Good morning.
It was a game all about our midfield and our defence. Van der Vaart played a role I’d struggle to equate to that of a centre forward. The old soldier Sir Ledley ‘Large One’ King returned and his effect upon the back four was tangible to put it mildly. What worries me is that whilst it’s great to get this classy display all out transfer grumbles appear to be around replacing the strikers.
The strikers to one side, just stop and consider how amazing we’d be if we had a player as good as Ledders there ALL THE BLEEDIN’ TIME. The strikers by and large do need binning. They were irrelevant to the win.
The most notable difference is his confidence with crosses. Leaping and taking the ball creates confidence because it kills the threat.
At his best yesterday, composed and controlling. Obviously told told to ease up on the forays forward and it was a good plan.
The ‘Ledders Factor’ was very much in evidence. Like spending a day in the office with your boss sharing your desk. He looked pretty fierce.
Half man, half cyborg strapped up with half lollypop sticks bound with parcel string. That said he denied all-comers and looked like he hadn’t been away. Just fit, just excellent.
They talk about people needing to step up and this boy did just that. So many want the kids to come through and this looks like he will. Brilliant to see.
Ran about a bit but ultimately didn’t set the game alight. A good few short balls but really didn’t spark. Not a disaster, just a tad drab.
With players closing in on him from all directions he created opportunity with intelligence and skill that was a delight to watch. Anyone who doesn’t understand his importance doesn’t understand football.
Outstanding. Physically and mentally up to the Premiership demands and an excellent buy.
I just don’t get why we bought him. If anyone wants to briefly outline why, I’d be pleased to read it. He’s not awful, I just don’t get what he’s supposed to do.
Intelligent and gifted. His critics need to give him the benefit of a preseason before wheeling out what’s obvious in his first season. Needs to lose a few pounds and improve fitness.
I’ve run out of patience with him and tactics including him making the first team. I can see how on the International stage and in Europe of course but in the Premiership it seems to me that the jig is up.
He may well be a Yiddo, but championing him is a rapidly becoming a clutching at straws exercise. Offers little aside from goals and hasn’t offered any of them in a dog’s age.
Really good article, well done. i agree with everything except the Pienaar jibes. He’s a good player and deserves more credit.I think we all thought he was a wee bit faster but how or never he can play and works bloody hard. When Niko came on the first thing that happenned was that their young flanagan ran at him and carried the ball past Niko and set up a chance. Pienaar for me does offer more and was of course great value. I believe there is a lot more to come from him.
The 2 stand out players for me are Modric and King. Both play the game at a different level and both should be wrapped up and kept at all costs.And as we’ve been saying all year: harry get is a f…… striker who can lead the line and score some goals.
Levy buys not Harry, he just says who he wants then it’s up to Levy.
Can i just say..in addition to a great performance by the lads….our fans (as usual) sang their hearts out and gave it to the Scally’s all the way through the game, top rating of 10/10. Also the streaker who came on and did a cartwheel in the middle of the pitch was quality! Top weekend in Liverpool followed by a top afternoon of entertainment.
I will bet anyone on hear both Crouch and Defoe will score many more goals for Spurs if Huddlestone gets fully fit and King and Gomes one stays fit and the other stays on the bench. We have no one in midfield including Modric and Van who can pass with pace and get Lennon and Bale behind defences with a killer pass with pace over 15 yards . We lost the ball against Liverpool loads of times with passes to long and with no pace Hudds hits missiles passes and missiles shots also he helps in defence like Crouch we after factor this in our thinking or we will get rid of to loyal good players who can and will score goals playing every week and with a great passer in Hudds. We missed out in a week where city got all the luck when they got a late goal against Blackburn when Ballabollocks was obstructing Gomes is twin Robbo and then when Chelsea was given a win by Sky TV and the FA refs to keep the title drama going for another game. So the verdict on our season we lst lady luck at the very time you need it our king has come out of exile and brought us victory against the Duracell Bunnies to late for fourth but its taken the bitter taste of my mouth because if they had leapfrogged us Ufa place or not it would have left me heart broken. This is because its there Tempo that has caused all the upsets from the north west . We will be back if Harry does not make to many changes and trust our kids like Rose to shine and Defoe and Crouch alonn with a fit Hudds and Bale and please god our King we will once again reign supreme and have better Glory nights
Yes they will but they won’t win us a league title, we want world class not Premier League class.
Good synopsis of the performance H. Agree about most of it – would however give Piennar a bit of slack. Not sure we’ve ‘fitted’ him in to a role yet but he does have energy and commitment…which needs a bit more when you’re a Spurs player ( I still like to think there is a typical’Spurs player’) but I’m sure it will come.
Disappointed again the yerman Defoe – I’m a fan but not sure we’ve got the right ‘foil’ for him up front. If you look at his goals they (mostly) come from Defoe moving in to the box – either latching on to a through ball or taking a short(ish) run and firing. Worked best with Kanoute – who was intelligent enough to draw defenders and give Defoe the space to do his bit. Crouch in this role …not sure his brain extends much beyond enabling limb movement and nobbing. Pav..not sold on him either…plays a similar game to Defoe (without the pace) so there’s no match there. Need a Sheringham/Kanoute clone to supplement the strike force, plus A N Other to improve /bang in the 25 – 30 a season strikers at CL level get. Perm any 2 from 3 current ‘strikers to go in the summer. Unless Rafa does a Klinnsman ( Part 1) on us and goes to a CL qualified team.
And let’s give Harry R a break….he does need to learn to pick how words more carefully but I’m convinced the squad will stay together if he stays.
To start a match with Kranjcar, Modric, VDV and Lennon is bold.
Away to a free scoring Liverpool would be suicide. Thats our first win there for 18 years.
Pienaar offers something different to Bale just like Park offers something different to Nani. Sure Bale would play if fit, but both Bale & Pienaar have much better defensive instincts than Kranjcar. Niko would be cover for VDV/Luka.
Its not all about having flair on the pitch. Pienaar covered well in front of the inexperienced Rose….a wise choice by Harry.