Bailey

I think Mirallas will start up front and his pace and quality against an attacking Spurs team will bring more to the table than Naismith. Not knocking Naismith, but Kev just has that little bit extra and if we still need to score in the last 30 mins then get Naismith on to change the game again. The most important thing about the Spurs game is that our midfield needs to dominate. As soon as McCarthy and Barry started imposing themselves on the game and especially the former when he started to break forward in attack, we started causing Villa so many more problems.

I've still yet to be convinced by Hughes. I saw the Youtube videos and he looked excellent and whilst I fully admit that I have only seen him in patches (mainly parts of games, never the full 90) he has never really stood out and a lot of the time he has been on the periphery. I have certainly not seen anything from him that supports the price tag on his head at the moment. Saw some of Ings at the weekend, took his goal nicely but again nothing screamed that he was top 6 premiership quality although it is the only time I have seen him play. If anything I thought Vokes was probably the better of the two on the day but again, I only have first impressions, nothing more.

Tbf to Mirallas, on more than a few occasions the ball took an age to get to him.

I agree with your post Steve but Im not sold on Delph just yet. He covers the ground excellently and he does have that McCarthy like engine but I still think he lacks in quality especially with his passing and his ability to read the game in an attacking sense. I wouldnt be against getting him but I dont think he is worth much more than 5-6mil and even then Id probably only want him for cover as opposed to a starter.

Im surprised to see Stones getting some stick. He isnt a natural full back and that is obvious. Long term he isnt going to be playing that position but in the short term he has done pretty well. All this getting to the byline and whipping crosses in is bollocks. Coleman very rarely does that anyway because unless its on Martinez wanta his full backs to recycle the ball if a chance iant on and both Baines and Coleman knock it back and start again lookong for more penetrating balls into the box like the one Stones played to Osman. Stones doesnt have the 1v1 skills that Coleman or Baines have but neither does Hibbert or anyone else that can play RB. Stones did well yesterday and used the ball intelligently and until we have Coleman fit again he is more than capable of holding his own in that position.

It got louder once we got into the game. I think there was a bit of nervousness there tbh.

Get in, big performance second half. Wasnt a polished performance but its exactly what we needed.

Oh Naismith, has to score!

Osman almost squeezed that through to Naismith.

Good sub this too, get McCarthy back in the centre of the pitch.

What a strike Super Kev! Get in!

Love the fact he started the move too and then moved into space. Credit to Pienaar too, lovely touch.

Thats an excellent goal and finish.

McCarthy RB.

This is interesting! Naismith on for Stones.

Good strike Pienaar just right at the keeper.

Turning the screw now... Nice play McGeady.

Nice play again but powder puff shot from Osman. Great ball Stones.

I cant imagine Spurs would let us have him anyway. They arent going to give that type of player to a main rival!

Better again. Need to close them down like that more often.

McCarthy come out with much mroe intent in this second half.

Better that. Good early ball from Barry and McCarthy breaking forward.

Barkley off for Pienaar. Minor knock apparently.

Yeh I'd agree. At the very least we need to get other players (mainly Barkley/Barry/McCarthy) making a run from deep to help create some space. McGeady needs to keep his width on the right, especially early in the play as well, so that we arent congesting the area some more.

Thought Mirallas was doing OK. His movement has been good and he is trying to get involved in the play. Biggest problem is that we are too slow and deliberate in getting the ball to him.