Pretty good summary FML - especially what I've highlighted. I also feel a touch of reality is needed - not only are Spurs one of the league's top scorers (over 40), they also have the meanest defence and the best GD. I admit we made it easy for them and our 'Friend' in black didn't help matters. On a positive note, I thought Klose had a good game. Some comments from AN in the Daily Fail - Neil said: 'I asked Kevin about it after the game, but his response was sarcastic. He said: 'Yeah, it's my fault you've lost the game', which of course it wasn't. 'We lost because Spurs played better than us. But those decisions didn't help. 'I'm not one for complaining with referees. Sometimes you get the decisions, sometimes you don't. 'But the penalty was as soft as I've seen. Nobody appeals and all of a sudden he points to the spot. I don't think anyone was expecting it. 'The two have a coming together and the fact he sees that as a penalty is really disappointing. Neil said: 'I asked Kevin about it after the game, but his response was sarcastic. He said: 'Yeah, it's my fault you've lost the game', which of course it wasn't. 'We lost because Spurs played better than us. But those decisions didn't help. 'I'm not one for complaining with referees. Sometimes you get the decisions, sometimes you don't. 'But the penalty was as soft as I've seen. Nobody appeals and all of a sudden he points to the spot. I don't think anyone was expecting it. 'The two have a coming together and the fact he sees that as a penalty is really disappointing.
Morning Rob, Sorry for the rant last night but I'm in a dark place at the moment, I'd also had a few sherbets and that pretty pathetic showing from City last night was the proverbial 'straw that broke the camel's back' and I lost it.
Tell you what Rob, you've only hit it bang on the money I agree with every word fella, sadly I think we'll be in the minority on here, though of course that certainly don't mean we're wrong
No need for apologies KIO - Yes, Spurs were good, but our pathetic effort at making a game of it made them look world class. As I said, the officials didn't help and I lost count of the number of times we were caught offside. Edit - Might just go along to CR this evening to see the under 18s take on Boro in the youth cup - at least we should see the team in yellow and green play with some passion!!!
I'm in this camp- but couldn't be arsed to make the points - it's becomes too laborious and I've tried to stop knocking my head against brick walls
It's a bit early to start calling Pinto. He's played two games in a league he's not used two and against some very talented players. let's hope Rusty comes back so everyone can get on his back and leave Pinto alone!
Anyone else somewhat annoyed that the ref can get away with that kind of response? If Neil had sarcastically applauded the ref off the pitch and told him he'd cost Norwich the game, it's a safe bet that he'd have been on the receiving end of a disciplinary charge. Why should "Respect the officials" be a one way street?
No worries it wasn't taken personally mate! The one thing we can all agree on is it's not fun, and everyone needs to pull together and sort it out
Disgraceful comments from the ref. I don't know why a professional thinks they can respond like that. I've got lots of time for defending refs who have a tough job, but idiots like Friend really make it worse
Yet again, not one NCFC player put in a convincing display and I feel that's down to the players more so than the manager. Yes, I'm sure the Liverpool defeat must have dented their confidence, but we need a leader on the pitch who will actually lead by example and gee other players up.
Can we have a f*****g great big arrow painted on the pitch so Tettey knows which way is FORWARD. His first instinct is to play it back or sideways.
I agree with what Rob has said upto a point (highlighted red). But I don't think dreadful support of individuals is playing any real part in his decisions to rotate and change the team constantly. I really don't believe AN would be changing the team through fan pressure at all. If he were I'm fairly sure that RM would not have got the nod against Liverpoo. As effects, fan displeasure at any player is undesirable, but I would always say that it is an effect, almost always following a cause that is generally the player playing badly. I agree with you that Bennett has been pretty much as bad as both Martin or Bass but I actually don't think Martiin is the better option or player personnally. I think Bass is the best of the 3 individually, But there is only a fag paper between the 3 for me because none stand out from the others. I do think that Bass could use a rest. He's barely missed a game. I think each have strengths and weaknesses and depending on how we are going to play will dictate who the best options are. But I don't think Martin is in good form or can be carrying any great confidence so between that and Bass being tired/out of form/not much better anyway! I would try using Bennett with Klose. I maybe in the majority with this opinion (Or maybe not!) but that doesn't mean I'm wrong Bah! edit: By the way I am not advocating changing defensive personnel on agame by game basis when I say "depending on how we are going to play" I more meant how AN is setting the team up, high line - more pace, sit deep - more height for example. I actually think all three players can play well and keep clean sheets if played in a team that takes collective responsibility for keeping the oposition out, however AN still looks some way from striking any sort of good balance to this side.
The Times: “Ivo Pinto, who spent the evening demonstrating roughly the same positional awareness as a lasagne.”
Again I'm sure some folk will think I'm barmy, but from what I've seen so far - and it's not all been bad at all - Pinto doesn't look any better than Whittaker to me.
I should clarify what I said in an aggressive mood last night - I don't think Martin is a better CB than Bassong. In fact, Bassong on form is excellent, but he's been playing badly for ages. However, having seen Klose's style, I do think Martin would be a better pairing with him than Bassong, as that gives us both the dominance in the air and the mobility. The on thing about Martin is that he is pretty unshakeable, so despite his shocker against Liverpool I would think his confidence is not too bad - he's not like Bassong in temperament. Agreed, though it depends on your measure. Pinto's definitely quicker and his delivery (against Liverpool) was superb, but believe it or not I think he is actually defensively worse than Whittaker and if the Tottenham match is anything to go by, definitely worse at ball retention...
And none of our new signings or existing players have the; heart, drive and thunderous shot of Bradders Bah!
This is shocking from a ref who should be reported for that. Could you imagine Friend having said that to e.g. Fergie...Friend made some very biased calls last night and for him to respond to AN in the way he did further puts question marks against his sanity
Very grim reading - Paddy Davitt's player ratings from our game yesterday - Not too sure you can blame AN for that!!! Players should be getting scores of a minimum of 6 on a bad day and some should be getting 7 or 8!!!