Villas-Boas admitted his first half tactics were inviting QPR onto the team more. The question is whether we'll use our second half formation at the Theatre of Schemes, with Dempsey playing off Defoe.
Hugo Lloris: Goalkeeper has to wait for Tottenham debut http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19698398
I was one of those who was willing to give Friedel the benefit, but after yesterday I think the fact that Lloris is sitting on the bench is starting to play on his mind and is scared of making a huge mistake. As we all know when a keepers nerve goes that's the end and the defenders were aware of it. Speaking of defenders, I am a great fan of Walker, but he is rapidly turning into a defensive liability. Opposition coaches have worked out he is a bit dodgy in the air (recall Hoiletts volley) does anyone agree,if so do we have a reliable alternative?
Difficult situation with Friedel and Lloris - both deserve a chance. Those 3 points yesterday were of immense importance - we so often fail to take 3 points from struggling sides - we need to be more clinical in that
Walker was at fault for the goal. Friedel was totally unsighted and it's unlikely that anyone else would've done better at closing down the angle. Lloris will get his chance again in the week and again the following midweek, but I don't think giving him his first league start at Old Trafford would be a great idea. He'd probably get sent off for looking at Ferguson or something. As for the mistakes of our full-back, he's still only 22 and he's learning. His game doesn't naturally suit being paired with an out-and-out winger like Lennon, in my opinion, but once they're improving all the time. The pace down that side is utterly terrifying to most sides, they just have to work out a few things on the defensive side.
Friedel was very good. Walker needs a right kick up the arse and we were lucky to win the game. That's about all I have to say on it, I'm off to the QPR board to apologise for underestimating them
PNP - attacking wise Walker is fine,but I do worry about his defensive work. Whoever is our defensive coach needs to keep him back for lessons on positioning. Gallas also needs to talk to him about that during the game.
It be hard to improve walker, an attacking full back has to think of many aspects in the game, when do they go forward, is there enough cover for me at the back, am i leaving the defence exposed, and more, this is why normally attacking fullbacks are crap at defending and its rare for them to be great at both. .
Agreed, but he can work on not playing the attack onside. In the tackle, Walker is very good. Positioning can be worked on. However, you'd think JD could be told how to stay onside, but that aint happened.
i accept the odd mistake/out of position moment from Walker because of what he provides going forward. If the same mistakes were being made by someone like Corluka i'd be worried. Often you'll find that minor errors are not capitalised on as the opposition are too **** scared to be fully attacking down that side
I think it's very likely that Lloris would have done better than Brad in closing down Zamora, in fact I'd say it was almost certain.
