Well SF, we'll see. I'm not at all happy about the idea of us going out the competition early. Also failure to beat Shamrock may cause problems that could spill over into the Prem league. I don't think Harry or Levy will be at all happy if we lose at home on Thursday. I doubt most of the crowd will be either. I understand how key it is to beat Arsenal. I just think it's premature to be talking too much about the Arsenal game, when we have the Shamrock game very soon. I'm not at all sure what our team will look like v Rovers. Is Pav fit, for example? Incidentally, I don't think we played 4-4-2 at Wigan.
We (Spurs) have a history of being the team that kick starts a teams season or breaks bad form by losing to them. Even though they won at the weekend our game would be a massive boost to Arsenal to beat us. As we are playing at Home I can not see us losing but would feel gutted if we did not win... I'll say 2-1... but feel a 1-1... hmm
I think will be pretty much the same side that played PAOK Salonika we see against Shamrock. This is not an issue for me, no doubt the irish boys will be up for it but even our academy team should be able to give them a good game. That said, a draw would not be a disaster. A lot more games to play in the group yet. As for the NLD, will it be the same side as played against Liverpool? I think Defoe will come back in along side Ade, I'm sure how we will accommodate VdV though, he has to play but I feel he is ineffectual playing off the wing. Parker and Modders will surely play in the centre leaving wide right as the only option really. Lennon in unlikely to be ready so this seems the most likely. Expect a win anyways, I hope I have not cursed us now but this is the most confident I have felt in many years going into an NLD.
This match gives us a chance to prove two things:- 1. we are the only true contenders for 4th spot; and 2. AFC come up woefully short against decent opposition
And if we lose? Derbies don't always go to form and they are still a reasonable team. Not as good as they were, but can't be written off.
Most of us would expect to win this given current form, but it's never an easy one to predict and Arsenal are improving as their new players gel. A wounded animal is always very dangerous.
There's been a rather strange reversal of fortunes regarding both club's defences. Tottenham Hotspur have only conceded 1 goal in their last 3 Premier League matches and 1 goal in their last 5 matches in all competitions. By contrast, Arsenal have conceded 4 goals in their last 3 Premier League matches and 7 goals in their last 5 matches in all competitions. Much of this is down to Ledley King's return at the heart of the Spurs defence. In fact, Spurs have won their last seven consecutive Premier League matches when Ledley King has started... please log in to view this image ...and the really bad news for Arsenal is that Ledley looks very likely to start on Sunday. If so, this will be the first time he's managed to play in four consecutive Premier League matches since the tail-end of the 2009-10 season.... please log in to view this image
I hate Spurs being favorites,just makes me think we'll lose more than i usually do.But being positive we will win 3-1,Ade getting atleast 1.
PAUL MERSON'S PREDICTION Football is the ultimate sport and playing football is the ultimate job, yet since I retired I don't miss it because I feel I had my time. But the North London derby is the one fixture when I wish I could play again. As somebody who was brought up at the Arsenal, this is the ultimate football match. When I was on my holidays during my playing days I used to ring my dad when the fixtures came out and the first thing I wanted to know was when we were playing Tottenham home and away. That's all I was interested in. This game still gives me a massive buzz, but for the first time I fear it. I'm not looking forward to it at all. In fact, I'm half hoping my kids want to go to the pictures on Sunday afternoon. I say that because I make Tottenham big, big favourites. For the first time in a long time their fans will be turning up to White Hart Lane expecting to beat Arsenal. Maybe that's the only advantage Arsenal have got. There will be a lot of pressure on the home players because, if they go behind, the fans won't be as patient as they would have been in days gone by. I can't believe how things have changed so quickly. Tottenham are stronger all over the pitch with two good strikers, Gareth Bale on the wing and Scott Parker and Luka Modric in midfield. You'd say their defence is stronger as well, especially when Ledley King's fit. He's world class. In contrast, Arsenal are like an MFI wardrobe - they're all over the place. You can argue they've won their last three games but that would be covering the cracks. Those wins came against Shrewsbury Town, then 10-man Bolton and then Olympiacos, who are probably the worst travellers in European football. I cannot see them keeping a clean sheet and Emmanuel Adebayor should rip them apart. I think Wojciech Szczesny has been a shining light and Robin van Persie could play for any team in the world, but when you look at the match-ups all over the pitch, you have to say Spurs are stronger. That's why I can't see anything but a Tottenham win. I hope I'm wrong, I really do. PAUL PREDICTS: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR 3-1 ARSENAL
Wow, strong words from Mr Merson! I was really confident in the week, now as the game approaches, I'm starting to think overconfidence could possibly play into this. Everyone expects Arsenal to not do great whilst Tottenham are expected to demolish them like we did Liverpool. Over the years I find the form book can be thrown out the window with regards to the NLD - players perform markedly different in this game compared to the previous/next. That being said, on paper, we're stronger - I think we'll get at least a draw but I'm gonna go for 2-1 or 3-2 to us
Merson's views on anything Arsenal or Spurs are always impassioned as he's a massive Arsenal fan. We are favourites and there will be more pressure on us but we already know this, the rest is exaggerated.
Mers imo is doing what he can for the Arsenal cause heaping pressure on us. If we don't win, i can just see his smug face enjoying saying that perhaps we're not as good as first thought, suggesting that anyone considering themselves a top side should have beat them.
The Standard running an article predicting a shift in the balance of power in North London is the sort of thing that mad eme nervous - as did 'Arry getting Manager of the Month. On the flip side, should we win, what're the odds those comments along the lines of "Wenger's future at Arsenal is in his hands" changes somewhat?
I'm worried about Walker, there was talk before the Rovers game that he he had ankle problems. So I was surprised he started, for a while he seemed fine, but seemed to slow up quite a bit as the game wore on.
