England U21's Tonight

I was present at the England U21 game tonight at Carrow Road where several Spurs players played a part in the 1-0 win against Serbia U21.

Adam Smith - Looked assured throughout, made some good runs forward as well as some vital clearances. Was caught out being too high up the pitch a couple of times but recovered sufficiently.

Steven Caulker - Playing at the heart of the defence with Craig Dawson, he was commanding - looking like future captain material for sure. Looked good in the air as well as being comfortable on the ball.

Andros Townsend - The young winger didn't start, but came on mid way through the second half. His job was mainly defensive as England looked to protect their 1-0 lead, but made some good interceptions. Few decent runs forward too, that ultimately came to nothing though.

Not sure if anyone really minds about Danny Rose anymore (he's obviously on loan at Sunderland - is there a buy clause in that?) but I'll say something quickly. He was one of the best players on the pitch in my view, made some surging runs forward, linking well with Sterling and then Townsend. His job was less defensive due to England's dominance, which probably suited Rose due to the fact he used to be a winger/midfielder.

Any other questions about other players you might be interested in who played tonight then just say, C Dawson looked good, as did Tom Ince.

 

I've got a question, who were we playing?

Thanks for the info though, were tickets cheap?

 

Cheers for the report, always good to hear from someone who watched the game "live".

I watched it on ESPN and was pleased we take an advantage into the 2nd leg because I think it might get physical over there.

 

Just noticed I didn't include that, edited it now! and tickets were £10 for adults so pretty good.

 

I think you might be right, some of their lads were huge, and not afraid to put themselves about it

 

You got tickets for the COC game ?? Should be a good night, I always enjoy going to Carrow Road, it's a proper football ground.

 

Not as of yet, but I hope to. As I'm not a member I have to wait for general sale unless I want to go with my dad but would rather go with my mates

Only problem tonight was there was no atmosphere at all - had a bunch of screaming pre-teenage girls who pretty much ruined the game with their shrill shouts. At least at my seat at the Lane I sit around respectable people!

 

I thought all the spurs players played well, including Rose

 

Serbia.

 

Highlights:

[video=youtube;4qHUrhejYKU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4qHUrhejYKU[/video]

 

Are Spurs just giving up on Rose (LB or other) ??

The usual back four injury plague has really shown the reality of not having
dedicated LB cover for BAE. And then the debacle over that Fryers kid.

Verty needs to be focussing on CB.
We need Naughton to be making Walker raise his game.

BAE is a shoe-in (good form or bad) , which IMHO is not healthy.

 

Rose wanted and needed regular football

 

It was pretty typical of our luck that Rose sat on the bench for most of last season, but wasn't available when we needed him.
Started the season injured, if I remember right, then got suspended for the end of it.
Should've been loaned out and a utility player brought in as cover.

Naughton and Assou-Ekotto should be back soon, so we'll have plenty of competition for places at the back.
It wouldn't surprise me to see Vertonghen continuing in his current role for a while, to give our Cameroonian full-back time to get back up to speed.
Caulker and Gallas have both performed very well while the Belgian's been playing in the role that his country use him in.

 

I think Redknapp's lack of rotation at the LB spot annoyed him slightly, would like to have him here as cover/competition for Assou Ekotto but I can understand his frustations.

On that note, what has happened to Fryers? Can't remember seeing him on a team sheet - has he officially signed?

 

"Rose wanted and needed regular football"

No problem with that.

Just that with the usual back four injuries + AVB seeming to be selecting on a more
meritocratic basis + possibly taking the UEFA/League Cup tournaments a bit more
seriously, there should be sufficient games to keep all the squad ticking over nicely.

And would prefer serious competition for all places.
BAE is too often a shoe-in. And Walker too at the moment (even though IMHO his
form has not been good to date) .

 

"On that note, what has happened to Fryers? Can't remember seeing him on a team sheet - has he officially signed?"

Went to Liege. As I said, an apparent debacle.
And some Spurs insiders weren't that impressed with him technically either.

 

Ahh yes I remember now, cheers

 

I can honestly see Smith getting some games this season, if Walker continues to be a liability at right back.

 

Smith looked good to me on Friday both defending and going forward so I'd have no problem with that

 

Does anyone think the lineup the other day is proof that the Academy/kids setup is
starting to deliver now ??

I cannot recall a time when more than decent kid came thru together into the seniors at
the same time since round about Mark Falco, Micky Hazard etc in the early 80s.