Thought Cudicini contributed a lot to the 'high line' issue. He didn't want to come out and cut out balls over the top and his use of the ball was shocking both short and long. If we had a keeper who could actually use his feet and wasn't scared to cut out some balls in behind, we would have dominated possession much more and thus been in a better position to press and win the ball back if we lost it. By just hoofing it forwards we put ourselves in a bad place to press and win the ball back and couldn't impose ourselves on the game.
I thought Vertonghen didn't look very good, on one occasion he even left a 15 yard gap between him and Kaboul on the edge of the box when LA were piling forward, Magee ****ed it up massively but it was worrying positioning. Hopefully its just pre-season rust, looking forward to him and Younes building a partnership, we shouldn't be expecting much at this point. This match also confirmed for me that Bassong will never be a left-back. When he came to Saudi Sportswashing Machine he first played at left-back and I genuinely thought he was one of the worst players in the league. Much, much better at CB.
We were attempting to be very fluid off the ball in the first half, but we had too little structure. There was no real holder, and no-one to dictate the tempo. Livermore and Sigurdsson especially tried to get involved going forwards but it wasn't really happening. With no real deep, disciplined midfielders, the space for VDV to operate in often got squeezed down as Livermore and Sig floated up the pitch.
Townsend and Bale looked very good as wing-forwards. Townsend was energetic and enthusiastic, taking on his man regularly and often beating him, although his dribbling was at times a bit aimless. I'm not sure he'll ever become a first-team regular with us, but for his confidence alone he looks like he could be a good option off the bench, potentially more of a goal threat than Lennon as well -he also had a great effort from range. Bale was starting out wide but moving into the centre intelligently. Last season I thought we saw him too eager to join in with play in the middle, leaving his post on the wing early, but against LA he played this role very well, scoring a great header too.
Didn't think Defoe or Kane were particularly impressive, although Kane did show glimpses of potential with his movement. We need someone with devastating movement and link-up play to lead our line though - Ade please.
Jenas came off the bench and was decent, tidy, the words you normally associate with JJ. Had a couple of daring passes which were actually pretty decent, including one 60-yarder which was just cut out. Very pleased with Hudd's return, he looked a cut above the rest of our midfield and exuded calm when he came on, moved the ball about nicely. Hit one absolute gem for Bale cutting in from the right, inch perfect from about 30 yards. Carroll looked decent, hope we'll see him in the League Cup and Europa League this season, jury's still out for me. Lennon was more effective than Townsend tactically, and was more disciplined, again showing some seniority like Hudd.
Bentley was actually very impressive at left-wing.. kept the ball moving when necessary, had enough guile to work some space, and was unpredictable, using both feet, cutting in and going on the outside and producing some good delivieries. We'll see if he can produce when called upon in competitive games though...