The ever reliable source of http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2008–09_Tottenham_Hotspur_F.C._season Obviously not reliable as most released figures tend to be skewered but I wouldn't imagine they're that far off?
Fellaini's ban is from picking up 10 yellow cards which constitutes to a 2 match ban. Pienaar has already been sent off this season with 2 yellow cards against QPR (bollocks second yellow card) so as it's his second double yellow card sending off it's an extra match on top. Pienaar is annoying as because he was wrongly sent off against QPR (can't appeal yellow cards) it's cost us him for 2 matches thanks to the officials getting it wrong. I totally lost to how we will set up against you. Against Stoke we set up 5-3-2 using the wing back system and Mirallas in a free role: ---------------------------Howard-------------------------- -----------Heitinga-----Jagielka-----Distin------------- -----Coleman-------------------------------Baines------ --------------------Gibson-----Osman------------------- -------------------------Mirallas-------------------------- ---------------Jelavic-------------Anichebe-------------- It worked alright against Stoke but they're terrible but it left an awful lot of space to exploit at times and it's the first time we've ever used it. I think we'll probably revert back to 4-2-3-1: -----------------------------Howard------------------------ -------Coleman------Jagielka-------Distin--------Baines------ ----------?----------Gibson--------Osman------Mirallas------ --------------------Anichebe------Jelavic------------------- ? will probably be Naismith.
Comparing the two sites, the main differences that I can see are that Modric and Dos Santos are included in different seasons, as their deals were done whilst the 07/08 was still ongoing. Whoever wrote the Wikipedia entry also failed to add up our Sales total correctly, as it comes to £78.75m, £10m higher than it states. I've corrected it. They've failed to account for Bent's add-ons all being paid up the following season too, but I can't say that I'm surprised by that.
Cheers for the info They will be big misses for you...I'm just hoping Lennon is fit...he is seriously missed when he is out I don't think it's a coincidence that our losses to Lpool and fulham were with him injured. He gives us a lot going forward, he makes space with his runs and his defensive work is great too. Am very nervous about the match...I'd settle for a boring scrappy 1 nil win...just hope we play for the full 90 minutes against you this time!
I'd be annoyed as well, especially since Pienaar plays particularly well against us. I think he's one of those players you need to play every day or get rid of (I think Gylfi may be one for us). Some players don't maintain their confidence sitting on the bench. Also, RCL, I feel the same way about Lennon, so I don't him playing against Basel. He's coming off a bad hamstring, and we often look terrible when he doesn't play. Really and honestly I'd rather Bale than Lennon go out. At least when Bale goes out we have some alternatives.
Sigurdsson seems to play well down the left when Assou-Ekotto's behind him. Anywhere else and with any other player at full-back, then he fails to contribute much. Might improve if one of his impressive shots finally goes in. Some superb saves have kept him out recently.
What do you make of Jelavic? I saw him play often in scotland and he always impressed me and last year when we signed saha, I believed we missed a real trick in signing Jealvic, especially at the price you paid as if he had a player to come in and make an impact like he did for you, then we would have taken 3rd. This year he seems to have lost all confidence in front of goal, or did he peak too early?
Hopefully he has at least one more week of poor form, if selected. The two players that worry me most are Mirallas and Anichebe. The first has such good technique and skill, whilst the latter is so powerful - I hope Dawson gets close to him rather than Jan, or it will be no contest. Osman and Baines are also decent, but our midfield should cope with Osman and Walker has the pace to watch Baines.
The worry with Baines is less the pure speed element for me, more the fact that Walker on current form will give him too much space to deliver telling balls into the area. Hope I am proved wrong........
I agree. What I meant was that Walker's pace should enable him to get close enough, quickly enough. Baines is pretty slow, for all his other qualities (especially free kicks )
he has impressed, fair play to the lad as he looked to be one of them young players that would never make it it after being highly rated, but hes been impressive this year and yes the worry is he could bully our defenders, such as verts.
He's had an amazing number of great saves against him the whole year, I think, including a couple that would have been game winners. I agree with what you say, but Gylfi had a two goal, two assist in three game stretch recently (or was it 1 goal and two assists?). Anyway, he's been looking dangerous, and I think he creates openings for other players. Besides, he does a great job of running and pressing all game, and I can't think of anyone else who's looked any good on the left.
bloody hell Pienaar and Fellaini out for us and Bale and Lennon out for you (and Defoe and Gallas but not as important) how will your midfield look? Dembele Parker Siggy Holtby Dempsey ?
