Good morning.
You can feel it in your fingers, you can feel it in your toes, love is all around us and so the feeling grows. Unless of course you are Oscar Pistorious. Who is famously toeless. Or his now very dead supermodel girlfriend. So as you stare at the morning’s post only to see a reminder from a loan shark and leaflet about stair lifts, but not one groovy coloured envelope to make your pulse pick up, remember that there’s always a football.
Most likely Brad is going to be in goal. It’s a decision we’ve already taken.
We know this tie represents a lot to Hugo on a personal level but, out of respect and confidence to Brad, we will continue to apply the same principle we have in the past [rounds of the competition] and rotate the goalkeeper.’
Does anyone agree with me that – if taken – this is a curious decision? Andrè has clearly adopted a respectful approach to the competition, which I completely endorse. But why would you field Brad for this particular game? The boss said yesterday:
I think we’ve been handed the most difficult draw of this knock-out phase. I called it when the draw came out: it’s like a Champions League tie, and I still feel the same way. This is a club with ambitions to win trophies every season and a team that can cause problems for us.
It could be a test of whether we’re good enough to play in the Champions League. I think Lyon represent a club with tremendous Champions League experience in recent years.
Brad is a great goalkeeper. No two ways about it, but Hugo has really begun to demonstrate why we bought him. He is a truly dynamic talent. And against a quality side like Lyon, I really don’t see the purpose of AVB sticking to his guns.
The phrase. ‘It’s a decision we’ve already taken.’ is a worry. It sounds too resolute. Like those people on the home make over shows. ‘We’ve decided to convert the attic.’ The presenter tells them that with her 30 years commercial experience that this will add nothing to the value of the house, but actually cost them money. If they added a downstairs bathroom, it would add approximately double what it cost to install to the value of the property. With a religious cult zeal they reply. ‘No, we’ve decided to convert the attic.’
Squad rotation is a good thing. It prevents players from getting ground down, or feeling excluded. It can alert you a squad member who actually deserves more game time. But Brad isn’t some kid bursting to get a game. Hugo isn’t some ageing wreck of an outfield player who’s knees are being drained after every match…
I don’t see the logic, do you?
He’s already said he was ‘burning inside’ when he wasn’t playing earlier in the season so I think it doesn’t make much sense to wind him up again. I’m sure Brad would understand the significance of it.
Although Razspur was saying, as far as I can tell seriously, that we should field Lloris as a lone striker in this fixture as he loves playing in that position or something. So perhaps AVB has something else up his sleeve. Yeah, perhahs not..
I’d pick Hugo because he’s better overall. I don’t imagine GK accumulate fatigue in the same way the the rest of the team do so why not keep our first choice as our first choice?
I think he will pick Hugo for the away leg in front of his old lyon fans..
However should stick with hugo, just a much better keeper and Friedel now instills confusion as never leaves his 6 yeard box…
Hugo.all the time.It doesn’t make sense to me to rotate goalies,just play the best man.Its the least physically demanding position on the field.
And another thing,AVB needs to man up a bit,the whole playing Brad when we got Hugo only was only done not to hurt Brads feelings imo,and if he plays Brad its just more of the same as there are no football reasons.
Brad is good, Hugo is different class, and I won’t feel as secure watching with Brad sat on the goal line and the defense playing a high line, Hugo dominates that space, one of the best buys in years
It is very curious.
You should play your best keeper all the time and that is Hugo. Especially if William is playing coz he’s not the fastest defender around and you need a keeper who is comfortable playing a more sweeper role and getting off his line quick and BF aint coming off his line for anyone!!
if we lose because brad stayed like a statue on his line while they (lyon) rushed at him and scored who will be to blame? brad? or avb? im an avb fan by the way.
Yes Bale is world class,,,oh sorry,,well the boy,could fourth or third in the BPL be the goal.the real goal,,and if my woman came in to suprise me at three in the morning and i didnt have my legs screwed on,i would shoot her.
Really triffic ‘Arry ………. The Daily Scum/Mirror stop slagging AVB off, so you take over the job ……. have you seen any problems from rotating in central defence?
Does it really matter? I’d play Holtby in goal, Lloris up front, Gallas on the wing and Tony Galvin CH but then again I’m really not to bothered one way or the other so long as we rest Bale, Parker and Dembele. On an other note there are rumours about Hooper coming to us for 10m in the summer?, why not get Milan Baros in now as cover for the rest of the season instead on a free and forget about wasting 10m on a 1.5m striker
Rest Bale? Lyon have been mustard in this comp. They were only 2 points off maximum points when they won their group, weren’t they?
I’d rest the lot of them and allow them a fortnights furlow-It’s a pointless farce of a comp and should be treated with the contempt it deserves until UEFA treat it with equal respect and make it worthwhile winning=It’s all well and god AVB saying it’ll serve us well in the CL, but I’d prefer to qualify for the CL first myself, and not at the expense of this tinpot cup.
Watched Hooper on Tuesday night and he’s championship at best…..£1.5m not a penny more…..
Personally I think thiis could be AVB’s achilles heel. That heel is not steeped in picking favourites its more to do with flexibility.
Not the goalkeepers,more the managers.
AVB seems to be stuck in systems, Sometimes you have to think outside the box (Our strikers by the way maybe think too much outside the box).
Micromanaging sometimes is great. Its difficult to get a high line to work by leaving it to the players totally.They need some kind of structure but when it comes to the emotion of a cup game you need to understand it and if you are stuck in rotation a certain way,how can you?
We were all going anti clockwise with Brad being the main goalie at the beginning of the season and then one thing happened and AVB went clockwise.He obviously gave himself a system and it was I’ll keep in going round one way until it doesnt work and then I’ll switch it.
In my opinion this is not managing. This is planning and design.
I am not suggesting that AVB do anything else but THINK. Thinking is not just about creating a plan. This is a dynamic not a building. The goalposts do get moved occasionally and you have to react to a situation.
Look its true I could be totally wrong about this,but Id be willing to change my opinion if something else would make more sense.This is democracy.If Im stuck in the same absolute thinking I might just be building something based on a false idea.
I think it is managing, Ron.
Last season we had a great team but a naff squad full of un-loved, forgotten and disgruntled strangers.
If this is what needs to be done then let’s do it I say.
Weare getting more organized and the flow is starting to come back for sure.
Its difficult to know what AVb influences and what he doesnt because
thats the way it is when you are a layman bystander.We dont really know what any manager does apart from what we can see and then we speculate as to why.
Thiats why this one is so interesting. Brad Freidel is a good goalkeeeper.They all have good qualities and bad and as we know there is no perfection (Ok well 1960-61 and maybe coming to a theatre or stadium near you soon)
Gomes was a great talent and also an oaf. Thats the extreme. I like a player who takes chances bhut not that many chances.
Lloris has a good mix and probably is a little bit of a cavalier.I like that.
Brad is stead and deliberate.I like that too but he is getting on and is a little lead footed on occasion.(Lloris can take to odd chance here and there that he shouldnt) but overall has been great.
Lloris is also suited more to the tactics.Raz pointed it out the other day.The High Line needs a sweeper in goal (it doesnt hurt the offside trap) and Lloris is aware of this cand it quick on his feel because in that sense the High Line is risky.
This game we are playing Lyon.Its a good enough emotional reason forLloris too but I do think he is beyond that) Still I would go with Lloris and promise him a good game or two in the league against the right kind of opposition.
My concern is more about AVB’s thinking.Not that its bad but its rooted in systems I think.If he is too stuck it will be difficult to do what great managers do and that is to be flexible with ideas without being reckless
Lloris is the better keeper for every reason that you have stated. Quick, agile and ready to leave his line. Brad is like an elephant in goal, he parrys and blocks shot after shot. I know sweet F.A about Lyon so I don’t know which one would offer the best tactical choice.
As for AVB. Yes he is very methodical but I wouldn’t worry. He doesn’t seem lost and he’s not guessing who’d be better. He has a system that he will implement until it proves un-satisfactory.
We have a 25 man squad and all these players must combine to win tournaments.
We cannot expect to thrive with a coach who cannot experiment with the squad so let him tinker I say. It’s his squad, he needs to know how to use what he’s got to win games, as do the players. I don’t think for one second that playing Brad in the EL is “reckless”. He’s a PL GK and probably deserves some support from the supporters, the coach and the squad.
I dont think that it would be reckless to play Brad. I just meant that good managing takes into account all the factors including the emotions and respect for the individuals concerned. Im not even saying who we would play. I wouldlike to see both players respected and if AVB told the players previously for instance that he has a number one and a number two and he’sll play the number two in the Europa all the way and the situation comes up where one of them (Lloris) could be used more effectively agaonst say Lyon,then I hope AVB will be respectful to Brad and offer him some good games too.
I am not saying that he doesnt have respect but I think respect gains respect and at the beginning of the season there seemed to be a problem with the issue with them both (although now it seemed to be resolved as they both seem happy).Its my main point actually.
Id rather have Lloris all the Brad but Brad has been a great player for us and deserves respect for the way he has dealt with things
I understand. But I doubt Brad has any hard feeling towards Hugo as he knows he’s at the end of his career. Even when Hugo first arrived Brad knew it wouldn’t be long until he lost his place to him. I think this is a situation AVB managed spectacularly in the face of constant media BS. He didn’t chuck Hugo in at the deep end under a massive spot-light, he slowly integrated him until he looked comfortable and confident and I think we have a very happy Hugo as a consequence.
He had the same in mind with Holtby until it became obvious that the guy fitted us like a glove and make an instant improvement. He doesn’t rush, force or attack his players he encourages them.
Unlike HR who thinks it’s the sixties. You can’t treat players like crap and expect them to play their socks off.
if not this round the next will cost us if friedel plays,due to lack of game plan and age it showed against leeds the first goal ,playing in goal u are taught the same things it doesn’t change, positioning ,shot stopping,when to come out to catch the ball ,when to punch etc,but brad is showing his age.
Brad has a couple of faults ,one is low 2 his left .
I dont see the logic in this, yeah ok brad was our number 1 but when you have a keeper like lloris you play you best keeper, last few games brad friedel was in goal no doubt he is a class keeper but you can see a difference between brad and lloris , llrois is much more agile , quicker and just generally a better keeper, i see why he wants to play friedel to keep him happy but in a tie like this especially for llrois against his old club you gota play him , it gives him more of a motive to want to win as well so i think and i hope this is not a bad mistake made by avb, i just hope we win because he will get a bollocking from fans and press if we loose if brad dont have a good performance
de gea and lloris are two of the best,what do they say continental goalkeeper’s,so i think he is repaying brad for helping hugo adapt,now have to tell herself we are watching the footy and not some shitty romantic film,wish me luck
Who cares, they are both great keepers.
Personally I would choose to stick with Hugo, but here’s where I think it gets tricky.
Every top club has to decide whether they want 2 serious competitive Goalkeepers in the squad, or have an average no.2 who doesn’t mind not playing, and hope your no.1 doesn’t get injured.
A serious Goalkeeper, even a number 2, is going to want some football or will and should move on.
So you have to offer something to get and keep a good no.2. If Friedel wasn’t going to play some cup games he probably wouldn’t have signed a new contract and stayed in Jan.
Would that have been a problem? No, unless Hugo gets injured or sent off, in which case immediately and massively yes.
Reasons for: Brad is an excellent shot stopper and the majority of our defenders are very familiar with how he plays. It’s one of a few positions that we can afford to rotate without causing serious detriment to the team. Hugos presence in the PL fixtures could be vital to top-4 finish. Players don’t always thrive against their former clubs. When else can we play him?
Against: He wasn’t first choice on the weekend so why not now? Lloris has inside knowledge of the opposition as he’s trained/played with them.
There’s a lot to be said for squad rotation, not only does it keep a squad fresh and ready when they’re needed but it instills the right mentality. If you’re going to juggle a domestic cup, league and a European cup then you need a flexible squad. Not stand-ins or cameo appearances. Goalkeeper rotation though? I’m not a fan but then again, I’m just a dork with a keyboard and not a football coach being paid a squidzillion pounds.
It’s a no-brainer, Lloris is comfortable in the high line system, he exudes confidence, Freidel would be a liability as he rarely comes off his line. It would confuse the back four no end and i can just imagine Benny, Kyle, Daws and Verts confused.
No point in taking backwards steps.
Benny Kyle and Daws played in-front of him all last season.
And your point is ?
We are a different animal this season, high line defence.
We imploded last season.
Completely different scenario.
It’s great being an armchair manager isnt it. I guess that some of us will always be second guessing the man in charge of managing the team doesnt matter if he’s successful or not. Hugo is undoubtedly number one but Brad although static at times, hasn’t all of a sudden become a useless git overnight.
AVB and his staff know what they are doing, let them get on with it. So far so good.
As for the phrase “it’s a decision we’ve already taken” sounding too resolute and worrying to you then perhaps you’d prefer if the players went into games without a gameplan or alternatives when it isnt working.
With Brad in goal we gotta have Daws at the back.
The calamity at Leeds is still painful to remember.
Naughton, Caulker, Dawson, Benny in front of Brad tonight.
Vertonghen can take a rest.
Naughton has to learn that hoofing it into row Z
is an option when two opponents close you down.
why play with a handicap?,1goal for them tonight might be worth 2;why take the risk.is it because he wants to please the players after the cheatski debacle?fergie or clough wouldnt even question lloris not playing.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAaXQRt39d4
“Squad rotation is a good thing. It prevents players from getting ground down, or feeling excluded.”
Having written the above, you then say you can’t see the logic…….
I then went on to say that Brad isn’t needy and goalkeepers don’t get ground into the dust, like Sandro or Parker.
What is the point of your comment? If you to post ‘kill yourself’ then have the balls. Being an inaccurate nag just makes you look daft, not me.
The point of my comment is that you give a good reason for rotating, (prevents feeling excluded) and then imply that AVB shouldn’t do it. One of us is daft but it’s not me.
Further, the “Brad is not needy” comment is crap as well. Pure assumption on your part and I would say most players are “needy” in that they prefer to be playing
If you think Brad is a whiner, I think you’re off beam. He’s a mature professional. And has said in several interviews that he acknowledges his age and what the future holds.
I assumed nothing. I based my comments on his own.
Hugo is clearly the better keeper. I think we all know that, but Brad does need game time – and I think it was decided a long time ago that Brad would play in the cups.
There will be much bigger liabilities in tonight’s team than Brad Friedel if he plays. Full back(s) for example.
Lloris against Lyon, Brad against West Ham to get som rotation,
.
More important, with Archer and Gomes on loan who is number 3?
Oh, I forgot–there are never any unexpected injuries. . .
Tickle the WHL gong leave YogaBrad meditating until the early hours tomorrow when he will start errr..meditating.
Squad rotation is good but the question is how do you do it.There are many factors.
If AVB has designated Lloris now to be number one,has the arrangement been for the number two to play in the Europa? If so it would be wrong to switch unless you offer Brad some league games and keep him fluid and happy.
We are moving on in the competition,hopefully we will go a lot further so how do you handle it when the cup itself starts to look appetizing or do you just push for the CL place.
Lots of factors
I also can’t understand why our No. 1 keeper isn’t starting for the Europa League games. It contradicts AVB’s comments about the importance of the competition to him. However, Brad recently( last December) extended his contract. It maybe that the “agreement” that AVB refers to was contingent on Brad starting for Europa. Then it makes sense, I guess that Champions league qualification must be priority for the Spurs board, with Brad accepting to be a backup to a potential Lloris injury. Anyway there will probably be a new blog in a few seconds… :Conceited:
It will be interesting to see how many times Brad comes off his line to snuff out a Lyon Goal chance, how efficiently he sweeps behind the back four. There is no room for sentiment in Professional Football, as we have no game this weekend we should be fielding our strongest team.
If we lose the first leg due to lack of movement from Freidel, will he still get the call for the second leg ?
I understand Razspurs the no need for sentimentality approach. It’s just a feeling but Brad wants to play rather than pick up a pay cheque. The board may have conceded to his request for being Europa No. 1 but only if he accepts to extend his contract and be backup to Lloris. Injuries to keepers are quite rare, Brad must know this and may have insisted on a Europa role. If so its practicality rather than sentimentality by the board. It’s just a guess… but I understand where you are coming from
If the back four allow balls through expecting Brad to sweep and Lyon reap dividends AVB will be at fault. If the back four try to change the high line style of play and it fails, leads to confusion ditto. Why risk unnecessary change and possible confusion when we have no game this w/e.
I hope it works because AVB will be crucified in the media if it does not.
I think in the end I would agree.Use Lloris.as the default unless there are other circumstances but still be respectful to Brad who has handed hi,mself first class since he has been with the club
I think Hugo is the better ‘keeper now, and would prefer to see him play tonight. However, just possibly, AVB also thinks that because Hugo is very much a known quantity with the Lyon players they will know better how to outwit him – or, put another way, that they don’t know jack about Brad. Having said that, giving them a day’s warning to watch YouTube vids of Brad to get better acquainted rather blows that theory…
I clicked on the ‘other’ box and picked Pat Jennings.
Happy Valentine’s Day you bunch of weirdos
to you too Legit!
I know an Ill Legit.Hes a bit of a bastard,but you are a good bloke Billy.
Now why did you pick Jennings?
He was great for us and then great for them and now coaches us. Isnt Brad older than him?
Ill Legit is my cousin so don’t slag off my family or i’ll Oscar Pistorius your ass!
I want Pat to play because Hugo needs a night off, Grandad usually has his Horlicks by nine (in bed by 9.30), and i miss Pat’s mullet. Plus, he’s a goal threat (Charity Shield 1967).
Yes wouldnt this be great if it was the Charity Shield 1967
I then could also play for Tottenham (Ive been watching films of Jermaine Jenas since then)
AVB could then pick from all the great players we’ve had since then but methinks Jake Livermore will still be a 92 minutes subsitute,though there wasnt any subsitutes then,though Jake wouldnt mind he would show up anyway
Jake could change the score boards they used to have by the side of the pitch in front of the West Stand- or something similar since they don’t, erm……..exist any more.
I thought that Legit means a Papal messenger .
Sorry mate, i don’t ‘do’ Catholics.
Alcoholics on the other hand
…………………….
you wouldnt have to tell them,just call it Catholics Anonymous
Anonymous Catholics?…………if only!
On the other foot surely?
Isn’t Bale a left footer?
Well i am both,.if she suprise’d you at 3 in the morning would you legit
Yurp, if i could find my running legs in time.
I suppose it is some kind of protection to Lloris. Every time he comes off his line to make a desperate save or tackle, injury is always likely. We could not afford to lose either Bale or Lloris.
Or Parker and Dembele as they’re all vital to our league campaign, but no worries?
I don’t think there is room for sentiment here. Besides the league this is all we have left. I think AVB is the best thing to happen to us for a very long time, I just hope he is not left with egg on his face.
Maybe Brad was promised a “anything else but PL” clause to keep him happy and if he was, however impractical, AVB cannot breech that agreement.
However if there is only a loose agreement in place then Hugo should start. He has been fantastic, the speed that he comes off of his line is a real confidence boost to his back 4 and has saved our hide more than once.
Surely (as mentioned by others) with Brad in goal there will be some unsettled feelings in defence as Brad and Hugo are chalk and cheese and if corners/set pieces come in, Brad looks shaky, and is not keen on claiming the ball.
I hope when I get up at 3-00am it’s Hugo, he has become an essential member of the team and imho, cannot be replaced like for like with our current no.2. Lyon lie 2nd in Ligue 1, they aren’t part timers and we need a good result to go into the away leg…………COYS, COYWW.
Rotation be damned. Lloris is by some distance the better of the two ‘keepers and should play every game if fit.
Added to which Friedel has given next-to-no indication that he’s capable of playing the role Villas-Boas expects of a ‘keeper in his team. His clean-sheets tally this year is lamentable and he needs to be put out to pasture and a younger man needs to come in to serve as Lloris’ understudy.
If we don’t concede tonight I’ll be amazed.
One of the questions on a really stupid quiz which I try not to watch but my wife does was on the goalie that won European footballer of the year. The contestant said Gordon Banks but the answer was Lev Yashin. I’d have a carbon copy of him in goal any day.
I don’t fully get it. Brad has been a great keeper for us over the last few years and he is a quality leader. I hope he’ll stay with the club following his eventual retirement. Also, being in the same age range, I hugely admire his dedication to his profession. Not too many guys are in this kind of shape at this age. Having professed my man-love for the guy, Lloris is a better keeper and should start every game that we are truly trying to win at this stage.
Not sure if AVB is trying to test Hugo’s mental mettle – makes no sense to me otherwise.
The way some guys are talking, it’s like AVB is bringing Ian Walker out of retirement!
It’s one player. I know it’s an important one but they all are in some respect. There’s another 10 in front of him that need to dominate the game and keep them out. Keep them out and the shot-stopper will do the rest.