I wouldn't blame Bassong soley for the loss, but he has to be blamed for the goal. In fairness as I said in my previous post, I felt the experienced players actually let us down bar Carlo. Although Gallas played well, his substitution probably caused us to panic a bit and I think had he have been on the pitch, the midfield may have been a bit more adventurous in the last 15 minutes and tried to have nicked a goal back. One thing that really annoyed me was having two wingers that needed to cut inside on their stronger foot all the time, it meant no crosses were whipped in to cause their defence any problems, Defoe's ball into the path of Fredericks gave Rubin a scare and I would have liked to have seen more of that instead of constantly trying to hit it over the top of the defence from the edge of the box which just wasn't working, they were far superior aerially than Pav and Defoe. Overall the youngsters certainly put a decent shift in last night and baring in mind this was against a team that beat Barcelona at the Nou Camp only a couple of seasons ago (though I don't know if the team has changed much since then) they have nothing to be ashamed of and the experience will have done wonders for them. Perhaps (thinking positively here) the loss may have actually done them good, the fact we haven't tasted defeat in Europe this season up until yesterday, some of the lads may have been in a kind of honeymoon period and expected things to just work out how they wanted, hopefully now they'll realise every game requires 100% and hard graft and we may see much improved performances from them as they'll feel they have a point to prove now. Bring on PAOK!!!
Yes, exactly, you have to remember that these guys are a long way from being mugs. Last year in the CL, they held Barca to a draw. In 2009, they beat Barca 2-1 at The Nou Camp! Like I said - they ain't mugs.
Exactly NSS, this is a good European team, who have probably played more times in the CL than us, I really like the look of a lot of their players. The can count themselves unlucky they're not top of the group by now, as I think they deserved a draw at our place. They have excellent technique, and are definitely a cut above our 'reserves'. This is a tough group as it includes one CL standard team (I would fancy them against Genk or the team that Utd played the other day,for example), one decent EL team, and a 'nul point team' who because of obvious 'neighbour rivalry' reasons will put their biggest efforts in against us. We are also by far the biggest name in the group, although our teams don't match the name. See the massive celebrations when RK won last night, see the celebrations when Shamrock scored, let alone won, while the non-stop Greek support was immense. I'm thinking that we'll need Adebayor on the bench v PAOK, because if Pav puts in another 'no show', we could be going out of the competition. Maybe that wouldn't worry Harry, but it would sadden me. However, I woulsn't blame Harry if it happened, it's modern 'priorities' and I accept that logic.
If it was down to me G10, I wouldn't have him on the pitch, out of our 4 strikers, I'd much rather play Kane upfront with Defoe in Europa. Kane seems to be a player willing to come deep to get the ball and brings others into play, happy to put a shift in for the sake of the team and seems to have a neat touch, think given time, he could create a decent partnership with Defoe. I'd much rather we help aid his development than see Pavlyuchenko just waste a place in our starting XI.
I think the main thing to take from the PAOK and Rubin games is that playing a youth team with a few senior players in away games isn't a good idea - just as against PAOK, we struggled to create anything against Rubin and, it has to be said, just because Danny Rose is a good utility left back doesn't mean the same applies for Andros Townsend.
Fair comments SOS, another alternative is to play GDS and 'go nippy'. Like many Spurs fans I've had enough of Pav, and hope we can shift him out and get another striker in during the window. The replacement doesn't have to be that great, just someone able to run a bit/or be decent target man. Someone like Zigic or the Kevin Philips of 5 years ago would do me, these are just examples BTW, not actual replacement suggestions. We've missed Crouch in Europe this year, but i accept for the money offered, he had to go. Naturally, if we got a top striker in during the window, I'd be delighted, but can't see it ATM.
I'd agree with that. Why do Harry & Co persist with him? He's never been one to put himself out - go the extra yard - let alone, the extra mile! He's makes it plainly obvious he's not interested in playing for us, by doing sweet F.A every time he's on the pitch.
Fair comments LDL, but I'd disagree, even if we don't qualify it's been worthwhile. We've seen some cracking games, the stand out being our superb performance at Hearts, where we played 'push and run' to perfection, Arthur Rowe would have loved to watch that game. There's been some cracking atmospheres, we'll have made some money, some youngsters got vital experience, and we'll have added a few coefficient points to our UEFA ranking. I've throughly enjoyed the EL this season, and without it midweeks would have been a lot more boring. I've no interest in the Cl qualifying, group stages when we're not in it, so am well happy to have seen us at least 8 times in Europe this season. I remeber years ago, even if we got to a final, I'd have been lucky to have seen 5 games, and that would only have been if I'd have gone to them, barring the final. Indeed I don't think even our final v Wolves in 72 was shown live on tV, though I went to both games, certainly the Milan semi finals weren't on live TV. Neither were the Barca semi-finals in 82 for that matter, it's so great all our games in Europe these days are live, so I like us in Europe every year, as I love watching Spurs as much as possible.
Hi HB, it depends what you mean by a 'good idea', results-wise it isn't, but Harry is clear the Prem is the priority. Therefore for Harry it's very much a good idea to send out youngsters, because he isn't that bothered about the competition, and will only be happy if we qualify in a 'Prem-friendly' way.
Thanks for good wishes LDL, I hope so too. But Harry is quite clear on this, it's the Prem, first second, third, fourth and probably 17th with him. He is not going to risk us losing points for the sake of the EL, and because there's not a lot of money involved Levy will go along with that strategy. While the EL pays peanuts compared to the Prem and the CL, then the EL will take a back seat for us, I assume. Even if we get to the last 32 will Harry risk Prem points then? It's not clear at all. We need some of our injured back, and we badly need to get in a new striker in January, then we have a chance of running 'two teams', both of whom are at least good. Dawson, Corluka and a striker of Crouch's calibre would have made such a difference last night. But that's the way it is, we don't have Man City's money, we have a continual injury curse, and we've loaned out two 'EL calibre' defenders in Smith and Caulker.
Yeah agreed, the money for Crouch was too good to turn down but we could have definitely done with him in some of the Europa games. I'd like to see a top drawer striker come in BUT if we signed Ade on a permanent basis in January, I'd only be interested in a striker with only a few years left in him - a van Nistlerooy/ Raul/ Owen type player, like you these are just examples not suggestions. I think I'd be fairly satisfied with what we had, Ade and Defoe haven't seemed to have picked up too many injuries throughout their careers (bar Defoe's one last season I can't remember a time he's been unavailable for selection for a long period of time) and in the league it's fair to say we haven't really needed another striker to choose from along with Defoe and Ade as the form of Rafa and Bale along with them two has ensured Pav doesn't get on the pitch. With two very exciting youngsters in Kane and Coulibaly, I think allowing them to have game time in the cups over the coming seasons would allow us to save a bit of money on trying to get another striker in who'd cost around the £15m-£20m mark and ask for say £50k/£60k+ a week wages with no guarantee of being a starter, something I'd feel would be a waste of money. In say 4-5 years time, I'd like to think our first choice strike force pairing will be Kane and Coulibaly and therefore giving them the experience as soon as possible will greatly benefit them for what will hopefully be exciting Spurs careers in time to come.
Hi SOS good comments I do feel we need a striker in January, and unfortunately I don't think Kane will make it at the top level from what I've seen. He may of course, but I wouldn't count on it. Coulibaly is a definite prospect, and I'd love to see him play in an FA Cup game or two (or six If we don't get a striker in January, I don't think we'll make top 4 or win a trophy, as I don't think we'll be strong enough in that department, unless Coulibaly does something miraculous and Greavesque for us
I think the team for PAOK will be stronger. If we have injured players back it will happen naturally, but if not I expect to see what you might call all our 'first team bench' playing, padded out with the most promising youngsters, and first teamers making up the bench 'just in case'. Its all very well to say it doesn't matter, but losing matches doesn't do anyone any good, and our 'in all competitions' run is now spoiled, to be replaced by our continuing 'in the premier league' run. I also have enjoyed the EL, regardless of the club's priority. Incidentally I ended up for the second half in the 'Blue Eyed Maid' on Borough High Street last night. Very handy for these odd kick off times. Relatively quiet so you could hear the commentary, well positioned screens, and fairly close to Borough Station for those of us on the Northern Line (and not too much of a walk from the City).
Cheers G10 Really? I think Kane has the makings of a decent Prem striker, I know he hasn't found the back of the net yet but I've enjoyed his work rate and link up play, reminds me a little of how Keano used to play (not that he's anywhere near that standard yet). Besides when players like Heskey can get game time in the Prem (and for England for that matter... Scary thought!), surely Kane must have a chance! Yeah I think we made a great decision to jump in and snap up Coulibaly, expecting really big things of him in time to come. Would you be looking for a striker to come in and jump the queue in terms of becomming a starter or someone who can do a job when Ade/ Defoe are injured or off form? Basically a £25m-£30m striker or a £8m-£15 sort? Any one you have in mind?
I'm sure we'll put out a stronger team for the PAOK game and we only need a win and a draw from the last two games,Shamrock should be 3pts,so a draw is enough at home to PAOK.We are also still joint favs to win the competition at 9/1.
I hate to sound paranoid, but I thought exactly the same thing. I'm sure that he didn't mean to be, but the ref was a bit of a homer. The decision not to award Pavlyuchenko a free-kick on the edge of the box in the first half nearly rendered the commentators speechless! Defoe complained twice and went in the book, whereas their players did so constantly and escaped punishment. We didn't deserve anything out of the game, but it left a sour taste in the mouth. Did Livermore get booked for grabbing that pitch invader, by the way? It might explain his hesitant performance.
Why did he have his book out, then? Do they have to note things like that down? I'm sure I saw a yellow card in his hand too, but that may only be to hold it out of the way while he was taking his notes.
Dunno PNP but looked at game report and only those two are listed as booked.Maybe he just liked looking at his cards!
