Ratings v Maribor

[Bus-Conductor]

not appreciating the lack of poll again.

I agree. Do you think we can get lewandowski in the january window ?

 

[ultimateloner]

I think Bale's the key. He tormented and created all night. Shows how much damage he could do if given the right ball in the right position. Carroll did just that.

 

[wishkah]

I think Bale's the key. He tormented and created all night. Shows how much damage he could do if given the right ball in the right position. Carroll did just that.

Looking at Bale last night, i think he played so well because he was having FUN. less restrained, more his old Arry-style self.

 

[only1waddle]

Looking at Bale last night, i think he played so well because he was having FUN. less restrained, more his old Arry-style self.

They all looked like they were enjoying the game, except to start with AVB who looked quite put out.
I wrote in the match thread that he didn't stand on the touchline barking orders every five minutes and i think it was a better approach to the game than normal.

 

[Mackay6]

Yep fun was a key word last night, both the team and the crowd had a smile on their face, it was an absolute joy to watch for the most part.

I think we should just go for it at City, play Ade and JD if they're fit and ready for it.

 

[Wellspurs]

I was just wondering if BC gave Defoe MOM against Wigan when he scored 5?

 

[eddiebailey]

Carroll's precise and varied passing added another dimension, as did Ade's physical presence, but what really made the difference was Bale and Lennon's deeper starting position, giving them space to run into and enabling Huddlestone and Dawson to pick them out with trademark raking diagonal passes. In other words we played to our strengths. AVB's high pressing game makes our wingers look average and Dempsey, or Siggurdsson, or whichever other poor sod has to play as a defensive midfield player in the final third, look dog shit.

Let's go 4-4-2 against City - we'll lose, but at least we'll lose playing football.

Lloris 5 - at fault for the goal and his confidence is ebbing; this is why you don't buy keepers until you need them
Walker 6 - no major howlers
Dawson 7 - great attitude to come in and fight for his place
Vertonghen 6 - beginning to look a bit ragged
Naughton 5 - at fault for the goal, and continually checking back onto his good foot cost us momentum
Lennon 7- lively enough
Huddlestone 7 - decent throughout
Carroll 8 - kept us ticking over and played some incisive balls
Bale 8 - had a field day
Adebayor 7 - lively comeback
Defoe 8 MOM - showed what he can do with decent service

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Carroll's precise and varied passing added another dimension, as did Ade's physical presence, but what really made the difference was Bale and Lennon's deeper starting position, giving them space to run into and enabling Huddlestone and Dawson to pick them out with trademark raking diagonal passes. On other words we played to our strengths. AVB's high pressing game makes our wingers look average and Dempsey, or Siggurdsson, or whichever other poor sod has to play as a defensive midfield player in the final third, look dog shit.

Let's go 4-4-2 against City - we'll lose, but at least we'll lose playing football.

Lloris 5 - at fault for the goal and his confidence is ebbing; this is why you don't buy keepers until you need them
Walker 6 - no major howlers
Dawson 7 - great attitude to come in and fight for his place
Vertonghen 6 - beginning to look a bit ragged
Naughton 5 - at fault for the goal, and continually checking back onto his good foot cost us momentum
Lennon 7- lively enough
Huddlestone 7 - decent throughout
Carroll 8 - kept us ticking over and played some incisive balls
Bale 8 - had a field day
Adebayor 7 - lively comeback
Defoe 8 MOM - showed what he can do with decent service

Defoe had some great service against Southampton and couldn't even hit the target. In fact he's been wasting chances for the last four weeks.

 

[HotspurFC1950]

Defoe had some great service against Southampton and couldn't even hit the target. In fact he's been wasting chances for the last four weeks.

Yep we don't need 3 goals in one game, we need 1 goal in every game !

 

[stevenqoz]

The absence of Dempsey and Sig last night was the first time for a while we have not had to shoehorn players into the formation who were untried at best unsuited at worse. It wasn't so much that we were playing 4 4 2 against weak opposition but more that all our players in this line up knew and were comfortable with their role. Any time Ade has ever been effective for us it has been playing a similar role to this. He doesn't thrive by just standing up at centre forward....he comes deep drifts and holds it up while comfortably shielding the ball. In the last fifteen he certainly knocked up his possession stats thru some pass and move showboating...which was good because it was all work into his legs. Up until now he has either been unfit or in some way injured...hopefully AVB can now choose him knowing he is fit to play. If we are to play 4 4 2 it is actually our 4 defenders who between them need to provide occasional midfield support...especially centrally....Vertenbaur step up please. Will Defoe play against City.....I think so but will ned Sandro to have a chance of winning

 

[Bus-Conductor]

-----------------------------LLoris----Friedel
Smith-----Walker---Gallas--Hudd---Sandro---Dawson----Vertonghen- Naughton
---------------------------------Adebayor

Turn's out I guessed the formation spot on.