Humble Pie? Give Me The Spoon!

[rez9000]

As a trenchant dissenter of Zokora's presence at Spurs, I have to say that yesterday he played well, very well. And not just in comparison to a typical Zokora-at-Spurs performance but in terms of an actual footballer. He tackled well, made some decent passes (although he still hasn't fully ironed out his left-side blindspot) and stretched West Ham on ocassion with his runs. If it continues then perhaps we can steady the boat a little more from central midfield.

So, it's time for me to swallow some humble pie. Anyone got any mash?

 

[Joey]

I enjoyed watching him play yesterday...unlike you, im quite a supporter of Zokora, and I think that he gets some hard lines on here. He is often picked out as a weak link in our midfield when the reality has been that our midfield in its entirity is the weak link. Good performance yesterday all the same by both him and Jenas.

 

[The Apprentice]

I think he's a better centre back than Kaboul and Chimbonda. Not convinced he can play to a sufficient level as one of two central midfielders. He certainly improved for the switch to 3-5-2. Suited his game more.

Great squad player.

 

[Shanks]

What impressed me most about Zokora yesterday was his covering of the defense.
When Kaboul went off, he was covering at the back very well.

Maybe he might start improving under ramos' instructions!

 

[Has1978]

Credit where it's due - strong performance from the man yesterday. Hope he keeps it going now.

 

[Kendall]

it was tightly packed yesterday and his turn of pace created space where normally there would be none. I thought he did well yesterday, put in some good tackles.

Last season in that type of game our midfield would've folded, but I was impressed with the way they battled, that includes Lennon, he was like a man possessed yesterday

 

[DC_Boy]

Yep good game yesterday - shame he's not three inches taller, he could probably be a first choice CB then

 

[Krafty]

It was a very good perforamce from a lot of the boys. I was afraid that when he got booked early on it would lead to him getting sent off but he played really well, and it was almost as the tackle that got him booked put his mark on the midfield. He wasnt afraid to make interceptions, whereas before he would drop back. I think its a confidence that Ramos ahs brought to the team. Everyone seems to have upped their game.

 

[Flatters]

Just the central midfielder we've been lacking.

 

[SouthLondonSpur]

Liked Zokora yesterday, played well. Looked hungry. A lot like JJ. Could they be making their plight to be saved?

 

[Bobbins]

Good performance, obviously is more suited to a Makelele-type role playing behind two central midfield players where he can sweep up loose balls, cover the defense and make some nice forward runs to relieve some pressure. His passing was noticeably better yesterday, much more accurate and inventive. Actually put in some really good tackles as opposed to just running alongside the opposition as he usually does.

He really hasn't been anything like as bad as people seem to enjoy making out, though. Showed he's an excellent utility player as well, I loved the bit where he and Chimbonda just about managed to stop Cole scoring and proper hi-fived and gave each other a hug afterwards!

 

[orkneyspur]

Good point Bobbins, I felt that the interchange between Chimbonda and Zoko when that happened is something we never see. It was as though a team bonding is beginging to grow. Zokora did play well, hope it continues.

 

[rez9000]

Good point Bobbins, I felt that the interchange between Chimbonda and Zoko when that happened is something we never see. It was as though a team bonding is beginging to grow. Zokora did play well, hope it continues.

I think they're good buddies in the dressing room. I remember Middlesbrough at the Lane (last season?), where a Boro player (Boateng) took out Zokora, and Chimbonda came running from the other side of the pitch to defend Didi. I was right above it in the East Stand Upper. Classic!

 

[LadieK]

I've liked Zoko from day one so I don't need to eat any humble pie, but I'll spoon feed you by all means.

Perhaps these players did have the wrong leader - as much as I love BMJ, Ramos seems to be getting so much more out of the players already.

Jenas is one example! Chimbonda actually seems to be playing for the team, Zokora looked great yesterday and Robbo was immense! :clap:

 

[LadieK]

I think they're good buddies in the dressing room. I remember Middlesbrough at the Lane (last season?), where a Boro player (Boateng) took out Zokora, and Chimbonda came running from the other side of the pitch to defend Didi. I was right above it in the East Stand Upper. Classic!

:lol:

I remember that! I like it when the players 'have achothers backs' - and I also find it funny how so many players try to fight with Zoko!! He never seems to stop smiling :lol:

 

[Stoof]

Having Chimbonda and Zokora play close to each other is a thing of tactical genius - seeing as how Didi loves to pass to Pas the closer they are, the less chance of passes going wrong!

:wink:

He's played well in his last 4-5 games.

*pinches self*

 

[SpurSince57]

He's always done well when plonked in front of the back four on the occasions when we've played a diamond (or when we went 4-5-1 against Chelsea at the Lane last season).

 

[liewser]

:lol:

I remember that! I like it when the players 'have achothers backs' - and I also find it funny how so many players try to fight with Zoko!! He never seems to stop smiling :lol:

Probably cos he commits a few fouls and goes down very easily!

 

[yanno]

He's always done well when plonked in front of the back four on the occasions when we've played a diamond (or when we went 4-5-1 against Chelsea at the Lane last season).

I agree. I think playing as a spare CB, using his exceptional pace to clean up the bits and pieces, suits him to a tee. Also, at the back he has more time on the ball to make short, simple passes.

Against that, when in midfield, he did make a typically eye-catching surging run and then - as per usual - played a terrible ball behind Berba, much to Dmitar's irritation.

I still hope Ramos can get him playing as a high-tempo, pressing CM, winning the ball and passing simply. I don't think he's good enough in the air to play as an orthodox CB, and as I've said in other threads, I think our 3-5-2 system yesterday was firefighting by Ramos. I don't think long-term we'll play with three CBs - unless, complete wild card here, Ramos sees the Hud as a spare CB.

 

[smithym]

Fair play to you mate, at least you are big enough to admit it. I have found it very hard to call Zoko shit, mainly because I have his name on the back of my shirt, I would just look stupid walking around saying "fuck me zokora is god awfull!!" when the obvious retort would be "so why are you wearing a shirt with his name on"

Anyway, wooooooooooooo GO ZOKO!!!!!!