[video=dailymotion;xsdsse]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xsdsse_los-angeles-galaxy-vs-tottenham-fulltime-highlights_sport[/video]
Watched it live and I'll take it as a learning experience for both our players and our manager.
Seemed quite experimental, yet still stuck largely with the system that Redknapp used, though the defence was using Villas-Boas' trademark high line.
As ESPN didn't seem to have a camera on the sideline, I wasn't sure how well the back four adapted, as the opposition went through on goal several times in the first half, but there was a lot of gesturing at the linesman.
It seemed like there was a lack of leadership in there though, which is a little worrying, given the departure of King.
Needs work and someone to take charge, no matter who it is.
The coach will have learned several things that most of us probably already know.
1st half? Bassong's not a left-back, we need a playmaker in the middle of the park for our system to work, Townsend can't play on the right wing, Defoe's not a lone striker and Jenas is largely anonymous.
2nd half? Bentley can't play on the left, Kane can't play up top on his own either, Assou-Ekotto takes the piss out of opponents and both Huddlestone and Carroll can hit a pass.
Started the game with no playmaker and finished it with two. One in each half for Saturday, please.
Walker and van der Vaart both looked in a bit of distress, but both walked away unaided, so I'm hoping that they won't be out for too long.
We need to give them time to recover now and not risk rushing them back.
As good as they are, we've got plenty of able cover for them.
Struggled with the heat and the pitch, by all accounts.
Neither looked that bad on the screen, but both were mentioned, so I'll assume that they were a slight factor in the display.
What haven't I mentioned?
Cudicini looked like he was struggling with his instructions. Didn't look comfortable with the short distribution or having to come out, so he abandoned both, basically.
Bale showed flashes of excellence and we had enough chances in the 2nd half to put the game to bed, but we didn't take them.
The shape looked extremely poor at the end of the first half, after Jenas replaced van der Vaart, but a lot better for the 2nd half, especially after Huddlestone came on.
The commentators didn't seem to agree with this, for some reason, but they were a bit clueless, so I'll assume that I wasn't seeing things.
All in all, it was an interesting workout.
I'd like to see the following start against Liverpool, assuming both of our injured players don't return for Saturday:
Gomes; Naugton, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Huddlestone, Sigursson, Bale; Kane; Defoe.
2nd half subs: Smith, Dawson, Bassong, Naughton to left-back; Bentley, Carroll, Livermore, Townsend; Jenas because we don't have anyone else...?
