Right....whenver folks are back from their celebrations tonight...post yer reports here! Can't wait to read them. Did it look as good as it sounded? :-)

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000

Answers

Yes

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000

First in, from the North Shields World Service!,p> In summary, a much better, more disciplined, all round team performance. Comfortable win in the end although Spurs had a lot of possession. We had one or two shaky moments, but I thought we defended well as a team and Spurs didn't create too many real chances. Anderton did manage to hit the post when fairly well paced, and Sir Les headed an excellent cross down into the ground and over the bar - good man Les!

Given did OK again without being too busy, other than clearing back passes. Defensively we did much better than in the first two games. Goma wasn't entirely dominant in the air but was generally decisive in the tackle. I thought Aaron Hughes was really superb today and really came of age as a PL CB in this game - we really should persevere with him in the middle - unfussy, marks well, tackles incisively, and importantly, gets rid of it when its necessary.

Given the relative lightweight players on view, I thought our midfield played really well - which was the key to the victory for me. As has been well discussed on here, we look much better balanced when Glass plays, and he has added a high work-rate to his other commendable qualities. Speed and Dyer were terrific - harrying, tackling, and made a number of incisive runs past our front men into their penalty area - GS scored from one of these runs and Dyer could also have had a couple. Solano had one his better games, using the ball intelligently, linking play, and causing the Spurs defence some anxious moments.

Up front, Big Al did all the donkey work keeping the Spurs defence on their toes, and getting the usual stick for his trouble - with zero protection from the referee, as usual. He had an exquisite chip from a difficult angle headed off the line in the first half, and blasted a 20 yd free-kick inches wide in the second. Disappointed for him that he didn't open his goal account.

Cordone was highly impressive again and calmly took his goalscoring chance. He is a beautifully balanced player, with good control, and his movement and positional sense are terrific. While they don't always link perfectly as yet, I actually think DC and AS could make a very interesting partnership when they get more used to each other. AS is so clever at holding up the ball, while DC is skilled at laying it off first time and moving into position for a return pass. Much evidence today of work put in on the training ground which was nice to see. This team had a nice balance too it, and they worked very hard for each other. There wasn't actually a weak link in the chain today. Six point out of nine: 3rd place in the PL, and a 10 day gap now to get at least some of the casualties back into training. Life feels good for zebra tonight.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000

Looking at Teamsh*te - Sir Les cme on as sub and young Coppy came on for us - did Les get a good welcome ? and what about JC ?

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000

Thanks very much Clarky. I came in froma break working in maize fields in Iowam (90 F and 80%RH). This was JUST the fillip I needed. I'm pleased the defense seemed so good. I was worried about a Spurs team that was unchanged for 3 matches in succession.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000

Josh,

Sir Les came on to huge round of applause - still VERY popular, and I feel always will be - a real Toon hero. He was actually pretty fired up and came close to scoring with that header that bounced over the bar.

Jamie Coppinger came on for Axel for the last 10 minutes - Axel had taken a bit of a buffeting, including being hacked down on the edge of the PA when The Rt. Honourable Mr. Ellery presumably thought he had dived - tosser! JC did OK, got into the box threateningly a couple of times. It's always nice to see a home developed player coming into the 1st team. However, he's small and doesn't look physically equipped for the PL - sincerely hope I'm wrong. BR was describing him in the Journal today as a Zola-type player - not a bad role model for JC.

Sounder,

Your description of coming in from working in the maize fields in Iowa sounds so romantic - but bet it's just hot and hard work. It's rained all bloody day hear - however, life here has its compensations - the Toon did win.

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000

I'm a bit late as usual with my effort, which should be here THE RIK REPORT

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000

To Clarky: I am glad Iowa does sound romantic!! Obviously you were at the match, lucky you! But you might like to have a look at the Match Thread just to see where the supporters were signing in from.

I was very sceptical about our chances today but it seems that YBR really can get the team prepared for a game.

Sounder

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000

Hey, we're 3rd. in the table - Champions League here we come!!!

:-7

-- Anonymous, August 26, 2000

An excellent game and good to see a clean sheet.

Given was not called on to produce any spectacular saves but he bossed his area quite well and fielded a number of high crosses which was nice to see. His distribution seems to have improved markedly and it may have been a question of confidence. Goma and Hughes were very good at the back apart from a completely missed kick by Hughes in the first minutes which almost let Spurs in. To make up for this lapse Hughes put Speed in with a superb long through ball to put us ahead.

The midfield was buzzing and very creative. We broke quickly from defence and often threatened to score. Cordone is really excellent - very high workrate, skilfull, always threatening.

Coppinger did not seem overawed by the experience, and almost had an assist to his name late on when he put someone through to pull a save out of the keeper.

Great performance against George ("There was a crooked man ...") Graham's outfit.

Level with the leaders ...

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

I thought the way Speed in particular buggered up the Spurs "offside trap" (I assume that's what it was trying to be) in the first quarter of an hour was excellent. Graham is supposed to be a wonderful defensive coach and he hadn't bothered to tell any of his lads to track the midfield runner. Cracking effort George!

I was very impressed again with Cordone, having only previously seen him in the flesh against Burnley. The one major fault he shows, however, is a South American tendency (Miradhina?!!) not to part with the ball when there are colleagues better placed. When he gets to grips with that aspect of the game he'll be bloody marvellous.

I thought Goma's peformance was very encouraging. Neither he nor Hughes were really made to look daft throughout the entire game which you must admit, is pretty damn good for our central defence! Goma is very decent in the air and his tackling lacked much of the clumsiness we have come to know and love from our back line.

I thought Rebrov looked a waste of money but the service he got was limited. Did anyone hear Richard Littlejohn on 606. I was driving down the M6 listening to him going berserk at Graham for bringing on two defenders when Spurs were 2-0 down! It was quite funny - lots of Spurs callers ready to top themselves/Graham! The funniest though was a guy who reckoned GG was much maligned and put all of Leeds current success down to him!

Anyway, back to the Toon. I was in Level 7 of the Milburn. Did you know there are 170 steps up to that tier? Why is there not a cardiac unit at the top - typical bloody NHS cuts again!

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

I thought the biggest differences between Wednesday and yesterday was confidence and imagination. Confidence from the back four -I thought Goma was 100% better, tackled well, distibuted well, and looked like he was comfortable in possession. Hughes was even better than that. The imagination came from the midfield that looked capable of over running Spurs at will and were creative whenever they got the chance. Cordone looks a very good player ( and obviously loves the crowd ) and Al got kicked to bits. I thought we looked as though we knew we could win from the kick 0ff. If this is the way that YBR wants his team to play, we're going to be smiling a lot this season.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

The difference between the Spurs and Derby matches was Gary Speed. On Wednesday, we lacked control on midfield and were too lightweight. Against a stronger threat yesterday (Sherwood) Speed rose to the challenge and snuffed out their one main threat in midfield. Add to that his excellent run and lob and I had him as MotM.

I agree about Cordone. Once Al (who rates him highly) takes him to one side and has a "Now look ye heor sonny" type of chat, then I'm sure Daniel will become a better team player with consequent increase in his effectiveness.

Given looked sound and seemed to be bossing his area. During one (quiet, to be honest) moment in the 2nd half, I could clearly hear him shouting at the defence. Not bad when you consider he was at the Gallowgate end and I was where to old Sky box used to be. His kicking was faultless. Hughes had a good game, and assuming we can stay clear of further injuries, the loss of Dabs might just be a blessing in disguise if it forces Hughes and Goma to play together regularly.

A good result. We need to build on this and put an unbeaten run together thru September.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

George Graham reckons he's never heard the SJP crowd quieter than yesterday - all because his team never let us dominate the game.

While it wasn't exactly raucous yesterday I didn't think the atmosphere was that bad - perhaps GG needs a new battery in his deef-aid!

I have to say the Toon Armies repertoire is getting a bit stale and could with spicing up a bit. Jonno said to me in the Strawberry that we need some new chants for players like Axl and GS - in fact apart from AS and BR is there anyone else in the current squad who does have a chant? A +ve one that is! Oh yes, Rob Lee and to a lesser degree YKD. That's still pretty naff.
Get your thinking caps on lads & lasses.

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

How about adapting the great Mirandhina song for the new South American hero:

They caal him Dan Cordone He's like My Little Pony But divvent fret He'll hit the net.

Aye a know - bloody crap!

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

Why doesn't it start a new line when I tell it too?

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

Actually Jacko that's bloody good. I love the link to "my little pony". :o))

-- Anonymous, August 27, 2000

It was deafening at times in the Gallowgate. I don't thinkthe sound carries too well under the perspex as I barely heard the Spurs fans but IU'm assured they were singing (by Mags as well as Spurs fans). I agree re repertoire - high time we came up with a few more. Problem is, the best ones come from away games and let's face it, the away lot are scattered to the winds at SJP.

-- Anonymous, August 29, 2000