel 7.5 - Outstanding save but I thought he was a bit lardy for their goal. Harsh ?

Walker 7 -

Gallas 7.5 - Good game.

Kaboul 7.5 - Got in a few great blocks and tackles, came out with the ball really well a couple of times but must cut out the odd hump he does.

Ekotto 7.5 - Defensively hasn't had a better game. Was tenacious and constantly nipped in and stole the ball and fed attacks.

Sandro 7.5 - Busy. 34/41 passes.

Parker 8.5 - Set the tone. Was outstanding, particularly first half. Was the vital component in our ability to prevent them from establishing their game, which in turn gave us the platform to impose ours. 49/54

Modric 8 - Made some poor choices a couple of times today, should have played Adebayor in or at least hit the target first half, and should have done better with a couple of positions second half but saw more ball than anyone and was instrumental with a lovely ball for the first goal. 57/63

VDV 8 - Very good today, beautiful finish. Great corner delivery. Oozes quality but covers a lot of ground too and worked hard off the ball. 44/47

Bale 8 - Does still make poor choices or fails with his final ball a little more than someone with his ability should but when he is on this kind of form he is so instrumental in our ability to terrorise teams. Was very good again today and was actually better off the ball as well, in fact worked harder defensively than I've seen for a long time. 20/25

Adebayor 8 - worked hard and possibly would have had a hatrick if people had passed to him when they should have done. Took his two goals superbly at vital times.

Lennon - Great cross for the goal.

I don't think it was him being lardy, just his positioning allowed him to be lobbed by the bounce

Agree with most of your post bar that. Parker was amazing, and Bale was a bit worse than him today but his tracking back was very good today for once. Thought Modric wasn't that great and there were a few times BAE was muscled and turned by their winger and there were a couple times he was out of position but our whole defence was fairly untroubled
 

Blake Griffin

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2011
14,133
38,225
friedel 7.5 - great save

walker 7.5 - extra half a point for the hilarious kick on taylor
gallas 7.5 - loved him taking the ball to the halfway line after conceding
kaboul 7.5 - some brilliant blocks towards the end
ekotto 7.5 - tenacious, perhaps a little too much at one point

parker 8 - played like his early season form
sandro 6.5 - not at his best, looks unsure as to exactly what his job is at times
modric 7 - not great but kept things ticking over well

vdv 8 - calm finish and always classy
bale 8.5 - they couldn't handle him
ade 8.5 - loved the pressing in the 1st half, two nicely taken goals

lennon 7 - top cross
livermore 6 - think he gave the ball away dangerously at one point but chased them down and to take it back
rose - not enough time
 

Paolo10

Well-Known Member
Apr 6, 2004
6,179
7,621
Scotty for me again, his first challenge just set the tone today, inspirational with the armband today and was the base that win was built on against a very proficient technical side.

Lots of great things about today, Ade scoring, Bale excellent, Lennon back, Parker great, Willy and Big Younes solid, I thought Benny was our worst performer and even he wasn't that bad.

Let's fucking have this 3rd place!

Few games ago people were ready for throwing ropes up, hopefully we kick on with more performances like that. COYS!

<3 Scotty
 

StartingPrice

Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
Feb 13, 2004
32,568
10,280
Scotty for me again, his first challenge just set the tone today, inspirational with the armband today and was the base that win was built on against a very proficient technical side.

Lots of great things about today, Ade scoring, Bale excellent, Lennon back, Parker great, Willy and Big Younes solid, I thought Benny was our worst performer and even he wasn't that bad.

Let's fucking have this 3rd place!

Few games ago people were ready for throwing ropes up, hopefully we kick on with more performances like that. COYS!

<3 Scotty

Boo hoo, eh, poor us...we didn't win every game, like 27 nil...we ARE sheeeeeeite :cry::cry::cry:
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,776
99,340
BC I have to say that I agree with all of your overall match analysis and thoughts.

I have never seen Ekotto press as aggressively as that, particularly first half. The effort was fantastic and it was clear that Harry had worked on pressing high up the pitch to disrupt their passing game.

I thought Adebayor's closing down first half was phenomenal, exceptionally good shift from him today. But Parker's effort were of insane proportions, running out of superlatives for that first half display.

The balance is perfect and its a pity we havn't used it more often, we would of been out of sight for third and probably still on the coat tails of the top two.


Friedel 7 one outstanding save, didn't have too much to do aside from that and their goal was a little fluky IMO.

Walker 6.5 kept Sinclair quiet, still think he needs to take his man on more in attacking positions.

Gallas 7 love his attitude and this was a leader's performance, good game.

Kaboul 7.5 some great tackles, fantastic block late on and even ventured down the left wing at one point in the first half!

Ekotto 7.5 worked his socks off first half, and was constantly pressing and applying pressure and did it to real affect.

Sandro 7 over run the Swansea midfield first half with Parker. Some lovely turns in tight areas and drove forward to good affect.

Parker 8 first half performance was staggering, closing down everything and breaking up play all over the shop, probably the most vital performance of the day.

Modric 7 an exquisite ball, outside of the boot, in the build up to the first goal. Did well overall bar those sloppy moments in the opponents box, or on the edge of it. Shooting has never been his strong point but he really should of fed Adebayor when the game wasn't safe at all.

VDV 8.5 MOM took his goal superbly and delivered the corner for that massive second goal, worked extremely hard today and had the sprinkle of class that proved much of the difference. Does anybody remember the first time ball that was fizzed into him on the edge of the area (first half) and he laid it off to Adebayor...that was a world class bit of play right there.

Adebayor 8 work tirelessly first half...pressed, worked the channels held it up really well. Two great headers and overall this was a great performance.

Bale 8 Great direct running and caused them all sorts of problems. Two great runs coming inside, in the second half, and bursting into the penalty area...a real pity Modric didn't make more of it, would of been a sensational goal.
 

deselina

Well-Known Member
Apr 17, 2006
2,607
126
I didn't see the game, but from the highlights of MOTD I would have to say Bale was MOTM.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
Just watching the MOTD highlights, I have to say we wasted 4 very easy opportunities to play players clean through. If you forgive VDV because he actually scored with his, you also have Modric twice - Adebayor first half, Lennon second after Bale's run, and Bale himself could have played Adebayor in instead of shooting, just before Lennon ended up crossing for him to score.
 

StartingPrice

Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
Feb 13, 2004
32,568
10,280
Just watching the MOTD highlights, I have to say we wasted 4 very easy opportunities to play players clean through. If you forgive VDV because he actually scored with his, you also have Modric twice - Adebayor first half, Lennon second after Bale's run, and Bale himself could have played Adebayor in instead of shooting, just before Lennon ended up crossing for him to score.

The two Modric ones were the worst...because you could see the easy pass option so clearly and at the same time you could see him setting himself up to shoot and were thinking "nooooooooo, Luka, it'll be sgee-ite" :eek:mg:
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
I didn't see the game, but from the highlights of MOTD I would have to say Bale was MOTM.

Personally, having seen it all, I would have said Parker, because preventing them getting comfortable was the most vital component which created a platform for the creatives to play. Parker was outstanding in this respect. And although Bale contributed several moments of sheer "Baleness" and was superb in this respect, in all honesty VDV and Adebayor's contribution's were at least as important and even though Modric made some mistakes, he was also as important IMO.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
Also, although Sandro did nothing eye-catchingly outstanding, just having him and Parker in there made a big difference, and once again, clearly proved that it can be a defensive move which facilitates better attacking. It's all about the balance and putting together the right defensive/attacking combination.
 

stevenqoz

Well-Known Member
Apr 10, 2006
2,776
553
Friedel - 8

Walker - 7

Kaboul - 8.5

Gallas - 8

Assou-Ekotto - 7

Van Der Vaart - 8

Sandro - 6.5

Parker - 7.5

Modric - 7

Bale-8

Adebayor - 8

SUBS:

Lennon - 7

Livermore - NET

Rose - NET
 

ravo

SC Supporter
Jun 4, 2004
4,787
2,885
Firstly, credit to Rodgers and Swansea. That was a great game to watch. They play attractive football and each player is decent on the ball. A far cry from Stoke, Blackburn and Bolton (of old).

Friedel 7.5 - Match winning save. Good all-round game. There was only one occasion where I thought he could have come for the ball and didn't.

Walker 6.5 - Looked shaky to me throughout, compared to Gallas and Kaboul. Still did a good enough job.

Kaboul 7 - Was very strong in defence and made some crucial blocks. He did, however, make some errant passes and decisions.

Gallas 8 - Pretty much faultless. Class act at the age of 34 (or whatever)

Assou-Ekotto 6.5 - Didn't think he was himself again yesterday. Some very interesting decisions on the ball and not his usual passing quality. That said, he had Routlege in his pocket.

Van Der Vaart 8 - Quality. Ran the show. Also worked his arse off in shutting down Swansea.

Sandro 7.5 - Got stuck in, made some great runs forward. Lacks the passing quality. Marshaled the dangerous Allen very well.

Parker 8.5 - What a shift. He was immense. The game plan of closing them down in their own half was made to work by all, but Parker was the key. made about a million tackles.

Modric 7 - Not quite his usual self, but he had a different job to do today with their style of football and he did what was required.

Bale 9 - MOM, mainly because he played on the left. What a difference! However, he tends to drill all his crosses low and to the near post. Today Ade reminded us what he can with his head, so perhaps he should also look to cross some balls in the air, where Ade can get up and score.

Adebayor 8.5 - Worked his absolute bollocks off in the first half, fantastic. Two great headers. Very good performance.

SUBS:

Lennon 7 - Not much except for a good assist.

Livermore 7 - Looked great when he came on. Made an errant pass and did what I love to see footballers do - went back after it and didn't stop till he got it back! He looks to have learnt from Parker this season. Looking forward to his future at the club.

Rose - NET

Harry 8 - Set us up to do the right thing against Swansea, press them high up the pitch. Formation was also spot on.
 
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