Harry spanks Donny
Ooh.
14 goals scored, 11 different scorers.
Roll-call...
BAE, Bassong, Defoe Palacios, Keane, Lennon Huddlestone, O'Hara, Crouch, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko.
Tasty stuff.
Nice to see us free-scoring from all positions. Nice to see our second-eleven (of sorts) brush aside Doncaster (5-1) with clinical finishing and a professional attitude. Yes, Donny may well have gone 2-0 up if it wasn't for CC's smart goalkeeping. In fact, I thought they were pretty useful. Easy on the eye and managing to hit the woodwork a few times. If they had got themselves a slice of luck, we might have had to work harder for the win. Their only goal came by way of consolation when KPB handballed having only just come on as a sub (attention-seeker). But this wasn't our first team and there was still an air of casualness about the peformance, almost like we knew we would win and score plenty so it didn't matter if they tested us with a few plucky shots.
Hudd, Jamie, Crouch, Bentley and Pav all amongst the goals. Gio looking lively (ssh, don't be saying he's found his level, have faith) and as for David Bentley?
He swerves to the left, he swerves to the riiiighhhhht,
David Bentley, your driving is shite.
At least he's re-discovered some direction on the pitch, claiming a little bit of form too, if be it against a lower league team (ssh, don't be saying he's found his level). Got to kick-start his season from somewhere. Two assists, cracking goal and some worthy composure and intent on the ball. That phrase 'professional' comes to mind once more.
With Gio, it's evident this kid can play and needs a second chance to prove he can do just that in the Prem. We can discuss the various reasons why he has failed to make an impression thus far (turns up late for training, has an on-going injury problem, just isn't very good) or we can take yesterdays performance as a signal that he has that spark that may well prove to be useful as an alternative to Modric (be it, if Moddle is injured or moved to a central position). Has to drastically improve his influence during the course of a game if he's going to make Harry smile. He's technically good, he moves with samba style. Just needs to be a little more dangerous on the ball. Lack of the killer ball.
Hutton put in a good shift, Tommy also bossing the midfield with relative easy. Same can be said for O'Hara who was decent with both defensive and offensive duties. Pleased also that Crouchie and Pav got on the score-sheet. Harry dismissing the 'Pav to leave' stories. Glad to hear to this. After last season he has plenty to prove. If anything, if it doesn't work out there's always January. Fact is, four strikers is a good number to have because all it takes is one injury and it's time to shuffle. As for Crouch, he's still bedding in. Needs a start in the Prem at home IMO. Naughton looked better going forward than defending. Need to be careful with this lad, so best to make sure he keeps up appearances in the cup games.
In conclusion, good run out, nothing more, nothing less. The squad is obviously strong enough for us to give the Carling Cup another decent showing and possibly a 3rd successive Wembley visit.
Safe to say we have depth.
