It was Kyle Walker not Kyle Naughton playing RB in the second half.

Bit unfair on Pav as he was the 1 in an ineffective 4-5-1 and was just wasting his time trying to harass 2 or 3 defenders and their keeper most of the time. He got little or no service or support first half.

we were very poor first half. much better second half. having pace on the flanks is so crucial for us

Pav had nothing to work with, but it proved how much better we work with 442

What I think is what I thought all last season too, Defoe and Crouch are decent not top quality but decent. VDV changes everything for us though. So its either get someone to play up top on his own to accommodate VDV or play these 2 together.

messiah - You don't think Pav could play with JD? I do.

I didn't know we get points in friendly games

1. I'd prefer Sandro or Hudd next to Modders in the middle please. Use Niko in Bale or VDVs role when they don't play i.e. cups.

2.It was kyle walker not naughton

3. We can't really judge Pav and LLorente on one game, although Defoe and Crouch both showed some quality.

How fickle are we? Yesterday we wanted Llorente at whatever cost, now we're happy with Crouch & Defoe after just a 45 min period together.

You have to laugh dont ya?!

ah course they could ddd, Crouch and Defoe have a good awareness of each other though which is I suppose why we bought them both!

Once we've got VDV in the team we need a striker who can play up top on his own, Llorente didn't impress me today and i'm not sure if Rossi can play on his own tbh.

Niko & Modders in midfield? Not for me - Niko looks too slow to compete. Todays performance highlighted the importance of Sandro imo.

Bales Left boot

Niko looks too slow

========================

Completely agree.

For me it wasnt Nikos pace that was an issue. He just goes missing in games far too easily.

Todays performance highlighted the importance of Sandro imo.
-----------------------------
Surprisingly true of a player who has barely played half a season for us.

BAE was our best player today!

Agree with that too Area Some of his dummies and feints must have left the oppo with twisted blood.

Mind you I'm still not entirely sure he should be doing that stuff so deep into our half

BAE was our best player today!

He was good, I'd give it to Bale tho - his link-up play with Modders seems to inspire the whole team

Thanks for your thoughts - I posted this hastily as dinner was on the table hence my Kyle Walker gaffe

Your comments echo a few things that were in the back of my mind, particularly the VDV angle re the striker question as Edin & dd touch on.

I'm/was a big Pav fan and my comments are a little unfair on him given the 4-5-1 first half vs 4-4-2 in the second.

I thought Benny's display was very assured and Kaboul was leagues ahead of Bassong.

My favourite Benny moment was when he crashed into Muniain like a train

Take Bale VDV and Modric out of our team and we are very average and slow to be honest we need 2 more top players a leader in defence and a striker who can play in a 451, if we get that we can challenge the top 4 positions if noti fear same as last season and our better players leaving next summer.

3 points from the Lane