Tottenham Hotspur - the Pride of London

[Spurslover]

Real Madrid in next round of UCL, if manage to get through it will be Barca in Semis. Tough, tough, tough...

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

[Spurslover]

Another off-day for the striker/s, firing blanks and expecting live round results. Defoe is especially guilty of it, missing chances. He was spotted with a shirt under the jersey with the word "goals" very visible. Clearly too occupied with his 100th goals in his mind instead of scoring the goal/s required to ensure 3 points.

Tactically, it is very wasteful to have 2 wingers and 2 attacking midfielders with 1 lone striker without height.

Hopefully, against Wigan, no more slip-up.

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by Spurslover

Real Madrid in next round of UCL, if manage to get through it will be Barca in Semis. Tough, tough, tough...

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

haha bro, i wanted schalke and they gave me real madrid.
after kanna the 2 mightiest italian clubs, spurs must and may face both strongest spanish sides. i feel like saying all bets are off but on their day, spurs can beat and thrash anybody in white hart lane.

somehow, i think shakhtar can conquer barca. i be putting my money there.


Harry Redknapp and Jose Mourinho will clash again

spurs 0 west ham 0

defoe should be shot for missing 2 goal mouth efforts. but west ham's green was responsible for the 0-0 draw. how he dived and blocked bale's free kick is really for rocket science to define.

[Spurslover]

Originally Posted by Castrol

haha bro, i wanted schalke and they gave me real madrid.
after kanna the 2 mightiest italian clubs, spurs must and may face both strongest spanish sides. i feel like saying all bets are off but on their day, spurs can beat and thrash anybody in white hart lane.

somehow, i think shakhtar can conquer barca. i be putting my money there. .

Bro,

I guess this is life. This is the quarterfinals, any team is tough.

Real at home will be difficult for Spurs, I do agree if the lads perform WHL will be difficult for Real. I just hope that we give a good account of ourselves and not shame ourselves by playing schoolboy football in UCL. I think you would agree with me as the 1st half of Inter still lingers...

Originally Posted by Castrol

spurs 0 west ham 0

defoe should be shot for missing 2 goal mouth efforts. but west ham's green was responsible for the 0-0 draw. how he dived and blocked bale's free kick is really for rocket science to define.

Defoe should be made to eat his words after claiming that he wanted to transfer during January window. Harry has put so much fate in him that he has failed to deliver this season when it matters most. Pavy is made to sit on the bench more often than him.

Green has performed best during the 2 games with Spurs. There is totally no answer to his heroics in these 2 games.

I still feel that Crouch and VDV should pair up while Pavy and Defoe should pair up. When Pavy and Defoe pair up, Modric to be deploy behind both of them. Hence, with the wingers burning the flanks and firing in all the crosses, the tall strikers can attack the ball while Defoe/VDV provide different options.

Hopefully, Harry sees SBF.

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by Spurslover

[COLOR="Blue"]
Defoe should be made to eat his words after claiming that he wanted to transfer during January window. Harry has put so much fate in him that he has failed to deliver this season when it matters most. Pavy is made to sit on the bench more often than him.

Green has performed best during the 2 games with Spurs. There is totally no answer to his heroics in these 2 games.

I still feel that Crouch and VDV should pair up while Pavy and Defoe should pair up. When Pavy and Defoe pair up, Modric to be deploy behind both of them. Hence, with the wingers burning the flanks and firing in all the crosses, the tall strikers can attack the ball while Defoe/VDV provide different options.

Hopefully, Harry sees SBF.

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

i can see pavy is a better team player than defoe. pavy has better vision and often looks for teammates in good spaces to pass to. so defoe should be a better goal scorer. the crouchy-vdv pair up has usually produced good results, but i think spurs need to get inter milan's pazzini !



vdv has forgotten how often he warmed the bench at real madrid...

espn

Rafael Van der Vaart has hit back in the face of criticism following his controversial substitution at the weekend, with the Dutchman unhappy about Tottenham's apparent failure to let him play 90 minutes.

Rafael van der Vaart: Is not happy at being subbed against West Ham
Van der Vaart was taken off with 18 minutes remaining of Spurs' 0-0 draw with West Ham. Instead of taking his place on the bench, the forward went straight down the tunnel - actions which angered manager Harry Redknapp.

"I didn't like that at all,'' Redknapp added. "If you are part of a team I think you should stay and watch the game. I will speak to him about it. He is a good lad. I just wanted to make a substitution."


Rafael van der Vaart: Is not happy at being subbed against West Ham

[Spurslover]

Originally Posted by Castrol

i can see pavy is a better team player than defoe. pavy has better vision and often looks for teammates in good spaces to pass to. so defoe should be a better goal scorer. the crouchy-vdv pair up has usually produced good results, but i think spurs need to get inter milan's pazzini !

I do agree that Crouch-VDV pairing has produce good results, hence, I suggested this pairing to be an option. I think 1 of the strikers need to go if we get pazzini, as there isn't enough play time for them to justify their place in next year's European Championship with their national teams. This is the time where their value will be judge.

Originally Posted by Castrol

vdv has forgotten how often he warmed the bench at real madrid...

espn

Rafael Van der Vaart has hit back in the face of criticism following his controversial substitution at the weekend, with the Dutchman unhappy about Tottenham's apparent failure to let him play 90 minutes.

Rafael van der Vaart: Is not happy at being subbed against West Ham
Van der Vaart was taken off with 18 minutes remaining of Spurs' 0-0 draw with West Ham. Instead of taking his place on the bench, the forward went straight down the tunnel - actions which angered manager Harry Redknapp.

"I didn't like that at all,'' Redknapp added. "If you are part of a team I think you should stay and watch the game. I will speak to him about it. He is a good lad. I just wanted to make a substitution."

I am not a fan for those who communicates through the media, be it the manager or the player. This will only show that there is insufficient communication within the team and there are friction as well as conflict which prevent one from talking to another. Not healthy/encouraging sign.

I think that the manager and the player/s should at least sit down and communicate. The least they should give each other a ring to clear the air instead of letting the media spread the air. English culture, maybe.

Hopefully, everything will turn out fine becoz no manager/player is too big for any club as the club takes presidence to anything else when it comes to football.

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by Spurslover

I think 1 of the strikers need to go if we get pazzini, as there isn't enough play time for them to justify their place in next year's European Championship with their national teams. This is the time where their value will be judge.

i see pazzini as a world class striker in the making, you'll have to bring him down to stop him, thats how good he has been for inter.

how about philippe mexes for maximum security in defence? with a fiery temper to close down attackers...

espn
France international Mexes, 28, has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool in England, while AC Milan and Juventus are said to be monitoring his situation in Italy.
Mexes has confirmed he is keeping an open mind over his future, but ruled out a return to France and stressed that he would ideally like to remain in Serie A.

[Spurslover]

Originally Posted by Castrol

how about philippe mexes for maximum security in defence? with a fiery temper to close down attackers...

espn
France international Mexes, 28, has been linked with Arsenal and Liverpool in England, while AC Milan and Juventus are said to be monitoring his situation in Italy.
Mexes has confirmed he is keeping an open mind over his future, but ruled out a return to France and stressed that he would ideally like to remain in Serie A.

Bro,

My personal preference for the defence is 2 EPL players, Gary Cahill (Bolton) and Phil Jagielka (Everton).

Gary Cahill is only 25, very good in the air, good reading of the game, very fast in covering his tracks. Good replacement for Gallas (after Gallas' 2 years contract is up).

Phil Jagielka is very good as well. Everton is not performing as usual this season and he may be thinking about moving to secure his England place.

Of the 2, I would prefer Gary Cahill because of his age and he can be supported by Gallas on the bench for the next 2 seasons. Both are good partners for Dawson as it will build defence teamwork for England as well. However, if we are to sign more than 1 defenders, there are quite a few whom may have to leave. To start with Woodgate, King, and maybe even Kaboul or Bassong.

We need to stay in UCL next season in order to ensure that players stay because they know that if we are in UCL, it is where they will be able to keep their international hopes alive.

Hopefully, we do not lose points against Wigan again.

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

[Spurslover]

Another failure to score. Very lame performance from our superstars, see report below:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/293040?cc=4716

Real will be happy that Ronaldo & Benzema are out for now because Spurs are toothless upfront. It is looking bleak, as of now, in terms of UCL qualification next season. I guess we may just end the season with a big thank you for what UCL bring for us this season.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nances?cc=4716

Hopefully, we will not over-spend and get ourselves into deficit financially (just look at Liverpool earlier this season when they didn't qualify - no offense Liverpool fans, I am just seeing Spurs heading towards this direction, not mocking at Liverpool). The benefits will turn to deficit if not carefully planned and many players will leave if Spurs is out of UCL football next season. You win some, you lose some.

Spurs fans, I suggest we better brace ourselves for it because after earthquake (the roar at WHL this season) may bring in the tsunami (financial crisis) if we didn't qualify next season.

In the meantime, I hope the whole team concentrates in bring home the fourth position at the end of the season as I don't think Spurs fans deserve to worry for survival next season.

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by Spurslover

Bro,

My personal preference for the defence is 2 EPL players, Gary Cahill (Bolton) and Phil Jagielka (Everton).

Gary Cahill is only 25, very good in the air, good reading of the game, very fast in covering his tracks. Good replacement for Gallas (after Gallas' 2 years contract is up).

Phil Jagielka is very good as well. Everton is not performing as usual this season and he may be thinking about moving to secure his England place.

Of the 2, I would prefer Gary Cahill because of his age and he can be supported by Gallas on the bench for the next 2 seasons. Both are good partners for Dawson as it will build defence teamwork for England as well. However, if we are to sign more than 1 defenders, there are quite a few whom may have to leave. To start with Woodgate, King, and maybe even Kaboul or Bassong.

i think you mentioned gary cahill before bro, i'll have to watch out for him in bolton games. jagielka has been quite consistent but always on the fringe of the england squad.

speaking of everton, i am always impressed by the left back baines. i remember about the same time, spurs signed bale and everton captured baines. he is very composed and very good and precise with his left footed crosses.

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by Spurslover

Another failure to score. Very lame performance from our superstars, see report below:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report/_/id/293040?cc=4716

Real will be happy that Ronaldo & Benzema are out for now because Spurs are toothless upfront. It is looking bleak, as of now, in terms of UCL qualification next season. I guess we may just end the season with a big thank you for what UCL bring for us this season.
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...nances?cc=4716

wigan 0 spurs 0

dull game for spurs indeed. sandro is even more industrious in forward attacking than jenas, and sandro is supposed to be a defensive midfielder. why dont kranjcar play instead of jenas?? crouchy came on for defoe and suddenly i thought spurs was down to 10 men. sigh...

well, a much much much bigger game ahead in santiago bernabeu!
my prediction: real madrid 1 spurs 2

a good read from espn below... a jab at spurs.

espn
By The Fifth Official
Tottenham's Real-ity check

There's a famous old yarn that sums up Spurs fans. It involves a Grandma whose son is washed out to sea when playing on the beach. She looks at the sky and implores the Lord to return him. "Haven't I been a good person?" she cries. "Haven't I looked after my fellow man?" Soon after a wave brings the child back, spluttering, but fine. The woman smiles but then turns her head skywards again and says: "Lord, he had a hat."

There was more inexplicable grumbling from the away end during Tottenham's 0-0 draw at Wigan - the team they smashed 12 goals past during two victories last season - and even full scale calls for 'Arry's head on a few message boards. This a few days before they play REAL MADRID in the QUARTER-FINALS of the CHAMPIONS LEAGUE. I know you are a bit slow on the uptake Spurs fans, so I've capitalised the important bits of that sentence for you and bolded them up too.

Perhaps their mood will have been lifted slightly by the rumblings from Spain after Sporting Gijon's win in the Bernabeu ended Jose Mourinho's nine-year home unbeaten run. The special one offered Spurs even more hope when he labelled his players as "dead" in the aftermath and said he'd be happy with a draw on Tuesday, but if he's trying to coax 'Arry into a slice of mind games he'll be disappointed, seeing as the Tottenham boss can't remember what he said to who ten minutes ago.

[Spurslover]

Originally Posted by Castrol

wigan 0 spurs 0

dull game for spurs indeed. sandro is even more industrious in forward attacking than jenas, and sandro is supposed to be a defensive midfielder. why dont kranjcar play instead of jenas?? crouchy came on for defoe and suddenly i thought spurs was down to 10 men. sigh...

well, a much much much bigger game ahead in santiago bernabeu!
my prediction: real madrid 1 spurs 2

Bro,

In my opinion, dull is an understatement, however, I do agree that Sandro looks lively and industrious making his more famous team mates look like school boy.

Real Madrid 2 vs Spurs 1, with the defensive injuries this should be a reasonable result.

Of course I would love to bring to WHL a win like you said, Bro.

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by Spurslover

Real Madrid 2 vs Spurs 1, with the defensive injuries this should be a reasonable result.

Of course I would love to bring to WHL a win like you said, Bro.

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

good grief...
real madrid 4 spurs 0

the red card did it for spurs.


Peter Crouch fells Marcelo, leading to a second yellow card

[Spurslover]

Originally Posted by Castrol

good grief...
real madrid 4 spurs 0

the red card did it for spurs.

Bro,

See the report below:
http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/st...unfair?cc=4716

Ronaldo is contradicting himself by say the red card is not decisive and claiming that they struggled a bit before the break.

Anyway, I think we didn't make the right changes for a start. I guess Harry was caught in 2 minds on whether to defend or attack after Lennon was down ill just before the kick-off.

My own opinion would be:
1) Play Kranjcar for Lennon instead of Jenas; or
2) After Crouch got sent-off, I would change Jenas with Pavy instead of Defoe for VDV at half-time, with Jenas clearly struggling during set play. Drop Modric back to help Sandro. Let Pavy lead the attack by bring down high balls towards Bale and VDV;
3) Defoe comes in later for VDV, when VDV tires, after Pavy has made the Real defenders tired and Defoe provide the extra pace.

So below is how it should looks (my 2 cent worth of opinion):
Goalkeeper - Gomez
Defenders - Corluka, Dawson, Gallas, Assou-Ekotto
Midfielders - Kranjcar, Sandro, Modric, Bale
Strikers - VDV, Crouch.

After Crouch got sent-off:
1) Pavy in, Kranjcar off.
2) Attack - Pavy (front), VDV & Bale support.
3) Midfield - Sandro & Modric infront of defence.

Hopefully, we can get it right next week.

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

[Castrol]

Originally Posted by Spurslover

After Crouch got sent-off:
1) Pavy in, Kranjcar off.
2) Attack - Pavy (front), VDV & Bale support.
3) Midfield - Sandro & Modric infront of defence.

Hopefully, we can get it right next week.

COMON YOU SPURS!!!

bro i watched the replay and concluded crouchy must have been crazy to make a tackle like that against marcelo. its not like dawson has to slide towards an advancing cronaldo to stop him. there is completely no good reason for crouchy throw himself like that.

not sure about gomes though, would it have been just 2-0 if he could have kept his gloves tight?
jenas now reminds me of another central mid from liverpool. lucas! just making up the numbers.

if spurs can put 4 past casillas at the lane to go overtime, it will be the greatest spurs performance ever!