Surprisingly strong side out: Sorensen Shotton-Huth-Upson-Wilson Pennant-Palacios-Whelan-Etherington Jerome Jones Subs: Nash, Wilkinson, Pugh, Diao, Delap, Walters, Crouch
It is a strong side Sgt, and a good looking one. Some signs of a midfield and the 2 centre backs is a good selection. I thought Crouch may have started against his old club. At last WP starts. I also see Pugh could get a sniff at some time. It's the only competition he can play in at the moment of course. Daio and Delap won't go away though!!
Just got back from the game. Spurs controlled the first half without really threatening and we had the better of the second, again without really threatening. Both teams were guilty of giving the ball away too easily and the final pass from both teams was shocking. We had the better of extra time and were the only team who seemed to want it, but the standard overall didn't improve much. Still, a win is a win and we kept another clean sheet thanks largely to another impressive performance by Upson. Huth looked happier in the middle too, but although Shotton was good defensively, his distribution in the opposition half was often woeful. That's the first penalty shoot out I've seen live in all my years of watching football and very exciting it was too!
Yep have been back for a while but too wound up and happy to hit the sack!! A scrappy game but some nice stuff at the back, particularly from Upson. Thought Palacios had some interesting runs forward (!) and partnered well with Whelan too. I am now putting the tin hat on......when Diao came on the groans were audible, but believe me (I am not on drugs - unfortunately ;-)) he had some nice touches and besides nearly killing himself plus one of the Spurs players too he passed and tackled pretty well!! But for me hero of the hour = 1 totally knackered Ryan Shotton, who played on gamely with one leg cramped to hell and then rolled up to slot a penalty home! Plus Tommy S.....what can you say? I just knew he was going to get to one of their penalties eventually!!! Excellent result against a strong Spurs side and a nice lift after Sundays debacle. UTP!!!! Hope Jones is not too bad......
Smit Late posting I know and didn't get home from the game until well past 11:30 You have it about right and Shotton I thought was bloody awful at times. Huth did well as did Upson. WAIT for this I thought Diao was excellent too! As was Palacios. Just wish we could have won it in normal time. Both teams looked knackered even before extra time. I only hope that Walters is fit and ready for the Utd game. Also thought Jerome and Jones looked like they had an understanding.. Jones I think? it's a bad injury. Overall, pretty pleased and we at least had a right go the last 30 odd mins of normal time...and we were the better team I thought. Jon, Crouch could/should have scored but worried that those extra 30mins might take it's toll on Saturday... Then again.. not sure which team T.P. will play to be honest. Jones looks like he's had it for a while. Crouch did pretty well but looked tired... Jerome + hobsons choice up front this weekend. Most worrying is that Pennant I think isn't fit and Ether's didn't look fully fit either or was it just me Smit? Great win but, it's a lot of games and I HOPE we can cope with the number of fixtures. Must admit though, that pen shoot out was brilliant.. well done lads next up Utd.
Potts, I thought Ethers and Pennant looked fit enough, but their final ball was too often poor. Matty at least had a few goes at taking on his man, but Pennant seemed too keen to cut inside. Diao started off really well with some great touches, but I thought he faded towards the end and his passes went astray. It looked like a hamstring injury for Jones, which is a shame, so it looks like it will be Crouch/Walters or Crouch/Jerome against Utd - I can't see TP playing Walters and Jerome together as they are too similar, but hey, what do I know?!
I was pleasantly shocked at how we actually passed the ball through the back 4 and onto the midfield and it it was noticable that because we didnt give the ball away after 10 seconds we were not under too much pressure!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Never thought I would have said that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Huth played where he should and looked all the better for it! The full backs did a good job (although Shotton final 3rd contribution was dire)! Centre mid looked quite composed and passed the ball back forth comfortably! Pennant played well but his final ball and corners were well below par. Ringtone I thought was poor and he didnt seem to want to beat his man on pace, which is unsual for him? I thought Jerome was lively and was suprised to see him subbed, I thought Walters on for Ringtone would have been fairer! Crouch showed his class, drew 3 and 4 players at a time and laid off confidently to the wing. Couple of lovely touches but maybe a little weak with his head attempt in front of goal. His knock downs went to stoke shirts which is a vast improvment on Jones and tracked back and tackled aswell? Again, I never thought I wiould ever say this and it doesnt mean for 1 minute I have changed my mind on him as a player, but i thought Diao was excellent! There - I've said it!!!! Spus weren't great (but as I've said before too many teams arn't when the play us - so we must be doing something right), but I thought we looked like we wanted to play football and not just the percentages!
Potts - Ryan Shotton agrees with you. This is from his Twitter page: @RyanShotton88 Ryan 'Shots' Shotton Scoring in the shoot-out hasn't taken away the fact I was **** last night couldn't pass or cross & as a footballer that shouldn't be to hard
Fair enough Sgt Shotton did try maybe he was just trying too hard? His first touch at times let him down but the lad needs more games and he will improve. Great penalty from him considering he was limping with cramp towards the end of extra time too! He obviously knew he wasn't at his best and it's nice to see a player saying that.
Indeed good to see. Good lad is Shotts. Steadily improving and having seen a lot more of him this season, I have been impressed by him, so I think he has what it takes to make it at this level.
