I was there last night - thought we were pretty pants tbh. Gallas and BAE were the 2 worst players on the pitch easily - I keep forgetting who Basel's #22 was (Salva?) but he tore Benni apart every single time he ran at him. We're not out of it by any means but it's going to be tough without Bale and possibly Lennon. I can see it being quite an intimidating atmosphere at Basel too - their fans were crazy all match.
we've struggled to penetrate and have lacked creativity all season to be honest. But I wouldn't say we've been Boring. We've passed the ball around well and are admired my many football fans by our style. but its the lack of certain types of player and being so unbalanced like PNP has mentioned, which causes us to lack "oomph". Therefore we don't penetrate like we used to. However, we're always nervy... we're spurs FFS.
I don't think we can blame benny too much last night. He was just up against a quality player who gave him a very tough time. it doesn't happen too often. But Gallas should never have played. Caulker has got to be one of our "freshest" squad players. it seems like he hasn't really played much in the last month or two. - he should hve started over last night, IMO. Perhaps Daws for Verts too. Basel looked a really good outfit. But there's no way they'll hold on to the likes of Streller, Stocker and Salah, if their performing like that each week.
I watched the Spurs players reactions as they watched themselves on screen beating Swansea.They looked so happy.....then the game started! Perhaps they should watch us losing.Maybe this might motivate them.......
Does anyone know why this is? It's bloody annoying. Mohamed Salah. One to watch, I think. He's only 20. He's Egyptian and he's already got 19 caps and 11 goals for his country. Stocker was the other one who impressed me. He's only 23, too. Get on it, Levy!
A quick Google search reveals there has been a lot of complaints elsewhere about the positioning of the cameras. No clear explanation but some reasons are UEFA has instructed cameras on the lower galleys so the advertising boards can be seen better; and, ITV prefer to use the lower galleys although no reasons given, and finally, some even claim it's better for 3D viewing...although I'm not aware of any 3D footage being available. The UEFA instructions sound most plausible as that is the kind of ridiculous notion UEFA normally dictates!
Wouldn't it just be easier to tilt the hoardings at a more favourable angle for the cameras or is that too easy? If neutral fans are turning off because the view's so poor, then they'll get even less people getting a glimpse of their ads. As you say, pretty ludicrous.
Sorry but BAE was out of position too often(first goal an example). He wasn't his usual self-maybe not playing enough?
The correct answer is ITV are so low-rent they only have one camera of their own, whilst the cameras for close-ups and replays are from UEFA's feed.
I'm a fan of Assou-Ekotto, but he was awful and looked disinterested. Might be pissed of at Naughton taking his position and the speculation about him being replaced. Not going to help himself by playing like that, though. Is that serious?!
I'd agree with PNP. whilst I've never been as bigger fan as some here, Benny boy is not helping himself. I've had the feeling for sometime that AVB doesn't fancy him - or his laid back attitude. However, he obviously didn't fancy Dawson either but Daws got stuck in and changed his mind. It's up to Benny to do the same.
Benny is often caught out of position IMO. But he makes up for his errors in different ways, on the whole. Last night the little mistakes he made proved costly as his opposition player was very good making him seem poor. But credit needs to go to Salah, rather than too much of an attack on Benny. The attacker gave him a very tough game.
The whole defence was at sea last night and to be fair, Basel were impressive.....Benny didn't have a good game by any means, but wasn't directly responsible for either goal. Naughton on the other hand was abject at right back and lost his target for the 2nd goal. Gallas was crap and had he not gone off injured should have been taken off. Daws had one of his worst nights for some time. And whilst Friedel didn't do anything wrong - and pulled off a few decent saves - I think his lack of mobility causes consternation in those around him. Hence Verts looking decidedly unsettled..... It is good news that Gallas is now not an option for the next few games and hopefully Caulker will get a chance to continue his development. And Walker (despite his current failings) is still a better option than Naughton.
Quote Originally Posted by Barney'sowner 'But that is how it has been these past few months...surely Spurs can't get any worst?' Spurs tend to pass it stylishly. Most of our wins, though, have been the result of some combination of hard work and pressing, a bit of luck, a shoot first and ask questions later policy, and Defoe and Bale's hot streaks. But there have been moments: twenty minutes last night, twenty against Swansea and Man U, the whole first game against Inter--when the team has played brilliantly, maybe even better than last year. Of course, we've also looked awful at times, disorganized, nervy and/or tired. Also, I'm glad others feel as I do about booing players. Surely this is a time for everyone to pull together and do what they can to help. Incidentally, Adebayor has got two in four games, the first one of which got us through against Inter. (I know--now we wish we were out...) I thought he did well to score last night, knocking a ball in from head level while grazing the chin of a Basel player.
Yes, Naughton looked completely out of his depth the other night. That may of course, ironically, be because he was being played out of his usual position!
Could the defence problems come from Gallas? Don't get me wrong, I've a lot of respect for his experience and wonder if some coaching role can be found for him, but I think his time as a first team player is almost up, if not completely up. Both Verts and Daws looked poor, but both were playing alongside him, and to a certain extent without our new sweeper (Lloris!) I suspect the defence will look more solid tomorrow, regardless of who plays (famous last words!)
I personally think we can be a little boring with a rare 20 mins of quality. As you said our style is more about pressing , and hard work but it's not pretty. With a central midfield that are good at those last two points but offer so little in the creative department I find it hard to enjoy. If the results had been not good and we were sitting in mid table we would all be revolting. Also watching striker's in the class of PC Plod is not easy on the eye. Our recently regained reputation for good football was built over the last few years with our swashbuckling swagger . The destruction of Newcastle last season has not been bettered in style terms but all good things come to an end. We are living on last's year cavalier performances , not on what we are seeing know.
I certainly wouldn't disagree about Gallas. Great player that he was, he is unfortunately way past his sell by date. He really should be pensioned off before he becomes more of a liability than an asset. Vertonghen is a class act. Unfortunately, he can't hold the entire defence together on his own. Which he's sometimes looked like trying to do.
Have to agree with the last 2 post's,playing a high line,Gallas does'nt have pace anymore,at his age,Daw's also lacks in that department.which is why i'd like to see Verts with either Caulker of Kaboul alongside him
