Nothing wrong with what you've put Roo, kind of feel the same way aswell. Jake did well when called on last season, but as you say, different team, manager and style of play. He hasn't kicked on this season for whatever reason, which has been disappointing, and at this point in time its hard to see him getting much game time. With Parkers delay, he may get some here and there with injury/suspension to others, but no, he's no starter atm. Sandro will suit the system, he's more than used to it playing for his country.
I was joking. If we'd won our first 2 games like we should've we would think the draw was good but this is the 3rd time we've failed to win in this competition and the 2nd time we've put in a disinterested performance. I contested that Huddlestone was particularly at fault for the goal like you were saying, however he showed yesterday that it wasn't the quality of opposition that allowed him to be passed by defensively whilst not doing the job further up the pitch. Huddlestone was clearly at most fault for the goal yesterday but I'm not sure why Caulker wasn't in that area and if he was he should've taken control of the situation giving Lloris confidence to stay in goal rather than rashly charging out. That's not to absolve Lloris either, he made a right mess of things. My main concern is that Sandro alongside Huddlestone just doesn't work. When Sandro went on a run up the pitch Huddlestone was unable to evern slow down their counters which often took advantage of our fullbacks pressing high up too. As much as no one liked watching us playing 2 dms at the start of the season that looks the better option than playing Huddlestone at the moment and that's with Jake not doing to well either.
Lloris didn't make a right mess of things at all he came for the ball when the opponents had broken through, no way was that goal down to Lloris. I'd always take a brave keeper like Lloris who wants to come off his line and take charge of the situation rather than a keeper who consistently stays on his line.
Many time over many years, we have all seen goalkeepers have sudden rushes of blood to their heads like Lloris did last night. There are many reasons why this happens. Sometimes, it's out of sheer boredom through having nothing to do, so they feel the need to remind people they're still there. Other occasions, there are keepers who simply can't keep still and to stay hyperactive, come charging out and sod the consequences. In Lloris's case, I suspect it may well have been a case of over enthusiasm in his desire to impress AVB and take/keep the number 1 jersey. Nothing wrong in that and he certainly flew off his goal line like lightning. But, when you see where he was on the floor in relation to his goal, then it's clear he did make it slightly easier for the Maribor player to play the ball past him - never good to come too far beyond your near post. Quite rightly he will not be blamed for the goal, but most certainly Tony Parks will be talking the incident through with him and asking if in hindsight he considers he might have been better off staying put.
If he'd stayed on his line he could have at least had a chance of saving the goal. I wasn't saying it was all his fault but without doubt he made it easier for them to score. There was no need to leave the goal and when he did, he didn't close down the players options very well. Sorry but if you're going to be critical of everything Friedel does then you have hold Lloris up to the same high standard. Lloris looked okay for the rest of the game though so I still wouldn't mind seeing him start against Southampton and let Friedel have the Norwich game.
i asked last night if GH10 still though Lloris was god,seem's he still does,i'm with you on this one YV.
Defoe has been effective because more often than not, we've been trying to get down the field fast and shoot before the defense has a chance to get set. Defoe's ideal for that. The moment we try to play against a set defense, we'd be better off with Ade. We did that for the most part last night, and looked toothless. I think it came down to not being willing to run hard enough. I think I'm a minority of one, but: whether we finish fourth or not may well depend on us crashing out of the Europa. Forget tiredness. More games = more injuries, and we can't afford the ones we already have. I can't help hoping Spurs will win every game, but I also can't help thinking rationally that this is one competition too far for this squad. It would be best, all things considered, to crash out of this one and concentrate on the league and the cups.
this is where i feel for Lioris...seems like every little action resembling a 'mistake etc etc will have those amongst the fans and press vilifying Lioris and probably AvB......for replacing Friedel and wanting justification for it. As much as i like Brad i do feel better when Lioris is in goal for the simple fact that he is more mobile..covers more of the area...and i simply feel he would cause the attacker a few more issues than Brad does...but may take more than 1 game in a row for Lioris to get used to the hustle bustle of the League...hopefully hes given more than 90 minutes by his critics.
I think Lloris will be strong enough to cope when he makes mistakes (and he will make mistakes) but I also want to see him start games, given a run of league games, 3-4 on the spin. This will be Friedel's last year as a possible number 1 keeper, yet what are we waiting for? we have a player that is considered world class sitting on our bench, itching to play games and show us why he is so highly rated. Giving him the odd game here and there is just going to cause more issues, throw him in, let him play and lets see how he copes.
I know you was...as was I Its just Hudd that doesn't 'work' in either sense! Won't be long before someone quotes "we finished 4th to get CL he was great", that was then, in a different side, and pre injury, a nasty one with many setbacks since. He played freely then, he will play a bit within himself for fear of recurrence, thats how it looks to me. He's lost that edge imo at the moment, Lennon is similar after injury, you don't see him at maximum sprint, some FB's actually keep up with him! Back to Hudd, I do have some sympathy, his performance looked worse having so little to aim at all night, no height up front at all first half, limiting his distribution, couple that with poor movement and its a difficult night for anyone creative.
But let's be honest here Spurlock, Lloris has put himself under the spotlight a bit by (allegedly) talking in the media. In addition to that, every goal is analysed these days by both fans and media in this country, and Lloris needs to come to terms with this pretty damn quick otherwise he'll end up with a reputation as a crybaby like Gomes. I don't think anyone has been overly critical of him either on this thread or any other thread since he joined us. The main disagreement is over when he should take over from Brad on a long term basis.
United did that with De Gea and opposition managers ended up targetting his weak areas to the point where they just couldn't play him. I trust that the coaching staff and AVB will know when it's right to bring him in and agree that Friedel's form should be taken into account when he is ready. No one' anti-Lloris, it's just that most of us think there's more to it than Lloris=France captain=better than Friedel. Keepers don't work like that, look at how good Van Der Saar was when he retired, he had one of his best seasons.
I would say that regardless of when Lloris becomes our number 1, he will be a target, its just delaying the inevitable, the only way for any player to become accustomed to this league, is to play week in, week out, deal with mistakes and then learn from them and I don't see keepers as being any different to outfield players in that respect. Maybe we need to put some faith in Lloris as there is every chance he will thrive. However I understand the concerns with foreign keepers in this league yet who is the best keeper ever to play in the premier league? Peter Schmeichel? I just looked at his stats and in his first season with man utd he played 40 league games, 53 overall and that was his first season in English football. I have tons of respect for brad and still believe he is a top keeper, yet I don't see any harm in allowing Lloris a run in the team for league games.
Also, keeping on the foriegn keeper theme. Cech moved from French football to English football and in his first season he played 35 games. Edwin van der Sar, his first season in English football, 37 games. So is that the three best keepers in the premier league? all foreign and all trusted in their first league season. Just a counter argument to those that say foreign keepers struggle in their first year!
Cech and Van Der Saar both had full pre-seasons with the team rather than arrive on deadline day. Or, the other way to put it, is Jens Lehmann played 38 games in his debut season with Arsenal, and he never improved, did he?
GHod. Yes your probably right.I don't follow Europe as I once did.So a lot of these Europa teams seem to surprise me. I have cuttings and programmes going back to the 40's and before,so I guess it's the age thing.Catches up with all of us in time!
It could swing back and forth, but as you can see there are stats to back up both sides and it comes down to, do you believe Lloris has the ability to be a Cech, or a Lehmann? none of this can be fully answered until he is given a full run of games in the league.
Your right Spurcat. He did bring his own situation under the spotlight when he didn't need to. I think deep down my concern is if his appearances are numbered then he might want to leave and that would be a shame. I hope he is happy with the knowledge that even if he isn't playing every week for us, come next season he will be our number 1. I lack faith in loyalty with most footballers you see.
Couldn't be fecked to do another one, so may aswell take the green option and recycle this one for tonights entertainment.