Good morning.
At last something to be passionate about in a positive sense. Bolton was never going to be a straightforward gig but this was a game where the gulf in class thankfully shone through.
Any that were permanently seeing a cloud over Adebayor’s head must surely feel slightly more optimistic about him. 31 games now that have generated 15 goals plus 4 denied by insane officiating. His unselfish play is a delight. His wages must come in under budget, but we must get a deal done.
Sandro is clearly beginning to flourish. It’s essential that he’s kept on the boil over the break. He plays fearlessly, tempered with reason. The beauty is, he compliments Parker. There’s no need to get bogged down in a, ‘which one do we play’ debate. They have much in common but offer different riches. It’s important that they are thought of in this way.
By contrast, Bale would give an aspirin a headache.
I’ve used the phrase before, but he clearly has decided that things like tackling and defending in general are things that,’ happen to other people’. It’s endemic of of our current zero coaching policy that this has been allowed to develop. His entire play revolves around some cartoon fantasy he has in his head whereby he takes a ball, makes a quick release and heads off into a central position so he can get himself cued up for a Hollywood finish.
Look I like the guy, but answer me this; could you see Slur Alex, Pep or Jose encouraging this? Last night in fact he managed to counter balance ‘his vision’ by some great work on the wing. But this is like the lead guitarist in a band suddenly ‘deciding’ one day he wants to be the lead singer.
Bolton are going down and they won’t be missed. If Owen Coyle picks a second row with Joe Jordan he’ll need more than the power of prayer to save him.
7.000That Gomes style double punch wasn’t clever but otherwise he would’ve breezed any 11+ in the country ….just as long as they didn’t have any questions about coming off his line for crosses.
4.090Daft as a brush and I remain unconvinced if he’s as useful as one. He’s primarily an athlete, not a footballer.
7.234If he should get the last remnants of Davis’ DNA washed off him after a week or two with some intense loofa action.
6.234 He was outfoxed by Petrov maybe twice. His defending makes me nervous. His forward runs may excite 200m fans, but he frequently only clutters up Azza’s space.
6.235 Not outstanding. But then a mistake free shift isn’t a bad shift. Should’ve had a penalty awarded for the ABH from Wheater.
8.222 Simply Brazilliant. Just as well given Bale and Modric spent much of the game acting like a pair of freeloaders. More please.
7.100 Stellar goal. But he failed to achieve the sort of grip on this game you might expect. Not looking like a £40m player when not scoring stellar goals.
6.888 Unconvincing display largely due to lack of service. A few forays but when Bale and Kyle encroached he went invisible.
6.607 Sorely needs coaching. Rapidly becoming a self indulgent tart. Tackling? Playing for others? These are clearly beneath him these days.
8.322 Wow. Some delicious passes and always looking to play for others. Class act. More please.
8.432 Gave it everything and a one of his best showings in the shirt. So pleased he got his goals. Loved the celebration for the first one.
Thought Modders was worth a bit more than 7,1 – he was constantly offering an option to his teammates even if they didn’t always have to use it given Boltons performance, and the pass to Lennon was nearly as briliant as the goal – but otherwise I agree.
10-15 minutes og proper squeaky bum time beginning of the second half. Let in a goal then, too. Yet you can’t expect to dominate a game for 90 minutes, and we certainly didn’t collapse under the pressure.
Rose is actually worse now than he used to be.
BIOYAVC!
I find myself agreeing and disagreeing with you about Bale and my mind changes about every thirty seconds.
Yes, he has become selfish but that’s not all bad. He really just needs to work on his decision-making (when to give, when to keep) and to understand that he is one of the best left-wingers in the world as opposed to a passable attacking midfielder in the Prem.
Overall, a good performance but can someone explain to me why Spurs are so determined that I shouldn’t enjoy the end of the season? I was content at half-time and then we were absolutely awful for 15 minutes after the break, a point most people seem to be forgetting because of the eventual result. It put me in such a bad mood and I’d shouted at the telly so much that I couldn’t properly enjoy goals 2 and 3.
I was better by goal 4, but why is it impossible to put a full 90 minute shift in.
Agree on Sandro – The Engine, as me and my mates have taken to calling him, was absolutely everywhere and gives us a physical dimension that has been sadly lacking over recent weeks (years?). But if you think he plays WITH Parker, who do you leave out? Modders?
HH, a hypothetical question for you: if we had to sell one of Bale and Modric this summer, who would you sell?
Got to be Modric, less pressure to fill his position. Krankie can do that.
Or Livermore at a push.
Or Pienaar.
Christ I forgot about him.
Or Huddlestone – anyone remember him?
Blimey. My gut instinct is to sell neither. Just coach Bale and make sure tactically that Modders was allowed to play a more controlling role.
If you put a gun to my head… I’d probably flog Bale. Who would then go to Man Utd and there he’d be told if he didn’t stay on the wing his wedding vegetables would be sent DHL to his mother in Wales.
:blush:
Felt like going back in time 4months. Was excited to watch us play again.
Would like to think we have found our mojo again.
Is it too much of a coincidence after not getting the engerland gig we start to turn it on days later?
Hate the fa#
It is no coincidence that Sandro has had his two best games of the season without Parker in the team. Playing both is the best chance of avoiding defeat but playing just one is the best chance of winning and we need to win the next two games.
Could not believe how bad Rose was. He will be heavily targeted in the next two games. Wondered if we could recall Naughton from Norwich (and Kane come to that) or play Smith instead.
Several really telling forward passes last night from Modric and VdV. At one point Adebayor threatened to control one of them. How valuable would he be if he had a first touch?
if you take ade out of that team we would not only miss his goals but other players goals would dry up as well. One of our best players without a doubt. Defoe wouldn’t get a sniff playing the lone striker role.
I was screaming at the telly over Ade’s first touch,I don’t understand how a £170 grand a week player can’t receive a ball,he’s well over rated.