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Media Kneed to Look at Lukaku Not AVB

5 min read
by The Fighting Cock
Missing the point is something that the media have done quite a lot with Spurs recently. They have taken a narrative, tucked it under their arm and run Jonah Lomu style for the nearest printing or web device.  We have had to endure a whipping due to the Y-word, smoke bombs, crowd noise and now […]

Missing the point is something that the media have done quite a lot with Spurs recently. They have taken a narrative, tucked it under their arm and run Jonah Lomu style for the nearest printing or web device.  We have had to endure a whipping due to the Y-word, smoke bombs, crowd noise and now apparently we are up for a charge of attempted manslaughter/gross negligence.

BYJ9jdLIIAAxTlcThe game at Everton, was dull. At the time I was too captivated to realise this, but in the cold light of day in all honesty it was. It was two teams scared to lose and therefore incapable of winning. We had the ball and rarely threatened, then they did the same, for a clash that meant one side would go second, it was all a bit tame, until Romelu Lukaku attempted to leave his mark on Hugo Lloris’ cranium.

I understand in a dull game journalists need an angle, but in picking AVB and his medical staff they are offensively wide of the mark.

[linequote]It was all a bit tame, until Romelu Lukaku attempted to leave his mark on Hugo Lloris’ cranium[/linequote]

The young Belgian is a player I admire greatly. I remember the first home game of AVB’s reign when we faced West Brom at the Lane, he was a monster. That day he was given a 10 minute cameo, but in those 10 minutes he owned the Spurs back line, his arrival helped panicked Spurs into conceding a late equaliser.

Lukaku has pace, he has strength, he has bravery but as we saw on Sunday he has a recklessly dangerous side. If you can stomach watching Lloris being flattened again, do it, but this time avert your eyes away from the keeper and watch Lukaku, not his knee, not his body but watch his face, watch it close.

http://youtu.be/giTXSuY7_o0

As the ball comes over he glances forward, he looks back then he looks forward again. He knows he isn’t getting there, he knows Lloris will be first, but what does he do? Nothing. It is this telltale sign that makes me believe it was deliberate.

The Everton striker didn’t reach for the ball with his foot, nor did he take evasive action, he simply carried on with his trajectory. Not once did he alter his stride to either win the ball or move, it was a cold calculated manoeuvre that was more dangerous to Lloris, than any decision taken by the Spurs medical staff or AVB. These past couple of days the media should have been protecting keepers, not castigating managers.

[linequote]He knows he isn’t getting there, he knows Lloris will be first, but what does he do? Nothing[/linequote]

The medical staff at Spurs, who have proved already in their career that they are one of the very best in the world, allowed Lloris to return, therefore that case is closed. The keeper said he was fine and the decision by the medical team to allow him to return has been vindicated by post game scans. There is no story here, what is the story is Lukaku’s behaviour, but that has been swept under the carpet.

What is still up for discussion though is Spurs and their inability to score. The general consensus was that a draw away to Everton, unbeaten at home in 2013, is a good point. However the fact that we was again we had a large chunk of possession, but froze when time for the final ball came calling is worrying.

Across 90% of the pitch Spurs play well, our defence regardless of who plays looks solid, the midfield combative and good off-the-ball, our wide men are threatening and in Roberto Soldado we have a good striker, but we are missing that final ball. Spurs approach the edge of an opposition area, either at pace or through slow patient build up then freeze, there is a reason why we are amongst the leading shooters in the Premier League, its because we lack a fantasista, an idea, a thought other than “let me have a swing at it.”

On our bench we have players capable of stepping into this role, but for one reason or another AVB isn’t playing them. This will have to change, we can not continue to tease and raise expectations, before rolling away with a headache, eventually something has to give.

Once upon a time we bemoaned our strikers inability to convert chances, now we have a striker capable of converting, we are failing to utilise him. I am sure that I wasn’t the only one to note Roberto Soldado’s demeanour during the game.

Phil Jagielka is probably lying on his sun bed sporting evidence of the Spaniard’s frustration. On other occasions when a tanned set of ribs wasn’t available for tickling, the Spaniard was rolling his eyes, throwing his arms up and shaking his head. Soldado thrives on quick crosses and through balls, and is used to being the main man, when he runs he expects the ball, at Spurs this isn’t happening.

This issue will probably be solved with patience and time, but in my heart I know that Aaron Lennon and Andros Townsend, both excellent players, don’t have the qualities to help Soldado thrive. The sooner Eric Lamela and Christian Eriksen adjust the better.

[linequote]Consider that Liverpool and Swansea were looking for £12 million upwards for Martin Skrtel  and Ashley Williams, Chriches at £8 million was a steal[/linequote]

The brightest point to come out of our trip to Merseyside was the continued emergence of Vlad Chiriches. The Romanian is fast turning into one of my favourite players, confident and extremely capable on the ball he looks like a real star and unlike many of his more expensive teammates, he has settled in brilliantly and quickly. If you consider that Liverpool and Swansea were looking for £12 million upwards for Martin Skrtel  and Ashley Williams, Chiriches at £8 million was a steal.

Next up for Spurs is another 1882 night for the Europa League game for Sheriff Block 35, before a ridiculously early midday kick-off on Sunday against Newcastle.

The Geordies buoyed by their battling win against Chelsea on Saturday, will come with a plan that we have already seen ad nauseum at the Lane. Should Eriksen and Lamela play and perform against Sheriff, I think they should be given more than a 10-15 minute cameo, against a black and white wall, we may need some guile and penetration.

[author name=”ARLombardi” avatar=”https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/378800000190788876/b1d0a1120760e39338a815ea5827d7f8.jpeg” twitter=”ARLombardi” website=”arlombardi.com” tag=”ARLombardi[/linequote]

All views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Fighting Cock. We offer a platform for fans to commit their views to text and voice their thoughts. Football is a passionate game and as long as the views stay within the parameters of what is acceptable, we encourage people to write, get involved and share their thoughts on the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.

46 Comments

  1. Jim
    05/11/2013 @ 6:22 pm

    It’s unbelievably clear that Lukaku changes direction to avoid Loris, but the goalkeeper’s momentum takes his face straight into Lukaku’s path. Stop trying to shift the blame here. Referee’s have commented on the incident and said that Lukaku did not deserve a card there. You’re over-analysing a situation to uncover a result that you want. This was accidental. If anything, Loris is the aggressor, because he does nothing to change direction.

    • J Sidewinder
      12/11/2013 @ 11:19 am

      is your name Stevie Wonder you absolute cock.

  2. Dark Horse
    05/11/2013 @ 6:27 pm

    hmmm can’t they both be in the wrong. I agree with the Lukaku point, you can’t go in like on other player so why the goalkeeper? But look when someone is knocked unconscious and seem dazed THEY SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED BACK ON THE PITCH. Sorry about the caps but I am afraid it is a story. The supporters need to be made aware of the dangers instead of passionately defending manliness and bravery. He could of had a concussion; there is no way a physio could have known he didn’t. I am sorry no way; symptoms can even be delayed or barely visible.
    It is amazing reading this website; you would of thought Tottenham were now a new wing of Al-Qaeda. Calm down people are not out to get you.

  3. Spurgatso
    05/11/2013 @ 6:31 pm

    Having watched the incident several times at no point does Lukaku take avoiding action,not the slightest attempt to avoid contact,not saying it was deliberate,or unavoidable but…….

  4. Pablobrown
    05/11/2013 @ 6:35 pm

    What a loads of bollocks,Lukaku had every right to go for the ball. Goalkeepers would just go to grond if they knew a player couldn’t challenge him

  5. Sprucebandit
    05/11/2013 @ 6:38 pm

    Lukaku could have done more to avoid collision. Fact.

    • Ste
      05/11/2013 @ 7:20 pm

      Lloris could have done more to avoid collision. Fact

      The truth is that it was 2 players fully committed to going for the ball, there was no foul and the booking was therefore a scandalous decision

  6. James Hignett
    05/11/2013 @ 6:40 pm

    Complete and utter bollocks. No more, no less.

  7. Henrik Thomsen
    05/11/2013 @ 6:44 pm

    YOU are missing the point.

    Lukaku clash with Lloris was an accident. No card. Soldatos elbowing Jagielka was so obviously deliberate. RED card.

  8. Steve Harris
    05/11/2013 @ 6:56 pm

    Biggest load of shit i`ve read for a long time! Lukaku is just running past him and its the frog`s momentum that carries him into his knee. Spurs are becoming worse than the redshite, always the victim, its never your fault. How can you moan about getting abuse about leaving the goalie on when its clearly the clubs call and with regards to that dreadful smoke bomb incident, it was clearly thrown by one of your cockney twats weren`t it? It`s been so long since you won the league that it sounds like your getting desperate, despite spending millions on shite for the past decade

  9. Polledreng
    05/11/2013 @ 7:04 pm

    -your comments makes the world laugh. Don’t give a shit about Spurs but reading this I’m rather sure that the other points haven’t been missed by the press but by you. You clearly don’t know a shit about football.

  10. dave roberts
    05/11/2013 @ 7:14 pm

    as a spurs fan I originally thought that the striker had caught Lloris on purpose, however thanks to the video above it is patently clear that he Lukaku could not get out of the way. the entire problem was that Lloris’s head flew up after catching the ball. The card he received was also wrong.
    Complaining like this when it is clear it was an accident will get everyone thing we are a bunch of moaners. Just move on it was an accident.

    • tony
      06/11/2013 @ 2:21 pm

      Dave Roberts,well said mate! a bit of common sense there!

  11. jojo
    05/11/2013 @ 7:15 pm

    Looks a little like 6 of one and half a dozen of the other.
    Lloris came in fast and committed and his head bowed forward into the path of Lukaku’s leg/knee.
    Lukaku could have done more to avoid what happened but chose not to prioritise that knowing that he might just (not) do enough to get away with at least knocking Lloris “innocently”.
    These guys are very switched on to who’s where and doing what around them – it’s their job.

  12. Actual Football Fan
    05/11/2013 @ 7:18 pm

    The biggest load of crock shit i have read on the internet i hope you dont have a full time career in journalism. What would you like him to do there is less than a second fromm him collecting the ball to him colliding with his head, so perfectly in rights to keep going im sure if lukaku had superman reactions he may have avoided it but watch it again if you still believe the shit your sprouting look for a new career

  13. Raistlin
    05/11/2013 @ 7:19 pm

    Seriously? wow what an absolute load of rubbish it was a 50/50 ball Lukaku had the right to go for as did Lloris!! as for looking this way or that, yep in your dreams matey, he had one thing on his mind and one thing only get the ball. What amazes me is had this happened at down the other end you probably would have claimed it was a penalty and Howard should have been sent off!! Take your lillywhite glasses off and face reality it was an accident and Lukaku shouldn’t even have been booked on the other hand the Soldado elbow into Jagielka’s chest should have been a straight red.

  14. Richie
    05/11/2013 @ 7:29 pm

    You’re off your rocker mate

    50:50 all day long

    slow motion replays are the death of any constructive analysis in football, people read far to much into them

  15. Garethrobbo
    05/11/2013 @ 7:41 pm

    You really are a fucking idiot!! Deliberate? It was clearly an accident. Stop looking for things that aren’t there and move onto to bettering your intelligence, you absolute tool!!

  16. Sir Cecil
    05/11/2013 @ 7:58 pm

    An article of such shallow-mindedness it beggars belief. The goalkeeper dived and momentum took him into the path of the opponent. The ludicrous, childish article is tantamount to saying the goalpost is to blame and should be booked if the goalkeeper’s momentum causes him to crash into it.

  17. matt
    05/11/2013 @ 8:15 pm

    As a Spurs fan, having looked at the incident several times, I completely disagree with your conclusion. Lukaku never deviated from his original course, it was Hugo Lloris’s momentum which unfortunately carried him into Lukaku’s path, with his knee striking Lloris’s, just as his head was coming up. A very unfortunate accident, but nothing more sinister than that.

  18. bob smallgees
    05/11/2013 @ 8:16 pm

    What a terrible report and I am a Tottenham fan. Lukaku actually moves slightly away from Loris who injures Lukaku with a flying headbutt. However he got the ball and we escaped with a point from Goodison.

  19. One Christian Eriksen
    05/11/2013 @ 10:07 pm

    Nineteen comments and not one about the main point of the article, namely that we have become dull, predictable and create next to nothing. ERIKSEN! ERIKSEN! ERIKSEN! With Lloris, a superb back four and then Sandro sitting we don’t have to do much more defensively and should let one or two get on. ERIKSEN! ERIKSEN! ERIKSEN! Our wingers have to be allowed to attack down the flanks and cross using their stronger foot. Saldado will score goals, no question, if only given the chance. With Paulino (wasted when forced to play alongside the vastly overrated Dembele) and Eriksen it’s all there but AVB just can’t see it. I have been watching Spurs for a long, long time but never have I heard the crowd talk to each other during the game; about the weather, what they are doing for Christmas, how’s the wife and kids, it’s become a joke but who can blame them when there is nothing happening out on the pitch. We used to laugh at Arsenal when they won trophies by winning 1-0 as they were so boring but now it’s us and we only managed to finish 5th even with a certain Mr Bale in the side. The only time since the War that we have been relegated was in 76/7. We finshed bottom and only scored 48 goals all season, surely we are not going to get less this time having spent £105M? Sandro, Paulino and Eriksen. AVB take note….

    • adelaide yid
      06/11/2013 @ 1:01 am

      spot on. Eriksen looked sublime when he first arrived but now for some reason AVB has him on the bench. I agree with you that Soldado will score given the opportunity. Eriksen and I believe Lamela will provide those opportunities. Just need AVB to put them all on the park.COYS

  20. brian
    05/11/2013 @ 10:13 pm

    The speed of the incident in real time. The speed of the keeper. The speed of Lukaku. The wetness of the surface. Anyone who thinks that Lukaku could have knocked Lloris out intentionally needs their own head seeing to. This write up is shockingly awful and indicative of the negative reporting in this country. Lukakus first instinct was to wave wildly to get attention for Lloris. Hardly the action of any player I have seen in the past who has injured themselves in a bad challenge. Then went off injured himself moments after the restart. You want respect from other fans then show some to others. Any clown can see intent in a slow motion low resolution clip as you can easily interpret it the way you want without any definition to debunk your conspiracy theory. Grow up!

  21. Andrew Emmett
    05/11/2013 @ 10:16 pm

    I honestly don’t know why I read blogs. What a load of rubbish. Seriously. And you were offended by journalists correctly covering the incident that really mattered. Offended? Have a day off.

  22. nigel
    05/11/2013 @ 11:23 pm

    I was at the game and my first impression was it was a Red card, it was clear that Lloris was going to get to the ball first, only Lukaka will know if he could have avoided him.

    • Sir Cecil
      06/11/2013 @ 12:13 am

      Sad.

    • brian
      06/11/2013 @ 7:56 am

      If you were at the game and obviously a spots fan, then you will have been the ossie end of the pitch at the side. Obviously you have interstellar vision as it would have been otherwise impossible for you to make a realistic judgement based on what you saw at the game. Muppet!

    • pablobrown
      06/11/2013 @ 10:25 am

      There is no way you could of seen the incident properly from the away end. I was right in front of the goal and even I wasn’t a 100% sure who was at fault. So you’re either lying or you’re going by what you saw on TV.

  23. adelaide yid
    06/11/2013 @ 12:51 am

    I’ve been a Spurs fan for 46 years and can tend to be a bit one eyed at times but there is no way this was anything more than an accident that sometimes occurs. It was a joke that the ref booked him but then the ref was not up to scratch anyway, few are. As for your assertion that Chiriches has settled well and looks calm and capable on the ball. I assume you didn’t watch his debut against Villa then because he was diabolical. I’ll admit he was much better against Everton but prior to that I was cringing every time the ball goes near him or his passed to him

  24. james maguire
    06/11/2013 @ 1:09 am

    Complete and utter bolloks! You are either a very stupid or a very bitter man. It was head to knee and Lukaku didn’t have time to get out of the way because THE GAME WASN’T PLAYED IN SLOW MOTION! Watch it in real time and see that it was impossible for him to react. I can only assume that you are a video nerd who has never actually taken part in any sport played at speed.
    You, and this article, are an embarrassment to Tottenham Hotspur.

  25. Ryan
    06/11/2013 @ 4:58 am

    All these toffee colored dicks fail to understand the meaning and definition of reckless. Once that ball was clearly Lloris’, Lukaku steamed ahead with reckless disregard for Lloris’ safety. Maybe the knee to the head wasn’t the premeditated objective but a violent collision was Lukaku’s presumed intent based on his action.

    • james maguire
      06/11/2013 @ 10:48 am

      Another Cock who lives his life in slow motion video. Lukaku was chasing the ball. Lloris came in from the side, skidded on the wet grass and in a split second hit Lukaku’s knee. If anything, it was Lloris who “steamed ahead with reckless disregard” for his own safety. The fact is that it was an accident where both players were focused on the ball and neither wanted the collision. Stop trying to to sound like a smart-ass. You only highlight your stupidity.

      • Ryan
        06/11/2013 @ 11:58 pm

        Pull lukaku’s dick out of your ass and take an unbiased look at the video. Lukaku isn’t smart enough to understand risk, he’s a big dumb animal, but most any striker has the awareness on that play. Reckless or negligent, whatever you call it, he deserves flack.

        • james maguire
          07/11/2013 @ 12:29 pm

          Ryan, Stop whingeing you little ” dumb animal”. Just crawl back into your hole and get back to watching your porn (your language gives you away) in slo-mo and playing with your little cock

  26. bazzerk
    06/11/2013 @ 5:59 am

    Absolutely disgraceful article, also noticed how you failed to mention that Lukaku immediately called for the physio to come on the pitch when he noticed that Loris was out. I hope most Spurs fans have the decency to correct you on your obvious bad feelings at not winning at Goodison once again. Shame on YOU!

  27. Gary Fox
    06/11/2013 @ 7:40 am

    Fact is….we will.

    Fact is we will never know if it was accidental or avoidable. Personally I think lukaku could have done more to avoid contact but he was doing what most forwards would do in that situation so it wasnt deliberately done to cause the injury. As for AVBs team selection…..he is playing the long game. He is getting results whilst key players are returning to fitness such as Kaboom and the Beast and others settle in such as youngsters like eriksen and lamela. He doesnt want 11 knackered players come February which is what happened under 100 mph and same team every week redknapp. Look at arsenal last season. They barely kept in touch with top 4 whilst adjusting to loss of RVP yet finished strongly. We are still top 4 with room for improvement. Patience!!!!!

  28. Simon
    06/11/2013 @ 12:35 pm

    This article is an absolute disgrace. On one hand you attack the media for their strategy and on the
    other hand you start a witch hunt!
    Lukaku did absolutely nothing wrong. So why the incredulous accusations?
    As a proud Evertonian, I read posts across the web from all opposing angles and can absolutely state that the spurs posts are the most uneducated.
    It is true that human nature requires an enemy, but to slander a footballers reputation simply because you didn’t win the game is pathetic.
    To me you guys are not ‘fighting cocks’ but ‘snivelling weasels’.
    Shame on you. And shame on the memory of those who have played for you.

  29. Matt
    06/11/2013 @ 12:57 pm

    Is nobody going to mention Soldado’s deliberate elbow on Jagielka? Talk about violent conduct lads.

    • Ryan
      07/11/2013 @ 12:00 am

      Give me a fucking break.

  30. Simon
    06/11/2013 @ 2:48 pm

    Quite right Matt.
    Can you believe that AVB is now saying to the press that ‘he’s disappointed that Lukaku hasn’t
    contacted hugo’!
    Has the FA contacted AVB about sold ado? They should do.

    • Ryan
      07/11/2013 @ 12:01 am

      The pussification of the Everton fanbase has reached an all time high.

  31. Mark
    06/11/2013 @ 4:34 pm

    While I agree the critics are wrong in what they have done to spurs I still cannot take this article seriously. if this was written as a serious article then whoever wrote it needs to assess how they watch the game. what you are saying is that he should’ve backed off and let the keeper claim the ball, would an outfield player do that to another outfield player? of course not and nor should they. an accidental collision (unlike soldado /jags) is exactly that, accidental. its unfortunate that the accidental ones always turn out to be the more serious ones but that’s just the way it is when 2 players are going for the same ball. what struck me most about this situation – apart from dawson trying to get the game ended there and then – is that a couple of weeks ago lukaku himself was knocked unconscious at west ham and subsequently brought back onto the field of play and he was heralded as a hero by the media and I think this is how this situation should’ve been reported on. Lloris coming back on even though brad was stripped and ready to go and there was a matter of minutes left shows either incredible bravery or pure stupidity and as he went on to make a couple more saves before the end then I think it shows it was bravery. i’m guessing this article was written by someone who has seen their club lambasted for no good reason since the weekend and is trying to pass the buck, fine, I know what that feels like, however the only person that was wrong in this situation is Kevin Friend for booking lukaku for running in a straight line.

    on a serious note, how does Kevin Friend have a job???

  32. Ryan
    07/11/2013 @ 12:06 am

    He was booked for a reckless charge into the box with little chance of getting the ball and a high chance of a violent collision. I’ve never seen bigger whining bitches than Everton fans. Maybe teams loan their players their to Everton to make them feel tough by comparison to their bitchboy fanbase.

    • Rob
      07/11/2013 @ 9:31 am

      You do spout some abusive and foul-mouthed nonsense don’t you? Most of the real Spurs fans seem to agree it was an accident caused by two committed players going for the ball …. accidents happen in sport! I know a number of Spurs fans and thank heavens, aggressive little keyboard warriors like you are definitely not the “norm”.

  33. Matt
    08/11/2013 @ 2:31 pm

    It was reckless from Lloris! It’s disgraceful how he tried to break Lukaku’s knee with his face. At Least the Everton medical staff saw sense to remove Lukaku from play, just in case his leg exploded later in the game

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