- Aug 4, 2003
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AVB changed the tactics tonight and badly got it wrong. With Bale not playing and Lennon only coming on in the second half we lacked pace on the break which we have been so good at recently. Defoe looked off the boil, Adebayor wasn't great but improved second half. Anyone know why BAE wasn't playing and didn't even come on as a sub ? Walker made some shocking mistakes, Gallas should retire, and Dawson should play next European game. Oh and bring back Lloris as well.
I think Walker should have been pushed up to RW with Naughton behind him at RB and BAE at LB. Walker's great attacking but a bit distracted defensively, and we lacked width due to Bale, Dempsey and Lennon not being available to start. If AVB had instructed the full backs to push up then he should have compensated with extra cover in defence instead of playing 2 strikers - it was as though we were chasing the game when we should've been playing on the break and staying deeper. Time after time we senselessly attacked when we should have been keeping the ball instead. Lots of lessons to be learnt, luckily it didn't cost us a cup exit, though it did cost us in terms of player fatigue and knocking our confidence once again.