Match Day Thread Tottenham Hotspur v Norwich City

[PleaseNotPoll]

You must log in or register to see images

Wednesday March 4th 7.45pm
FA Cup 5th Round
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium​

Another loss and a painful one too, having lead twice and done so at the break.
There were some positive signs in our overall performance, but the defence looks as porous as ever.
Norwich picked up an important win against Leicester on Friday and have an extra couple of days to prepare.
Our games against them have been tight this season, despite their league position.
Can Mourinho find a system that works for us or will it be another bad result?

It's not been long since we hosted the Canaries and not much has changed from their point of view.
They have managed to win a couple of games, but the sides directly above them in the table did, too.
They curently sit 6 points from safety and four points behind 2nd bottom Villa, who have a game in hand.
It's not impossible for them to make up the difference with 10 games left, but it's a big ask.
Daniel Farke has his work cut out for him and his approach to this game will be very interesting.

Here are the highlights to our previous meetings this season:

You must log in or register to see media

You must log in or register to see media

And here's their performance from Friday against Leicester, who were missing Jamie Vardy:

You must log in or register to see media

Lloris, Kane, Son and Sissoko are all out for this, but Sessegnon has returned to training and is available.
Zimmermann, Hernandez, Byram and Klose are all out for the visitors, while Pukki and Tettey are doubts.
Neither side has any suspensions.

Lineups for each side's last league game:

Spurs: Gazzaniga; Sanchez, Dier, Tanganga; Aurier, Lo Celso, Winks, Davies; Moura, Alli, Bergwijn.
Subs: Vorm, Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Skipp, Fernandes, Ndombele, Parrott.
League form: DWWWLL.

Norwich: Krul; Aarons, Godfrey, Hanley, Lewis; McLean, Tettey; Buendia, Duda, Cantwell; Pukki.
Subs: McGovern, Trybull, Vrancic, Rupp, Stiepermann, Drmic, Idah.
League form: WLDLLW.

Ref: Paul Tierney. VAR: Stuart "Just ****ed up the last game we played" Attwell.

TV: BBC red button and streamed via the website.

How would you like to line up for this one and what would you change from the Wolves game?
Would you stick with much of the same lineup, make a few changes or go for a wholesale switch?
Which system and tactics would you use and what are you expecting Norwich to go with?

 

[humanbeingincroydon]

What to change from the Wolves game? Well for one thing, maybe don't play three at the back with a central midfield that would be as effective at locking down a game as a padlock made of pipe cleaners...

 

[PleaseNotPoll]

You must log in or register to see media

 

[Citizen Kane.]

Gazza
Tanganga Toby Jan Sess
Gedson Skipp Tanguy
Lo Celso Lamela Stevie

Never gonna happen but that's what I'd like to see. It's a very rare trip to the new stadium for me - haven't been since the first game there so technically we have a 100% record with me watching live.

 

[Spurlock]

Tottenham fans "don't even know" what Troy Parrott looks like, says Jose Mourinho as calls grow for the manager to start the teenage striker.

The Republic of Ireland international, 18, is Spurs' only fit striker with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min injured.

But despite demands to start Parrott, he will once again be on the bench for Wednesday's FA Cup tie against Norwich.

"This is a world where lots of people, they don't even know if Troy has long hair or short hair." said Mourinho.

"Or is blonde or is dark. They don't even know that and speak about 'Troy, Troy, Troy, Troy, he should play'.

"There was a guy behind me on the bench the other day, 'Play Troy, play Troy'. I don't think he knows Troy."

 

[Spurlock]

"Troy has qualities," the Portuguese said. "He has potential but he's not an end product. He has a lot to learn, a lot to develop at every level.

"He's going to be on the bench again. He already has two Premier League appearances which is not normal for an 18-year-old kid. He's a privileged one.

"We're taking good care of a young player and also taking care of a young boy in society.

"That's a process. He's 18. One month ago he was 17, so he's not even close to being 19."

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

Tottenham fans "don't even know" what Troy Parrott looks like, says Jose Mourinho as calls grow for the manager to start the teenage striker.

The Republic of Ireland international, 18, is Spurs' only fit striker with Harry Kane and Son Heung-min injured.

But despite demands to start Parrott, he will once again be on the bench for Wednesday's FA Cup tie against Norwich.

"This is a world where lots of people, they don't even know if Troy has long hair or short hair." said Mourinho.

"Or is blonde or is dark. They don't even know that and speak about 'Troy, Troy, Troy, Troy, he should play'.

"There was a guy behind me on the bench the other day, 'Play Troy, play Troy'. I don't think he knows Troy."

It's at a low level but now's probably not a great time to be winding up the fan base and telling them that they don't know anything. Wouldn't it just be better to say..."When he's ready, he'll get the game time. Trust me." It's the same message but without the smart arse element.

Season ticket renewals have just gone out (with increase) and performances and results are poor. I know a number of lifelong loyal fans who are on the edge of jacking it in. These are people who will sing, even when we're awful and go home and away. They don't want to be told this and it doesn't do any good.

I wouldn't call the atmosphere in the stadium toxic but it's as flat as hell most of the time...a time for unity, not division.

 

[Spurlock]

It's at a low level but now's probably not a great time to be winding up the fan base and telling them that they don't know anything. Wouldn't it just be better to say..."When he's ready, he'll get the game time. Trust me." It's the same message but without the smart arse element.

Season ticket renewals have just gone out (with increase) and performances and results are poor. I know a number of lifelong loyal fans who are on the edge of jacking it in. These are people who will sing, even when we're awful and go home and away. They don't want to be told this and it doesn't do any good.

I wouldn't call the atmosphere in the stadium toxic but it's as flat as hell most of the time...a time for unity, not division.

I understand that

Fans do get a bit touchy though...many haven’t given Jose a chance at all. Do you think there is anyone who wants Spurs to succeed more than the manager does?

I think the fans need to realise that and get behind him and his vision. We gave Poch and the champagne football almost 6 years till Levy decided to pull the plug. I don’t mind a different approach...I just want winning football. Strategies and mind sets that wins us games...I dont enjoy champagne football if we lose.

The fans need to give some support too

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

I understand that

Fans do get a bit touchy though...many haven’t given Jose a chance at all. Do you think there is anyone who wants Spurs to succeed more than the manager does?

I think the fans need to realise that and get behind him and his vision. We gave Poch and the champagne football almost 6 years till Levy decided to pull the plug. I don’t mind a different approach...I just want winning football. Strategies and mind sets that wins us games...I dont enjoy champagne football if we lose.

The fans need to give some support too

Most fans dislike dog **** football and losing. It's what got Mourinho the sack at United and Chelsea. He is about winning because everything else is painful. Take away the silverware and he gets arsey and fans and owners want him gone. We're not there yet but starting to get smart with your fans is not something to do lightly. I'd advise him not to do it.

When this season's prices were announced, before we'd performed badly or sacked Poch, ST holders were wondering whether this would be their last season. A year and a half of Wembley took a toll on some and in 2018/19 many stopped going for the first time in decades. It can't be escaped that the CL run last season was a high point for us in many ways but it was also a massive anti-climax. Chuck in the damage of VAR and it's a problem that needs managing.

All of the management of the club need to know that we're at a delicate point of our evolution. As much as people love the stadium, it's coming at significant personal cost. Life long fans are wondering whether they still want to be spending the kind of money that's being charged, especially if we're going to play unexciting football and have limited funds to spend on proper replacements for departing players. We might fill the seats but if we lose a lot of Dier Hards or RCL's, the atmosphere will take a big hit, when we need the opposite.

Again, I'm not blaming Mourinho but we need some careful and strong leadership to navigate these waters. Show us that we're in a dip and praise the players and fans.

 

[PowerSpurs]

It's at a low level but now's probably not a great time to be winding up the fan base and telling them that they don't know anything. Wouldn't it just be better to say..."When he's ready, he'll get the game time. Trust me." It's the same message but without the smart arse element.

Season ticket renewals have just gone out (with increase) and performances and results are poor. I know a number of lifelong loyal fans who are on the edge of jacking it in. These are people who will sing, even when we're awful and go home and away. They don't want to be told this and it doesn't do any good.

I wouldn't call the atmosphere in the stadium toxic but it's as flat as hell most of the time...a time for unity, not division.

I don't see why any lifetime Spurs fans would jack it in now. Anyone in that category who is more than 30 years old has seen 10 seasons in a row worse than this one.

 

["Thanks for that Brian"]

I don't see why any lifetime Spurs fans would jack it in now. Anyone in that category who is more than 30 years old has seen 10 seasons in a row worse than this one.

Money, time, it isn't how it used to be, money, someone you used to go with isn't there anymore, children, standing, money, VAR ****, sitting, time, money, grandchildren, just getting older and more crotchety, money, etc., etc., etc. A lot of reasons and when your ticket is now £1000+, people can look at it in a different light.

Why does anyone stop doing anything they once loved?

As you say, most of these people aren't doing it solely because of the football (although linked to the cost, being dreadful on a regular basis doesn't help).

 

[Dier Hard]

Little frightening/ disgusting fact to brighten up your day (this is according to a report I read not so long ago).

As we all know, we have the most expensive season tickets in the Premier League (in the world actually I believe), if Spurs halved our most expensive season ticket, it would still be more expensive than 18 other clubs in Premier League, only Arsenal and Chelsea would have a higher costing season ticket than us.

 

[remembercolinlee]

I don't see why any lifetime Spurs fans would jack it in now. Anyone in that category who is more than 30 years old has seen 10 seasons in a row worse than this one.

Cos paying nearly £85 for me and the teen beast to go and watch us play wolves is way way too much...it'll be more expensive next season which means that we will go to very few league games cos of the astronomical costs.
Most of us would go regardless of how **** we are at the time but not if it means not paying the bills or denying the family a holiday!

 

[PowerSpurs]

Cos paying nearly £85 for me and the teen beast to go and watch us play wolves is way way too much...it'll be more expensive next season which means that we will go to very few league games cos of the astronomical costs.
Most of us would go regardless of how **** we are at the time but not if it means not paying the bills or denying the family a holiday!

Have the prices gone up a lot? I didn't really go much until we moved to Wembley as I didn't often find tickets available when I wanted one. They always seemed very expensive on StubHub at WHL. My impression is that tickets for one off matches are cheaper than they used to be but I might easily have that wrong. Completely agree about competing priorities.

 

[PowerSpurs]

Little frightening/ disgusting fact to brighten up your day (this is according to a report I read not so long ago).

As we all know, we have the most expensive season tickets in the Premier League (in the world actually I believe), if Spurs halved our most expensive season ticket, it would still be more expensive than 18 other clubs in Premier League, only Arsenal and Chelsea would have a higher costing season ticket than us.

But isn't that the 1882 package which includes some other stuff. Surely it is the cheapest season ticket that is the best comparator? Stuff is always more expensive in London so it's hardly surprising we are near the top of the prices.

 

[Dier Hard]

But isn't that the 1882 package which includes some other stuff. Surely it is the cheapest season ticket that is the best comparator? Stuff is always more expensive in London so it's hardly surprising we are near the top of the prices.

Nope, I didn’t include the 1882 package as it’s more than just a season ticket as you say. They’re £2200 though.

A west stand season ticket is the one I was referring too which is £1995.

 

[Dier Hard]

Skippy!

You must log in or register to see media

 

[humanbeingincroydon]

I'm sure all of those who damned Poch for sacking off the cups will be critical of this lineup...

 

[perrymanlegend]

What's up with Hugo - i missed the reason he's not playing

 

[humanbeingincroydon]

What's up with Hugo - i missed the reason he's not playing

Groin strain

You must log in or register to see media

You must log in or register to see media