Topic: Spurs V Liverpool 0-0.... Post match comments

[evie]

Momo Sissoko.... you gotta love the fact he's just 20..imagine him in 6 or 7 years 

[Enders]

Interestingly, slysports has sissoko rated '6' on todays performance, with a description of 'average'.

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/matchratings.asp?fxid=278648&clid=14

[kkhaku]

Here's skysports player ratings for the match out of 10:  Other than Sissoko, any objections?

Jose Reina
Unconvincing at times 6  6
Steve Finnan
Stuck to his task 6 
Jamie Carragher
Excellent as ever 8 
Sami Hyypia
Solid enough 6 
Stephen Warnock
Sound display 6 
Luis García
Busy 6 
Dietmar Hamann
Forced off at the break 6
Steven Gerrard
Energetic 7
John Riise
Impressive 7
Djibril Cisse
A handful 7
Peter Crouch
Not quite at the races 6 
Djimi Traore
(SUB) Tackled hard 6 
Xabi Alonso
(SUB) Felt his way back 6
Mohamed Sissoko
(SUB) Average 6 

[kkhaku]

lol sorry spenders, posted that the same time as you.

[Enders]

lol 20 minutes later 

[kkhaku]

 

[nyujvary]

after watching the match, I'm a bit concerned at how abysmal Luis Garcia was today, he was just downright awful.  Also, I think Alonso and Gerrard need to be on the pitch together, Gerrard seemed lost at times not having Xabi's coverage in the first half...

the clean sheets are a plus, but we need to start finishing...

[raptor]

Other than Sissoko, any objections?

Jose Reina
Unconvincing at times 6  6
Steve Finnan
Stuck to his task 6 
Jamie Carragher
Excellent as ever 8 
Sami Hyypia
Solid enough 6 
Stephen Warnock
Sound display 6 
Luis García
Busy 6 
Dietmar Hamann
Forced off at the break 6
Steven Gerrard
Energetic 7
John Riise
Impressive 7
Djibril Cisse
A handful 7
Peter Crouch
Not quite at the races 6 
Djimi Traore
(SUB) Tackled hard 6 
Xabi Alonso
(SUB) Felt his way back 6
Mohamed Sissoko
(SUB) Average 6 

Thought Luis Garcia was shocking to be honest. Would've given Garcia a 4 or 5 and Sissoko a 7 or 8, aside from that pretty much spot on.

[kkhaku]

I personally think theres some idiots doing the ratings there. Crouch gets a 6 and a comment of not quite at the races. Warnock gets a 6 and a comment of sound display. Contradiction?

[Mummy Spartacus (Mrs)]

I'm a bit concerned at how abysmal Luis Garcia was today, he was just downright awful. 

Same old same old, awful again for me.

[raptor]

My Luis looked awful. If I'm saying that, you KNOW he was bad.

Hate to agree mate but he looked fucking awful from where I was watching, (first national) and that right side really has me worried.

[kkhaku]

Havent watched it yet. But whatd he do, give away the ball a lot?

[raptor]

Didn't know you were down there mate, should have give me a shout.

Hate to agree mate but he looked fucking awful from where I was watching, (first national) and that right side really has me worried.

I wasn't, was in the pub.

[leffe186]

I will say one thing, Jol was able to make some really strong, positive substitutions - there's good depth on the subs bench at WHL. I still sometimes wonder how Robbie Keane doesn't start coz he was lively for the 10mins he played.

Yeah - it's a real advantage having such a strong squad. In today's game we had three players making their debuts (Jenas, Lee & Rasiak), one player making his first start (Lennon) and another making his first appearance this year (King) so anything could have happened - to gel so well so quickly was a good reflection on the management. I agree with you about Keane - he was often quite disappointing last year but has looked very sharp indeed when coming on as sub this season.

Yeah I havent seen the match yet, but the Spurs are one of those underachieving teams who are quite good on paper. And theyve gotten stronger (on paper anyway) this season. The striker partnership (dafoe and keane) is world class when on form, quite a tough midfield with Carrick and Davids, and a somewhat sound defense. If you want to come out of White Hart lane with a win, youve got to convert your chances. We didnt, but at least we didnt let in any. A draws acceptable, but we've got to start winning these ones to be a real threat to the top 3

Defoe & Keane are not a partnership. We never play them together any more because it just doesn't seem to work at all - that's why we bought Rasiak to replace Kanoute.

All in all a good game today. I think 0-0 was a fair result - we're a little frustrated because we've only taken 2 points from the last 9 but away to Blackburn, home to Chelsea and home to Liverpool are all tough games. We've not fielded anything like the same team twice but are becoming stronger and will look to build on a start in which the only goals we've conceded have been when we were a man down.

[Carra23]

I was quite happy with he point and clean sheet and would have took it before the game.

Crouch was ok (considering he has been injured and just came back) as was everyone else apart from Garcia who was a disgrace.

The right is a problem but Rafa will sort it in January.

[howes hound]

Watched the whole of the game on TV even though the soft-shite host gave the score away an hour before the game. Have to say the Reds looked uninspired in their first two games but today they played some fine football. Game could have gone either way. For what they're worth, my thoughts some of today's players:

Reina - moments of brilliance, moments of comedy/tragedy. Needs to get a better read on the English game before we can be sure he's the long-promised answer. Looked uncomfortably like James at times.
Sami's getting caught too many times on give-and-gos. Luckily we got the offside call when it mattered. He and the rest of the defence need to work this out between them. Shades of the AC Milan goals at times, the way Spurs attacking players almost broke clear.
Didi - inspirational to see him soldier on after he got his bell rung by that free kick. Guts.
Stevie - back to the old jump tackles. Demonstrates his fire but he's going to get carded out of games if he keeps that up. Looked tired later in the game.
Momo - his second effort is superb. Never gives up and has the speed to close players down long before they're expecting it.
Luis - can't for the life of me understand the negative comments in this thread. Works hard, shows flashes of brilliance, one of the best first-touches in the game. If you want a team of players who always play the safe ball and do the predictable, go dig out your George Graham Arsenal tapes. The back-heels that infuriate our supporters would be game-breakers if other players on the team would start using their brains to anticipate them. Even I, sitting in front of the box thousands of miles away, know what's coming up, so when are his team mates going to catch on? At least twice we'd have been through on goal, clear, if other players had shown some anticipation. Having ranted, I have to say his tackling is abysmal. The one on Davids was at least a yellow.
Cisse troubled the Spurs back line at times but doesn't always run with conviction. I suspect the broken leg still haunts him. Like to see him use his brain more. Tends to blast away regardless.
Crouch looked decent, though short of match fitness. Gradually started to turn the tables on the Spurs defence in the air, after they'd given him a rough time early in the game. Thinks his way through the game. Knocked it down invitingly for Cisse several times, a la Heskey but without the triangular head. I think this feller shows promise.
Compared to most of our away performances last year, this was encouraging.

[AnotherSpanishfan]

I agree Garcia was bad today but Cisse wasn't any better and other than a couple of good shots on goal Riise was very average.  Gerrard was very quiet but he didn't play bad just didn't do much offensively. 

That Korean left back they've got was very impressive coming forward in the first half though he sort of dissapeared in the second half, Sissoko breaking up most of their attacks on that side when he came on.

Overall, i think for a 0-0 it was entertaining to watch.

[king_kenny]

A good result nonetheless BUT I think several players need to look hard on themselves. One of them is Cisse. As a striker you should always anticipate the ball to drop anytime near you in the penalty box, and ready to bang in. Secondly, he should practice his shooting skills on training ground more. His accuracy is so awful. Either he bang in straight to the keeper, or near the corner flag. Can somebody here on the RAWK that can teach him how to curl the ball to the top/bottom goal or chip over the keeper?

[whitey1234]

although a 0-0 with spurs does not look bad on paper.Chelsea are setting the standard and get their results and points by playing badly or well.We have games in hand but must take our chances.It is plain to see that there is much work to do.In saying that Arsenal looked invincible for the 1st ten games last year while chelsea scratched about but stayed in touch.When xmas arrives and we assess the table the draws at boro and spurs may be seen as good results or missed opportunities,in reality we are 4 points down already.

[Joshytoohotty]

We played decisively better than in most of our away games last season, bearing in mind this was against a side who are excellent at home it's encouraging.

Still annoying not to win, when, paticularly in the second half, Spurs were there for the taking.

Steven Warnock was absolutely sensational today as well, which is obviously another plus.

[Rhi]

Decent result at a tough place to go. Cant complain too much because it was a good performance. Entertaining enough game, for a 0-0. Few comments;

1. Garcia was shocking. He cant keep on performing like that. But then I remember he had a bit of a bad spell last season early on, before he picked it up a bit. He better get his arse in gear though, because I'm sure Rafa wont take many more off-days by him (of course the problem is, we have no one else to play out there).

2. Reina. Hmmmmm. Early nerves? Let's hope so.

3. Riise is 100000000000 times better than Zenden on the left. He did more in one match (where he wasnt actually that good) than Bolo has in any game he's played. Riise and Warnock seem to have a good little partnership down that side.

4. Momo looks something special. Can you imagine if the bitters would have got him?! I dont like to think about it!

5. I fucking hate London and it's crappy transport system which I cant use.

[Timbo's Goals]

Luis - can't for the life of me understand the negative comments in this thread. Works hard, shows flashes of brilliance, one of the best first-touches in the game. If you want a team of players who always play the safe ball and do the predictable, go dig out your George Graham Arsenal tapes. The back-heels that infuriate our supporters would be game-breakers if other players on the team would start using their brains to anticipate them. Even I, sitting in front of the box thousands of miles away, know what's coming up, so when are his team mates going to catch on? At least twice we'd have been through on goal, clear, if other players had shown some anticipation. Having ranted, I have to say his tackling is abysmal. The one on Davids was at least a yellow.

Little Luis is a player you want to throttle at times, but his quality is overlooked for the reasons you've highlighted. How many times does he get himself out of an impossible defensive triangle only to seemingly lose or give the ball away. Such flashes of skill are quickly bemoaned because the players around him are not in the positions to receive the ball from him.

He's a little genius, Rafa knows it. That's why he signed him. Again, this season - he will excel more in the Chamions League than the Premiership. Throttle him at times, yes - but he's nowhere near worthy of a full strangulation just yet.

[howes hound]

He's been player of the season for me,

Looks solid, a good old-fashioned full-back who takes care of his winger as priority one, before he goes chasing up field. Bit knock-prone though, isn't he? Subbed again today.

[Mummy Spartacus (Mrs)]

The players around him don’t receive the ball because Garcia will hit the ball straight at the opposition more often than not, he is a very very talented player, on his day he’s fantastic but some people are blinked to his weakness.

To be honest I’m sick of hearing about his European football, if he cant hack it in the premiership then he shouldn’t be played, blaming the positional play of his team mates for some of the worst distribution and constant loss of possession is for me way of base.  He was poor today IMO.

[-HH-]

4. Momo looks something special. Can you imagine if the bitters would have got him?! I dont like to think about it!

I WILL get you to believe my comment if it's the last thing I do Already looking less crazy isn't it?

[-HH-]

Share with us, Mark

See the Sissoko thread. Don't think many people on here agreed with me either.

[-HH-]

To be honest I’m sick of hearing about his European football, if he cant hack it in the premiership then he shouldn’t be played, blaming the positional play of his team mates for some of the worst distribution and constant loss of possession is for me way of base.  He was poor today IMO.

Agree with that Chris, although I have to say I don't think it's the Premiership as a whole that he can't hack. I've seen him do a more than decent job on the right at home in the Premiership on a fair few ocassions, enough to merit selection in that position on a fairly regular basis anyway. Unfortunately, in away games (possibly due to being closed down more speedily, I don't know) he just hasn't cut the mustard and the longer he continues like that, the more Rafa will be inclined to leave him out altogether.

That all said, I prefer him as the link man between midfield and the strikers, a position he's rarely played for us (but done reasonably well when he has (although again been better at home.)

[Timbo's Goals]

The players around him don’t receive the ball because Garcia will hit the ball straight at the opposition more often than not, he is a very very talented player, on his day he’s fantastic but some people are blinked to his weakness.

To be honest I’m sick of hearing about his European football, if he cant hack it in the premiership then he shouldn’t be played, blaming the positional play of his team mates for some of the worst distribution and constant loss of possession is for me way of base.  He was poor today IMO.

I suppose sometimes you get a gut feeling about a player and perhaps you become to sentimental in support. I umashamedly appreciate Garcia through all his faults. As I said in my response, you DO want to throttle him at times. I think Rafa, in time, will sort out the positional thing. Garcia so many times gets himself space and fails to complete the pass because the support is not there. Of course, he does give the ball away a lot and it is so frustrating - but keep an eye on the times when he DOESN'T lose posession. The key to that is that there are players in support.

[howes hound]

blaming the positional play of his team mates for some of the worst distribution and constant loss of possession is for me way of base.

It's less a question of blame than observation. The difference between a team that's clicking and one that's not is unnecessary loss of possession, and my point is it often takes two to make a pass go wrong. It's early season and the front line, if you can call it such in today's game, hasn't played together enough to develop an understanding. As the season goes on, you'd expect better anticipation between players and suddenly it'll look like everyone is playing better. I hope.
If you want an analogy, look no further than the national side. How a team containing the likes of Gerrard and Rooney can look less than second rate is puzzling unless you consider how little they play together and how often the formation is moved around. People forget that the 66 World Cup winners looked dismal until the later stages of the competition, when they finally started to gel as a team.
Reina and his defenders need to read eachother better. Same for Luis and the rest of the team.

[Mummy Spartacus (Mrs)]

I suppose sometimes you get a gut feeling about a player and perhaps you become to sentimental in support. I umashamedly appreciate Garcia through all his faults. As I said in my response, you DO want to throttle him at times. I think Rafa, in time, will sort out the positional thing. Garcia so many times gets himself space and fails to complete the pass because the support is not there. Of course, he does give the ball away a lot and it is so frustrating - but keep an eye on the times when he DOESN'T lose posession. The key to that is that there are players in support.

Your first point is a valid point and I suppose there’s an argument for people doing the same only from the reverse perspective.  He seems to annoy me constantly.

I just don’t think he’s not ye man for every occasion, I think once we have the necessary alternatives I would like him to start less games, Mark rightly mentions his form domestically when away from home, compare that to his European football and at times there’re worlds apart.

[Rhi]

I WILL get you to believe my comment if it's the last thing I do Already looking less crazy isn't it?

He's good.

He's not that good.

End of discussion.

[-HH-]

Mark rightly mentions his form domestically when away from home, compare that to his European football and at times there’re worlds apart.

Aye, and the reasons are simple - continental teams play a slower tempo - so Luis can play with more time on the ball, which suits his game. Compare that to an away match in the Premiership - where teams know the best way (at the moment) to rattle us is to close us down early in their half, and Luis doesn't have the awareness to pick out a pass regularly enough.

It's fairly simple as Chris says - once we've got the necessary replacements he either adapts to it or starts less games.

[-HH-]

He's good.

He's not that good.

End of discussion.

Give it time.

[Mummy Spartacus (Mrs)]

Kris he's a cracking player - can understand your "love" of him

[-HH-]

For now, aside from Cisse (a notion which I'm not happy with) he's our only option on the right wing. He'll HAVE to pick up pace soon. Rafa will make sure he will, of that I'm almost certain.

PONGOLLE!

*ahem*

[Timbo's Goals]

I just don’t think he’s not ye man for every occasion, I think once we have the necessary alternatives I would like him to start less games, Mark rightly mentions his form domestically when away from home, compare that to his European football and at times there’re worlds apart.

Had we bought the right winger we so publically craved, the role of Garcia would have immediately changed. Perhaps as a squad player, I dunno. I don't want to appear to be a defender of Garcia because I do understand the criticism of his obvious faults. But, he is a player who has improved the squad overall since Benitez arrived. Rafa might ship him out in time, but at the moment - he's one of the best we've got.

Would it be fair to agree that he's a luxury player?

[-HH-]

It's 1:25am.

Sorry Pongo lad.

Fair point. I just think short term if Luis doesn't find his feet he's our best option there, and certainly worth a look. He has everything in his locker to be a wide player IMO, something you couldn't say about anyone else in our squad. Good first touch, good crosser (see Olympiakos), can beat a man (see numerous games) is tricky (see Arsenal at home) and has played well there when called upon to do the job last season (see Arsenal again, Everton away...)

It strikes me as madness not to at least give it a try - particularly when playing 4-5-1, since proper width is so important in that formation...

[4pool]

Well I listened to Steve Hunter and watched it later.

It's all well and good doing player ratings and worrying about how a player did in todays match but..

I thought Cisse and Crouch started to get a feel for where to be on the pitch to help each other. Rather than take up similar positions and get in each others way. Cisse headed for Crouchino and vice versa. Cisse would go wide right and Peter would get in postion in the center. Crouch would go left and Djbril would cut to the post. Each raised their arms when they thought they were in position only for the other to shoot or pass elsewhere.

Same with Garcia, he got in front of goal a few times only for Cisse or Finnan to miss him when open.

I think Rafa will be pleased at the budding partnership between Cisse and Crouch.

I think Crouch is sooooo tall the linesman thinks he's got to be offsides just by standing up..

There's a lot more positives than negatives....

[rasher]

thought Finnan looked a bit dodgy today, the amount of times he was tugging at the spurs players shirts, if he keeps doing that in or around the box were gonna get punished.Cisse also gave up running for balls played through to him to easily Overall happy with the draw as WHL is a tough place to go. We need to start putting away our chances though and getting more away wins.

[The Red artist.]

my points.

1)Another good defensive display. As long as we don't concede goals i am somewhat glad.

2)Guess we have to give cisse & crouch time to flourish. Cisse could have scored but he air-balled...ah well as long as he destroys the scums next week...i don't really care 

3)Sissoko is an awesome player.  Can't really praise him enough.

4)Lets move gerrard to RW until january. Garcia is starting to pi$$ me off there.

5)Where is kewell....we need him at left flank  (juz joking.....) u saw risse "almost" goal of the season. Keep firing away risse, you will score loads of goals this season.

i agree mate on your point about playin Stevie wide right.Doesnt have to spend all the game out there but he's the best crosser of the ball and can go past anyone.
Just watched the football first on sky and i'm pleased wi the point.Spurs took the first half but we got stronger in the second and were the better side then.WHL is gonna be a tough place to go for any side this season so am satisfied the way things are goin.

Clean sheet again,big improvement there and i'm confident the goals will soon start to flow.Momo,what a gem we have there,he is the reason why i would play S.G.on the right,for now anyway.
Am happy tonight ,roll on tuesday.We are well stronger than this time last season.

                                  Y.N.W.A.............J.F.T.96.