►►►►►► Ratings -vs- Queens Park Rangers◄◄◄◄◄◄

[JimmyG2]

Vertonghen ..9. Will prove to be our best signing in years. Ledleyesque tackle on Hoillet
Caulker.........8..Another classy player. Deserves to start in place of
Gallas...........6 Slower and slower on the ball. A veritable black hole in the back line.
Friedel .........7. Two very good saves in the first half or it might have been all over.
6 for all the rest for a variety of reasons except Sigurdsson..5...Not the player I thought
we had signed, possibly playing at a higher pace than he was used to at Swansea.

 

[StartingPrice]

MOM Hill Verts

 

[mano-obe]

Notable mentions.

Walker, headless chicken, with little movement around him he seemed to not know what to do with the ball.
Gallas, again sloppy with passing, and his first port of call with tackles and interceptions is the stands.
Bale, so greedy in really good positions, we could have had 4-5 if he'd got his head up.

Verts... Can we have 3 more like him please?

Dembele great start but was trying to do too much when we were behind and not showing.

Mug of the day goes to Tony Gale for three notable moments.

Criticising Sandro for "ironically clapping the ref" WTF? just happy to be baled out after a foul as he'd given the ball away...
Then for the "Spurs are being tactically outplayed" which was clearly a not so subtle dig at AVB (from a friend of H's)
Then to top it all off, he said we needed to bring on Caulker and put Vertonghen to LB and move Bale to Wing, then when this was done at half time he said "that's too late"

Gale was annoying and the worst part is I always get him and Paul Walsh mixed up!! They sound alike to me.

Vert an 8 for me, the others 6.5. The first half is taken into consideration for low scores. Sig and Walker I'd give 5.5

 

[davidmatzdorf]

• Friedel - 7 (Kept us in the game whilst we were playing crap.)
• Walker - 6 (Decent, except when he occasionally shared the contagion of losing the ball by passing to the opposition or being caught in possession.)
• Gallas - 6 (Some dodgy moments, but our defence usually handled the consequences of our midfield's uselessness with solidity.)
• Vertonghen - 8 (Every week he looks a more exciting player. He does everything well except headed clearances. Fast, creative, fine technique, can shoot, wonderful defensive anticipation and good tackling technique. The most exciting young central defender I've seen in years, anywhere. Spurs MotM by a mile.)
• Bale - 6 (In the first half, playing in a position he hasn't played in 2 years, he was let down by Dempsey, who wandered inside constantly, leaving Bale exposed and trapped in defence, thus neutralising his attacking play. Once Bale was playing in front of Vertonghen, he played a good game and was heavily involved in the winner.)
• Sandro - 5 (Substandard. Couldn't pass straight and was constantly a bit too late in closing down and tackling.)
• Dembélé - 5 (Much the same as Sandro, plus dubious judgment. Dembélé is great at retaining the ball under pressure, but when there's no one available to pass to, he goes up culs-de sac. Also, there were several occasions when a simple ball out wide was available, but he decided to dribble into traffic and lost the ball.)
• Sigurdsson - 5 (And much the same as Sandro and Dembélé. None of the midfielders was at the races today. Not one of them could pass to a white shirt and they were always second to the second ball.)
• Lennon - 7 (Very good game all round, with better decision making at the end of his frightening runs than on Thursday.)
• Dempsey - 5 (Failed to protect Bale in the first half and didn't really contribute much in the second half. Like the rest of the team, chronically too late to win the second ball.)
• Defoe - 7 (Did was he's paid to do. You can't really argue with his goals so far this season.)

SUBS:

• Caulker - 7 (The best thing I can say about Caulker in the past 2 matches is that he just looks comfortable at this level. There's no sign of a 'youth player' there anymore - and he's bulked up greatly.)
• Huddlestone - 6
• Townsend - 7 (only enough time to make one great run)

 

[Sanj]

Generally i thought we were slow in all aspects of our team game today. Passing was slow and laboured, movement was poor and players were slow to make the runs, we were slow to close down the opposition and slow to the second ball.
An un-spurs like performance, hence very pleased with the result.

Friedel 5 - a couple of very good saves, but responsible for allwing QPR to bully us with set-pieces. A number were flung into the 6 yard box and Friedel was nowhere to be seen. Though he was very poor in that respect today.
Walker 6 - got cought a couple of times but generally a decent performance. Improving defensively, would like to see him drive forward to the goalline a little more.
Gallas 5 - caught ball watching too often today. poor performance today.
*Verts 8 - Classy performance, though allowed QPR to beat him for a couple of headers in our box. MOM
Bale 7 - struggled to get into game at left back but defended OK, had little help from Dempsey. Totally diff 2nd half, seemd to come alive, and the width he offered help us back into the game.
Lennon 7 - Looked our sole threat for much of the match. A couple of good threatening crosses and some good runs, tho felt we lacked numbers in the box at times. Really needs to shoot a little more (and earlier)
Sandro 6 - seemed to struggle a bit today. seemed slow out to close down and to 2nd balls for much of the match. Passing struggled as we were too narrow for the 1st half.
Dembele 6 - tried to be involved, but QPR closed our midfield down well, and we had little time on the ball. Passing sloppy at times and he struggled to find space to glide past the oppo today.
Dempsey 6 - Worked hard, tried to get into game. Passing sloppy at times, and movement a little unsure from teh left wing. Offered no width at all. Vying with Defoe for most shots in a game award when pass was a better option. Better days will come.
Sigurdsson 6 - Felt for him a little today, looked for space but didn't get much ball. Our team selection left less space for him today and the passing into him was very poor 1st half. Played one lovely pass to JD who cut inside and screwed wide.
Defoe 6 - Poor performance today, but got on the scoresheet (thankfully). didn't get into the game (partly because of poor midfield performance) but workrate was poor. didn't really press defenders and gave the OLD qpr defence an easy afternoon.
Caulker 7 - Decent league debut in a tough match. Defended well enough, but was left exposed too often and no real help from Gallas today.
Hud/ Townsend NET
AVB 7 - Poor team shape to start with, partly due to Left back problems. Midfield was uninspiring, slow to move and seemed unsure of roles. Rejigged well at Half time to give our team a chance.

 

[AW?]

Verts and Kaboul with Hugo is genuinely quite arousing.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

No question Verts MOTM Class Act and saved Gallas on a couple of occasions

Thought Walker did pretty well. Thought it was Sigurdson playing everyone on for their goal?? (I'm a long way away in the Park Lane so stand corrected if wrong!!)

Lennon and (Bale 2nd half) did well

Caulker did well coming on at half time

Gallas slow and getting outmuscled now,prefer to give Daws a run of games

Dembele & Sandro looked tired

Not JD's best game

Sig looks a luxury player who won't fit in and we can't just wait around for the odd great goal

Dempsey- jury still out

Brad did well

We miss BAE big stylie!!!

 

[tippspur59]

Has to be Verts for MOTM,a revelation when he went LB and changed the coarse of the game.

 

[Nocando]

I'm going to split mine into both halves.

1st half

Brad - 7
Walker - 7
Gallas - 6
Verts - 6
Bale - 5
Sandro - 4
Sig - 4
Lennon - 7
Dembele - 6
Dempsey - 6
Defoe - 7

2nd half

Brad - 7
Walker - 7
Gallas - 6
Caulker - 7
Verts - 9
Bale - 8
Sandro - 8
Lennon - 8
Dembele - 7
Dempsey - 6
Defoe - 7

 

[chinaman]

Verts is MOM by a mile.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

There are those of us that like to analyse and dissect the tactical machinations of football. We like to evaluate how coaching and tactics are employed and effect the dynamics of the sporting confrontation. Those of us who like to do this have a name for the kind of game we saw today; A pile of wank.

I don't know whether it was a hangover from thursday's effort. I don't know if it was due to the tactical changes made. I don't know whether it was due to QPR playing extremely well. Probably all of those things, maybe a couple of more as well.

I honestly cannot pull any positive from any aspect of that game, with the possible exception of Jan Vertonghen, who was the only player who can come out of that game with any satisfaction in his performance.

We didn't press well. Our movement was awful. And it got worse as the game wore on. And towards the end we were sat ten men on our penalty box inviting the inevitable.

We did nothing well consistently. Individually and collectively we were poor. I cannot remember the last time a team like QPR (i.e. not Arsenal) came to WHL and had 56% of the fucking ball.

It was an understandable tactical idea to switch Bale to LB and Dempsey up into the front three. But it did not work. An attack already suffering from a drastic lack of intelligence now lost the only player with any presence or ability to scare defenders. Dempsey worked hard and tried to get involved but he is an ordinary footballer. The tactical change also saw Bale (a player who does not relishing defending at the best of times) horribly exposed as Dempsey failed to grasp the defensive discipline required and as a result QPR found it easy to outnumber and move through our midfield.

Sigurdsson is a footballer without portfolio. He is not technically bad. But he is tactically a gypsy. He belongs nowhere. he's no where near good enough to play as playmaker (or in the hole or VDV position if you like) and he's too flaky to play in the middle three. Always looking uncomfortable and never seemingly in the right place doing the right thing.

I have to give credit to QPR. They pressed like banshees, and when they won the ball they passed it and moved. They deserved more than they got from this game without a shadow of a doubt. More so than West Brom or Norwich whose false claims were based on odd flurries. This was a concerted and consistent performance from QPR and a salute their effort and tactics.

I fear this is going to be a tough few months, at least until we can get to January and pray we can add some quality to this team, so scarily bereft of intelligence.

We are desperately missing Modric. Dembele is technically a good footballer, and he doesn't shirk work, but we desperately miss a player like Modric who always knew when and where to play a pass, how to make himself available when others were under pressure, a player who played with his head up. Dembele's dribbling skills are good, but it is hard to dribble with your head up. Dembele in a midfield that contains Sandro and a player like Modric would compliment each other.

As an attacking force we are so devoid of clinical footballing intelligence it is scaring me shitless. Even though we played badly we still created several great scenarios that were wasted embarrassingly, because lennon, Defoe and Bale lack the individual and collective wherewithal to do the right or clever thing. The same was evident last week at Reading where chances weren't just wasted, but the chances to make chances were.


Ratings:

Friedel 7.5 - Went down to early for the gaol but otherwise had a decent game.

Walker 5.5 - Good attitude, bad aptitude. Makes some really basic mistakes.

Gallas 5.5 - Defensively was doing OK under extreme pressure until the moment he seemed to loose Zamora. He also gave the ball away when bringing it out a couple of times.

Vertonghen 8 - Very good performance on all fronts. At CB, at LB and as an attacker. Game saving tackle.

Bale 5.5 - £60m ? Seriously ?

Sigurdsson 4 - 11 passes in 45 minutes. Flapped around like a stewed prune in the turbine of a moulinex hairdryer.

Sandro 7 - Run ragged.

Dembele 6.5 - Get your head up.

Lennon 5.5 - ppffttt.

Defoe 4 - Total passes 5. Scored but games like today you realise how badly you need more than just someone who can score. You need someone who can help offer the team a foothold in the game and contribute to other than just his own tally.

Dempsey 5.5 - meh.

Caulker 7 - Did well generally.


Dowd the ref had a really poor game. Seemed hell bent on giving them every minor misdemeanour and ignoring most of their indiscretions, including a penalty we should have had.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

It was Bale playing everyone on at the far post for QPR's goal not Walker as some have stated. I'll say it again Walker had a very decent game

 

[Bus-Conductor]

It was Bale playing everyone on at the far post for QPR's goal not Walker as some have stated. I'll say it again Walker had a very decent game

I think you have a very loose definition of decent. It was one of Walker's trademark misjudgements that let Hoilet in in the first half.

 

[Yid121]

Friedel - 8
Walker - 6
Gallas - 7
Vertonghen - 9 MOTM one of best defensive performances by a Spurs player in recent times
Bale - 7
Sandro - 7
Sig - 5
Lennon - 8
Dembele - 8
Dempsey - 7
Defoe - 7

 

[DiamondLites]

Vertonghen changed the game when he went to LB, and he saved the game with a brilliant challenge. Easily MOTM

Walker was again very poor, he has no clue what he is going to do with the ball when he gets it and it slows our play down while he stutters with it. Naughton looks alot sharper with the ball

Siggy was dross. He has been dross all season bar one pass at Reading. His lack of technique has really suprised me. He will obviously improve, but for now take him out of the firing line and let him find his feet

Caulker was a dominant force, the kid is the future

Sandro was beastly, eventually, after a slow start

 

[southlondonyiddo]

I think you have a very loose definition of decent. It was one of Walker's trademark misjudgements that let Hoilet in in the first half.

5.5 for Lennon? Seriously?

 

[Bus-Conductor]

5.5 for Lennon? Seriously?

Too much ?

 

[CJMurray]

Once Benny is back and fit, anyone else fancy dropping Walker for Naughton at RB for a couple of weeks? Really impressed by Naughton so far at left back, so am keen to see what he would do in his natural position. He looks a better footballer technically than Walker, but nowhere near as good physically.

 

[mpickard2087]

Friedel 7 - One good save, one pretty good save, didnt have a lot to do after that. Decent game but distribution could be better, particularly the time he often takes to get rid of the ball.

Walker 6 - Just about par. He would be a serious contender for the 'footballer with least footballing intelligence' award if they introduced it. Some of the decisions he makes are baffling.

Gallas 6 - Did ok but having more and more moments where he gets caught out. Looks uncomfortable bringing the ball out of defence and building a phase of possession. I would like to see the Caulker-Vertonghen partnership established pronto.

Vertonghen 9 - Just a brilliant player. A rock in defence and his driving runs forward were often our most dangerous moments. Topped it all with that tackle to save two points. Fantastic game.

Bale 6 - Not great. Better in the second half where he linked up pretty well with Vertonghen, but it was Jan who was the main driving force on that wing.

Sandro 6 - For an hour or so I thought he was having a pretty poor game, looked sluggish and some wayward distribution. Kept battling though as you would expect and eventually grew into the game.

Dembele 6 - Pretty quiet from him today, When he did have it he often tried to do too much and often ran into trouble.

Sigurdsson 4 - Im struggling to see where he fits into this team. Its been what five games now, usually with a new signing even if they arent setting the world alight you can at least see what qualities they have and what they will offer the team once they have found their feet... but with Sigurdsson I still couldnt tell you in all honesty. Must do better.

Lennon 6.5 - A few good runs and looked lively at times, lacked end product though.

Dempsey 6 - Anonymous out wide, when moved centrally he at least had a bit more influence and posed some threat.

Defoe 6 - Pretty quiet but popped up with the winning goal. He is working harder this year but I cant wait for Adebayor to get back to full fitness.

Subs:

Caulker 7 - Did well, very dominant in the air and a huge threat for us at set pieces.

Hudd n/a

Townsend n/a

 

[garyhopkins]

Friedel 7
Walker 6
Bale 6.5
Gallas 6
Vertonghen 9
Sandro 7
Lennon 6
Dembele 6
Sigurdsson 5
Dempsey 6
Defoe 5.5
sub Caulker 7