End of Season School Report - Part 3 Attack

Wednesday, 25 May 2011









End of Season School Report - Part 1: Defence






Regular
readers of the blog will remember the post transfer window half season
school reports I did earlier in the season. Now the seasons over, it's
time to take a look at their report cards for the entire season...


Part 1: Goalkeepers & Defence...


Goalkeepers
Gomes
- There's no doubt that Gomes is a top keeper. But a combination of
lost confidence, endless spilled balls and costly mistakes have not
spelled a good season for Mr Gomes. I was a big defender of Gomes, until
the Chelsea game. Fair enough it wasn't a goal, but he should never
have given the lino the chance to get it wrong. It's just a shame he's a
quite a nice guy.
Not a great season. D (1.4 goals conceded per game)

Cudicini
- In the few games he played at the start of the season he made a few
lapses of judgement that led to silly goals, but since he's taken over
from Gomes, granted he's not had many difficult saves to make, but he
hasn't dropped the ball in the net. His composure and distribution is
much better than Gomes's and should be given a chance to cement his grip
on the no.1 spot next season.
Must Concentrate. B (1.2 goals conceded per game)



Defenders
Hutton
- Alright going forwards, but more often than not is easily beaten by
attackers. Plus he spent most of the second half of the season either in
Redknapp's bad books or injured
Sold. D

Corluka
- A better defender than Hutton but slow and down attacks too much and
seems reluctant to cross the ball, instead opting to pass infield. He
has a better understanding with Lennon than Hutton, allowing Lennon to
focus more on attack than defence.
Slow and barely bearable. B-

Kaboul - Scored the winner at the Emirates, has been reliable in attack and a beast in defence when called upon.
Good backup. B+

Gallas
- Won the fans round with his never say die, body on the line
performances and was rewarded with an extended contract. Responded well
to being given the captian's arm band earlier in the season and has put
in quite a few man of the match performances throughout the season, most
notably, the game at the emirates and the home leg against AC Milan.
Needs to work on his fitness over the summer.
Not past it. A+

Bassong
- Is likely on his way out of the Lane after finding his chances in the
first team few and far between. In the games he's had the chance to
fill in for injured players and make a stake for a place in the first
team, he's been reasonable at times and woefully out of his depth in
others. Not going to become a first teamer.
Should have taken his chances. C

Dawson
- Injured for a large portion of the season, but Awesome Dawson is a
mainstay of the team. He does ping it long to Crouch too much, and some
people have called his quality into question at times, but he has proven
himself dependable if a bit prone to moments of madness. (Fulham away
in the cup)
Tottenham Legend. A-

King - Only
made a handful of performances this season, but has been immense when
called upon. Unfortunately it's not likely he'll be a regular feature
next season either. Ledley is an absolute legend but we need consistency
in the back four, and unfortunately King Ledley can't promise us that.
Tottenham Legend. But past it. (Based on his 6 apps A*. Based on the
entire season and constant injuries, which is what counts here. D.)

BAE
- A contender for player of the season. And would have been if not for
Modric. Alan Hansen doesn't know what he's on about, great going
forwards, links with Bale brilliantly and except for a handful of lapses
in concentration (much like any defender does) and excellent in
defence. At one point in the season I saw a stat that said he'd made the
most interceptions of all defenders in the league. First choice left
back and one of the best in the league.
Doesn't need replacing. A

Rose - Technically
a midfielder but has been played left back recently. Has done well to
deputise for BAE in not compromising our attacking flair down the left
wing. Isn't afraid to take players on, but did lose the ball too easily a
few times. That's not to say he isn't a promising player for the
future.
Decent back up. B


Defence Average Score: B -

Attacking Midfielders
Lennon
- Hasn't really had much chance to get going this season. During the
first half of the season he seemed to be struggling for confidence after
the world cup, during the second half he seemed to lose his first team
place for a while and was used as a sub alot. He doesn't have the same
pre-world cup confidence he had and doesn't skin people as much as he
used to. Still a quality player and Spurs Legend.
Needs confidence. B (3 Goals, 7 Assists, 28 Shots, On Target 29%)

Jenas
- He'll never be in the starting 11 for us. Rightly so. He's had a few
moments of brilliance, but more moments of absolute nothing. Mr Marmite,
Mr Sideways, whatever you want to call him, nobody is quite sure what
he does.
Back Up at best. C- (0 Goals, 2 Assists, 27 Shots, On Target 15%)

Modric
- One Hotspur Player of the season, heartbeat of the team, Croatian
magician and our number one player to keep hold of this summer. No
matter the team we're up against, Modric is a world class player who has
the ability to dominate a game. An interesting stat for you... His pass
completion at Anfield was a ludicrously good 94%.
Not for sale. A* (4 Goals, 3 Assists, 61 Shots, On Target 31%)

Kranjcar
- Looks like he'll be on the way out this summer. Which is a shame
considering the job he did for us last year. But unfortunately he's just
slipped down Redknapp's pecking order and isn't getting the game time.
I'll be sad to see him go, as he is a quality player and a brilliant
back up option for us. He can't do much in the 5 minutes hes on the
pitch (apart from score two scoring match winners), and his grade
reflects the fact that he's only had bit part appearances
Sad to see him leave. C (2 Goals, 1 Assist, 19 Shots, On Target 32%)

Bale
- Brilliant first half of the season saw him crowned PFA player of the
year. That was mostly based on his games in Europe. In the second half
of the season, which was mostly league games, he's been easily contained
by opposition defenders who see him week in week out and know how to
deal with him. He's a top player and needs to work out how to exploit
the space that is given to us when teams double or triple up on him.
Pretty decent goal return for a left winger however.
Hot and Cold. B+ (11 Goals, 3 Assists, 83 Shots, On Target 37%)

Van Der Vaart
- When he's on his game and in a run of form, he's unstoppable and a
valuable member of the team. When he's been out of the goals for a
while, he messes up the shape of the team by coming all the way back to
the defenders to get the ball off of them. Modric should tell him to
P*ss off up front, he's supposed to be playing off the striker, not
taking the ball off of Dawson and trying to do everything himself. Also
some fitness issues that need to be sorted out over the summer. Top
scorer and joint highest goal assister though makes him a steal at £8M
Do as you're told. B+ (15 Goals, 9 Assists, 137 Shots, On Target 39%)

Pienaar
- What was the point in signing him? As back up, right. Krancjar is
better than Pienaar if we need back up. Don't get me wrong, he's a
reasonable player, but he just isn't getting enough game time to allow
himself to get in the groove.
Wrong Team. Grade: D+ (0 Goals, 1 Assists, 16 Shots, On Target 13%)


Defensive Midfielders
Sandro
- During the half term reports, I called for Sandro to be given a run
in the team to see what he's all about. Now he has, I think he's easily
fought his way into the first 11. Comfortable on the ball, excellent
tackler, and rarely loses the ball. He is prone to a loss of
concentration and will need to make sure he cuts those out as they could
end up being costly. Still, his first season in the English game has
been more than we could have asked for. With him and Modric running our
midfield next year, we will be a force to be reckoned with. We need to
think of a song for him as well. "I love you Sandro, you are the love
of..." Oh wait, that ones already taken.
Beast. Legend in the making. A- (1 Goal, 1 Assist, 22 Shots, On Target 18%)

Huddlestone
- Injured for ages and has possibly lost his spot to Sandro. I'm
looking forward to those two battling it out next season as Huddlestone
is good player and was instrumental in our top four slot the previous
season. Comfortable on the ball, excellent passer but always looks slow
and unfit. Had a couple of absolute shockers as well.
Too many absences. C (2 Goals, 2 Assists, 34 Shots, On Target 12%)

Palacios
- The game against AC Milan, in Milan was a gem in a sea of shite this
season. He has looked completely laking in confidence and has been way
down the pecking order and rightly so. Again, as I said for Gomes, you
can see the lack of confidence really affects him. Also, on a side note,
to all you who jeered and booed him during games, to quote Redknapp,
"Go and support someone else". Never boo your own players. Always get
behind them and give them your 100% support when they're on the pitch.
Booing and jeering does nothing for anyone.
Where's the old Wilson? E+ (0 Goals, 0 Assists, 11 Shots, On Target 27%)

Midfield Average Score: B -

Pavlyuchenko
- The most frustrating player on the team. He undoubtedly has the skill
and he has the ability to score plenty of goals. But the reality is
that he's far too lazy, never makes runs, doesn't get into space,
consistently loses the ball, makes the wrong passes, squanders too many
chances, has an appalling first touch, has no pace, limited technique,
can not hold the ball up and he rarely (if ever) beats a player one on
one. Either that's just him and he's never going to get better, or he is
just a lazy sod and needs a kick up the a*se. For the record, I think
it's the former.
Lazy. C- (12 Goals, 4 Assists, 98 Shots, 36% On Target)

Crouch
- Some how, as a professional footballer, he can't strike the ball
properly. It's almost comical when he has a shot from outside the area.
It's how I'd imagine Bambi looks playing football with his his deer
mates. The only redeeming feature Crouch has, is that he's tall.
Therefore "he brings something different to the team." That something
different can be dealt with by English teams but not European teams.
Crouch is much better in European games because their defenders don't
know how to deal with a beanpole who just has everybody ping the ball at
his head. However, Crouch does have the joint highest assists in the
team, and second to scoring goals is providing assists
Marmite. C- (8 Goals, 9 Assists, 67 Shots, 36% On Target)

Defoe
- Half way through the season, I defended him. Saying he was injured
and lacking confidence after the world cup. Now that he's had the whole
season to get himself sorted, I'm not so sympathetic. He's been crap all
season yet still feels the need to come out in the media and moan about
how he needs to move on because he's not getting enough game time. I
won't be sad to see him go. (Assuming of course we bring in a
replacement)
Crap. Arrogant. Done. D- (8 Goals, 2 Assists, 80 Shots, 36% On Target)
FYI:
Berbatov 98 Shots 43% On Target
Tevez 120 Shots 38% On Target

Attack Average Score: D+

Parts 1,2 and 3..... are these going to be merged..??????????????????????????

I knows.