Tottenham Hotspur Vs West Ham: Match Thread

[spur_souljah]

It is now clear to me why we have so many keepers produce so many performances out of this world against us, its because we simply crank up their confidence through shit shots on goal as defoe showed today and has done in the past alongside that keane.. We showed this against wigan (as well as several times last year) when thankfully al-habsi was always in the right place at the right time and then he goes and shows us his true standard against Man city..
In all honesty we don't deserve to be in the top 4, our goal difference is the worst out the lot and we are probably the most inconsistent than those above us..

 

[Chimbo!]

Our midfield and defence were excellent overall. Unfortunately the best opportunities fell to Defoe and consequently we failed to score. To miss twice from 4 yards is inexcusable. A frustrating game where we did more than enough to win but ended up only taking a point.

On a brighter note I thought most players had a good game. The only bad notes were Corluka's sloppy passes and Defoe's inability to score. Otherwise not much to criticize.

I also think that is 4th place over. We are hanging on by a thread and we have dropped yet more points. The striker issue is really coming back to bite. We will probably miss out by 4 or 5 points and those points were lost against Blackpool and West Ham. Two games we should have won but didn't because we did not take our chances.

 

[cozzo]

Defoe and his embarrassing T-shirt!

 

[dannythomas]

Same old story. Our repeated failure to buy a striker in every transfer window will cost us. Europa Cup here we come. I posted before the match that Defoe has yet to convince he can play as a lone striker. Today he convinced finally that he can not. If we are going to play 4-5-1 he is the worst of our 3 options.
I also don't know why Bale played the 90 minutes when he is clearly not yet fit. The constant switching of him and Lennon is ok for Lennon who can play either side but Bale cannot play right side.
A word for Pav who looked good when he came on. Should have made that change at half time.

 

[we_all_loved_freund]

I have said it a few times, Defoe's finishing is not as fantastic as people make out. 9 times out of 10 he just puts his fut through the ball. He is not a cultured finisher by any means. He said before the Wolves game that Les Ferdinand had made him watch a few videos of Greavies and how he was going to try and pas the ball into the net more. When they are flying in all is good but, with his technique, he will always miss a lot more than he scores

 

[miles_64]

We're all devastated but Senor Oddie has highlighted just how brilliant our midfield duo of Sandro and Modric was - I just wish they got the result their performance deserved. As for Defoe - are you sure it was a 100 goals shirt? I thought it would be 100 misses myself...

 

[tooey]

Poor Defoe, how is he ever meant to get back to his former self when he has this shit to listen to every week.

 

[Dare!]

Can't wait for Thursday night on Channel 5 next year...

 

[nicdic]

I'm always a glass half full kinda guy, but today has really knocked the confidence out of me. I'm struggling to see any longer how we'll qualify for the CL next season.

 

[kaz Hirai]

we should be scouting europe, and africia now for 2 or 3 young strikers in the summer if we cant get a finished article, one of them is bound to turn out better than defoe, and he wonders why he doesnt start in the champions league :lol:

didnt see the game but from the sounds of it he should have at least grabbed one today

 

[jushin3]

Modric is better than anyone on our team. Might have to push him out if Barcelona comes a calling.

 

[Misfit]

Can't wait for Thursday night on Channel 5 next year...

At least C5 HD is worth the name, unlike ITV HD.

/dives on any crumb of comfort

 

[kaz Hirai]

Can't wait for Thursday night on Channel 5 next year...

be good for the kids and 2nd string, while the main team pushes for the title

 

[nicdic]

Poor Defoe, how is he ever meant to get back to his former self when he has this shit to listen to every week.

That's right, it's our fault that he's scored two goals from open play in the league in a year. He's not good enough.

 

[trevo]

Poor Defoe, how is he ever meant to get back to his former self when he has this shit to listen to every week.

Yeah right. His appalling form is definitely down to this forum and we should all apologise profusely to him. Perhaps we should campaign for a pay rise for him? On this form he'll miss the front door on his new house.

 

[haxman]

Harry saying how he's going to have a go at VDV about him heading off down the tunnel after the substitution.

Didn't realise we've only scored 19 goals in 14 games at the Lane. Poor.

 

[Jaydog]

That was so disapointing to watch.. for me if you are playing anyone below the top 5 at home you should be playing two up top. Yes some people consider VDV to be a forward but he played so deep. Rafa is not dumb he knows when he plays with defoe we wont send the ball direct to a forward line due to a lack of height/hold up play so he goes looking for the ball. Where as when Crouch plays Rafa looks to get close to him for knockdowns.

So Harry, simple decision... either go RAFA with Crouch or Pav with Defoe.

I am not the biggest Pav fan but he did work hard when he came on and we looked a lot more dangerous when we played. Where as Defoe was West Ham's best player.

I know Crouch is not everyones cup of tea but I think we are more effective team with him in the side. He brings more out of other players namely VDV, Bale and helps out our fullbacks when high up the pitch as an option to put in the box. How many times did Charlie try and play Lennon in when a ball in the box would have been the better option.

Rant over....

 

[jushin3]

No one gave Defoe crap at the end of last season when he wasn't scoring. No one gave him crap at the beginning of this season, when he wasn't scoring. No one gave him crap when he came back from injury right back into the first choice. He's had a charmed existence under Harry the last year.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

OptaJoe Opta Sports



31 - Tottenham attempted 31 shots (inc. blocked) v West Ham – only on three occasions this season have a side had more in a PL game. Denied.

Fucking hell.

Poor Defoe, how is he ever meant to get back to his former self when he has this shit to listen to every week.

By "this shit" I can only think you mean the advice of his striking coach. I'm wondering the same myself.

 

[Bobbins]

This is why some of us have been saying Pav should be first choice all season. Defoe isn't good enough.

This doesn't make you right, Pav has had a very poor season too and his excellent performance today doesn't make up for that all of a sudden.

The myth that Pav will consistently score goals is just that - a myth.

Defoe's time has come though, he's had a disastrous season.

I'd be very happy to see them both gone in the summer, neither are remotely good enough.