Match Ratings v Reading

[bigpalacios]

Jan the Man of the match

 

[Mr Pink]

Friedel - 6

Walker - 7
Gallas - 6
Vertonghen - 8
Naughton - 7

Sandro - 8
Dembele - 8
Sigurdsson - 7

Bale - 7
Defoe - 8
Lennon - 7

Hard to criticise Defoe too much after today but with the system working that well, any striker worth his salt would have got on the scoresheet and the better ones out there would have had a hatful.

That being said, it's not a day for negatives and to celebrate our first win and a triumph for AVB and his system.

Mate in all seriousness, I know you don't rate Defoe, but there is absolutely no way you can say that any other striker would of got more than Defoe today. How many would of taken his second like that, that was a class finish.

I really think its about time some people just gave him the credit without the caveat of their long running criticism of him warped into their appraisal.

I would of been much happier with Adebayor starting today, providing he was fit enough to, but Defoe had a very good game and you know what - he contributed to the system working today, believe it or not, even if it isn't his natural position.

If AVB was that concerned by it, I would imagine Adebayor would of been drafted in sooner as well.

 

[Supersi32]

Not much to add thats different from everyones ratings, Naughton played well at LB and more than competent competition for Benny, also Sig was superb in the 1st half, showed what a good player he can be for us. Overall a very satisfying performance, onwards and upwards.

 

[felmani26]

FFS, what is the point of that comment, or were you one of those claiming it was a complete disaster prior to kick off playing Defoe and your trying to make your comments look less stupid?

Listen one swallow doesnt make a summer and I still have massive reservations over the course of a long campaign of Defoe leading the line for us.

I'm big enough to admit that Defoe proved me wrong today and put in a much better display than I originally anticipated but that shouldn't mean to say I totally forget the umpteen other games where he was utter garbage for us up front so let's keep things in perspective please.

 

[felmani26]

Mate in all seriousness, I know you don't rate Defoe, but there is absolutely no way you can say that any other striker would of got more than Defoe today. How many would of taken his second like that, that was a class finish.

I really think its about time some people just gave him the credit without the caveat of their long running criticism of him warped into their appraisal.

I would of been much happier with Adebayor starting today, providing he was fit enough to, but Defoe had a very good game and you know what - he contributed to the system working today, believe it or not, even if it isn't his natural position.

See my reply to Legend and yes, Defoe's second was typical Defoe and it worked a treat but look at almost every previous match thread for however long and there will be justifiable critisism's of Defoe and what he brings.

He performed well today and I'm more than happy to say I was wrong from my initial assessment at 3:30 but the reservations I have still remain.

 

[StartingPrice]

Mate in all seriousness, I know you don't rate Defoe, but there is absolutely no way you can say that any other striker would of got more than Defoe today. How many would of taken his second like that, that was a class finish.

I really think its about time some people just gave him the credit without the caveat of their long running criticism of him warped into their appraisal.

I would of been much happier with Adebayor starting today, providing he was fit enough to, but Defoe had a very good game and you know what - he contributed to the system working today, believe it or not, even if it isn't his natural position.

If AVB was that concerned by it, I would imagine Adebayor would of been drafted in sooner as well.

Sorry...he just annoys the Bayjaysus outta me when he's doing anything other than scoring

Listen one swallow doesnt make a summer and I still have massive reservations over the course of a long campaign of Defoe leading the line for us.

I'm big enough to admit that Defoe proved me wrong today and put in a much better display than I originally anticipated but that shouldn't mean to say I totally forget the umpteen other games where he was utter garbage for us up front so let's keep things in perspective please.

Try telling that to Donna Summer

 

[steve]

First things first - Reading were terrible. They're not blessed with good players but the bare requirement especially at home is to harry teams like us into mistakes and make it as uncomfortable as possible in possession. First half they didn't do it at all and only going in 1 - 0 up was criminal from us really.

Like most I didn't want Defoe starting (and still don't) but credit for his goals which he took very well and some of his play - I'm concerned though 4 games into a season that our only viable lone striker is not only not starting he's not even getting off the bench. Does AVB really think that in tough away games (which today wasn't) or in home games when teams turn up and park the bus that Defoe is really the best option? It's starting to look that way which is a massive concern.

I thought Naughton was excellent especially considering he's a RB. Calm and composed on the ball, hardly gave it away, good first touch and excellent vision and passing. Yes he he got done a couple of times by a tricky winger but generally his concentration and positioning were very good. A full back who doesn't smoke pot or snort speed is a breath of fresh air. Vertonghen and Gallas were excellent, I'd give Verts the edge for his use of the ball but both were steady and in control. Walker's contribution was mixed, his run and cross for Bale's goal was tremendous but he got away with a hand ball and similarly to the Newcastle game he seems to fold a bit under pressure when challenged at the far post. Friedal had little to do.

Dembele was a bit quiet at times and played in flashes but just to have someone who can take the ball in traffic and not give it away under pressure is vital - the contrast with the Sandro/Livermore combo was stark. He still hangs onto the ball a little too long at times but he's an excellent player whose best is still to come I think. His ability to drift past people is superb. Sandro was back to his best and our best midfielder today, power, strength and decent use of the ball. Lennon and Bale both flitted in and out but made vital and more importantly telling contributions when needed. Sig was better today, more involved although he should've scored (Defoe's ball was a fraction off mind you) but it was right to bring him off when he did - he was starting to give the ball away in bad areas at 0 - 1 which could've cost us. All the subs made an impact but at 0 - 2 it was over.

The team seemed to work harder off the ball, the pressing was generally good and the discipline the same - this is still a work in progress and the players are still getting to grips with things but the signs are getting better. Ade, Dempsey, Lloris, Kaboul, and Parker are still to come - can we get top 4? Still think it's 5th at best but we're on the way and a win next week puts us in the mix...

 

[Mr Pink]

See my reply to Legend and yes, Defoe's second was typical Defoe and it worked a treat but look at almost every previous match thread for however long and there will be justifiable critisism's of Defoe and what he brings.

He performed well today and I'm more than happy to say I was wrong from my initial assessment at 3:30 but the reservations I have still remain.

Oh yes, I wasn't disagreeing with your point in a general sense, I agree. Just think when someone has had a good game, despite their general limitations which we all know, we should should stick to that more when giving credit.

 

[Mr Pink]

Sorry...he just annoys the Bayjaysus outta me when he's doing anything other than scoring



Try telling that to Donna Summer

well he shouldn't of annoyed you today then, should he

 

[mark87]

Friedel - 7
Walker - 7
Gallas - 6
Verts - 8
Naughton - 6
Sandro - 7
Dembele - 7
Sig - 7
Lennon- 7
Bale - 6
Defoe - 8 MOM

Good team performance, really happy with how we played, but the media probably still won't give us much credit infact wont be suprised if we see tomorrows headlines as "AVB STILL UNDER PRESSURE AS SPURS CONCEDE ANOTHER LATE GOAL"

 

[Jamturk]

Townsend excites me, he has attributes to kill defences. In his small cameo he breezed past 2 players and delivered into the box. I'm looking forward to his development this year.

 

[Reshep]

Friedel, 5/10 - No howlers and little to do. Not much chance with goal.

Walker, 6/10 - Got to byline well and kept composure for 2nd Goal. Could have shown more commitment to track the runner for their goal.
Gallas, 6/10 - Some very good defending during the second half. One very well timed challenge in the box. Also seemed to communicate and organize defense well.
Vertonghen, 6/10 - Looked solid and clearly is a classy operator with the ball at his feet. Made no mistakes and retained the ball well.
Naughton, 5/10 - Average, though a couple of silly fouls today. Against a better team I would be concerned. Looked good in possession though

Sandro, 6/10 - Showed good discipline and energy. Best performance he has turned in this season so far.
Dembele, 5/10 - Was good in spells. Made himself available for passes and looked mobile.
Siggurdson, 4.5/10 - Poor for long spells of the match giving the ball away at nearly every opportunity especially in final third. Should have also scored. World class pass for the 1st goal though.
Bale, 5.5/10 - Scored a goal but in general play had little affect on the match.
Lennon, 6/10 - Constant threat with a very good assist for first goal. Pleasing to see good link up play with Walker also.

Defoe, 8/10 - Took both his goals well, especially the second one. Should have scored (at least hit target) when clean through in the first half.

 

[mark87]

Townsend excites me, he has attributes to kill defences. In his small cameo he brezzed past 2 players and delivered into the box. I'm looking forward to his development this year.

Agree, just hopes he gets minutes, probably will mainly feature in cups and europa league, but still good experience for the lad.

 

[Bobbins]

Townsend excites me, he has attributes to kill defences. In his small cameo he brezzed past 2 players and delivered into the box. I'm looking forward to his development this year.

Yeah he really has to feature in the cup games and be the first choice to come on in a like-for-like replacement for Bale or Lennon, for me. His is quick, direct, creative, makes good choices and is quite capable of playing on both flanks. Really exciting prospect and IMO will end up being a better player than the likes of Walcott and probably Oxlaide-Chamberlain.

 

[StartingPrice]

well he shouldn't of annoyed you today then, should he

You misunderstand...every single time he gets a sniff of the ball and you cuold just tell that come-hell-or-high-water he was going to shoot, I got annoyed. I also got annoyed that, if it hadn't been for an injured Reading player by the touchline, he managed to get himself into an off-side position for Bale's goal.

When he is scoring it is great, 'cos it has that Roy of the Rovers thwack about it that we all dreamed of as kids...but the rest of the time I just want him to use the ball more intelligently.

 

[felmani26]

Oh yes, I wasn't disagreeing with your point in a general sense, I agree. Just think when someone has had a good game, despite their general limitations which we all know, we should should stick to that more when giving credit.

It was perhaps a barbed comment but then nothing pleases me more than for players to prove me wrong because that means they've done their job on the pitch which hopefully translates to wins.

Apologies if I came across arsey!

 

[Mr Pink]

You misunderstand...every single time he gets a sniff of the ball and you cuold just tell that come-hell-or-high-water he was going to shoot, I got annoyed. I also got annoyed that, if it hadn't been for an injured Reading player by the touchline, he managed to get himself into an off-side position for Bale's goal.

When he is scoring it is great, 'cos it has that Roy of the Rovers thwack about it that we all dreamed of as kids...but the rest of the time I just want him to use the ball more intelligently.

I didn't misunderstand anything mate! Have said it a hundred times myself, and in my ratings this evening. Its all good when he takes his chances and we win (most of the time), problem is when its not coming off his all round game can frustrate the hell out of most of us.

 

[Mr Pink]

It was perhaps a barbed comment but then nothing pleases me more than for players to prove me wrong because that means they've done their job on the pitch which hopefully translates to wins.

Apologies if I came across arsey!

You didn't mate at all - and totally agree

 

[mattstev2000]

One of our Belgian duo as MOM for me... Probably Dembele just...

 

[StartingPrice]

I didn't misunderstand anything mate! Have said it a hundred times myself, and in my ratings this evening. Its all good when he takes his chances and we win (most of the time), problem is when its not coming off his all round game can frustrate the hell out of most of us.

I didn't mean you really didn't understand...I mean he really pisses me off even in games where he scores during the times when he not scoriing, as he is invariably blasted the ball in the direction of the goal form all angles and distances when other players are in much better positions - I was being ironickall in saying you didn't understand