- May 26, 2004
- 4,797
- 2,139
Good Week
AVB
First home win, and a good performance on Thursday to Lazio, credit has to go to the gaffer. After an absolutely shoddy first half performance, he made a half time sub and switched formation and it worked, to a certain degree. We didn’t dominate the second half but we played a lot better.
I think it was in The Times on Friday where I read that one of the problems with AVB was he didn’t make game changing subs, like the man he always gets compared to, Mourinho. Well he did on Sunday and it got us the points, the first time we have come from a losing position to win the game since something ridiculous like 2010.
Jermain Defoe
It may be a case of enjoying it while it lasts, but another start and a goal for JD. AVB appears to examine players on their performance rather than their reputation and, like the next man on this list, Defoe is enjoying a rich vein of form and the trust and faith of his manager.
Brad Friedel
Like Ariston, Brad keeps going on, and on, and on. A couple of terrific saves in the first half keep us in the game, and he has shut up a lot of journos and people in France.
Hugo Lloris
Okay, he has yet to make a league appearance, but on his debut against Lazio he looked very assured, very much in tune with our passing intentions, and excitingly commanded the high ball very well. While he may have to wait a few more weeks for his chance in the Premier League, he does not look like he will fail us.
Steven Caulker
First start against Lazio, and an assured display against Miroslav Klose and pals, then a half time appearance against QPR as we turned the game around. Has certainly jumped ahead of Michel Dawson in the list of centre back choices, thankfully it looks like he has made a good impression on AVB and may be pushing for his first Spurs league start at Old Trafford, given the injuries to our left backs.
Jan Vertonghen
Oozes class.
Andros Townsend, Ryan Mason, and other youth players
Heard someone criticise our bench on the Spurs Show podcast, but personally I am delighted young players are getting the chance to appear for Spurs. Townsend has been bumped to first wing reserve and should get plenty of game time this season. I like Andros, he is a direct runner with a bit of skill, and I think he will do well for us. Mason might have thought his chance has gone but that does not appear to be the case, although he might hope on his next appearance he will actually touch the ball, while overall I am very pleased that AVB has faith in the kids.
We’ve cut some of the driftwood from the squad, a couple more should be moved on, and then when injuries start to mount as they have the younger players can get their chance to impress. It was, after all, why we lobbied to get the subs increased from 5 to 7.
Losers
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Was completely lost on Sunday. Unable to link up with Defoe, lacking the strength to make a physical impact on the game, not supported in pressing Faurlin and Granero, and often tripping over Dempsey, the Icelander struggled.
By no means the death knell on his Spurs career, but I think AVB might need to re-examine Siggy’s role when we play teams who condense the space in the middle of the pitch. The ex-Swansea man does not help hold the ball or link the play that helps alleviate pressure, and in a way I wonder if it might not be worth swamping Dembele and Siggy round. Get Moussa operating in the final third more often, where his strength and tight dribbling ability could open up opportunities, and get Siggy arriving from deep, striking second balls and half clearances back at goal. Either way, he/we need to work on his role more.
Michael Dawson
Poor Daws. From club captain to fourth, even fifth choice centre back.
Spurs fans
I don’t like booing in general, and the way it makes our club look is terrible. Not a match report passed my eyes without a comment about being booed off at half time, fickle spurs fan, etc etc. That said, the team could help by not putting in such a poor effort, but I just hope we don’t fall into a habit of booing the lads whenever a result or performance isn’t top notch.
The officials for the Lazio game
Now I’m not saying that Lazio paid off the officials on Thursday night.....
The Subs Table
Townsend missed a chance to make a mark against Lazio, staying on 0 points. Caulker came on at half time for Siggy as we turned Sunday’s match around
Defoe + 4
Caulker + 3
Sandro 0
Kane 0
Adebayor 0
Townsend 0
Mason 0
Jenas -2
Huddlestone -2
Sigurdsson - 3
AVB
First home win, and a good performance on Thursday to Lazio, credit has to go to the gaffer. After an absolutely shoddy first half performance, he made a half time sub and switched formation and it worked, to a certain degree. We didn’t dominate the second half but we played a lot better.
I think it was in The Times on Friday where I read that one of the problems with AVB was he didn’t make game changing subs, like the man he always gets compared to, Mourinho. Well he did on Sunday and it got us the points, the first time we have come from a losing position to win the game since something ridiculous like 2010.
Jermain Defoe
It may be a case of enjoying it while it lasts, but another start and a goal for JD. AVB appears to examine players on their performance rather than their reputation and, like the next man on this list, Defoe is enjoying a rich vein of form and the trust and faith of his manager.
Brad Friedel
Like Ariston, Brad keeps going on, and on, and on. A couple of terrific saves in the first half keep us in the game, and he has shut up a lot of journos and people in France.
Hugo Lloris
Okay, he has yet to make a league appearance, but on his debut against Lazio he looked very assured, very much in tune with our passing intentions, and excitingly commanded the high ball very well. While he may have to wait a few more weeks for his chance in the Premier League, he does not look like he will fail us.
Steven Caulker
First start against Lazio, and an assured display against Miroslav Klose and pals, then a half time appearance against QPR as we turned the game around. Has certainly jumped ahead of Michel Dawson in the list of centre back choices, thankfully it looks like he has made a good impression on AVB and may be pushing for his first Spurs league start at Old Trafford, given the injuries to our left backs.
Jan Vertonghen
Oozes class.
Andros Townsend, Ryan Mason, and other youth players
Heard someone criticise our bench on the Spurs Show podcast, but personally I am delighted young players are getting the chance to appear for Spurs. Townsend has been bumped to first wing reserve and should get plenty of game time this season. I like Andros, he is a direct runner with a bit of skill, and I think he will do well for us. Mason might have thought his chance has gone but that does not appear to be the case, although he might hope on his next appearance he will actually touch the ball, while overall I am very pleased that AVB has faith in the kids.
We’ve cut some of the driftwood from the squad, a couple more should be moved on, and then when injuries start to mount as they have the younger players can get their chance to impress. It was, after all, why we lobbied to get the subs increased from 5 to 7.
Losers
Gylfi Sigurdsson
Was completely lost on Sunday. Unable to link up with Defoe, lacking the strength to make a physical impact on the game, not supported in pressing Faurlin and Granero, and often tripping over Dempsey, the Icelander struggled.
By no means the death knell on his Spurs career, but I think AVB might need to re-examine Siggy’s role when we play teams who condense the space in the middle of the pitch. The ex-Swansea man does not help hold the ball or link the play that helps alleviate pressure, and in a way I wonder if it might not be worth swamping Dembele and Siggy round. Get Moussa operating in the final third more often, where his strength and tight dribbling ability could open up opportunities, and get Siggy arriving from deep, striking second balls and half clearances back at goal. Either way, he/we need to work on his role more.
Michael Dawson
Poor Daws. From club captain to fourth, even fifth choice centre back.
Spurs fans
I don’t like booing in general, and the way it makes our club look is terrible. Not a match report passed my eyes without a comment about being booed off at half time, fickle spurs fan, etc etc. That said, the team could help by not putting in such a poor effort, but I just hope we don’t fall into a habit of booing the lads whenever a result or performance isn’t top notch.
The officials for the Lazio game
Now I’m not saying that Lazio paid off the officials on Thursday night.....
The Subs Table
Townsend missed a chance to make a mark against Lazio, staying on 0 points. Caulker came on at half time for Siggy as we turned Sunday’s match around
Defoe + 4
Caulker + 3
Sandro 0
Kane 0
Adebayor 0
Townsend 0
Mason 0
Jenas -2
Huddlestone -2
Sigurdsson - 3