Spurs Post-Match Analysis

Comments (2)

I am not normally a fan of individual player analysis — it overlooks how the team knits together and the general spirit among the lads; however, considering these were nonexistent last night at White Hart Lane, it seems more appropriate and indicates our massive uphill task for Villa and the coming weeks:

• Howard- Man of the match, and only because he was the only one who really went about his work in a proud manner, some decent saves but must be in disarray with the shambles in front of him!
• Neill- I would regard this guy as one of the best right backs in the league from his west ham days, and I still feel he is our best here... but no amount of match fitness stops you putting your foot through the ball and clearing your lines properly- he looked off the pace and disinterested!
• Hibbert- For all the Hibbert bashers he did actually make some decent challenges yesterday, and at least showed guts and spirit, however it was no surprise to see Huddlestone ping 60 yards balls over to Tony’s winger all night (I don’t feel talking about his limitations going forward is worth it, we all know it!)
• Heintiga-Positive; thank you for always looking to come short for the ball, negative please don’t just do what Howard could do anyhow and hoof the ball. (see Distin rant)
• Distin- Solid and reliable for the most part for us but looks really out of sorts recently, did not attack the ball as well as he should and looked a bit slow over the first few yards. The thing that gets me is we play the ball over the top so often, and its like passing the ball back to the opposition, spurs caused us all sorts of problems with the ball over the top last night which should be easy picking for the center backs, but they were either to sow of defending to higher line against quick forwards, either way it's baffling and would not happen with Jags; a real leader there.
• Gosling-- sorry fella you are a tidy player and thus a useful player but to slow and predictable.
• Cahill- Slow almost lazy last night — not following in shots, not really involved in the play, disappointing from a usually reliable player.
• Rodwell- Badly needs a rest, gave the ball away far to many times and looked out of his depth with Fellaini against the impressive Huddleston and Palacios.
• Felliani- Standard poor games from him, no guile, no presence not enough effort — disappointing.
• Saha- I never blame centre forwards who get no service, but there is no way he should not've been on the field in the 2nd half.
• Yakubu- In many ways he had a poor game, but showed signs of how vital he is to us; strong, genuinely looks to bring people into the game with a bit of class, needs match sharpness.
• Jo-- No place for divers and a lack of effort at Everton — unimpressed!

I highlight these not to have a rant, but to show that good players are performing well below themselves and this is a worry. Moyes will say it's heavy legs, and in part is it, but more so than this we needs leaders, guile and creativity and before we gets these back the lads can try hard as they can but will struggle to pick up results in what is currently a tired workmanlike side playing with their heads down.

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