►►►►►► Ratings -vs- Lazio ◄◄◄◄◄◄

[Bobbins]

Impossible to pick out a MOTM, Good team performance.

Agree with every word and every mark. Not going to bother posting my own as it's exactly the same.

Some highlights for me:

- Our winning back of the ball. Totally dominant. Sandro and Dembele are like two school bullies who won't let the other team play or have the ball for more than 3 seconds. Monsters.

- Defoe's overall game. He is clearly, obviously being properly coached by AVB. Possibly for the first time in his career? He is showing massive improvement in his game and the variety of things he's able to do for the team.

- Townsend. Showing again why he genuinely does have the ability to play at this level. He will be a long-term part of our future and an England regular. More talent than Walcott, Oxlaide-Chamberlain or Stirling, all of whom are ridiculously in the England side just because they're getting game time. When Andros does he'll move ahead of them all.

- Lloris. Ah my God we have Hugo Lloris! He just absolutely 100% clearly is a top class keeper and looked every inch of it in the little he had to do tonight. I actually think he would've saved the shot if Klose had connected for his hilarious miss. Just a wonderful, wonderful player and will be seen as a major, major signing in years to come. Got a great reception from the fans too.

Great performance, 2 great goals, should've been a great result. Keep it up AVB!

 

[Darrkespur]

We had 59% possession, and 9 shots, 7 of which were on target. They had ONE shot all game, which admittedly was a screamer. They fouled 21 times to our 7. This is not some pub team we should walk all over, Lazio are a damn good side, and although we didn't win, we were dominant. 7s all around, with special mention to Walker, Dempsey, Caulker and Lloris, who I thought played particularly well. Bale and Lennon lose a little bit for being wasteful. I'm getting very excited about this team. They're playing great football even though they aren't quite on the same page as each other. I can't wait to see how good they play once their fully up to speed.

Also, it shocks me to say it, but I actually think I'd prefer to have Dembele in this team than Modric. He goes past players in tight spaces in a similar way, but he's so much more strong and dominant. All our signings this year look top class, including Caulker returning from loan. That guy has future England captain written all over him.

 

[Gedson100]

I know I will get chastised for this, and I'm on a roll at the minute, but the Everton vs Newcastle game on Monday highlighted a lot of things that drive me mental about the Premiership. The tactics employed were so old hat it just infuriated me. I know people enjoy those games, but they just emphasise the lack of control within our game.

I really really enjoyed tonights game. I know there are aspects that need improving on, but we are really well organised and really well coached. If we can improve in the final third we will do very well.

I'm looking forward to us playing one of the feted English teams and controlling the game and hopefully getting a result.

If only we could go to Old Trafford and dominate a game like we did tonight or at Reading that would make people realise we're on the right track.

And it would be fucking great too.

 

[OmarsComing]

- Townsend. Showing again why he genuinely does have the ability to at this level. He will be a long-term part of our future and an England regular. More talent than Walcott, Oxlaide-Chamberlain or Sterling
rling, all of whom are ridiculously in the England side just because they're getting game time. When Andros does he'll move ahead of them all.
!

More talent than Walcott and AOC both of whom have many more games under their belts and are first team regulars and Walcott being an England regular for 6 years.

Bias much?

 

[Gedson100]

Also, it shocks me to say it, but I actually think I'd prefer to have Dembele in this team than Modric. He goes past players in tight spaces in a similar way, but he's so much more strong and dominant. All our signings this year look top class, including Caulker returning from loan. That guy has future England captain written all over him.

Been hoping Caulker would get his chance all season. Think with him Verts and Kaboom we're so strong at centre back.

Lloris, without having any saves to make, did exactly what you'd want him too; command his area, get vocal, play with energy.

If I was picking the team both would be mainstays from here on in. No time for sentiment. We've spent a big sum on Lloris. Surely he plays.

Amazing how many of our team are new players. Dembele, Lloris, Caulker, Naughton, Dempsey, Sigurdsson, Vertonghen all played tonight and have about 20 first team appearances between them. The changing of the guard has been significant!
Consider how well they've gelled in a smattering of games and think of the potential for improvement.
Ade hasn't even played yet, Bale and Lennon haven't shown top form. There is so much more to come.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Agree with every word and every mark. Not going to bother posting my own as it's exactly the same.

Some highlights for me:

- Our winning back of the ball. Totally dominant. Sandro and Dembele are like two school bullies who won't let the other team play or have the ball for more than 3 seconds. Monsters.

- Defoe's overall game. He is clearly, obviously being properly coached by AVB. Possibly for the first time in his career? He is showing massive improvement in his game and the variety of things he's able to do for the team.

- Townsend. Showing again why he genuinely does have the ability to play at this level. He will be a long-term part of our future and an England regular. More talent than Walcott, Oxlaide-Chamberlain or Stirling, all of whom are ridiculously in the England side just because they're getting game time. When Andros does he'll move ahead of them all.

- Lloris. Ah my God we have Hugo Lloris! He just absolutely 100% clearly is a top class keeper and looked every inch of it in the little he had to do tonight. I actually think he would've saved the shot if Klose had connected for his hilarious miss. Just a wonderful, wonderful player and will be seen as a major, major signing in years to come. Got a great reception from the fans too.

Great performance, 2 great goals, should've been a great result. Keep it up AVB!

The same thought occurred to me about Defoe. Possibly the first time in his career his been taught anything if the last two games are anything to go by. Wish I could agree about Townsend Bobbins. I think he's a headless chicken.

 

[BorisTM]

More talent than Walcott and AOC both of whom have many more games under there belts and are first team regulars and Walcott being an England regular for 6 years.

Bias much?

I like him though, he is good, quick and most importantly clever. If you watch the game against Reading, the last chance Defoe had, the volley that he missed to put in the net, was basically created by Townsend, starting from the a ball he received from Walker.

 

[Bobbins]

More talent than Walcott and AOC both of whom have many more games under there belts and are first team regulars and Walcott being an England regular for 6 years.

Bias much?

Blimey more games, that's a good measure of talent isn't it? By that logic Walcott's also better than Oscar or Hazard because he's got more games under his belt. Also by that measure Stewart Downing is a fucking genius given how many games he's got under his belt. Good science.

Theo Walcott has almost no discernable footballing talent. He's a sprinter who kicks a ball around. I thought everyone knew that?

Oxlaide-Chamberlain has been massively over-hyped and again has been subject to the usual English media's view that speed = massive footballing ability. It doesn't. He's a much better player than Walcott (already) but that's because Walcott is shite. Ox is a decent player who will develop into a good player.

So no not biased, it's called opinion. Though when it comes to Walcott, it's actually fact. Andros is a better footballer and you can see that within a few seconds of camparison of their actual skills.

 

[OmarsComing]

Just even thinking that Townsend is anywhere near their levels is simply laughable. You ask any unbias person who knows anything about football and they would say the same thing.

Both are regulars for Arsenal. Has Townsend started an EPL match yet?

And for the record I like him as well.

 

[woodyspur]

sounds like deuce had a pretty decent match. if i'd been able to see it i'd rate him higher than 6 ...

 

[Bobbins]

Wish I could agree about Townsend Bobbins. I think he's a headless chicken.

I think he's just a bit excitable at the moment BC, but he clearly has serious footballing ability based on his few appearances so far, he's got a great cross and an even better shot on him, fantastic turn of pace, and he's pretty strong as well. The shot he had tonight towards the end was similar to the goal he scored against Shamrock, and I've seen him do that a number of times.

He's got all the attributes, and with time, confidence and good coaching (which I think he will get from AVB) he'll develop into an excellent all-round attacking player.

Anyhoo we'll see obviously but I think he's got what it takes.

 

[CJMurray]

If Townsend gets his head up a bit more and lays the ball of earlier sometimes he could be a great player. Although, that is one of his best qualities so its a difficult call, he seem's to be effective because he's a head down runner and extremely direct, always looking to take on his man. Feel like he just tries too much at times.

Anyway, sure he'll be a good player and that'll come with correct coaching, time and experience.

 

[noahrobert]

Lloris - 7
Walker - 6
Vertonghen - 8
Caulker - 7
Naughton - 7
Sandro - 8.5
Dembele - 8
Lennon - 7
Dempsey - 7
Bale - 6
Defoe - 6

For my opinion, see above. Those marks were spot on IMO.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Sandro MOTM for me. Lloris and Verts look class acts. Naughon and Caulker have a way to go yet but have plenty of time

Start Lloris Sunday for petes sake, and Hugo's!

 

[chinaman]

Sandro was great and Naughton was very good. All in all a very positive display by the team.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Sandro was great and Naughton was very good. All in all a very positive display by the team.

We're you at the game or watching telly. How was Naughton very good??

 

[DiamondLites]

If Mason doesn't win this poll its a farce.


Naughton was very good again, calm, solid and good distribution. Seen some people saying he's better than Benny. Ridiculous, 2 solid games and he's better than Benny.

People said the same about Danny Rose

 

[ItsBoris]

Just even thinking that Townsend is anywhere near their levels is simply laughable. You ask any unbias person who knows anything about football and they would say the same thing.

Both are regulars for Arsenal. Has Townsend started an EPL match yet?

And for the record I like him as well.

Well to be fair, he could be as good or better for all we know. If he is, he's still going to have to fight his way into the team. But there's no reason he couldn't become a very good player imo.

 

[fortworthspur]

thought everyone did well.

Agree with the thoughts on Naughton - looks very comfortable.
Dempsey seemed much more involved than Siggy has - I wonder how long Siggy will keep his starting place.

Hard result to take, for me. Lazio put forth one of the more cynical efforts Ive seen in a long time and how they finished with 11 on the pitch is a mystery to me. Two perfectly good goals disallowed, too.

 

[ackie]

Aahh....the floodlights, the white kit, one of the competitions better sides at the Lane. An absolute shit load of positives from that thoroughly absorbing game.

You don't always need goals galore and crash bang wallop end to end jamboree, sometimes football is like a beautifully choreographed fencing dual. That was our best performance of the season. A 90 minute tactical and technical tussle, the kind I really enjoy watching. AGREE!

Our football was all about nurturing the ball, sucking Lazio in and out of position and trying to find the weakness in the guard. It was just unfortunate that the four times we did this they fell to the brainless Lennon, who completely wasted every single one with poor choice and delivery. A real shame because he did so well to get into those positions and Walker and Defoe did very well to find him each time with lovely through balls. Agree...he needs to learn when to shoot, when to cross and when to dribble or the simple first pass.

The officials also cost us two goals. Caulkers goal particularly galling, as it was never a foul, didn't even look like one, Piss poor refereeing on a night when the ref generally was good around the pitch.

I really enjoyed watching us play tonight. Our pressing and possession was very good, our movement was very good mostly and you can see clear evidence of coaching coming through. This shows in what our players are doing when they don't have the ball, both in and out of position. Agree! Movement was excellent with the pressing...but we had a hole at times in defense that could have cost us.

Clearly we are suffering from a lack of ultimate quality in the final third. Bale, Lennon, Walker, Defoe, Dempsey. All have qualities but those qualities are all very similar (mostly pace or power) , just in different degrees, but all lack wit, finesse and craft.

No-one played badly tonight, everyone put a shift in. We were very unlucky not to get the win our football deserved.

Ratings:

Lloris 7.5 - Hands up if you got a tingle when he came and grabbed that corner. Not shitloads to do but liked what he did tonight.

Walker 7.5 - Had a very good game generally. Played two sweet balls through to Lennon and was heavily involved, but must, must cut out the stupid give aways because they invariably put us under pressure and can ruin any good work he does. He was incredibly fortunate when he first gave it away and then dithered and ball watched which allowed them in behind for the only time in the game (a chance Klose inexplicably bungled). he also did 4/5 times when we were attacking with careless little passes, and it results in the opposition breaking with him out of the game and the midfield up the pitch.

Caulker 7.5 - Excellent. He could have cost us a goal...

Vertonghen 7.5 - A proper footballing CB. How the fuck did no-one better come and buy this guy.

Naughton 7.5 - Really good game tonight.

Lennon 6.5 - Marks for effort, but was put through 4 times and didn't make a single one count for anything. A couple of other times he ran into dead ends too. I like having lennon in the squad but we must improve this area of the pitch.

Sandro 7.5 - Excellent game, faded a little towards the end but not noticeably.

Dembele 7.5 - Good game.

Bale 7 - Best game so far this season. Seemed to work harder off the ball (I hope this is because he's been bollocked).

Dempsey 7 - Worked hard, unlucky to have a goal chalked off.

Defoe 7.5 - A very good effort from Defoe tonight. Worked channels, tried to hold it up and played two great little passes to put Lennon clean through.

Impossible to pick out a MOTM, Good team performance.

AGREE!!!