- May 26, 2004
- 4,780
- 2,108
Good Week
Aaron Lennon
'Azza' kept his early form going, picking up another assist for Defoe and looking dangerous every time he picked up the ball, making ArseHole look ordinary.
Given how he has played, and the fact Sigurdsson/Dempsey were playing from the left, you have to wonder why we did not look to use Lennon more often. It's the same reason why I was surprised he did not play against Poland (with Cleverley on the left) as he offers the width, pace, and attacking threat of the midfield. First half we didn't look to attack their left flank nearly enough. Lennon was THE threat and should have been used more often.
Jermain Defoe
First half he was the bad Defoe - out of the game, and greedy when he did get on the ball. Second half he looked to have more support, was in the game more, and scored, which apparently he doesn't do against the top teams (which of course the best players do every single time....yawn)
Possibly Michael Dawson, but probably Benoit Assou-Ekotto
There is a question mark over one of our centre backs now (see below), possibly giving Daws a route into the team. However what I feel will be far more likely will be BAE returning at left back and Vertonghen partnering Caulker in the centre.
Brad Friedel, but ultimately Hugo Lloris
So Brad returned and while he wasn't bad, there wasn't any conclusive reason for him to still be first choice. Some saves were pushed back out into the danger zone, he was still a little hesitant coming off his line, and I think it is now time to play the XI who will be starting next season.
Huddlestone
First league start, looked to impose himself better in the second half, and delivered some good set pieces. I was surprised to see him subbed off as he was one of two midfielders who looked comfortable on the ball, Lennon being the other.
Bad Week
William Gallas
From zero, to hero, to zero again. He got a goal but his defensive play was terrible. If Caulker had made those errors you would say he needs to learn from it, but even then it's defending 101 to clear balls away from the goal, not put them on the penalty spot. He seemed to have problems sorting out his feet, and I think its time to move on. The beginning of the end? I think so. He's done a lot for us, but AVB should look to the future.
If Gallas plays like that then you might as well play Daws who is equally ungainly but much stronger in the air.
AVB
Another poor first half, and more late goals conceded. I can't fault him for going 4-2-3-1 to begin with but the central two midfielders were so deep they were stepping on the defenders toes and gave Chelsea's central two far too much time on the pitch. Second half we pressed them a lot better but the sub of Huddlestone was a little strange for me, and we turned to jelly once we grabbed the lead.
Also, the Sigurdsson/Dempsey problem arose again. In the 4-2-3-1 system neither get near enough the striker, and whoever is meant to be on the left doesn't get anywhere near the touchline to help Vertonghen and offer an option. Second half and the 4-4-2 seemed to help Sigurdsson as he finally understood what his role was, but in hindsight should Bale's replacement been a more natural like for like in Andros Townsend? Dempsey and Sigurdsson are not suited for that role.
That being said, losing Bale so late would have made things difficult.
Massimo Luongo
Ipswich are struggling but judging by the Ipswich fansites Massimo has been one of the better performers. However the tractor boys have brought in more experienced players like Nigel Reo-Coker, and Paul Jewell looks on the brink. The new man will want results so its unlikely he'll get much game time. Would not be a surprise to see him recalled, then sent out on loan somewhere else in January.
Subs Table
Defoe + 4
Caulker + 3
Lennon +2
Dempsey +2
Sandro 0
Kane 0
Adebayor 0
Mason 0
Livermore - 1
Huddlestone -1
Townsend -2
Jenas -2
Sigurdsson - 5
Aaron Lennon
'Azza' kept his early form going, picking up another assist for Defoe and looking dangerous every time he picked up the ball, making ArseHole look ordinary.
Given how he has played, and the fact Sigurdsson/Dempsey were playing from the left, you have to wonder why we did not look to use Lennon more often. It's the same reason why I was surprised he did not play against Poland (with Cleverley on the left) as he offers the width, pace, and attacking threat of the midfield. First half we didn't look to attack their left flank nearly enough. Lennon was THE threat and should have been used more often.
Jermain Defoe
First half he was the bad Defoe - out of the game, and greedy when he did get on the ball. Second half he looked to have more support, was in the game more, and scored, which apparently he doesn't do against the top teams (which of course the best players do every single time....yawn)
Possibly Michael Dawson, but probably Benoit Assou-Ekotto
There is a question mark over one of our centre backs now (see below), possibly giving Daws a route into the team. However what I feel will be far more likely will be BAE returning at left back and Vertonghen partnering Caulker in the centre.
Brad Friedel, but ultimately Hugo Lloris
So Brad returned and while he wasn't bad, there wasn't any conclusive reason for him to still be first choice. Some saves were pushed back out into the danger zone, he was still a little hesitant coming off his line, and I think it is now time to play the XI who will be starting next season.
Huddlestone
First league start, looked to impose himself better in the second half, and delivered some good set pieces. I was surprised to see him subbed off as he was one of two midfielders who looked comfortable on the ball, Lennon being the other.
Bad Week
William Gallas
From zero, to hero, to zero again. He got a goal but his defensive play was terrible. If Caulker had made those errors you would say he needs to learn from it, but even then it's defending 101 to clear balls away from the goal, not put them on the penalty spot. He seemed to have problems sorting out his feet, and I think its time to move on. The beginning of the end? I think so. He's done a lot for us, but AVB should look to the future.
If Gallas plays like that then you might as well play Daws who is equally ungainly but much stronger in the air.
AVB
Another poor first half, and more late goals conceded. I can't fault him for going 4-2-3-1 to begin with but the central two midfielders were so deep they were stepping on the defenders toes and gave Chelsea's central two far too much time on the pitch. Second half we pressed them a lot better but the sub of Huddlestone was a little strange for me, and we turned to jelly once we grabbed the lead.
Also, the Sigurdsson/Dempsey problem arose again. In the 4-2-3-1 system neither get near enough the striker, and whoever is meant to be on the left doesn't get anywhere near the touchline to help Vertonghen and offer an option. Second half and the 4-4-2 seemed to help Sigurdsson as he finally understood what his role was, but in hindsight should Bale's replacement been a more natural like for like in Andros Townsend? Dempsey and Sigurdsson are not suited for that role.
That being said, losing Bale so late would have made things difficult.
Massimo Luongo
Ipswich are struggling but judging by the Ipswich fansites Massimo has been one of the better performers. However the tractor boys have brought in more experienced players like Nigel Reo-Coker, and Paul Jewell looks on the brink. The new man will want results so its unlikely he'll get much game time. Would not be a surprise to see him recalled, then sent out on loan somewhere else in January.
Subs Table
Defoe + 4
Caulker + 3
Lennon +2
Dempsey +2
Sandro 0
Kane 0
Adebayor 0
Mason 0
Livermore - 1
Huddlestone -1
Townsend -2
Jenas -2
Sigurdsson - 5