*** SPURS v BOLTON *** Official Match Thread
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donny1013
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- Nov 4, 2005
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Modric proved today that he is by no means too lightweight for the Prem. Against bruisers like Nolan, McCann and Muamba he held his own and was superb today. Was great to see him finally play in his proper position and he constantly wanted the ball. King Ledley was immense today, please stay fit. BAE even had a good game i thought
Coyboy
The Double of 1961 is still The Double
- Dec 3, 2004
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Just got back from the game, it was a fantastic relief and a good performance though we really only looked comfortable when they had ten men (wrongly in my opinion). It was as if we had a huge weight lifted from our shoulders and any cancerous poision or more likely lack of clarity, confidence and communication had diminished.
I don't know how much difference Harry himself had but in patches, especially at the end, we started to play the football this team is capable of; one touch passes, running onto balls, playing with flair and skill and quickness as Lennon, Bentley (minus pace), Huddlestone and Modric are capable of doing. Some passes didn't come off, some final balls were there and some shots went wide of the target but the desire, fight and confidence was back.
Defensively we were fine not including Gomes but we seldom are not sans King. His presence is just a lifeline and I hope that now he will play as many league games as possible. Only when Gomes was getting treatment did he seem to feel his knees a little but he was regal. We should have pushed out a little more but we dealt with their crosses (when Gomes didn't come crashing in like a bull) and Corluka was excellent too. He hasn't got much credit here this season but for me, at centre back, he is superb.
Just a word for a few individuals that stood out for good and bad;
Assou-Ekotto, I thought he wasn't good enough but today defensively and offensively he was tremendous. His final choice of pass was often wrong but he attacked as well as Bale has all season and defended resolutely and without error. He also outmuscled Davies on many occassions.
Modric, He was probably our best player. I have not agreed when people call him 'lightweight' and 'not good enough'. He is most certainly talented and his play leading up to the penalty was majestic but he doesn't get barged off the ball as much as people say and wins it back well. He was excellent at short crisp passes and belongs in the centre in an advanced role.
Huddlestone, It was good to have him back. For me, no one strikes the ball more smoothly for us. His effortless passes and powerful shots are excellent and he needs to regain that confidence because when he is on song, some of his passes are indefensible and his shots unstoppable. He also showed fewer signs of the infamous immobility or friendly giant soft tackler. He got stuck in well.
Jenas, He was awful. He didn't shoot when he should have, he lost the ball, he failed to even attampt any penetrative passes and was neither one thing nor another in the centre of midfield. He can do much better but if Modric, Huddlestone and Zokora play to their potential he will have to work hard to stay in the team.
Gomes, What was he on? He was an almost caricature of himself today. I like that he comes for the ball, I like his throws and I fear his kicking but they were all on steriods today. He should come for crosses he has a good chance of getting and he should punch or catch not flap; and punch to the sides. He should only throw the ball into space on the wings. He should play the ball short if something is not on.
I am really happy with Rednapp and confident we can stay up and move on. This game was to all intents and purposes the must win of must wins considering our next games. Great atmosphere today and I loved the Defoe chants. For Xmas I want him and a fit Ledley please.
I don't know how much difference Harry himself had but in patches, especially at the end, we started to play the football this team is capable of; one touch passes, running onto balls, playing with flair and skill and quickness as Lennon, Bentley (minus pace), Huddlestone and Modric are capable of doing. Some passes didn't come off, some final balls were there and some shots went wide of the target but the desire, fight and confidence was back.
Defensively we were fine not including Gomes but we seldom are not sans King. His presence is just a lifeline and I hope that now he will play as many league games as possible. Only when Gomes was getting treatment did he seem to feel his knees a little but he was regal. We should have pushed out a little more but we dealt with their crosses (when Gomes didn't come crashing in like a bull) and Corluka was excellent too. He hasn't got much credit here this season but for me, at centre back, he is superb.
Just a word for a few individuals that stood out for good and bad;
Assou-Ekotto, I thought he wasn't good enough but today defensively and offensively he was tremendous. His final choice of pass was often wrong but he attacked as well as Bale has all season and defended resolutely and without error. He also outmuscled Davies on many occassions.
Modric, He was probably our best player. I have not agreed when people call him 'lightweight' and 'not good enough'. He is most certainly talented and his play leading up to the penalty was majestic but he doesn't get barged off the ball as much as people say and wins it back well. He was excellent at short crisp passes and belongs in the centre in an advanced role.
Huddlestone, It was good to have him back. For me, no one strikes the ball more smoothly for us. His effortless passes and powerful shots are excellent and he needs to regain that confidence because when he is on song, some of his passes are indefensible and his shots unstoppable. He also showed fewer signs of the infamous immobility or friendly giant soft tackler. He got stuck in well.
Jenas, He was awful. He didn't shoot when he should have, he lost the ball, he failed to even attampt any penetrative passes and was neither one thing nor another in the centre of midfield. He can do much better but if Modric, Huddlestone and Zokora play to their potential he will have to work hard to stay in the team.
Gomes, What was he on? He was an almost caricature of himself today. I like that he comes for the ball, I like his throws and I fear his kicking but they were all on steriods today. He should come for crosses he has a good chance of getting and he should punch or catch not flap; and punch to the sides. He should only throw the ball into space on the wings. He should play the ball short if something is not on.
I am really happy with Rednapp and confident we can stay up and move on. This game was to all intents and purposes the must win of must wins considering our next games. Great atmosphere today and I loved the Defoe chants. For Xmas I want him and a fit Ledley please.
ShelfSide18
Well-Known Member
- Aug 23, 2006
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Yeah i'll go along with most of that.
One point though, I don't think Jenas was awful, I thought he was decent and as ever he did a lot of good things that went unnoticed, he also, as ever, did a lot of bad things which everyone notices and then gets on his back. I think the fans get to him which affects his performances massively.
Coyboy
The Double of 1961 is still The Double
- Dec 3, 2004
- 15,506
- 5,032
You are probably right about Jenas, it's just that he can do better. He is a very good player. However, if the likes of Bentley, Modric, Huddlestone and Lennon play to their abilities there isn't really space for him unless he were to be the anchor and he is best further forward in my opinion. It was just a very bad performance amongst some excellent ones, and he has been good this season.
I am not a Jenas basher at all, just trying to be objective. I would also add (having not supported his signing at all and thinking he had been terrible this season) that Bentley was very good and I don't think anyone in the league has a better first touch.
I am not a Jenas basher at all, just trying to be objective. I would also add (having not supported his signing at all and thinking he had been terrible this season) that Bentley was very good and I don't think anyone in the league has a better first touch.
ShelfSide18
Well-Known Member
- Aug 23, 2006
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I know you are no Jenas basher Coyboy!:grin:
He can do better I agree, but its the idiots who get on his back from minute 1 to 90 which affect his performances. He seems, like Dawson, to be a player who needs the fans behind him to flourish, a mr nice guy attitude almost. Some players go out and don't really care what the fans say/chant etc but I think Jenas fears making mistakes so much he is trying too hard - which leads to mistakes. I think if the fans got behind him, hell even sang a bloody song about him you might see him relax and become the player we know he can be.
stemark44
Well-Known Member
- Mar 17, 2005
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Jenas was alright today but according to BomberH his fiancee and baby left him this week so perhaps he was a bit down and played that way!
Michey
New Member
- May 4, 2004
- 7,888
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Two questions
1. "He's a very good player", Compared to who?
2. "He can do better", When will he show the better-stuff?
He's playing like crap week in and week out.....apart from 5 games every year when he's good.
So that can't be it
Coyboy
The Double of 1961 is still The Double
- Dec 3, 2004
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Could be, what left him for good?
Kendall
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- Feb 8, 2007
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BAE made that one howler with the dodgy header back, but I think ledley had it covered before Gomes came racing out and nearly broke our glass captain. Apart from that I thought he was awesome and offered more to our attack than bale has all season. He was absolutely teararsing up the pitch until the 93 minute on every counter attack. His delivery has been better than Bale's too.
ShelfSide18
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- Aug 23, 2006
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'Megson is a w****r', 'we want megson out' etc.
Coyboy
The Double of 1961 is still The Double
- Dec 3, 2004
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- 5,032
Yes they were out of order and after our second goal there was a fair bit of trouble. I was right next to the Bolton fans and some of their skinhead fans looked like right nutters, I swear one was eyeballing me. Northerners...
- Feb 1, 2005
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- #138
They've got a reason to be upset, though. They were bad. The time they gave Bentley (an out of form, desperate player) was criminal. O'Brien did his best at the back but they had plenty of chances to make us suffer. Any half-decent side would have at least scored. Probably got a point.
They'll be down with Stoke. And hopefully Newcastle. But, I suspect, Wigan (they'll have to sell/lose either Zaki or Heskey).
They'll be down with Stoke. And hopefully Newcastle. But, I suspect, Wigan (they'll have to sell/lose either Zaki or Heskey).
- Feb 1, 2005
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- #140
Ah, yeah. There is that. But then I think you said it best earlier with your comment: 'Northerners...' :wink:
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