Hi folks, just back from the game and wanted to share my thoughts on this. I read through the entire match thread and agree with a lot of the points raised, but there was no match rating as such, so here's my view... Gazzaniga - 3 - Does not command his area. His positioning is off too. He just doesn't back himself, always nervous and lacks that natural 'arrogance' that good keepers have. Kicking was a lot better today, but he really is not good enough for us. Chambers - 7 - Thought Calum had a solid game. Won the ball back a few times, and caused Rose problems down their left flank. Won several headers and looked calm and comfortable throughout. Would never think he's an 18 year old lad. Lovren - 7 - Lost count of the amount of times he put in a last-ditch tackle or block and re-started an attacking move for Saints today. Was hindered by the defence he found around him, but still stood out compared to the other two. Hooiveld - 3 - Really poor. Won some aerial duels but Adebayor had him on toast all afternoon. Couldn't deal with the movement and does not inspire any confidence whatsoever. I like Jos. He appears to be a great bloke with all the time in the world for the fans, but he is not good enough. Fox - 4 - Poor again, but it was to be expected. Never felt confident seeing him named alongside Jos and Gazza, and you could've predicted the calamitous mistakes. Nice assist though, and he's had worse days. Also not good enough for us. Cork - 7 - Moved the ball very nicely. Manoeuvred himself out of tight spaces several times and dug his team-mates out of trouble. Had no huge impact on the attacking game, but that's not really Cork's bag. Respectable performance and contributed to the team effort throughout his time on pitch. Schneiderlin - 7 - Switched the ball well, set Saints going. As ever from Morgan, decent range of passing and several good tackles to end or stutter opposition breaks. Not his best game offensively, but tidy. S. Davis - 6 - Put himself about, played some nice passes. Decent range of passes, but failed to properly assert himself on the game, and was probably fair that he came off before the end. Lallana - 9 - The one real positive for me. He was sublime. Twisting and turning all over the place, splitting the defence, making the third man runs and his crossing was positive too. Took his goal very well and looks on form right now. Spurs fans I travelled to the game with were massively impressed by Adam and rightly so! Rodriguez - 5 - Didn't really get into the game either. Tried to break through with some runs, but Walker was wise to it for most of the game. Should have done better with his curled attempt, which could've put Saints 2-0 up shortly before Spurs scored. He's been great of late though, so can be excused. Lambert - 5 - Despite the goal, which was absolutely on a plate for him, he looks lost. Lots of aimless flicks and punts, and Dawson handled him reasonably well. Calm finish for the goal, but had little impact aside from that. Thought he had scored an equaliser late on, but it skipped up too early. This isn't the Rickie Lambert we are used to seeing. Starting to worry. SUBSTITUTES Ward-Prowse - 6 - Didn't really have a huge impact, but demonstrated his adaptability and commitment to the cause. Worked hard defensively and whipped in a couple of nice crosses. Ramirez - 6 - Better than he has been. A couple of nice defence-splitting balls, thought he'd put Lallana in to score but Lloris thwarted it. Didn't quite understand his chipped attempt, but he tried to make things happen. Gallagher - 6 - Never looked fazed. Chipped in with defensive work-rate too. A couple of nice flick ons for his team-mates and had a good strike at goal, which Lloris held on to. He looks very promising though and threw himself into the game. For me, that was an old-school Saints performance. We could easily have won that game, but continued to shoot ourselves right in our feet. Daft and really embarrassingly basic errors. Watching Fox, Hooiveld and Gazzaniga try to communicate and organise was painful. Adebayor was on his game and we just couldn't cope. He monstered us with pace and strength. He clearly has a point to prove to Sherwood and Levy, and he's doing just that. But we shouldn't have allowed him the attempts he had in the first instance. Adebayor aside, I thought Spurs looked far from blistering, and were there for the taking. But our defensive woes just subdued our attacking commitments and made the forward jobs harder. For me, today marks the day where I have finally come to accept that Gazzaniga, Fox and Hooiveld just do not, and will not, cut the mustard. A shame because they all seem like great lads, but they just lack the required ability to be dependable or a valid asset to a Premier League club, especially an ambitious one like ourselves. Top ten starting eleven when all fit, but with a few injuries we become a relegation battler once again. Needs to be addressed in these next two transfer windows. Onwards and upwards, we could really do with banking three points at Cardiff. Over to you... DTLW
My ratings: Gazzaniga 4 Chambers 6 Lovren 6 Hooiveld 0 Fox 4 Schneiderlin 6 Cork 6 Davis 5 Lallana 9 Rodriguez 4 Lambert 5 Subs JWP 5 Ramirez 6 Gallagher 6
I'm sorry if it offends, but just because he's young we cant make exceptions. Chambers had no better a game than Fox today imho. And Ramirez...when he comes on its just like throwing in the towel. You know its over the moment the manager is hoping this is the game he comes good.
I know I should really extrapolate with reasoning, but really, both of those points today couldn't be more incorrect. Chambers was no better than Fox? Really? I mean....really?
My Ratings: Gazzaniga 3 - Hesitant, nervous and has no presence. Not comfortable watching him. Chambers 5.5 - Solid performance in the most part, but was caught out a few times. Lovren 6.5 - Class above the rest of the back four today. He must be feeling very frustrated. Hooiveld 2 - Liability. End of. I politely ask that he moves on to pastures new. Fox 5 - Usual frailties at time defensively, but offered significantly more than usual going forward. Can't be too critical. Schneiderlin 5 - Under par performance, but still has terrific ability on ball, and is regaining his fitness after injury. Cork 7 - Very solid. Our only man who really controlled the ball in the middle today. Was disappointed and surprised he came off. Davis 5.5 - Hard working as ever but didn't have the impact that he usually does in midfield. Can't fault his attitude though. Lallana 9 - Our shining light on a disappointing afternoon. He just goes from strength to strength and is showing his ability every week now. Rodriguez 4.5 - Worked very hard, but he just couldn't get in the game and keep hold of the ball to impact things up front. Lambert 4 - Got a goal, but this was a very under-par performance by the big man. Rickie knew himself that he didn't play well today. Subs: JWP 5, Gaston 5, Gallagher 5.
Yep, he cost us last week and he cost us this week. Pathetic defending. One bad game is understandable but two in a row is unacceptable.
An entirely different game it would seem. Perhaps it's someone who got lost from the Swansea Everton thread?
Generally agree but if Adam has a nine in all those lists, so should Dejan. Played his heart out and covered regularly for the rest of the defence. He shouldn't be punished for three goals having gone in; he was exceptional. Vin
Gazzaniga - 3 Chambers - 7 Lovren 7 Hooiveld - 4 Fox - 4 Scneiderlin - 6 Cork - 6 Davis - 5.5 Lallana - 9 Rodriguez - 5 Lambert - 5 I think Lallana was absolutely sensational for about an hour, and then just seemed to disappear from the game, I expect he isn't back up to full fitness yet. I thought Lovren was good, but partly responsible for the first goal as he was very hesitant closing down Soldado. I quite liked the look of Gallagher, he really wasn't afraid to get stuck in, and seemed quicker than I feared he would be at his height. A very raw, but exciting prospect that might get some more game time with Osvaldo's impending ban.
Gazza - 4 Chambers - 8 Lovren - 8 Hooiveld - 5 Fox - 5 Cork - 7 Schneiderlin - 6 Davis - 7 Rodriguez - 6 Lambert - 5 Lallana - 9 Ramirez - 6 JWP - 6 Gallagher - 6
Agree on Adam, and that's precisely why Poch often takes him off after 60-70 mins, but people don't seem to get that for some reason.
