Tottenham for large parts of this match played really quite good football, the first half was as exciting as a conversation with Avram Grant but for the most part we played well. The big downer being that Bale was forced off on 12th minutes with a reoccarance of his back injury - hopefully it wont be anything serious!
The same can be said with the second half, a little more end to end but we played well. Unfortunately Coloccini nearly wrecked my weekend by scoring in the 59th minute (good goal to be honest) but thankfully Lennon came back with a great goal in the 90th and rescued a point for the Spurs.
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| Lennon saves our bacon |
Now I wouldn't like to guess how match of the day will edit this game later but I feel that we really should have won today. Yes Newcastle had a number of chances and should really have scored again themselves - wasting two fantastic opportunities and yes they stopped our play well in the middle. However today's game for Newcastle was only ever about stopping our play in the middle, they crowded the players and made it very difficult for us get through. However when we did it looked promising.
The biggest problem was 'that old chestnut' again - the final ball. We lacked it big time today, if it wasn't the final cross into the box it was the shot itself. Defoe should have scored today - he had a beautiful chance just before the break and should have done a lot better, thankfully for Newcastle Steve Harper got in front of it and the half finished 0-0.
The second half started off much like the first finished, a little end to end but ultimately with the yids on top. However that's when Spurs like to concede goals and they duly obliged on the 59th minute with Coloccini netting a really well taken goal.
From there on it was always going to be a tough one and it really was starting to look like one of those days; a fantastic shot from Modric hitting the bar basically summed this up.
However we have done well from losing positions this year, showing the fight that got us a top 4 finish last year, this was again the case today and we fought pretty well for the rest of the game. As I said Newcastle should really have scored again but wasted two opportunities - we were equally as wasteful though, I don't like to point the finger too much but Crouch had the touch of a rapist today, I know he only came on the pitch in the 71st minute but that was enough time for him to get up to his old tricks again.
Lennon was always a constant threat and capped off a good display with a really well taken goal. I actually missed the goal thanks to my internet connection deciding it would be a good time to cut out - excellent timing that would have made ITV proud!
So what do we take from a 1-1 draw? Its great to see us fight for a point after going down, I've said it before but we would have lost this game hands down a few years ago so we should be pleased with that!
One definite is that we need to sign a new striker...badly! I love Defoe but he just hasn't got back in the zone this year, perhaps it was the injury that kept him out for ages? There is still time for him this year but the season is getting on now. As with Crouch, I do like him and he was great for us last year but again he has been pretty poor this term - If it wasn't for his Champions League input and his assists for VdV i think he would be on his way out.
Pav and Keane didn't even make the bench today. What does that tell you?
Harry please get us a new front man before the window closes - whether or not we manage the top 4 again could very well depend on this.
Ratings:
Cudicini - 6 - Had a decent game but should have done better with the goal
Hutton - 7 - Got forward well and made some great blocks, couple of dodgy moments
Dawson - 8 - Another great game. Nearly gave away a goal but made amends for that mistake late on.
Gallas - 8 - solid performance. A few wayward balls but nothing too concerning.
Bale - Not on the pitch long enough to do anything, taken off injured in the 12th minute
Lennon - 8 - Always a threat, got around the pitch very well and scored the equaliser
Jenas - 6 - Didn't really do much, gave the ball away a lot (as usual) and skied a few shots
Modric - 7 - Always threatening, passed well and was unlucky to not have scored.
Pienaar - 6 - Disappointing debut, had quite a few opportunities to impress but couldn't really deliver
VdV - 6 - Played ok but not a great game from the Dutchman today
Defoe - 6 - Should have scored, pretty quiet in the second half
Subs:
Bassong (for Bale) - 7 - Still worries me but made some good tackles/blocks
Crouch (for Jenas) 5 - Terrible touch, saw him win one header...
Kranjcar (for Pienaar) - 7- despite only being on the pitch for 10 minutes played really well and showed why he should feature more often
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