Disagree with the bit about Parker he spent a lot of the game trying to clean up other player's mistakes and moved the ball well mostly. No one was good in the first half but he was one of the many that improved vastly in the second. Holtby must be a good chess player, I reckon. He looks like he's always thinking a few moves ahead whether he's making a run, waiting for the ball or moving it forward. Maybe it's quick decision making but he doesn't dither. I think he'll be a great signing for us.
If only Everton had lost we'd have had it pretty much as good as we could have expected with a draw Reckon Rafa will be gone in the morning though, which is a shame
I didn't see it like that at all to be honest. Today, in particular, our biggest problem in the first half was not getting the ball down and playing a slower game to get to grips with the match. Hacking the ball up the pitch all the time was inviting problems on to ourselves.
I thought that he was covering for our full-backs a lot in the first half, particularly Assou-Ekotto, but he gave the ball away unnecessarily quite often and went backwards too much. Both players seem to be off the pace since their injuries, but this is effectively their pre-season, so it's understandable. I hope that they improve once they get back up to speed.
I know it's only a few minutes but Holtby made such a difference when he came on and really upped the speed of the whole movement forward. It looks like we may have just completed the jigsaw apart of course from the striker.
The one aspect which stuck out, was his quick passing, as he has made the pass in his head before the ball arrives at his feet, so its an instance pass and move....although he may get frustrated with Defoe on a few occasions! Also, he looks to be strong, full of drive and energy, which we have been lacking so considering he has played many games this season and apparently been in fine form, I would hope he goes straight into the starting line up for our next game. Dempsey is the one to lose out, but Dempsey could still have a role as an impact player, as watching Dempsey attempt to play football is painful at times, yet the goal threat is always there so he can be an important player to bring on, when we need a goal.
Funny, I said pretty much the same thing a little earlier. I like that if he does play pass backwards it's made instantly rather the dithering on the ball first like some players do.
Not sure if you remember, but his first pass was a quick link up with Lennon, and you could just see the class right away. Also, its great that he made the impact in a game that we was struggling in, so that bodes well for when we're playing at home and need some drive. Anyhow, seems like we have made a great purchase here and looking forward to seeing him link up with dembele, bale and lennon.
AVB said overall he was happy,interesting how his opinions differ from ours and others. Let's just get a win.
Just watched the highlights of last night's game. What a brilliant goal by Bale. That's why he's so dangerous, you think you've kept him quiet, but take your eye off him for one second, and he pops up and does that!..
I'm a bit worried over Parker's recent form, I know he's just returned from injury so perhaps he's still finding his feet but he's looking a shadow of the player from last season. Sandro has shown he's definitely the number 1 DM now and the difference between the two is a lot more than I initially imagined. I'm hoping I'm just being a bit rash on Parker and that within a week or two he'll be nearing the form which saw him voted POTY last season, otherwise, we could be in for a long second half of the season.
Yep, to me that's the difference between a great player and a world class player and I have no problems or doubts in saying Bale is indeed, world class. With Messi and Ronaldo aside, he's in the elite group of players such as Falcao, Xavi, Iniesta, Cavani, Ribery, Robben, van Persie, Ibrahimovic and co in my opinion.
That's really unfair. I rate Sandro higher than Parker too, but if you look at Parker's performance in the second half last night he played plenty of quick, incisive forward passes. I was very happy with his contribution in the second half and long may it continue (it will have to!)
Parker worked hard but time and time again he misplaced a pass and wasn't too strong in the defensive department either, for every successful pass he made, he made about 3 bad ones. Norwich were also getting in behind him and Dembele (Dembele for the record was probably worse than Parker) far too much and seeing as the defence weren't on form either, had that been a better attacking side with more potency, we'd have seen a few more goals conceded in my opinion. I think you're being lenient due to the fact we only conceded just the one, like I said, had that been a "better" side, we'd have left with 0 points last night.
please log in to view this image Villas-Boas is very unhappy with the attempted foul in the build up to that^. I mentioned at the time that Tettey should've gone in the book and I still don't know why he didn't.
...Parker? He does dither, funny little bursts, then does a 180 turn and plays it 10 yds sideways...infuriating! if thats not slowing things down, I don't know what is! I'm not judging on one game here mate, its just what I've seen generally since his return. Yes he made some a couple of forward runs/passes, you would expect one or two in 90 eh! the performance wasn't bristling with them though was it, unlike Sandro, who doesn't often have a bad game. This nostalgic idea we're going to see Parker of the last 2 seasons, I have one thing to say...31 and getting older! just a thought!
Parker is clearly off the pace at the moment, although I don't think any of our team can be exempt criticism for the inept first half display. I thought Demebele was poorer than Parker, but then I think he has flattered to deceive for quite a while now. Although Holtby was a breath of fresh air when he came on, I thought we were lucky to come away with a point.
