International Round-up: Keano scores, Hutton Impresses, Stop Calling Bale a Monkey

[lishiyo]

Feel free to share your thoughts on our internationals' performances here :grin:


Lennon (England 2 - 1 Ukraine)

This seems to be a point of debate depending on how biased (read: anti-Spurs) you are. I didn't see all of the game but I thought that basically the same thing happened again - most of our play happened down the left and he was bypassed so he didn't really have a chance to impress. I thought his final balls were generally fine, but for some reason they never mentioned it when he put in a decent cross, yet immediately came out with the "he needs to improve his final ball" shtick as soon as his next one was shaky. I'd like to see him be more aggressive and demand the ball more and be more willing to take on his man, but in all honesty I care a lot more about how he does for Spurs than for England. The media are attempting to portray his performance as if he'll never get another chance to get ahead of Beckham/Walnut/SWP in the pecking order, but frankly if he keeps improving for Spurs, Capello will give him his chances. The right winger's spot is still very much in the air.


Keano (Ireland 1 - 1 Italy)

Robbie scored in the 87th minute. From what I heard, he had his usual "pretty much invisible yet coming out of nowhere with the goods in the end" for Ireland game (edit: mind you, this comes from fans who still cry over Stephen Ireland - match reports say Keano did well in linking up play but lacked the finishing touch at times). Do you know that he has never lost a game for Ireland in which he scored, with the exception of a 2002 WC game vs Spain that was lost on penalties? Scoring should give him more confidence and hopefully will help a lot against Blackburn! :beer:


Pav (Russia 1 - 0 Liechtenstein)

Pav started and played most of the game evil: bad Hiddink, we need him fresh!). I watched the game and he seemed to be a bit off the pace, maybe sluggish or weak and kept getting called offside. That said he popped up with moments of class when he did get involved. Had a sweet strike called offside and then about 10 seconds later a mg: long-range lob that went close, unlucky! So his finishing seems fine right now, but I'm still worried about how tired he is; if Bent's out for Blackburn, Pav will likely be starting I'd assume, though Campbell is also a possibility (and a recall for Obika of course ).

Wasn't the most impressive of Russia performances, but I'd love to have that whole squad at the Lane. Can we nick a few Russian youngsters? I've heard rumors we've been scouting more in Eastern Europe around Serbia and Croatia.


Bale and Gunter (Wales 0-2 Germany)

Bale started at left mid I believe (not sure though - can anyone confirm?), while Gunter was a 53' sub. Wales battled hard, much better than they did vs Finland but it wasn't enough. I heard that Bale did pretty well going forward as usual, while Gunter's name rarely gets mentioned so I assume he put in his usual solid if unspectacular shift.

Wales, though, reacted positively, and Gareth Bale in particular - one of a number of young players in Toshack's eleven - urged his side forward and tried to feed in Robert Earnshaw, only for the forward to squander the opportunity.

Gareth Bale has still to unlock his international form at club level, but the left-wing back continued his fine form in Wales red in the 36th minute, first winning a free-kick before fizzing in a cross which Danny Collins headed inches wide.

81: Brilliant stuff from Bale who isn't giving up yet. He wins the ball and Ledley curls in a cross, but Lahm is there covering again to clear for Germany.

Bale- 7.0: It was a toss-up between Bale and Philipp Lahm as to which full-back did the most running during the game. The Welsh youngster, who is not a regular at Tottenham, put in yet another top display for his country.

Ok, so Bale's a frustrating kid but it's obvious he has talent. Let's get off his back and let him keep up his extra training, and stop calling him monkey, it's probably jinxing him or something.


Hutton (Scotland 2 - 1 Iceland)

By practically all accounts he was very good - numerous marauding runs, some brilliant work to set up the first goal, could've (should've?) scored a few himself. Granted it's only Iceland, but not bad for a guy who hasn't played in forever.

Alan Hutton - His burst into the box to set up Scotland's opening goal and belied his long spell out injured and he almost fashioned a goal for himself after the break. 7

- 8 rating and MOTM from Setanta.

With Fletcher playing off Kenny Miller in attack, Burley’s men had plenty bustling energy about them, not least in the extraordinary figure of Hutton, a man who has been out of football for four months, but who took this game to his opponents just as he had against Italy on that famous night in November 2007.
...
But it was the Scots who claimed the lead six minutes before half-time, and it was a fine, sweeping attack by Hutton and finish by McCormack. Hutton took on Hermann Hreidarsson for pace and beat the Icelandic defender before crossing low into the penalty area.

Palacios (Honduras 3 - 1 Mexico)

Sven is about to be out of a job very, very soon. Gio didn't play (injury), while Sgt Wilson had a bit of a handbags moment but played in what was a pretty convincing victory for Honduras. This part of a match report worries me though:

Castillo continued to make his presence known on the field, however, for the wrong reasons. Castillo slammed Palacios in the ankle after Palacios had sent a ball to a teammate. Palacios lay on the ground in apparent pain while Castillo's teammates surrounded Castillo and apparently questioned his play.

Eek Stay safe Sgt. Wilson!!


Modric and Corluka (Croatia 2 - 0 Andorra)

Modric didn't play, thanks Bilic! :grin: Hopefully it's just a precaution and he'll be fresh and ready for Blackburn. They had like 75% possession and didn't do much except jog around (only one shot on goal in the second half lol), so hopefully Charlie's not tired either. Hutton did a lot of running but it seems like he's starting to regain his form, so we're doing well at right back.


Taarabt (Morocco 2 - 0 Angola)

Everyone and their mother has seen his goal and assist right?

 

[masterblaster80]

Nicely written and sourced with quotes and videos, very well done.

Thanks for the update and quite true on your comments

 

[AdelaideSpur]

Castillo's team mates sorrounded Castillo? good team harmony.
I watched about 45 min of the Wales game and 15 of the Irish, Bale looked good, he had speed to burn and was in the game quite a lot.
As for Ireland, I saw keanes goal, plus he had a volley right at the end to win it, ball coming over his right shoulder so he hit it on the turn, unfortuantely it hit his shin and he sent it straight over.

 

[DC_Boy]

great stuff lishiyo

wonder why modric didnt play

I have a feeling that wilson should miss the rovers game with the jet lag and now perhaps a knock

hope pav's not too knackered if Bent's not fit

keano should be full of beans

 

[lishiyo]

great stuff lishiyo

wonder why modric didnt play

I have a feeling that wilson should miss the rovers game with the jet lag and now perhaps a knock

hope pav's not too knackered if Bent's not fit

keano should be full of beans

modric picked up something minor in training, it doesn't seem like a big deal so hopefully he can play. i think bilic just wanted to be careful, the whole team played like they just wanted to get the 3 pts without risk of injury and didn't do anything after scoring

 

[DC_Boy]

modric picked up something minor in training, it doesn't seem like a big deal so hopefully he can play. i think bilic just wanted to be careful, the whole team played like they just wanted to get the 3 pts without risk of injury and didn't do anything after scoring

thanx again ly - you're a veritable treasure trove of info

I can't give you anymore rep ATM but when I can I will

incidentally I think spurs fans on the whole have been supportive of Bale, I can think of some players who had they put in some of the performances that Bale has for us this season would have been royally slaughtered on here

he obviously deserves some slack cos of his relatively young age, and of course I hope he makes it with us, but he is sooooo lucky he's not one of the chosen scapegoats cos his spurs career would be pretty much finished by now

even now some people think he should play LM for us - yeah right, and quite a few seem to think he is decent cover at LB - yeah right again

ATM he is LM cover and that's it - he may improve sufficiently to be worthy of a regular first team slot - may not - we'll see

 

[Dougal]

Keano (Ireland 1 - 1 Italy)

Robbie scored in the 87th minute. From what I heard, he had his usual "pretty much invisible yet coming out of nowhere with the goods in the end" for Ireland game. Do you know that he has never lost a game for Ireland in which he scored, with the exception of a 2002 WC game vs Spain that was lost on penalties? Scoring should give him more confidence and hopefully will help a lot against Blackburn! :beer:

One thing he doesn't lack is confidence. Due to the early sending off of Pazzini we brought on another striker (Folan) to play alongside Doyle allowing Keane to drop into a deeper role behind the front two, one which many Yids have asked for Keane to be played in for Spurs. Against most defences and 10 men this would have ripped them apart but once the Italians grabbed their early goal getting past their backline was going to be a mountain to climb. Keane was involved plenty in the slow steady build up play, had a couple of half chances without really getting anywhere until his goal and then so nearly snatching all the points at the end, just catching a ball coming over his shoulder on the volley all at the base of his shin. 'Invisible'? For a 20 minute spell in the second half - yes, but not as much as indicated in the first post. Great result for Ireland.

 

[DC_Boy]

oh no not the keane playing deep again biz dougal
oh and congrats to Keano BTW

some spurs fans might want it, some spurs fans including me can't stand it - keep him as a striker (where's he doing well, and can drop off as and when) or nowhere

we can't afford to lose lennon jj wp or lm to accomodate keane and even if one of them is not available i'd rather have zokora o'hara hudd taarabt for starters

 

[Dougal]

oh no not the keane playing deep again biz dougal
oh and congrats to Keano BTW

some spurs fans might want it, some spurs fans including me can't stand it - keep him as a striker (where's he doing well, and can drop off as and when) or nowhere

we can't afford to lose lennon jj wp or lm to accomodate keane and even if one of them is not available i'd rather have zokora o'hara hudd taarabt for starters

Oh I agree, never wanted him in the deeper role. Just pointing out that for anyone who would want him there, watch last night's game and see how he handles it.

 

[lishiyo]

I did read that Keane did well in link up play, just lacked the finishing touch at times - I was just making fun of a few Ireland fans I know who never appreciate him even though he's their captain and top scorer, while wanking over McGeady and Dunne and crying over Stephen Ireland.

 

[Dougal]

I did read that Keane did well in link up play, just lacked the finishing touch at times - I was just making fun of a few Ireland fans I know who never appreciate him even though he's their captain and top scorer, while wanking over McGeady and Dunne and crying over Stephen Ireland.

I know the type Although Dunne is immense in the green shirt while Stephen Ireland can go fuck himself. McGeady needs to step it up a bit against better opposition than the Scottish League. That said, he gave the Brazilians a footballing lesson not so long ago, he has got the talent.

 

[sasa_moto]

modric picked up something minor in training, it doesn't seem like a big deal so hopefully he can play. i think bilic just wanted to be careful, the whole team played like they just wanted to get the 3 pts without risk of injury and didn't do anything after scoring

He can play vs Blackburn for sure. Bilic is guy who takes care about his players international careers, when not in conflict with national interests. This was the case with Luka this week, last week he did not train much, this week he did, but there was no need to push it vs Andorra, so on Saturday he'll be ready and very, very fresh

 

[lishiyo]

He can play vs Blackburn for sure. Bilic is guy who takes care about his players international careers, when not in conflict with national interests. This was the case with Luka this week, last week he did not train much, this week he did, but there was no need to push it vs Andorra, so on Saturday he'll be ready and very, very fresh

:grin:

 

[Dundalk_Spur]

I thought Keane was the only one showing for the ball and moving into space. All too many times there were four irish players in a line up front, and in front of the Italian back line, so there was no pass on. Those whingers who go on about Keane have to realise the majority of the Ireland team, especially in midfield and attack are championship quality, which means Keane has to do more. Saying that he is still scoring.

 

[sidford]

I know the type Although Dunne is immense in the green shirt while Stephen Ireland can go fuck himself. McGeady needs to step it up a bit against better opposition than the Scottish League. That said, he gave the Brazilians a footballing lesson not so long ago, he has got the talent.

completely agree about dunne he is a legend in an ireland jersey and although he gets some praise he still doesnt get as much as he deserves
your stephen ireland comment - dont need to add anything else to it, sums it up perfectly and when he retires and moves into car decoration business he will regret how hes acted
and mcgeady is the lad we all played with growing up who could run and beat 4 players and hit the corner flag with his shot and then try another 10 runs and wont get past the first player and then he will try another run and beat 5 players which almost, almost, makes you forget about the 10 runs that were wasted

 

[$hoguN]

The goal and assist by taarabt was great... hopefully he can keep growing as a player and eventually slot in our midfield

 

[DC_Boy]

He can play vs Blackburn for sure. Bilic is guy who takes care about his players international careers, when not in conflict with national interests. This was the case with Luka this week, last week he did not train much, this week he did, but there was no need to push it vs Andorra, so on Saturday he'll be ready and very, very fresh

great info s m - have some rep

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

The goal and assist by taarabt was great... hopefully he can keep growing as a player and eventually slot in our midfield

i had a dream last night.

spurs playing west brom. taarabt with the winner.

 

[haxman]

I did read that Keane did well in link up play, just lacked the finishing touch at times - I was just making fun of a few Ireland fans I know who never appreciate him even though he's their captain and top scorer, while wanking over McGeady and Dunne and crying over Stephen Ireland.

Why? McGeady's been terrible in every game he's played for Ireland imo. Definitely don't want to see him in a Spurs shirt as has been rumoured on here. So fucking overrated.

Dunne - rarely has a bad game for his country and motm again last night, always a goal threat from set pieces too.

Stephen Ireland - did you see our midfield last last? This guy is a level above any of the players we had across the middle of the park, Trap should bust a gut to get him and Andy Reid (I know ) back into the picture before it's too late.

 

[lishiyo]

Not saying it's wrong to want the bald guy back, but it's annoying when they moan that everything Keane does is rubbish in every game without really judging him on the actual performance, while others can do no wrong; he could probably hattrick and some people will still want him dropped from the team.