COLUMNIST KEN BUCKLEY
From My Seat: Tottenham Hotspur (A)
Comments (23) : In a game that never hit the heights, compared with Monday's JJB hapless display, this was like watching Brazil.
The first half hour was much of a stalemate with neither keeper unduly troubled but it did have moments, the worst of which was the Yak limping off in what is now known to be a shocker of an injury. He was replaced by Saha who had himself been an injury doubt.
Light relief was provided by Ossie who on having his run to close down the keeper blatently baulked by Zakora he barged him not once but twice in good WWF style. The ref had just a word with both players but anywhere else on the field blatent blocking is a foul but never in the penalty area ? why?
The final quarter of the half livened up a little with Howard making a good, confident catch from a deep Bentley cross then a good run and cross by Fellaini just evaded the toe of the on-rushing Osman from which Spurs broke straight down field and Lennon, when well placed, fired high over the bar.
Then it was our turn. Fellaini broke from midfield and from the edge of the box hit a fierce shot that the keeper parried back into play and between them Neville and Osman somehow managed to get the ball back to Fellaini whose strike was fumbled for a corner by the keeper.
Then it was their turn again as Pavlyuchenko stepped over the ball leaving Bent free but he put his shot straight at Howard. Just before the interval Saha had a glorious headed chance which he put straight at the keeper ? a yard either side and it was a goal.
Half-time and I had been heartened by the performance and the fact we were looking the better team.
After Monday I couldn't help wondering what effect it might have on us should they get a goal early. I needn't have worried as Osman had the first shot of the half ? well over ? then the Spurs leftback drilled one with some venom just over.
We then broke with Pienaar who was brought down by Lennon. Arteta took a quick one catching Spurs cold and Pienaar hared into the box, 'let fly' and saw a lucky deflection take the ball past the keeper and the roof came off. Pienaar's shirt came off to reveal a T-shirt proclaiming 'God is great' ? "might be able to get him on loan," was one wag's take.
The half carried on in similar fashion to the first they had breaks we had breaks. Pavlyuchenko put one over from a well worked free kick, then from good Blues build up Pienaar stung the keepers hands.
We looked the more composed team with Jags marshelling the back four well Spurs were running out of ideas so Appy Arry hauled off Bent and sent on Campbell ? it made little difference.
The Blues recieved another cruel blow on the 70min mark with Saha who had looked lively being stretchered off. This saw our third striker of the afternoon, Big Vic... with the injuries to Yak Vaughan and Saha, he is likely to get a Big Chance.
Tim Howard proved his worth again by turning a point blank poke from Pavlyuchenko for a corner at his near post. Such was our dogged dominance Spurs pushed two more subs on in quick succession but to little effect. Seeing SIX minutes of overtime put up brought some apprehension from the faithful and the team dropped ever deeper as Spurs had one last hurrah.
The mighty Jags and his team-mates stood firm and really the six minutes went quite quickly. Final whistle, fans and players celebrated, Moyes's name had been sung out again, and many of us wondered was that the same team we saw at Wigan.
Overall I thought we deserved to win as we had looked a more composed outfit than Spurs which was much to do with our team formation today. Whether is was by design, accident or just forced on us due to squad shortage, it sure worked and that was as balanced a performance as I have seen all season. It could be described as 4-5-1 but I thought it was more fluid than that with players dovetailing well.
If we are lucky enough to keep the majority of that team fit and available and they get more used to the system and their positions and jobs within it then a high finish just might be possible. No doubt we will have this system at home to so I think players and fans may have to be more patient as it seems essentially a counter attacking system.
On considering a man of the match I thought all did much better today but on reflecting I thought Jags or Howard and if the rest can get up to their consistancy then so much the better.
Villa next up; always a hard one to call. I am still getting over Paul Merson sending me home less than sparkling on a bonfire night.
See you there.
UP THE BLUES
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There?s an Argentinean on loan at Old Trafford, who may have to go because he was told by his National coach that, to be considered for the National side, he must get regular first-team football, at least until the end of the season in the Premier League.
Just by coincidence, Yakubu was injured on Sunday and we learned that he will likely be out for the rest of the season..... Hmm.
And with all the sadness and trauma going on at the moment, it is worth reflecting on the death of a very important person, which almost went unnoticed las week. Putting Football into its true perspective.
Larry LaPrise, the man who wrote Hokey Kokey, died peacefully in his sleep, at the age of 93.
The most traumatic part for his family, they said, was before the funeral, getting him into his coffin. They put his left leg in... and that's when all the fucking trouble started.
I would like to see Arteta ? I have to admit I have been one of his detractors this season ? play more in the middle. He really can influence a game. Once again, Jagielka was SUPERB! He is developing into an excellent leader on the pitch.
The past 7 games have seen us concede 4 goals, which is a lot better than it was earlier in the season, I think this is down to the return to confidence of Tim Howard, who is now at the top of his game. A confident keeper results in a confident back four and we are now finally seeing the back five play like they were last year. Finally let's just hope we can keep Peanuts fit... god we've missed him!!!
That aside, you could see how much better we are when we play football. I also thought Saha was superb when he came on, but it's a real shame that he?s injured, and that Yak is out for the season and possibly Vaughan, we now desperately need a forward. It?s a real shame because it?s a downer on what was not only a fantastic result but a fantastic performance. I just hope that the farcical performance at Wigan has finally FINALLY woken up Moyes because this was far better, and indeed the best performance we?ve jad all season, in fact maybe for a few years. Long may this continue. COYB FTRS
Kevan Currie, I?m not sure what you were saying in your posting but thanks for giving me a good laugh this morning ? scouse humour!! I miss it here.
COYB
COYB
Because the first draw or deafeat and TW will be flooded with "I cant stand this negative, boring defensive shit anymore". You see it's not that easy, for me with the players we have 4-5-1 is our best formation, but the others wants to be entertained and 4-4-2 although neither Arsenal, nor Chelsea nor Man U play that way.
Secondly, it?s 4-4-2 which is passe now, not variants of 4-5-1 (another being playing two holding players in front of the defence). Those more knowledgeable than me can say which of the top European teams are currently playing 4-4-2 (I don?t think many).
The key principles behind 4-5-1 are that the days of big lumbering centre forwards up front are over; and that defences need expert cover in front of them. Hence the birth of the Torres type striker and the Makele type midfielder.
You need a mobile front man, supported by attacking midfielders breaking into (undefended) space when on the attack, and then covering back to defend when the opposition is attacking. Moyes lost the courage of his own convictions by going 4-4-2. And also took a step backwards in tactical sophistication. Let?s hope he sticks by 4-5-1 from now on.
Pienaar wide gave us balance and getting Osman out of the minefield in the middle also helped. But the real beneficiary was Fellaini who played his best game for us, knowing that Arteta was of the same mindframe of keeping it on the deck and trying to play football.
Can we keep it going is the $64,000 question. I hope so, but I have a feeling that when we will get put under the cosh (maybe AV or Chelsea) then Moyes and Co will push Arteta out wide again.
Great performance from the lads. It is a shame about Yak, but maybe it?s not as bad as it seems. We will miss him and it is a blow, but maybe we can cope. Victor has looked good recently and with Cahill behind him, and Arteta, Pienaar, Osman, and Fellaini all attacking players, they might do okay. Plus Saha will be back soon, we have Baxter as back up, and we may get a loan signing. So hopefully we can get through it.
We also need to remember that the Yak hasn?t been scoring at all lately, so on recent evidence we won?t be doing without a goal input from him.
As regards to the 4-5-1, I agree with Neil Pearse. People always talk about having 1 up front is negative, but with someone behind (Cahill) and with our midfielders being very attack minded, it can often end up being very positive.
Here?s hoping we can get a home win, I only ever seems to see us win away from home lately! COYB.
4-5-1 is fine away from home or even at home if you play with genuine width which we dont really do we.
Fact is we are shite to watch and have been for years (I grant you the exception of 3-4 good months last winter). Most of you are too easily pleased we have one won one home game this season it's December!
Before the blue tinted glasses brigade start attacking me for being negative, it is because Everton are so negative and dull I feel this way. Of course we will miss Yakubu over the course of the season he is a proven goal scorer.
Defending is also a problem with 4 in the middle as Fellaini is to slow to close down and clumsy in the tackle. Lescott needs more protection at the moment and is also helped by this system.This site is all about opinions and as you said you like the 5 in the middle so I?m not trying to convince you. We haven?t had a good pairing up front since Sharp and Heath. Cambell and Jeffers looked like they had the makings.
Anyway, let's hope we get playing decent football and come through this difficult period. Let's wish Vaughan and the Yak all the best.
ps: Is Haslebaink too old? I don?t think he has a club. Just a thought.
Injury to the Yak is a blow but we have not fed the big guy this season and he has spent far too much time doing what AJ had to do, run the channels and make crosses.. bloody daft. Saha, if he can stay fit, is worth his place anyday. Arteta in the middle, he loooks more effective there, but then he has looked poor out wide... so a tactical shake up because of injury is not a bad thing, Cahill up front in the next game? Hard to see just Victor in the middle up front...
Well done Blues, and to Moyes, pulled it out of the bag, don?t let up
On Sunday we played a 4-1-4-1 with 5 attacking midfielders, what?s negative about that? Our DM (Arteta) is a passer and can pull the strings, two box-to-box midfielders in front of him and two wide players who drift everywhere.
We simply don't have the midfield to play 4-4-2 and to be honest it wouldn't improve our football having four in midfield and two strikers.
Very few teams are playing now without a holding defensive midfielder, and very few with two central strikers. The old 4-4-2 is just too inflexible to break down modern defences and to provide enough cover when being attacked.
Our problem (still) is that we didn’t replace Carsley. If we had, 4-1-3-1-1 would be a great system for us. As it is, the experiment of having Arteta as the holding player looks well worth continuing.
You’re still getting a laugh mate!!
It was the best we?ve played this season apart from Boro at home.
Anyone notice the way Villa played at home to Fulham, with Barry and Sidwell breaking from midfield, Petrov sitting deeper and Agbonlahor creating space as the loan striker. The midfield at Spurs was set up in a similar way with Arteta in the Petrov role (almost quarter-backish) and Fellaini and Cahill breaking from midfield. I think that was the key and we looked most dangerous on the counter when big Vic came on with his pace and strength. It will be interesting to see if Moyes plays the same system against Villa (although if Villa do the same it may lead to a very tight game and possibly a 0-0 draw). I think we may nick it by the odd goal.
COYB
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1 Posted 01/12/2008 at 21:29:40
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This was possibly the best performance of the season, because it was a 90 min performance. Our defence was tight throughout. We had a composure and calmness I had not witnessed since last season. I cannot understand how we can play dogshite versus Wigan and then this game. That?s the mystery that is Everton I suppose.