Tuesday
Lee Kang In -- Valencia go to Real Sociedad at 1 PM on BeIn -- Manager gave ostensibly tactical reasons for leaving Lee Kang In on the bench but disappointing to see him only come on with five minutes left. Maybe with modest season goals, the manager might feel like he has more license to teach lessons but seems an awkward time given uncertainty on contract renewal. LKI did play well in limited touches so frustrating. Who knows if the punishment will continue but maybe on a short week, an excuse to finally end it with a return to starting XI.
Tuesday and Thursday
Son Heung Min -- Tottenham host Chelsea (Cup) Tuesday at 2:45 on ESPN+ and host Maccabi Haifa Thursday at 3, possibly on bleacherreport.com -- Tottenham's insane schedule was going to result in muscle injuries at the least and sadly Son was the one to draw the short straw. Normally, with an international break coming up, a hamstring strain could have been tolerated but given the final EL qualifier, a league cup and the wait for Bale's return, it feels like miserable timing. Son had been playing well before the break when he was subbed off at HT, particularly hitting woodwork twice, so at this point, just hoping for a minor knock and for the team to play well without him.
Recap
Paik Seung Ho -- An unused sub and the mystery on his lack of use continues.
Lee Jae Sung -- Did not watch (stupid ESPN+) but played 90 in a draw.
Hwang Hee Chan -- I guess I was surprised to see him not start, but he did come on at HT and played well. Continuously causing problems with his pace and power, the only major negative was missing a reaction chance when a GK rebound flashed to his off foot. Positive signs for HHC as he shows the benefits of staying in a similar system.
Ji Dong Won -- Still out injured but his manager got the sack.
Hwang Ui Jo -- Was benched but the alternatives apparently didn't do much better. When he did come on, he brought some good spark. Like HHC, maybe fans will remember the miss when HUJ shot inches wide on a good run and shot, but on the balance a good day off the bench.
Choi Kyoung Rok -- Out injured.
Yun Il Lok -- An unused sub
Kwon Chang Hoon -- Came on as a sub with 12 minutes to go and played on the right. His pressing almost resulted in a flukish goal when the GK stalled clearing the ball and kicked it right into Kwon's outstretched boot. Unfortunately, it flew over. Kwon was a bit mixed on defense, showing high work rate including some good tackles but also was a bit loose on helping out the RB, though I'm unclear what the tactical directions were. A good sub showing.
Jeong Woo Yeong -- A lot of the same things can be said about Jeong as he came on simultaneously except on the left. A bit inefficient with his energy, his pace and workrate helped offset some positioning mistakes in defense. Created a lot of offense so mostly surprised by his being on the bench at the start. He did better than Kwon so has to be staking a claim on a starting role soon.
Lee Jae Sung -- Did not watch (stupid ESPN+) but played 90 in a draw.
Hwang Hee Chan -- I guess I was surprised to see him not start, but he did come on at HT and played well. Continuously causing problems with his pace and power, the only major negative was missing a reaction chance when a GK rebound flashed to his off foot. Positive signs for HHC as he shows the benefits of staying in a similar system.
Ji Dong Won -- Still out injured but his manager got the sack.
Hwang Ui Jo -- Was benched but the alternatives apparently didn't do much better. When he did come on, he brought some good spark. Like HHC, maybe fans will remember the miss when HUJ shot inches wide on a good run and shot, but on the balance a good day off the bench.
Choi Kyoung Rok -- Out injured.
Yun Il Lok -- An unused sub
Kwon Chang Hoon -- Came on as a sub with 12 minutes to go and played on the right. His pressing almost resulted in a flukish goal when the GK stalled clearing the ball and kicked it right into Kwon's outstretched boot. Unfortunately, it flew over. Kwon was a bit mixed on defense, showing high work rate including some good tackles but also was a bit loose on helping out the RB, though I'm unclear what the tactical directions were. A good sub showing.
Jeong Woo Yeong -- A lot of the same things can be said about Jeong as he came on simultaneously except on the left. A bit inefficient with his energy, his pace and workrate helped offset some positioning mistakes in defense. Created a lot of offense so mostly surprised by his being on the bench at the start. He did better than Kwon so has to be staking a claim on a starting role soon.
