Not as much of an issue when we're playing with attacking full-backs that like to get forward, but today we had Naughton at left-back and a clearly injured Walker on the right. Neither player was involved as threat in their half and Walker was useless in defence, too. Not his fault, but he shouldn't have been on the pitch.
Soldado and Defoe rely on service - they're not going to play like Rooney where they drop deeper to pick up the ball and do it all themselves. We offer no service to Soldado and Defoe really. Townsend shoots on sight and never crosses - if he does pass, then he's cut into the middle rather than widening the play. Exactly the same for Sig on the left. Lamela is the same on the right - Chadli the same on the left. We have only 1 proper winger and that is Lennon. We have no left wingers. Until we start creating more width (which in turn creates space for Eriksen/Holtby), we will struggle to score more than 1 a game really.
I've said it before and I'll say it again. AVB has not yet realised the significance of London derbies. Once again out done by superior tactical nous. First Wenger them Mourinho now Sam-bloody-Allandyce.
Just yesterday you were saying he was the best thing since sliced bread. Not sure how you can blame Defoe when you conceded 3 at home to a side that hadn't scored an away goal all season and had no strikers on the pitch. Set piece defending has to improve but so do AVB's tactics. At the moment he has no plan B and it showed today and in the 2nd half against both Chelsea and Arsenal.
Tottenham manager Andre Villas-Boas: "I think they scored in a moment when they were very, very strong - through set plays, they got first to the second ball. "It can happen in games like this. We didn't have that quick reaction to get back into the game because they scored the second soon after. "The game started 100 miles per hour for both teams, with both looking threatening. They had good spells and so did we. The second had we were not first to the ball in the 50-50 duels. They were a bit more aggressive and punished us. "We have conceded three goals today but before we were the team who conceded the least chances. This time West Ham managed to surprise us and we have to bounce back. This would be a good goal for us. "It is [a wakeup call]. This fixture was a bit dangerous. If we won everything would be spectacular but if you draw or lose you drop into a position you don't want to be. Either way we have done well so far."
Towsend was good today and put the ball into a lot of dangerous areas. He had no support and nobody was getting onto the crosses he was putting in. Defoe should've taken one of the chances that he did get, too. Didn't look at all sharp.
I said this when he was at Chelsea and now with you. To be fair to AVB as much as the tactics were wrong the players have to shoulder some of the responsibility, the set piece defending was poor and West Ham should have scored before they did.
1 . but your manager was the only one who didnt ? 2 .Thanks , they are hilarious in hindsight . 3 you sure did . maybe spend another 100 million quid . .....who knows ?
He's pointed out the set pieces so I expect that to be worked on hard before the next match. Oh wait - international break...
Everyone blames Defoe, hes the easy target. Avb is tactically naive at times and if he sets up the team wrong then he takes the blame. But of course this team is still learning yet my main worry is that Avb doesn't learn from his mistakes.
It's impossible for any coach to say anything after a result like this so fair play to him, he has to say something.
That cocky tw*t Morrison scored a good goal, I believe, but not seen it yet. Of the likely top 4 contenders, no team has looked that impressive yet. Liverpool, Arsenal, Spurs & Utd have already lost unexpectedly at home. City have looked vulnerable away. Chelsea up and down. No team has consistently carried a goal threat and all have had bad days defensively. Step forward Southampton?
You know what that performance reminded me of? Almost all the performances since last August. Just no Bale goals or penalties.
Buddy you're wasting your time trying to Wum me as doesn't work. Ive been moaning about Avb for a while now. You be better off targetting fans who think he's a tactical genuis.
Exactly what I was thinking today watching the game but I dare not mention Bale as he's gone but.... yes, he was rescuing us from abject performances like that all last season.
Oh and if you care to know why we should not expect half our signings to be successes at the club please see here.
