295 replies to this topic

[Myles_91]

CFCCAN, on 18 December 2011 - 11:41 PM, said:

We will have to play like we did against Valencia if we want to get anything out of this game. An open game will suit the spuds as they have more speed that us. Depends who doesn't want to lose the most.....I think we can do it...2-1 the blues.....either that or we get crushed!

I actually think an open game would suit us more. I think Ramires, Sturridge, Mata and Meireles running at anyone in open space is probably more threatening that anything they have. Take Bale and Modric out the equation and is there anyone they have you can honestly say you would fear running at our defence?

Spuds have proved they can edge teams out in the tight games i.e Arsenal, Sunderland, WBA, Wigan, Fulham etc. It has been the more open games i.e Man U, City, Newcastle, Stoke where they have struggled.

One thing 'Arry has done since arriving at the Spuds is tighten up their defence and make sure they are more compact than Ramos ever did, hence why they have a good home record, if we want to beat them we will probably need an open game where we can get a bit fortunate and pick them off, that's how Arsenal beat us, in previous seasons when were compact we just sat back soaked up all the pressure and countered and they had no answer to it.

One thing I've noticed this season as that teams like Arsenal and Liverpool who are nowhere near as good in terms of personnel, are playing with a lot more intelligence and tactical nous than in previous seasons. We need to start doing that as well.

[mad_mac]

willh6373, on 18 December 2011 - 11:41 PM, said:

wtf is with drogba? he just plays when he feels like it? how can he play so well in a couple of big games (or atleast much better) then just disappear against wigan?!?!
im sorry i missed why ramires didnt play against wigan? hopefully he plays this one and lampard on the bench please, then again meireles didnt put in much of a performance vs wigan - but who did other than sturridge.

Ramires had a leg injury, and was ruled at 80% chance to make the spuds game. As was Luiz.

The midfield three are becoming more of a quandary. I think Ramires and Romeu have made it clear that they are automatic starters, but the other position is up for grabs. Mereiles is a good, but not great player, and lampard was once a great player that needs to be used more sparingly now (his tempo is fading fast, and he was never lightning quick anyway).

This is why I think a lot have been frustrated that Josh hasn't made it, but remember we don't see him in training.

I think a defender, a midfielder, a striker and a winger are all needed, but we will see that over the course of two transfer windows. I really can't see s going all out to change things up in January

[Castiel]

I can't call this. We've seen two completely different teams turn up in the last 2 matches.

[The Moos]

Very tough game. They will no doubt show up for this one so we will have to do the same. It'll take another performance like the one against City to win this game.

[CFCCAN]

Myles_91, on 19 December 2011 - 12:14 AM, said:

I actually think an open game would suit us more. I think Ramires, Sturridge, Mata and Meireles running at anyone in open space is probably more threatening that anything they have. Take Bale and Modric out the equation and is there anyone they have you can honestly say you would fear running at our defence?

Spuds have proved they can edge teams out in the tight games i.e Arsenal, Sunderland, WBA, Wigan, Fulham etc. It has been the more open games i.e Man U, City, Newcastle, Stoke where they have struggled.

One thing 'Arry has done since arriving at the Spuds is tighten up their defence and make sure they are more compact than Ramos ever did, hence why they have a good home record, if we want to beat them we will probably need an open game where we can get a bit fortunate and pick them off, that's how Arsenal beat us, in previous seasons when were compact we just sat back soaked up all the pressure and countered and they had no answer to it.

One thing I've noticed this season as that teams like Arsenal and Liverpool who are nowhere near as good in terms of personnel, are playing with a lot more intelligence and tactical nous than in previous seasons. We need to start doing that as well.

I think he spuds will run at the defence especially Terry as he is the slowest of the back four. Bale will have a field day against Bossy if he plays. I think I would have Ivan on the Right and play Luiz and Terry in the middle with Ashley on the left. As woeful as Drogba was against Wigan and as much as I would like to see Torres start I think AVB will choose Drogba. Sturrdige and Mata are shoe ins so will it be Lampard or Meireles? I think Meireles simply because of his running ability and at least he tends to pass forward rather than sideways or backwards. We know everyone had a sh*te game against Wigan and the players probably know it too. I think we just might raise our game, but it depends how well we can defend just in front of the back four and close down the spaces. I just want to jam it down Harry's throat because of late I can't stand him, he is your typical 'Jack the lad' and wants to be in the news at every opportunity; he is getting on my wick!

[MrSkyBlue]

I can see this being a well contested game on both sides. Spurs have real quality these days but they are by no means awesome. I would like to see a Chelsea win but i predict a score draw, 2-2. If there is to be a winner then i realy couldn't say who it would be.

[wxwax]

willh6373, on 18 December 2011 - 11:41 PM, said:

wtf is with drogba? he just plays when he feels like it? how can he play so well in a couple of big games (or atleast much better) then just disappear against wigan?!?!

I can't help but think that when Chelsea go to the high-line style, squeezing the pitch, that the center-forward is often isolated, for some reason. Chelsea do not execute that Barca style very well. But when Chelsea sit back, as they did against Citeh and Valencia, the center-forward becomes a target and is heavily involved.

[rahul]

No Drogba or Lampard please.

[G4 Squared]

Less than 125% from every player should result in immediate transfer listing.

[Zola]

Castiel, on 19 December 2011 - 01:00 AM, said:

I can't call this. We've seen two completely different teams turn up in the last 2 matches.

This is true

[bennyboy1976]

I just hope the players understand how much this game means to us the fans, and any lack of effort on their part in this game in particular would be severly
Criticised.

[timetowaste]

Not looking forward to this game if I'm honest. One of my best mates is a Spuds fan and I'll be in for a right earful if we lose, their fans are all getting a bit too big for their boots so I hope we can show them that they're not up there with the big guns yes, however if we play anything like we did vs Wigan we will get smashed. If AVB has any sense he won't be playing a high line against them due to their pacy wingers

[footbal_fan]

footbal_fan, on 16 December 2011 - 03:39 AM, said:

i am a tottenham fan but, i'm not here for banta

screw that! you lot are gonna get walloped on thursday! COYS!

[Zeta Orionis]

Okay.

[footbal_fan]

BlueSkies, on 19 December 2011 - 04:27 PM, said:

Okay.

report today saying terry is out?

[gojo_ed]

footbal_fan, on 19 December 2011 - 04:41 PM, said:

report today saying terry is out?

Is Bale out?

[TheWestwayWonder]

BlueSkies, on 19 December 2011 - 04:27 PM, said:

Okay.

[footbal_fan]

gojo_ed, on 19 December 2011 - 04:43 PM, said:

Is Bale out?

redknapp recons he should be fit so i would have thought he will play. dunno aboot defoe though.

[Zola]

Ive taken Bale out of my fantasy league team this week, he does nothing against good sides ;)

[moi]

The Mighty Merger strikes again!