Spurs v City: Fortune favours the brave
Wednesday, December 16, 2009 at 9:59AM Massive game for us this evening. Mainly because of what's happened recently. We are swaying like a bridge in a storm. But it's best to remember we're built of sterner stuff these days. Pretty much like a bridge. It's meant to sway, see out the storm. I have confidence the bridge won't be destroyed. It's just raining on the heavy side rather. No hurricane. Not yet.
Okay, so we could have done more at Villa (in the first half), didn't and fought back superbly well to claim a point and probably should have won it. After that game Villa fans (quite a few of them) were in agreement that we (Spurs) were in a far better place to challenge for the Top 4 than them. All off the back of that result having out played them in the second 45. Then Everton away, and although from the knee-jerking post match you'd think our season was over, we were but a spot kick away from winning this. Okay, we didn't and people discussed mental strength and tactics - which is fine, because we let the game slip from our grasp. As Martin Samuel puts it, the enemy is within. Spurs are beating Spurs. And at home to Wolves we practically gave ourselves a bloody nose, leaving ourselves slumped in a dark alley, shaking our head profusely. Confused and lost.
Stoke at home was bad enough, but the 1-0 loss against a 3rd minute winner against Wolves was just awful and pretty much unacceptable.
Around us, Villa have beaten Man Utd (away) and Sunderland and now sit 3rd in the table. Birmingham are suffering from a nosebleed of their own. The good kind. So our game against Man City tonight takes on extra significance. They are finding winning form after so many draws. Historically, they always lose to us at the Lane (and we don't do too badly up at Eastlands). It's a tricky one to predict.
What is required is a home win. A good one. A confidence boosting morale hugging victory. Swagger, clinical finishing. The chests-out look at us we are so great type of run out. We all know that in the Prem this season, you only have to register a win to 'turn your season around', as seen by the coverage Arsenal get (they lose, they're out the title race, they win, they're back in it).
Three points will leave us sitting in 5th (where we are now) but 3 points ahead of the Brummies and 4 ahead of City. Liverpool at home to Wigan, so they're not that far behind either.
But tonight is not about the points. Okay, it is, but it's more about sending out a message. Players have to focus, dig deep and rediscover some of that form that got us up in this healthy position in the first place. Won't be easy, but if we are firing on all cylinders at least we cant complain about them not giving it a go. No more wet performances please. City, no doubt, will want to prove something too. And if we lose again - at home - God help Santa. No amount of presents is going to aid the crying hearts of the Tottenham faithful.
Massive task in midfield. City are hard working in that department, so Wilson will have to perform well for us to have any time to allow Huddlestone to ping passes around. Problem is, Wilson hasn't been performing well. Is it a personal issue or simply a lack of form that hits everyone. If the latter, Harry has to resolve it quickly. I've read opinions that suggest he's a bit lost in there because Huddlestone isn't doing enough work. But then thinking back to the first 4 games, Hudd/Palacios worked like magic.
Lennon is key to success, as ever. Same with Niko. Give either of these two time on the ball and we'll craft and create. You know all too well who is up front for them, and we all know he always fancies his chances against us, so the centre-backs have to be commanding. We're going to concede tonight. So emphasis on our attack. Defoe up front with Keane. Plenty of eyes on these two. Cannot emphasis how frustrating we've been in front of goal recently. Chances created, chances fluffed. Has to change.
Battles all across the field of play, the side that wins more of them wins the war. Obviously. My point is, we two sides no better than each other. Both with strengths and weakness both possessing individual flair that can win a game in the blink of an eye. Let's hope our lot don't freeze in the cold evening air.
I doubt it, after the Wolves embarrassment. Nothing can be taken for granted now. So expect some blood and thunder tempo from our lads.
Modric? Doubt he's fit enough to start. Wouldn't make sense for him to do so. Perhaps a cheeky final 25 minutes as he continues his return to first team action. JJ has been sick, so not a clue if he's available. Which is either a good thing or a bad thing depending on where your Love/Hate arrow is pointing on the Jenas-o-meter.
Interesting footnote, and I know its the usual kidology that takes place pre-match, but our guv has been talking about the African Nations Cup and the loss of Bassong and BAE leaving us with little cover at the back thanks to Woody and Kings continued absence. No question, that regardless of where we stand come the New Year - it's not just another central midfielder required. Villa collapsed late last season. We still have to get ourselves in a similar position. We have to get ourselves in that position and then we have to be able to consolidate it. Because from the looks of it, its still up for grabs.
So. Onwards with making a statement. News of our death has been greatly exaggerated.
Reader Comments (45)
I am torn between beleiveing that the performance is what matters above and beyond the result. But end of day, etc, its the points that matter!
City's strengths and weakneses seem to mirror our own in many ways, potentially great up front, less robust further back you look down the team, but both have good keepers who themselves are capable of making themselves match winners on their day as well. So I would not be suprised by another high scoring game that could go either way.
The control of the game may well be as much to do with how our midfield deals with theirs and vice versa. Bellamy being out with SWP might just give us an edge in this department. I sincerely hope so any way.
Am I the only one who thinks we'll win and do so well? Must be. Doom and gloom all over the place. No SWP is a big advantage for us.
Because nobody is expecting us to win this, we'll end up winning it.
Would drop Keane for Crouch, Lennon needs to fire, Wilson needs to bite and Defore needs to be clinical
What often kills us (although not so much recently) is pace and attacking us on the break. With Bellamy and SWP missing I'm hoping they are a little slower, although Petrov will maybe test Charlie. I'm hoping Robinho doesn't fancy the cold and another away day.
I think there is very little chance of us keeping a clean sheet again this evening. Tevez or Adebayor will surely be on the score sheet. I think it will be a case of us scoring more to win this game. We must take our chances, it's sure to be open as City won't be parking the bus.
Sorry to slightly go off the subject of tonight’s game but I couldn't help but notice this link this morning regarding Tottenham's defensive frailties and the incredible relaxed approach about the biggest problem area in our squad:
http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/story_get.cgi?STORY_NAME=soccer/09/12/16/manual_074222.html&TEAMHD=soccer
This is madness by Spurs yet again! We knew that we needed another centre half during summer along with the Bassong signing as King would hardly play. (Not to mention Woodgate didn't kick a ball all summer).
The article states that Harry thinks we could be in for a disaster month in Jan losing two of the current back four to African Nations possibly for a month. (We knew this would happen though).
Harry then says he doesn't have a "Clue" when King or Woodgate will play again….
But then to my amazement Harry says we are fine in that area and he won't be buying a defender come Jan as we have plenty of cover in the defence…! Er….No we don't!!!!! You can't include Corluka and Hudd as centre backs and Bale as left back is not worth talking about. What happens if Dawson gets injured???
Can you imagine a back four of (Hutton, Corluka, Dawson, Bale) that would concede even more goals then the current line up…?
If we don't buy a centre half or two come Jan we will be lucky to finish in the top 7.
If we don't do anything about this we would be bonkers and will blow our chance of achieving any kind of European football.
HAVE FAITH
Faith is not the answer, some new defenders are...
Belief is the answer. We have players who can win us games. We have a team that can handle most of what the Prem has to offer in the way of threat. It's just when we don't tick, it all sort of falls to pieces. We'll see just how much they want it tonight.
Snowing at the minute.
But we have a defense that can't keep a clean sheet, that has two centre halves fit and one of which is going to Africa for possibly a month along with our first choice left - back.
Maybe Harry is just not letting on and he plans to buy some defenders come Jan. I can't honestly believe he doesn't think we need to buy.
Shame we didn't try for Dunne. There's always Upson. Need someone at the back for certain otherwise we can kiss goodbye to it and slot into 7th heaven.
I think a draw is the most likely outcome for tonight - 2-2 or 3-3. City show the resilience we sadly lack. What players would you sell in Jan? Pav, Bentley, Bale? Buy - Anton Ferdinand, Upson, Parker, another forward? We have to buy midfield players that want to defend as well as attack! Look at what Milner is doing at Villa, Essien, Fletcher, (even Gibson) Diaby etc etc they are worth their weight in gold. Come on Spurs, dont lead us to near the top of the mountain YET again only for it all to disapate into nothing. So many false dawns. Roar them on tonight chaps, wish I could be there.
Dawson. Palacios. Lennon. Defoe.
The key to victory.
I honestly think we would easily win as quality of players we have is far far superior than spurs and there is no player in spurs ranks to be good enuf for play for THE MANCHESTER CITY.the main problem spurs have is that they have got no spark or real quality in midfield, i know some of u will argue that u have modric but he is nothing special or to b exicted about, modric is just another player with some good touches and here in city academy we have bundles of those kind of players.i believe next season we would b winning league titles while spurs would b still laying behind arsenal's backside and floating in middle and bottom half of table.
Steady on fella
''modric is just another player with some good touches and here in city academy we have bundles of those kind of players.''
That's fucking priceless.
Maybe if you didn't keep these amazingly well kept secrets in your touth team, you might be higher than 7th. Or whatever the hell position you're currently pissing around in.
I don't care if we score a goal that hit the bar and rebounds off Givens head we just NEED a win, look at Birmingham get a good run together and you just keep scoring and that the same when your on a bad run and let's not kid ourselves we are on one these now. I think Charlie and BAE need a break, they are not on form, what about giving Kyle a run out at right back?? Charlie is looking too slow and i don't think Lennon is playing badly we just can't get the ball to him and i think Defoe has to stop believing the hype and shoot on site!! win tonight we're back in it, lose and the gap just gets bigger. COYS
'CITY SOON 2 B BIGGEST CLUB IN ENGLAND' = ' SOON TO BE THE NEW LEEDS UNITED''
you are joking, Modric has more class in his little finger than the expensive collection of average overpaid overhyped players who are there for money and no other reason!!
Score draw folks score draw. Which will take us into the next game seeking a much needed win.
Its a stand up and be counted game and we will learn alot about our players tonight. City have the potential to dominate our MF and cause us problems at the back so we will need a big performance from EVERYONE. Anton Ferdinand is exactley the sort of player we should stay clear of - all flash and no substance. I think HR has got a decision to make on Woodgate if he doesn't get himself sorted soon. We can cope with Ledley being in and out but you can not have two in the same position that are injury prone.
If fortune favours the brave................. we'r fu?k@d
If we had lost our first five games instead of winning them we would be just above Portsmouth in the relegation zone now.
Makes you think doesn't it?
If it's about brave-i would like to see us playing with Gomes and back 4 who are only available right now and make sence but other 6 - i will think will be brave but not far from any logic Tom/Wilson CM Aaron right-Niko Left with Luka playing on the back of JD an swap places with Niko and keep the ball low in to the ground.I doubt it they will have problems with long balls to the '1 goal prolific car dancer'-we may do much damages on quick pass with City Defence alreay showing signs for not clicking so well and no well organized....and JD fingers cross more clinical.any penalty at all-Niko or Luka pls take it.Assoto-do not turn your back on SRP-just stay close and kick the ball away.City are for a giggle but we dont look much more serious right now-it is 50-50 easy to be turn 1 way game.Specialy if you have a manager with TACTICS-i doub it each of both managers do.Come on you Spurs-we can do it and we can B&Q it...Dawson cick Adebayor for bit more fun
For Shaun Wright Philips read Vladimir Weiss. This game will be tailor-made for him. We will win!!! (most probably)
If it's about brave-i'll be happy to see us playing with Gomes and back 4 who are only available right now and other 6 - i think will be brave but not far from any logic Tom/Wilson CM Aaron right-Niko Left with Luka playing on the back of JD and swap places with Niko and keep the ball low in to the ground,with quick passes ex-changes.I doubt it they will have problems with long balls to the '1 goal prolific car dancer'-we may do much damages on passing and make them run around with City Defence already showing signs for not clicking so well and no best organized....and JD-fingers cross more clinical.any penalty at all-Niko or Luka pls take it.Assoto-do not turn your back on SwP-just stay close and kick the ball away.City are for a giggle but we dont look much more serious right now-it is 50-50 easy to be turn 1 way game.Specialy if you have a manager with TACTICS-i doubt it each of both managers do.Come on you Spurs-we can do it and we can B&Q it...Dawson cick Adebayor for bit more fun.
P.S.-Yes i am a foreigner,Yes- i wana eat my keyboard,Yes i'm totally commited to one Spurs.Just ignore top post:)
'Spurs-we can do it and we can B&Q it...Dawson cick Adebayor for bit more fun.'
Net-it rules!
Jimmy, that stat attack scared me.
SPURS WOULD B NEVER A TOP 4 OR A SUCCESSFUL SIDE BCOZ THEY SPEND SO MUCH MONEY BUT BIG PLAYERS DONT COME TO SPURS BCOZ DOESNT MATTERS AMOUNT OF MONEY U SPEND SPURS DONT HAVE NAME OR STATURE TO ATTRACT BIG NAME PLAYERS BUT AT CITY WE HAVE BIG NAME PLAYERS LIKE ADEBAYOR ,ROBINHO ,TOURE ,TEVEZ AND WE WILL SIGN MORE WORLD FAMOUS PLAYERS AND WILL B SOON WINNING CHAMPIONS LEAGUES AND ALL.
Riiiight. Ok den.
Where do I even begin with that?
We spend too much money? I guess that's unheard of in your neck of the woods.
Big players don't come to Spurs? They do. We just lose them to Man Utd every few seasons.
Spurs don't have the name or the stature? Er...we have both - your lot are the ones who rely on a Sheikhs billions to become well known and...
...oh, I get it. You're trolling. Carry on.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZAc8JooS3MY
Happier, simpler times...
these city mugs! i really hope we stuff them tonight! how can they say we spend too much money? thats one of the funniest things i have EVER heard! £220 million in the summer? FUCKING JOKERS!
You spend too much money i think.
Easy.
Thats more like it.
Another win Saturday and last Saturdays result will almost be forgotten. Almost but not quite!
Anyone brave/stupid enough to predict the result against Blackburn ? Me neither!
City, a bunch of over-paid pansies. Can't stop beating them can we?
Nice one yids
Was forced to miss the second half but what a relief it was to see us 2-0 up with some 10 minutes to go. I thought that was it but 3-0 is a fantastic result against the quarter-of-a-billion pound squad we were up against tonight. Sure will knock the wind out of the sails of any lagging Citeh fans who want to gloat about prestige and ability. Not because of the result, oh no, but because Liverpool surpassed them in the table this evening. Top dollar.
Anyone with me on this..........DAWSON for ENGLAND?
Have to admit, I was slagging off Crouchie something rotten until he came up with the nod to Jermain but I just don't feel comfortable with him playing. Don't get me wrong, was very happy with the win. Niko has to keep his place now after his performances in the past few weeks. Would love to see Modric behind JD with the midfield kept as it is.
Well done lads. Almost half way through the season and you're doing us proud.
'AV IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WELL DONE SPURS!!!!!!!!!!
what a well deserved win , Niko was impressive and not only because of the goals (i really liked the vision and technical skills). When i saw him playing with Croatia and Portsmouth he looked a bit off pace and lazy but man i was very wrong , what a determination, skill and speed combined
oh u fucking beauty! :)
So a performance and the result, I'd buy that for a dollar!
Niko looking like quite thte bargain at £2.5 mil, I'll give you that one 'arry, good deal done there son.
Swagger :)
Thats more like it!!!!!!!! Completly dominated them all over the pitch. Makes the loss to Wolves even more ridiculous when we can play like 3 days later. Who knows what we will get at Blackburn!