What use are Defoe and Lennon on defending set-pieces? It doesn't even make sense numerically, as the opposition would have to leave extra men back to compensate for their pace. They're both midgets and our winger's most recent contribution was to boot the ball off Bale's face and into his own net.
Exactly - if a loose ball finds its way to Lennon at the edge of the area, that's a quick counter attack waiting to happen.
Seems like we're a little more solid this year, for whatever my overall impression is worth. I swear we've been much better at scoring from set pieces--anyone have the stats for that? Anyway, we look downright dangerous from them, and it's made a huge difference. So I'm inclined to say AVB deserves credit for the improvement. It hasn't hurt that most of the new additions are dangerous in the air and/or from free kicks (Caulker, Vertonghen, Dempsey and Gylfi).
Stoke City midfielder Charlie Adam will reportedly miss this weekend's match with Tottenham Hotspur following the death of his father. Charlie Adam senior, who was also a professional footballer, was found hanged at his home in Scotland on Wednesday aged 50. Adam, 27, is now expected to sit out the encounter as he takes compassionate leave, according to The Sun. Stoke travel to White Hart Lane in the Premier League on Saturday. Awful awful news. My thoughts go out to his him and his family at this sad time. And just before Christmas.... Jeez.
In spite of the way he plays. Terribly tragic my sympathies to his family. On the match a cold winters afternoon is not the best time to play Stoke,but as Bale is fit I think we will have a little too much for them- a narrow victory.
still, at least it's 2. we'd be buggered with defoe playing the lone role. he'd just be completely outmarked.
N'Zonzi with a clear hold on Dembele, then goes down and swings an elbow, catching the Belgian in the mouth. Mason gives nothing at all.
Everton score and it's apparently disallowed for no reason. West Ham go straight up the other end and take the lead.
