Bus-Conductor
SC Supporter
- Oct 19, 2004
- 39,837
- 50,713
A funny thing happened tonight. One of those rare occurrences. The chip shop up by Northumberland Park generally does pretty good chips, along with usual offering of (not so) pukka pies, fish cakes, battered sausage and savaloys.
But by some serendipitous act of chance, the chips they churned out into my polystyrene tub, had been fried to absolute perfection. They were full soft and fluffy inside but had a beautifully delicate yellow/gold outer crispness, that as any budding chef knows can usually only be obtained by double (at least) frying at precise temperatures. How the NP chippy managed this whilst churning out about 14 portions a second I have no idea, and I can count the times on one hand when a back street chippy has served me such perfect specimens.
A long with the very competent performances by a hand full of our youngsters, this was the highlight of my night.
The first half started very brightly with the kids all bushy tailed. Carroll particularly impressed, looking neat and tidy, with good movement, continually wanting the ball. I believe it was his superb through ball that Kane won the penalty from.
Fredericks looked nippy, and got to the by line a couple of times. Townsend looked like he usually does, mixed bag of promise, bustle but lacking just a smidgen of composure. Livermore was competent if unspectacular. Kane was possibly the least impressive, perhaps after being much hyped on here, I was expecting a little more. He wasn't bad, just to use a BC cliche, a bit ho hum.
The worries were provided by skipper and vice skipper. I assume Dawson was taken off at half time to avoid further embarrassment. Leaden footed when their fella skanked him and nearly scored, his feet were firmly set in concrete when their other fella (maybe the same fella who knows) walked round him on the byline. Shame that Huddlestone wasn't spared likewise (half time subbing). His movement was unimaginative and laboured, as was his passing, which repeatedly went astray, tamely giving possession away.
After the bright start, very little of this game tested either keeper. I applaud Redknapp for playing these kids wholeheartedly, but with the possible exception of Carroll, none showed overt signs of exceptional intelligence or movement, none of them looked bad either.
Ratings:
Cudicini 7 - Did what he had to do well. Default mark.
Corluka 6 - Still slow but still intelligent.
Dawson 5 - If he is the future, the future's fucked.
Bassong 7 - Good game, there was a moment when Livermore sold him short, but he did exactly the right thing, instead of diving in, jocked, used his pace and got a block in. You just know Dawson would have dived in and committed harry carry or just been outpaced.
Townsend 7.5 - Some promising runs. Slight lack of intelligence.
Fredericks 6.5 - OK.
Livermore 7 - Competent
Huddelstone 6 - Laboured. Tried the same ball over and over. Maybe to prove to himself he could do it. He didn't.
Carroll 8 - Neat, tidy, good movement and constantly wanted to be involved. PLayed a lovely slide rule pass for Kane.
Pavlyuchenko 5 - Forgot he was there second half until he blasted a shot about a mile over the box. Then forgot he was there again.
Kane 6.5 - I've seen worse penalties and he did get on the end of a couple of things, but didn't show me much more, against pretty shit opposition (he won't get an easier team to play against unless we get relegated two divisions).
But by some serendipitous act of chance, the chips they churned out into my polystyrene tub, had been fried to absolute perfection. They were full soft and fluffy inside but had a beautifully delicate yellow/gold outer crispness, that as any budding chef knows can usually only be obtained by double (at least) frying at precise temperatures. How the NP chippy managed this whilst churning out about 14 portions a second I have no idea, and I can count the times on one hand when a back street chippy has served me such perfect specimens.
A long with the very competent performances by a hand full of our youngsters, this was the highlight of my night.
The first half started very brightly with the kids all bushy tailed. Carroll particularly impressed, looking neat and tidy, with good movement, continually wanting the ball. I believe it was his superb through ball that Kane won the penalty from.
Fredericks looked nippy, and got to the by line a couple of times. Townsend looked like he usually does, mixed bag of promise, bustle but lacking just a smidgen of composure. Livermore was competent if unspectacular. Kane was possibly the least impressive, perhaps after being much hyped on here, I was expecting a little more. He wasn't bad, just to use a BC cliche, a bit ho hum.
The worries were provided by skipper and vice skipper. I assume Dawson was taken off at half time to avoid further embarrassment. Leaden footed when their fella skanked him and nearly scored, his feet were firmly set in concrete when their other fella (maybe the same fella who knows) walked round him on the byline. Shame that Huddlestone wasn't spared likewise (half time subbing). His movement was unimaginative and laboured, as was his passing, which repeatedly went astray, tamely giving possession away.
After the bright start, very little of this game tested either keeper. I applaud Redknapp for playing these kids wholeheartedly, but with the possible exception of Carroll, none showed overt signs of exceptional intelligence or movement, none of them looked bad either.
Ratings:
Cudicini 7 - Did what he had to do well. Default mark.
Corluka 6 - Still slow but still intelligent.
Dawson 5 - If he is the future, the future's fucked.
Bassong 7 - Good game, there was a moment when Livermore sold him short, but he did exactly the right thing, instead of diving in, jocked, used his pace and got a block in. You just know Dawson would have dived in and committed harry carry or just been outpaced.
Townsend 7.5 - Some promising runs. Slight lack of intelligence.
Fredericks 6.5 - OK.
Livermore 7 - Competent
Huddelstone 6 - Laboured. Tried the same ball over and over. Maybe to prove to himself he could do it. He didn't.
Carroll 8 - Neat, tidy, good movement and constantly wanted to be involved. PLayed a lovely slide rule pass for Kane.
Pavlyuchenko 5 - Forgot he was there second half until he blasted a shot about a mile over the box. Then forgot he was there again.
Kane 6.5 - I've seen worse penalties and he did get on the end of a couple of things, but didn't show me much more, against pretty shit opposition (he won't get an easier team to play against unless we get relegated two divisions).
