LDN Blue

Don't you agree he'd be considerably more effective than Kalou?

Can we just leave McEachran's development to the professionals? What if he isn't ready? Is this such a bad thing, considering his young age?!

Let's not start that discussion here

I share you disgruntle about they being on the bench, and we can only hope this will correct come the next 2 windows (they really must!). I would also agree that André could have brought on McEachran instead of Mikel. In the case of Torres, I do defend his decision not to bring him on. While I always do have an eyebrow raised when Torres isn't used, I also understand why. Villas-Boas sees the level of effort Torres shows in training and will make his decision based on this. I'm sure he has no malice involved in this.. But I too would like to see a Drogba & Torres combination tried, understanding why maybe he may not want to. Okay, I will give you the part about Torres playing instead of Drogba. However factor in the form of Drogba & Torres individually. Torres is, perhaps, not showing the level of effort than André would like to see which is why he has no choice but to keep using Didier. I'm sure he would want better options, but it's something beyond his control. Regarding your second point about the points. Yes, this is true, 3 points should be sought out no matter who the opponent. But again, he's trying to utilise his resources, which unfortuantely do include Kalou & Malouda.. They should have the impetus to play well against Wigan. Because Torres' state is not good. I agree about Cole, and I do have different opinions to André regarding this. McEachran's not ready. Not this might annoy you, but this is what I believe to be André feelings. Why can't we accept this? Luiz is injured, you know this. Yes, this.

1. High line wasn't an issue today and in recent games it has been abandoned, irrelevant. 2. Torres' form is dire. Drogba's is good, he was in good form coming into this. 3. Full game on Monday, big game on Tuesday.

I know this. As I said to the reply to Steve, André only has what's available to him at the moment. He can't risk Mata & Sturridge burning out. See above. I agree we played bad. What I simply meant by that reply was, we would have won this 1-0 if Cech didn't make a mistake. Had we won, there may have been question marks like "where was torres?" "where was mceachran". If you see what I mean? That's fair. Yet, again, I stake the stance on André. The players must've taken innitiative to maintain an attacking momentum against Wigan, I'm sure André didn't say sit deep because this isn't how he plays. Mikel was brought on after Sturridge's goal to make sure we wouldn't get done on the counter but Malouda's introduction showed he wanted more attack with a fresh man on the wings.

While I see your point you must see André's perspective. We played a very tiresome game again Manchester City where Sturridge & Mata covered a lot of ground. He then has to keep in mind these 2 will be very important for a game like Tottenham and the fact that he only has the resources given to him in the case of back up. No disrespect to Wigan but the likes of Malouda & Kalou should be able to handle them. It's not André's fault that he only has such players available to him.

Defoe is a good player. This isn't a dig at Torres, he would be a good squad player, someone to replace Anelka. Don't be so dismissive. Yeah, that's true. It depends on Tottenham's stance.. Could be another Robbie Keane affair.

Going for the kill, but remembering our next game is only 5 days away, 5 days after our last game. He had to keep Mata & Sturridge fresh, it's not like he brought on defenders in their place. He brought on 2 wingers.. They're sub-par, but that's the resources he has at the moment.

He took of a DM, brought on a Winger = Attacking incentive. Sturridge scores, 1-0. André realises we're exposed in a counter-attack, bring in stability in midfield, so Mikel is a good decision. You know better than knowing Lampard meant that how he did. He is a profession and knows why he is missing games, André is not a mug and won't play Lampard due to that.. Else, we'd have seen Torres tonight. Lampard played because Ramires is injured. Don't buy into the media's version.

They played 5 defenders, with 5 more in midfield. We are not so great that we can break through this time and time again.

What if we won 1-0?

If we'd have won 1-0, everyone would say it's how title-winners do it. Like when we complain how Man United used to get away with 1-0 wins. Mikel made sense, to sit deep. Kalou, I'll say was an iffy one, but it's not like we have alternative forwards out wide. Malouda for Sturridge made sense, Sturridge took a knock to the back and needs to be fresh for Tottenham. It was the type of game where sitting on 1-0 was an idea that was justified.. And did he really sit on it? He brought on 2 wingers, so he did keep it to a 4-3-3 shape.

If we'd have won 1-0, everyone would say it's how title-winners do it. Like when we complain how Man United used to get away with 1-0 wins. Mikel made sense, to sit deep. Kalou, I'll say was an iffy one, but it's not like we have alternative forwards out wide. Malouda for Sturridge made sense, Sturridge took a knock to the back and needs to be fresh for Tottenham. It was the type of game where sitting on 1-0 was an idea that was justified.. And did he really sit on it? He brought on 2 wingers, so he did keep it to a 4-3-3 shape.

Lol how does this make sense when we beat the likes of City? It was a mistake that cost us, not André's tactics.

Which contributed to their goal.. How? It was a good time to sit tight, Wigan were playing too defensive to break through again. Not to mention we have a tough game in 5 days.. It was the right decision by André, Cech made the mistake, not Villas-Boas.

Why are people blaming André? Did you see what Cech just did?

A part of me feels deeply sorry for Fernando Torres.

Statistically Petr Cech is the 2nd worst keeper in the league this season.

Saw an article that labelled him the 'English-Robben' a few weeks ago.

Switzerland will not risk Basel's Champions League place for this.

Brilliant pass from Cole, an excellent touch & finish from Sturridge. 8 in 11 for him now.

I don't know about you guys, but I'm a huge fan of Defoe. I think he's very underused by England & Tottenham alike. He's a fantastic striker with great movement, pace and finish. With Drogba, Kalou and Anelka all leaviing in January and with an out-of-form Torres.. Defoe would be a great signing for us. He's 29 and so he can't be expensive, £15million would be a good sum for him. This is Tottenham we're talking about, so negotiations would not be easy. It's worth considering though.

Boring, boring, Wigan Seriously they're playing a 5-5-0 formation more or less. It's very hard for us in the final third, where as the other 2 thirds it's very easy to move around. Drogba look frustrated, but he is being marked by 3 central defenders.. Typical Wigan anti-football tactics. This might be a situation to try a Drogba & Torres combination. This is going to be a hard fought win - providing we figure a way through

Wigan playing 5-4-1?!