Match Thread: Tottenham Hotspur vs Aalborg

[Neil_Vaughan]

Talk about the game in here before, during and after.

[LifeTimeYido]

Its in the Bag..

3-0 to the mighty Spurs !!

[Spur]

They have to be demolished.

[SurreySpur]

Id be tempted to start Jermain Defoe in this game and let him regain a bit of confidence after his miss yesterday. The same goes for Darren Bent, i'd like to see him get at least 30mins or so.

this has to be a thumping win....i'm going to go for 7-0.

[gazzaG8]

Should be a comfortable victory by a thumping margin

[MiloMinderbinder]

You've all got v.short memories, remember your predictions vs. Getafe?

1 - 0 to Spurs in a tight encounter.

[Spur]

You've all got v.short memories, remember your predictions vs. Getafe?

1 - 0 to Spurs in a tight encounter.

Times have changed.

This is a team we should murder.

[choda]

4-0. Bent scores and whoever he plays with. Jenas scores too.

[Keanoldinho]

You've all got v.short memories, remember your predictions vs. Getafe?

1 - 0 to Spurs in a tight encounter.


Getafe are alot better than this team Aalborg. Getafe are a La Liga side I always new it would be a hard game but Aalborg are a crappy little team in a crappy little league so I'm expecting us to slaughter them at the very least 3-0.

[irishspur]

at least 4nil and a bent hat-trick.

[spurs61]

You've all got v.short memories, remember your predictions vs. Getafe?

1 - 0 to Spurs in a tight encounter.

Didn't this lot beat Samp earlier this season? I'm guessing they're no pushovers. I'd take a single goal victory and a good performance.

[Spur]

They are from Denmark ffs. I can't believe we have lowered ourselves so badly.

I never thought i'd fear the day we played Aalborg. Whoever the **** they are.

If we concede i'll cry, and if we score less than 9 i'll cry.

[berbzy 'G']

I'm going for 7 0... :)

YID-ARMY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[DiamondGeezer]

going 2-0

this is spurs lads

[MiloMinderbinder]

They are from Denmark ffs. I can't believe we have lowered ourselves so badly.

I never thought i'd fear the day we played Aalborg. Whoever the **** they are.

If we concede i'll cry, and if we score less than 9 i'll cry.

Better get your Kleenex handy then. 9 goals Jesus wept!

I do love a bit of jingosim, "I've never heard of them, they're foreign they must be shit"

And of course, England won't lose to any Johnny Foreigner, never ever ever coz we're the mighty England; 10 Germans, 15 Swiss, 100 French and any number of Arabs........

[berbzy 'G']

we should make it 2 wins in a row this week with Aalborg and Birmingham shitty... :)

[Spur]

Better get your Kleenex handy then. 9 goals Jesus wept!

I do love a bit of jingosim, "I've never heard of them, they're foreign they must be shit"

And of course, England won't lose to any Johnny Foreigner, never ever ever coz we're the mighty England; 10 Germans, 15 Swiss, 100 French and any number of Arabs........

This is no blind jingoism. This is one of those times when you only have to look at who's playing to know we should wipte the floor with them. Several times over.

I mean, Dimitar Berbatov against... erm exactly who do they have? It was like when we drew against the Cypriots, their most well known and best player was their manager retired for a while.

And despite hearing of Aalborg or not (which of course I have :cool: ) when compared to Spurs they are nothing. Just nothing. Good luck to them n'all that, hope they have a great history and proud tradition as we do. But we come from the supposed best league in the world and if we can only draw 1-1 with a bunch of half-time footballers from Cyprus or struggle to a one nil win over a Danish side then we're in trouble.

Not jingoism in the slightest.

[berbzy 'G']

This is no blind jingoism. This is one of those times when you only have to look at who's playing to know we should wipte the floor with them. Several times over.

I mean, Dimitar Berbatov against... erm exactly who do they have? It was like when we drew against the Cypriots, their most well known and best player was their manager retired for a while.

And despite hearing of Aalborg or not (which of course I have :cool: ) when compared to Spurs they are nothing. Just nothing. Good luck to them n'all that, hope they have a great history and proud tradition as we do. But we come from the supposed best league in the world and if we can only draw 1-1 with a bunch of half-time footballers from Cyprus or struggle to a one nil win over a Danish side then we're in trouble.

Not jingoism in the slightest.

One thing we should keep in mind is that they are second in their home league... Only of the top of the league by goal difference... Also managed to get a draw against Anderlecht too... But there is know excuses for us not to beat them...

Yeah, that was very worrying, I understand that we were away, But from Spurs point of view we should of atleast won 1 0 or 2 0 minimum :confused:

[hodgy]

gonna stick my neck out. 3-1 and zokora to notch his first goal.

[shakey18]

I think an early goal would help things.If we do, i'm going for a 4-0 win.

[singapore spur]

I think an early goal would help things.If we do, i'm going for a 4-0 win.


6-1 FACT .

[Keanoldinho]

Getting close to kick-off and the more I learn about this little Danish team the more I think they're pretty decent BUT we still better trounce them like chelski did Rosenborg yesterday. We're at home and this is literally a must win game to keep our UEFA Cup ambitions moving in the right direction. Luckily for me it's live on FSC so I'll get to watch it.:D

[Keanoldinho]

Tottenham

Paul Robinson
Young-Pyo Lee
Gareth Bale
Michael Dawson
Pascal Chimbonda
Steed Malbranque
Didier Zokora
Jermaine Jenas
Aaron Lennon
Dimitar Berbatov
Robbie Keane

Substitutes
Darren Bent, Tom Huddlestone, Adel Taarabt, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Paul Stalteri, Teemu Tainio, Radek Cerny,


Taarabt on the bench with Boateng and the Hudd. Plenty of pace in defence with Chimbo, Bale, and Lee I think that's the way it should stay until we get King back or some experienced CB in January as Kaboul is fast becoming a liability. COYS

[irishspur]

come on lads.

[Keanoldinho]

heres the team.............

robbo
lee daws chimbo bale

lennon jj zokora steed

berbs keano.

COYS!:cool:



beat ya to it and I even got the subs in to:p

[choda]

Tottenham

Paul Robinson
Young-Pyo Lee
Gareth Bale
Michael Dawson
Pascal Chimbonda
Steed Malbranque
Didier Zokora
Jermaine Jenas
Aaron Lennon
Dimitar Berbatov
Robbie Keane

Substitutes
Darren Bent, Tom Huddlestone, Adel Taarabt, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Paul Stalteri, Teemu Tainio, Radek Cerny,


Taarabt on the bench with Boateng and the Hudd. Plenty of pace in defence with Chimbo, Bale, and Lee I think that's the way it should stay until we get King back or some experienced CB in January as Kaboul is fast becoming a liability. COYS

Nice squad. I predict the fullbacks will be excellent. Both will like to get forward and will be on their correct foot.

And I can't wait to see Taara under Ramos.

I also expect the usual sublime touches, link up and movement from the front two.

[Keanoldinho]

Yeah I hope Taara gets about 30 minutes at the end so we can watch him slaughter their defence, they probably won't have a clue what's about to happen to them if he gets a run out. Ok lads I'm off down stairs to watch the match be back at half time hopefully we'll be winning about 2 or 3 nil by then.


COYS

[\jackdaw]

Mmmmm here we go again...

[MarlowSpurs]

What the **** .................. I pop out for 5 mins and we are 0-1 down

[shakey18]

****s sake sort it out

[denis-cro]

lee is ****ing useless...

[denis-cro]

This is crap...our midfield doesn´ t exist...

[wayne wonder]

Midfield whats that then?? im sure only bale's playing:confused:

I wish Lennon could actually cross a ball

[wayne wonder]

How the hell can Lee be 10x worse on his actual naural side??????:o

[shakey18]

****in shit

[MarlowSpurs]

****in shit

Double ****ing shit

[shakey18]

...and it's ****in Chimbonda, not Chimbomba pleat you ****

[denis-cro]

Berbatov is a joke... Zokora ???? Does he play actually ?? Dawson is ****ing terrible ...

[corkspur]

What a load of old shit,do any of our guys look like they give a ****??? NO!! We are being ripped apart by these danish ****ers.

[shakey18]

6-1 FACT .

really.....:rolleyes:

[Baleinho]

daws is playin like a ****ing useless ****...

get rid of the prick- ive seen league 2 defenders do better.

Ramos better pull out some magic here.

[LifeTimeYido]

The total cost of thier squad is £100,000

Im wondering if ours is worth 1/2 that atm..

[berbzy 'G']

****ing useless!!!

[corkspur]

Got to go 3 at the back,off with lee and zakora and bring on bent an adel.we could get a bigger hiding here than 2-0.why cant any of our players shoot from distance?they are trying to walk the ****ing ball in to the net!DISGUSTED!!!

[Keanoldinho]

well that was a bloody awful piss poor performance. Bale and Jenas are the only players playing anywere near an acceptable level our defence is crap Daws looks like a Championship level player who doesn't understand the concept of closing a man down Chimbo can't defend and Lee is lacking match practice and looking like a LB playing on the wrong side. **** me Ramos has his work cut out for him dealing with this lot of shoddy bastards.

Anyway I predict we'll come out and score 4 in the second half COYBastardsS

[denis-cro]

This 1st half was the worst Spurs performance this season ... ****ing terrible...absolutely clueless on the pitch... Now let´s see what is Ramos capable of ?? This is the real test !!

[shakey18]

Basics again.No closing down, no marking, no support.A barrel full of wank.

[LEEBOYSPUR]

..how bad we look. No cohesion. Aalborg are comprehensively good for their lead, and it should be more.

Defensively we are a mess. We are letting them play in front of us with ease (viz first goal). Dawson needs an old head next to him because he looks lost. If King is going to be a 10 game a season player, we depserately need a quality CB and quick. Lee has been dire - he lets the ball go over his head constantly and then tries to make up lost ground. he was at fault for second and almost for a third straight after.

Midfield, they are playingthrough us with ease. Conversely we play it sideways, and by the time it is wide, they are all behind the ball. Zokora's first instinct is sideways, and then backwards. Only Jenas shows any imagination.

The forwards have precius little chance. Berbatov is a shocking shadow of last season, particularly in Europe, where he would have done this side on his own. Lennon gives it away too much and has acquired a nasty habit of coming inside at every opportunity and running into trouble, as well as losing the ball in key areas.

Overall, we look worringly fragile against a compact but hardly world-beating side.

Berbatov off for Bent. Taarabt on for Lennon.

I second Shakey's comment about Pleat - the man is supposed to be Spurs, and is paid to blather on, so the least he can do is pronounce the players correctly - Chimbomba, Malbrank etc. ******.

Depressing, and I can't see us getting out.....

What price the arroganant score predictions voiced earlier in this thread...


Time for Ramos to prove his vaunted reputation and earn his salary.:(

[denis-cro]

Time for Ramos to prove his vaunted reputation and earn his salary.:(

ditto.....

[Keanoldinho]

you lot think Pleat is bad I'm stuck listening to a yankie **** called max bretos who knows sweet **** all about football and continually gets the player on the ball mixed up with others. The combination of him commentating and our performance almost has me in tears my eyes and ears will never recover

[wayne wonder]

I'm ****ed off!!

Right get 3 at the back take lee off and escort him out the ground with zokora and shoot them!!

3 at the back get adel and bent on and stick lennon somewhere where he cant cause any harm we need to start picking up that johannsen


OH MY ****ING GOD he's took Jenas off?? i dont like the fella but he's been our best player in the last 2 and a 1/2 games

[LEEBOYSPUR]

Jenas (?) and Lee off, Bent and Hudd on

[shakey18]

you lot think Pleat is bad I'm stuck listening to a yankie **** called max bretos who knows sweet **** all about football and continually gets the player on the ball mixed up with others. The combination of him commentating and our performance almost has me in tears my eyes and ears will never recover

He's a ****in WWE wrestling bloke!!.You poor bastard!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Bretos

[shakey18]

Getin!!-Great ball Hudds

[peterc]

Come on Spurs, Berba and it's there, lets go lily whites.

[Chewy]

Get in berbatov!!!

[shakey18]

****in yes!!! STTTTTEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD!!!

[peterc]

Come on you whitesssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssssss.

[shakey18]

I think me and this bloke Ramos are gonna get on.......

[wayne wonder]

He needs to get a whole new back for or maybe 3 because we play better with 3 at the back

[shakey18]

Geddin Dazza!!!

[wayne wonder]

......................speechless:eek:

[wayne wonder]

I love Boateng he's a big ****er and gets stuck in love it!!

Bale is a legend in the making if he carrie on like this!!!


Steed **** sake man :mad:

[shakey18]

Good 2nd half boys.When we're in the shit we no longer look clueless.Ramos will even take the likes of Jenas off, and change the shape of the team.The man impresses me more by the game.

[berbzy 'G']

We still shouldn't be conceding 2 goals against these nobodys... The defenders were much better in the second half, But we shouldn't of even really let them in our penalty more than twice...

:(

[LEEBOYSPUR]

thank **** for that.

Ramos has earned his money. Brilliant.

The new sans Berbatov line-up tonight possibly.

Kevin Prince-Boateng? What an enigma. Seems one-footed, but likes a tackle. Has crack too.....

Hudd did well. If he stays off the McMuffins, he'll be the anchor. Got a touch and range like a prototype Hodd.

[denis-cro]

Zokora played very well as a CB. Ramos should understand that Chimbonda is only effective as a RB. So no more putting him in the center of the defense, cause our alternate RB ( Lee and stalteri ) are ****ing useless !!!!!!!!
Still, we are making many individual mistakes, and we should be far more clinical.
I´ m delighted with Steed´s hard work on the pitch, but FFS how can he miss that chance ???
And Bale ...ABSOLUTE BEAUTY !!! :) well done for him...
As for Birmingham match on Sunday, I´ll go with Zokora as a CB with Dawson...
What do You think ??

[shakey18]

I think Zokora can become the player we all hoped we were getting under Ramos.Win it, give it, and cover, thats all he has to do, and he CAN do it well.

[LEEBOYSPUR]

I think Zokora can become the player we all hoped we were getting under Ramos.Win it, give it, and cover, thats all he has to do, and he CAN do it well.

and for **** sake don't shoot!

[wayne wonder]

I said last month zokora would be great at CB but a few laughed at me!! He's a bit small but so is cannavaro(no im not saying he could EVER lase the italian greats boots but he'd do a better job than the rest


Boateng isnt shy is he!!??

[corkspur]

Bravo Senor Ramos!!!Delighted to know that you are not afraid to make changes when they are needed,and not wait till its too late.Great second half performance from the boys,just knew once we got the second that we would go on and win.Not through yet but at least a point in brussels will be luvly jubly.Now we need to win our next two hme games in the league and we are back on track. COYS.

[wayne wonder]

U know what made me happy was the fact that we didn't siit back at 3-2 we still went for more goals!!

[TURKISH]

I hate huddlestone just pass the ball simple!!!!!!!! I know he set up berba ok granted but every time i watch the fella he allways goes for the hollywood pass and 9 times out of 10 he missed he target!

He never once sprinted for the ball and left loads of gaps for a better team to pass round us.

Loving ramos though when we scored for the 2.2 jol would of celebrated but Ramos just stood there shouting at them to get back and concentrate.

Kpb looks good and you can tell he is not a winger!!!!! Defence was dodgy i can't wait for rocha to come back. Stalteri is a better right back then lee in my view.

Good fight back but still concedeing stupid goals which are basic errors like follow your man! But im happy i know that ramos needs time all i want for this year is to ql for europe anyway possible (inter toto cup)

COYSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!

[Keanoldinho]

Looked a totally different team in the second half well pleased with that but we shoulda scored about 5 or 6 though. Ramos earnt his paycheck this week and we've finally got us a proper ****ing manager who knows the game inside out and is tactically amazing.

How shit were the lines men though I don't think they got one offside decision right the whole game and that yellow card on Boateng was never a even a foul let alone a yellow card, it was a good strong challenge were he got all ball.

Defence is a big worry and I don't have a clue what we're going to do until January but every time we switch to 343 we look bloody good maybe that's the solution. I'm glad Berby and Bent got on the score sheet and Malbranque is showing a great off the ball movement lately getting into scoring positions cutting in from the LW he just needs to finish all these chances off he shoulda scored 2 today and 1 against wet spam.

Anyway it was a good result and now we can focus on our next home game against Birmingham were 3 points is a must.

[TURKISH]

Looked a totally different team in the second half well pleased with that but we shoulda scored about 5 or 6 though. Ramos earnt his paycheck this week and we've finally got us a proper ****ing manager who knows the game inside out and is tactically amazing.

How shit were the lines men though I don't think they got one offside decision right the whole game and that yellow card on Boateng was never a even a foul let alone a yellow card, it was a good strong challenge were he got all ball.
Defence is a big worry and I don't have a clue what we're going to do until January but every time we switch to 343 we look bloody good maybe that's the solution. I'm glad Berby and Bent got on the score sheet and Malbranque is showing a great off the ball movement lately getting into scoring positions cutting in from the LW he just needs to finish all these chances off he shoulda scored 2 today and 1 against wet spam.

Anyway it was a good result and now we can focus on our next home game against Birmingham were 3 points is a must.

Any player would of been proud of that challenge, i used to get up on a sunday to make those challeneges!

[Keanoldinho]

He's a ****in WWE wrestling bloke!!.You poor bastard!!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max_Bretos


you have no idea how bad this guy is and he's their main commentator on FSC compared to him Pleat is the greatest ever commentator

[choda]

Well that game was like our infamous blackburn jersey. It contained a half that we don't want to see ever again.

Shocking first-half display. We looked totally complacent against a team that out worked us throughout that period. It was the typical shower of prima donnas versus journeymen up for a good hard shift.

All the old frailties came back.

But Ramos proved his increasing measurable worth with some decisive and spot on early changes. When he sees a problem he doesn't wait until it gets worse or the opposition make their changes. He seems to want to impress verve and decision on the opposition. How refreshing.

He also obviously banged a few heads in the dressing room because we came out like a wounded animal.

Surprisingly Lee had a shocker. Seems he's so unfamiliar with his natural position that he lost his usual acute positional sense. Off at half time, unceremoniously binned along with Jenas, who was giving one of those off the ball displays that drive even the most patient to anger management techniques. Jenas was the head prima donna, even if his forward play continues to improve under Juande. But unlike Jol, Ramos did not tolerate the infuriating swanning apathy. Oh, for sweet new blessings.

Nor did he indulge Berba's nothing display. His answer to the mercurial Bulgarian's bullshit was to set a firecracker under his ass during the break. It worked a treat.

Keano worked hard throughout, but his was not the kind of display that has earned him player the year four years out of five at the lane. He was poor, although he did set up a goal.

Bent came on and showed us what we know he can bring, power, pace and goals.

It will take a while for Ramos to turn this team into a well-oiled unit. There is still the tendency to slip back into the ways of old.

He can and will do it though. I have a lot of confidence in him. There is the talent, it is close to an excellent squad. However some imbalance is still sticking out like a sore thumb.

He may state publicly that he does not feel desperate to purchase in January, but the murmurs of want for a top experienced centre back must play on his mind.

And he must clamour for a real left winger too as one of the features of his rein has been the real pace and width of Bale and Lennon. They are becoming increasingly dangerous. A plus from tonight was that Lennon looked very effective. Not only was he repeatedly going in behind, but his crossing was mostly quality whipped balls into dangerous areas. The same was true for Bale, again doing it from left back. What a super player he is.

The future is bright, but if you own a pacemaker be careful over the coming months! We are still something of a Blackpool rollercoaster.

[choda]

you have no idea how bad this guy is and he's their main commentator on FSC compared to him Pleat is the greatest ever commentator

Pleat's a good commentator. He's just shit with names and I'm told that he does that for a laugh with Big Ron.

[choda]

Any player would of been proud of that challenge, i used to get up on a sunday to make those challeneges!

Yea, great tackle. Hard but fair. Like that kid. He's tough and cocky. We need some steel in there and looks to have plenty of ability too.

It wouldn't surprise me if he breaks into the team and does really well when he's fully ready.

[Keanoldinho]

well that was a bloody awful piss poor performance. Bale and Jenas are the only players playing anywere near an acceptable level our defence is crap Daws looks like a Championship level player who doesn't understand the concept of closing a man down Chimbo can't defend and Lee is lacking match practice and looking like a LB playing on the wrong side. **** me Ramos has his work cut out for him dealing with this lot of shoddy bastards.

Anyway I predict we'll come out and score 4 in the second half COYBastardsS


I was almost right if only Malbranque had of put that sitter at the end away:)

[Keanoldinho]

Pleat's a good commentator. He's just shit with names and I'm told that he does that for a laugh with Big Ron.


well max bretos isn't he's about the worst commentator on the face of the planet, I pray for the day when he loses his job

[Keanoldinho]

Yea, great tackle. Hard but fair. Like that kid. He's tough and cocky. We need some steel in there and looks to have plenty of ability too.

It wouldn't surprise me if he breaks into the team and does really well when he's fully ready.


Yeah the kid definately looks to have some skill and likes to stick the boot in.

[TURKISH]

Pleat's a good commentator. He's just shit with names and I'm told that he does that for a laugh with Big Ron.

Yer i like Pleat a yido through and through. I tell you what big ron was class! Why on earth did he have to **** it up with that comment!

Big Ron was my favourite commentator ever! I cant stand that mark bright hes ****ing voice!!!!!!!!!!!!:mad:

[Gino Ginelli]

Well bugger me with a fishfork if that wasn't a game of two halves! And also the game where we first see Ramos' new influence on the squad. Personally I think he can take alot of the credit for the 2nd half.

The first half was probably one of the worst performances all season. We looked as bad as Newcastle did against Liverpool. No decent positioning, awful defending and inert forward play.

Second half... well whatever Ramos did it worked and then some. A wholesale change of performance. Quite rightly put Chimbo back at RB (Lee had been lost, and Chimbo aint a CB) and put Zokora into a sort of CB / DM role, and clearly told him (as Townsend pointed out) to just stay back and protect the back, which he did well. I'm guessing he just needed to right guidance. But Darren Bent gave us so much more in attack, with Keano dropping off. Everyone played really well; there was drive, there was accuracy in the passing and fluidity in the movement, and the defending was tight. Great goal from Steed I thought. It's a shame Bent / Boateng / Lennon couldn't finish it off, with some really good opportunities late on.

But while the players woke up and followed direction and played well, I again give the credit to Juande, who saw all the problems in the first half ( the Jol'isms shall we say) and, exasperated, told them exactly what each of them should be doing. And it worked big style.

Bring on Birmingham. I think we might have finally woken up.

[mjbmedia]

I do wish some people would learn their football
JJ was taken off as he was injured, not tactically.
Keane was partly at fault for the first goal, he didnt even bother staying with the guy who had the ball, he stopped and gave up on it, leaving it to Zokora who was having to mark the pass to another guy in a better position and by the time Keane had given up it was too late for Zokora to get the the ball, if Keane had stayed challenging, chances are the shot wouldnt or shouldnt have been so damn good.
two of our goals were as a direct result of the goalies injury, he wouldnt challenge a 50-50 with Berbs after getting hurt v JJ in the first half = goal.
His injury hampered his dive for Mals shot = goal
We werent that great even in the second half and i notice the atmosphere and attendance were poor, again ?

[neilmcnab]

yeah keano had a poor game as did many others, but for me a striker should have a strike on goal over 90mins.
but before keane ,s non challenge, lennon should have picked up the spare man who received the ball, if you watch 3 players, jj, lennon, and lee were all surrounding their 1 player and no 1 actually challenged him,
subsiquently he passed it off and the goal came about, SHUD ROBBO HAD PARRIED???

BUT AS WE CAN SEE SENIOR RAMOS, KNOWS HIS STUFF, I THINK IT WAS GOOD THAT WE PLAYED BADLY IN 1ST HALF ,
SO NOT TO PAPER OVER THE CRACKS AND MISGIVINGS OF THE TEAM,

[wayne wonder]

I honestly think robbo could have done better with the 1st goal it went through his hands but then again the guy shouldn't have been given a chance to have a pop.

They should have finished us off in the 1st half alone that Johansen(however u spell it) caused so much prolems dropping into the hole between defence and midfield just like he did when he played for wigan.

JJ and Zokora need to find out what they should be doing and stick to it because they'e in no mans land half the time!!

Seriously though can none of our players close down a shot?? Dawson had another shocker he's too slow and making way too many mistakes.

I dont think he'll make major changes in january so we're gonna have to ride it out till end of the season

[Ginola's Son]

I was there last night, my first ever Euro game. I was thinking at half time....wow, this is clearly a waste of my time and money. It truly was one of the most wretched first half displays I've ever seen. We showed Aalborg no respect, and the decent little side that they are wasted no time in making us look stupid.

As fans, we were awful, I'm just as guilty as anyone. Aalborg's away support is possibly the best I've ever seen, and it must be the only time I've ever seen 'you're not singing anymore' be utterly untrue, they never stopped once. And the hypocrisy of our own 'you only sing when you're winning' chant beggars belief....I also had to laugh when they sang 'you're shit and you know are' with a danish twang. Awesome fans.

I can't even begin to start with the ineptness of the first half. Everyone with the exception of Bale didn't seem to have a clue. Steed was dire, every pass was a missing one. Zokora just wasn't in his position, leaving a huge hole in the middle of the park. JJ had one of his trademark lazy days and while JJ's rep might have been protected with the 'injury' excuse, the juries out of that one, I reckon Juande hauled him off for shiteness. Berbatov can barely be bothered to lift his leg out to take the ball now, it's sad to see this decline. He soooo doesn't wanna be here, despite what he says. Robbie had nothing to work with. Daws had probably his worst 45 in a Spurs shirt, Robbo could have done better with the first goal, but he was stranded for the second. Lennon was inneffective as was LYP. Although I never ever boo the team, I was sorely tempted. Aaborg played some lovely stuff and we couldn't cope with it...and we wanted the CL! LOL!!!

Do you think its hypocritical to boo the team off and clap them on? I do.

Clearly, Ramos must have a dynamic team talk method, because what we saw in the second half was sensational. Hudd made a huge difference, the comments about his weight have had a positive effect on him and he was awesome last night. As for Zokora at the back, magnificent, just like V WH. Maybe that's his best position. I'd start him there. Bale just never stopped running. He's def my fave current player. Top quality. Lennon found his feet too, which was great. And Steed suddenly started getting everything right. Darren Bent though, I have a problem with him...he fears going up for the ball in the air. Practically every time the ball came to him, he just let the defender have it, he only goes for it when the ball is on the ground. He really is a fellah lacking in lots of areas and is only worth a quarter of his transfer fee, he's ok getting easy tap-ins, but Spurs are supposed to be about flair.

Anyway, cracking comeback, stirring indeed. I enjoyed that...but we must consign first half performances like that to the scrapheap, permanently.

[Spur]

Clearly, Ramos must have a dynamic team talk method, because what we saw in the second half was sensational. Hudd made a huge difference, the comments about his weight have had a positive effect on him and he was awesome last night. As for Zokora at the back, magnificent, just like V WH. Maybe that's his best position. I'd start him there. Bale just never stopped running. He's def my fave current player. Top quality. Lennon found his feet too, which was great. And Steed suddenly started getting everything right. Darren Bent though, I have a problem with him...he fears going up for the ball in the air. Practically every time the ball came to him, he just let the defender have it, he only goes for it when the ball is on the ground. He really is a fellah lacking in lots of areas and is only worth a quarter of his transfer fee, he's ok getting easy tap-ins, but Spurs are supposed to be about flair.

Zokora at the back? Only once the Prince had come on!

What we saw last night is something i've never seen before. I don't mean the first half - that has been seen aplenty. Lacking in everything, creativity, guts, there was nothing. All we did was stand around, and to put a team out with 9 players by Juande was something strange.

Of course i'm talking about the lack of any central midfield. Jenas and Zokora - what a waste of space and money. Both were shocking last night (i'll get on to Zokora's 2nd half in a minute). They love getting outplayed - doesn't matter who we're against. So far this season we've seen the two Spanish under-21's of Getafe outplay them for 90 minutes, the whole Aalborg team last night and Blackpool FC. They love embarrassing me those two. All three of those teams were absolutely crap. All night long they stood with their hands on their hips admiring the grass in front of them. JJ made one run in the box and that was his night complete. Dawson had a shocking first half. Absolutely terrible. Panicked at any given opportunity. And the strikers were on different wave length's all half as well. Shocking first half.

But oh my God that bloke has got some balls. Juande - for the second game running - takes off a defender for a striker. He knows how to change a game i'll give him that. Never in a million years would Jol have done that.

For the second half we played one at the back. It was absolutely ludicrous but worked an absolutely treat. Dawson was CB on his own with both the RB and LB pushing up to provide outlets fot the wingers and CM's. Bale (we need a new song for him btw) and Chimbo played the second half so well but man of the second half was Michael Dawson. The bloke was in defence ON HIS OWN. Zokora was sitting in front of him. GS you say you were at the game last night...did you see when Dawson grabbed Zokora by the shirt and pointed to the space right in front of him? And when Zokora was over on the touchline with Juande for two minutes at a time, twice?

Dawson had a man marking job on their lone second half striker, whilst Huddlestone, Zokora, Bale and Chimbonda were left to pick up anyone coming through. Chimbo and Bale had to come in narrow at times but couldn't leave the Aalborg wingers (shit btw) alone with space in front of them, this is where Hudd came in to take up the space Zokora had left as Zokora had come deeper with their roaming midfielders. He wasn't playing as a CB, he was merely actually playing as a DM rather than his normal CM. There was two times you could see this clearly, as Dawson had to mark two players for a long ball, and another when they got in behind Hudd and Zokora and had three players going at Dawson on his own.

Steed had a good game. There's only two players i'd say had a good game - Bale and Steed. Funnily enough two of our best three players of the season. Everyone else had a good second half. The Aalborg team were so poor though. We made them look good through putting out no central midfielders. They could just walk upto the defence untouched.

Bent looked lively but with no end product. But whenever he or Lennon ran at the defence all they could do was take them out - sign of a poor team right there.

Zokora only went CB as Prince ran on to the pitch. Once we had the third we could go more conventional and so did with a straight 4-4-2. Again, Zokora and Dawson were both waving at Juande pointing to the CB spot next to Dawson and Juande gave the OK.

Ramos won that for us no question.

[Ginola's Son]

I was at North stand mate, from where I was sitting, it did look as if Zokora was a CB. I make you right I guess, but it was only because I saw him making a dozen tackles. He was brilliant.

I think you are being harsh on Aalborg, they are not crap, They played some nice football, it wasn't just a case of use letting them do it, they did it on their own merits,

Ramos is clued up. He seems a smart manager. Maybe he is better than Jol, but I still miss Jol.

[Spur]

I was at North stand mate, from where I was sitting, it did look as if Zokora was a CB. I make you right I guess, but it was only because I saw him making a dozen tackles. He was brilliant.

I think you are being harsh on Aalborg, they are not crap, They played some nice football, it wasn't just a case of use letting them do it, they did it on their own merits,

Ramos is clued up. He seems a smart manager. Maybe he is better than Jol, but I still miss Jol.

They played like the Sunday League team they are in the second half. They couldn't cope, they were out of their depth. They weren't a good side.

Neither were Getafe, but they played like Brazil when they played us. Not because they were good, but because we were so bad. Even more so when they took off one of the young CM's, one of the Madrid two. I think they took Granero off but left De la Red on, both good players and made Jenas and Zokora look like clowns in midfield.

[berbzy 'G']

Zokora at the back? Only once the Prince had come on!

What we saw last night is something i've never seen before. I don't mean the first half - that has been seen aplenty. Lacking in everything, creativity, guts, there was nothing. All we did was stand around, and to put a team out with 9 players by Juande was something strange.

Of course i'm talking about the lack of any central midfield. Jenas and Zokora - what a waste of space and money. Both were shocking last night (i'll get on to Zokora's 2nd half in a minute). They love getting outplayed - doesn't matter who we're against. So far this season we've seen the two Spanish under-21's of Getafe outplay them for 90 minutes, the whole Aalborg team last night and Blackpool FC. They love embarrassing me those two. All three of those teams were absolutely crap. All night long they stood with their hands on their hips admiring the grass in front of them. JJ made one run in the box and that was his night complete. Dawson had a shocking first half. Absolutely terrible. Panicked at any given opportunity. And the strikers were on different wave length's all half as well. Shocking first half.

But oh my God that bloke has got some balls. Juande - for the second game running - takes off a defender for a striker. He knows how to change a game i'll give him that. Never in a million years would Jol have done that.

For the second half we played one at the back. It was absolutely ludicrous but worked an absolutely treat. Dawson was CB on his own with both the RB and LB pushing up to provide outlets fot the wingers and CM's. Bale (we need a new song for him btw) and Chimbo played the second half so well but man of the second half was Michael Dawson. The bloke was in defence ON HIS OWN. Zokora was sitting in front of him. GS you say you were at the game last night...did you see when Dawson grabbed Zokora by the shirt and pointed to the space right in front of him? And when Zokora was over on the touchline with Juande for two minutes at a time, twice?

Dawson had a man marking job on their lone second half striker, whilst Huddlestone, Zokora, Bale and Chimbonda were left to pick up anyone coming through. Chimbo and Bale had to come in narrow at times but couldn't leave the Aalborg wingers (shit btw) alone with space in front of them, this is where Hudd came in to take up the space Zokora had left as Zokora had come deeper with their roaming midfielders. He wasn't playing as a CB, he was merely actually playing as a DM rather than his normal CM. There was two times you could see this clearly, as Dawson had to mark two players for a long ball, and another when they got in behind Hudd and Zokora and had three players going at Dawson on his own.

Steed had a good game. There's only two players i'd say had a good game - Bale and Steed. Funnily enough two of our best three players of the season. Everyone else had a good second half. The Aalborg team were so poor though. We made them look good through putting out no central midfielders. They could just walk upto the defence untouched.

Bent looked lively but with no end product. But whenever he or Lennon ran at the defence all they could do was take them out - sign of a poor team right there.

Zokora only went CB as Prince ran on to the pitch. Once we had the third we could go more conventional and so did with a straight 4-4-2. Again, Zokora and Dawson were both waving at Juande pointing to the CB spot next to Dawson and Juande gave the OK.

Ramos won that for us no question.

Jenas has been on form lately scoring goals against Wigan, Setting up a goal against West Ham, and had a brilliant game last night with a brilliant saving tackle from behind aswell as making a couple of good runs... But really we shouldn't even have to be defending like that against this unknown team, Neither should we have even let Blackpool hit the post against us in the carlin cup :(... Zokora played alot better when he took over defence :)... Ramos and Poyet must get the players proper into shape and for ****s sake work on the defending...

Dawson had a much better second half... Ramos must of had words with him... Also Chimbonda and Bale worked brilliant together, Although now I still feel Bale is better as a LB rather than playing in LWM... :)

[Spur]

Jenas has been on form lately scoring goals against Wigan, Setting up a goal against West Ham, and had a brilliant game last night with a brilliant saving tackle from behind aswell as making a couple of good runs... But really we shouldn't even have to be defending like that against this unknown team, Neither should we have even let Blackpool hit the post against us in the carlin cup :(... Zokora played alot better when he took over defence :)... Ramos and Poyet must get the players proper into shape and for ****s sake work on the defending...

The ssaving tackle was good, what was not good and may have been unseen on TV was him being out of position in the first place. Had he been covering correctly he wouldn't have had to go on the floor at all. But fair play it was a good tackle.

He made a couple of good runs, but never anything when it was needed or at the right time. One thing that is absolutely not debatable about Jenas is he does not have a footballing brain. He was standing on the half way line yesterday in his favoured position right in front of the right back, a position where he does nothing from but pass sideways - whoopie do! Let's rave about it.

He made a driving run into the box once or twice, but nothing to get excited over. He's been looking a lot better going forward lately and yesterday he continued it. But 9million pound worth - laughable. He got walked through like usual as we still have no bite in the middle.

The only time last night we had bite was from The Prince. A great tackle which he got booked for! But it was a good tackle showing a good side to him. He looked good again though.

As for Hudd he changed the game, as always looked comfortable on the ball, but he probably only looked good as he had others doing his dirty work. He needs to get stuck in, although still being careful as he can make a simple barge look like GBH.

[spurs61]

Didn't this lot beat Samp earlier this season? I'm guessing they're no pushovers. I'd take a single goal victory and a good performance.

It's time to blow my own trumpet. Look who was right....!;)

[spursmadnick06]

Why do the Jenas haters jump at the first oppurtunity to knock him? he's been our best player over the past 4 games.

Was he one of the worst performers last night? that great run, that great tackle, maybe that was his complete game but it was more than most of the others had done up till then!

[Spur]

It's time to blow my own trumpet. Look who was right....!;)

Not about the good performance.

Half a good performance i'll give ya.

And I don't think they were any good whatsoever. We gave them the first half. With a bit more about us in the second they crumbled.

[Ginola's Son]

Hudd plays better when he comes off the bench I think

The Prince looks a good prospect.

[Keanoldinho]

I thought Jenas and Bale were the only players in the first half who performed anywere near an acceptable level. It's not always the CMers fault we don't win the battle in the middle of the park our CBs are supposed to close down the oppositions attacking midfielders and help out defensively but Daws didn't close down anybody the whole first half he was walking backwards for 45 minutes and Chimbo was trying to play RB and not CB leaving the CM with no support. In the 2nd half Ramos had us closing them down and giving them no space plus Zokora looked like Essien or Makalele defending our backline and supporting our CMers. Jenas played well in the first half he just had so much to do because our CBs and Zokora were doing feck all for the first 45 minutes.

[Keanoldinho]

It's time to blow my own trumpet. Look who was right....!;)



yeah yeah yeah we shoulda beat the brakes off them, they were exposed for the crappy little team they are in the second half

we shoulda scored about 5 or 6 in the second half easy

[deadleyledley]

what a game.
at half time i thought that there was no way back, but ramos has some guts in him he knows the risks and will make big decisions if he has to.
but we leak to many goals at the wrong end but atleast we score but that is the way tottenham is and that is the tottenham will be for a long time.
COYS

[Spur]

I thought Jenas and Bale were the only players in the first half who performed anywere near an acceptable level. It's not always the CMers fault we don't win the battle in the middle of the park our CBs are supposed to close down the oppositions attacking midfielders and help out defensively but Daws didn't close down anybody the whole first half he was walking backwards for 45 minutes and Chimbo was trying to play RB and not CB leaving the CM with no support. In the 2nd half Ramos had us closing them down and giving them no space plus Zokora looked like Essien or Makalele defending our backline and supporting our CMers. Jenas played well in the first half he just had so much to do because our CBs and Zokora were doing feck all for the first 45 minutes.

The CM's are supposed to close down, the defenders are supposed to defend. What do you mean Chim was trying to play right back? He was sitting on Dawson's left playing centre back alongside him, YPL was right back...

Jenas started off brightly, but the longer it went on the worse he got. After 15 I was saying to my brother how he has dramatically improved since JR took over, but how he still isn't playing anywhere near acceptable. He will do 2 things a much and that's him done! He's got the ability, but he clearly doesn't have the will or desire. He's a useless player because of this, and last night showed his flaws alongside his positive attributes. A glimpse of skill and people rave, I don't get it I really don't. He does a decent run a nice tackle, and people will ignore the fact he is one half of a central midfield that isn't upto League One standards. Anyone care to explain...?

[Keanoldinho]

The CM's are supposed to close down, the defenders are supposed to defend. What do you mean Chim was trying to play right back? He was sitting on Dawson's left playing centre back alongside him, YPL was right back...

Jenas started off brightly, but the longer it went on the worse he got. After 15 I was saying to my brother how he has dramatically improved since JR took over, but how he still isn't playing anywhere near acceptable. He will do 2 things a much and that's him done! He's got the ability, but he clearly doesn't have the will or desire. He's a useless player because of this, and last night showed his flaws alongside his positive attributes. A glimpse of skill and people rave, I don't get it I really don't. He does a decent run a nice tackle, and people will ignore the fact he is one half of a central midfield that isn't upto League One standards. Anyone care to explain...?


a big part of defending is closing down and who else apart from Jenas and Bale did anything in the first half worth talking about? he might of been on the left but Chimbo was wandering over to the wing too much and drifting forward like a fullback. Anyway you're a goalkeeper what do you know:D :p

[choda]

Jenas has been real quality of late, but he has to continue that and not have defensive displays like last night, because he just wasn't interested.

But the good thing is Ramos will not stand for it.

He wasn't the only one that played badly in the first half. But I thought Zokora was good. It's still early days as regards what Ramos can do with what we have. But the undebatables for me are the need for a left winger and a top experienced centre back.

I can't agree that Steed has been good this year. It think he is a ineffective winger with a lack of any real weapons like pace, a quick brain or a strong shot. He just seems pretty anaemic and wasteful to me, although he does pop up with bits of quality and works hard.

I want to see Taara play, but he may not be ready. And besides we need another winger anyway.

[Keanoldinho]

Jenas has been real quality of late, but he has to continue that and not have a defensive displays like last night, because he just wasn't interested.

But the good thing is Ramos will not stand for it.

He wasn't the only one that played badly in the first half. But I thought Zokora was good. It's still early days as regard what Ramos can do with what we have. But the undebatables for me are the need for a left winger and a top experienced centre back.

I can't agree that Steed as been good this year. It think he is a ineffective winger with a lack of any real weapons like pace, a quick brain or a strong shot. He just seems pretty anaemic and wasteful to me, although he does pop up with bits of quality and works hard.

I want to see Taara play, but he may not be ready. And besides we need another winger anyway.



Well he's got something going for him because he keeps popping up at the back post unmarked game after game he just needs to be more clinical with the chances he's getting. I think he's improved alot since Ramos got here.

[choda]

Well he's got something going for him because he keeps popping up at the back post unmarked game after game he just needs to be more clinical with the chances he's getting. I think he's improved alot since Ramos got here.

He has yea. He's sneaky good at times and intelligent, but I wouldn't call it a quick brain.

[Spur]

Well he's got something going for him because he keeps popping up at the back post unmarked game after game he just needs to be more clinical with the chances he's getting. I think he's improved alot since Ramos got here.

Not only that but with the ball at his feet there's no-one better at dribbling in the squad. He's always got the option to dribble through 2 or 3 players and out of trouble.

I think he was one of our best when he came in last year, his season ended badly though. But this year he is one of the few players that have got more credit than criticism so far.

Out of interest Choda, who would you say has...?

[TURKISH]

He has yea. He's sneaky good at times and intelligent, but I wouldn't call it a quick brain.

Yer im with you im not a big fan of steed and ive said that for a while now. People keep saying how we should drop jj and play him in centre midfield. Why would we play a guy in centre midfield who couldnt get a game there for fulham? Other opositions will bully him out of games.

For me zokora was poor first half and every week i watch him and feel sorry for jj who has to play alone side him. I don't get why people slag of jj but not zokora?

JJ to me was good first half considering he was playing through an injury first half and a team who ws not winning anything.

Keane and berbs just had one of them games the other night but it wouldn't surprise me if they are shit hot next week.

Just my two cents but i feel jj has been playing well lately its just a shame no one helps him out!

[choda]

Not only that but with the ball at his feet there's no-one better at dribbling in the squad. He's always got the option to dribble through 2 or 3 players and out of trouble.

I think he was one of our best when he came in last year, his season ended badly though. But this year he is one of the few players that have got more credit than criticism so far.

Out of interest Choda, who would you say has...?

Who do I think deserves more credit than criticism this year? Only Keane, Lee and Bale. No one else. But many are turning around fast under Ramos. I don't think Mal will be one of them though. He annoys me to be honest.

When you say he's a good dribbler, he is only good in a tight spot, but he often gets himsef into a tangle because he didn't release the ball quick enough or he didn't have the pace to get away in the first place.

I think it's a joke to say he's the best dribbler. He often puts his head down and runs nowhere, then gets into traffic of his own doing and either loses it, finally gets head up and it's too late to get a good pass or he spins his way out of the trouble he put himself in to begin with and then again doesn't have the weaponry to take advantage.

He has a weak shot, no special vision and no pace.

I'm not a fan. I think Bale and Lennon are by far the best dribblers in the team at present. I'd love to see how Taara would do with a run on the left wing. If he's ready I'm sure Ramos will put him in because he's not afraid to make brave decisions.

I reckon if Taarabt got a run we would see just how much more cut throat a real dribbler with pace can be.

I don't hate Malbranque, he's better than Tainio on the left, but I don't think he's up to the standard we require to push on. Mind you if you look at his stats under Ramos he has produced goals and assists. It's a welcome improvement. However, they were against weak teams. Let's see how he does over he long haul. Looking at his overall performance I think he has a lot to do to stay in the team with Taara coming through and the transfer window looming.

But Steed does like to get himself forward, has some ability and works hard, so that is three things that are positive.

[TURKISH]

Who do I think deserves more credit than criticism this year? Only Keane, Lee and Bale. No one else. But many are turning around fast under Ramos. I don't think Mal will be one of them though. He annoys me to be honest.

When you say he's a good dribbler, he is only good in a tight spot, but he often gets himsef into a tangle because he didn't release the ball quick enough or he didn't have the pace to get away in the first place.

I think it's a joke to say he's the best dribbler. He often puts his head down and runs nowhere, then gets into traffic of his own doing and either loses it, finally gets head up and it's too late to get a good pass or he spins his way out of the trouble he put himself in to begin with and then again doesn't have the weaponry to take advantage.

He has a weak shot, no special vision and no pace.

I'm not a fan. I think Bale and Lennon are by far the best dribblers in the team at present. I'd love to see how Taara would do with a run on the left wing. If he's ready I'm sure Ramos will put him in because he's not afraid to make brave decisions.

I reckon if Taarabt got a run we would see just how much more cut throat a real dribbler with pace could be.

I don't hate Malbranque, he's better than Tainio on the left, but I don't think he's up to the standard we require to push on. Mind you if you look at his stats under Ramos he has produced goals and assists. It's a welcome improvement. However, they were against weak teams. Let's see how he does over he long haul. Looking at his overall performance I think he has a lot to do to stay in the team with Taara coming through and the transfer window looming.

But Steed does like to get himself forward, has some ability and works hard, so that is three things that are positive.

Great post! Basically described him there in that sentence. I rather lee left back and then bale left wing. But at the moment i dont lose any sleep when he plays because he does an ok job. What makes me laugh is when people praise him when he plays well against shit teams.

I would like to see taarby given a go down the left but Ramos knows what hes doing but next season i want our left side problem solved once and for all!

[Spur]

When you say he's a good dribbler, he is only good in a tight spot, but he often gets himsef into a tangle because he didn't release the ball quick enough or he didn't have the pace to get away in the first place.

I'm not a fan. I think Bale and Lennon are by far the best dribblers in the team at present. I'd love to see how Taara would do with a run on the left wing. If he's ready I'm sure Ramos will put him in because he's not afraid to make brave decisions.
I mean, what you described at the top is what dribbling is though. It's all well and good to say Bale but he doesn't do any dribbling as such. He picks up the ball with 30 yards in front of him and runs into it.

Lennon's feet aren't as quick as his legs. He may run fast but put someone in front of him and he'll not get past him more times than he will. Also no end product at all on Lennon.

I reckon if Taarabt got a run we would see just how much more cut throat a real dribbler with pace can be.
Now that's a dribbler. But he isn't being seen is he?

I don't hate Malbranque, he's better than Tainio on the left, but I don't think he's up to the standard we require to push on.
I agree he is not. But he is playing well right now.

[jrio]

Lennon's feet aren't as quick as his legs. He may run fast but put someone in front of him and he'll not get past him more times than he will. Also no end product at all on Lennon.
He isn't a dribbler. He's very quick and can open up a game, yet his crossing is extremely weak. Ribery is the prime example of a winger and dribbler. Seeming him for Munich greatly increased my appreciation of him. He beats a player through trickery and his crossing is absolutely pin-point. Taara can do the dribbling - very exciting - but lacks a final product.

[Spur]

He isn't a dribbler. He's very quick and can open up a game, yet his crossing is extremely weak. Ribery is the prime example of a winger and dribbler. Seeming him for Munich greatly increased my appreciation of him. He beats a player through trickery and his crossing is absolutely pin-point. Taara can do the dribbling - very exciting - but lacks a final product.

Spot on.

Ribery has been playing well from what I have seen this year also.

[choda]

Dribbling is running with the ball at your feet. That is dribbling. Pace is a huge part of it. So is balance and touch. Lennon has these skills in abundance.

He's just been in bad form.

Lennon is the best dribbler we have in the team at present, end of story. His crossing was great against Alborg too. I hope he can improve that part of his game. He's hugely talented and skillful.

He's a real winger, Malbranque isn't. He makes me tear my hair out. I don't even like him in the centre, now that I've seen it a few times. He's better there, but I still think he's just poor.

I reckon Taarabt will be superstar when he gets going. He has the trickery, skill, the pace, the balance, and he can swing his leg at it. And I also think he will have lots of end product in time. I think he has a football brain but he just hasn't used it when we've seen him because he was too busy trying to make a huge crowd pleasing impression.

I think he will become the main midfield match winner. It should be great to watch; him on one side, Lennon on the other and Bale and Chimbo bombing on.

[Spur]

Dribbling is running with the ball at your feet.

No, that's running with the ball at your feet. Michael Dawson can do that. Give him 30 yards to run into and I bet he'll do it without losing the ball. Does that make him a great dribbler?

Dribbling is running with the ball at your feet through, round, past players. Lennon does not do this, not ery well at least. If he did it well his success rate would be much higher. But seeing as he gets past his man only half of the time if even that, he's not a great dribbler.

When pressed with 3 players who is more likely to lose possession, Steed or Aaron?

[choda]

No, that's running with the ball at your feet. Michael Dawson can do that. Give him 30 yards to run into and I bet he'll do it without losing the ball. Does that make him a great dribbler?

Dribbling is running with the ball at your feet through, round, past players. Lennon does not do this, not ery well at least. If he did it well his success rate would be much higher. But seeing as he gets past his man only half of the time if even that, he's not a great dribbler.

When pressed with 3 players who is more likely to lose possession, Steed or Aaron?

If you look at how many games Lennon has opened up for us and been the match winner it is far more often than Steed. We can debate all we want about what dribbling is, but who do you think fullbacks fear? Steed or Lennon. It's no contest. Lennon has destroyed many full backs.

Even though his bad form Lennon was the match winner on many occasions. He's a top player moving past second season syndrome. He will be back tearing defences apart this season. He has to improve his final ball, but I think he is doing that. He's the type of kid who will work hard at it too.

I think Steed's a Fulham player.

[Spur]

If you look at how many games Lennon has opened up for us and been the match winner it is far more often than Steed. We can debate all we want about what dribbling is, but who do you think fullbacks fear? Steed or Lennon. It's no contest. Lennon has destroyed many full backs.
Not through dribbling though!

Lennon always ruins Ashley Cole though, it's funny.

Even though his bad form Lennon was the match winner on many occasions. He's a top player moving past second season syndrome. He will be back tearing defences apart this season. He has to improve his final ball, but I think he is doing that. He's the type of kid who will work hard at it too.
Something that is perhaps not debatable. He shows little professionalism. I have few doubts that he will eventually use his head and learn, but right now I disagree. He's very well known on the nightclub scene and he's a flash git as well. People that I know have had dealings with him in one way or another, he's what you expect from the generalisation of what you think a footballer is. Arrogant, cocky, the whole lot.

Lennon is a one-trick pony. Eventually he will even lose that.

[choda]

Not through dribbling though!

Lennon always ruins Ashley Cole though, it's funny.


Something that is perhaps not debatable. He shows little professionalism. I have few doubts that he will eventually use his head and learn, but right now I disagree. He's very well known on the nightclub scene and he's a flash git as well. People that I know have had dealings with him in one way or another, he's what you expect from the generalisation of what you think a footballer is. Arrogant, cocky, the whole lot.

Lennon is a one-trick pony. Eventually he will even lose that.

Okay, that may well be true, but he used to work hard. Ramos won't stand for guys out clubbing all the time either. He once went up to a house party his team were at and they were all hopping out of windows and shit. He's a disciplinarian.

Either way Ramos will get Lennon working on his game or he won't last. I'm fine with either. My arguement is not so much for Lennon but for wide men that can turn a match and stretch defences. For me wide men have to be very direct and cut throat like Bale, Lennon on form, and any other geniune wide player.

[jrio]

No, that's running with the ball at your feet. Michael Dawson can do that. Give him 30 yards to run into and I bet he'll do it without losing the ball. Does that make him a great dribbler?

Dribbling is running with the ball at your feet through, round, past players. Lennon does not do this, not ery well at least. If he did it well his success rate would be much higher. But seeing as he gets past his man only half of the time if even that, he's not a great dribbler.

Specifically, it's running with the ball under complete control at your feet. Without his pace, Lennon would be feared by no one.

[choda]

Of course Lennon has destroyed fullbacks with dribbling. He went at them with the ball at his feet, showed them one way, went the other and had the pace to get by them. His balance and close control are very good.

I remember seeing England training and he was putting Terry and Ferdinand on their arses.

To say Dawson could play right wing is a just a tad fallacious.

I'd accept it if you just said Lennon is one in a long line of brainless wingers with no final ball. That's where he is weak, but he's great at going by people. Granted he has been in bad form.

Lennon has had trouble when he gets very tightly marked, because he doesn't seem to have the brains to adapt and have a plan B. And his final ball is really poor.

However, you often find this with new youngsters that explode onto the scene before taking a big dip - especially match winners. Remember Ronaldo and Damien Duff, Robben, guys like that. They all came, did great then got marked tight and had to get better.

Duff burst onto the scene as a kid. We thought he was amazing in Ireland. He won the european championships as a star with the kids and then hit the senior ranks and the premier league in a whirlwind. We all thought 'shit this kid is amazing.' Then he dipped very badly for 3 years. But then he became a world beater and a far better all round player. Was world class for blackburn, one of the best players at the world cup, earned a move to Roman's 'who do you want' party and himself and Robben tore defences apart on route to the title. Pity he's always injured now.

He's a rather extreme example, but it often happens that they have a bad season before they get better.

Lennon has a new coach now, and one that has excelled in the wingers department. I think we will see some far more influential displays from him, or if he doesn't respond we will see somebody much better.

If you go back to when he first came along he could go by people on either side and dribble his way beyond anyone in almost any situation. I have not given up on a top class Lennon just yet.