Analysis of the goal conceded against Fulham
A fantastic three points yesterday – I said in my Preview article that I felt confident going into the game, despite our recent lack of wins at Craven Cottage, and I was pleased to see Redknapp a) go with Pavlyuchenko, and b) make a very positive half-time substitution, bringing on Lennon for Sandro, and shifting Modric inside; he was poor in the first half, and much improved in the second as a result of this switch.
It was a fairly even affair, with Spurs dominating early on, before Fulham came back into it. In the second half, Spurs had more control of the game, especially after Murphy went off injured. However, despite our control, we could easily have conceded on a number of occasions – mainly from set pieces, but also when Kamara swept over, and when Dempsey got beyond Gallas, but was adjudged to have fouled him.
Gallas hasn’t had the best of starts to his Spurs career – at fault for West Brom’s goal at the Hawthorns, and at fault again yesterday. He looks so comfortable on the ball, and seems to cruise through matches, but tends to make some baffling defensive decisions. The goal was one such case, but the incident where Dempsey fouled him was another prime example – Dempsey needn’t have done so, Gallas was beaten.
Simon Davies picks up the ball in the middle of the park – Sandro has pushed forward, following the ball rather than closing off the angle for the pass.
Our defence is holding a high line, but Davies clips a ball forward to Dempsey – Hutton has tracked him, but is neither goal side, nor tight enough to him to be able to influence him. Notice Kamara making the run off him.
King comes back to help Hutton out, and between them they force him wide. Gallas is struggling to keep up with Kamara.
It looks like the situation is under control – Gallas is relatively well positioned for a cross, and King should be able to block any potential shot. There is no support arriving from midfield.
As Dempsey swivels, Gallas takes a big stride towards goal – why he does this is anyone’s guess, I presume he’s trying to block any potential shot.
Unfortunately it just leaves Kamara able to slot home from close range.
A really bizarre decision from Gallas in my opinion.
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And I thought the cross took a nick off Hutton's heel as it went through his legs, enough to divert the ball out of Gallas' reach.
But had he stayed closer to Kamara, they wouldn't have scored, it's true.
Still- do Milan have anyone like Kamara or Dempsey up front? Thought not.
We didn't play that well except in patches but won for the third time after going behind.
Bold tactics by Harry, Is he getting the hang of this tactical thingy?
Quite a good day for our loanees yesterday - with Caulker on the scoresheet, M'poku having an apparent stormer, Walker getting rave MOTM reviews, and our ipswich boys acquitting themselves well. Shame Parret and Bostock are having a more difficult time of things.
JimmyG2 - big credit to Redknapp for the change yesterday.
Pebble - promising, isn't it? I'll aim to work on another loanee watch at some point soon.
Anonymous @ 13:34 - I personally think our unsettled back 5 is the reason behind our lack of clean sheets. We certainly missed Crouch when defending set pieces yesterday, but the disorganisation that led to Kamara being unmarked 6 yards out was worrying.