I have to be honest and haven't noticed how long it takes for players to get back. We've been lucky with previous recent ACON's in that our African players nations didn't qualify. I noted Yaya in just some general reading of the newspapers that week when it said he was back in training. I'd watched ivory Coast go out, so I knew its was 5days or so, if you think about it. 1/2 days rest/media stuff, 1 day travel, 1 day rest uk, 5th day back training, seems reasonable to me...I think!
I had to watch that game with very loud Chinese commentary so can't say I heard much of the crowd, but like you say, if the away fans are booing then there's something incredibly wrong. I've been to 3 or 4 away games this season and even though I've only been to one winner (Southampton) we've been great - as usual. I think Ade's main problem is his body language than performances. There's been times when the likes of Gallas, Dempsey have been poor and Walker has been bad all season yet they all show the determination to at least try, they don't stand around looking uninterested, Ade just comes across to me as if he can't wait for the final whistle to be blown regardless of what the score is and I think many feel the same, some are now choosing to boo.
Adebayor called AVB on the Monday and was reminded he was expected back at the club on the Wednesday afternoon for an assessment on his fitness. He requested an extension of 24 hours and the reason/s given were acceptable to AVB so he consented. When it then became clear he wasn't going to meet this deadline and was unable to give assurances to the club exactly when he would be back, that is when the club decided to take matters into their own hands.
it's too confusing to work out for me Notso! Haha. Though I think you could be right in fairness but Yaya did have a day or two days training with City (I think), Ade came back Friday night which resulted in him going straight into the team without having worked on any tactics for match etc. Either way, whether it was hard for Ade to get back in time or not, I'm still disappointed with his performances and it's his performances alone that makes me feel he should be dropped, the Togo saga was just another reason for me to bite the bullet
I shouldn't read your info Spurcat, it just infuriates me more and more!!! He's basically lied to AVB and the club then. Just not on.
Initially when we signed Adebayor I was surprised due to the general reputation of the player and the fact he was a minor hate figure due to his performances for the goons, yet as we all know he was superb last year, yet even back then I always believed we would only see the best of him on a loan deal. Then as the season came to and end and Adebayor was available for 5 million, it seemed to be a no brainier, sign him, forget any reservations about him performing just on loan, as to have a player of his ability for 5 million is a steal in today's transfer market. What now? I honestly can't decide if we made the right decision, as yes he is talented, but on the other hand he simply doesn't perform to the same standard as last year and we could be waiting for a player to repeat form that will never come. As for the booing, I don't see anything productive coming from that, yet we have to respect the fans which travel to away games and put effort into attending away games all season as they are entitled to express their frustrations, we may not agree, but they show passion to support the team and Adebayor isn't exactly the most endearing character we have seen.
For information only as this is old ground and really want to focus on the game tonight, however.... A search for flights to/from Togo & London reveals that there are so few connections a single journey can take up to 46 hours with stopovers!!!!! And that is based on the initial leg being available on the first day. So if you then factor in the original journey from South Africa to Togo and any official meetings that were then organised, then I think the biggest problem was a total underestimation of exactly how long it could take. On that basis, I think a number of people need to take some responsibility, not just one player. But as others have mentioned, all of this was being arranged at the behest of the Togolese President and their FA - so maybe that was where it all fell down.....
With you all the way there as I said before, i have to be honest and say I haven't noticed poor attitude/effort on the pitch...just crap play!
Yes! That's the spirit PISKIE! Personally I'd much rather Spurs and Arsenal got 3 and 4 than Spurs and Chelsea.... At least Arsenal haven't cheated their way to the top... recently
The whole Bobby Moore sideshow which is surrounding this match is going to be a little tedious... No slight on a great player, but as others have said the significance of such anniversaries is diminished when they are commemorated too frequently. There seems to be a silence before every game these days.
Henry Norris is innocent But I think Chelsea are teetering on the brink at the moment with Rafa in charge. They could just as easily implode in the run in as go on a long unbeaten run, they are very unpredictable. Given their resources, it would be hilarious to see them finish outside the top 4.
I don't see it as a sideshow at all. The guy was a genuine legend and at least he delivered which is more than can be said for the current 'golden generation'. If his family and West Ham United choose the 20th anniversary of his passing away as a cause for remembrance, I think we should respect that. I do agree with your last sentence though, there are too many silences these days. I was at a non-league game recently and there was a minutes silence for the home clubs secretary. Fair enough I thought, until I learned he had only held the post for 3 months !
At least if they do it this season a club in the Top 4 won't get ****ed over by UEFA being utter cowards...
Lloris Walker Dawson Caulker Vertonghen Lennon Parker Dembele Bale Holtby Adebayor Subs - Friedel Naughton Gallas Livermore Carroll Sigi Ekotto
Four changes for West Ham and three for us, which I think makes our line-up the following: Lloris; Walker, Dawson, Caulker, Assou-Ekotto; Lennon, Parker, Dembele, Bale; Holtby; Adebayor. Edit: Or what he^ said!
