Against City notso in the PL. tots thinks that we wouldn't have stood a chance against them in the next round and I thought differently because we were 0-1 up against them.
Well bugger. Fair play to Leeds they did really well and scored two good goals. On our performance Dempsey upfront didn't really work and all our defence was pretty awful so whilst I wanted to pick out Naughton to blame for the first, Vertonghen stuffed up for the second and no one covered themselves in glory at the back all game. It's been yet another uninspiring performance in a cup game for us and after such a great performance against United I just can't understand it.
I sometimes get the impression that PL players get a little bit wary of the aggression shown in lower leagues and are maybe not 'up for the fight'. Add that to the mindset that that are going to walk all over these 'lesser' players and it's not too surprising when they fall short. Millionaires against hungry, die for the cause, this is my moment, hopefuls will always have a problem.
Is it not fair to suggest the fringe players who finally get a start for us are in the exact same position "this is my moment". Its like your saying " oh I've got a start but ****, its against Leeds, don't fancy that, I'd much prefer a PL game"...seems a bit bizarre, no?
But I'm not saying that am I! The fringe players are just that, it's not likely that they can alter the course of the game. I am talking about the established stars who still made up the core of the team.
It wasn't clear in your other post, you just said 'players'. And just what are saying now, the fringe players aren't good enough??, yet they're being cried about every week to be used in some sort of rotation exercise...all rather conflicting!
**** performance, one of our worst of the season. No passion, desire, skill or grit from our team. Defence was painful on the eye, Naughton was at fault for the first, Caulker and Vertonghen got turned easily so many times it was embarrassing, Ekotto was anonymous. Parker showed determination but was outshone by Michael Brown!!! Hudd should've just played for Leeds as he passed to them more so than a Spurs player. Lennon and Bale barely got in the game. Sig should've stayed in the dressing room. Dempsey missed one or two chances but did take his goal well. On the whole, a bloody bad day for Spurs. Only blessing is we won't see this sort of laid back attitude again and providing no injuries occur, Hudd and Sig will be staying on the bench.
Are you just looking for an argument I have not said this. Fringe says it , does it not? How about addressing the point I did make!
No Spurf, just trying to clarify what you mean, you said 'players' initially and I'm calling fringe players your Sigs and Hudds not Obika, if anything that was in support of your statement and they should be up for it more than the first 11...but, if all you can see is me arguing, then fair enough.
Vertonghen,Parker, Bale, Lennon, Assou Ekotto, Dembele, Caulker, Dempsey, Walker all took part in the game, that is who I am talking about. I did not single out Sigs or Hudd, why would I, there were enough front line PL players for making a point about fringe players to be irrelevant. Don't follow the logic of your point notso.
I thought this was going to be a tough game for Spurs but I fancied the match going to a replay. Full credit to Leeds who looked like they wanted it much more than Tottenham did. Spurs created very few chances in the match and failed to convert the precious few which they did, while Leeds made the most of their opportunities.
I think that this underlined our need for decent cover in some positions and that our youth players need to be brought through, if they're good enough. I doubt that we'd have seen the same lack of desire from some youngsters with a point to prove. We also need to either change the system when Friedel's playing or bring in someone to take his place. I'm not blaming him for either goal directly, as there were some far more culpable suspects, but the difference in style between him and Lloris was rather glaring, wasn't it? We also need someone to act like a bloody captain when Dawson's not playing. He's made some mistakes since returning to the first XI and his long, aimless passes frustrate the hell out of me at times, but he certainly would've had a few words to say about that performance.
The issue I have with fringe players, is that how we expect them to just walk into the team and perform? if Villas Boas is going to count on Obika as backup striker (yes Obika) then he has to be part of the 1st team squad each week, Hudd needs to be given more time and Siggy also needs more time on the pitch, as otherwise we should just play as full strength team and not be worried about possible injuries. Also, not a dig at Freidal, but unless Lloris is injured then you donât rest a keeper. Personally I don't have much faith in players like Hudd & Siggy..or Obika (yes obika) but sending out an under strength team away to Leeds, is just asking for trouble, with their atmosphere and bully-boy tactics.
My point quite simply is that our bench players who got a start, 'should' be in the mood to impress even more, and I find that wholly relevant.
OK but that's not easy when you are the juniors in the team and the stars are not trying. It is a team game and therefore the team needs to function.
I missed this tackle at the time, so I'm not surprised that the ref did too, but what's the appropriate move from the officials for a tackle like this? [video=youtube;XO33IEnmlKA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XO33IEnmlKA[/video] please log in to view this image Fantastic piece of showmanship from the Welshman.
That's the acceptable kind of pretty stuff though, Spurf. It was effective, rather than just nice to look at. Had we not had a bunch of players milling about near the box, then he might've had somebody to pass the thing to at the end of it.
