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Match Ratings
- Thread starter charlietheyid
- Start date
Rossi22
Pedro Mendes
Having seen it again he does make a strange movement towards the ball, without that he might have got to it.
The OMT made for some embarassing reading today.
Papercut
Jermaine Jenas
Sandro and Dembele with Siggs to a certain extent, were excellent in unison. Different players and very new partnerships working well.
Reading parked the bus first half and we bossed them.
I always wanted two out and out wingers but not sure it does work with Azza and Bale. Somehow both weren't making enough impact but that can be because of the formation and the way Reading played, not sure.
Not JD's biggest fan but he has shown in the past that when he has confidence, he can score. Looked strong and I'm very glad he is attempting shots even if he isn't scoring, better than trying to pass it into the goal.
Walker is an interesting one and I think we need to get the right gameplan, partner for him if we are to succeed.
As for Brad; okay some fans are desperate for Lloris but this wasn't the game to say he needs to be dropped. He did his job IMO.
Reading parked the bus first half and we bossed them.
I always wanted two out and out wingers but not sure it does work with Azza and Bale. Somehow both weren't making enough impact but that can be because of the formation and the way Reading played, not sure.
Not JD's biggest fan but he has shown in the past that when he has confidence, he can score. Looked strong and I'm very glad he is attempting shots even if he isn't scoring, better than trying to pass it into the goal.
Walker is an interesting one and I think we need to get the right gameplan, partner for him if we are to succeed.
As for Brad; okay some fans are desperate for Lloris but this wasn't the game to say he needs to be dropped. He did his job IMO.
DubaiSpur
Ian Walker
Friedel - 6. Completely untroubled.
Walker - 6. Would have gotten a seven but for the lapse in concentration that allowed Robson-Kanu in at the far post.
Gallas - 7. Did nothing wrong, looked comfortable.
Vertonghen - 7.5. Composed, calm, great in the air and good on the ground. Looking like a great buy already.
Naughton -6. Had a few lapses, but generally did well in his first start of the season for us.
Dembele - 7. Solid. Looks like he'll have to play a generally defensive role for the time being (a more defensive one than he played in at Fulham, anyway), but he coped with it well. Brought the ball out comfortably and linked well with Sandro.
Sandro - 7. Solid, unhurried, comfortable in his favoured role in front of the back four as opposed to the box-to-box midfielder he had to become when Livermore was alongside him. Him and Dembele look like a good pairing.
Sigurdsson - 7. Great passes to get players into good positions (The one for the goal, the pass that led to the Lennon break-away, the one to Bale in the first half being examples), but looks a mite rusty in his positioning. Will improve, though, and a good performance overall.
Lennon - 7. A real menace down the right, and covered well for Walker on the rare occasions when the latter burst forward.
Bale - 6.5. His movement was good, as he forced Reading's defenders all over the pitch in their efforts to track him. As someone said in the match thread, he played a good manager's game, not necessarily a good fan's game.
Defoe - 7.5. Took his goals well, was a threat throughout. Was more than a bit sloppy in his decision-making, though. Still, good performance.
Subs;
Huddlestone -6. A better introduction for him than the one he had against Norwich. Looked to be getting back into shape.
Dempsey - 6. Mainly anonymous, bar a good bit of closing down to let Townsend slip into the box late on.
Townsend - 6. Looked lively in his short time on the pitch.
AVB- 7. Got the big decisions right, and finally got the three points he needed to get the press off his back.
Oh, and a mention to the away supporters, who were great. If only the fans at the Lane were as vocal in their support.
Walker - 6. Would have gotten a seven but for the lapse in concentration that allowed Robson-Kanu in at the far post.
Gallas - 7. Did nothing wrong, looked comfortable.
Vertonghen - 7.5. Composed, calm, great in the air and good on the ground. Looking like a great buy already.
Naughton -6. Had a few lapses, but generally did well in his first start of the season for us.
Dembele - 7. Solid. Looks like he'll have to play a generally defensive role for the time being (a more defensive one than he played in at Fulham, anyway), but he coped with it well. Brought the ball out comfortably and linked well with Sandro.
Sandro - 7. Solid, unhurried, comfortable in his favoured role in front of the back four as opposed to the box-to-box midfielder he had to become when Livermore was alongside him. Him and Dembele look like a good pairing.
Sigurdsson - 7. Great passes to get players into good positions (The one for the goal, the pass that led to the Lennon break-away, the one to Bale in the first half being examples), but looks a mite rusty in his positioning. Will improve, though, and a good performance overall.
Lennon - 7. A real menace down the right, and covered well for Walker on the rare occasions when the latter burst forward.
Bale - 6.5. His movement was good, as he forced Reading's defenders all over the pitch in their efforts to track him. As someone said in the match thread, he played a good manager's game, not necessarily a good fan's game.
Defoe - 7.5. Took his goals well, was a threat throughout. Was more than a bit sloppy in his decision-making, though. Still, good performance.
Subs;
Huddlestone -6. A better introduction for him than the one he had against Norwich. Looked to be getting back into shape.
Dempsey - 6. Mainly anonymous, bar a good bit of closing down to let Townsend slip into the box late on.
Townsend - 6. Looked lively in his short time on the pitch.
AVB- 7. Got the big decisions right, and finally got the three points he needed to get the press off his back.
Oh, and a mention to the away supporters, who were great. If only the fans at the Lane were as vocal in their support.
Spur of the moment
Frederic Kanoute
I find this comment quite baffling tbh. What I like about Friedel is he throws the ball accurately to feet whenever that option is open to him. The only time he wellies it is when he has to. You really cannot expect a goalie to find a Tottenham shirt from 60 yards every time he needs to clear it under pressure.
Get real!
Mate, Brad has been one of our most consistent players since joining. However his consistency does include, he doesn't come off his line for anything, and his kicking is very poor. If you deny that, your in the same boat as people who want Lloris to play just because he is new.
I actually think Brad was better protected by Kaboul/Dawson who are extremely dominant in the air, than Gallas/Vert who are more "cultured" CBs.
Mate his kicking is extremely poor, it almost always leads to a turnover of possession. Guess your opinion and mine of pressure is different, most of his kicks he had some time.
Don't get why people want to deny it, Friedel is a good keeper, his kicking is poor .. Robbo is a poor keeper, his kicking is brilliant, I prefer Friedel, but not going to pretend his distribution is even average.
braineclipse
Willie Hall
I think extremely poor and some of the other descriptions used in this thread are overstatements. His does better with the ball at his feet than Gomes for example. Robbo is good at hoofing the ball, he strikes the ball very well, but there is more to having good distribution than that (I'm aware you said just kicking, just mentioning it).
Lloris will be a clear upgrade in this regard and it will be good for the team. Just disagree that Friedel is that bad at it.
Reggie_Mentalist
Jamie Redknapp
Why do we allow so many gooners to comments in the OMT threads? Always wondered...
charlietheyid
Banned
Yes, i am biased because i know LLoris is one of the best in the world. Please dont tell me Friedel is not all over the place for their goal. Just watch it again and you'll see.
braineclipse
Willie Hall
Just watched it again (and again), he stepped forward when the Reading player at the ball. Then there was a cross instead of a shot. I don't see a mistake there.
If Friedel was "all over the place", pretty harsh criticism I would say, how would you describe what Naughton and Walker did for the goal?
SUIYHA
Scott Parker
Friedel - 6 - Nothing to do, but let in a goal. Meh
Walker - 6 - Lack of concentration to be out of position for the goal, but good otherwise.
Gallas - 7 - Much improved from previous games earlier this season. Solid
Vertonghen - 8 - Outstanding. Won everything in the air, good on the ball, good forward passing and would have been MOTM if we'd kept the clean sheet
Naughton - 6 - A couple of shaky moments, but did a good job considering that he was playing on the wrong side
Sandro - 8 - Dominated the midfield, good to see AVB has finally come to his senses and realised that he is better than Livermore
Dembele - 6 - Generally good in the Modric role, big difference to the last two games to have him on the pitch. His passing isn't as good as Modric's was, but he is very good at moving with the ball. I'd just like to see him running with the ball more often
Sigurdsson - 7 - Missed a good chance to kill the game off in the first half, but passed the ball very well including an exquisite pass to free Lennon for the goal
Lennon - 6 - Did well to set up the goal, no other real cutting edge but his pace was menacing for Reading
Defoe - 8 - Very good performance. First goal was a very good finish, second goal was outstanding. Looked dangerous throughout
Bale - 5 - Quiet game by his standards, but scored
Subs:
Huddlestone - 6 - The game was won by the time he came on but he played a couple of nice passes
Dempsey - 6 - Helped keep the possession in midfield
Towsend - No real time to do anything, but looked hungry when on the pitch. Might not have been him but I could have sworn he was sitting there with his arms folded when the camera cut to AVB going nuts celebrating one of the goals
AVB - 7 - Far more positive set up than the last two games. Defoe worked well on his own up front, because Reading pushed forward and allowed space in behind and also space for him to run with the ball at goal, which is when he is far more effective, unlike when playing against a team that crowds him out by defending deep in large numbers. Having him instead of Adebayor worked, I just hope he realises why it worked. I would have brought on Dempsey before Huddlestone, but it worked out in the end. The Friedel/Lloris debate was rendered pointless because the same result would have happened with Ben Alnwick in goal.
It must be said, that Reading should have had two penalties, and were generally fudging awful, but it was a dominant performance and a deserved win. We will face far harder challenges this season but it was great to see us finally winning and playing well.
Walker - 6 - Lack of concentration to be out of position for the goal, but good otherwise.
Gallas - 7 - Much improved from previous games earlier this season. Solid
Vertonghen - 8 - Outstanding. Won everything in the air, good on the ball, good forward passing and would have been MOTM if we'd kept the clean sheet
Naughton - 6 - A couple of shaky moments, but did a good job considering that he was playing on the wrong side
Sandro - 8 - Dominated the midfield, good to see AVB has finally come to his senses and realised that he is better than Livermore
Dembele - 6 - Generally good in the Modric role, big difference to the last two games to have him on the pitch. His passing isn't as good as Modric's was, but he is very good at moving with the ball. I'd just like to see him running with the ball more often
Sigurdsson - 7 - Missed a good chance to kill the game off in the first half, but passed the ball very well including an exquisite pass to free Lennon for the goal
Lennon - 6 - Did well to set up the goal, no other real cutting edge but his pace was menacing for Reading
Defoe - 8 - Very good performance. First goal was a very good finish, second goal was outstanding. Looked dangerous throughout
Bale - 5 - Quiet game by his standards, but scored
Subs:
Huddlestone - 6 - The game was won by the time he came on but he played a couple of nice passes
Dempsey - 6 - Helped keep the possession in midfield
Towsend - No real time to do anything, but looked hungry when on the pitch. Might not have been him but I could have sworn he was sitting there with his arms folded when the camera cut to AVB going nuts celebrating one of the goals
AVB - 7 - Far more positive set up than the last two games. Defoe worked well on his own up front, because Reading pushed forward and allowed space in behind and also space for him to run with the ball at goal, which is when he is far more effective, unlike when playing against a team that crowds him out by defending deep in large numbers. Having him instead of Adebayor worked, I just hope he realises why it worked. I would have brought on Dempsey before Huddlestone, but it worked out in the end. The Friedel/Lloris debate was rendered pointless because the same result would have happened with Ben Alnwick in goal.
It must be said, that Reading should have had two penalties, and were generally fudging awful, but it was a dominant performance and a deserved win. We will face far harder challenges this season but it was great to see us finally winning and playing well.
ricky2tricky4city
Tom Huddlestone
Its like a virus.People read ridiculous sh*t in the papers and then start spouting ridiculous sh*t on here.
Modric THFC
Jimmy McCormick
Sandro, Defoe, Vertonghen -8
Everyone else - 7
Everyone else - 7
ringo
Tim Sherwood
To some extent I think all the players are still finding their way in AVB's new system/tactics.
Having said that, it was good overall performance today against what was, it has to be said, brick opponents.
I thought Sandro was excellent. A lot of what he does is goes unnoticed but his positioning and defensive cover was brilliant.
Defoe took his goals well. He missed a few chances but most strikers do. Whether he can play this role against better teams remains to be seen. He has always been a bit of a flat track bully.
Verts looked a bit speedier than I had thought him, so that was encouraging. and very comfortable on the ball.
And when Thudd came on he linked up with Dembele nicely.
Naughton struggled a bit -it's early days with him -not sure yet whether he will be good enough to oust Benny. (Who while ocasionally too laid back for his own good, is a bit underrated I think).
Overall still a work in progress. We won't find out where we really are until we play one of the top teams.
Having said that, it was good overall performance today against what was, it has to be said, brick opponents.
I thought Sandro was excellent. A lot of what he does is goes unnoticed but his positioning and defensive cover was brilliant.
Defoe took his goals well. He missed a few chances but most strikers do. Whether he can play this role against better teams remains to be seen. He has always been a bit of a flat track bully.
Verts looked a bit speedier than I had thought him, so that was encouraging. and very comfortable on the ball.
And when Thudd came on he linked up with Dembele nicely.
Naughton struggled a bit -it's early days with him -not sure yet whether he will be good enough to oust Benny. (Who while ocasionally too laid back for his own good, is a bit underrated I think).
Overall still a work in progress. We won't find out where we really are until we play one of the top teams.
Brad - 6 - A little shaky on goal, distribution not great, but calm throughout
Walker 5 - Poor positioning in general especially for goal
Gallas - 6 - Decent
Vertonghen - 7 - Strong at back, good coming forward
Dembele - 8 - A beast, ghosts past people for fun
Sandro - 8 - Rock solid
Lennon - 6 - Good assist, got into good positions, but not much end product
Sigurdsson - 7 - Great movement, let down by people not laying off when in good positions. Great pass for first goal
Bale - 7 - Some penetrating runs and good movement
Defoe - 8 - Great finishes, but so greedy. Lucky not to be punished on another day
Walker 5 - Poor positioning in general especially for goal
Gallas - 6 - Decent
Vertonghen - 7 - Strong at back, good coming forward
Dembele - 8 - A beast, ghosts past people for fun
Sandro - 8 - Rock solid
Lennon - 6 - Good assist, got into good positions, but not much end product
Sigurdsson - 7 - Great movement, let down by people not laying off when in good positions. Great pass for first goal
Bale - 7 - Some penetrating runs and good movement
Defoe - 8 - Great finishes, but so greedy. Lucky not to be punished on another day
Brad - 6 - A little shaky on goal, distribution not great, but calm throughout
Walker 5 - Poor positioning in general especially for goal
Gallas - 6 - Decent
Vertonghen - 7 - Strong at back, good coming forward
Dembele - 8 - A beast, ghosts past people for fun
Sandro - 8 - Rock solid
Lennon - 6 - Good assist, got into good positions, but not much end product
Sigurdsson - 7 - Great movement, let down by people not laying off when in good positions. Great pass for first goal
Bale - 7 - Some penetrating runs and good movement
Defoe - 8 - Great finishes, but so greedy. Lucky not to be punished on another day
Walker 5 - Poor positioning in general especially for goal
Gallas - 6 - Decent
Vertonghen - 7 - Strong at back, good coming forward
Dembele - 8 - A beast, ghosts past people for fun
Sandro - 8 - Rock solid
Lennon - 6 - Good assist, got into good positions, but not much end product
Sigurdsson - 7 - Great movement, let down by people not laying off when in good positions. Great pass for first goal
Bale - 7 - Some penetrating runs and good movement
Defoe - 8 - Great finishes, but so greedy. Lucky not to be punished on another day