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For those who have read any of my past updates you may think I’m not a fan of Harry Redknapp. That’s not the case. I sit on the fence in the fact I give him credit for what he’s done but I think tactically he lets himself and the team down quite a lot of the time. West Ham for example I said he was tactically inept. On Saturday however, he got it spot on.

I was worried after the Twente game that if we played van der Vaart on the right again a team like Villa who play proper wingers would take advantage of his movement inside. There were plenty of times when they had 2 and sometimes 3 players on Alan Hutton but thankfully every time that was the case the man with the ball passed it to the other side. So those fears are still there if we continue with vdV on the right but for the time being things are rosy.

It took us to go a goal down and Heskey to go off injured before we started to play football but once we did we did it well. I took a neutral to the game and had promised end to end football, was singing the praises of Rafa, there would be a decent atmosphere and he’d be entertained. Not like his normal Old Trafford experiences. With 16 minutes gone I did start to think I’d jinxed the whole thing but from that moment on the lads started to turn it on.

We were still fortunate to go in at half time level I thought but we had created plenty of chances, most falling to Pav, who I was pleased to see running to the near post instead of standing on the penalty spot, waiting for the ball to come to him. This is when my egotistical personality comes to the fore as we were clearly losing the centre of midfield battle and needed to change things in the second half. Redknapp did exactly as I wanted, bringing Lennon on for Pav meaning we had an extra man in midfield and the entire second half was all Spurs because of that decision. In the first half we were basically playing a 4-3-1-2 formation with vdV running all over the place but mainly behind the strikers. That meant we had 3 midfielders to Villa’s 4 and at times 5 when Young dropped in. By bringing Lennon on it allowed vdV to remain in an attacking position but gave us 4 in midfield.

So Harry saw something that needed changing and changed it. I’m always first to moan when things aren’t changed so when it is and it’s done correctly, or how I like to refer to it, my way I’m happy and will give Redknapp credit. It can’t be easy to change things because it’s almost admitting you got it wrong in the first place sometimes. I’m also enjoying watching the obvious training ground routine of Crouch drifting to the back post to knock down crosses for the likes of Rafa to get onto. Always good to see they do more than long runs and physiotherapy. Lets have some player ratings shall we.

Gomes: didn’t have too much to do but he exudes confidence behind the sticks nowadays which is something we miss hugely when he’s out. (7)

Hutton: didn’t have a great deal to do. Could’ve been a busy day had Villa seen how exposed he was on occasion in the 1st half. Could make the position his own with more steady, solid performances. (7)

Huddlestone: looked unsteady at time but isn’t used to the position and did a good job for the team. Gave the ball away too easily at times but grew in confidence with the rest of the team in the 2nd half. (7)

Bassong: Was wrestled off the ball far too easily for their goal by Heskey. He’s a giant lump I know but if in doubt, kick it out. We all know that rhyme. (6)

Ekotto: Did his usual stuff. Little flicks and turns trying to keep position. Always risky and can sometimes make him look terrible but not on Saturday. Did his job. (7)

Modric: The reason I love the little fella is because he goes about his business quietly. Some say if he hasn’t been obvious he hasn’t had a good game, but that’s just not true. He takes one for the team regularly. Linked up well at times with vdV and the strikers but sat for the most part and let those in front of him get the plaudits. (8)

Jenas: Not great but not bad. Is Jenas stepping up to the plate? In the second half of the 08/09 season when Harry first came to the club he formed a formidable partnership with Palacios. He then got injured and Huddlestone took his chance. Jenas could be about to stake his claim again. Or he could be about to get injured or turn crap. Who knows with JJ. (7)

Bale: As always got to the byline plenty of times and put in decent crosses. Lots of near post balls whipped in with Pav getting on the end of them. Kept quiet at times but it took 2-3 villains meaning others will be free. Same old, same old from Gareth. It’s great to see but only one versa of “BALE, BALE, BALE, BALE” (7)

Pav: Only got 45 minutes and I’m not his biggest fan. In fact I don’t rate him that much because he’s so infuriating. However, he did at least run the channels trying to move the defence while he was on and as I said he got into 3 good scoring opportunities. If he puts one of those in, his confidence sours and he doesn’t go off at half time even with the tactical changes that were needed. Put a lovely cross in that lead to our first goal. (7)

Crouch: I’m a fan of the human preying mantis. I understand people’s concerns about the style of play with him in the side but that’s not his fault and when on form he’s unplayable. Just look at the last 2 games. As I said earlier, the team have obviously been working on Crouch drifting to the back post to knock down headers and he’s doing it well. He’s leaving his movement to the last minute to enable him that extra yard of space although if he knew how to jump if wouldn’t make much difference. Assists all over the place and good link up play. Would be nice to see him knock a couple in himself now too. (8)

van der Vaart: Saved the best for last. This man is pure unadulterated sex. Watching him is how I imagine having my way with Reese Witherspoon would be. Is he in a rich vain of form or is this what we should expect every game? Maybe this is mediocre form or even better, he’s not playing that well? Lets just hope whatever state of form he’s in it continues for some time to come. With Defoe out for the foreseeable we need someone who can strike fear into the opposition. His 2nd goal was world class. Most if not all other players in the team would’ve attempted the volley with their left foot, but Rafa took his time, made Dunne look like an idiot and slotted it home. The fact Petrov stood and watched him move into that space shouldn’t come as a surprise because he’s one of those players you pay the entrance fee for. (9.5 – would’ve been 10 but I knocked half a point off for kissing that old lady in his goal celebrating when he could’ve had any girl in the crowd)

Subs

Lennon: Finally, after months out we saw glimpses of the old Azza. Maybe being dropped was exactly what he needed and with the obvious competition he’s now got it’s time to find form. Almost ran free of the defence only to be brought down but made 2 other runs, beating the defender which is something he just hasn’t been doing. Good to see. Quite how we could get Bale, Modric, vdV and Lennon into a midfield I don’t know but I’m not paid to work that one out. (7)

Palacios and Sandro: Wilson came on with 15 minutes to go to try and tighten things up and Sandro to waste some time with a couple of minutes to go. Did their jobs, got stuck in when they could.

All in all a great week. From being thoroughly depressed last weekend to seeing a player on top of his game and others starting to join the party, 2 wins and 6 goals. It’s what supporting this beautiful club of ours is all about. I’ll convert my United fan with a couple more performances like that.

COYS