can't drop Friedel just yet. But encouraging to see lloris looking very comfortable, despite never getting the ball played back on what appears to be a favoured left foot. the defenders are going to need to get used to that very quickly, so we don't make any mistakes. time and time again he had to take a touch to bring it onto his left foot because the players just aren't used to playing it to that side.
He looked really composed last night. His distribution is far better than Brads and as the Lazio fans had my seats in Park Lane block 35 last night, I got front row block 34 right behind the keeper, he was constantly talking to Vertonghen and even had a go at the defence at one point by telling them to spread out (was pretty cool actually, I could near enough hear everything they were saying in and around the penalty box) and I was glad to see that as it shows he's not afraid to command what he wants from them so early in his Spurs career. Was beaten by the fantastic volley but no keeper in the world would have got close to that. It certainly didn't look like he was making his debut and I was pleased with what I saw. I'd want him starting against QPR (I've said this prior to last nights performance), for me it's a no brainer, regardless of how good Brad's been, Lloris is a step up. You have to choose the better player and Lloris is most certainly better.
Your comment is complete sense Chirpy except for one thing AVB has a squad of players not just a first 11. It is vital that he keeps the squad motivated and ready to play which is an area that Harry failed in IMO. By sending out the message that players who play well will not be dropped he motivates performances. We will need the squad to perform throughout the season not just a first 11. There is little doubt that Lloris will become first choice but injuries and pressure of games will mean that he like Friedel will not feature in every game. Bringing on Lloris, Caulker and Townsend into a 'first 11' last night is a better option that fielding a 'second 11' as we did last season. Every game featuring an 11 from the squad producing a 'first team' is a better situation overall than some players feeling they are second choices playing in a perceived 'weaker team'.
I completely agree with you Spurf in terms of keeping it as a "First Team" rather than completely changing each line up for different competitions with an "A" and "B" side, it's better for the club, players and also the fans that can only get to the mid-week games that want to see the likes of Dembele, Bale, Vertonghen and co, not a Spurs reserve team. That said, I still think Lloris needs to be our number 1 in the league sooner rather than later. The keeper position isn't really one we can afford to rotate much bar when it comes to cups. I think Lloris should be our man between the sticks for the league and then Brad/ Carlo for the Europa, Capital One and FA Cup.
Lloris made no real mistakes (other than wandering a bit and having the ball lobbed back as previously mentioned) but he didn't exactly have anything to do either. There was the 1 volley which nobody would have got to and, erm, a couple of air shots from Klose. Like Bajan said, Defoe in goal would have probably yielded the same result, unless Lloris scored up front.
Agreed but remember it is in the league games that Lloris will come up against the type of play (Stoke etc.) that he is not used to. It's surely better that he gets used to his team in games like last night against a more familiar type of opposition than have the double problem of his own side AND the opposition. He has now had the chance to see how his defence performs and is therefore in a better position to deal with the demands of the PL.
slightly off topic, but does anyone think Caulker played himself into contention for the league? Looked pretty good to me. 1 misplaced pass, a legitimate goal and looked fairly solid.
I understand what people are saying with the idea that when you buy an exceptional player in a particular position (which Lloris is by all accounts I've heard) then you play him. Case in point being RVP at United, or Podolski at Arsenal etc. However it is different with a keeper I feel, as the relationship between a keeper and his back line is absolutely vital to a team's performance. Friedel knows the players he's playing with and is also in top form at the moment, and I think Lloris understands the fact that when a new goalkeeper comes into a new club and there is such excellent competition for the starting place from the incumbent then he can't expect to waltz straight into the starting 11, no matter what his national team coach thinks. That said I would expect AVB to gradually phase Lloris into the team (barring injury to anyone) and wouldn't be at all surprised to see him as our first choice after Christmas. He is the future for us in that position and it looks bright right now.
Yes. More comfortable in possession than gallas, better in the air, and stronger on the ball. For me, I'd play friedel against qpr, with lloris against Carlisle. If he comes out of that game well (and has learnt his cb's nanes) then he starts vs utd. Just because he becomes 1st choice doesn't mean Brad can't have a game or two every so often in the cups.
Lloris had 2 corners to deal with, one headed away, one he caught cleanly...under no pressure. Yeah, lets chuck him in to 'set piece city' otherwise known as the PL. A win v QPR is absolutely vital going in to the following United game, another frustrating draw is not whats needed, not saying thats a given over keeper choice, but this needs more than careful thought.
Thats what I'm trying to get at notso, he needs to be gradually phased in. Friedel was a new keeper for us but had been in the Prem for years, so was unlikely to ever have problems. The de Gea situation at United is not what we want to happen with Lloris. That said I think Lloris has a bit more about him physically than de Gea, and Lazio were no shrinking violets last night and he seemed to cope well. But yes, phase him in over 6 months to a year and he should be fine.
Not sure about 6months to a year, but certainly 1st choice in all cups and eased in over the next 2-3 months.
We should not be playing Gomes just to get him a price. If we can't sell him then give him away. Getting Lloris games is more important. Sod Gomes. Same with Jenas/Bentley. I don't even agree with giving them time preseason. What is the point if they aren't gonna feature in competitive matches?
The added bonus with Lloris' assured performance was that we didn't even have any of our French defenders playing. Gallas, Kaboul and Assou-Ekotto (born in Arras, France) were all out, yet there were never any communication problems. As for Gomes, I don't know why we're not loaning him out. Even with a minor ankle injury he's got to be a good option for a Championship side til January.
Perfect sense as ever Spurf, but for one glaring fact; Friedel's injury record is slightly better than Superman's. He is supremely fit and he's physically strong, so it will come down to choice. Lloris is far more mobile than Brad and the high line we take now require's a "sweeping" keeper. If a Lazio side devoid of attacking intent can see that space behind the back 4 and try to exploit it, the fast moving attacking sides in the Prem are bound to. Friedel gets a nosebleed anywhere past the penalty box.
Spurs or Sex - you said Lloris was talking to Verts, can I ask in which language? Presumably they both speak French (unless Verts only speaks Flemish which I'm thinking is unlikely) so I was wondering if they were speaking English last night? I would normally say that the keeper should speak English and don't know if Lloris does, but it does occur to me that Kaboul and BAE also speak French so it might be worth sending Walker to night school to pick up the new language of Spurs defence!
