United are extremely fortunate they have Wolves at home this weekend after tonight....no, surely not!
Hi WY, I share your concern, however I do know why I'm worried, their strengths are our weaknesses. Blackburn, QPR and Fulham all had us under pressure aerially, Stoke are better than all of them in that department. We can match or better any team in open play, but high balls from set pieces, we sometimes struggle. Here are some stats from another site, I don't know the source but they look correct to me. '36 per cent of the goals Stoke have scored have been from headers, the highest proportion in the top flight. 31 per cent of the goals Tottenham have conceded have come from headers, the highest proportion in the Premier League. Stoke have scored 64 per cent of their goals from set pieces, a Premier League high.' And some stats from me, three of our last four goals conceded have been from set pieces. All four have come from high balls into the area, (the Blackburn shot was after we lost an aerial duel from a free kick lumped into the box') The writing is on the wall, plain and simple. Yes we can win, yes we are favourites, but what a test this is going to be.
Does anyone know if Ledley is fit or will Harry go with an unchanged lineup. I hope he is fit, as he is more than able to deal with the high balls into the pen area than Gallas.
I haven't heard any definite news on King recently, PL. I would imagine there'll be some tomorrow. Given Ledley's knees, I'm not sure these days if he is much better at defending aerially than Gallas. Kaboul seems to be the main man, with Ledley doing much needed organising and sweeping up, etc.
The main advantage with Friedel is that the entire back four know where he will be and how he copes with various threats. They can then play their game with confidence, because they know there won't be any novelty goalkeeping. For me this is one of the toughest away challenges of the season. A hostile reception from the Stoke fans is guaranteed, as is a physical encounter from a determined Stoke team. If we win, as you say GH10, it will be a sweet victory. The belief in the team is like nothing I have seen before at Spurs, I think 2-0.
Fair comments Chirpy I love that term 'novelty goalkeeping' Do you remember that 'spoof letter' where Modric gave his reasons for leaving Spurs to go to Chelsea It was a classic and included complaints like 'me no like chicken on ball badge' and 'me no like playing with rush goalie' Actually chuckling about that made me look for the original. So here is a copy of Modric's 'resignation letter' in full Seems a long time ago, but was just what - 4 months ago? http://harry-hotspur.com/2011/07/i-have-a-copy-of-luka-modrics-transfer-request/
The belief in the team is like nothing I have seen before at Spurs, I think 2-0. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Me too Chirpy, I can't quite get my head round going into every game now thinking we can win, and this ones no different. Teams have already tried to kick us all over place, QPR springs to mind...didn't get them very far. Bollox to Stoke and their anti football, we seem to have patience, and this season the craft to unlock the bus parkers. I think there's more chance of us giving them a pasting than losing.
Team News for Stoke (from the OS) http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/team-news-091211.html Harry Redknapp has a few injury concerns ahead of Sunday’s trip to Stoke. The manager reports that striker Jermain Defoe has a slight hamstring problem, defender Ledley King is trying to recover from the knee injury sustained in training last Friday and Gareth Bale picked up a slight knock against Bolton last weekend. “We’ve one or two knocks,” said Harry. “Jermain has had a bit of a hamstring this week, Ledley took a bang on the knee in training last week and Gareth has had a problem this week. We’ll wait and see how they are.” Better news sees Niko Kranjcar ready to return to full training after a thigh injury sustained on international duty with Croatia in October. Harry also reports that Michael Dawson is ‘coming back slowly but surely’ from his Achilles injury. Tom Huddlestone also remains out. ---------- I guess that means VdV is back to full fitness - as for King and Bale - let's hope they get back to 100%! Although I guess Gallas/Kaboul at the back wouldn't be too bad
Nice to see that Kranjcar's back in full training and it sounds like Huddlestone and Dawson are making progress, too.
Lets hope Bale can shake that knock off quickly,he would be the biggest loss.If Defoe is still out VDV is up and running.Yes nice to hear Kranjcar is back. So COYS get a win on Sunday and things will really look rosey.
What's wrong with Rose these days? He seems to be constantly picking up knocks. It's a shame because if Bale's out he'd be my choice to replace him.
I'd like to see Townsend given a go. Against Shamrock (I know, not the best test) he really looked dangerous.
If Bale is out, I would look to Livermore or Sandro, we need strength and aerial ability v Stoke. I like Townsend, but wouldn't risk him in this game. Harry says we are going to play our normal game, but two wingers is always high risk to me, unless they're playing brilliantly as are Lennon and Bale. I think Bale will be fit anyway.
Some favourable stats for us http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p...-should-hand-victory-to-spurs-over-stoke.html
I wil go with this guys if spurs can beat stoke at stoke then u av a great chance of finishin in the top 2 !!!!!!!!!!!!! Chelsea man utd and liverpool failed in this accolade ! but atm i do find u guys a real challenge for us on sunday for the prize of 3 points !! We aint that bad but i do think u guys r top drawer atm playin top footie anyways i hope for a good game and UTP and TP lets get amongst it ! lol
Fair comments PP Will we be title contenders in 12 hours time? Will Stoke have another 'scalp' to add to their collection? Bring it on
