This is Tottenham
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 12:36PM Upcoming:
Liverpool.
Newcastle.
Arsenal.
Utd.
Followed by:
Everton.
Stoke.
Chelsea.
A magnificent seven games in what will be a defining seven weeks of football. This is not quite the run-in but it qualifies as the business end of the season (the business end being every game until we cement Champions League). We might have to dig deep, get lucky but the emphasis as ever has to be on retaining momentum. Suggestions the court case is affecting the teams focus. Opinion that we are so finely tuned that a key player missing here or there weakens us with far greater impact because of how much we rely on a very specific style of play. It’s a testing period, every game massive. Every point vital. If we trip and fall, I have no qualms about our ability to stand up, dust off and continue the march.
I’m buzzing. This pressure and at times anxiety is what football at the top is all about. There’s an edge to it because of what’s at stake. But I’m still managing to maintain some dignity and haven’t quite begun to feast on my nails. You know you’re doing something right when you go into every game echoing its importance.
Defeat isn’t something I’m entertaining in any of the above matches although the odds suggest it’s probable. But considering we’ve yet to truly disappoint in defeat this season (excluding the opening two games) I’m confident that the team can fight and perform well. It resonates, the belief. We’re going to need to be exceptional across the next four games and if we are then we might no longer feel the need to look behind (if you’re that way inclined - some prefer to still look upwards).
If you work out the points ratio to games and the fact that everybody is still prone to slipping up, we only have to continue our form (points accumulation) to retain our position. I’d rather not though. I’d rather play like we need to make up a ten point gap. I’d rather we continue to chase the impossible dream, if only to hold onto a standard that will practically guarantee a top three finish. Can’t settle with what we have, we need to always be better than our last game.
Forgetting all future fixtures, the only one that matters at the moment is Liverpool away. Two morale boosting wins against the two Manchester clubs (one over two legs) but their home form is still erratic. Traditionally a tough place to visit, much like last season when we travelled north and faced a resurgent home side to then return home with all three points. Mental strength in abundance these days and we’ll need it on Monday evening. They won’t have forgotten the spanking we dished out at the Lane. The indignity (for them) more so in the fact we could have scored double the goals we got had we not ease off and slowed the pace down to simply possession play. They’re going to want to put that right. As you would expect.
I’m not going to dwell on the past too much. It’s easy to remember their dominant cycle during the 70s and 80s and more recently their consistency in finishing top four and winning cup competitions. There’s no doubting their pedigree. But they’re in transition. They’re going to cite the past to aid in fuelling their motion forward to reclaim those past glories; it counts for very little until they’ve actually achieved it. Much like the position we’re in. For both clubs it’s wise to remember that football owes us nothing. Liverpool are still in transition. We’re several steps ahead of them. The onus is on us to prove that. Both clubs have to fulfil their immediate ambitions. For us, it’s finishing as high as possible in the league and to qualify for the CL. For them? Consistency to lay claim towards challenging for a top place finish again.
A win for us would be demoralising for a fair few clubs inside that top seven. It really is a strong position to be in. One we are still becoming accustomed to. Several steps ahead but still on that learning curve and still earning that experience. You look at how Utd came back against Chelsea. This being a Utd side that might lack the depth of quality of previous revisions but still retain that sense of all-consuming belief, that never-say-die attitude that only Champions can possesses. We’re in there, we continue to compete, contend. We’ve got to really want it and show that desire in games like this.
As for Liverpool, their style. I can never shake off the feeling that they are quite workman like, nothing overly fancy but still well drilled with a caveat to being susceptible to lethargic performances. Their form is much like the form of older Spurs teams. Bit all over the place. Dare I say they are similar to us when we began to rebuild (for the umpteenth time), trying hard to find a cohesive pattern. Things can change quickly, so it’s best we do our utmost to widen that gap further.
Do they have players that can hurt us? For sure. I still worry about defending set-pieces (that’s if Downing manages to get a cross in successfully). A certain returning player from a lengthy ban might be making a comeback appearance. So all eyes (and lip-reading) on him. Do we have players that can hurt them? Let me think about that one. Yeah, one or two. You do get the impression that Dalglish’s men will try to take us on, bring the game to us and attack. Which should suit us fine (hoping we’ve learnt lessons re: Stoke and Swansea away). An open game means if we keep it controlled and composed at the back then we’ll have plenty of opportunity to go forward with intent.
How do we win? We win by owning the midfield. Might be an idea to play Sandro and Parker, match their work rate ethic (which is far more one dimensional than ours) and get Modric on the ball as often as possible. Width key (as ever). Bale should do his best to stretch them to the left and only look to cut inside if the passage of play invites him to do so. Structure and discipline essential. I do hope for once Adebayor does more than bring others into play. Needs to start scoring again. Would be perfect timing if he rediscovered his touch in front of goal and went on a little run of games. Would accept arrogant, bullish displays of ruthlessness. Alternatively, Saha might have to do. Defoe (along with Lennon) not available (if you refer to official team news updates). That’s hardly been his trademark for a while. Would prance around like a character out of Glee if he was to rediscover that instinct one chance one goal state of mind. Hoping we are careful with where we give away free-kicks. They have players who can do damage by way of a dead ball.
As ever, Tottenham need to keep it Tottenham in terms of approach. We are hardly the most tactically astute side and that tends to benefit us when we go out and look to retain possession and attack/counter-attack. We play the Tottenham way, we swashbuckle but with a spine and strength that isn’t too dissimilar to Liverpool sides of yesteryear.
If we play like the second half at Eastlands or in fact if we match our almost destructive nature from the White Hart Lane 4-0, then when thinking of Anfield, you’ll most like to reply...'This is three points'. Couldn’t care less for comparisons of silverware and history. Very few clubs can come out looking better than Liverpool in terms of titles and cups. All I care about is the present and living in it. With any luck, enjoying it too.
COYS.
Love the shirt.
Reader Comments (83)
What you're saying sir is that anything can happen, tonight and in the extended run in.
Look at the Chelsea game yesterday; forgone conclusion after 55 minutes, er not quite.
We willl win some we expect to lose and lose some we expect to win.
If we are in third at the beginning of April, with 8 games to go,we have a run of fixtures that are all 'winnable'.
I think we will make third with a comfortable margin whatever happens tonight.
What this season has proved time and time again is that experts, fans and pundits alike haven't got a clue.
One win, a team is back in the race. One loss, they're out. Following month, it turns full circle again.
I hope we don't lose this evening. I dislike a lot about the current Liverpool side. I'm sure if they did go and beat us they'd go on to lose a couple of times again in the next few games. With us, its always about how we've reacted to a loss. And thus far...very little to complain about.
Would be nice however to see us truly turn it on, across 3/4 games and settle this once and for all.
The home fixture was a platform for the best half a season in my memory, 3 points tonight will be just the springboard we need to carry that momentum forward. I'm hoping for Parker and Sandro in CM and for them to utterly boss the game, and an early goal from Adebayor to shut the home fans up.
All eyes will be on Suarez if he plays - let's hope he doesn't get the headlines tomorrow, unless it's due to Sandro taking his head off with a Spinning Bird Kick.
kaboul out for the tonights game unfortunately :(
Kaboul out I'm hearing.
Inspiring stuff Spooky.
Got me bang up for tonights game, I have to say I'm looking at tonight's game with a sense of intrepidation. Liverpool have hit a vein of form and recent resulst are way above the mediocrity and averageness of their squad. The return of Suarez will give them a lift but we must hope that we've stamped our authority on the game by the time he's introduced (if that is indeed the case).
Be brave, clench fists, we stand on the edge of genuine glory, let's make sure we fight for the win in every second of our remaining matches.
COYS!
What you're saying sir is that anything can happen, tonight and in the extended run in.
Look at the Chelsea game yesterday; forgone conclusion after 55 minutes, er not quite.
We willl win some we expect to lose and lose some we expect to win.
If we are in third at the beginning of April, with 8 games to go,we have a run of fixtures that are all 'winnable'.
I think we will make third with a comfortable margin whatever happens tonight.
Where are you hearing this? We already have four doubtful players!
Don't ask
I just did....
I am wondering at some of the tougher away fixtures like Anfield, why we wouldn't on occasions, use Sandro as a cb next to Kaboul. At 6'2" with his strength and speed, I think he could hold it down. I wouldn't put him there if King was fit and available, but it would allow us to play a 4-4-1-1 with a bit more flexibility.
Why is Kaboul not playing?
Horses mouth (so to speak). Nothing like letting the opposition know eh? What a twit(terer!)
"Gutted I will not be able to play tonight as my knee kept swollen after the Wigan game...Good luck to my partners and hope we take 3pts".
That's it then. Might as well not turn up. We've lost the game. LS to turn Dawson inside out.
Sad times.
Well for me we have it all to prove cos im not really convinced about us yet! Yes we've been better this season in beating da lesser sides but we havent really come to the party in the huge games, we've had 2 "tests" in da last month or so home to chelsea n away to City n im afraid we failed em both!!! Now Anfield tonight represents another one against a team that always turn up in da big games so im hoping we get our mental minerals right for once!!
Kaboul out? Perfect chance to give Saurez the welcome back from hell...Sandro!
We deperately need to go on a run, 1 winning streak in a season is not good enough to challenge and i think if we are all honest our form of late has been stuttering at best. Utd, city, chelsea and even arsenal are capable of winning 5 games in a row but i honestly cant see us doing that at the moment.
I do seriously hope i am wrong!
Kaboul out? Bring in the kiwi then, Ryan Nelsen to lead us to victory. COYS
If Kaboul & Lennon are out then surely it's got to be 3 centre-backs tonight (King, Dawson & Nelsen).
That means BAE & Walker can play as wingbacks, Sandro & Parker hold in the middle and then Modric & Bale off whoever plays upfront (at this rate it's going to be the lad who came on last week!).
I'm genuinely worried about tonight. I don't get concerned about playing United or Chelsea as you can always have the moment of optimism. Something just gets at me that we SHOULD be winning this game, but we're due a complete and utter capitulation......
"but we're due a complete and utter capitulation......"
On the other hand, we're due handing out a spanking..... glasses Walkerboy.... have faith!!
So who is out tonight?
Kaboul
Lennon
Defoe
Adebayor / van der Vaart = injury doubts
I've been told Sandro is also unavailable.
damage ..limitation .......then set play goals.......penalty spurs.....liverpool liability....over confidence......parker will be 8 foot tall
Please, Harry, just keep Modric in central. I don't want to see Bale wide right and Luka wide left with all these injuries. Let Niko have another run.
Step up Livermore.
Quite right Spooks, Dougie Livermore can do the business
It's a pretty horrendous injury list though. What price Saha giving the Toffee's a leaving present with a winner over the house of scouse?
We also have Carragher on our side.... He's due another own goal (scored as many goals for us in his career as he has for Liverpool).
Every time I try to figure out a team I find someone else is likely to be out ...... it is almost getting to feel like a rerun of Lasagnegate!!! Time to step up lads and show we can grind one out!
COYS!!!!
Shit just got real.
@stefanpape29: Coach just left the hotel. No Kaboul, Sandro, VDV, Lennon, JD.
The main difference between Liverpool and us is, in a word, self-belief.
They are a poor team but think and believe they are great and run around like headless chickens to prove it, and with their great support it works most of the time.
I don't think our players really believe in themselves as a team.
Unfortunately tonight our key players seem to be missing and with Dawson in the CB role and no effective mid-field screen we could be in for a complete drubbing.
We will have to run on belief tonight and any result other than a defeat will be a credit to the lads and perhaps bring that self-belief forward to contribute to the run-in.
Fucking ell. No Harry at Anfield either.
RIP Champions League
Our season will be won/lost with the medical back room staff, which to date have proven to be crap! How can we have so many calf and hamstring injuries, for f@@@@ sake!! What on earth are they doing or not doing. How many players out tonight? Six????
Our 9 point lead is just three games either way. I was willing on United last night, I want everybody below spurs to be dead and buried, I don't give a shit about winning the league, I want top four and I'm happy with that! A draw tonight will do me and a win on saturday is just fine.
It's about to get nervous, nail biting and very difficult. Be prepared!!!! We face the moment of truth! Do we have what it takes, can we hold our nerve!!
L. King out tonight as well as half the coaching staff, fog at liverpool, here we go! It's going to be a great night of football!!!
Where is everyone getting the latest team news & are we all sure no Sandro ? I'd have him alongside Scotty all day long.
By the way if I was Harry i'd be mad Sandro was pulling them kicks in the dressing room. My hamstrings were hurting watching
PS< NO ONE EVER SAID IT WAS GONNA BE EASY. COME ON YOU SPURS
Going to be easy????
Half the first team out, two players in with 4 days of spurs experience and no manager at the game, it could only happen to us, west ham last game of the season comes to mind!!!!
Pls tell me we are not this fing unorganised, pls, pls, tell me we have plans A,b,c and d for gods sake!!!
Who is the spurs physio, I also want to know what care the players come under outside training, I bet it's zero, they piss off and can do what they want!!! What other team has so many calf and hamstring injuries???
A hour to go for kick off and I'm already mad!!!! What a mess!!
Liverpool: Reina, Kelly, Skrtel, Agger, Johnson, Spearing, Adam, Gerrard, Kuyt, Bellamy, Carroll.
Team news - Ledley starts, Daws in for Younes, no Rafa, JD, Aaron. Youngsters Cameron Lancaster and Massimo Luongo on bench. Line-up soon...
Come on boys, ye of liitle faith Hotspurs. We've never had a team like this before so we shouldnt revert to type of our previous experiences.
The minority of fans here would have you believe we have had better teams in the past, i dont & ive supported spurs since i was 6 (1976) so, having said that we need to believe.This is our time, this is the new tottenham, get me in the dressing room for the team talk !!
COYS
They have now lost the team sheet!!!!! They think Harry has it in his back pocket!!!
Can we hold them for the first 20 min, the last 5 min of the first half, the first 5 min of the second half and the last 15 min of the match, oh and 5 min of injury time!!!
If we can do that, we have a chance!!
COYS
Should have been a straight red on Skyrtel. How lucky can you be...
Liverpool are dirty scummers.
That was a hard fought point. Hats off to the lads for digging it out.
Don't think that was a red. If Skrtel who is a ball and bat, hadn't made contact with the ball, perhaps. Yellow was appropriate.
God I hate Liverpool though. They and their neanderthal supporters can love off.
For me that was the best display I've seen from spurs this season, absolutley awsome in defence and midfield. Our weakest position without a doubt is Ade, lost the ball very time he had it.
Well done lads, brilliant display and could have won it.
This confirms for me that Liverpool are THE scum of the premiership. EVen Carroll has now become one of them, moaning, groaning, mouthing, what a sad bunch they are!!
Totally agree, Hotspurs.
I do like Bellamy though. Only one with any class. I wish Levy had listened to 'Arry on that one.
Also, Dawson back to his best, but Parker, what a force!!
A very hard earned point but on work rate i think we deserved it.Again Parker was at his best doing what he does best getting stuck in.Pity we had no Sandro but the guys did great.Bale for the most was quite and if he could have taken that chance at the end then it wouldhave been a perfect night.Agree about Bellamy a real pity we did not get him as he would have been great cover and still a class act.I thought Niko had a good game with lots of great tackles (where did he learn that) .Dawson was dawson and Luka was good but missed VDV and Lennon for the movement to let him do his stuff.Got to get the guys sorted for the weekend and maybe a few back to help out.We really need three points to keep the third place ours.To Dare Is To Do.Faugh A Ballagh.
Good point in the end.
Plan B for Spurs is having to dig deep as we don't quite handle it well without width on the right and Rafa dropping deep to link forward with attack. Adebayor completely isolated up top.
Anyways, I'll leave it for the match report. I'm out and about tomorrow so prob wont get to post anything until either Tuesday night or Wed.
Yep, it's a must 3 points at the weekend, especially with united-Liverpool, everton-cheksea and sunderland - ars, it could be interesting.
And agree with Hotspurs. Liverpool are so fucking unlikeable its unreal. Scummy, dirty one dimensional club with bland racist supporters.
But they do know how to hold up an upside down scarf.