Player Ratings and MOTM for Bolton

[Bus-Conductor]

Ratings v Bolton Cup II

Patience is a virtue.

But so is good set piece delivery.

Once again our jolly non wheeler dealer came up trumps. I liked the changes he made and what I thought was a 4231 (He confused me slightly in his post match interview by saying "we played 3 again in midfield tonight" - he is old, I forget shit I did 5 minutes before and I'm only 46). Even if it was the 433 again, it certainly played like a 4231 with Modric clearly ahead and central of Parker and Livermore.

I know it was the cup. I know it was Bolton. I know this Bolton aren't the rugged kick first ask questions later of yesteryear. But boy did we take them apart with some scintillating football at times. Even taking the performance of the opposition into account, and Bolton really weren't up to much, part of that was we were just damn fucking good and never allowed them to leave go.

4231 or 433 what we have clearly seen in the last two games, played in very different circumstances is playing with two "normal" cm's and without two orthodox wingers means more creativity not less. Both the last two games saw us create more and better quality chances than previous games.

I have no problem with us missing good chances, the more we make the more we will eventually take, all great teams play this way and make and miss great chances. It's much better than relying on half chances and miracles. Arsenal's great side missed at least 3 1v1's every week. And tonight most of the great chances were saved not missed.

Bale was superb tonight, he really seemed to take the game by the throat and seemed to be everywhere. Adebayor was very good and VDV was bang on. Modric showed some nice touches, but best of all they all interacted superbly.

I thought the subs were spot on too. Right people, right times. We still need to be a little more diligent about our defending at times, otherwise we undo the lots of good work with a little sloppy shit, and we gave Bolton a sniff they should never have had. That apart though, this was a top notch demolition that was vey entertaining.

And the importance of set piece practice was made clear tonight. Sometimes, no matter how brilliant your team play, it needs a good old fashioned corner to unlock the door. We'd clearly been practicing these as there was a marked improvement. Not only did we score from a corner, we actually hit the bar from a free kick.

Ratings:

Cudicini 6 - Not a lot to do, but was OK.

Walker 6.5 - His technique let him down a few times tonight, over running the ball and giving it away needlessly a couple of times. His pace gets him into good positions but he just lacks the craft to deliver. He has a great attitude and fast legs though.

Nelson 7.5 - Good game and vital goal.

King 6 - Was OK tonight, but has deteriorated very quickly. Was caught a bit flat footed for their goal.

Ekotto 7.5 - Very good game tonight and contributed heavily to our build up play., also setting up a few chances.

Parker 7 - Good game. Has been a bit leaden footed around the opponents box lately when he gets there. Lacking composure with his final ball/shot. Was unlucky not to score what would have been a great move.

Livermore 7 - Did simple things pretty well. Lacks a bit of dynamism at times but is very economical with the ball.

VDV 8 - Was very good. Could have done a little better with his chance but his movement and intelligence created openings all night. Should have done better maybe with his chance but also created a 1v1 for Adebayor too as well as one for Modric as well I think. A good nights shift

Modric 7.5 - Was a little bit quiet at times but was very good at others. Once again being involved in the areas of the pitch where his touch, glide and vision help us create more opportunities. I would have rather swapped him and VDV around as VDV has just that little bit more composure in the box and Modric is better at moving with the ball at his feet, but it was still great to see him, VDV and Bale all interacting in advances positions. I wish he could be a bit more assertive when he gets into the shooting positions.

Bale 8.5 - An outstanding nights work. Seemed to be everywhere and you can see the influence that VDV is having on his game on nights like tonight. He drifted around, came deep, went wide and took his goal beautifully. He still makes the odd poor choice (like shooting from a tight angle) and wastes the odd good position, but this was as good as I've seen him play.Sometimes I reckon he could be converted into an uber striker.

Adebayor 8 - Great shift.

Defoe 7 - we got the full mini cameo. Was typically DefoeLively©. Came on, shifted and shot. Completely missed a great chance in the 6 yard box, did really well to set up Bale for the goal, then was unbelievable selfish when he should have passed a couple of times and was rightly berated by Bale. At 2-1 wasting a guilt edge chance to roll him in clean through. An 80th minute sub is perfect role for Defoe as you can usually condense everything he does in 90 minutes into a 5-10 minute window anyway, this way he does it all at once.

Saha 6.5 - Great goal.


Redknapp 9 - superb allround decisions two games running.

 

[CJMurray]

Thought Walker was class again tonight. He effectively has to run the entire right channel when VDV os shunted out there, granted he tracked back a fair bit more tonight and against Stoke, but offensively he is often the only one there bombing up and down. Was very solid again defensively as well as a couple of really good crosses.

Cudicini - 6
Walker - 7.5
Nelsen -7
King - 6.5
BAE - 8
Parker - 6.5
Livermore - 7
VDV - 7.5
Modric - 7.5
Bale - 8
Adebayor - 7.5

 

[Yid121]

Was at the game so my ratings may not be the best! Was too busy chanting in Park Lane :razz:

Cudicini - 6 - little to do yet still conceded although not at fault.

Walker - 7.5 - Bombed it as usual up and down the wing.
Nelsen - 8 - Made some key tackles, interceptions and headers. To cap it off scored the opener, MOTM.
King - 7 - Some clever interceptions, looked back to his best.
BAE - 6.5 - Good game.

Livermore - 6.5 - Liking the look of him, good squad player.
Parker - 6 - Looked limited when going forward, but worked his socks off.

VDV - 6 - should have scored but for a good Bogdan save, good free-kick.
Modric - 7 - effective in a free-role in the 1st half, limited in the 2nd. Needs to improve his finishing.
Bale - 8 - Bolton couldn't get near him. Some neat strikes and a good finish to get his goal.

Adebayor - 6.5 - Tireless but lacks goals. Put in a good shift today though.

SUBS
Saha - 7 - lovely strike
Defoe - 6.5 - looked lively, maybe should have started..
Rose - 6 - nothing to speak off, maybe should have started this one.

 

[danielneeds]

Walker was fantastic tonight. Ran Eagles and Miyachi ragged. Always running off the ball, looking to burst into the box and get on the end of things more than VDV and Bale. Little more composure with his final ball and he will be the full package.

 

[stemark44]

I don't think there is much difference between a 4-3-3 and a 4-2-3-1 anyway.
If we had played either of these formations for the last 7/8 games we would still be well ahead of Arsenal.
Thought Nelson did well tonight along with Walker in defence,Bale was very good and so too was VDV.
Modric and Parker were both pretty invisible.
Adebayor did ok as a left winger but not much cop as a striker.

 

[Mr Pink]

I know people will think its because I rate Livermore, but I thought he was very good tonight.

I think he was more than econimical with his passing at times, in fact it was expansive on occasion, one ball to Walker down the right was sublimely weighted.

Ekotto in the first half was absolutely blinding, and his good delivery continued on into the second half even if it wasn't being attacked properly.

Bale was clearly MOM though, outstanding display and would of had a few more to his name if Defoe had done the right thing.

Adebayor's reverse pass to VDV was just lovely and overall he played well tonight.

Walker was also very good just needs to work on that delivery, he engineers fantastic space for himself.

Ultimately the best part of the night was the way we clicked and the football we produced - brillant.

 

[Bobbins]

Agree with all of that Mr P.

BC's ratings are about right for me - no need for the constant criticism of Walker's technique in every single game though!

 

[garyhopkins]

Cudicini - 6.5
Walker - 7
Nelsen -7
King - 6.5
BAE - 7
Parker - 6.5
Livermore - 6.5
VDV - 7
Modric - 7
Bale - 8
Adebayor - 7
subs
Defoe 7
Saha 7
Rose 6

 

[Qualsonic]

Just before a bit of Bolton "pressure" in the last 15mins, tne Italian commentator gave MOTM to Cudicini...for managing to stay awake!

 

[fortworthspur]

I know people will think its because I rate Livermore, but I thought he was very good tonight.

I think he was more than econimical with his passing at times, in fact it was expansive on occasion, one ball to Walker down the right was sublimely weighted.

Ekotto in the first half was absolutely blinding, and his good delivery continued on into the second half even if it wasn't being attacked properly.

Bale was clearly MOM though, outstanding display and would of had a few more to his name if Defoe had done the right thing.

Adebayor's reverse pass to VDV was just lovely and overall he played well tonight.

Walker was also very good just needs to work on that delivery, he engineers fantastic space for himself.

Ultimately the best part of the night was the way we clicked and the football we produced - brillant.

Livermore was good tonight. His best performance of the year.

 

[OmarsComing]

VDV shot on goal was a bad miss rather than a good save - see Bale's goal for example.

 

[jonnyp]

Cudicini - 7 - Very little to do

Walker - 8 - Thought he did very well at both ends today
Nelsen - 7.5 - Played well
King - 7 - Played well but really think he should've scored that header.
BAE - 8 - Great game, good crosses. Contributed going forward a lot.

Livermore - 7 - Not a fan but he had a good game.
Parker - 6.5 - He gets a lower score because of his terrible miss.

VDV - 6 - Terrible miss, didn't contribute enough.
Modric - 6.5 - Not at his best and hasn't been for a while now. Sloppy passing at times, can't shoot.
Bale - 8 - MOTM for me

Adebayor - 8 - Great hold-up and link-up play today, created time and space for others. Worked hard.

SUBS
Saha - 7 - Lively and a great goal
Defoe - 6 - Lively, but ridiculously selfish. Got angry when Bale told him he was being greedy. If I was Redknapp I'd have a go at him after the match. Probably part of the reason why he's not starting many games anymore. He needs to think about the team before himself.
Rose - 6 - Nothing good or bad to say. Did ok with the little time he had.

 

[900triumph]

I'm the numpty that voted Benny. His passing gets better and better, whether hit with pace to avoid interception or finessed into the path of a runner, he played pass after perfect pass. Did the little he had to do defensively well too, although I seem to have blocked out the detail of the Bolton goal, can't remember if he was involved in that debacle!

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

Cudicini - 7 - Very little to do

Walker - 8 - Thought he did very well at both ends today
Nelsen - 7.5 - Played well
King - 7 - Played well but really think he should've scored that header.
BAE - 8 - Great game, good crosses. Contributed going forward a lot.

Livermore - 7 - Not a fan but he had a good game.
Parker - 6.5 - He gets a lower score because of his terrible miss.

VDV - 6 - Terrible miss, didn't contribute enough.
Modric - 6.5 - Not at his best and hasn't been for a while now. Sloppy passing at times, can't shoot.
Bale - 8 - MOTM for me

Adebayor - 8 - Great hold-up and link-up play today, created time and space for others. Worked hard.

SUBS
Saha - 7 - Lively and a great goal
Defoe - 6 - Lively, but ridiculously selfish. Got angry when Bale told him he was being greedy. If I was Redknapp I'd have a go at him after the match. Probably part of the reason why he's not starting many games anymore. He needs to think about the team before himself.
Rose - 6 - Nothing good or bad to say. Did ok with the little time he had.

I can go with this. Thought Nelsen made a couple of stellar interventions at the back, though not quite up for it on their goal. Walker did very well, and so did Bale though he's a bit lazy, inefficient and should be able to do (even) better. Modric is obviously a great player, but he can't shoot, score and his passing is better further back IMO.

Maybe a bit kind on BAE - good game by all accounts but Ade, Walker, Bale were better and Nelsen equal.

Refreshing to see a goalie come for a cross again yesterday, as well (for the record: I really rate Friedel).

 

[Spurs_Bear]

As much as Walker had a good game driving forward, I thought he was at fault for their goal as he was guilty of ball watching. He shouldn't have been on his heels expecting Nelsen to clear it (he should have to be fair), and it just took the gloss off what was another good performance from him.

 

[mattyspurs]

Christ alive!!! I agree with BC on all counts!

 

[talkshowhost86]

Agree with alot of what BC says there. Last night was an excellent example of how playing two defensive midfielders can allow the rest of the team to do it's attacking ting. We pressed them brilliantly, never allowed them into the game and our front 4 looked like they had goals in them even when the crowd were starting to get frustrated.

Cudicini - 6 - Nothing to do.
Walker - 7 - Getting better defensively and dangerous going forwards. just needs to work on the final ball.
King - 6 - Not alot to do but didn't look overly composed
Nelsen - 7 - A couple of good interceptions and obviously a great headed goal. Should have done better on their goal though.
BAE - 8 - Thought he was excellent. Barely put a foot wrong defensively and found our players with his passing the majority of the time.
Livermore - 7 - Excellent in the first half where he started alot of his attacks with his tackling. Faded a bit in the second half but generally good.
Parker - 7 - Usual industrious shift and looks better now he has some help alongside him.
Modric - 7.5 - Looks so much better playing in the final third which this formation allows him to do.
Bale - 8 - At the heart of alot of what we did and a great finish for his goal.
VdV - 7.5 - Should have scored but again this formation suits him well. Great passing throughout the game.
Adebayor - 7.5 - Working hard again and it makes a massive difference to our team. Just needs a few goals!

All in all a very impressive performance and I hope we see the same sort of lineup against Swansea.

 

[vegassd]

Great analysis BC.

Adebayor didn't score but the way he can command the opponents back 4 at times is outstanding. I really think he is the lynchpin for our whole attacking unit and gets my MOTM.

Good performances all round really, although I think I would have preferred Livermore to make more forward runs than Parker, and also to have the Defoe substitution made a little earlier. Walker still has his weaknesses but he is clearly improving every game. Hard to complain really.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

Ade did well occupying their defenders - i sometimes wonder if his reputation and presence is more effective than what he does with the ball. Livermores passing was fantastic, some real pinpoint balls cut through midfield, and you can see that him and Walker have built a good relationship over the years building up to first team action. I wonder how much input Hudd is having in training, despite being crocked. Modric works sooo fucking hard, it's unreal the amount of times he's the one closing down everything in midfield, but Bale needs to work harder to find space on whichever flank he's playing down - without Lennon there is no balance for him, granted, but constantly drifting inside means someone has to cover and the team loses its shape. No complaints over our defence last night really, Nelsen looked confident and made a few nice pushes up the field, Ledley had a relatively quiet night and was only really stretched once with a great ball that lead to their goal. Parker was quiet, VDV worked really hard as well, but spends too much time in our half facing our goal - We have enough across the middle to play in that role if needed, get up the field and let Livermore/Parker play that role, make yourself available for crying out loud, you're better going the other way! :lol:

Bogdan, I know divides opinion, but every great keeper has a moment when they start finding their talent, but it will come in fits and starts. Last night was a great example of a keeper having a proper form game, helped on ocassion by us thumping it square into his belly, but generally looking like he's developing into a very competent keeper. They identified early that they needed to close out the flanks and did that well, forcing our only real chances to come from either awkward crosses (which everyone knows we suck at) or for the ball to be cut inside, and to be fair, their defenders worked hard without conceding much until the fatigue started setting in.

Still drives me nuts that we've reverted to playing such unattractive football for large chunks of the match though. Last night i saw runs being made by Livermore, Walker, Bale, Disco & Rafa, really promising looking lines, but instead we pass backwards and the momentum grinds to a halt. It's as if without Lennon the team are scared to attack the same fast, confident way we were lauded for earlier in the season. I honestly think, if we played with a bit more ambition to reach higher rather than the fear of failing then it'd benefit the entire squad and we'd start seeing the scorelines we were getting used to.

Was the right result though in the end.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Still drives me nuts that we've reverted to playing such unattractive football for large chunks of the match though. Last night i saw runs being made by Livermore, Walker, Bale, Disco & Rafa, really promising looking lines, but instead we pass backwards and the momentum grinds to a halt. It's as if without Lennon the team are scared to attack the same fast, confident way we were lauded for earlier in the season. I honestly think, if we played with a bit more ambition to reach higher rather than the fear of failing then it'd benefit the entire squad and we'd start seeing the scorelines we were getting used to.

Was the right result though in the end.

I thought last night was one of our most impressive displays of the season and we played some absolutely fantastic football. We didn't get the goals due to poor finishing and good goalkeeping but we certainly weren't playing unattractive football.