Tottenham Vs Reading: Match Thread

[tomo]

The Scum have just drawn which makes todays result even sweeter.

 

[$hoguN]

The more I watch this team, over the past 5 matches since its style suddenly came into focus against Swansea, the more convinced I become that the strikers (and supporting goalscorers) are getting unjust stick. The problem is that they aren't getting enough clear-cut chances. We're blasting in shots from all angles - Defoe and Bale will do that anyway - but because we're now thought of as one of the league's tougher opponents, teams are defending in depth and in numbers and it's very difficult to set goalscoring players free without a van der Vaart or Moutinho character. The strikers are missing a lot of chances because they are having to take on difficult chances, especially in terms of shooting through traffic. Have a look at the alarming number of shots that we have had blocked this season.

When we add a creative player who can drop into the gap between midfield and defence and then provide an unplayable ball, the 20-30 shots we get in every match will start producing more than 1 to 3 goals.

Although you clearly have a point, Ade missed sitters in the last two matches as has Defoe. So we are creating the type of chances that the strikers should be putting away, unfortunately they just are not.

What we need to stop is Defoe shooting from everywhere, as his inability to see anything but glory and shooting from all angles brings to the end a lot of our very promising play. The same can be said of Bale, but at least Bale puts a high percentage on target where as Defoe puts them in the stands. I'm a little concerned that Walker is shooting too often too. Just look at how frustrated Ade gets when Defoe smashes a shot when there is an easy pass on, I think it says a lot.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

The strikers are missing a lot of chances because they are having to take on difficult chances, especially in terms of shooting through traffic. Have a look at the alarming number of shots that we have had blocked this season.

Dave i am not trying to piss on your fire here, but do you not see this when you watch Reading and the likes play at Man Ure, Chelsea, Arsenal and Man Citeh because i certainly do. The difference is the quality that they have in abundance at center forward.

The amount of chances we created today was unbelievable and i cannot think that there isn't at least one striker out in Europe somewhere who watched that game and thought that they could fill there boots given a chance in a team like we have. You only have to look at our goal difference to see where our issue is, and that counts whether we were managed under Redknapp or AVB. I for one would take a risk on Villa if we could get him for the right price. I don't want to see four strikers here but what's the alternative if we are going to challenge for a top four finish this season?

At the end of the day "difficult chances" as you say will be converted by players who can take them. Defoe isn't one of those players who can an neither is Ade.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

What we need to stop is Defoe shooting from everywhere, as his inability to see anything but glory and shooting from all angles brings to the end a lot of our very promising play.

100% correct that man!

 

[tobi]

The more I watch this team, over the past 5 matches since its style suddenly came into focus against Swansea, the more convinced I become that the strikers (and supporting goalscorers) are getting unjust stick. The problem is that they aren't getting enough clear-cut chances. We're blasting in shots from all angles - Defoe and Bale will do that anyway - but because we're now thought of as one of the league's tougher opponents, teams are defending in depth and in numbers and it's very difficult to set goalscoring players free without a van der Vaart or Moutinho character. The strikers are missing a lot of chances because they are having to take on difficult chances, especially in terms of shooting through traffic. Have a look at the alarming number of shots that we have had blocked this season.

When we add a creative player who can drop into the gap between midfield and defence and then provide an unplayable ball, the 20-30 shots we get in every match will start producing more than 1 to 3 goals.

It goes both ways, the forwards don't offer good enough movement, a lot of times they don't even make basic movements (near post etc). They are far too lazy at crucial moments and expect the player in possesion to play a perfect pass.

All of this gives the player in possesion limited options and makes our play too predicatable, too often.

 

[jonnyp]

The Scum have just drawn which makes todays result even sweeter.

They were extremely lucky to draw too. Well played southampton

 

[donny1013]

I am not saying for one moment that Dembele is on the same level as Zidane but he certainly has similar traits. The way he can beat a player that is square on to him is a quality that has impressed me the most about him. Very rarely see any players do that in the modern game.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

It goes both ways, the forwards don't offer good enough movement, a lot of times they don't even make basic movements (near post etc). They are far too lazy at crucial moments and expect the player in possesion to play a perfect pass.

Which in a nutshell shows their limitations. Both Defoe and Ade are good, but not great strikers. Today certainly showed everyone that Defoe just isn't top draw and certainly is a greedy sod in front of goal. One thing i will say about Ade is that he will always look for the second option if he is restricted on goal.

 

[Shadydan]

Seen Webb referee many times and that has to be up there with one of his worst performances at WHL.

I'm utterly convinced he hates us and loves giving decisions against us.

Frigging ridiculous, the moment that clinched it for me was when one of our players were clearly fouled and he just waved play on but the linesman flagged in our favour.

Astonishing.

 

[idontgetit]

I am not saying for one moment that Dembele is on the same level as Zidane but he certainly has similar traits. The way he can beat a player that is square on to him is a quality that has impressed me the most about him. Very rarely see any players do that in the modern game.

Definitely not from the middle of the park either! Outrageously strong on the ball

 

[idontgetit]

Anyway, there's one thing this game proves. Lennon is the ultimate definition of a confidence player. Massive pat on the back for AVB for realising it and talking him up every week

 

[HotspurFC1950]

Although you clearly have a point, Ade missed sitters in the last two matches as has Defoe. So we are creating the type of chances that the strikers should be putting away, unfortunately they just are not.

What we need to stop is Defoe shooting from everywhere, as his inability to see anything but glory and shooting from all angles brings to the end a lot of our very promising play. The same can be said of Bale, but at least Bale puts a high percentage on target where as Defoe puts them in the stands. I'm a little concerned that Walker is shooting too often too. Just look at how frustrated Ade gets when Defoe smashes a shot when there is an easy pass on, I think it says a lot.

Correct.

 

[HotspurFC1950]

Anyway, there's one thing this game proves. Lennon is the ultimate definition of a confidence player. Massive pat on the back for AVB for realising it and talking him up every week

Yes well spotted.

 

[Dare!]

Great way to start 2013.

COYS.

 

[$hoguN]

Anyway, there's one thing this game proves. Lennon is the ultimate definition of a confidence player. Massive pat on the back for AVB for realising it and talking him up every week

I'm not sure that is true. Lennon is very consistent, you always know what you will get with him. He will work hard to help out Walker, and will always be a willing runner who is totally unselfish (to the point of frustration) in front of goal. His goalscoring exploits probably go up and down with self confidence (doesn't everyones?) but I don't think he is a confidence player at all.

On your other point of praising AVB for making Lennon feel wanted and a vital part of the team, I think you are correct it must be great for his confidence.

 

[CJMurray]

I'm not sure that is true at all. Lennon is very consistent, you always know what you will get him. He will work hard to help out Walker, and will always be a willing runner who is totally unselfish (to the point of frustration) in front of goal. His goalscoring exploits probably go up and down with self confidence (doesn't everyones?) but I don't think he is a confidence player at all.

On your other point of praising AVB for making Lennon feel wanted and a vital part of the team, I think you are correct.

You always know what you're going to get from Lennon in terms of working hard, but you can see that when he's low on confidence and gets on the ball he tends to just pass it and lay it off, but when he's confident (like today) he's looking to take on the full back every time he gets on the ball.

 

[idontgetit]

I'm not sure that is true. Lennon is very consistent, you always know what you will get with him. He will work hard to help out Walker, and will always be a willing runner who is totally unselfish (to the point of frustration) in front of goal. His goalscoring exploits probably go up and down with self confidence (doesn't everyones?) but I don't think he is a confidence player at all.

On your other point of praising AVB for making Lennon feel wanted and a vital part of the team, I think you are correct.

His workrate is consistent. Him involving himself in a game, taking responsibility and dominating it is not. I sound like I'm being harsh but it is true, he's one of my favourite players but when he's not on form he is very difficult to find and will often shy away from taking the fullback on. Get a few goals behind him though and the guy is literally unplayable

 

[$hoguN]

You always know what you're going to get from Lennon in terms of working hard, but you can see that when he's low on confidence and gets on the ball he tends to just pass it and lay it off, but when he's confident (like today) he's looking to take on the full back every time he gets on the ball.

Maybe you are right. I just think his running at players is coming as a result of AVB making it clear that his role is more of a wide striker rather than a winger.

 

[thinktank]

Swear down, a clinical and more composed striker would score 30 goals a season in this team if not more.

As xxxx as he is, suarez would bang them in in this team without a shadow.

 

[thinktank]

Anyway, there's one thing this game proves. Lennon is the ultimate definition of a confidence player. Massive pat on the back for AVB for realising it and talking him up every week

So is Ade. I expect him to score next game.