Here’s the immediate reaction to a crucial fantasy premier league game for AVB and all those fantasy premier league managers holding stuttering Spurs assets:
Line ups
Reading caused the first surprise with Federici left out ostensibly for an injury. The back 4 was as expected with Harte holding his place, Gunter at RB and Gorkss and Pearce CBs . The rest of the 4-2-3-1 saw Leigertwood and Karacan as the screening midfielders. Cheapie Guthrie was the centre of the 3 with McAnuff left and Mcleary right. Pogrebnyak was the lone front man.
Spurs kept Friedel in goal. BAE, I assume, was injured and Naughton came in. Gallas held his place and looks good value. Although Sky presented the formation as a 4-3-3 it seemed more like a 4-2-3-1 with Dembele and Sandro screening behind Sigurdsson centre of the 3 with Bale and Lennon flanking him and Defoe selected ahead of Adebayor as the lone front man. Dempsey was on the bench.
The match
The first half was just a Spurs training ground run with Reading no where near putting in the intensity required. Sspurs pressed Reading on the rare occasions that they had the ball. How it was only 1-0 was amazing.
Le Fondre came in for Karacan at half time and Guthrie then went further back in to a regular 4-4-2. The 2nd half saw a great improvement in Reading and they looked threatening until Gareth Bales mis kicked shot made it 2 – 0. Another great goal from Defoe and a consolation from RK made it 3-1 final score
Player analysis
Defoe
Man of the match unquestionably and justified a slightly surprising start given some of the stories which suggested Adebayor would start. At £7.6m with great fixtures and now a certainty to hold his place he looks a great investment.
Sigurdsson
With Lennon the most advanced midfielder and the leader of the charge on the counter attack. If Clint Dempsey wasn’t around as a game time threat then he would be another good acquisition on this form at £8.6m. Was very unlucky not to score.
Bale
Despite the mishit fluke goal was very disappointing. Totally absent on the counter attack and lacked those penetrating runs that he’s known for. He’s been sold en masse and if it wasnt for the fixtures he would be out for me.
Dembele
Played in a deep Modric type role as one of the 2 in midfield. Didnt look threatening assist or goal wise and seems a total waste of talent in this position. Even at £6.1m doesnt look good value on this showing
Spurs defence
The late goal took away the clean sheet although they did look very comfortable most of the game. Nothing in the game suggested a change from Friedel.
Pogrebnyak
Looked isolated and didn’t threaten at all. Worked hard but the true test of his value will come against easier opposition
Guthrie
Ditto really for Pogrebnyak. Showed very little.
Reading defence
Lots if bargains but did not look solid at all. Not helped by a lack of energy especially in the first half from the screening midfielders
