My player rankings
Niemi – 3/10
Very poor handling, stubbornly refused to come off his goal line, bad punching and no command of his backline. Two good saves in the second half from Berbatov and Jenas showed what he can do, but a dreadful overall display. Bring back Warner...or Billy the Badger.
Baird – 5/10
Not a bad display but nothing to write home about. Feel that he would be far more comfortable in a centre back position with Volz taking over his position. Still has an annoying tendency to stand off players and he will get punished for this.
Stefanovic – 7/10
Good, solid display and, on this showing, a good signing by Sanchez. Clearly hasn’t got the pace to keep up with livewire strikers, as was proved by Berbatov sprinting clear of him to bag the second goal of the match, but still worthy of a place in the team.
Bocanegra – 5/10
Was caught napping a couple of times – particularly by Jenas on one occasion in the first half – and almost gifted Spurs a golden opportunity in the second by heading the ball up in the air on the edge of the area.
Konchesky – 8/10
Very good display from a player who is clearly growing in confidence. For me, he is one of the star signings of the season so far. Assured, confident and rarely put a foot wrong. Got back to delay Jenas enough to save us from further humiliation in the first half. Great player; great game.
Simon Davies – 6/10
A usual, spirited performance by Davies. His exciting, surging runs are a joy to watch and he is by far our best crosser of a ball. Arguably got ‘muscled out of it’ at times, but you couldn’t question his commitment.
Steven Davis – 7/10
Worked tirelessly in midfield against a very physical, aggressive Spurs side and looked absolutely shattered at the end of 90 minutes. A tough competitor, despite his fairly wiry frame, but should feel pleased with his performance.
Alexey Smertin – 6/10
Another good game from our Russian dynamo. Being as light as a balet dancer meant he was knocked off the ball quite easily at times, but he has proved – on two occasions so far this season – that it’s worth trying shots from range because you never know what could happen. Fat Frank does this to very good effect at Chelsea.
Hameur Bouazza – 6/10
I like this lad. He’s full of running and can take on players, although needs the confidence to try it more often. He faded later on in the match and was rightly replaced but has the skills to be a menace to defences.
Clint Dempsey – 7/10
A good performance. As well as thumping in a header against the run of play to get us back into it at the end of the first half, he also helped set up Smertin’s deflected goal. His physical presence was needed against man-mountains such as Huddlestone.
Dimansy Kamara – 7/10
What can you say about that finish? Absolutely top drawer. His skills, turn of speed and ball play were also outstanding. If he can get a partnership going with, perhaps, Healy then I think he’ll bag a hatful of goals this season.
Subs:
Healy 6/10. Difficult to rate as he didn’t have time to do much apart from play a few passes around. Can’t understand why he was left on the bench. Surely his is the first name that should be on the team sheet?
John 6/10. Again, not easy to judge as he wasn’t given long to perform, but didn’t do anything of real note.
My man of the match: Paul Konchesky
Signing off
5 years ago
4 comments:
Did you see the same game as me Clint surely deseved a 9/10.
Has the Spurs guy Steed something been playing long what a waste of space!!
Have to agree with Anonymous there except I wouldn't be so sarcastic to ask if you saw the game. I like Konchesky an awful lot also. A great purchase for sure! But Dempsey scored the first goal and assisted on both of the other goals. In the 92 min. when spurs were attacking and in our box, who broke up the play, won the ball and started the attack? Dempsey! He was huge and the club called him man of the match also. But again, I do like Konshesky.
Over on our site I did make note that the disorganization was in my opinion caused from having a new center back in there with no training time with his teammates. That was critical in particular in regards to the back line that they have time to gel and understand each other. It's possible that this is the reason that Baird and Stefanovic got messed up which allowed Bale through on the outside and eventually a goal from it. I see in an interview today at the club site Bocanegra said he and Konchesky are starting to develope a very nice relationship on the field. This is exactly what I'm talking about. Maybe when Hughes gets back things will settle in a bit. Who knows, perhaps Baird will be better with his I.N. teammate along side him?
Lastly, I don't think Niemi was that bad. I think he grew stronger as the match moved along and he collected really well a couple of times towards the end. One low hard to handle Bale shot and another blistering cross low that he dove and cut off ending a dangerous spurs possession. There there was the quick push over and another going to his left on the wicked Berbatove shot.
Hi Brian, thanks for your post and some very good comments as always and I always enjoy reading your views...On reflection I must admit I probably underscored Clint - particuarly once I'd watched the match again on Sky.
I agree Niemi grew stronger but of more concern to me was the apparent lack of confidence the defence have in him. Maybe this will improve once he gets more minutes back under his belt.
Also, I just found out that 'anonymous' was actually my own father! you can't trust family eh?!
Your father huh? Quality!
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