Looking back at the game the first thing to look at is the starting 11. Ok there are a few minor changes that I would have made. As written before Gallas and Huddlestone would not have started. Gallas has shown throughout the season that he CANNOT be relied upon and that he is officially now past it!
At the age of 35 we have seen older defenders carry on and play at a high level, but Gallas is just collecting a pay cheque and is not deserving of his spot in the U19's (let alone the first team). Huddlestone although a good player is not fitting into our current team. On Saturday his passing was terrible, each corner meeting the front post at around knee level and he seemed to be out of his depth!
Overall I believe that AVB played a great game in his decisions leading up to the game and during the game (other than Gallas and Hudd's). The formation was right, when Ade was sent off the change of tactics were positive and did not show a manager out of his depth. Carroll was brought on and showed that he should have started the game and we can all agree that he is looking great! Dempsey being brought on was the only other attacking option that AVB had! He did not sit back and defend the lead. He did not sit back and attempt to do some damage control; he was always pushing the players to chase. If it had not of been for Gallas's ridiculous excuse for playing football than the effort and grit shown by the other players, we could have held the 1-0 lead (or maybe even of conceded just 1).
Can anyone say that including Lloris was not a show of faith and change? Maybe it was all part of his plan, but we cannot assume, surmise or guess anything other than what we see. Lloris was not at fault for any of the goals and if it was not for him we would have conceded far more! So, another good decision by AVB.
So for all those shouting and screaming about AVB I am shocked if you can be negative of his game plan on Saturday. We took the lead and looked good until Ade was given his marching orders. So to all those against AVB please look at the game, the players reaction to Ade's sending off, the grit and determination to fight the full way, then tell me that he should not be in his position. I think these fans (now given they have had time to calm down) that they can see who is to truly blame.
Adebayor although having been absent since the beginning of the season has shown since last week (and briefly on Saturday) that he is our best striker. Coming on against City he showed his worth. Against Arsenal Defoe had another poor game and fluffed his chance, but luckily Adebayor's positioning was top class and pounced on the rebound. Albeit he then was sent off for an unnecessary challenge (at least his grit and determination was shown, albeit misplaced). Anyone that can shout to get Ade out should remember that without him last year we would have been nowhere. He has been held back by AVB and then hit the ground running (unfortunately Corzola got in his way). Eitherway there is no question about the red card and Ade came out immediately and apologised. How many of the other players have done this? Did Gallas say sorry for his appalling excuse for defending over the season (let alone the Arsenal game)? Ade has passion and will strive to pull us forward. Defoe just moans and throws his toys out of the pram as he wants to just shoot and have every ball hit up front to him and him alone. (Bale put in a fantastic cross goal ball and Defoe mistimed his run, but yet he Yelled at Bale against Arsenal).
It is this sort of mentality that is hindering our team. Players have come to think they are guaranteed their place, Defoe and Gallas are 2 of these, but at least Defoe has shown some reason to why he deserves his spot.
The players looked as if they may pull themselves up to beat or draw with Arsenal, but with Gallas in defence it was impossible and he and he alone allowed the key passes to get to the scorer or in some case had no idea where his marker was and allowed him to score.
Call this a witch hunt if you want, but look back over the goals this season, Gallas is there every time and completely messes up. AVB I feel wanted to keep his experience in the team, but now he has been shown that experience counts for nothing if you cannot do a simple task on the pitch. Excuse my wording all, but Gallas is the cancer of the team and is eating away at all around him.
Mark my words Caulker being partnered with Kaboul or Vertonghen (with Gallas being well out of the equation) and you will see a completely different defence. Although Dawson and Caulker need a better partner at the back, they would still perform better than a Gallas partnership/
If you disagree with this then please contact me, email me and show what you feel and back it up with something. Us fans need to pull together! Maybe it was the collective moaning that encourage AVB to play 4-4-2, so if anything this shows we must not fight amongst ourselves, but see each other points and disappointment, then help to see the positives to push on and support our players. No not like a Steve Maclaren (there were some great individual performances!!!), the Arsenal game showed that only Gallas and Ade let us down, the other players did a fantastic job.
Come on you Spurs!!!
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