Fair enough BS, I was totally convinced , I thought it was a brilliant performance, easily the best seen at the Lane this season Not as good as Utd or Reading away, but Utd was exceptional, unbelievable stuff, not often you'll see that from any team at OT. City of course are a massive step up, but we do have a chance now I think Defoe and Ade have to start I'd love to see this team Lloris; Caulker Dawson JV; Lennon Carroll, Hudd Sandro, Bale JD Ade more conventionally add in Naughton at RB drop Carroll and Lennon and play Dempsey.
I'm a part of this. I post on The Fighting Cock which is how I got involved. First game was Charlton away in the FA Youth Cup, then Barca in the Next Gen. This is the first time we bought together for a first team game. Keep an eye on the fighting cock forum for news of when the next organised game is. It's for absolutely anyone who wants to sing their hearts out for 90 minutes. No booing, no criticizing, just supporting the shirt. The aim is to eventually get the atmosphere back to the Lane for every game, not just designated 1882 games. I recommend it to anyone who loves Spurs.
Great stuff SL, this is a brilliant innovation and something the Lane desperately needs. I haven't been this season, partly because of AVB, partly because of the crowd, partly because of ENIC, partly because of the expense involved. Games like last night are the type that will get me to return.
Agree, best home game for me too, GHod. I'd have to disagree with you re United away though, were were lucky to win that. good first 35-40mins, but we were well and truly battered second half and couldn't get hold of the ball. it was painful! I think we need to see JV at CB on sunday. As much as I love Daws, I'd be concerned over his pace against the likes of Tevez and Aguero. Still trying to work out my line up, but I'd love to see Carroll in there. but is it too much, too soon? He'll be up against some of the best midfielders in the league. However, he bloody deserves it. Again, don't want to see Dempsey anywhere near the starting line up on sunday. we're going to need players who have a decent first touch so we retain possession. on that subject, I thought Aaron Lennon's control was absolutely superb last night. there were a couple in the first half that I were convinced were going to go out for a thrown in, but he brought the ball down beautifully. great performance overall. Important to see Lloris in goal for Sunday. Some could say he was shaky last night, but IMO its because he's trying so hard to get that jersey and win over the fans. No one can doubt his ability. lets get him in there and start to build confidence from the back.
Roo, I don't disagree with you on Lloris as I made the very same point after his last appearance for us in the Norwich game. One of the reasons he looks a bit shaky is because he's maybe trying to0 hard to impress, both the manager and us fans. Another point to consider which I also think is a genuine mitigating factor in his defence is that he has now played 6 times for us, and in those games has had 4 different CB partnerships in front of him. Even an established keeper such as Brad would find that difficult to adjust to.
Was a great atmosphere last night down the Lane. The "1882" seems to be starting to take shape which is great and the crowd in general were starting in good voice. As for the game itself, I was delighted to finally see us play a 4-4-2 and boy did it work. A 4-5-1 is great if you have a fantastic player like Rafa playing behind the striker... We don't any more. We have a squad that will now thrive at a 4-4-2 with the players we currently have it showed last night of what's to come if given more time and when a few others return from injury. Bale was at his lethal best, as I mentioned in another thread, with Ade AND Defoe on the pitch, Gareth and Azza now have the option to either make drilled crosses or floated crosses to reach the desired striker and they also have a greater role of being the ones to provide the ammunition - something I think they thrive upon. Tommy Carroll also had a great game and I think most of you will agree that he'll definitely be a first teamer within a couple of seasons. His passing range, vision and composure for a player of his age is phenomenal and he showed last night on a number of occasions he'll happily go into tackles. Another bit of praise must go to Dawson. A few have criticised his diagonal long balls and yet I honestly think his percentage succession rate of reaching his targets must have been in the 90's. Dealt with any aerial threat with ease and we never really looked troubled at the back. I appreciate it was against Maribor but for me but that was up with Reading and the 50 mins or so of the Utd game in terms of a great attacking display along with being sound defensively (bar the mistake by Naughton/ Lloris) and I think Dawson played a major role in that. As for the strike partnership, Ade wasn't even at his best and yet still looked far more effective than Dempsey/ Sigurdsson have. He dropped off a lot from Defoe to sometimes make the formation seem a 4-4-1-1 and the link up play he had at times with surrounding players was great. Defoe was at his lethal best and made movements off of Ade's positional play. I've said many times that I think the pair can be a lethal partnership and when Ade is fully fit, we'll truly see the damage they can both do if given the chance. I really hope AVB doesn't go back to a 4-5-1 on Sunday which I think he will. We're better trying to attack City from the off than try and play it safe. From tonights game, I'd only want to see two changes from the line up for the City game - Sandro in for Carroll - despite him being hugely impressive, the physical side of Garcia and Toure would annihilate him - he'd certainly have a place on the bench though. Second change would be Caulker for Naughton - shifting Jan to LB and Caulker & Dawson partnering each other in the centre. There's good chance we still won't come away with a win at City, I don't want to sound pessimistic just more realistic but I'd much rather know AVB set out to give them a good attacking game rather than select yet again, underperforming players in a formation that hasn't been effective.
Last night the 1882 gathering certainly made a difference to the atmosphere, in a very good way. Back to the game, whilst it was a very good performance, let's not get carried away. Maribor were poor and in truth we should have buried them. Good performances from a lot of players but one or two others didn't step up last night. I'd be quite happy to go with Carroll and Sandro in the middle on Sunday. Thuds lack of pace etc will get exposed by city so I'd give carroll the nod. I'd also like to see daws and Ade starting on Sunday as well, both deserve a run in the team. I'd give daws the armband and leave gallas on the bench. C.O.Y.S
who do we lay thought Tots? Defoe will be up against quality defenders and although being in top scoring form, it'll be a different game altogether. Ade will be playing against his old club and will be out for revenge as well as being a taller player who's better at holding the ball up. it's a tough call. totally agree spurcat. any goalkeeper would struggle with different partnerships, and it's just as important for whatever defence that we play that they've got the same goalkeeper behind them for consistency. - just little things like Lloris being left footed and playing the ball back to his correct side so we clear our lines effectively.
the 442 was a breath of fresh air last night. it was needed for so many reasons that we've all pointed out. (injuries, square pegs in round holes etc) However, I agree with others, that away at city we need to revert back to 4231 so we stay tight. 442 is open and we're likely to be punished by their immense quality. we're yet to see the best of city this season and that will change. knowing our luck, it'll be against us. Dawson's passing was superb last night, but will it be a different scenario against city's defence that is full of quality. I can see them sniffing that out every fast and as a result, we're likely to lose possession. Still have no idea who to play, but i'm tempted to say Ade in the middle of the 3. last night he was so effective and seemed to be everywhere. his selfless style and link up play was what we needed last night and it showed how much we miss not having him on the pitch. his control and passing was very very good, and like you I'd prefer not to see dempsey or Sig in that role.
The 4-5-1 has seen us produce nothing but poor football mate. Not only have we still conceded sloppy goals (mainly against poorer opposition) but we look impotent in attack. For sure the 4-4-2 will leave a hole in midfield but I'd rather go for the win than play to try and contain for a draw or so. Playing Sandro, Hudd and Dempsey/ Sig in the 3 midfield positions will be no match for the midfield of Silva, Toure and Garcia. Atleast if we go 4-4-2, we have an extra attacker to aim for and while City focus on bossing it through the middle, it could leave spaces on the wings for Bale and Lennon to exploit and find one of Ade or Defoe. We can't play safe with the current 4-5-1. Until we can play with Sandro and Parker with Mousa sitting in front, there's no point playing a 4-5-1 with the current players we have at our disposal to try and contain top sides. I'd rather see us go for it knowing we done our best to attack City with a positive line up rather than (likely) lose 1-0 or 2-0 knowing it was another flat performance like we've seen against the likes Wigan, Norwich, West Brom and certain halfs vs Southampton, QPR etc.
I totally agree mate, it's been horrendous. But my opinion of it, is that it's due to who's been playing, and where. Don't get me wrong, I wouldn't be at all disappointed with 442. After all, we played like it all last season and was very effective. But I think if we change things slightly, 4231 can work too, even with our limited choices. get it right, and it's the best option away from home IMO, especially against the likes of city. it sounds harsh and I hate keep saying it, but Dempsey and Sig have been the downfall of it this season. I'd be interested to see how it works without them near the starting line up. last night carroll offered us something very different and it was refreshing in the centre of the park. I know it was only against maribor, but it doesn't matter who we're playing against, his passing and vision isn't going to just disappear against tougher opposition. perhaps this is who we need starting alongside sandro. He might not be the biggest lad in the world, but Modric wasn't either. IMO, Ade didn't really have a position last night. he seemed to have that "free" VDV role and was so bloody useful as he roamed everywhere. perhaps if we have sandro being utilised as our primary defensive option, with carroll offering some responsibility, then ade just in front, that could work? we've got no means of turning defence to attack at the moment in a 4231, but I think Carroll is capable of doing that, especially with support from the 3 that would be in front of him. - he worked very well with Naughton and Bale last night and seemed in total control. we also have to remember the pace and skill of city. I'm just worried that with a 442 we'll be too open against much better opposition, with not our strongest side available.
SoS, we can't take 442 to the Etihad, not to start with anway, we'll get stuffed in MF, this was Maribor it looked good against, lets not get carried away is what I say. I've just read on SSN Sandro is out this weekend and no Dembele either, I think this might render 442 impotent with who have available. I lay their goal totally at Lloris feet. Yes it was a poor pass by Naughton, but it wasn't in the net was it, it was merely another difficult situation for a goalkeeper to deal with during a match. He dealt with it poorly and with the most risk possible, he did not need to take the forward on but chose too. In the few games we've seen him, he's thrown out directly to an opponent, and now this howler, there have been other incidents he could have done better.
surely with no sandro, we might have to play 442 then notso? that's ANOTHER defensive minded player that's out. if we're going to play the 4231, we may end up seeing Vert's in that role at this rate! god we're short. COYS! As for Lloris, I think it's harsh to blame him. yes in hindsight he could have cleared it, but no goalkeeper would be expecting that from their defender. it all happened so fast and it was like a mistake from a pub team. it was without doubt, #AvbsFault
I just don't see the worth of a 4-5-1 when we haven't got the players to make it work. If we go 4-5-1 vs City with Hudd, Livermore and Dempsey as the three in the centre of the field (presuming Sandro is definitely out) then Toure, Garcia and Silva will have an absolute field day anyway. At least with a 4-4-2, sure we'll get over run in midfield but we'll have an extra target in attack in Ade to aim for when we counter/ go on the attack.
Blue and White, for some reason I can't send you PMs... Yeah I'm in that photo too! See the guy in the Spurs shirt bottom left, with his hands outstretched, I'm the first guy diagonally up/right with my hands up too! It was a cracking night!
Re. Sandro out and 442, no not really, the problem is Hudd imo. If 2 of your 4 mids are out on the wings, the 2 left in the centre have an awful lot of work to do and ground to cover v 3 oppo mids. If Hudd is to be one of them, I think that is a recipe for disaster. If we're losing by 1 goal into the 2nd half, yeah give it a go, planB for me, not planA. Its cautious yes, but with Sandro confirmed out I think we have little choice now. Harsh on Lloris??? again no, not really, the backpass was horrific I agree, but you have to isolate the incident regarding Lloris and it was a horrific mistake, worse than Naughtons. A keeper should be alert and ready at all times, someone said he wouldn't have been expecting it...jeezus!, at this level you have to be ready for anything, indeed the whole passage of play was a result of lloris poor distribution to that area of the pitch in the first place.
I agree with most of that Notso, but City seem to play 4-4-2 quite a lot. They have 4 very talented strikers, so they have to try and keep them all happy. They actually started with 3 against West Ham. Bale and Lennon would have to put in a lot of defensive work, especially when compared to last night, but the little man does that anyway.
Mmm good point, but are you sure, having looked back at the last couple of their games, the away game at W.Ham was 433, with Toure, Nasri and Barry behind Dzeko, Balo and Tevez, and the last the last home game v Swansea looked like it too. The teamsheet did only have Aguero and Tevez, but I thought Nasri made up a front 3, either way, its a packed MF, with Barry, Kolarov and Toure.
