Yesterday was the first recorded win of the season under Andre! I am sure that you will all join me in congratulating him, just wish the guy was on Twitter.
The team got off to a flyer with a great chance yesterday and dominated the first half. There were plenty of chances that were created and I was getting very anxious with many easy goals being missed.
Finally Sigurdsson cut open the Reading defence which allowed Lennon to square the ball for JD to open the scoring.
It was difficult to endure the missed chances that should have put us well in control of a game that we should rightly dominate.
Like many other fans closely sat by me they we were all growing impatient of Defoe's wastful play until with 20 minutes to go Bale scored the second and eased our concerns after Walker did some great work skipping past 2 defenders to cross in for Bale to score.
It was at this point that AVB got the recognition that he deserved and his name was chanted by the faithful and I for one could not keep out of that.
Reading had piled on the pressure and did manage to get back into the game, until again Defoe stole the ball from Gorkks at the half way line and ran at the defense, with 2 tracking him Defoe went round to the left of the box taking both defenders with him and got off a powerful shot across the goal that McCarthy had no chance of stopping. With the marking and angle it was the hardest chance of the game that Defoe had managed to put away (which makes it all the more fraustrating to see him miss the easy ones).
There were other notable moments such as the first chance of the match with Vertonghen releasing a powerful shoot at the near post (following a save from Sigurdssons header) and McCarthy did well to save for a corner.
Defoe created himself a great chance following a long ball forward doing very well to pull the ball down (surrounded by 2 defenders), turning and running into the box only to shot wide of the post (would have been the move of the game if he had of scored). In all honesty he should have used his left foot!
McCarthy dithered with a back pass in his box and lost control to Defoe who took it around him and cut it back for Sigurdsson, but it was cleared off the line and the ball fell to McCarthy.
Dembele did well to take the ball and run it from our own half into the Reading box. Playing a good one two he had space for a shot that cannoned off of Defoe and went wide. Some felt he could have controlled it but I thought it was harsh to think other wise.
There was another chance created by Bale after running past 2 Reading player on the left and passing the ball off to Defoe who shelfishly turned and shot when a layoff behind him to Dembele (who was wide open and plenty of time) would have had a clearer chance.
The final chance of the game when Dempsey forced his way through forward and was fouled, but Andros Townsend picked up the ball knocked it passed his defender to run down the right hand side of the box and got a cross in to Defoe who lashed at the shot and blazed the ball over (there was time to do better).
All in all I was happy to see that the pressure tactics and controlling of the game (set up by AVB) worked very well. Against a stronger team we would not have got the easier chances (which we missed), but we seemed to take the harder chances a lot better. I feel that Defoe has shown that he is worth his place in the team, but he must now show much more clinical finishing in front of goal and be more aware of his other team mates.
Notable appearences though were that of Naughton and Huddlestone. A surprise appearance for me was that of Kyle Naughton who did well to deputise BAE (who was left out due to injury). He was not up to scratch in that he did make some challenges that were not needed and got out of positionmore than I would have liked. However it was a great opportunity for him to test himself in the team and he did enough to kep his place. It was good to see Huddlestone come on and he passed well and looked solid, so I for one am glad that he was not put out on loan. Hudd's match fitness looked good enough me!? Lennon and Bale (although Bale tried switching to the right AGAIN) showed their worth and what they were capable of yesterday, maybe they are now going to build up some good performances.
All credit is due to AVB, the tactics are right, its just making sure he gets the most out of his players, its just a shame that another lapse in concentration saw a goal conceded in the final minutes.
It would be good to hear your thoughts on the game, the players and AVB.
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Come on you Spurs!!!
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