To apply the same logic for Sandro to Dawson, he doesn't play for England so by that logic we'd be better off with Cahill or Jagielka or Hell even Caulker got in the squad more recently. I'd be careful about declaring victory on anything in football, we're all entitled to opinions and things are rarely black and white. I find it's best to respect that, particularly amongst your own fans.
I don't mind JPG at all, I just don't agree with him on Sandro. I also don't agree by the way that a comparison between sandro and paulinho is meaningless. They may not be exactly the same midfielder, but there are only so many players who can fit in the midfield. My point is that I would pick Sandro before any of the others, and that is a perfectly reasonable point. I also disagree with spurm about him being a month away from match fitness. He played 90 minutes last week and was charging around like a man possessed at the end of the game. He is ready to start now.
"it's a squad game, nobody should play every game" The supporters seem to be finding this concept even more difficult to grasp than the players do.
This isn't the right attitude, you need to be cautious about ACLs, get it wrong and we'll have a Michael Owen on our hands.
When Capoue is back, he'll play a lot of games, as will Sandro. Paulinho will be properly rested to keep fresh, that's what's great about signing so many players, they can all be rested/rotated. We've seen enough running out of steam at the end of seasons. Holtby is looking great and will be able to rotate with Eriksen and Siggy/Lamela/Townsend/Chadli can all be played selectively, depending on opposition, same with Soldado/Defoe. Haven't seen Chiriches yet, but hopefully centre back positions now have 4 top class players. It's really only full backs where we are a little light.
It appears that the physios are trying to get Sandro and Kaboul back into the PL fold at as leisurely a pace as the fixture schedules and other player injuries allow. If so, I for one am happy for this to happen. Rushing players back into the fold when not 100% ready (Bale on a couple of occasions etc) is something a squad with more breadth/depth should not have to suffer all the time.
I'm happy for that too but they've both had pretty much a full preseason and have played in the Europa League to get up to scratch. I'm not really that bothered about when Kaboul comes into the first 11 for a Premier League match but it's bothering me with Sandro, there's nothing more he can do to prove he's ready. If he doesn't start against Chelsea I'll be really disappointed, unless he plays against Villa and has a 'mare.
Tuesday will be an acid test for Sandro. If he starts and plays most of the game against Villa, then the physios probably think he is PL ready. The next non-PL game will be against Anzhi a week later, and their level should be akin to PL opposition. There are no other regular 'lesser' games after then, until the end of October.
No personal insults please, everyone. As for Sandro v Paulinho, I think that's Brazil's central midfield, when fit. Similar age, similar amount of caps and bloody intimidating for the opposition. I see the competition for places in those two roles as a big plus. The fact that we lost Capoue and were able to rotate 3 player in those position anyway was extremely important. If we can get the Frenchman back to full fitness quickly, then crappy away games in Moldova and Dagestan shouldn't drain our resources too badly. Getting Lennon, Chadli, Adebayor and Rose into contention will be equally helpful. Such losses would decimate a lot of other sides.
A view from someone with feet in both camps. I don't usually enjoy Spurs v Cardiff but did yesterday even though the end result went against my home team. Apart from Naughton and, to a degree, Lloris I thought the rest of the team had overall good games although went off the boil a bit in the last 20 minutes until the goal. I don't think I have ever heard so much respect from the Cardiff fans around me for an opposing team performance. Going forward Spurs did not have an obvious weakness and we didn't know where the next attack would come from. Until the very last minute we were marvelling at Marshall's ability to keep out everything thrown at him. The one thing I think is missing - which will help Soldado increase his goals tally - is Aaron Lennon. Both Sigurdsson and Townsend invariably looked to cut inside and, as a result, there was little coming in from the bye line for Soldada to get on the end of, unless the full back pushed on which limited Naughton being a right footed left back. Once you get Lennon back and he starts tearing full backs apart down the outside right and driving in low, hard crosses Soldado will be regularly on the score sheet. As a case in point while not pure wing play, the goal came from Lamela getting to the line (more or less) and putting a great ball into the danger area. Best start to the season by Spurs in many years and maybe with a little tinkering in the new year I believe you will be a bolt on for top 4 and pushing at the top places as well.
Cheers, Blue. MOTD highlights: [video=dailymotion;x1511yr]http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1511yr_cardiff-vs-tottenham-0-1-motd_sport[/video]
I've having trouble finding an English version of the game. Russian? No problem. English... Well, RebornHD says he's released a copy but there are no links outside of his network and I'm reluctant to join it.
Hooray. My computer crashed as Paulinho put the ball in the net, didn't get to see the replays or 'analysis'
I had a look yesterday and saw Townsend's up there in the top 5 in Europe for successful dribbles per game. Messi and Ribery were amongst those above him so he's in some good company.
He had the most in the entire prem last year, in 11 games. Do messi and ribery end by blazing an overly ambitious shot over the bar each time?
I think Townsend's shot accuracy is pretty decent actually, especially as he hits them from quite far out. He does it far too often though, unfortunately. Needs to spend a little more time looking for the final ball and less looking for glory.
No but Townsend isn't worth over £100mill either He definitely needs to stop shooting so much though.
