People saying they are angry with Ade because of a performance like this, why can't he get more support from us? To me he puts effort in every game, but he was lacking a lot of confidence for whatever reason. Tonight it was there and we got a good performance.
Torres seems to get the 'Aww poor Torres, he's going through some tough times' treatment from a lot of the media while Ade gets mocking and patronisation, particularly from commentators. 'Even Adebayor had a good game tonight!' I'm sure I heard as they went to a break. It's pretty ridiculous. Just because he is capable of scoring a goal like tonight it doesn't mean we deserve it every game. Just because he misses the chances like against West Ham it doesn't mean he isn't bothering.
There's clearly something else at work in his mind other than just 'lazy ****' and I think some of our supporters' attitudes towards him have been absolutely shameful.
Firstly, I couldn't care less what the media says about Torres. That also isn't true anyway, as Torres has been the subject of non stop ridicule from the media and opposition fans since his move to Chelsea.
Nobody is expecting him to score a goal like this every game. What we are expecting is something akin to the performances he's been putting in over most of the past 6-7 years, including what we saw last year in our own shirt. Hold up play, scoring goals, assisting, the ability to strike the ball like a proper footballer.
Today, we saw all those qualities again. For most of his 4 goal season, we haven't. Whether you want to believe its because he doesn't have confidence in himself anymore or he doesn't care or whatever your theory, it just doesn't matter. His performances, for the most part, have not been acceptable this season, especially considering he is one of our highest paid players.
When I've been at the ground, I've stood Ade's ground. I've tried cheering him when people groaned or ironically cheered him. I had a huge argument with the dingdonghead I was sitting next to the in the Lyon game who did nothing but abuse Ade all game.
But when I'm back here on the board, I'll air my views on Ade. And that is that he has been close to appalling for most of the season. Forget the wondergoal, obviously that wa sa bit of a freak but the rest of his game today was much closer to what he should be offering on a relatively regular basis and what we actually know he can offer on a relatively regular basis.
Anyway, enough negativity.
Outstanding from Walker and Ade today.
Real shame we couldn't quite go that extra mile in the end and it will be very difficult now to finish top 4. I don't think we'll do it but I hope the players fight to the final minute of the final day. There's still a few surprises in the 6 matches left between us I feel.
