Team v Watford: Friedel; Naughton, Kaboul, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto; Jenas, Livermore; Carroll, Lennon, Bale; Defoe. Cudicini, Bassong, Dawson, Vertonghen, Walker, Bentley, Huddlestone, Townsend, Sigurdsson, Kane.
Interesting read on today's game and a switch in tactics from AVB http://www.london24.com/sport/totte...nd_avb_s_left_with_plenty_to_ponder_1_1472055
Poor quality clip of the goal, plus some Villas-Boas comments about Modric, for good luck: [video=youtube;4AsfZD_Q3RU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4AsfZD_Q3RU[/video]
Friedel; Walker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Jenas, Livermore; Lennon, Sigurdsson, Bale; Defoe.
Hope not, that would mean no VDV, presumably. If we're going up there with JD as sole striker, can't see us getting anything anyway, be it VDV or Lennon.
I'd say Dawson and Kaboul will start against Newcastle. Jenas and Livermore are only auditioning for a place on the bench hopefully. Don't know why AVB's persisting with playing to proper passer in the centre mid two. Is Carroll or Hudd injured?
I think VDV is still injured. You'd think the team would be Beni Kaboul Vertonghen Walker Huddlestone/Carroll-Sandro Bale - Gylfi - Lennon Defoe I don't know what happens when VDV comes back, since both he and Gylfi need to start, I think. They're looking good, crisp passing in a way I haven't seen them this year --I was about to say, before two straight mistakes from Friedel...
How has Lennon not scored? Defoe's doing so much better up front on his own since 'Arry's left, I think it's helped him have someone more tactical coaching him.
"Spurs are absolutely vibrant" the commentator says. Best part is I don't have to care particularly if they score, since it's pre-season. ...And Valencia scores a screamer...
Dominated til they scored, then we looked susceptible at the back and lacking creativity in the middle, while also lacking bite up front. Rather predictable, considering the line-up. Not sure what Jenas is doing to warrant repeated selection and Livermore needs to be more aware of the threat of the counter. His main role should still be to offer protection for the back four, which may have prevented the goal, though his midfield partner was the nearest player.
Poor last 10/15 minutes. Jenas and Livermore have been very poor, not covering the fullbacks when they go forward, not taking it in turns close down and dropping back, leaving our defence in the **** a lot and the back 4 haven't been great defensively either. Problem up top seems to be a near flat 4 at times with no one harrassing the defence enough giving them time to pick a pass into the midfield bypassing them and with an ineffectual centre mid partnership giving them all the time and space they need. Oh and Benny is having a **** game too. I'm not being all doom and glood by the way, we played well in the first half hour but they learnt how to exploit us and we didn't react. Hoping to see Kaboul and Dawson/Caulker on in the 2nd half as well as Huddlestone and Bentley on the right.
This could well be what to expect, look full of energy and vibrant but not take chances or create enough, then we will tire and get hit on the counter, especially in the premier league with it being so fast paced. when will the first "avb out" article appear....august?
