A solid display from Spurs today, without being spectacular against an ordinary looking Watford side. This game proved that pre-season games and testimonial games, are not the best adverts for our beautiful game and if truth be told, the vast majority of us in the crowd had a Sunday afternoon snooze throughout an uninspiring first 45 minutes. At this stage of our preparation fior the new season, I had expected to see us further forward, but the likes of Tom Huddlestone and to a certain extent Aaaron Lennon, look far from ready for the big kick off in two weeks time. Watford, whose first competitive game is in 6 days time in the Carling Cup, offered little threat, and whilst pre-season results mean little, I would have been well peed off if we hadn't won this game. That we did, was down to some good footwork and individual skill from Kyle Walker, whose perfectly flighted cross was placed dead in the centre of Defoe's forehead and he powered his header in. Walker had replaced a largely inefective Kyle Naughton who, if he stays with us, seems destined for a season on the bench. Watford flooded teh midfield and we retreated, with little signs of AVB's famous high line being employed, indeed when Kaboul and Gallas were together, we defended deep at times, preferring the slow short passing build up from the back. Once again Andros Townsend impressed, and given the amount of football Bale will play this season, I would have liked to have seen Andros given longer in this game as he didn't replace Bale until the 70 minute mark. As mentioned earlier, the first half was poor, played at walking pace and with a midfield including Livermore and Jenas, we really should have imposed ourselves more on the game than we did. Fortunately, we did get going in the second half, Walker made a difference, Vertonghen likes to move the ball forward quickly and Gilfi once again shows he has quality in abundance. I guess from a coach's point of view, this was another win, a clean sheet, more minutes playing time for a lot of players, so positives will be taken from this, but I do feel the commonly felt desire to see new strikers bought in, was highlighted again today. We do look weak up front and that is a concern.
Thanks Spurcat I didn't see any of the game as I was watching the Olympics. I posted a link to an article on the game in the preseason thread that suggested we went 433 instead of the 4231/4411 we've been playing up until now. Do you think that was the case or were our wingers just being lazy and not tracking back? Not surprised to hear Lennon's still not looking ready, on the US tour he looked a bit slow to me which isn't something I've said about him before. Glad to hear Walker had a good game, he's another who looked rusty on the tour.
I've just seen that YV, and whilst I agree with the bulk of that report, for me we were still a 4231. We allowed ourselves to be pushed back far too often for my liking and it became a lazy display and at times sloppy. Bale, Jenas, Huddlestone, all like to get forward and their natural game is to do so, but really only Bale of those 3, got into the final third today. In truth it was a dire game with little atmosphere.
Completely agree. I also think AVB is unwise to think 3 strikers is enough as was quoted as saying recently. Defoe has an indifferent couple of seasons, Kane at this moment in time, is no better than Championship level, and Coulibaly is nowhere near ready, and of course the Adebayor saga continues.
Cheers, Spurcat. What have we got left in terms of preseason games? It'd be nice to see at least half a game where we look to have our strongest team out before the season starts.
We're away in Spain on Thursday YV, and as far as I am aware, that's it for this pre-season. In a normal pre-season, we would have had a home game a week before the 1st day, but because of the Olympics and then the Para Olympics, we can't do that. Don't forget, the players disappear after this coming weekend for International duty, so I hope/guess we get to see AVB's preferred line-up this coming Thursday
Forgot about that international break. I assumed the Spurs site hadn't updated for a couple of friendlies when I saw our preseason games finished so early.
You're quite right to have doubts about the official Spurs site, it's appalling at times. I just "love" the way they promote how great the Spurs xi side are because they beat Northampton yesterday, yet conveniently omit to report that the very same side got stuffed 5-0 by Middlesbrough in Spain a week ago,.
