Uncle Si wrote:The Bale injury will be tough to overcome Storts. And its too bad, such a massive player and important for the league.
I watched the game and agree with alot of your assessment. I struggle to grab a hold of what everton is a a whole. But i think yesterday they just took advantage of a Spurs team trying to find a pattern without their key player. Walker looks lost both defensively and in the attack. Seems a bit naive, but thats his youth as well. I think Holtby will come good, eventually.
Dempsey and Sigurrdson were both targets for Liverpool. I was devastated when we missed on Dempsey. But he has struggled this season, and I think much of it is learning to play on a team with higher expectations and in a system that doesnt go through him. What youre describing about him is not necessarily indicative of who he is as a player. Hes got an excellent first touch, is a deadly accurate shooter and scores very meaningful goals.... with Fulham and the US. Not sure why he has struggled for Spurs, but he's probably a bit lost with the likes of Bale, lennon, Defoe and Adebayor running around. Remember, hes never played with that kind of talent.
Tying Everton at home isnt a bad result. that was a massive goal in the end for 4 teams (Everton, Spurs, Pool and Arsenal). But Spurs have the toughest run in on paper. Getting 4th, or even maintaining 5th, may be difficult if Bale doesnt see the field by season's end
Definitely, we were always going to struggle without him, which was why it was nice to see us at least looking like a half decent team without him but obviously we need him back badly for the run in.
Agreed, it was a typical Everton performance, they latched onto our weaknesses on the day and made it count when they had the chances. Walker has been poor this season, he doesn't naturally take people on offensively and defensively he's very poor positionally. Then again, your boy Johnson was like that when he was younger but has improved immensely with experience so hopefully Walker will go the same way.
Yeah you're probably right on Dempsey, I was maybe a bit harsh on him, but it seems he stands out more as a big fish in a small pond and struggles when he's just another player. To be fair to him, he's scored some important goals this season and he has proven he can nick a scrappy goal when we need it, but he definitely needs to have a break out game where he performs exceptionally.
You're right, we couldn't afford to lose that game, the equaliser was vital, but we need Bale and Lennon back asap. I personally think Chelsea are the team we are fighting it out with as they have a tricky run in too. Arsenal will be 3rd imo