Ratings vs Norwich

[guiltyparty]

Friedel 8 - amazing save and dealt with everything else well. No chance with goal. Lloris who? etc (I jest)
Walker 4 - I don't remember him doing anything bar arguing with AVB on the touchline. Oh, he went down & wasted time unnecessarily when we were looking for an equaliser, only to get up and be completely fine
Gallas 5 - started OK, but like with WBA seemed to be Mr Panicky once we were leading
Vertonghen 5 - shaky, obvious quality but looks like he's still coming to terms with pace of the league
Assou Ekotto 6 - couple of nice turns, reasonably tidy, needed more from him as an outlet tho
Sandro 5 - one great run that ended in nothing. Before he had time to do anything he was taken off
Livermore 4 - I don't get why AVB seems to be building our midfield round our 5th best centre-mid. One dimensional
Sigurdsson 4 - had one decent shot 1st half, couple of half-decent corners, did very little else
Lennon 4 - struggles with 433 and when asked to do anything more than run fast. He's a winger and very right-footed
Bale 5 - actually got involved a fair amount but not a good game. Not much came off but put himself about. Needs to stop diving
Defoe 4 - he's not a lone striker. We all know this. Lacks intelligenczzzzzz. I'm boring myself as it's all so obvious

Dembele 7 - good goal, moment of magic. Constantly showed for ball, nice touches
Adebayor 5 - offered more up top than Defoe, held up ball as best he could, but still doesn't look fit. Should come with time
Huddlestone N/A - I haven't seen the red card replay, it looked harsh to me as it all seemed to happen in slow motion, but he did nothing else (apart from his classic 'shoooooot' moment where he wallops it high, wide or both) so I'm not giving him a score till I've seen it. If it was a deserved red, 0, as what a stupid thing to do when he has a point to prove and we needed calm heads

Fans 1 - bad atmosphere from the start, very quiet, very little singing (I remember one properly audible 'come on you spurs' in the entire 90 minutes). Booed at half time, booed at the end. Second home game of the season, guys, yeah? Disgraceful

 

[sloth]

A very average performance all around. I thought we appeared disjointed, and lacked imagination, and even courage. Too many 'safe' balls, reminded me of watching England; you've got to have a bit of balls, play the balls in close, rather than going for the easy lateral or backwards pass all the time.

Th real concern for me is AVB. Maybe it's that I'm not getting something (and it could be that), but I simply can't read his game. What is he trying to achieve? How can he start with Livermore and not Dembele? How does Defoe get the nod ahead of Adebayor? It simply doesn't compute for me. And then the substitutions... How can Livermore be taken off before Sandro? In what possible fucking world is Livermore the better option? Can you picture Livermore getting into the CM for Brazil? No, me neither.... and then Defoe stays on the pitch? I honestly don't get it. Like I say, maybe I'm dumb so if I am someone please explain it to me.

The only thing I can think is he's tying some team harmony game. "I'll give you a proper go" and all that. If he is then it's bullshit: play your best team, and the give people a go once your team is established. Now I read that Friedel is number one and Lloris has to take the position off him. People act as if that was a good performance from Friedel... it was in as much as he made a few good saves, but the guy abdicates responsibility so often in his own six-yard box that you can't rely on him week in week out. Last week he was culpable in the West Brom equaliser, he will be culpable in other similar goals unless he's replaced by a far superior keeper. Would Brad Friedel get in the French national team? Of course he fucking wouldn't. For me, AVB has to stop being cute, and grow some fucking balls, stop over thinking it, and just play your best fucking team!

 

[guiltyparty]

A very average performance all around. I thought we appeared disjointed, and lacked imagination, and even courage. Too many 'safe' balls, reminded me of watching England; you've got to have a bit of balls, play the balls in close, rather than going for the easy lateral or backwards pass all the time.

Th real concern for me is AVB. Maybe it's that I'm not getting something (and it could be that), but I simply can't read his game. What is he trying to achieve? How can he start with Livermore and not Dembele? How does Defoe get the nod ahead of Adebayor? It simply doesn't compute for me. And then the substitutions... How can Livermore be taken off before Sandro? In what possible fucking world is Livermore the better option? Can you picture Livermore getting into the CM for Brazil? No, me neither.... and then Defoe stays on the pitch? I honestly don't get it. Like I say, maybe I'm dumb so if I am someone please explain it to me.

The only thing I can think is he's tying some team harmony game. "I'll give you a proper go" and all that. If he is then it's bullshit: play your best team, and the give people a go once your team is established. Now I read that Friedel is number one and Lloris has to take the position off him. People act as if that was a good performance from Friedel... it was in as much as he made a few good saves, but the guy abdicates responsibility so often in his own six-yard box that you can't rely on him week in week out. Last week he was culpable in the West Brom equaliser, he will be culpable in other similar goals unless he's replaced by a far superior keeper. Would Brad Friedel get in the French national team? Of course he fucking wouldn't. For me, AVB has to stop being cute, and grow some fucking balls, stop over thinking it, and just play your best fucking team!

In that performance, Friedel positively shone. I know what you're saying, but it was a performance with very few highlights

I agree on Livermore tho. I just don't get it. He's gone from our Carling Cup fallback to seemingly the first name on the team sheet. I think Sandro is struggling for fitness after the Olympics, that's the only reason I can think of for taking him off first, and with AVB being very defensively minded, we need a holder in there at all times

For me, starting two defensive midfielders at home is lame, tho, and AVB did it regularly at Chelsea, with Mikel and Bertrand, who's a bloody defender

 

[Pedro]

A very average performance all around. I thought we appeared disjointed, and lacked imagination, and even courage. Too many 'safe' balls, reminded me of watching England; you've got to have a bit of balls, play the balls in close, rather than going for the easy lateral or backwards pass all the time.

Th real concern for me is AVB. Maybe it's that I'm not getting something (and it could be that), but I simply can't read his game. What is he trying to achieve? How can he start with Livermore and not Dembele? How does Defoe get the nod ahead of Adebayor? It simply doesn't compute for me. And then the substitutions... How can Livermore be taken off before Sandro? In what possible fucking world is Livermore the better option? Can you picture Livermore getting into the CM for Brazil? No, me neither.... and then Defoe stays on the pitch? I honestly don't get it. Like I say, maybe I'm dumb so if I am someone please explain it to me.

The only thing I can think is he's tying some team harmony game. "I'll give you a proper go" and all that. If he is then it's bullshit: play your best team, and the give people a go once your team is established. Now I read that Friedel is number one and Lloris has to take the position off him. People act as if that was a good performance from Friedel... it was in as much as he made a few good saves, but the guy abdicates responsibility so often in his own six-yard box that you can't rely on him week in week out. Last week he was culpable in the West Brom equaliser, he will be culpable in other similar goals unless he's replaced by a far superior keeper. Would Brad Friedel get in the French national team? Of course he fucking wouldn't. For me, AVB has to stop being cute, and grow some fucking balls, stop over thinking it, and just play your best fucking team!

I completely agree with every single word here, well put. It's not that hard is it, select the best players for each position.

 

[bigpalacios]

If avb starts livermore that is gross misconduct and should be sacked

 

[bigpalacios]

A very average performance all around. I thought we appeared disjointed, and lacked imagination, and even courage. Too many 'safe' balls, reminded me of watching England; you've got to have a bit of balls, play the balls in close, rather than going for the easy lateral or backwards pass all the time.

Th real concern for me is AVB. Maybe it's that I'm not getting something (and it could be that), but I simply can't read his game. What is he trying to achieve? How can he start with Livermore and not Dembele? How does Defoe get the nod ahead of Adebayor? It simply doesn't compute for me. And then the substitutions... How can Livermore be taken off before Sandro? In what possible fucking world is Livermore the better option? Can you picture Livermore getting into the CM for Brazil? No, me neither.... and then Defoe stays on the pitch? I honestly don't get it. Like I say, maybe I'm dumb so if I am someone please explain it to me.

The only thing I can think is he's tying some team harmony game. "I'll give you a proper go" and all that. If he is then it's bullshit: play your best team, and the give people a go once your team is established. Now I read that Friedel is number one and Lloris has to take the position off him. People act as if that was a good performance from Friedel... it was in as much as he made a few good saves, but the guy abdicates responsibility so often in his own six-yard box that you can't rely on him week in week out. Last week he was culpable in the West Brom equaliser, he will be culpable in other similar goals unless he's replaced by a far superior keeper. Would Brad Friedel get in the French national team? Of course he fucking wouldn't. For me, AVB has to stop being cute, and grow some fucking balls, stop over thinking it, and just play your best fucking team!

One of harrys strengths was playing the best players in the best positions.
Sort it avb quickly or you will lose faith very quickly, we are unsure already so stop thinking you can get awy with not playing your best players in the prem or this will be your last big job son.

 

[felmani26]

A very average performance all around. I thought we appeared disjointed, and lacked imagination, and even courage. Too many 'safe' balls, reminded me of watching England; you've got to have a bit of balls, play the balls in close, rather than going for the easy lateral or backwards pass all the time.

Th real concern for me is AVB. Maybe it's that I'm not getting something (and it could be that), but I simply can't read his game. What is he trying to achieve? How can he start with Livermore and not Dembele? How does Defoe get the nod ahead of Adebayor? It simply doesn't compute for me. And then the substitutions... How can Livermore be taken off before Sandro? In what possible fucking world is Livermore the better option? Can you picture Livermore getting into the CM for Brazil? No, me neither.... and then Defoe stays on the pitch? I honestly don't get it. Like I say, maybe I'm dumb so if I am someone please explain it to me.

The only thing I can think is he's tying some team harmony game. "I'll give you a proper go" and all that. If he is then it's bullshit: play your best team, and the give people a go once your team is established. Now I read that Friedel is number one and Lloris has to take the position off him. People act as if that was a good performance from Friedel... it was in as much as he made a few good saves, but the guy abdicates responsibility so often in his own six-yard box that you can't rely on him week in week out. Last week he was culpable in the West Brom equaliser, he will be culpable in other similar goals unless he's replaced by a far superior keeper. Would Brad Friedel get in the French national team? Of course he fucking wouldn't. For me, AVB has to stop being cute, and grow some fucking balls, stop over thinking it, and just play your best fucking team!

I think it will be very hard to gauge AVB's mindset and playing preferences until a good way in to this season as with the player upheaval that we have had along with our creativity severely dented, it's a learning curve for everyone.

The international break comes at a good time for us as there needs to be some collective thought process over where we go from here and with the personnel we've got from this transfer window, to devise to system that plays to our strengths. What AVB can't necessarily help is the half arsed display on some of the more established players like Bale who really needs to step up and influence the game more obviously with the ball at his feet, but movement and work rate off it.

Still to early to formulate judgement and whilst I'd be lying if I said I wasn't concerned, I have to temper that with realism of losing our influential and creative mainstays in Modric and Rafa and an adjustment to our new look team.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

This has to be nipped in the bud now, because we are fast replicating another Ramo's scenario. The press are desperate for AVB to fail and at present he's like putty in their hands.

 

[felmani26]

I think bentley or Carroll would be a better option in the centre of midfield than playing Sandro and Livermore in the same team.

Bentley shouldn't even be an option on our right hand side, let alone in the middle!

 

[Wirral Spurs]

This has a feeling of inevitability about it.
We looked spineless and brittle.

How could we have cocked this up so badly?

 

[septicsac]

Friedel : 8.5 well done old chap

Vertonghen: 6 started well but will have to get used to premier league

Gallas: 6 meh

Walker: 6 meh

Assou-Ekotto: 5 -wake up mate

Lennon: 6 -all puff and no end product......same old story

Bale: 5 - meh

Sigurdsson: 6 - would have kept him on

Livermore: 4 poor

Sandro: 5 slightly better than livermore and some good driving runs

Defoe: 4 he simply cannot play lone role

Subs:
Adebayor: 5 meh
Dembele: 7 - Great goal to start, lets hope he can lift the rest

AVB - poor substitutions IMO, can allow for starting line up as new guys only in but will be interesting to see his next starting 11

 

[sbrustad]

Since the team didn't bother showing up today I won't bother with detailed ratings.

Brad 8 - Man of the match

Defenders 5 - Shaky at times, we won't get away with as much against better opposition.

Midfielders 4 - Extremely average today. Far too many individual errors. No idea why Sandro had to go off, he was the better of the two holding mids. Bale completely gone most of the match.

Striker 2 - The only reason it's not a 1 is because towards the end of the match Defoe actually started passing instead of blasting the ball into the stands at every opportunity.

Dembélé had a solid debut today. Very pleased he got a goal, it will do wonders for his confidence I think. Not a stellar performance, but that's not to be expected.

 

[Wellspurs]

Dembele was good, Friedel great, everyone else poor to average.

Lloris is not going to find it easy to oust Friedel. I hope like a lot of foreign keepers he doesn't struggle with communication/commanding his box and crosses.

Shouldn't have a problem with communication as most of the back four are French speakers.

Brad played well as for the rest they seem to be looking to find the man who isn't there Modrich.

 

[Dannyspur]

Brad 8
The Moose 7
all the rest 4

 

[FinnYid]

Livermore 4 - I don't get why AVB seems to be building our midfield round our 5th best centre-mid.

Sixth (I would prefer fully fit JJ over Jake) and that is without taking account youth or players from other postions that might play better than Livermore on central midfield.

 

[guiltyparty]

Sixth (I would prefer fully fit JJ over Jake) and that is without taking account youth or players from other postions that might play better than Livermore on central midfield.

I stand corrected

 

[Mr Pink]

I thought Sandro picked up a knock and that's why he was substituted?

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Well that was fun.

I think it's fair to say the glorious revolution hasn't even reached armed uprising stage yet. Right now, I'd settle for a student demonstration and a few eggs being thrown in angst.

I understand why Dembele and Adebayor didn't start, one only made the move a couple of days ago and Adebayor probably isn't match sharp. But Defoe up front any time, let alone on his own is a recipe for ineptness. Added to Bale and Lennon having particularly uninspiring games and that recipe becomes a shitcake soufflé.

Our underlying lack of intelligence before we lost Modric and VDV worried me. Now it is positively scaring me shitless. We can't even call off the bench people like Kranjcar, Pienaar or GDS who might just be able to provide something different than the very predictable Lennon or below par Bale.

I hoped that AVB would at least get us playing a higher tempo, higher up, hard pressing game that would maybe negate the necessity for individuals to dig us out. I'm still hoping that over time this is the case. But today, more than anything, it was obvious once again that he is still struggling to get the same ****s to do this some of the time. If he is going to succeed, this is a minimum requirement IMO.

I was disappointed we didn't land Moutinho, but I'm devasted we didn't add a creative player like Affelay, Dzagoev, Willian or even fucking Benayoun.

Ekotto's technically a good footballer but needs get involved more in the final third. And desperately needs to kick himself up the fucking arse defensively sometimes. He bottles tackles, doesn't close down diligently and regularly finds himself doing an impression of a stoned turtle in blustery windsock.

Walker is so fucking limited by his lack of wit that his pace and tenacity are frequently wasted and amount to a minimal tangible contribution. His choices at either end, and often in the middle too, are often poor.

We must be patient. We must allow the new man and new players time to gel. We need the rub as well. We weren't good today but we still had 60% of the ball, and if we'd just hung on the last two weeks, they might not have been our most merited wins, but they might just have helped the confidence and speeded that gelling process. When shit happens like it does the last couple of weeks it makes you feel fragile - and we all know that football has a horrible habit of kicking you when your down. And boy are we ripe for a kicking.

Ratings:

Friedel 8 - Played well.

Walker 5 - He's not there because he's a good defender. He's not contributing to the creative process.

Gallas 6.5 - Decent enough game.

Vertonghen 6.5 - Decent enough.

Ekotto 6 - Needs to concentrate and show some defensive tenacity and not do stupid shit like grab an opponents shirt in the box.

Livermore 6.5 - He wouldn't even win a Miss Water Carrier 2012 competition.

Sandro 6 - Usually a very good hunter gatherer, today he was more shunter blunderer. I'd have left him on as he would have made for a better balance with Dembele I think.

Lennon 5 - Insipid

Sigurdsson 5 - Inspid

bale 5 - Insipid

Defoe 5 - Insipid

 

[gibbospurs]

not trying to gloat one bit but me and few others were saying how much we needed new wingers more than anywhere in the midfield areas. all we have is lennon who is a shorter version of walnut and bale who unless has half a pitch to run into are very ordinary. 60m for bale?? really.... should of sold him and kept modric.

oh and whilst im on one why the fuck did ade not train in pre season to keep himself fit for the start. even with a personal trainer? wanker.

 

[Mr Pink]

Agree with all that BC, and an excellent point on the likes of Pienaar, Kranky etc..anybody who could of added something different to Lennon, or the very averagre Bale at the moment.

I was surprised with the lack of tempo, there just doesn't seem to be any urgency in our play whatsoever, we looked nervous and frightened to actually play some football. We wern't pressing either, it just seemed like a disjointed, fragile and unsure performance. The worst of our three performances by a distance. I was encouraged after Newcastle (obviously disappointed by the result), a little worried after West Brom - but after today I'm nervous.

Been very disappointed with Bale and Walker so far. I know Walker isn't as cultured as Bale, far from it, but practically every cross he attempted to day he fucked up - it was so careless.

Still, its going to take time for AVB to get his methods and ideas across and for them to come to fruition, I knew that would be the case so nothing has changed in my eyes, its still early days and I prepared myself for a slow start.

I do have reservations over Gallas though, something isn't right for me there. Its just not inspiring confidence, he looks a little clumsy and unsure in terms of anticipating and reading etc,.