Well we didn't look comfortable for large parts of the game, but a win is a win. Ratings below: Gomes - 7. Fairly solid (for him, anyway), a couple of wobbly moments but can't recall him missing anything. Got every cross that he came for. Walker - 9. Probably my man of the match - he was found out of position a couple of times but got back well to block or make a tackle. I actually thought he wasn't up to his usual standard going forward, didn't link that well with Lennon. Livermore - 6. Even though it wasn't his natural position, thought he did ok. A standard performance once he was moved to midfield. Bassong - 6. Don't think he did that well defending one-on-ones, but there was a period where he made a few key headers away, and that run to set up Defoe. Still not confident in him, but beggers can't be choosers. Rose - 7. Pretty good performance from him. Equally good going forward, especially that chance at the start. Lennon - 6. As they said at HT, cutting inside too much, almost as if he is lacking confidence. The one time that I can recall him taking on his man, he was was successful and put in a good cross for a Defoe header. Sandro - 9. Tackle after tackle after tackle - the man is a machine. When someone else lost the ball, saw him sprint backwards time and time again to help the team and break up play. Hope he starts vs Blackburn. Carroll - 7. Didn't think his performance was as amazing as Graham Taylor was saying, but some pretty sweet passes. Will keep an eye on him. Dos Santos - 5.5. Not very impressive, didn't track back. Haven't given up on him, but he needs to be better if he wants to stay (which I don't think he does). Defoe - 5.5. Felt he was anonymous for large parts of the game. But he at least managed to get a good couple of shots/headers when he was played in. Pav - 5.5. People seem to have mixed opinions, but I dislike him. Don't get me wrong, sweet, sweet free fick and I applaud that. But too many times he just tries to shoot from outside the area, much to the frustration of the rest of the team. Kaboul - 8. In the short amount of time he was on, he was pure class. Tackles and headers everywhere. My god I'm glad we have him. Assou-Ekotto - 7. Solid in the time he was on, and good through ball for Rose at the end. Modric - 6. Nothing special, but didn't do anything wrong either. Helped to keep the flow (as usual). These are just my ratings - tell me if you agree or if I've got it completely wrong
Even though it was an experimental side, once I saw the line-up I had hoped for a more even game. However, as you say, 7 points from 3 is great and I'm proud of the team.
I'd suggest that Rubin Kazan actually failed to create that much really, Lidls. Their final ball was pretty poor overall, as they got into some good positions and had much more of the possession and territory for most of the game. Great result, mediocre performance. Hopefully we'll get some of our injured players back soon, as the likes of Huddlestone, Pienaar, Kranjcar, Corluka, Dawson, Gallas, etc. would benefit from run outs in this sort of game. Sandro and Lennon got some time under their belts after their injuries and some of the kids had very assured games. Our forwards were poor and I didn't appreciate Rose diving in their box, either. Nice to see Gomes putting in a good shift. Only dodgy on a couple of bits of distribution.
I'd give Gomes MOTM, with a 9 for a tremendous performance, especially considering his lack of match practice Special mentions for Carroll, Rose, Walker, Livermore and Kaboul - and for Pav's thunderbolt Overall a great result against a good team, and a good performance from us. Taking into account circumstances, injuries, players coming back from injury, etc a very good performance - if we go onto qualify from the group, probably the key result.
Pretty fair ratings, Gio would get 2, another stinker, worst display by anyone in a Spurs shirt...since Gilberto!, next Ronaldinho my arse, you can see why Barca weren't crying when he left. I still can't get over the 2v2 with JD, who both defenders were close too, so Gio had acres, no-one between him and the keeper, so what does he do, makes a run so its a cluster of 4, at such an angle so JD who has the ball can't pass to him, unless he threads it through the only 2 pairs of legs there! C'mon lads he's crap!, Easyjet to Spain Jan 1st...get it booked!
Tommy Carroll has been a revelation - before we started the Europa league it was presumed the standout would be Andros Townsend, but Carroll has eclipsed him and put in a series of consistantly good performances so far. Also good to see Gomes put in a good shift, because not only does he need it, but he deserves it to remind us he is a better keeper than certain sections of the press want us to believe...if only for his prospective transfer value in January.
Good point above made about the last ball played in by RK - it was just hopeful and Spurs dealt with it. However, really great to see a team (RK) going for broke and with some skilful touches. Good game.
To be fair, there were a lot pluses from the game. GDS disappointed for me (so much ability so little nous,) but I thought, for the most part, the fringe players all put in creditable performances. Considering his lack of football, Gomes looked assured, Bassong short of football and the only conventional CH in the team, did ok but didn't pull up trees. The big surprise for me was when Kaboul came on; His effect on the back four was almost Ledleyesque. RK piled on pressure and looked like they wanted it more, but we did just enough for all 3 points. Job done.
I agree with you all on Carroll, looked very promising but there were a fair few mistakes in there. I thought Pav had a very good second half and a fairly frustrating second, guilty of trying a little too hard but perhaps that's a good thing, it was certainly a nice change from his nonchalant performances so far this season. For me Rose showed that he is definitely a winger, he looks uncomfortable defending and was far more effective going forward, good footwork to win the freekick. Once he was pushed further up the wing he looked in his element.
I thought Bassong was very good considering he had Livermore who was a bit of nightmare next to him. One bad slip but apart from that he looked more like the player of 2 seasons ago.
I think it's difficult to blame our front two when we were put under pressure for most of that game. We couldn't keep possession long enough to create the break-through, and both Walker and Rose had to spend a lot of time defending, rather than bombing forward. I thought Gomes was our best player, for consistency. He made some cracking saves, and single-handedly kept us in the game. Carroll looks like a cracking prospect, but it's clear that GDS has got to go.
Agree about most of what has been written. Especially about Kaboul, I am so impressed how he has improved since he came back. As others have said he made an immediate impact just like Ledley, with maturity & guidance he could be with Daws our cb pairing for a few years to come.
Ratings a bit harsh on Bassong, who has done a good job as our Europa Captain (good run into the box at one point), and especially Gomes who despite what people may think generally, cannot be faulted for this game. Special mention for Bennys volley, goal of the season if it goes in and the fact it was even on target showed incredible technique. If Rooney had done the same thing the papers would be drooling over how 'special' he is.
Vim- don't know if you noticed when Benny got on the ball 1st time he beat the RK player twice and then put that long ball for Rose. Got a huge cheer- what a cool customer he is.
BTW did anyone notice Crouch was on the bench for Stoke with Palacios- Wilson went on Crouch didn't. How the mighty have fallen ,kind of sad in a way.
Gomes - 7 - Flapped at a couple of crosses but made some very good saves to keep the clean sheet. Walker - 7 - Great at getting forward and made a few good tackles but got skinned a couple of times. Livermore - 6.5 - Showed he can be a very handy player to have, didn't look out of shape at the back but didn't do anything to make him stand out either. Bassong - 8 - My MOTM. Not been confident in him this season, but was his best game in a Spurs shirt, made great interceptions and a few good tackles. Rose - 6.5 - Decent game. Lennon - 6.5 - Had a couple of his old style bursts but also let a lot oppotunities to run at full backs go as well, his passing wasn't great at times, still seems to lack his style confidence. Carroll - 6.5 - Looking a very tidy midfielder, if I'm honest he's had better games but still a solid performance from the lad. Sandro - 7.5 - Typical Sandro performance, chased down and made a few good runs. Brilliant to see him back. Gio - 5.5 - Quite game. Defoe - 5.5 - Same as Gio. Pav - (10 for the goal!!!) 7 - Goal was amazing, forced the keeper to make a fine save not long after and won a few knock downs. (PNP if you read this, credit to you, you were spot on in saying he'd be really up for the game). Subs: Kaboul - 8 - 20 minutes on the pitch and saved our bacon twice. Becomming a very, very good centre back. BAE - 7 - Typically good, big fan of him. Along with Kaboul made the back four more solid. Modric - 6 - Nothing spectacular, few neat passes but nothing to get excited about.
Harry - 9 - A good selection of players for the first 60 minutes. Risked our youngsters (young-stars) in positions they're not used to. Bringing the big guns on with 20 minutes to go was a calculated risk that paid off with a deserved clean sheet. Ended the game injury free, and I don't think any of the players had injuries either.
To think that Harry would have been criticised if anyone got an injury really shows what a tough job he has to do pleasing our fans.
