v. LA Galaxy

[rsmith]

Found a stream

First impressions after 10 minutes:-

. Vertonghen is like a white Ledley. Wins clean ball, composed distribution.

. Sigurdsson is playing wide right. Reminds me a bit of Bentley, happy to take players on, but not that quick.

Not seen much of Rafa yet. JD is lively on his own, but we're missing a target man for Bale, who's pretty much got the LAG RB sorted.

 

[jushin3]

You're confusing VDV with Siggurdson. Sig is in midfield slightly to the left.

 

[jm434]

can u pls kindly send me the link to the stream? watching on psp and its lagging like mad... like play 2 seconds stops for 10

 

[rsmith]

I'll get my specs

 

[jm434]

can anyone pls kindly link me a link to the stream??? thanks so much!!!

 

[rsmith]

@jm434 done

 

[rsmith]

Goal Bale, header from around the penalty spot

 

[Aaron140]

Van der vaart off injured

 

[AW?]

Weird seeing Jenas playing.

 

[Barmy_in_Palmy]

Weird seeing Jenas playing.

Who?

 

[spursfaninus]

Hopefully VDV is nothing major. Appeared to go off ok, could also be wishful thinking by me.

 

[spud]

Interesting half. Team is Cudicini, Walker, Kaboom, Verts, Bassong, Townshend, Livermore, Bale, VdV, Siggurdson (sp), Defoe. VdV off with what looks like a groin injury to be replaced by Jenas.

We are pressing quite well but are susceptible to a long ball - either a stright one down the middle, where Keane keeps splitting the centre-backs, or a diagonal to the left. Keane should have had a couple of goals or at least forced Carlo to save, but Kaboom and Walker made recovering tackles. There has been a suspicion of offside but it hasn't been given. Kaboom and Verts need to communicate better and the opposite full back needs to cover rather than stay wide.

LA have had the bulk of possession as we haven't been able to play it short (they are covering when Cudicini or the defenders have it at their feet) and have consequently tended to go back to Cudicini who then punts it long. It therefore tends to come straight back to us. We haven't really offered anythin going forward although Defoe had one saved from about 20 yards and had a glancing header from a free-kick that would've gone in but went central to the keeper. Townshend has looked the most lively in possession but has lacked close support and has therefore tended to get crowded out. Bale has been all over the pitch (and made a saving tackle in the left back position) and has consequently not been so prominent going forward.

Improvement is needed and it's a good job that it's the first serious pre-season game. I would hope for more movement when we're in possession in the second half.

 

[rsmith]

Walker off injured

 

[rsmith]

Current line up includes
Dawson, Thudd, Jenas, Bentley, Lennon, JD

Is this the new look Spurs, or did I dream the last 2 years?

 

[Dundalk_Spur]

I am wondering how an MLS game gets finished, the refs and linos stop doing their job and watch the game or wander off.

Oh and Nicol is a fat scottish twat who hasnt a clue. ESPN are awful.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Just a reminder that the site rules regarding streams haven't suddenly gone away.

 

[JimmyG2]

Better second half, more control of the ball and some decent short passing.
Generally a bit ragged in the heat. Not quite so open at the back as in the first half.
Ekotto helped steady up the back line.
Bale should have had a penalty, Defoe and Sigurdsson should have scored.
Kane and Dawson played well when they came on.
Bentley same old, same old. Lennon lively.
Bale stand out best performance.
Would have liked to see Gomes on second half.
Back to bed to dream of things to come.

Couldn't get signed in to Spurs TV, can I say that?

 

[spud]

The ony players to start and finish the game were Cudicini and Vertonghen. It's to be hoped that the injuries to VdV and Walker are minor, and I think the latter was just a knock.

The team seemed more cohesive in the second half although they were playing against a very young LA team which was also virtually completely changed from the kick-off. The defence looked more composed as the game went on, and Dawson seemed to provide a calming influence. BAE wasn't noticably superior to Bassong but seemed more comfortable in the position. Bale was excellent until his withdrawal and, like Kane, should've had a penalty when clearly fouled. Bale spent the whole match on the left.

Regarding individual players, Bentley showed well (although I wonder why he was played left when he replaced Bale rather than switching with Lennon) and both Naughton and Carroll looked tidy - although the latter was only on the pitch briefly. Big Tom looked very rusty and clearly needs more games. Kane wasn't in the game much but his movement was quite good; it's not his fault that he wasn't found.

If that performance was half-way through the season we'd be complaining, but for the first game against decent opposition - in a very hot environment - there is clearly a lot of promise. I'm looking forward to the Liverpool and New York games.

 

[Spriggan]

Decent game, not match fit yet, looked a little tired. AVB was right about wanting to assess all the players, there were a couple who I thought had retired back in the 60's! I think it will give AVB a lot to ponder. We missed a midfield general.

 

[spud]

Just a reminder that the site rules regarding streams haven't suddenly gone away.

Don't you ever sleep? I'm beginning to wonder whether you're human!