To me our nightmare coming true of RVP getting crocked demonstrates our feelings towards Adebayor!
Without RVP we all agree I believe that we are a lesser team for his absence! None of us have the complete faith in him we do have with Robin! Why is that?
Simply because it is clear to us all the our new Dutch maestro is the genuine article, the real deal! No he is not the new DB10, there will never be another, but class ouzes from him! Alongside that talent is a fiery streak found in all the great examples of football genius!
Now with Ade you mare often wondering what he is going to do next. An exquisite volley ala Spuds or falling on his arse when clean through alsaBolton when there was no need to round the keeper at all! My guess is that Mr Togo will at best be a bit of an enigma.......brilliant at times and woeful at others! The cynic in me though believes the brilliant times will often be through luck more than judgement!
I do hope I am wrong about this but right now,despite his early season goalscoring feats, I do think we have a wink leak of the team as the striker we rely on for goals in Robin's absence!
Emmanuel Adebayor
The man has got wrong opinions of himself. He nearly made me kick my tell watching the highlights on Saturday. Adebayor is not the grade for Arsenal........Wigan, Bolton....yeah maybe.Adebayor wrote: It was very difficult for me. Coming from France, I was not used to the football here.
"So that's why perhaps it's normal that people would compare me more with Kanu when I first came over here, but now I can say I'm stronger, I can keep the ball and hold on to it, I'm quicker than before too.
"So maybe there's a little bit of Drogba and a little bit of Kanu - that could be a good striker.
"Drogba is a strong player who can score at any time. And Kanu, well, you've got the finish, you've got the technique, you've got the touch. If people say I can be half and half of each then it's really good for me.
"I'm very grateful a lot of people are now saying I'm a good finisher, that I'm strong in the air, that I can win the ball, that I'm fast. This gives me more confidence, but I still have to improve
I think Ade gives the team (Cesc especailly) an extra passing option.
The last couple of seasons saw us playing a lot of sideways passes as we waited for something to appear on the flanks. Which, to our frustration allowed well organised teams to sit tight and hope for a point/a hope to nick a goal from a set piece.
However this season on a number of occasions (especially on the break) Cesc has looked up and hit a long-ish ball to Ade who uses his strength to hold the ball up, then it's a case of a simple pass to whoever is flying forward to support the attack. This also allows us to stretch the game more, if teams take a high line we can pass through them (or give one for Ade/RvP to chase), if they sit deep let the big man hold it up and we can flood forward. It is also gives very effective way of releaving pressure on the defence without giving away possession.
I remember once a coach told me, 'If things just aren't happening for you on the pitch, run your bollocks off'. I think this advice seems to have been given to Ade as even if he's having a mare he'll keep running and working for something to happen.
Sadly his finishing, especially 1 on 1 is poor. That ball Cesc played on Sat deserved to be finished, instead it ended up with the Togonator falling over (although it was pure comedy). If he can sort the finishing, we could have a very good player on our hands. Nevertheless, strategically at least, he does give us something different...in fact that long awaited Plan B!
The last couple of seasons saw us playing a lot of sideways passes as we waited for something to appear on the flanks. Which, to our frustration allowed well organised teams to sit tight and hope for a point/a hope to nick a goal from a set piece.
However this season on a number of occasions (especially on the break) Cesc has looked up and hit a long-ish ball to Ade who uses his strength to hold the ball up, then it's a case of a simple pass to whoever is flying forward to support the attack. This also allows us to stretch the game more, if teams take a high line we can pass through them (or give one for Ade/RvP to chase), if they sit deep let the big man hold it up and we can flood forward. It is also gives very effective way of releaving pressure on the defence without giving away possession.
I remember once a coach told me, 'If things just aren't happening for you on the pitch, run your bollocks off'. I think this advice seems to have been given to Ade as even if he's having a mare he'll keep running and working for something to happen.
Sadly his finishing, especially 1 on 1 is poor. That ball Cesc played on Sat deserved to be finished, instead it ended up with the Togonator falling over (although it was pure comedy). If he can sort the finishing, we could have a very good player on our hands. Nevertheless, strategically at least, he does give us something different...in fact that long awaited Plan B!
Argh, not 'something different' again! If you want to know what I think about that, look at my longish post on a previous page.
I think Juan raises a couple of good points, but I think what he fails to address is just how wasteful he is. I'm not just talking about scoring chances he misses. He gives the ball away a hell of a lot, and, as far as I'm concerned, his holding up the ball is a myth. This target man mentality is fair enough if 1) you have a team which plays that way, which we don't and 2) you have a target man who is good, and I mean really good in the air, which Ade is not.
I think Juan raises a couple of good points, but I think what he fails to address is just how wasteful he is. I'm not just talking about scoring chances he misses. He gives the ball away a hell of a lot, and, as far as I'm concerned, his holding up the ball is a myth. This target man mentality is fair enough if 1) you have a team which plays that way, which we don't and 2) you have a target man who is good, and I mean really good in the air, which Ade is not.
Hi Tony
I think I could accept the comment about him being wasteful over the last couple of seasons. However this season his link up play has improved considerably.
I agree that he is not a target man in the traditional sense, but I do think his tireless running and physical presence allows us the option to release the ball quicker if needs be (and the size of him is a good size to aim at!). Also on the subject of his effort he's been very good at closing down centre-halves; and when they are less than comfortable on the ball it gives the opportunity for us to win possession in crucial areas of the pitch, which is something we weren't doing last season.
Whilst he's not the most gifted player in the world his attitude of always trying and working for the team is to be commended. And that is his asset at the moment, being a team player. Not all the XI are going to be world-class, but so long as those who aren't display the attitude and work ethic that Ade has, then we might achieve something special.
BUT before I sound too gushing - his erratic finishing does reall f*ck me off!
I think I could accept the comment about him being wasteful over the last couple of seasons. However this season his link up play has improved considerably.
I agree that he is not a target man in the traditional sense, but I do think his tireless running and physical presence allows us the option to release the ball quicker if needs be (and the size of him is a good size to aim at!). Also on the subject of his effort he's been very good at closing down centre-halves; and when they are less than comfortable on the ball it gives the opportunity for us to win possession in crucial areas of the pitch, which is something we weren't doing last season.
Whilst he's not the most gifted player in the world his attitude of always trying and working for the team is to be commended. And that is his asset at the moment, being a team player. Not all the XI are going to be world-class, but so long as those who aren't display the attitude and work ethic that Ade has, then we might achieve something special.
BUT before I sound too gushing - his erratic finishing does reall f*ck me off!
