Player Ratings – Spurs v QPR

A typical Spurs performance you might say. Despite controlling the game for large amounts, we failed to kill off our opponents and had to endure a nervy few minutes having let QPR back into the game.

But Spurs came through in the end to make it six wins from seven. Here are the individual marks for the players involved.

Brad Friedel – 7 – A virtual bystander for most of the game, the only thing he had to do was pick the ball out of the net, something he had no hope with. Some good distribution and a couple of decent saves when we were on the ropes.

Kyle Walker – 7 – Not as dynamic going forward as usual, as Shaun Wright-Phillips presence meant he was required to stay back a bit. But kept SWP quiet without too much trouble.

Younes Kaboul – 7 – Misunderstanding with Ledley King led to QPR’s goal, but otherwise was solid, heading clear anything that landed on his bonce.

Ledley King – 8 – It’s talked about how important he is for Spurs everytime he steps on the pitch. Clear today as he was imperious at the back, showed some neat touches and even got forward to claim an (inadvertent) assist.

Benoit Assou-Ekotto – 7 – Got forward to good effect on a regular basis, exploiting the freedom given by Joey Barton pulling inside, and was maybe unlucky not to have an assist to his name. Caught napping a bit as Jay Bothroyd headed home, but there are questions why he would be marking him anyway.

Aaron Lennon – 7 – Not at his cavaliering best and maybe short of full fitness. Instead he showed some excellent passing ability, culminating in his wonderful link up with Gareth Bale for the Welshman’s second of the game.

Scott Parker – 9 – What a signing this man has proved to be. The industry and athleticism he brings to the midfield has not been seen at White Hart Lane for years, and he tackled everything that came into his path, whilst also going on some dangerous forward runs to set up attacks.

Luka Modric – 7 – Better, after a couple of quiet away fixtures. Passing was back to his normal standards, with some clever touches. Unlucky not to end the first-half with a goal to his name, before going slightly quieter as QPR got stuck in during the second half.

Gareth Bale – 9 – Had a quietish season by his standards, but was fantastic against QPR. His first goal was classic Bale, surging into the box and arrowing the ball past Paddy Kenny. The second, a less talked about feature of his game, showing some delicate exchanges with Aaron lennon, before curling home a superb shot and finishing a beautiful team goal.

Rafael Van Der Vaart – 9 – Everything dangerous Spurs did in this game, came through the Dutch master. Ingenious and inspiring, his creative side was at it’s best and could have had a number of assists on another day. Took his goal excellently, having made the gamble to occupy that gap between the defenders.

Emmanuel Adebayor – 6 – Profligate would be the word used to describe his game. Had several chances to get his name on the scoresheet, but fluffed his lines on a regular basis. His work-rate continues to be a source of frustration, especially as when he did battle, it led to our second goal. Showed a few good touches, but one suspects one of our other strikers could have had a field day, if given the chance.

Subs:

Sandro – N/A – Not on long enough to make much impact, seemed to only be introduced in order to give Parker a much-deserved standing ovation.

Manager:

Harry Redknapp – 7 – Lined the team up perfectly to make a big statement on the league. However, whatever he said at half-time seemed to allow Spurs to take their foot of the gas and allow the visitors back into the game. Failure to change the team when they did was frustrating, likewise the decision not to remove Adebayor. Maybe he’s taking the Europa League more seriously than we thought?

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