Good afternoon, guardians of the Chicken Badge.
As per the pre Christmas edition of Hotspur’s Half Hour; your very own ODM, special guest Richard Gizbert and even me all foretold of 3 wins and a draw from the festive fixture list. We go third but of course that’s rather like the smile on Hugh Heffner’s 26 year old wife. A teeny weeny bit artificial. Chelsea have two games in hand.
The positives are that we seem to be playing more cohesively. I know we didn’t face the cream of the crop in these games but in the not so dim and distant it was precisely up and down teams like Villa and relegation fodder like Reading who threw a spanner in the works.
We appear to have shed those who stop running, those who do the hands on hips thing, those who look like they are giving their all but actually are not. We have shed the impersonators.
Man of the match was Azza Blud isn’t nice to know that he has been coached into being a better player? Isn’t it nice?
There was the captaincy thing and now we frequently catch the boss having a word in his shell like on the touchline mid-game. I have been a reluctant admirer of Lennon because he always came across as being a bit drippy, a bit inconsistent.
Flashes of genius don’t rock my world. Yes, this was only Reading but yesterday he showed that he can cram ‘that much’ good stuff into one game after all.
Les Ferdinand told me the coaches at Spurs have worked and worked and worked on Lennon’s final ball and all that time on the training ground seems to be paying off. Garth Crooks
Last word on Howard Webb, he’s proof that in the future the referees will strive to getting their names emblazoned on the back of their shirts. Get the technology in and get these second rate attention seeking whores to where they ought be.
Make them into marginalized and forgettable drones simply used as a device to relay to the players that which has been decided by informed people – those watching slo-mo footage from 15 different camera angles in a studio somewhere.
We need to stop passing back to him under pressure. It appears to have become a regular comedy moment in every game. He doesn’t like it, I don’t like it, the opposition always appreciate it. So let’s stop it.
Still making the same idiotic ‘decisions’, it’s reached the point now where the more focused and earnest he looks the angrier I become.
There wasn’t that much for him to do and so we got a disciplined enough performance from him.
He was Mr Happy Chappy when it went in and rightly so.
Another solid game, tackled well and moved the ball about accurately. Our next right back, I hope.
You don’t have to be an insane Brazilian to work here but it helps.
Like a hugely talented freight train.
A lean, mean, chance creating machine. Fizzed, popped and crackled all game.
A proper run out and decent one. The left wing wasn’t quiet as productive as the middle of the park but he has a spark about him. Had Webb done a better job we would have seen more.
I was so leased he scored. He’d been instrumental up until then, but of a lot of people need a player’s worth spelling out and a goal normally does that.
Another show case of tremendous predictability.
Dr Deuceington, I presume? The goal took a tiny ickle deflection. So what? That’s show business.
Poor old wWalker
Redknapp headline in the Independent
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/harry-redknapp-says-any-manager-who-fails-to-succeed-at-chelsea-would-be-a-real-dope-8435165.html
Doesnt it allude to AVB????????
Harry Redknapp told police his accountant ‘runs his life’ because he ‘writes like a two-year-old’ and can barely ‘fill in a team sheet’, a court heard yesterday.
The Tottenham Hotspur manager, 64, was arrested in June 2009 by police investigating payments into an account he opened in Monaco called Rosie 47, after his bulldog.
In a recording of the interview played to the court, Redknapp is heard saying he is the ‘most disorganised person’ in the world.
F*ck ‘im!
Billy he was using dog language at the time with which the dog then gave him a wink and a nudge,bark no more
Would this be the same language he used to communicate with the hack from the Independiente?
Billy are you in Colombia???? Only people in Colombia would spell it that way
Si Senor!
He had the backing of Levy ffs and sitting in court thinking about Wembley and not about us.
The game right after that the players destoryed Newcastle just to make Harry notice our Tottenham club….but he didnt respeond with a positive and it was all about England.
Remember Portsmouth -Southampton -Portsmouth???
This was Tottenham- Jail – England and all stations to the Second division
Championship Ronnie it’s called the Championship now, get with the groove man
How they have manipulated our expectations.
We are wait…. did Harry win today…God we are all in trouble now!
The Redknapp quote is hilarious, the script doesn’t appear to be playing out how ‘Arry imagined. He is starting to realise less and less people are listening to him as the Hotspur lustre fades and people realise he is a Premier League walking dead man whose fate is tied to a bunch of relegation deadbeats.
QPR soon to be in a world of hurt, rumour is the prospect of relegation had NOT been seriously entertained last summer and there is a distinct lack of preparation in this department with far too many big time charlies sitting on fat contracts with NO relegation clauses. Wonder if ‘Arry has a cosy escape route set up for himself…? Oh dear.
Of course it does. You’d have to be a complete and utter cu*t to blow a 10 point lead to the scum. So glad that prick is out of our club.
He is doing his usual thing of blaming everyone else and slagging off his players to evade blame and put pressure on his chairman to release funds. When he comes out with statements such as ‘the subs are on the bench because they’re not good enough to play’ it really does make you question how he has maintained the illusion that he is a good man manager for so long.
His only talent is in his ruthless commitment to self-preservation. I believe he might have finally ran out of luck at QPR though, with a team that his chirpy cockernee charm can’t motivate. Could get quite ugly there…
Dont worry LLL he has his eye on any seaside town team available
He’s had two or three very sly digs at Spurs recently-What he’s said about Chelsea is self evident-because of course AVB did fail, but then again, so have many, many other’s-but the other one that went under the radar, was about how QPR pay better than us, which would cause a few of our players to question their own deals at the Lane?
He did have that annoying habit of bigging C*****a up when we were about to play them when he was with us.
Hey, BC HNY and all that-while reading the Spurs miscellany-the number one was actually Blue Moon by the Marcels, when we won the double in May 1961-@TBH-Am I on a commission yet?
Brilliant record! It really resonated with a feat like “the Double”. I remember a lot of stuff from 1961 except for the other number one from May ’61 Floyd Cramer “On The Rebound” Only one week apparently.
They ALL do that! Its annoying alright!!!!
Spot on TBH. At home, Spurs need that early goal to open things up. Unfortunately, we conceded a soft one and that just brought us back to square one. We must get used to teams setting up shop and adapt accordingly. Our front line is lacking guile and power in the air – Ade’s goal was well taken, but all too often he doesn’t anticipate and never seems to make full use of his height.
Came across this stats web site, which shows it was one of Spurs’ best performances of the season, with highest number of completed passes, highest possession, most tackles won etc.
http://epl.squawka.com/spurs-vs-reading/01-01-2013/english-barclays-premier-league/matches
Interestingly, they also make Dembele the man of the match. Can’t argue with that!
There was an interview with Walker in the programme yesterday, he came across as very level headed and admitting that there are aspects to his game that need to improve. This is his third season in the PL at a young age, I’m sure he has the ability and character to bounce back from a dodgy half a season. You have also missed his excellent covering on Kebe in the second half.
Just trying to give a balance view of a player that most clubs would view as an asset.
I really dont hink that Walker is that bright.There are aspects of his game that are good.His power and pace obviously,but he doesnt have a reading exactly of what is going on.
But the most iimportant thing is that he defends as his main point and attacks as his second.
With all that he is a bit player in the whole scheme of things. I dont rate is astuteness but he has been victimizzed by lots of supporters. (he is getting up to that Jenas/Bentley levelof demonization
We are lacking power in the box. This is number one.
Our quality in defence has gone up with the advent of the three amigos in defensive midfield.
and the steadiness of Lloris and Vert (and also Naughton) Walker is less of a factor
Excellent analysis and commentary. Walkers mentality makes him remain an accident waiting to happen in every minute of every game – despite the chap being a superb athelete [ fortunately ones mentality ( like skills ) can be coached so ]. I presume thats why AVB has remained patient with our RB.
Really liked ” We appear to have shed those who stop running, those who do the hands on hips thing, those who look like they are giving their all but actually are not. We have shed the impersonators” and the JDF assessment.
I think Walker’s defending is gradually improving, and lest we forgot the goal saving block on Kebe after Dawson had been skinned.
The replay showed him anticipating it before Kebe was goal side – sort of thing he wouldn’t have seen last year. Without that it would have been 2-2.
Naughton should have a run at RB when Benny’s back, but Walker is still the younger of the two and has time to improve. I also think he’ll be a better player when the Lloris, Kaboul, Vertonghen axis has had time to bed in.
Walker is a good one on one defender but has trouble positionally. Will improve with time. Playing in a regular back four unit week in week out wouldn’t hurt euther.
True, I also think Walker’s positioning was less of an issue last year.
Parker would constantly cover his attacking forays – whilst Sandro too likes to get forward and also presses higher up the pitch.
Harry as to the comment you made about Ade.
He is probably the most talented player in the team. That IS the frustration. He doesnt use it to the end that we need it.Its not just the obvious where we are in the opposing teams half and pounding away but getting not too much out the box players. Its his lack of intensidty and often interest.
If he was an average player Id be frustrated but not as much as know how good he can be.
He wants to be a supply player on a team of supply players.He holds the shirt of a striker. Hello???????
Most talented player in the team? On what basis?
I think he is an above average CF who works quite hard but doesn’t always know where he should be working and doesn’t always trust his own judgement. Redknapp, amongst the other bullshite and chatter, once remarked that Ade was a delicate type who required a lot of reassurance. I think this rings true and now he has a goal we will hopefully see a bit more from him…
Players such as Bale, Dembele, Vertonghen and Lennon are more ‘talented’ than Ade. But he is still an asset and one which we haven’t gotten the best out of so far this season, so I hope that now changes.
LLL Adebayor is extremely talented.He just doesnt use it.He shows flashes in game of incredible ball control and finesse and can quickly spot a player in space but he is with us as a striker and taking up an important position considering all the supply thats outside the box
Not saying he isn’t talented, but I think there are more talented players in the squad, such as those I mentioned. I do think that his main problem may be in confidence / mentality however.
Everyones talent is a little different.Sandros talent is in his ability mostly to tackle and get up and often go back right in and often come up with the ball.Nobosy can do that like him.He certainly is Mackay like.
It is subjective, I guess when people use the word talent, it mostly relates to a level of skill which puts them above the norm.
I reckon Ade’s skills / talents are better used as a lone striker. With Defoe demanding all the goal scoring opportunities in the box, and only linking with Ade in so much as he wants the ball off him, doesn’t want to give it to him so much, it makes Ade’s role a little undefined. When he was playing last year on his own, and was linking with Bale, Lennon, VDV, Modric etc, he looked a lot more effective than he has done recently.
How can you say he’s the most talented player in the squad Ronnie? He has a first touch like a bloke on crutches and a tendency to do and appear to do bugger all at times, if you’re comparing him to say Berbatov, look at Fulham’s first goal. The ball was played in deep, controlled by him in an instant, pinged out to the wing-while he made ground at his own pace, and slotted home, first hit. He’s a good target man, but there are far better players technically at the Lane than Ade
I think he holds the ball up very well. Sometimes while out on the wing he gets the ball and can spot a player quickly running into space.
I find he has great control and talent.
But his attitude is laisse affair and he is not focussed on the most important thing.
Talent with the ball? He is one of our best.
His eye is good.
The side is looking more and more solid and from that come the confidence that will see us finish games with less scary moments.
Some individual plusses, Naughton becoming better by the game, Azza Blud looking more confident and inventive, Siggy and Dempsey losing the early days inhibitions and looking sharper, Lloris becoming a solid and dependable no! (apart from those pass backs!), Dembele a frighteningly powerful presence, the return of Parker who is more dependable than a really dependable bloke thingy. Some niggly annoyances too with Walker and Defoe but I’ve no long term concerns. I like this squad very much and with Benny and Kaboul to return I think we can look forward to a good second half of the season.
I cannot let this effort pass without a mention of our manager. I have been pro him from the start as I’ve always liked the cut of his jib. The Chelsea debacle has been massively overplayed and distorted and I have maintained an open mind about the bloke but I am becoming more and more impressed. I truly hope that the dissenters can now view him differently. He seems to be bringing a greater degree of unity and cohesion than ever we saw under HR and his calm, considered approach is tinted with the right degree of passion. He is quick to deflect any credit aimed at him towards the players and I think they appreciate this.
If I were to criticise the squad it would be the lack of that special midfield creator that could unlock these packed defences and maybe a top class striker to ensure we don’t suffer from lack of form or injuries to our only two current strikers. Fill these two gaps and we can beat anyone.
I was doubtful of AVB’s credentials from the off, but my main beef was with people who blindly accepted him as the saviour of our club as I couldn’t see where they were basing such belief on. All that aside, the past few games have seen us look like a functioning, cohesive team really for the first time this season, and I hope it continues. I can’t argue with the results nor our standing and won’t even mention that we’ve been playing some poor teams (well I have done, but only to mention that I won’t mention it).
There still seems to be a lack of meaningful penetration and the fact that we needed 30 shots on goal to score 3 tells its own story, but if AVB’s plan is to control games, monopolize possession, territory and chances, as it appears to be, I can only say that it has mostly worked in recent weeks and hopefully that means the squad now understand the plan and are putting it into practice.
I still think AVB needs to work out his best formation and 11 players though. Going back to the lack of meaningful penetration I mentioned there, I don’t think 4-4-2 is really working. One of our strikers needs to be benched and I think it’s obvious it should be Defoe, but perhaps AVB is scared of pissing him off after his relatively good scoring run while Ade was out of the team.
However, I’m glad that we are finally playing Vert at CB and he is trusting Naughton at LB – always seemed the best solution for covering Benny to me….
Blindly accepted him as the saviour of our club?No, some of us could see he was shit upon at Chelsea and his spell as manager in Portugal was impressive and we did not want to be doom mongering,told you so twats.
By which you mean that you wanted to be happy clapping, told you so twats instead?
There is no difference between thinking he was going to be totally shit and thinking he was going to be amazing. There was little evidence to support either belief.
There was much blind faith going about masquerading as true opinion and ‘real support’. There was very little tolerance for people questioning the appointment from these frantic, drunken evangelists, so the balance of debate was pre-determined to be skewed from the off.
Read what I wrote,I gave a reason for supporting him.You just come back with your usual,never been wrong,smart arsery bollocks.
I TOLD YOU SO FUCKWIT.
You want to substantiate your own told you so fuckwittery? I can’t really be bothered to debate it AGAIN. But. He was shit upon at Chelsea? So what? Does that make him a good or bad manager? No. He was impressive at Porto? In context, not particularly. So in other words, your reasons were a load of bollocks.
Suck a large hairy!
Vic, I agree with all your points. I really hope we will sign a creative midfielder and a striker in the January windon. We need to get rid of some “deadwood” like Jenas, Bentley, Livermore etc. Gallas is in his last season in a Spurs shirt (I hope). Dawson need some coaching to become a better player as does Walker. I feel sad to see that Sigurdsson and Dempsey is not performing like last season, they also need some attention from the coaching staff to get their game become more productive. Bur all in all I think we have the best Spurs team in many years, and I am happy that with Dembele and Sandro leading we have more steel and fight in the team, the biggest problem for Spurs in the last 10 years. COYS !
Sorry to stain your rose tinted glasses but he actually did ok yesterday and the clearance for the Kebe run was excellent.
I love Vertonghen but from the Park Lane view he made a couple of errors yesterday, sorry to be the fly in the ointment!
Naughton was very good I thought, but mom was either Sandro or Lennon split the two with a rizzla if you can.
Yeah, thought Walker had a decent game overall. Made some good runs behind the defence and tracked back well enough. The problem is that he has been lacking in a number of games to the extent that the more lazy / imperceptive commentator (ahem) will inevitably focus only on his inevitable occasional lapses. He doesn’t deserve a roasting for yesterday’s game, he did more right than wrong.
Walker’s saving tackle was amazing – saved a certain goal. That said his use of the ball (or lack of it) in the final third is driving me crazy. Just needs to cross the ball early rather than do eight stepovers. Naughton looks better and better with each game.
Sandro just edged Lennon for me – he’s an absolute monster
Ade and Defoe need to sort it out – at the moment it’s just not a partnership
Ade’s goal was similar to the one he scored against us in Champions League a couple of seasons ago. He just doesn’t do it often enough. I think he needs to feel and be told that he’s the top striker in the club, just to get him going
Agree when defoe goes off adybore starts upping his game,if he goes to the african cup of nations(someone will definitely take another shot at him,they might get him this time)we need to buy a striker.leandro would be nice,if he is fit,sturridge gone to the pool,dodgy knees ba going to the cheatski’s.we need someone.coys..flying.
Surely paying him a King’s ransom every week, a shedload more than Defoe, is telling him he’s top dog? What more does this man want?
Ade does need love, he missed a header earlier on and stayed on his knees with head in hands, no better cure than the great headed goal and the applause he went off to.
Proper support that is you know backing your own players and all that!
We are doing well, a little unlucky against Stoke but confidence is there, plus a new striker and playmaker would go a long way.
Just like Walker should know he is primarily a defender,Ade should know that he is primarily a striker,thats all
Regarding AVB.Its difficult to know what effect managers have on their players.With AVB while for me the jury is still out,I do see a coming together of of team. I dont underatand the relevance of the high line (I hate using the offside trap but thats another matter) and sometimes dont understand why he is putting on certain players (I was actually afraid that taking Dembele off when he was a best man and putting on Parker would be offering more of a defensive edge at home when we needed to pound goals in) still it worked out.
Dembele/Sandro/Parker/Lloris/Vert/Lennon/Bale and throw in Naughton and Benny and maybe even Walker and Kaboul for sure would offer the league a run for its money. Thats without discussing the strikers who need to be sorted out.
It seems AVB is pulling it together.
Dont be afraid of that run of harder games coming up.It will probably tell us exactly where were are at
High line enables much quicker closing down due to a more compact team. Watch Barca play.
Well after the fiscal cliff was averted I am off to Niagara Falls today.
There has to be a joke there somewhere about Bale diving
Impressed with the level of committment in winning back the ball yesterday and I thought at times we passed quicker than normal. Regarding hands on hips – would still have Berbatov back in a flash – a player like that shouldnt have to play with people like Sidwell. Great saving tackle by walker after Dawson’s error.
Much as I love Berba he’s not really a team player – think Lennon is only just recovering from the bollocking he used to get from him!
Rafa chinned his missus
istort:
Very low key reporting on that one.
‘Tak dart you fakkin bish!’
The only surprising thing there is how managed to keep up with her, then again the row was probably about his stamina and insistence in getting off after less than an hours play?
Was he impersonating Arnold Schwartzenegger at the time?
Glad to see you have finally come down off your blinkered perch to recognize the contribution of Lennon. He has been our most consistent performer this season, even more so than the canonized Sandro imo.
Has he improved under AVB’s coaching? Perhaps, but it is hard to judge. I think that the problem with players like Lennon who explode onto the scene as youngsters with huge pace and a couple of neat tricks to beat their full back is that their is an inevitable drop in impact as opposition get accustomed to them and as they start learning the rest of the game. You could argue that Lennon has now come through that period and is becoming more the complete player. It’s rarely noticed by the likes of HH, but his defensive efforts and all round commitment is really hard to fault and he is leading by example nowadays. The weakness is still in his final ball and he needs more coaching to give him the confidence to shoot more often (at times it seems this instinct has been coached out of him). But even that seems to have improved a lot over the past couple of seasons.
I find Lennon does well in spells.He is going through a really great period now and he may have turned the corner and be more consistent now but in the past we have seen flashes for 3 or 4 or 5 games and them he becoming anonymous again.
Maybe our team is keeping up with him more that he has options and that gives him an edge to beat more defenders (although sometimes he runs into three or 4 by himself)
I think that’s the misconception about ‘The Mighty Atom’. He works his arse off every game covering and harrying. He doesn’t switch off and is always doubling up with Walker-perhaps a couple of things Bale could learn from when losing the ball or not in possession. Of course he’s there to supply crosses and cause mayhem, but there’s more to his game, and a lot of it goes un-noticed
Too right. In tough games, where we are conceding possession and aren’t able to attack, players like Bale become almost anonymous, only available for a potential counter attack, whereas Lennon never stops working, whichever way the game is going.
One of the best moments for me yesterday was Lennon tracking all the way back down the field to win a tackle in the left full back position. If all our players had that kind of will and dedication than we’d be a much better team.
I thought in most games over this period he’s been the stand out player for me, and scares the bejeezus out of the opposition. The thing is that when he and Bale are flying-we score, yet yesterday-I actually forgot Bale wasn’t playing after a few minutes, which is a good thing, no?
I agree with that.I didnt mean this year,but really over the last few years (about him turning off and on)
really if he played like he did yesterday over that period he would be discussed in immense terms no different to Bale and Modric etc but he hasnt shown what he has been doing lately consistantly
I’m not talking about this year Ronnie, he never given anything less than 100% since he’s been in the side-as I said much or most of his work goes un-noticed-it’s when he’s not playing you’ll then notice it more.
Im not talking about work rate.In thst case you are probably right.Maybe Im not focussing on it as much but I mean more those illustrious runs that opens up defences (he is doing more now,he used to run down the wing mostly,now there is a good chance he will run inside more often than not)
Blinkered perch? He’s all too frequently been wetter than water sandwich that’s been dropped in a puddle.
Ok, climb back up there then. Must be comfy, even if the view is somewhat foggy.
Blinkered perch? Is that a fish?
I like Walker……he’s a Yorkshireman and he plays for the shirt….
I don’t like Adebayor, he’s ex goon scum and “plays” for the money….
Agreed. And Siggy just doesn’t play. Maybe Mr Rogers will take him off our hands.
He’ll be fine Hart’s because he knows he’s been lacking and knows where he needs to improve, which is indicative of a career player, not a big-headed money grabbing twat-stange as it seems, when we bought the Kyle’s, Walker was the cheaper of the two?
Yes, cos he is younger and Naughton had already claimed the starting place, Walker was the under-study. Perhaps we should have kept that system in place?!
Walker probably came through a bit quicker because of his choice of loan move, perhaps too quickly-which so many young players do and have to then go back a step when it goes wobbly-he’ll come back a better player, no question and hopefully a Lilywhite for many a season to come
When Benni gets back the two Kyle’s will compete for RB, which should help both in their development…
Spare a thought for ‘departed friends’?
Maybe we can invoke the special relationship for a loan move back to Spurs for La Liga’s ‘worst signing of 2012′?
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/8376922?
I asked this yesterday-would you take him back though?
Sorry, didn’t see that.
Yes, I would have him back no problem. The worst thing he did was in Summer 2011, with all the Chelsea business. We all more or less forgave him that and in spite of people saying he went missing last season, he didn’t, he was usually our best player throughout. So I wouldn’t have an issue forgiving him taking his move to Real. But his own pride would take a mighty knock so can’t see it happening.
I’m not talking about this year Ronnie, he never given anything less than 100% since he’s been in the side-as I said much or most of his work goes un-noticed-it’s when he’s not playing you’ll then notice it more.
@LLL,Me neither, which is why I would think Berbatov would come back either.Although I’m a massive fan of his, I don’t think he’d fit in with our style now, and as said yesterday-we’re not lacking creativity-look at the shots to goal ratio to bear that out. Dembele is far more effective and offers a dynamic when playing with Sandro that makes us solid, creative and tenacious in the centre,so what could he bring to the party?
I think a midfield 3 of Sandro / Dembele and Modric could be great. All have different strengths and could really compliment each other. You’re right, right now our midfield looks really solid. I still think we need the player who can open defences with one quick pass though – a lot of our shots are long rangers as we are playing very much at the edge of a packed penalty box. To properly exploit our pace down the flanks, a Modric type would find Bale / Lennon quicker than Dembele or Sandro will do, and play into space more often etc.
There was a great article on thinkfootball back in September after we beat Reading away about how AVB uses the midfield trio. It essentially pointed out that they would each rotate roles. Sigurdsson might drop deep to get the ball, or Dembele – Sandro might burst forward.
The point it made was it was a nightmare to mark players out of the game because of the movement.
As opposed to last year where you know Parker wasn’t going to cross the halfway line, and what spaces VDV / Modric would play in.
My point is this is how I think he would us a Modric / Moutinho type, and why he is so keen on him. The idea being a Moutinho, Sandro, and Dembele would constantly switch roles when we have the ball. Suddenly we’d cut teams to shreds rather than puffing and panting to muster 30 half chances per game.
Sigurdsson’s early season lapse in form forced him to change system.
balls,the little fooking rat trying to get bale over with him,because he wasn’t doing well,mind his business rathead
Where is Habib??
Is that a muslim ‘Where’s Wally?’
He’s probably working around the clock to pay off his mistletoe bill. It’s the only holiday tradition he observes.
Q: What do you call a man with an ice pick in his head?
A: Spurstacus
What does that mean?
I don’t know Mr Leon Trotsky, you tell me………….
Is that a Spurstacus ‘Where’s the burger van, yum yum yum’.
‘What do you parents think of you being so fat?’
‘Man, I ate my parents!’
Cartman: ‘I’m not fat. I’m big-boned’.
Stan: ‘No, Jay Leno’s chin is big-boned- you are a big fat ass’.
Would sure welcome back “Cool Hand Luke” Berbatov. What a talented striker- his touch and control of the ball is out of this world!
cant doubt his ability, but avb is building a team.
bar that performance against bolton with 10 men, i have never seen him put a shift in.
I think AVB deserves a great deal of credit for the improvement in Lennon. It isn’t like Lennon has become a better crosser (his final pass is still pretty dreadful much of the time), and as others have noticed, he always gave 100%, even if it added up to not much. So what’s the difference in his game now?
seems to me like he has gained some confidence. He seems to know what to do with the ball, and has developed a better game outside of his traditional-winger comfort zone. He still isn’t a great shooter, but he’s scored a few great goals by not hesitating and being more clinical.
This strongly points to coaching. HH/TBH mentioned the captain thing – at the time my reaction was more “Huh?” than anything. But it seems clear to me that AVB has been able to influence this talented – but often disappointing – player more than his other managers have done. It is a very positive sign.
I am starting to believe in AVB. Not because we have been able to win (somewhat shakily at times) against Reading and Sunderland. Let’s face it, the Manchester clubs don’t get excited by these kinds of wins. It is what I see from the players that has me starting to believe. You can see THEM starting to believe – there is a quickness and a sizzle to the passing and movement that only comes when I team is playing with confidence and swagger.
I still question whether we have enough talent to carry this off. There is still doubt at the striker position. We really could use a Moutinho or a Modric on this team and we really are in the shit if our midfield starts getting injured in February like in the last couple of seasons. But we’re 3rd on the 2nd of January…we won at Old Trafford…we’re playing attractive, unselfish football for the most part. What more could we ask for, really, considering where it looked like this was headed 90 days ago? Incredible job so far by AVB.
I sort of agree in most of your post-but the movement and speed has only become evident recently and because it’s taken the team to embed the coach’s idea’s and also, and more importantly a return to fitness of Dembele-who I think is far more important to us than Bale. I’m glad you’ve picked up on the overall TEAM performance, unlike too many who seem to focus on individuals
don’y usually take a piss on people’s misery but can’t help but laugh at poor old rat boy crying about his “challenges” in Spain. Like chicken badge now huh rat boy?
The longest ten minutes of my life after Dempsey scored that goal…..2 pound on p.probnyiac and spurs to win 3-1 @ 165/1. GREAT DAY.
Nice one
Rock and roll
The milky bars are on you ! Legend.
do you mean to say that why we were shouting for the 4th to go in you were actually willing us to miss.grrrrrr
You are my hero Stu – happy new year you bastard
Lend us a tenner!
Largely a fair round up except I still don’t really understand the degree to which Harry denigrates Walker, who, for my money, had another solid match bar one obvious mistake. He also made a fantastic last ditch tackle in our penalty box which helped clean up a potentially embarrassing positional mistake by Dawson.
I also don’t need ‘a’ goal to spell out to silly lickle me how much use a striker is to my team; I need about 15 to 20 over the course of a season just for starters, especially from someone at the higher end of our pay structure, unless he’s prolific in the ‘goal assists’ department and Ade is neither at this point in the season, in fact, assists wise he has exactly zero.
2012/13 Barclays Premier League
GAMES GOALS ASSISTS SHOTS
13 2 0 21
Call me fickle but I need a lot more persuading than a goal, so here’s to 2013 seeing a blistering change in fortunes for the lad and a fulsome change in my appreciation of what he has to offer us.
Go on the Spuds
There is no doubt in my mind, Kyle Walker is borderline spastic.. BAE please come back so we can switch Naughton to the Mongs position. COYS.
Stu, I don’t like censorship and I do try to keep the comments on this blog as fast and loose as possible so we can all have fun.
But why you felt the overwhelming urge to insert the word ‘borderline’ into your last comment is beyond me.
Now I share your frustrations with ol Kyle but can’t help feeling its all gone a bit X factor for him this season. Young player of the year then these performances ?
We can’t expect too much too soon as the lad is developing isn’t he ?
Now I’d agree that he could be developing from the bench but we’ve been a bit limited with injuries to daws and kaboom.
So here we are eulogising about Lennons resurgence – can that not happen with Kyle or are we simply writing him off ?
Just a thought ?
Walker is out of form but he still managed to a great tackle to stop reading equalizing and earn you £332.
I know, I know. My thoughts exactly. I’m a tad ashamed as he did stop an inevitable goal there. A heroic Rainman springs to mind, or, if you will, a valiant forrest gump like interception.
Unsettling but somhow quaint to read wartime parlance again
If I could spell I’d have been a judge
That’s what Twitchy said.
Is he spastic or mong? Your lack of understanding in the difference makes it highly likely that you are in possession of more chromosomes than walker
And judging by the fact he is a pro footballer and you are merely an internet troll I would suggest his motor function exceeds your own.
He does have extreme moments of stupidity in each game at the moment but his overall performances are good, he is young and if he can mature and get the mistakes sorted he will be a quality player.
He will get slagged off the same regardless because of the small man syndrome style need to have a go at our own that exists within our fan base now. Just look at Defoe if he ends up as one of all time goal scorers he will still be seen as shit.
Played one Bookie off against another locally and got 16/10 on an Everton Win tonight, Felliani is back and they’re a completely different team when he plays, no Ba either. Internet prices are 11/10 and 23/20 so i got good odds. Put a nice sum on so i hope to enjoy the match.
Wonder what price i’ll get now 7/2 prob.
Everton 12/5. Great saved free kick.
Walker also gets a tad more leeway from me purely for the best free kick I’ve seen from a Spud player since the Tyneside Loon against arse at Wemberly 20 years ago.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GVMaIUSeRxA
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnjaY8jYarA
And here’s a couple of his answers during a magazine interview 2 months ago; I thought his second answer was interesting in light of Our Harry’s take on both Walker’s insistent attacking tendencies and Our Andre’s ability to improve our boys.
Hi, Kyle. let’s get right down to business: what do you think of Andre Villas-Boas’ clobber?
Ha, ha! I like his suits. He’s a sharp dresser, but normally by the time I get into training he’s already in his tracksuit. He keeps his daywear under wraps from the players.
What changes has he made since he took over from ’arry?
He works a lot more on shape and talks us through exactly how he wants us to play. On a personal note, he’s been great for me and has given me a lot of confidence in my ability. He’s encouraging me to get forward when I can, so hopefully I can contribute down the other end of the pitch a little more.
Ameobi went down in the box claiming a foul and therefore a penalty, he had actually fouled Neville, of course Atkinson is the Ref so why no card.
Great strike from Baines 38 yds out 1-1.
I have £250 on Everton @ 16/10 a win would pay £650
I can at the moment put a further £250 on Newcastle, Draw No Bet @ 6/4 on my Paddy Power account, that would pay £625 with no sweaton the result.
If the game ended up a draw i would however lose my original stake.
Still feel Everton will dominate possession second half so i’ll stick with my current wager.
Why does Howard kick so many balls that will generally end up worse than 50/50 an Everton player will get possession ? Like the way Lloris distributes it.
Chelsea 0-0 QPR 63 mins Corner count 10-1.
Hey Raz! Do you post regular updates on the games you watch for the benefit of those of us that don’t have internet access?
Newcastle 1-2 Everton Amichebe 60mins, Moyes has done really well buying Jelavic and Naismith from Rangers and getting Pienaar back from us. Felliani is super, wish we had him. QPR leading 1-0 wright phillips 78 mins.
For those of you who have no internet access i have a Pigeon latest score service.
Be nice. He is in training for the videprinter position on final score.
Chelsea scumbags losing :Happy-Birthday3:
Redknapp, you beautiful chancer; hold on for 10 more minutes!
CHELSEA 0-1 QPR that means we stay 3 rd MAGIC.
I have always believed bad things happen to bad people.
Final at Stamford Bridge. Cheatski nil-QPR 1.
Can Benitez survive? Ba Ba Ba
“against Liverpool, we got picked off too easily and had lads there who did not speak English.”
I have mixed feelings about the QPR win. But Im glad it screwed the Chavs up
Walker gets a bad rap..sometimes deservedly so, but the fact stil remains he is a good rb. Against Reading he completed more passes in the attacking third of the pitch than anyone else playing that day 27/28 and completed 99 % of all his passes (I’m rounding down) 69 out of 70. Stats do not tell the whole story but a fair part of it, his positional play is sometimes out of whack, but from what I see that is because of his encouraged attacking threat down the right and often incompetent partner at rcb in Dawson or Gallas. When naughton plays LB he has the luxury of Jan backing him up. So,of course hee will not be caught out as much.
Walkers crosses/corners have been pretty rubbish recently but it’s usually straight after several 60 yard sprints up and down the wing causing pressure that leads to the opportunity / corner. IMO he should not take corners anymore, at least not from the right ,the poorly delivered out swinger stands little chance, certainly less tha a poor in swinger.
If we do any business this Jan, I hope it is Damiao, him in the hole behind Defoe would be something, he is incredibly smart off the ball and has great skill. I say behind Defoe because that is our reality until we can get another striker that can take advantage of the 12 chances per game that get created just for him in and around the 18 yard box.(I know avb is getting more out of him than harry but still, we need a clinical striker before anything else.)
The frustration with walker is that he makes a great run into a great position and then….mostly toilet, at best a corner – sometimes I think he just gets in Lennon’s way. That said he’s still a great prospect. He just needs to calm down a bit and think about the quality of the final ball. It pains me to say it but he could learn a lot from Gary Neville who despite being a limited footballer and athlete knew how to cross the ball properly and support his winger.
Good shout matt