[Archived] Spurs Preview 2-2-2011

[Mercer]

Still a tough one to call. Even with all their injuries, Spurs have some class acts. I think it will boil down to how our midfield functions. It just has to be different than the Villa match.

No RSC for a fortnight - the worst fears of some are confirmed. Would go with Kalinic and Roberts (to batter them) up front.

Will go for lots of goals with us edging it by 3 goals to 2.

[only2garners]

Andy Cryer has been told all of them are suppost to be coming

That appears to be true. I understand that Steve Kean said as much to the press today, Mrs Desai and the brothers expected, which as I say was not planned last week.

[47er]

Mame before Niko anyday if we are only going with one, is there a good reason why he didn't play against Villa?

I have a feeling Roberts and or Benjani may start though.

I would have been tempted to have one of the new lads on the bench now we can name 7 just as a wildcard.

Took the words out of my mouth. Mame Diouf is our best striker after a fit Santa Cruz.Way better than Kalinic. What's the point of loaning him but not playing him?

[XLM]

Still a tough one to call. Even with all their injuries, Spurs have some class acts. I think it will boil down to how our midfield functions. It just has to be different than the Villa match.

No RSC for a fortnight - the worst fears of some are confirmed. Would go with Kalinic and Roberts (to batter them) up front.

Will go for lots of goals with us edging it by 3 goals to 2.

I can see the use of Roberts playing, but I'd start with him on the bench. I think him coming on actually scares defenders. Not because of his talent but when they start to tire and see that beast running on, they know they've got no time to rest.

I'd start with Kalinic and Mame up front.

[Steve Moss]

Robbo

Salgado - Samba - Nelsen - Olsen

Hoilett - J. Jones - J. Morris

Kalinic - Roberts - M. Diouf

The 4-3-3 gives us an experienced, hard spine, and pace along the wings.

I'd be willing to consider anyone else in lieu of MGP on the left. I hate including him period. Based on his most recent performance, he needs to be benched, either because he's tired or isn't motivated. Doesn't matter, the result is the same as should be the response. And Morris did well at ManU, despite the thrashing we received. He seemed to be one of the few players playing with energy. He deserves another chance, and why not in front of the home crowd?

And with all three of the owners in, and handing out new contracts to whomever is viewed vital to the club, I expect our lads to play their hearts out.

With Bale out, we won't face the whirlwind on the right. With Spurs defensive problems, I think we should be very attacking. Test them, push then, see if they break. While Redknapp will be demanding a response, its equally likely that they collapse. They've got an "excuse" (injuries) so hit them fast and test their mental toughness.

[rebelmswar]

Robbo

Salgado - Samba - Nelsen - Olsen

Hoilett - J. Jones - J. Morris

Kalinic - Roberts - M. Diouf

I'd be willing to consider anyone else in lieu of MGP on the left. I hate including him period. Based on his most recent performance, he needs to be benched, either because he's tired or isn't motivated. Doesn't matter, the result is the same as should be the response. And Morris did well at ManU, despite the thrashing we received. He seemed to be one of the few players playing with energy. He deserves another chance, and why not in front of the home crowd?

With Bale out, we won't face the whirlwind on the right. With Spurs defensive problems, I think we should be very attacking. Test them, push then, see if they break. While Redknapp will be demanding a response, its equally likely that they collapse. They've got an "excuse" (injuries) so hit them fast and test their mental toughness.

Mr. Moss that line up is rather attack happy.

Would be nice to see though.

[brian_gallagher85]

Kalinic will get eaten alive if he is up front on his own.

Not wanting to disagree with you BPF, but after watching Spurs on Sunday I'd like to think that I could give their defence a run for their money...

[benhben]

----------Robinson

Salgado Samba Nelsen Olsson

-----NZonzi---J. Jones

Hoilett----Dunn----M. Diouf

----------Kalinic

I think well see a formation similar to that. We need to be solid when under pressure (which we will be), but attack with pace as Spurs are vulnerable at the back.

Tough game, can see a draw. 2-2. Hope we nick it though, as a win v spurs and nick an away win at wigan at the weekend would see up pretty much completely safe from being dragged into a relegaton scrap

[Valois]

Robinson

Salgado Samba Nelsen Givet

J. Jones

Hoilett Dunn Olsson

Kalinic

I think well see a formation similar to that. We need to be solid when under pressure (which we will be), but attack with pace as Spurs are vulnerable at the back. Perhaps put Olsson at left back to cope with Lennons pace and M. Diouf on left wing.

Hope not otherwise we will only have 10 men on the pitch

[Amo]

Robbo

Salgado - Samba - Nelsen - Olsen

Hoilett - J. Jones - J. Morris

Kalinic - Roberts - M. Diouf

No offence but that team would get eaten alive. Jones would be left isolated in the middle, for starters.

If we're going 4-4-2, then it's got to be Kalinic & M. Diouf. Roberts has, and always will be, an impact player at best. But where's our Mame gone?

[benhben]

Hope not otherwise we will only have 10 men on the pitch

I forgot Nzonzi lol

[XLM]

No offence but that team would get eaten alive.

I was going to say the exact same thing.

Am I the only one who thinks Nzonzi isn't all that? He could be a good player in the future, but he seems incapable of making a forward pass. Considering we're playing with the ball on the deck more; is that really what we need at the heart of our midfield?

[Rover & Out]

I think if we can keep Van Der Vaart & Modric quiet in the middle then we've got a good chance of three points here.

I'd be tempted to stick N'Zonzi in alongside Jones; we might see a bit more of what he's about with some protection in there.

I fancy Hoilett up against Assou-Ekotto!

[Valois]

I forgot Nzonzi lol

Ha, no probs.

I think we will go 4-4-2, and take it to Spurs, much in the way we did with Liverpool.

[Amo]

I have a feeling Kean will line-up:

Robinson

Salgado - Nelsen - Samba - Olsson

Hoilett - Dunn - J. Jones - Pedersen

Kalinic - Roberts

[slough_rover]

I have a feeling Kean will line-up:

Robinson

Salgado - Nelsen - Samba - Olsson

Hoilett - Dunn - J. Jones - Pedersen

Kalinic - Roberts

Definitely can see this happening with Givet doubtful.

[BuckyRover]

It's going to be a night to remember. One way or another

[benhben]

I was going to say the exact same thing.

Am I the only one who thinks Nzonzi isn't all that? He could be a good player in the future, but he seems incapable of making a forward pass. Considering we're playing with the ball on the deck more; is that really what we need at the heart of our midfield?

On the other hand, he helps break up play, and rarely looses the ball. 9 times out of 10 he plays a short simple pass to one of the more attacking players. An importiant role to play and required if we want to keep more posession. Plus hes an asset at attacking and defending set pieces.

[Steve Moss]

Mr. Moss that line up is rather attack happy.

Would be nice to see though.

I've been called a heck of a lot worse. And you can call me Steve. "Mr. Moss" is my gray haired father.

No offence but that team would get eaten alive. Jones would be left isolated in the middle, for starters.

If we're going 4-4-2, then it's got to be Kalinic & M. Diouf. Roberts has, and always will be, an impact player at best. But where's our Mame gone?

It might. On the other hand, the Spurs have major problems in their defense. I'm not sure about football, but in the military you exploit the weakness of the enemy. We have a decent defense (including the best keeper in the league, IMO), strengthened with the addition of J. Jones. Let's trust the defense will do their jobs and give the rest of the squad the freedom to tear the Spurs defense apart.

And we have the balance of the intangibles on our side. While Redknap will be on a tear to erase the shame of last weekend, we have three issues which should more than offset that. First, we're at home and have what I've heard referred to as the 12th man (the crowd) behind us to urge the lads onward. Second, our squad knows the watchful eye of our owners are directly on them. This also argues in favor of Keen being very attacking. He can't guarantee a win, but he can deliver a "positive" show. Third, if we win, we jump to 7th and are only 3 points (one match) off of closing with Sunderland for 6th. Between those three things, we should have plenty of gas in the tank.

So I vote we play to our strengths, which are youth, energy and pace in the attack, with Roberts (or Benjani) serving as a human battering ram against Woodgate, and trust our very solid defense to deal with the counter.

And if we get eaten alive, at least will be giving the new owners (and Rovers fans) a firework show.

And that's just what I would do. If Keen goes with an attacking 4-4-2, I would be equally happy.

[aXept]

Definitely can see this happening with Givet doubtful.

Isn't Nelsen doubtful too? Hope I'm wrong...

[XLM]

On the other hand, he helps break up play, and rarely looses the ball. 9 times out of 10 he plays a short simple pass to one of the more attacking players. An importiant role to play and required if we want to keep more posession. Plus hes an asset at attacking and defending set pieces.

Fair enough on the set pieces point.

Who does he give the ball to though? Playing the simple pass is ok if we have a creative sitter like Tugay to spray the passes around but we don't. It's most annoying when he finds himself in an attacking position or when we have chance of a counter and he slows the game down. Not so much of an issue in games like against Spurs where we need to be a little less adventurous but it's just something I've been thinking about.

[True Blue & White]

That appears to be true. I understand that Steve Kean said as much to the press today, Mrs Desai and the brothers expected, which as I say was not planned last week.

Does she know the offside rule?

My team

Robinson

Salgado - Nelsen - Samba - Olsson

J.Jones

Hoilett - Dunn - Pedersen

Kalinic - Benjani

[RoversSG]

This match is going to be played at 4am on the 1st day of Chinese New Year over here so here's hoping for a good result to kick off the year

[Steve Moss]

Modric out with appendicitis. http://fourfourtwo.com/news/england/72778/default.aspx

Our odds of a win improve further. Though I hope he has a speedy recovering (so he can crush our other league opponents)

This sums up Redknapp's problems, in addition to Modric "Tottenham are already without Younes Kaboul, Ledley King, Gareth Bale, Tom Huddlestone and the suspended Michael Dawson" for Wednesday evening's Premier League clash."

[rebelmswar]

Poor buggers.

We should play players with points to prove. Shove Roberta up there with Ihaveanitch. Tell them both that unless they score they are going to the reserves, coached by Samba with a birch switch.

Let Jnr chew them up. Match Lennon with the Swede.

Destroy!

Get there fastest with the most.