Just a thought maybe Sunderland weren't thinking that Harry would actually dare to bring him on and were lulled into a false sense of security. You know, its only Pav he doesn't do much- yeah right!
What's notable is Pav's reaction to scoring. Usually when he scores, he's all smiles and looks to be enjoying himself - which was the case against Shamrock and Rubin in the Europa League. He sure wasn't smiles when he buried it against Sunderland, almost as if he knew it may be a parting gift.
I was also shocked Pav came on and scored. (Though since I haven't commented yet, I really should say I was hoping he'd be brought on!) It does make me think the thing to do would be to start Gio for the Chelsea game. Another likely transfer, another talented player who hasn't fit in, and someone who'd be a threat on the right. As for Pav--does make me realize how easy it would be to get a worse backup than him for Ade. If only he'd give a professional-level effort! But the thing is, as lazy as he seems, he still scores pretty often. I think this game establishes him as a good option off the bench.
I think Pav must be the most frustrating forward in the league.The man's got everything but seems too lazy to use it! I remember we had a player like that some while ago,name of Martin Chivers. Played exactly the same but the players,like Mike England ganged up on him,turning him all around and for about 2/3 seasons,the best striker I ever saw,then returned somewhat to his old ways. He did have something else that Pav doesn't seem to have.....a first touch! So maybe there's a solution........
Used to love the way big chiv played strong and good in the air, but according to many biographies he was a bit of a whinger and wanted things his own way. Pav is different he wants to play but when he does he gets pushed off the ball quite easily and for a tall cf a poor first touch. Surely somebody can teach him this very basic art of forward play or is it too late?
Perhaps Harry needs to "borrow" Mike England for a few months of training Pav's mind....and that first touch! To be fair though,Pav has scored some beauties.Why can't he make a regular habit of it for goodness sake? Heck,if he could achieve the seemingly impossible,we would have Chelsea climbing the walls for him! How about starting this Thursday,Pav?
Why can't Adebayor make a regular habit of it too? He missed some golden opportunities against Sunderland yet nobody criticizes him for it. It's interesting how supporters will forgive favourites but not recognize good work done by less favoured ones.It doesn't matter what Pav does he'll never be forgiven for what he's done whatever that is. People say he's lazy but people also started to notice disinterest from Ade last week but nobody is vilifying Ade for it. Despite Chelsea's drop in form we are going to need our strikers at their sharpest on Thursday. We can either stay third and send Chelsea 5 points behind us and down or we can lose and hit a blip and drop further points in the next few games. It's up to the strikers and we need Ade,or Pav or VdV to do the business or even Defoe for that matter. I've noticed a drop in goal scoring strength just recently and we made hard work of a relegation threatened team. So let's get behind ALL of our team.
TMT Ade is a most frustrating player,he works really hard off the ball even tracking back. But the thing we got him for is lacking quite often. Take the two really good chances v Sunderland- he tried to chip the keeper when a low shot would have been better, and the other one he shot at the keeper. And the offsides!! Schoolboy errors. My thought is that he is sometimes too casual in his execution.
Exactly. For me he needs bringing down a peg or two. He seems to have this "I can't be dropped" attitude and perhaps should be just to bring it home to him that he isn't doing enough. What I mean is SCORING. He was caught offside to often. I want him to score against Chelsea or Harry has a word with him.
Ade has also been so **** in training he won the 'plonker of the week' bib. I keep saying one of these games someone's going to get a battering.
Bloody hell, we're back to "Adebayor isn't scoring, he must be terrible" again? Really? Whilst he didn't have the best of games against Sunderland, he did score against Stoke (everyone but Chris Foy saw it), and he's got six assists to his name as well - only Silva and Mata have more this season: http://www.myfootballfacts.com/Premier_League_Combined_2011-12.html Pav is a player who'll stick it in the net, but offers sod all else to our team - which is why he's an impact sub, and not leading the line.
HBIC we are not criticizing Ade for not scoring, it is for his lackadaisical demeanor when in good positions or lack of attention to when to stay onside(might have been watching JD too often). I have no problems with his scoring record, but I reckon he could be well into double figures by now.
Can you see my point?If we could get Pav wound up and scoring on a regular basis,we might not need Ade! Fat chance I would say!!!!
Croydon,you can ignore the posts if you want to. I look at many threads but if I don't like what I read I just flip through to another without commenting.
Both Pav & Ade are inconsistent goal-scorers, but the big difference with Ade is that he can do the Crouchie "link-up play" thing, that Pav seems too lazy to work at. On balance, and with either striker not scoring enough goals, I'd take Ade, if it was a choice between the two.
Croydon's spot on, in my opinion. Adebayor and Pavlyuchenko are both erratic finishers, but the difference in work-rate is immense. The Togolese striker links up play and defends better and he's taken Crouch's place when we're defending set-pieces, too.
I agree with both of you and I'd also add the frame of mind of defenders reading our teamsheet, it doesn't matter what we think, who do you think John 'Snail' Terry is more concerned with, Ade or Pav? Ade is deceptively quick once he's on the move. There'll be no 'high defensive line' from AVB in this game. Whereas Ashley Cole must feel like he's got a night off with Azza pulling out.
Depends how we line up, Notso. He might end up with Walker running at him instead, which is just as bad.
It does, and he might, but he would have folded under a double threat of Walker and Lennon imo. Lost a bit of pace overnight has our Ash, oh well, lets hope we have them both when we go to their 'hole' later in the season.
