Spurs Away - 28th October

[lockers]

Things arent good at The Lane right now.

This inevitably leads to talk of Martin Jol being sacked, and im sure you don't need more than one guess as to who his replacement will be according to todays Independent.

Normally when we are about to play them, Morten Gamst Pedersen is Spurs' latest target, in a cut price deal, so at least this one is a nice break from the norm!

My favourite memory of playing Spurs is probably the same as most of the younger generation of Rovers...

I remember the day well. I was still living with my parents in Northern Ireland, and had to go into work, meaning I would miss the start. I managed to lock myself away from the world so as not to hear any score updates or news, and got through everything I had to do as quickly as possible, before running the whole mile home (I reckon i probably broke the 4 minute mark, but who's counting ).

More recently, we have got used to cracking end to end encounters with the North Londoners, including one of the most exciting Premier League games ever down at White Hart Lane which ended 3-2 to Robbie Keane's hand, then last seasons 1-1 draw at Ewood Park featuring the penalty that never was, some magic from Tugay, and the penalty that shouldn't have been!

So in a week where we have had the great news that Big Chris has signed on for a further five years, and where Spurs have three games to play (Newcastle, Getafe, and Ourgoodselves), heres hoping we can further ruin their season and prove that it doesn't take The Bank of Levy, and a squad consisting of 1 Keeper, 2 Defenders, 4000 Midfielders, and 3 strikers to keep out of the relegation zone

Now for the stats:-

Spurs so far this season at the Lane

Everton - Lost 3-1

Derby - Won 4-0

Arsenal - Lost 3-1

Middlesbrough - Won 2-0

Aston Villa - Drew 4-4

Rovers so far this season away from home

Middlesbrough - Won 2-1

Everton - Drew 1-1

Chelsea - Drew 0-0

Sunderland - Won 2-1

Premier League Form

Rovers - L W W W W

Spurs - D W D D L

Spurs biggest threats to the Rovers defense - Robbie Keane, and the numpty with the whistle.

For those of us whose first time it will be at White Hart Lane, click here for directions

http://www.premierleague.com/page/Tottenham/0,,12306,00.html

Heres to continuing our recent success in the league with another 3 points!

[b12_simon]

  lockers said:

Normally when we are about to play them, Morten Gamst Pedersen is Spurs' latest target, in a cut price deal, so at least this one is a nice break from the norm!

  lockers said:

Spurs biggest threats to the Rovers defense - Robbie Keane, and the numpty with the whistle.

Ace review that.

I expect another win here but as before most away games I'd be happy with a point.

The biggest danger is our habit of ending other teams' crap runs.

[LWX]

  b12_simon said:

The biggest danger is our habit of ending other teams' crap runs.

You've done it now Si.....it's too late, you've just gone and said it!!!

[Bondi-Rover]

Just read this in the Daily Mail - www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/articles/sport/football.html?in_article_id=489337&in_page_id=1779

What a game we're in for I reckon. And I will, simply LOVE it if we beat them, get Jol sacked and climb to 4th in the table!

Come on Rovers!!!!

[daveoftherovers]

Don't we also have a habit of ending managers careers or adding pins to party balloons, centenary events or retirement announcements ?

Would be fantastic to pop their over confident "Massive" balloon again, especially at their place!

[Ricky]

  El Tombro said:

On the other hand we could end up getting a reputation for ending managerial reigns... Souness last season and Jol this season?

We didnt end Souness' reign if i recall correctly.

Didnt he play another game after us, a defeat to City before getting sacked??

[Ricky]

  El Tombro said:

Got a feeling this thread will get merged with the proper review thread when that gets released.

Umm, I think this is it. Just dont think it's been pinned yet. I shall do it now.

[USRoverME]

  El Tombro said:

On the other hand we could end up getting a reputation for ending managerial reigns... Souness last season and Jol this season?

What about Jose?

[Blueboy Downunder]

like a broken record, any kind of win will do me for rovers, but a point would certainly be acceptable. if we win, then it will be a good victory by a couple of goals, otherwise a 1-1 score.

[philipl]

Great preview.

There have been some cracking Rovers' performances down at WHL and we've not always got a fair crack.

I'm really going to put the mockers on this but a repeat of Spurs 0 Rovers 4 is not too fanciful.

[Hypo-Luxa]

  lockers said:

More recently, we have got used to cracking end to end encounters with the North Londoners, including one of the most exciting Premier League games ever down at White Hart Lane which ended 3-2 to Robbie Keane's hand...

That particular match is etched into my brain. Keane was a right nuisance that day as was the ref.

Ah well the last two matches have ended in 1-1 ties regardless of who was dominating that day and I can see that happening again. I really wish we weren't so soft when the teams are there for the taking, although this will be our first match against a team currently in the drop zone, so let's see if we can put our boot to their throats this go around.

[frosty]

I can see us nicking it 1-0 with a late goal, Jol to be sacked during next week.

[American Rover12]

As with earlier posters, I think this game is a huge test to show if rovers can capitalize on teams struggling. a 2-1 rovers win shouldn't be too much to expect.

[colin]

This should be a good test of Rovers' prowess against a Spurs side who should be doing much better. By all account they were awful at SJP midweek and so should be ripe for a beating. They certainly seem likr a side without much enthusiasm. If we can play half as well against them as we did in the first half against Reading we should be OK.

Good preview Lockers. Thanks.

[RevidgeBlue]

Buoyed by (false?) optimism and eighteen points from nine games I'm making the long journey South this weekend.

Whilst not quite as much a graveyard for us as Upton Park, I've been to quite a few away games at WHL in recent years and can never remember us getting anything at all other than that memorable 0-4 on the last day of the 2003/4 season. So I don't think it'll be anything like the walkover many people seem to be predicting.

I'd take a draw if it was offered now, although I suppose you have to agree that if we are ever going to beat them down there, there's never been a better time. Doesn't look either as if goals have been in short supply in Spurs home games this season.

0-0 it is then!

Conspiracy mode on: Would we be better off in the long term if the players deliberately lay down, Spuds won 5-0, their confidence was restored, they went on a West Ham type run and Jol kept his job?

[Cocker]

Nice preview Lockers

This game worries me. As other users have already said, we like nothing more than to help out the struggling teams and I fear this is what could happen here.

I think there will be goals goals goals in this one - a 4-3 or something because I think that Benni and Santa can worry the spurs shaky center backs and both sides have left and right backs that love nothing more than to charge forward - something that will leave big gaps here so this game should be nice and open.

Even though Spuds are down at the bottom I still think a draw here will be a good result. Its likely Jol will play Berbatov but it would be funny to see Defoe next to Samba

[Tris]

Anyone had any pre-match pub thoughts?

The Gilpins Bell has been visited in the past, mainly because it's massive and "cheap".

Antwerp Arms has also been suggested.

For those staying in London and wanting some proper live music afterwards - I should be heading to Camden for this.

[Oklahoma]

I think Rovers will have to take advantage of their position...

Play it calm. let them attack but without conceding chances until they get frustrated and start making mistakes. Than just take advantage of thier mistakes.

0-2 Santa and Benni

[Hughesy]

Very tough game and id be happy with a point, but to be 100% honest I sense a win to us by 1 goal - maybe 2-1.

IF we win then Jol is gone and we are looking very strong.

[northernrover]

Is anyone leaving from or planning on passing through the Bristol/Gloucestershire region on the way down to WHL???

Looked into trains and coaches but both are coming up a bit pricey at the minute.

I'd rather split the costs with someone who's driving if you've got space for 2......

All help appreciated.

Let me know or drop me a PM

[MarkBRFC]

Spurs 2 Rovers 0

Our habit of kick starting teams seasons will come to haunt us again

[roversmum]

I would so love us to win this match.

eh-up, what's happened to the Smileys

[Ozz]

Looks a bit like Orvil, but sober!!

[daren]

Ah, the Rovers' habit of ending others bad runs vs the habit of getting coaches sacked. A tricky one.

I feel confident, but we appear to have trouble with clean sheets. I'll go with 1-3 to the Rovers.

[1864roverite]

In the last game versus Reading I predicted a bore draw that Rovers might have sruggled with. I sincerely hope that if I was to predict the same again we would see another 4 goal blast from Rovers.

You can bet your bottom dollar the curse will strike. Spurs will end their hoodoo, end Rovers away run, end all the Martin Jol speculation whilst moving out of the relegation zone !! the Preseton puff aka hairdryer will probably have spuds down for a win and the Rovers will start as 10-1 outsiders.

So it all points to a Spurs win