Looks like there's going to be a really good turn out for this one. I'm going, and by the looks of it from the OS seating plan, despite being on TV, the gate could be 35,000 or so. Really looking forward to an FA Cup tie under the floodlights.
It'll be interesting to see how we line up for this one. I assume that Parker will start and I expect to see a more sensible, balanced and attack-minded formation from Redknapp than the first game.
I wouldn't assume Parker will start. He might but if Sandro's fit I'd give him the game time, if Parker got injured in the game or early on against Everton then we'll need a confident, fully fit Sandro anyway so he'll need the game more.
Yep, there will need to be some chopping and changing so players can be at their peak (hopefully) for three crucial games in a week, utd, stevenage, everton. Players like Nelsen, and maybe King can feature v Stevenage. Unfortunately, I believe Smith is cup-tied which is a blow.
Sandro is in the Brazil squad so I guess he'll get some game time at least there. I would play Parker v Stevenage, because we have cover in Livermore and Sandro. A first guess at the team for Stevenage would be something like Cudicini, Livermore, Nelsen King Rose; Lennon, Parker, Sandro, VDV; Saha JD A strong bench - something like Modric, Ade, Bale, Lancaster, Walker, Friedel, Niko While I was very nervous about the game up there, I think on a good surface players like Lennon, Defoe, Saha and VDV will will be too much for Stevenage to keep out.
Again with two defensive midfielders, a system which patently failed the first time, a system which nullifies our attacking moves through the middle, and a system that somehow confuses Stevenage with the 1988 Dutch team - plus you're playing VDV on the wing, which wastes his usefulness up front, when Danny Rose is a much more logical choice if Bale is going to be rested. Never lecture people on team selection ever again, you're clearly ignorant.
i don't think we need two defensive midfielders at home,against Stevenage,even though they are agood team we should to much for them at whl
Central midfield is an issue - the DMF is fine, as we'll play Sandro there, but the attacking player is a difficult choice. Do we... a.) Play Modric and carve them open for 60 minutes, before bringing on Livermore to shut up shop b.) Play VDV there to get him up to match fitness, sacrificing his threat up front (and potentially leaving us exposed) c.) Play Kranjcar, and risk being caught out due to his lack of workrate d.) Play Ceballos, because he played for Barca and that must count for something *ahem* e.) Discover that Huddlestone's ankle healed several months ahead of schedule f.) Recall Tom Carroll from Derby, essentially for just this match g.) Play a different formation, because that worked out first time we played them...
Fair comments, but I like a physically strong team against the likes of Stevenage, but we'll see how it goes.
I suspect one of them will be rested, but on the bench if needed. I don't think the two playing on the wings is deffo at all, but of course you may well be right.
It seems the tie is pretty much sold out already, which is a tremendous turn out for a TV Cup game. Looks like it will be 36,000+ at the Lane, and hopefully a great atmosphere. Am really looking forward to it.
Personally I wouldn't be playing King we need him for league games, so I'd have Nelsen & Kaboul with Daws on the bench. Also Rafa isn't playing against England-said he had knee injury-would he be fit for Man U let alone Stevenage?
Hi PL, I don't think King should play against Utd, I'd play Kaboul and Dawson. Rather than save Ledley for League games, alas I fear against the top teams his days are numbered, and that we now need to save him for Cup games and Lge games against lesser oppo. I may be premature in this assessment, but I'm not just going on the Arsenal game, I've been worried for a while about Ledley's ability to cope at the top level, especially against pace. Meanwhile, it looks like the whole ground was sold out after just one day on general sale, a great turn out by Spurs fans, for a televised Cup tie against Lge 1 oppo straight after the Arsennal defeat. Well done to the fans, and I hope it's a great night. Re VDV, obviously if he's not fit, he can't play. It's so hard to call re VDV and his fitness, my understanding is that he will be available for the Utd game, but if he isn't that'll be another blow we have to face.
