Evening.
Just got back in from the Reading game.. here is what i thought
1. we played well overall, apart from a sticky spell in the second half, but crucially we didnt concede, rode it out, and extended our lead.
2. disappointed to not keep a clean sheet. no clean sheets so far this season against mediocre to poor opposition is not good enough. 3-0 is a thumping. 3-1 isnt quite that.
3. i like the way we are shaping up. AVB is backing players who are doing well, like Defoe who scored for England so kept his place and scored twice today. If nothing else it signals to the squad that if you come in and play well then you will keep your place. Ade knows now that he cant be coasting like he was at times under Redknapp, or he wont be playing. We also have quite a few versatile players so we have lots of options. for example siggy playing poorly so one possibility is to like for like with dempsey, or you could bring on tommy and push dembele on, or you could bring on ade and go two up top. i like that flexibility.
4. Siggy was poor today (IMO, but it seems like this opinion is not shared by several) and i am disappointed with him so far. It looks like he is struggling to make the step up. I am wondering if Dempsey might be played ahead of him versus QPR.
5. Vertonghen was superb today. I know it was "only Reading" (who looked poor, but i guess that they did put up a very good show at Stamford Bridge) but I thought he played very well.
6. Kyle Naugton. Big plus point out of that game. Townsend looked lively when he came on too.... both of these plus points just mean we have more options.
7. Bale - not the same Bale as we are used to seeing. Not sure whether its the way he is being utilized, but it seems that he is just not in games at the moment. That said, he had a few bursts, and scored in the end, althought it looked fortunate (i was low down in corner so had poor view throughtout)
8. First win now, media and our own fans should give AVB some breathing space for a bit. The players seemed to enjoy the way they are playing, and I look forward to seeing what this team does this season.
COYS.
My thoughts on the game
posted on 16/9/12
comment by Don_tottenham (U3372)
posted 44 minutes ago
Chronic, what did i say about vertonghen? I know it was only reading but i told you so many times to keep the faith with him, he will be superb for us. AnywaY, excellent win mate. The spurs fans generally happy?
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don.
yeah, but like i say, it was reading, and up to now i havent been impressed, however i did say throughout that hopefully he just needed to settle.
all the spurs fans were happy with the win but annoyed at the goal conceded.
to be honest, we all turned up expecting to win, and we did so, so it was just normal
posted on 16/9/12
I thought Siggy did well. He'll get better in time, he was really unlucky not to score and his good work was not rewarded with the service his movement deserved. For example, Defoe, despite his goals sometimes needs to link up better. There were a couple of occasions where he is really greedy. I can think of one chance in the 65th minute where he should have laid it off to Siggy, instead he shot. There is a lot of abuse going his way but if he was given the service from Defoe, he would have scored.
I think what we are seeing now is that AVB is changing us slowly. The team is becoming fluid and interchangeable and although it may be frustrating at first, he is bringing through young talent. I loved that Naughton played today although Townsend could have come on earlier.
For me Ade is no guarantee. AVB really likes Defoe, and I think he sees his qualities. I expect Ade to come back in eventually but if Defoe does lose his place then he can have no qualms, he has been given a great deal of support by AVB.
On the AVB situation, he has been impressing me since the Newcastle game. He's got good knowledge about the game and I think he is forming something completely different to Harry's team. An interchangable and powerful team!
posted on 16/9/12
comment by messiah..solidification is the future ™ (U1548)
posted 1 hour, 11 minutes ago
Chronic with his new reading accent ffs
Good time there man?
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yeah mate but we didnt bring shoes for going out last night, so in trainers we were restricted to the grimey, skummmmmy bars and clubs. we were very high and exceedingly drunk so we didnt care much.
there was not one nice girl in the whole place though
the premier inn was very nice though
posted on 16/9/12
posted on 16/9/12
Was at the game as well - live in Reading but Spurs by nature (though Reading come a close 2nd) - had to sit with the Reading faithful so it hard not to celebrate when Spurs scored.
Anyway, thought the overall performance was ok - it is going to take time to gel & I felt we really didn't get out of 2nd gear but to be fair Reading were poor today.
Just feel we need to up our game if we are going to beat better teams (time will tell).
For me - Dem & Vert were superb with the rest doing ok - not sure though on Naughton playing left back - didn't get forward enough and cannot use his left foot - maybe being a bit harsh but again too early to judge.
Need to rule out stupid goals though - Brad didn't have a single shot to save expect for the one at the end & that was poor defending as a unit - again switched off - If it had only been a 1-0 then we would be cursing yet again.
Finally good support from the Spurs faithful!!
coys!
posted on 16/9/12
defoe was quality too mate
posted on 16/9/12
Chronic
This is what Verminator thought of it.
Verminator_05- Le Koss.
In all seriousness, Reading were unbelievably awful today. Southampton yesterday atleast kept the ball in the second half and threatened but Reading played like a pub side.
The same pub side that nearly turned over the European Champions on their own patch a couple of weeks back. You have to laugh at the silly g oon.s
posted on 16/9/12
Here's my
I liked that we used Naughty, he reminds me a bit of Davids when he first came to us; like a bulldog growling and snapping at their heels.
I agree that he was a little shaky at left back, but we're not really gonna see Walker lose his place any time soon.
Verts was great today, I'm glad he's starting to find his feet.
His positioning was top class, almost always where he should be...
Would like to see Dempsey take over for ziggs the next game, his introduction gave us a lift and I think everyone is aware of his quality.
Last, I'm glad that AVB is utilizing the squad more than his royal harryness.
Let's take it to QPR and jump up the table
COYS
posted on 17/9/12
Chronic, what was the general attitude towards AVB from the fans? I hope we were giving him some support and chanting for him
posted on 17/9/12
Chronic, what was the general attitude towards AVB from the fans? I hope we were giving him some support and chanting for him
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Very good throughout. Avb's blue and White army was sung a fair few times