Ratings vs. Fulham(H)

[TopSpurMan]

no no no no - bentley was a definite 5 average apart from deflected goal and one wonderful cross

 

[ginol@14]

100% better tonight , hudd showed just how much we missed him and why he is harrys first choice with palacios , bale was good too but modric man of the match , great to see him hit form

on another note the front 2 were awful again tonight , what the hell has happened to defoe ? he has gone backwards since the wigan game

 

[stemark44]

100% better tonight , hudd showed just how much we missed him and why he is harrys first choice with palacios , bale was good too but modric man of the match , great to see him hit form

on another note the front 2 were awful again tonight , what the hell has happened to defoe ? he has gone backwards since the wigan game

Yeah they were the weakest link for me too.
I really do think that Keane is starting to look a bit brighter and if Pav is fit,I would start them both along with Bentley on the right against Birmingham.

 

[RichieS]

Just got in from the game (yeah, hardcore I know). Here are my ratings:

Gomes - 6 - Brave save at feet of Zamora, bugger all else to do.
Corluka - 5 - Average. Needs to stop hoofing it.
King - 6 - Solid as ever. Couple of nice passes out of defence.
Dawson - 7 - A monster and you get the feeling that if you cut him he bleeds lilywhite.
Bale - 8 - MOTM. Great runs down the left, defensively solid.
Bentley - 6 - Surprised me with his determination and hard work. Several good crosses.
Huddlestone - 5 - A bit sloppy early on but settled down.
Palacios - 6 - Good tackling and hassling as ever but we really need to work on his passing.
Modric - 7 - Clearly getting back into the swing of things. Quality assist.
Crouch - 7 - Nice touches and linked well with Modric and Bale down the left. Won most of his headers.
Defoe - 2 - Was he on the pitch?

Overall, a solid effort. Fulham were rubbish so we didn't need to do anything spectacular but it was an efficient performance.

 

[Pinto]

Gomes 7 did what he was supposed to.

Corluka 7 thought he did a good job on the right and had no glaring errors that I could see

Dawson 6 sorry but he had huge lapses in concentration at the end that could have made it 2-1 and a tense finish. Can totally understand why Harry wants Kjaer(sp?) or Cahill as Dawson for me just isn't good enough.

King 7 put in a good performance and only wish he could play every match for us.

Bale 8 was fantastic again tonight and started looking better on the defensive side of things.

Bentley 7 did a nice job and put in some real nice crosses but no chance in hell he starts over Lennon when he is healthy.

Hudd 8 thought he was great and just missed man of the match honors along with Bale to the great Modric

Palacios 7 still had a few stray passes but was a beast again in the center of the park

Modric 8 just that extra bit of class for me and what hustle to get the assist for Crouch's goal

Crouch 7 while I like Crouch and think he does a decent enough job I really think we need to upgrade on the position in the summer or jan. if we can.

Defoe 6 just needs a bit of luck or a easy goal to get him going again, still he worked his socks off and does enough for me to warrant him starting every week for me.

Keane 6 not enough time to do much else but I would like to thank him for putting in a good shift and not complaining about not starting.

Great win and a much needed 3 points. Just need to keep up the effort as we looked very much up for this game as compared to the last 3 or 4.

 

[Damian99]

I know the Jenas haters will disagree but I honestly think we may have had a little more drive tonight if he'd have have played, and retained possession better. With Jenas we had 55% possession away at Liverpool. At home to Fulham we have 48%.



Call me weird.

Hmmmmmmmm, well you said it. No we probably would have at best drawn 0-0.

You love your stats 55% and no goals at liverpool

or

48% at home to fulham but 100% of the goals, now i wonder :duh:

 

[lilywhitecurtis]

Huddlestone MOM. Showed exactly what we miss when he doesnt play. Retains possession so well.

Spot on and repped. Not sure about MOM but close.

The Huddlestone debate thread a while back has to be one of the most frustrating I've read. Some penis used pass completion statistics to argue that Jenas can in fact pass as well as Hudd. Of course this completely ignores the fact that Huddlestone spreads play across the pitch so brilliantly.

Also now his work rate also is really commendable, he really does get around the pitch and get his foot into some tackles and deserves his starting spot this year.

 

[yusrisafri]

I just want to highlight 3 players, as the others more or less played like how they were expected to.

Bentley - A lot of people are giving Bentley praise, and yes, he did play better than his previous games, but if you really scrutinise his performance, its actually how poor he has become that makes an average performance considered good. His crossing was very average tonight, he didnt beat anyone, but still he put in a better performance than ever.

Dawson - Scared the shit out of me in the last 10 minutes. Comical to say the least. After such fine performances in earlier matches, he seems to be very hesitant in the last few games, and surprise, surprise, he looks far more comfortable playing with Basong than with King.

Bale - Jinx finally broken. Well done, lad. And he played extremely well. BAE might find it tough to break in now, something we never thought would happen earlier in the season.

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

I thought Hudd for MOTM. Composure and passing that showed what we've been missing. Bale close run though, f****** awesome talent... so powerful and fast.

Agreed, I was really surprised when I saw how few votes he'd got. As per the midfield discussion we had in an (couple of) other thread(s), as Dan rightly pointed out the Palacios-Huddlestone partnership is really strong, and they've developed a tremendous understanding on the dynamics between them (when to push, hold, an so on). Huddlestone to me was a head above everyone else (even Crouch ) yesterday. He made a couple of mistakes towards the end, but before that he had a perfect game, controlled the pace of the game with excellent passes (short, long, forward, backwards) and did a fair shair of defensive duty. And his mobility seem to improve from game to game, he was all over the place yesterday, and released a couple of powerful shots. He always made the right choices on the ball - and he saw alot of it.

In close contention was Bale and Modric. While we know all about the former's ups and downs, he had a really solid game yesterday and showed again what a threat he is going forward. Still 2nd choice to me (I REALLY rate BAE), but what a player that guy's gonna be. In the long run, he's got even more potential than BAE (and, I REALLY rate him )

Modric showed again what a class act he is, and that he is definatly more of a LW/Playmaker than a CM. He had some touches and passes out of this world yesterday, and looked super-confident and comfortable. He is a better player than Kranjcar, so if Kranjcar cannot play RM or CM he needs to be considered 2nd choice LM - he is a good impact player (and next year there'll be plenty of games for him).

A few words on Bentley, good to see him back in action and with a goal. Provided a bit more balance, good crosses and a few good passes. Needs to hug the sideline a bit more and run against his fullback but showed again the potential he's got. Hopefully played himself back into consideration.

 

[Michey]

gomes 6

corluka 6
king 7
daws 7
bale 7.5

modric 7.5
palacios 7
hudd 6.5
bentley 7

defoe 4
crouch 5.5

 

[walton]

I can't believe the (relative) praise Bentley's getting!! Most folk seem to think he warrants a starting place from now on because he worked hard. He wouldn't have had to work nearly as hard had he been better with the ball. His crossing was average at best - some of his corners were dire. He didn't once beat his man and his passing was hardly incisive. I lost count of the times one of our attacks/breaks lost its momentum when Bentley checked back inside after receiving the ball. Compare this with Bale, who did a better job on his side together with looking assured as our LB. Also, Bentley's hair/beard combo is criminal.

Great result for the team, but definitely not a great performance.

Bale/Palacios for MOM.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Gomes 7 - Brave when he needed to be. Needs to improve his kicking.

Corluka 6 - Did little wrong defensively but looked a little unsure of how to play with Bentley.

King 7 - Not a huge amount to do and looked composed on the ball when he had it.

Daws 6 - Looked a little bit shaky again at times and his distribution was poor. Some great defending in the second half though.

Bale 8 - Looked solid defensively and with Lennon out has looked our most potent attacking threat in the last two games. Delighted for him that the curse has been lifted as well.

Bentley 6 - I'd assumed he'd been brought in to give us width but he drifted infield a bit too often for me. Still has a great cross on him though and he'll always make chances when he plays.

Huddlestone 7 - Showed the compusure that we lacked in midfield on Saturday. Drifted a bit as the game went on but has shown he has the edge over JJ at the moment.

Palacios 8 - Better display from Wilson particularly defensively where Fulham rarely got through the centre of our midfield. Still too many misplaced passes but hopefully he'll iron them out.

Modric 7 - Did brilliantly for the goal and linked well with Bale. Still not up to his best standard but getting there.

Crouch 7 - Took his goal well and lead the line relatively effectively. Needs to be stronger at times though for someone who is so tall.

Defoe 5 - Looks short of confidence and his mind may have been elsewhere (understandably). Needs a goal to get him back in the groove.

Harry 7 - Saw the problems from the weekend and aimed to give us some width by introducing Bentley (thus dispelling the ludicrous talk of him only ever playing his 'favourites'). Obviously Pav or Gio playing would have meant we'd have won at least 10-0 but still not bad.

 

[mattstev2000]

gomes 7 - usual. solid, good saves. do wish he'd cut out the dramatics when he gets knocked about though.

corluka 7 - solid.
king 7 - better than his past couple of games. not challenged particularly
daws 7 - ditto.
bale 8 - most improved player. good defensively and going forward

modric 8 - don't know whether it was playing on the left again or he is just getting his sharpness back but he looked more like the modric from early in the season. good touches, clever passes, looked stronger as well.
palacios 8 - dominated the midfield.
hudd 6 - average. doesn't seem to offer a huge amount in either direction.
bentley 7 - clearly up for it and trying hard. still seems to be having problems getting his delivery right.

defoe 4 - very poor. again. needs to be benched.
crouch 5 - average. outside of the goal he did little other than knock the ball down to fulham defenders.

harry 6 - better than recent games with the introduction of some width and playing modric in the right position. still seems reluctant to substitue/bench either crouch or defoe despite the fact they have been poor for a few games in a row.

 

[ravo]

Gomes 6 - little to do, seems to get injured all too easily.

Corluka 7 - did his job and got forward well in support

King 7 - Fine

Daws 6 - Was looking at scoring an 8 until he had a brain explosion in the last 15 mins.

Bale 8 - Quality, did really well.

Modric 8.1 - Just a little more to earn him MoM

Palacios 7 - Did his usual great work breaking up play. Too many misplaced passes though.

Hudd 7 - Very queit in the first half, got more into it in the second. Great on the ball. A step above JJ (who I don't hate).

Bentley 7 - Worked really hard and was impressive.

Defoe 5 - Very queit and disappointing.

Crouch 7 - Fought really hard to hold the ball up and bring others into play. Good game and nice finish for the goal.

Harry - would have been nice to have seen Kranjcar and another one of the subs towards the end...

 

[There's always next year]

Thank fuck for BAE's injury, because I suspect Bale would have been shipped out during current window. The boy is top quality and the fact he has had such little chance to impress over the last two years is a travesty.

All good apart from our ineffective strike force.

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

Professional.
That's the word for tonight really I guess. It's amazing how much luck plays a part in football isn't it. Good teams make their own luck, and we are a good team, and our luck came from trying to play, so I guess the old saying isn't a completely retired chestnut.

It wasn't all luck though. What Modric provided wasn't luck. he was, on a tight night, quite simply the difference. Tonight he wasn't a huge difference, as we can see he's feeling his way back - in a tough little bunch of games - but he was still the difference.
He was the most intelligent player on the pitch and that intelligence won us a game that just might, on another day, have been a draw.

Huddlestone's fans will add this win stat to their argument, but I'm honestly unconvinced. Again. For example, Hudd made 52 accurate passes and 1 tackle. Murphy made 66 accurate passes and 4 tackles. Even Dikgakoi made 50 accurate passes and 3 tackles. And murphy also tries to create.

His lack of mobility also resulted in him giving away two free kicks in dangerous positions.

I know the Jenas haters will disagree but I honestly think we may have had a little more drive tonight if he'd have have played, and retained possession better. With Jenas we had 55% possession away at Liverpool. At home to Fulham we have 48%.

The result for us tonight turned (a bit of luck and skill) on a couple of slightly fortuitous moments, as it went the reverse away at Liverpool for the same reasons. Such is football.

Tactically, I am disappointed that Keane (in the absence of Pav) wasn't started ahead of Defoe, who needs "a rest". I was also disappointed that Redknapp took so long to take Defoe off,who was again very disappointing. Personally I'd play King in his best RCB position and Bassong in his best LCB position but hey, that's just me. I like my CB's to be quick, read the game and play football. Call me weird.

I like Fulham. From Tigana to Hodgson, with a bit of a blip with Sanchez, they have been a tough, footballing side whose scalp rarely comes easy.



Ratings:

Gomes 7 - The default mark.

Corluka 6.5 - OK.

Damians Dreamboat 6.4 - For the first ten he looked like his last two games were on his mind. Then he settled and for 73 minutes was the good Dawson. Then the last ten minutes he seemed to completely loose it and was fucking scaring the shit out of me. Three or four Dawsonesque moments ensued.

King 7.5 - I miss him already.

Galon 7.5 - If this kid was a totally convincing defender he'd be the second best LB in the EPL. In terms of going forward, only ashley cole is a better LB. Played well enough tonight and has finally got the monkey off his back (see what I did there).

Bentley 7.3 - Good effort tonight. Worked hard.

Huddlestone 7 - Out passed and statistaclly outplayed by the Fulham pair. Also only made two more passes than Modric (playing wide). Not bad, just not......great. I honestly don't know what else to say.

Palacios 7.7 - This wasn't his best game either, but he gets through so much ground and has a habit of winning the ball at vital times. Made more successful tackles than anyone else on either midfield. His desire not to loose is crucial to anything we do.

Modric 8 - Possibly 0.2 too generous but his fleeting moments of intelligence compliment Palacios's moments of tenacity. Sometimes in football all you need is a few of each to make a difference. That is exactly what we got tonight. His ingenuity created the goal that gave us a platform.

Crouch 7.5 - Worked hard as ever, wasn't always his night but took his goal with a deft finish in a tight spot. Saw the ball 44 times (25 accurate passes) to Defoe's 16.

Defoe 5 - It is incredible how many times this season Defoe has managed exactly 11 accurate passes. My grumble with him is always that when he's not scoring he's rarely providing much else. Whe you have players like keane, Pav and (not anymore) Dos Santos in the squad you can afford to give under performing players a kick up the arse.
He was poor again tonight. Pav or Keane away at Bham next please.

Dude, I know you're getting some stick for this by others, and dont really wanna join the choir, but if last night showed anything, it was that number of passes is irrelevant. Fulham saw the ball a lot, made a large number of passes, and got, what, 2-3 shots on goal (couldnt be bothered to check)?. Gomes didnt make a save in the first half! Fulham played the ball sideways and backwards in the middle of the pitch without creating anything at all (much, I'm afraid I must add, like Jenas in recent games).

Huddlestone was all over the pitch, did some excellent defending and controlled the game for us. His passing was excellent. However, he made a couple of silly mistakes towards the end, that could've been costly against a better side. The main point for me, however, is how well Palacios and tHudd worked together. They should definitly be our 1st choice partnership.

 

[Adam456]

Spot on and repped. Not sure about MOM but close.

The Huddlestone debate thread a while back has to be one of the most frustrating I've read. Some penis used pass completion statistics to argue that Jenas can in fact pass as well as Hudd. Of course this completely ignores the fact that Huddlestone spreads play across the pitch so brilliantly.

Also now his work rate also is really commendable, he really does get around the pitch and get his foot into some tackles and deserves his starting spot this year.

+1

It's also that he doesn't panic when he receives it in the middle and has players bearing down on him. He's already seen his pass and off it goes. Opposition players see 'panickers' like Jenas and put even more pressure on them hoping for a mistake

Wouldn't say he was MOM (I voted Bale again) but he was excellent.

Bale, Modric, Hudd, Wilson all get an 8. Others 7 (Crouch just scrapes in with neat finish and a few positional headers). Defoe seemed to be marked out of the game and gets 6

 

[Spurs_Bear]

I can't believe the (relative) praise Bentley's getting!! Most folk seem to think he warrants a starting place from now on because he worked hard. He wouldn't have had to work nearly as hard had he been better with the ball. His crossing was average at best - some of his corners were dire. He didn't once beat his man and his passing was hardly incisive. I lost count of the times one of our attacks/breaks lost its momentum when Bentley checked back inside after receiving the ball. Compare this with Bale, who did a better job on his side together with looking assured as our LB. Also, Bentley's hair/beard combo is criminal.

Great result for the team, but definitely not a great performance.

Bale/Palacios for MOM.

Just of interest......what were your thoughts on Pav's cameo on Saturday?

 

[walton]

Just of interest......what were your thoughts on Pav's cameo on Saturday?

I thought he did well - he came on as a striker and scored well-taken a goal. Couldn't have done a great deal more imo.

 

[yiddobrett]

Gomes - 6 - Had one early save, that came at a price, and one late on. Quiet night for our aqua friend.

Corluka - 7 - Solid, rarely got beaten and linked up well with Bentley.

Dawson - 7 - Did some really good bits, but then a couple of shocking passes etc. Still solid.

King - 8 - Awesome.

Bale - 8.5 - Quality, Assou-Ekotto may struggle to get back in the team. So much pace, great passing and defending has improved a lot as well. Riise and Hughes didn't know what to do with him and Modric.

Bentley - 7 - Personally I don't think he does enough. He rarely tries to get past the left back, stands on the ball a lot and tries to many fancy flicks. Crossing, particularly corners, were shocking for mostof the game. However, he got the crucial second goal, with a bit of help.

Huddlestone - 8 - Keeps the ball moving, some fantastic passes. Didn't win a game without him, maybe he is the key?

Palacios - 9 - Man of the match for me, don't think the was a blade of grass he didn't touch last night.

Modric - 8 - Some of his pieces of skill were sublime, Berbatov-esque. Linked really well with Bale, not afraid to challange players either.

Defoe - 6.5 - Hardly got the ball all night. To be fair, he had 6"8 Brede Hangeland on him for the whole game and we played long balls to him.

Crouch - 7.5 - Had a good game actually. Held the ball up really well at times and waiting for support before laying it off and spinning his man. It does bemuse me how he doesn't win some headers though.