Second half lineup: Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Bassong; Carroll, Jenas; Lennon, Sigurdsson, Townsend; Kane.
Had a sniff about the web. Not a live stream in sight, but did find 1 site carrying 14 different links the the Amazulu v Man U game. Speaking of Amazulu.....anyone remember this? [video=youtube;ynArqA1FGgM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ynArqA1FGgM[/video] Amazulu. Really? I'm a Glaswegian.
So nice that the OS doesn't have any game info, just a link to the Official Twattle... Anyway, 2-0 Sigurdsson (55, assist from Townsend) and Falque (88, assist from Adam Smith) Second half subs: Smith for Walker, Huddlestone for Jenas, Falque for Lennon, Coulibaly for Kane
Any chance of a report from someone who went? I've seen the goals thats all, no idea how anyone played.
5100 in the ground and clear blue skies above the ground last night at a game which was predominantly played at walking pace. A gentle stroll in the evening sunshine best describes the action. Indeed most of the action came on the touchline when the new Spurs fitness guy spent the entire first half putting the subs through one of the most strenuous serious of warm up exercises you could wish to see. Goodness only knows what the Stevenage fans sitting in the front row of the main stand thought with all this going on in front of them. Spurs fielded a strong line up in both halfs and Michael Dawson slotted back into his usual role as if he had never been away, although it has to be said Stevenage were average opposition and Dawson and Kaboul frequently passed the ball along the back line conmfortably and without any pressure from the Stevenage forwards. Kane looked lively in the first half and was denied a cracking goal after a decent save from our former keeper Chris Day. Walker looked as he always does, full of energy and with pace to burn. The others seemed to be easing their way in gently which is my polite way of saying that Bentley and Jenas made little impact. The introduction of some younger legs for the second half, saw Spurs up the tempo. Andros Townsend was full of life, and was eager to take on his FB at every opportunity and pretty much got past him every time. His crossing usually leaves a lot to be desired, but last night it was fine and he was a danger throughout the second half. Vertonghan was composed and looked comfortable on the ball, but in truth, this was no game to pass judgement on him as he and the defence were only occasionally troubled. Tom Carroll was instrumental in a few moves and continues to look a quality footballer, although there will always be doubts about him because of his slight build. Tommy Huddlestone has been away from the game for a very long time and at times it showed. He looks very fit, but his short passes fell short and his longer passes were overhit. He needs games and also a bloody good hair cut !! Falque, who seemed to have a torrid time at Southampton last season, looked bright and showed good close control and a willingness to take his opponents on. He linked up well with an impressive looking Adam Smith at times and also fed Coulibaly in on a couple of occasions. Coulibaly barely touched the ball for the first 10 minutes he was on the pitch but then proceeded to give an energetic performance shooting on sight, and generally reminding us all that he still has many rough edges about his game. In truth anything less than a two goal winning margin would have been a minor disgrace, but this was a useful work out, and the club has seen something like approaching 40 players get good run outs this week, and has also seen two first teamers come through their first run outs since long term injury. So all in all, a good weeks work.
Good write up Really hoping Andros Townsend and Falque can make a breakthrough into the first team at some point this season - they look promising.
Morning Guys, Very accurate match report as always Spurcat. Also went to the game last night and noticed a couple of things that were pretty experimental. Firstly the front midfield 3 of Pienaar, Lennon and Bentley seemed to be given the license to roam around the midfield interchanging, so this could be a feature of AVB's preferred playing style. Unfortunately I think the game passed Lennon and Bentley by in this system but Pienaar made a fairly good impression i thought, involved in all of our (limited) attacking play in the first half. Second half the players seemed slightly more set in their positions. Secondly the high line was very clear to see, and whilst Dawson was strong in the air as usual, there was a couple of times where he was almost beaten to the ball in the first half when it was knocked long by Stevenage. Kaboul on the other hand looked made for a high line. Plus players for me last night were Kaboul, Naughton (Who outshone Walker in my opinion), Pienaar, Carroll, Sigurdsson and Townsend. Gallas, Vertonghen, Bassong and Dawson were all solid in defence too. Jenas, Huddlestone, Bentley and Walker all looked a bit rusty, but you can't take much from the first pre-season friendly. All in all, a good solid start to our preparations for the new season.
So is Walker fit? I wonder if Pearce was looking on? I know the Olympics footie may not be being treated seriously by PL teams (and most fans), but surely experience playing against some of those teams who are taking it seriously would not have been a bad thing?
I can only assume that he is vimhawk as I don't think AVB is stupid enough to play injured players in a pre-season friendly. It is a strange scenario whereby he hasn't been selected for the Olympics, with Pearce instead taking 3 left backs and just the one right back.
