Reading Vs Tottenham: Match Thread

[jolsnogross]

That was a good and necessary win. I was one of those who doubted the wisdom of starting with Defoe, but he silenced those doubts by playing really well and his second goal was a collector's item for him. Reading were very poor, but we can only take on what is in front of us. It's a shame that a clean sheet seems beyond us at the moment, but 20 attempts on goal and getting three bodes well for the future. I think the approach today was far more positive than the first three very tentative matches, and playing Dembele or Hudd next to Sandro makes a difference in that respect. Good win.

 

[sebo_sek]

Well, here's my twopence's worth - The system works and indeed all that was needed was a bit of patience. The boys know what is expected of them and have the drive to see it through. Now on to some of the players:
Defoe - I have to start with him. So many on here wanted him gone, I hope they reaalise how wrong they were. I think we now see why Defoe is the man to start ahead of Ade - he simply works better, is quicker and judging by his play today is a lot more than just a great finisher. it appears JD has vision and a killer pass and knows how to position himself. He will be among the top scorers in the league this year.
Naughton - a good job, needs some work as a defender but a very good player who will get even better with time. BAE needs to work all the harder.
Bale - back to what he does best. He is no longer the brain of the attack, he just needs to be there and deliver a killer cross. That's what got him his rep and that's what will help it develop.
Dembele - really could turn out to be our new Modric. If he continues to play like that Moutinho may not be needed. I'm serious. Very impressed. The Midfield trio of Sandro Dembele and Sig worked perfectly, controlling play throughout the game (Reading maybe had 5 minutes where they may have hoped for some control, but that was it)

Brad - sadly had one true moment where he needed to focus and didn't - wrong decision, goal conceeded. If AVB needed an excuse to drop him, he got.

VDV - while I think most were outraged at his sale with no JM on the way, I'm starting to understand the rationale. He would have struggled in this set up. For all the vision and ability VDV was simply too slow. He wasn't athletic enough to manage in this highspeed system, qicck closing down (Reading players were almost immediately surrounded by 2-3 grey shirts)

So all in all I will continue to voice the need for patience and belief that we are in good hands and the need to drop Brad ASAP.

 

[DanNolan]

Vertonghen was absolutely brilliant, Sandro is an absolute beast! Defoe had best game I've ever seen him as a lone striker. I think Lennon was actually one of the best players on the pitch today some great cut backs.Bale and dembele did well too and walker was ok.

Only negatives for me were that still Friedel doesnt command his box, Gallas still doesnt look sharp enough for me and too slow to release the ball and i hope caulker doesnt leave due to him not playing. Sigurdsson still hasnt quite got it yet, bit one paced and loses the ball too much. Lastly i think Naughton was extremely weak as hes a VERY one footed player playing on the wrong side. Every chance came from his man getting loose and crossing seemed to not switch on. Really annoyed me all game and against a better team wed be punished. At fault for last goal as well, as was walker massively and friedel a slight extent.

I dont want to focus on negatives though as overall ive probably been a little picky and we were Very very good today. Will only improve to, great win!

 

[RichieS]

Phil McNulty, BBC Sport Chief Football Writer
"Impressive display from AVB's side - powerful and fluid in midfield."

Impressive indeed Phil, now for your fellow journo's to follow suit in giving praise when it's due

McNulty has been a voice of reason throughout the BBC's coverage today. I think Green may have seen the light too.

 

[jolsnogross]

Ahhhhhh... It is all good

But I think the man of the day is AVB.

He has had crap from fans and the media, but he stuck to his guns and he will get us there. So happy for him

C'mon now. You know today's win is despite AVB, not because of him!

 

[teok]

Did kanu get married?

 

[Goldman]

We need some AVB celebration gifs in this thread!

A Good win, and some very good performances out there. Can't wait to get back to the lane on Thursday. COYS!

 

[agrdavidsfan]

Vertonghen was bloody amazing won everything organised the defense brought the ball out when needed and even tried to slip defoe through immense talent

 

[danielneeds]

Yeah those criticising Sig have no idea. He made a few mistakes here and there, but his movement, touch and intelligence was causing Reading so many problems. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

 

[SugarRay]

Vertonghen, Sandro and Jermain were quality today.

 

[DIEHARD]

I dont rate Sig but his pass was sublime. HOWEVER I dont see him as a first teamer at all - as a sub yeah.

In the meantime I would play Dempsey behind the striker. My main preference is Dembele in behind the striker and have Thudd/Sandro

 

[TheGreenLily]

C'mon now. You know today's win is despite AVB, not because of him!

He is man of the day. Nothing else need be questioned.

 

[tobi]

Yeah those criticising Sig have no idea. He made a few mistakes here and there, but his movement, touch and intelligence was causing Reading so many problems. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

He had a solid game for me, excellent pass for the first goal, he just needs to think quicker on his feet.

 

[Hitch]

I don't know because I didn't see the game, but were we pressing at high tempo? There's a chance that the players aren't quite fit enough yet and thus switch off through tiredness at the end of games.

This is what I'm worried about. I can't say for sure that it's a fitness issue but we do play a high tempo game and it's a fact that we haven't looked strong during the last 10 minutes of any of our games so far. Tbh, despite the high pressing off the ball I don't feel that we should be struggling late as we should be making up for those exertions with the amount of time that we spend on the ball. We dominated possession today so shouldn't have been tired....but I'm just not sure. It can't all be psychological because at three up today we shouldn't have felt under any pressure.

 

[delpiero]

Needed win, some big positives today, notably verts. Amazing performance, really composed, he will be a legend.

Naughton put in a good performance,Lennon showing signs of his former self, and the reliable Sandro. And good to see Defoe get a couple. Still think he's a selfish fuck but if he scores 2 a game I forgive him.

 

[Chimbo!]

Defoe will take the plaudits but I think a lot of credit has to go to Gallas and Vertonghen who barely gave Reading a sniff. The fact that Friedel did not make a save away from home says more about our centre-back pairing than it does about our opposition.

Plus Sigurdsson's ball for the 1st goal was sublime. He was a bit sloppy in the 2nd half but looks promising.

 

[TheGreenLily]

He is man of the day. Nothing else need be questioned.

Yeah those criticising Sig have no idea. He made a few mistakes here and there, but his movement, touch and intelligence was causing Reading so many problems. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

They are only jealous because he has a cool name

 

[2bearis2do]

TBF2M (To Be Fair 2 Me) - I'd never used FWIW b4 - I'm just trying to get on down with the Kool Krowd. TYVM :dead:

 

[sim0n]

Watched game - enjoyed win - did not read ANY SC posts regarding this game since kick off -- Spurs won and got 3 points,...

ALL is good in the world -- COYS!!!!

 

[SugarRay]

Yeah those criticising Sig have no idea. He made a few mistakes here and there, but his movement, touch and intelligence was causing Reading so many problems. Hopefully a sign of things to come.

He wasn't great today. Sloppy at times, namely taking on players on the edge of his area and losing the ball! Great ball for Azza ( great run by the way ) for the first and he showed some nice touches. Should have scored.

Not sold on him to be completely honest and I think we will see Dembele pushed further forward at times this season with Sig missing out, but I hope he can become the player some think he can be.