i would hope that 5 PL and 3 EL games in that they would not be fitter than us. Especially with the amount of moolah we must chuck at fitness compared to them. I know nothing about the irish league? Are they all full time?
In the case of Shamrock, most of their squad are full-timers, but there's a few part-timers to fill out the squad. I think...
Right, cheers. They sound rubbish (touch wood). I want HurriKane to get his first senior goal, i think it would do him the world of good.
I wouldn't mind Pav getting a couple, just in case Ade or Defoe get injured/suspended anytime soon. A good showing from GDS would also be welcome.
i've given up on Pav tbh. Let him have a run around in the EL to help (although previous performances are probably hindering) him get a move in Jan. I don't want to see him near the prem at present though. Would rather play Kane, at least he's hungry.
I read on another site that, on the whole, Hearts are better than Shamrock. We were exceptional at Tynecastle though, so I wouldn't go by the 5-0. The last two EL games have been 0-0, and that is a worry.
0-0 away from home in these group stages is ok. I'd hope to win home games, draw away games. That'll see us through this mickey mouse part of the cup. (i know the first 0-0 was at home but that was a dead rubber)
Fair comments SP - but we do look short of goals when our top players are missing - remember the stoke game too - no goals in two hours. I'm a little concerned about this aspect, but it may all change on Thursday, for the better
That team should win RW, but will Harry want to play Walker and Defoe? I'm sure he'd play Pienaar if he's fit enough, so I hope that happens. Update This story http://spurs.theoffside.com/team-news/defoe-wants-a-hatrick-spurs-at-the-lodge.html? suggests that Walker will not be playing on Thursday, and might struggle to make Sunday. But that Lennon will play tomorrow, while Gallas is out for a while, but Daws will be back next month.
True, i'd forgotten that game. How come Falque is in the EL squad but Ceballos isn't? I would've thought that having both been brought up at Barca that they might work well together. Not heard much at all about Ceballos since he signed. Then you've also got Barca in Gio. That should be the pretty decent makings of a forward 4 (i think they'd need a proper striker too).
Ceballos could have been registered in the 25 man squad, as Falque was, but presumably Falque was rated higher. For me, it's annoying that Coulibaly wasn't registered, but there's only so many places. Harry's the guv'nor and so far is doing a pretty good job of it, so I'm very happy to bow to his superior team selection The current squad is listed here, http://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/season=2012/clubs/club=1652/index.html good news is that lennon, niko, pienaar, rose and sandro who have yet to play in the group stages are all at or near the chance of returning. I'll be predicting my team sometime today, will probably include at least one of those.
What's the betting that Harry will persist with Pav, to the general detriment of our youngsters' dreams and ambitions?
I definitely expect Pav to start the game, maybe with Defoe on the bench. I just hope Pav can get some enthusiasm and form back. Here's a useful intro the game I found elsewhere http://www.goal.com/en-gb/match/66041/tottenham-vs-shamrock-rovers/preview I'll be surprised if Walker starts though, given the previous info I posted.
Very happy to see Lennon back so soon. Even if he can't get straight back into our first XI, he'd make a very potent weapon from the bench. Tired defenders definitely wouldn't want to see him coming on.
This is excellent news, even more important if 'Arry is going to play 2 up top (Defoe & Ade) in the league, which hopefully he will as VdV is not as effectual playing from a wide position as we have seen before. Lennon and Bale providing the ammo with 2 up top should be awesome, we look so much more potent when playing with 2 strikers, VdV is quality but should we change the way we play (a la last season) to accommodate him?
If van der Vaart is given a run on the right, then he may be able to adjust to playing there. It would basically become a reversal of the formation that we used when Modric played on the left. If we continue with the 4-5-1, then I think that it's not just about playing van der Vaart. It allows us to use both Parker and Sandro together.
Agree this is good for getting Sandro & Parker in the same side but I think 'Arry (who has generally used 442 at every club he has been at) only uses this formation when accomodating VdV. Not sure we would have played 451 had Defoe been fit against Wigan..
