** Rubin Kazan v Tottenham Hotspur Match and Predictions Thread**

[kungfugrip]

Bassong. Never was, is or will be good enough. Obviously at fault for the goal (just awful to watch). But the worst was Bassong 'passing' to Andros Townsend in the 2nd half. He passed it about eight yards from Townsend, the ball went out for a throw and then Bassong waved his arms and gave off to Townsend for not keeping it in. Not cool. Especially when you're wearing the captain's armband.

I keep reading Bassong's comments about it's not fair that's he's only a back up player now and questions what has he done to deserve thsi. You're fifth choice CB because four CBs are clearly better than you mate!

 

[brasil_spur]

For me the points to note on the team last night were:

Cudicini - still an excellent reserve keeper.
Fredericks - not bad for an inexperienced make shift RB.
Gallas - still not 100% fit but glad to see him back playing.
Bassong - time to sell him.
Townsend - not suited to LB, in the same way that Lennon isn't suited to RB.
Falque - is very much a left footed player and probably not as good as Townsend let alone Bale in that sense, not needed at end of his loan.
Livermore - needs to decide what his role on the pitch is and work at it, also needs to work at his passing.
Carroll - needs to find a CM to form an effective partnership with.
Pienaar - played most of the game in a central left role rather than on the wing, which is fine as i think he could do a job as Modric back-up player, but he's not a LM.
Pav - time has definitely come to an end with us.
Defoe - if he's happy to be 4th choice ST behind Manu, VDV and a Jan/Summer signing then keep him, otherwise time to move him on.
Kane - looked lively with some good movement, would be nice to see him get some more game time.

 

[Mullers]

If we don't reach the knockout stages I will be very pissed off, a lot of people don't seem to mind us going out of this competition and other cup competitions as long as we get into the top four. Well being a top four team is more than just doing well in the league, it's about doing well in all competitions.

There is a lot of whining about too many games, well if we have a lot of games coming thick and fast, that is a sign that we are doing well and if we can't handle it, then I'm afraid we don't deserve to be a top four side.

 

[Jay The Yid]

I am sorry but I cannot see any of these players making it at Spurs. There just isnt anything that stands out for me. Average at best.

 

[RickyVilla]

It may be a bit to early to say that IMO. I think that a bit more time is needed. They haven't come out of the blocks like Rooney or Owen did but I still think there is some talent there.

 

[spurious1]

All things considered, not bad. None of our academy players looked totally out of their depth (well, maybe Townsend, who is clearly not a LB). None of them looked like world beaters, either, although there were flashes of quality. Falque looked quite good in the beginning of the game, faded a bit. Fredricks looked ok out of position at LB for something like his second ever senior game. Carrol was ok, Livermore not great.

For the senior players, Cudicini was great, Pienaar and Gallas looked very good considering how long they've been out, Defoe was sort of trying, and Bassong and Pav were absolutely awful and looked like they didn't care.

One interesting point, was that this team looked a bit like an inferior replica of our 1st team - implying that there is perhaps a playing style which is being taught at all levels (as done at Arsenal) so that in principle any youth player who is good enough can move smoothly into the first team.

 

[Irving Scholar]

I keep reading Bassong's comments about it's not fair that's he's only a back up player now and questions what has he done to deserve thsi. You're fifth choice CB because four CBs are clearly better than you mate!

I reckon he's fifth choice because there isn't a sixth team...

 

[mpickard2087]

All things considered, not bad. None of our academy players looked totally out of their depth (well, maybe Townsend, who is clearly not a LB). None of them looked like world beaters, either, although there were flashes of quality. Falque looked quite good in the beginning of the game, faded a bit. Fredricks looked ok out of position at LB for something like his second ever senior game. Carrol was ok, Livermore not great.

For the senior players, Cudicini was great, Pienaar and Gallas looked very good considering how long they've been out, Defoe was sort of trying, and Bassong and Pav were absolutely awful and looked like they didn't care.

One interesting point, was that this team looked a bit like an inferior replica of our 1st team - implying that there is perhaps a playing style which is being taught at all levels (as done at Arsenal) so that in principle any youth player who is good enough can move smoothly into the first team.

Agree pretty much with all of that, Fredericks didnt do too badly at all IMO. I would say it was Livermore who did ok and Carroll not great, and I dont think Pienaar had a good game, especially second half.

It does certainly look like we are trying to go out and play with he style of the first team. But as you say the standard of play isnt there yet especially in the final third.

 

[ShelfSide18]

For the first 20 minutes we were excellent, we dominated the ball, moved well and won it back well - but with a mish mash team of youngsters, second string and returning injured players we were never going to keep that up for the whole game, but I was very encouraged by what I saw especially in the middle with Carroll and Livermore - they didn't look out of place at all.

After that Rubin got into the game and deserved their victory, but I think we can be fairly pleased with that all things considering. Rubin are a decent side.

Cudicini was excellent, Fredericks and Livermore played an unnatural role and found it difficult, but I am not averse to youth players learning versatility and universality at all, it will only help their overall games.

Livermore looked assured, recycled possession well and is growing in confidence - I don't think he'll be a top player, but certainly worth his place in and around the first team squad, and he'll learn a lot from the Europa League. Carroll will find it difficult with his stature, he needs to bulk up but there is time, and someone like him may flourish a little later due to his size so we need to stick with him. Talent wise he looks excellent, good technique, can see a pass and always looking for the ball. He plays the game the right way, his body just needs to catch up with the technique.

The main disappointments yesterday were Bassong, a guy who I have regularly sang the praises of on here. The mistake for the goal was horrible, just lazy football. I sympathise with him that he isn't getting a regular run out but he isn't going to make a case for himself if he does that. There was another moment in the first half where he got caught horribly out of position.

Next up were Pav and Defoe, the Chocolate Tea Pot and the Headless Chicken show. Pav was clearly still on London time, and the failed dummy when he let it run through his legs to a Rubin player, and then getting inexplicably caught offside just summed Pav up. If he put his head and heart in it when he played, he might just be a player, but he doesn't, so he isn't.

Defoe at least gives the pretence that his head is the game, if not his brain, there was a moment early on when we were in control and worked it out to Defoe out on the left who proceeded to cut inside head down and get his shot away when there were other runners and options about. It's about intelligence in those positions, and Defoe lacks that most of the time. Even when he played that ball across the face where Pav was 3hrs behind Russian time, if he had got his head up maybe he could have cut the ball back for a runner. Defoe is Defoe, limited but useful to have, and at the moment is far more useful than having Pav.

 

[Mr Pink]

For the first 20 minutes we were excellent, we dominated the ball, moved well and won it back well - but with a mish mash team of youngsters, second string and returning injured players we were never going to keep that up for the whole game, but I was very encouraged by what I saw especially in the middle with Carroll and Livermore - they didn't look out of place at all.

After that Rubin got into the game and deserved their victory, but I think we can be fairly pleased with that all things considering. Rubin are a decent side.

Cudicini was excellent, Fredericks and Livermore played an unnatural role and found it difficult, but I am not averse to youth players learning versatility and universality at all, it will only help their overall games.

Livermore looked assured, recycled possession well and is growing in confidence - I don't think he'll be a top player, but certainly worth his place in and around the first team squad, and he'll learn a lot from the Europa League. Carroll will find it difficult with his stature, he needs to bulk up but there is time, and someone like him may flourish a little later due to his size so we need to stick with him. Talent wise he looks excellent, good technique, can see a pass and always looking for the ball. He plays the game the right way, his body just needs to catch up with the technique.

The main disappointments yesterday were Bassong, a guy who I have regularly sang the praises of on here. The mistake for the goal was horrible, just lazy football. I sympathise with him that he isn't getting a regular run out but he isn't going to make a case for himself if he does that. There was another moment in the first half where he got caught horribly out of position.

Next up were Pav and Defoe, the Chocolate Tea Pot and the Headless Chicken show. Pav was clearly still on London time, and the failed dummy when he let it run through his legs to a Rubin player, and then getting inexplicably caught offside just summed Pav up. If he put his head and heart in it when he played, he might just be a player, but he doesn't, so he isn't.

Defoe at least gives the pretence that his head is the game, if not his brain, there was a moment early on when we were in control and worked it out to Defoe out on the left who proceeded to cut inside head down and get his shot away when there were other runners and options about. It's about intelligence in those positions, and Defoe lacks that most of the time. Even when he played that ball across the face where Pav was 3hrs behind Russian time, if he had got his head up maybe he could have cut the ball back for a runner. Defoe is Defoe, limited but useful to have, and at the moment is far more useful than having Pav.

That is a good summary of the game.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

Did we have a shot on target throughout this game. I'm struggling to remember.

 

[ExpatFan]

If Bassong makes one more public statement about not being treated fairly, then he should be made to sit down in a darkened, locked room and watch his performance of last night. Over and over again. Then, just maybe, he might undertand why he's down the pecking order. The lost possession, which led to his foul, which led to the free-kick, which led to their goal, summed him up last night. I'm sure I wasn't the only one watching who thought, when he fouled their player just outside the area, "Oh, oh, here comes their opening goal."
And as for Pav, for Christ's sake get rid in January. Don't know how he has the cheek to draw his full weekly wage after that "performance."

 

[stemark44]

It would have taken an exceptional performance from every player in our team last night to get a result.
Rubin are a very decent side and to be honest I thought we would lose.
To only lose 1-0 was a good result and but for an individual error we might have got away with a draw.

 

[brasil_spur]

It would have taken an exceptional performance from every player in our team last night to get a result.
Rubin are a very decent side and to be honest I thought we would lose.
To only lose 1-0 was a good result and but for an individual error we might have got away with a draw.

I think that's a bit rose tinted. Personally i'd say we were very lucky to have not conceded more goals last night and the 1-0 scoreline really flattered us, there were 2 or 3 really good chances for Rubin that were missed or we kept out.

There were a lot of pretty basic mistakes all over the pitch.

Yes they are a tough team and yes even a draw last night would have been a good result, but Rubin were far from spectacular and we could've done better in many areas.

Additionally we really didn't show much attacking threat ourselves.

 

[The Apprentice]

What an awful game. Fell asleep through the second half.

Couldn't really expect much from our kids away at a tough, well drilled Russian outfit. The way the media reported the game was pathetic and showed a real lack of understanding about the European game. Rubin Kazan are a very decent outfit, one that even our first team would struggle to roll over.

I heard the Talksport correspondent say " surprisingly Spurs are being outplayed by the Russian minnows" and "Rubin take a shock lead " from Sky Sports. Astounding.

Alien conditions and surroundings all considered, i thought we acquitted ourselves OK.

 

[Spursidol]

For me the points to note on the team last night were:

Cudicini - still an excellent reserve keeper.
Fredericks - not bad for an inexperienced make shift RB.
Gallas - still not 100% fit but glad to see him back playing.
Bassong - time to sell him.
Townsend - not suited to LB, in the same way that Lennon isn't suited to RB.
Falque - is very much a left footed player and probably not as good as Townsend let alone Bale in that sense, not needed at end of his loan.
Livermore - needs to decide what his role on the pitch is and work at it, also needs to work at his passing.
Carroll - needs to find a CM to form an effective partnership with.
Pienaar - played most of the game in a central left role rather than on the wing, which is fine as i think he could do a job as Modric back-up player, but he's not a LM.
Pav - time has definitely come to an end with us.
Defoe - if he's happy to be 4th choice ST behind Manu, VDV and a Jan/Summer signing then keep him, otherwise time to move him on.
Kane - looked lively with some good movement, would be nice to see him get some more game time.

Broadly agree with this. Rubin were a tough team for this squad to play - I would not be certain that our first team would have beaten Rubin away.

Cudicini clearly MOTM

Worst performances - Bassong and Pienaar (probably the reason was that he is nowhere near match fitness, but still disappointing) : Bassong's performance has already been described on this thread.

Better than the Worst performances - Defoe and Pav (again discussed earlier - imo they didn't have enough service from the midfield, but even with that excuse they underperformed)

Next better performance - Townsend, although to be fair played at LB because he was the best candidate available (other than Assou Ekotto and Bale) : shame as in the left/right wing role he might have solved part of the strikers service issue, but the Rubin display was the least effective we have seen him - previous performances have always been rated as good.

Next better - Falque (not effective - needs extra chances but unless there is an improvement, Spurs already have better in Townsend (as a winger), Fredericks and Pritchard)

Next better - Livermore (very average performance, but as a 2 against Rubin, it was always going to be difficult)

Encouraging performances - Carroll, Fredericks (for playing better than expected as RB, hopefully he can look even better as a winger), Kane...and Gallas

 

[BorisTM]

If Bassong makes one more public statement about not being treated fairly, then he should be made to sit down in a darkened, locked room and watch his performance of last night. Over and over again. Then, just maybe, he might undertand why he's down the pecking order. The lost possession, which led to his foul, which led to the free-kick, which led to their goal, summed him up last night. I'm sure I wasn't the only one watching who thought, when he fouled their player just outside the area, "Oh, oh, here comes their opening goal."
And as for Pav, for Christ's sake get rid in January. Don't know how he has the cheek to draw his full weekly wage after that "performance."

He has a right to say that he is not treated fairly, he has not been given a decent run of games for the last year and a half. He was just unlucky that the free kick he conceded resulted in a goal, obviously for the experts here that is enough to nullify all the good plays he did in the game, considering he was part of a makeshift back 4.

 

[mpickard2087]

He has a right to say that he is not treated fairly, he has not been given a decent run of games for the last year and a half. He was just unlucky that the free kick he conceded resulted in a goal, obviously for the experts here that is enough to nullify all the good plays he did in the game, considering he was part of a makeshift back 4.

Good plays? I dont remember many of them. I do remember though the plenty of times he was out of position or they carved us open because he doesnt read the game very well. The freekick for the goal just capped a pretty crap performance.

 

[RichieS]

What an awful game. Fell asleep through the second half.

Couldn't really expect much from our kids away at a tough, well drilled Russian outfit. The way the media reported the game was pathetic and showed a real lack of understanding about the European game. Rubin Kazan are a very decent outfit, one that even our first team would struggle to roll over.

I heard the Talksport correspondent say " surprisingly Spurs are being outplayed by the Russian minnows" and "Rubin take a shock lead " from Sky Sports. Astounding.

Alien conditions and surroundings all considered, i thought we acquitted ourselves OK.

They took 4 points of Barca in the CL group stages a couple of years ago didn't they? I can't believe that people who are paid to know about football make such comments.

Reminds me of Hansen and Shearer 'bantering' Lee Dixon during the World Cup because he knew who Marek Hamsik is.

 

[We'llWinThePrem]

Kane should be ahead of Pav in the Europa League now.