Ade and Rafa - the start of a beautiful friendship

[adamthfc]

It was Rafa's first game back after injury. There'll be no looking back now :hump:

Defoe was still largely anonymous against Liverpool (and Stoke). Our whole offensive play looks so much quicker and intuitive without him being in the wrong place or slowing everything down.

Largely anonymous against liverpool.you need to clean your eyes out

 

[chrissivad]

Thought they were great first half - lots of really fantastic link-up play with each other and the midfield. It was like the halcyon days of Berbs-Keane again.

but that's because its what you want to see so your forcing your self to see it.

Just like you cant see anything good that Defoe does.

Team Vs Liverpool was batter than it was today, and that includes Defoe

 

[mpickard2087]

Thought they were great first half - lots of really fantastic link-up play with each other and the midfield. It was like the halcyon days of Berbs-Keane again.

Second half vdV seemed to struggle with fitness/was protecting his hamstring and Ade did nothing after injuring his eye. More a reminder that we need more strength in depth up top than anything.

Really!?

I agree with Chris, there was some good interchange play today first half but for team performance last week was streets ahead.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Largely anonymous against liverpool.you need to clean your eyes out

Other than the goal, it was a typical '12 passes, 12 offsides' performance.

but that's because its what you want to see so your forcing your self to see it.

Just like you cant see anything good that Defoe does.

Team Vs Liverpool was batter than it was today, and that includes Defoe

Completely different game - Wigan played a lot of the game with 11 men behind the ball so it was a harder challenge for the forwards (whereas the Liverpool game was won by Modric and Parker).

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Still personally think Defoe and Adebayor looks better. more balance upfront. I thought Modric was also crowded out with VDV dropping in his space alot of the time as well. It's a meh from me atm.

 

[adamthfc]

Other than the goal, it was a typical '12 passes, 12 offsides' performance.




Completely different game - Wigan played a lot of the game with 11 men behind the ball so it was a harder challenge for the forwards (whereas the Liverpool game was won by Modric and Parker).

Utter nonsense as he was involved in most of the chances and goals but you keep seeing what you want to see

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Still personally think Defoe and Adebayor looks better. more balance upfront. I thought Modric was also crowded out with VDV dropping in his space alot of the time as well. It's a meh from me atm.

What balance do Defoe and Ade have, other than Defoe's crapness being offset by Ade's excellence?

Intelligence and link-up play was what made Rafa and Ade look great. Injuries was all that made them tail off.

 

[bomberH]

Wow Dan. Apart from the goal, the partnership wasn't that great at all. I'm not saying it won't be in the future, but it really was nothing special today. If Defoe had a game like vdV did today, you'd be slating him - he scored a great goal and was ok, but was still largely anonymous throughout - something you and lots of others slate defoe for.

The fact you rekindled this thread after today's game shows that you haven't really got a clue. You just like the fact that vdV and Ade paired up together in a win. You obviously haven't taken anything else into consideration.

As has been said, despite how brilliant we were in the first half, we were even better last week in the first half against Liverpool with Defoe playing.

I don't know why i bother. You had Parker in your 'Out' list before he played his first game for us. You're that sort of 'fan'.

 

[adamthfc]

What balance do Defoe and Ade have, other than Defoe's crapness being offset by Ade's excellence?

Intelligence and link-up play was what made Rafa and Ade look great. Injuries was all that made them tail off.

They didnt look great thoufh certainly not as good as ade and defoe did against the scouse.it might come as they are good players but it didnt happen today so turn it in

 

[chrissivad]

What balance do Defoe and Ade have, other than Defoe's crapness being offset by Ade's excellence?

Intelligence and link-up play was what made Rafa and Ade look great. Injuries was all that made them tail off.

see, now i just think your being a WUM. (well not only just,...)

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Wow Dan. Apart from the goal, the partnership wasn't that great at all. I'm not saying it won't be in the future, but it really was nothing special today. If Defoe had a game like vdV did today, you'd be slating him - he scored a great goal and was ok, but was still largely anonymous throughout - something you and lots of others slate defoe for.

The fact you rekindled this thread after today's game shows that you haven't really got a clue. You just like the fact that vdV and Ade paired up together in a win. You obviously haven't taken anything else into consideration.

As has been said, despite how brilliant we were in the first half, we were even better last week in the first half against Liverpool with Defoe playing.

I don't know why i bother. You had Parker in your 'Out' list before he played his first game for us. You're that sort of 'fan'.

I bumped the thread at half-time because I thought our whole front 4 were playing and interchanging superbly.

On reflection of the whole game then I probably wouldn't have, but the signs were there before the injuries kicked in.

 

[jurgen]

Defoes movement right up top made a lot more space, pulling Liverpool's defence about, even when he's not touching the ball, whereas as others are pointing out, there was significant congestion at certain points today. Though we played lovely stuff in the first half, we played some beautiful football and probably more of it against Liverpool.

I think everyone's hoping it will work because potentially they could be amazing together, but when Ade got his knock, and VDV tired, we were so much less dynamic up front. At least with Defoe, his reputation with defenders (if not certain internet "pundits") seems to be that he is a threat, and while "deceptively slow" he's still pacier than VDV and so with two strikers up there I think they'd still be reticent to commit men forward in the same way.

I think we all know Defoe's weaknesses, but I think some people have to be man enough to admit, that on current evidence, there's not so much of a problem having an out and out striker when he has a skillful, powerful and intelligent partner. We know he can't play in certain ways, but if we continue to get evidence he works rather well with Adebayor, then in the interest of Spurs, rather than personal agendas, we should celebrate that!

 

[bomberH]

I bumped the thread at half-time because I thought our whole front 4 were playing and interchanging superbly.

On reflection of the whole game then I probably wouldn't have, but the signs were there before the injuries kicked in.

And the signs are there that Adebayor and Defoe could be a great partnership too. 5 goals in 2 games proves that. Just admit it.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

And the signs are there that Adebayor and Defoe could be a great partnership too. 5 goals in 2 games proves that. Just admit it.

I can't - Titus Bramble (despite a decade of being underwhelming) would look good next to Ledley King, but you'd want to see Gallas there everytime instead.

 

[Yid-ol]

It may take time for them to get to know how each other plays, the only problem is both dropp off alot to look for the ball leaving no one up top.

To me the Defoe and Ade pairing looked better and have given a better return so far

 

[bomberH]

I can't - Titus Bramble (despite a decade of being underwhelming) would look good next to Ledley King, but you'd want to see Gallas there everytime instead.

Rubbish. King has played with lots of defenders over his time at Spurs and lots have been crap. And we've lost games because of it. Ade & Defoe's partnership has won us 2 games - 100% record. Anyway, Defoe is a much better striker than Bramble is a defender. Using Bramble is a terrible example.

Fair enough you want your best players playing, but you're just dismissing the fact that on his day, Defoe can be one of our best players. He has scored the all important 2nd goal for us in his last 2 games but you're giving him no credit and just saying it's because he's playing with Adebayor. Guess what, it's called a partnership.

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

What balance do Defoe and Ade have, other than Defoe's crapness being offset by Ade's excellence?

Intelligence and link-up play was what made Rafa and Ade look great. Injuries was all that made them tail off.

Because Defoe plays in and around Adebayor. Can drop off occasionally but also likes to play in and around the penalty area. Adebayor's game is as much about dropping off as running the channels. It's works well. VDV left Adebayor very isolated at times today. Not only that but he plays in Modric's space and seems to follow the ball far to much. Do you disagree with that?

 

[Mr Pink]

Two things against Arsenal for me:

!) Defoe and Ade up top
2) Modric back in the centre

 

[Mr Pink]

Rubbish. King has played with lots of defenders over his time at Spurs and lots have been crap. And we've lost games because of it. Ade & Defoe's partnership has won us 2 games - 100% record. Anyway, Defoe is a much better striker than Bramble is a defender. Using Bramble is a terrible example.

Fair enough you want your best players playing, but you're just dismissing the fact that on his day, Defoe can be one of our best players. He has scored the all important 2nd goal for us in his last 2 games but you're giving him no credit and just saying it's because he's playing with Adebayor. Guess what, it's called a partnership.

Not only that Bomber, but correct me if I'm wrong Defoe was involved in 3 goals against Pool.

 

[alex3]

Two things against Arsenal for me:

!) Defoe and Ade up top
2) Modric back in the centre

VDV on the right?