Spurs (A)

[Hansern]

So, how do we set the team up. Early news from various Twitter people saying Gerrard is out for up to a month. Lucas in? A midfield duo of Allen and Lucas doesnt sound to promising. Left back is our biggest worry mind.

 

[mark1975]

Flanno's done well, why's it a big worry? Not much has got down that side.

 

[mark1975]

Teams attack at will down our right and no one seems too bothered.

 

[OLD_Lewy]

no problem with flanno at left back, he's done well, definitely not the weakest part of our squad at the moment, id keep playing sterling, his movement is great, id lie to see alberto get a game in the middle but this might not be the game to try playing our lighter more technical players

 

[LeTallecWiz]

it's a massive game and despite Spurs last 3 games (2-1-0), they've been very fortunate to come out of the last two games against struggling teams (Fulham and sunderland with the wins). We can beat them - they're still a very disjointed outfit, and without the Messi-like Eriksen, they're lacking a real creative threat.

I think the middle 3 should be Henderson-Lucas and Allen above ... That should give us enough - bar size - to compete in the midfield. Suarez, Coutinho and Sterling (or Moses) should feast on Spurs' back line.

Fuck knows who we'll start in the back bar GlenJo.

 

[mark1975]

I hope Moses is nowhere near the starting
XI. We need players who will give 100%

 

[OLD_Lewy]

ye moses looked shit, id start with the same team as last game (maybe agger for skrtel) then bring on alberto if we have a decent amount of possession

 

[RedZeppelin III]

do we even have any other midfielders available bar Allen , henderson and lucas ? Ok well alberto but i doubt rodgers trusts him in a game like this .

 

[Rafiagra]

I'd have same team as Saturday but with Lucas in for Gerrard. I probably wouldn't have Sterling in but I can't think who would be better.

 

[gene hughes]

This is what pisses me off. I'd like Alberto but he hasn't been given enough minutes in the team to play him away at spurs.

 

[StevieM]

I'd have same team as Saturday but with Lucas in for Gerrard. I probably wouldn't have Sterling in but I can't think who would be better.

This.

Sterling will improve with game time - he has the attributes to hurt teams - he just needs to be more clinical & improve his decision making.

I like the way he moving into the centre when Suarez drifts out wide - if Coutinho hits a bit of form as well those 3 will cause most defences problems.

 

[Frogfish]

With a full strength team I'd back us against anyone in the PL. However No Gerrard, No Sturridge, No Enrique. I'm worried. Very. Anyone who thinks any 3 from Lucas, Allen, Alberto or Henderson is a decent MF is smoking something I'd like a hit of !

 

[LeTallecWiz]

With a full strength team I'd back us against anyone in the PL. However No Gerrard, No Sturridge, No Enrique. I'm worried. Very. Anyone who thinks any 3 from Lucas, Allen, Alberto or Henderson is a decent MF is smoking something I'd like a hit of !

You'll get one serving of extra large humble pie next week

 

[hamstrung_pigeon]

We've lost every game at White Hart Lane since Juande Ramos left Spurs - 5 league games and a League Cup game. Would really love us to stop that streak this weekend.

 

[Mystic]

Me too, I'm shitting myself over this game, I think they're going to get a very undeserved win!

 

[Frogfish]

You'll get one serving of extra large humble pie next week

I hope so mate ... but for once I really doubt it. I think people are going to find out just how important SG still is for us.

 

[Glen C]

Big time nervous about this game. This is the type of game where we see what our midfield is made of.

 

[Hansern]

Flanno is a worry. Just look at how we were against Everton. Two pacey players got past him plenty of times. He's done alright at home to Norwich and West Ham. But he offers nothing going forward and I can almst guarantee that we'll concede a goal from our left if you have him up against Walker/Lennon.

 

[ILD]

I think we'll do okay. Lucas, Allen and Henderson will harass and press the Spurs midfield. Suarez will pounce and create a few chances for himself. I can see us conceding though. Probably a defensive fuck up allowing Verthogen or someone score.

 

[Hansern]

Spurs play on thursday aswell in the EL.

 

[Glen C]

Spurs play on thursday aswell in the EL.

They always play a weakened team for that unfortunately.

 

[keniget]

Teams attack at will down our right and no one seems too bothered.

True, but that doesn't really absolve the left from being a problem.

I'm a little surprised we've kept Johnson at RB to be honest. He's played well (in the eyes of some, better even) at LB and putting him there would allow someone like Flannagan (or Kelly if he were to get a go) the comfort of playing on his natural side.

I don't think we have any safe options to be honest. Sticking Sakho or Agger out at LB is a risk, Cissokho is suicide, Kelly is still not quite in contention and Flannagan despite doing a reasonably solid job has shown that he is prone to getting skinned. The bottom line is that whoever we play in the fullback positions will rely on help from the midfield - we need to hunt in packs when we don't have the ball.

I think attitude, tactics and work ethic will be the key ingredients to any success at the weekend. Get everyone focused, understand how to play for each other (i.e. get the ball to Suarez where he can do damage) and above all cut out the stupid lapses of concentration at the back.

 

[Hansern]

They've got a lot of injuries, so most of the first team will have to play on thursday.

 

[tombrown]

Relax - Sunday is my birthday (25 😉) and I don't do miserable; birthdays

Apart from my 21st when me & a mate shared a glass of lager in the brookhouse & a mars bar on the way home ... but that was many (err ... 4) years ago

 

[Rosco]

Flanno's done well, why's it a big worry? Not much has got down that side.

Because people judge full backs on how comfortable they look when they're dribbling with the ball.

 

[RolandG]

The lads will be up for this game. Flanno struggles getting forward but he is a competent defender has done well. He deserves a run of games.

 

[Best Believe It]

I actually think our midfield will be a lot more balanced without Gerrard in the side. What we lose is the capability for individual brilliance. But I actually think we have a greater chance of dominating the midfield without him in it.

 

[doctor_mac]

I actually think our midfield will be a lot more balanced without Gerrard in the side. What we lose is the capability for individual brilliance. But I actually think we have a greater chance of dominating the midfield without him in it.

I suspect this is true. Our potency from set-pieces is likely to diminsh though. Gerrard has been spectacularly good from set-pieces this season.

 

[Mystic]

I suspect this is true. Our potency from set-pieces is likely to diminsh though. Gerrard has been spectacularly good from set-pieces this season.

It's taken him 13 seasons, but yes he has been.

 

[Mystic]

I actually think our midfield will be a lot more balanced without Gerrard in the side. What we lose is the capability for individual brilliance. But I actually think we have a greater chance of dominating the midfield without him in it.

I'm scared to say, I think I agree, although how disjointed and shocking we looked once Lucas game on for Gerrard against West Ham has me worried, but i'll put that down to the change unsettling us, from the start it should be okay.