This is my first post as such to this and I thought I'd just give my misguided ramble as to what I thought about yesterdays match.
Firstly from what I saw on Football First, it wasn't actually THAT bad. To boo your team off suggests each to a man that they've been poor, sure we didn't score, but we had chances. We are used to the constant forward streaming football from Harry's time and that will be changing, we will be set up to play a far more patient game under AVB. To suggest that we should have seen immediate changes this week, given the amount of movements in and out of the lane this week, is just plain crazy talk. Yes sure there is an issue about the timing of the movements, perhaps it could have been done earlier. But in defence of that, the new manager came in very late, had to take someone elses first team squad to America the minute he got in, and then got 2 competitive games to see his players. The dynamic will be very different when we go to reading.
So our goal was a moment of individual brilliance, and by all accounts there is plenty more of that to come. Their goal was almost identical to West Brom's last week. We failed to clear our lines or pick up a man on the edge of the box. Schoolboy errors. So the players.
Friedel - Brad was immense. What can you say, the guy has 11 years experience on me and I'd pull me back out if i even attempted to make the saves he made yesterday. It's plainly clear that Lloris was signed to ensure we had a number 1 keeper next year, he may have to wait to get his bow in this.
Assou-Ekotto - Benny is Benny, he's a liability, his decision making is poor, going forward he always goes for the 4.5 difficulty move when he only needs a 1.2, but we seem to love him because he's a bit "quirky" with his odd boots and funny hair.
Vertonghen - He's settling in, looked better than his prior 2 games, and rightly so, the Premier League is of far higher standard than the Eredivisie. He's not afraid to launch the ball into touch under pressure either, and that looks a skill we might require this year.
Gallas - How this poisonous clown wears our clubs armband is beyond me. The game long since left him behind, hopefully that was his last start.
Walker - Had a poor game, his touch let him down a number of times, his crossing was uncharacteristically poor.
Sandro - I'm not going to say too much about Sandro, he might well eat me or something. He is an asset because he will run himself into the ground, a bit shocked to see him make way at half time.
Livermore - I think Jake took a bit of unfair stick if I'm honest. He was at fault in the build up to their goal, and at times the opposition midfield got on top of him, but he is young and this is the premier league. He also showed signs of strength and comfort on the ball, and he'll develop into a terrific footballer.
Sigurdsson - Gylfi looked bright and dangerous throughout, in fact head and shoulders our most dangerous player in the first half.
Bale - Pretty inconspicuous really was Gareth, didn't do a lot right or wrong, and we need to bring him into the game more.
Lennon - I thought little Azza was second to Sigurdsson only in terms of outfield performance, he was quick, direct and his final ball looked more measured than usual.
Defoe - I fear that the Premier League is leaving Jermain behind. He never really looked comfortable dropping deep for the ball, and really struggled to assert his authority on a Norwich defence.
Dembele - A real moment of class for his goal, wanted the ball all the time and used it quickly when he had it. Impressed.,
Adebayor - Made a nuisance of himself when he came on, but not much more than that. He looks off the pace but 2 weeks should give him time to work on that.
Huddlestone - Harsh red card, but very poor attempt at a challenge, won't have done himself many favours as AVB already concerned over his immobility.
Norwich were sturdy opponents yesterday, and as we were below par, they were most certainly above. They got men behind the ball quickly and in quantity, and broke quick when they had the ball.
Dembele, Adebayor and Dempsey are still to come in, Kaboul and the Daws to come back, the future isn't dull, personally I'm excited.
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