Good morning.
Immediate thoughts from me are that Aston Villa are not only not very good at playing football but actually looking a bit broken. I never thought Downing or Young were exceptional players but the stock of both has undeniably improved since leaving the depressing slow motion quicksand of Villa Park.
I remember writing of Villa a long time ago that they were a bit of a nothingy outfit. A ghost ship occasionally bumping into other sides lifting the odd point off of unsuspecting souls. What a fitting home for J****.
So you can only play the lot in front of you. And boy did we play. Spurs flew out the traps and it was only the early stretch of the second half they braked a little to mop up Aston Villa’s half hearted attempt at joining in.
Tactically we probably benefited from Alex McLeish being in need of some really expensive psychiatric treatment. Arry’s insistence to pollute the game with Defoe sent me into a fit of rage that petered out the more times I kept looking at the score. The Dutchman wasn’t done and once he was replaced with a goal hanger we were a man down.
7 Had zip to do for the most part. Important to remember that his one save was not only very very good, but had it gone in, and you can suspend your disbelief, may have inspired more from them.
7 His best showing yet. No mucking about and looked every bit like an integral part of the team. More please, young man.
9 He’s a weapon. No nonsense and determined. If he was a private eye, he’d be Frank Cannon. Everytime he struck the ball by head or hoof there was a boooooooooooooooof! type noise wheeze out of it.
8 Those new multi-directional ballbearing housings are working a treat. Talismanic is an over used word in football. Not here. Christ knows how good he’d be if he fully fit.
7 Don’tcha wish your left back was A&E, Don’tcha? Don’tcha? Assured performance from a man who arrived on an invisible motorcycle and probably left under Manu’s armpit.
6 Our weakest link. Given the opposition we were due a far superior performance. This isn’t harsh, we’re on our best run since 1837 according to the bloke on the telly last night. We need players right now who are going to add value.
8 Worth approximately 17 times what we paid for him. He rarely lets anyone down. The fight, the spirit in him shames so many. One of the best buys in my lifetime.
9 A Champions League performance which got better and better the longer the game went on. His passing really was quite exemplary.
8 He was very busy boy. Really very close to scoring. Made endless lovely contributions and was just off getting his toe around the ball and taking what I’m sure would have been a memorable goal.
8 In his element and looking far far fitter than he has in long time. His mix of determination and inventiveness is a pleasure. A real ‘can do’ attitude. Top man.
9 I’m charmed by him. His work ethic and talent are a joy to behold. Absolutely loving him stroll off with his arms around the officials. Oh yes and that goal was a triffic piece of skill. Anyone who doubts him isn’t in their right mind.
minus 4 Neopolitan swordsman was irritating. Like television set on honeymoon. Unnecessary.
Agree with all the points about PNB. Also I think his arrival has an awful lot to do with Ledders resurgence
Parkers positional sense and general cleaning up of any thing coming towards our back 4, means Ledders hasn’t got to run around so much or get pulled out of position
Completely agree, the back 4 are doing really well at dealing with set pieces and defending in general, but when it comes to counter attacks from the opposing teams and Walker and A&E sometimes out of position, PNB deals with the attack and stops them short.
COYS – 3rd best team in the country, and advancing steadily
Tottenham have a lovely passing game going on at the moment, no one can live with them, especially 1st half.
But, JD seems to have not recieved the memo.
Almost everytime he got the ball he tried to shoot.
I would hate us to be accused of trying to walk the ball into the net, we are not at that stage and there will be games when Defoe will kill off a match with his ‘greediness’ but last night he looked like he was so desperate for a goal in the short time he was on, he didn’t really compliment some of our build up play.
I agree Munso, I think there were two occasions last night where he could have fed Ade in on goal rather than shooting – I’m sure Ade could almost taste the hat trick
Same old Defoe.
Some people here still don’t realise he’s, ahem, “not that good”.
It’s such a good feeling to Lord it for a while over my Arse & Cheatski supporting mates. And to hear the praise that the club has started getting in the predominently Spurts hating media.
Long may it continue.
You really can see the belief that the players now have. If you think of some of our signings over the last 3 windows: Gallas, Friedel, Parker & Adebayor, if we are honest most of us didn’t want any of them at the club. And they’ve all shown that they are willing to play for the chicken badge & they’ve all brought that one thing we’ve been missing for years. A winning mentality.
COYS!
Not only “belief”, but it is a real pleasure to see the smiles in their face as they play.
I hope that the bloggers who were agin’ the signing of the “too old”…”looks ok in a piss poor Wet Spam team”…”good championship player” will hold their hands up and admit they were WRONG!!
If we can get a full season out of Parker ( no niggly injuries) we will, mark my words, finish in the top 3!
Here, Here!! Although I am loving the fact that Sandro is waiting in the wings!! Dont forget how great he is…its easy to forget that before the beginning of the season he was one of the first names on the teamsheet!
Have just ready Jack Wilshere’s post on twitter…what a laugh!!
He’ll donate £3000 of his £2,000,000+ a year salary if Spurs finish above Arsenal this season! lololol, nothing like a bit of confidence Jack!!
on that basis i’d need to donate £42.
That’s buys you a slap up feed and a loose women where I’m from.
@paulhasissues on twitter
Where do you live, I’m on my way!!
Me too, what does a fiver get you?
I’ve just found the old sock under the matress.