The only things of note? How about making games enjoyable again after the long drag into total boredom by AVB. How about Erikson starting to perform and a more consistent team selection and thats all plus Adebayor and Bentaleb. Not bad for a no - hoper.
No disrespect taken mate, it's no secret you guys are flying where as many Spurs fans would agree that we're amazed where we are in the table with some of the football we've witnessed this season. What's frustrating for most of us is so many of our players are extremely talented going forward yet due to a number of reasons, none have really shown what they can do on a consistent basis and we've witnessed some dog **** displays. If our boys could reach their potential/ form from last season then I'd say we can go to Anfield looking for 3 points but sadly I don't think we'll see "the real" Spurs until next season.
This is all very nice and friendly, where HAIG? I'm sure things will get a little tense between now and the weekend, if not I'll just post something to kick it all off just PM me if it's still all nice by Saturday moring.
I'd like to see us do what I noticed we did against Benfica at their place: press low, for lack of a better phrase. If we only put token pressure on Pool until they get to our side, then press (while periodically making runs at them when they have it near their goal), we can both fight for possession, and offer some protection for our defenders by having most of the team close enough to them to help out. It should also encourage them to leave space behind their own defense for our players to get into. I also am hoping for an entertaining game of football, like we played against Southampton. The interesting question is now that we have what looks a bit like a starting lineup and a style of play whether we're still going to lose badly to a top three teams. Like most everyone else I wouldn't be surprised if we did. But I'm hoping the combination of the low pressing game and making frequent runs at defenders and the goal will make it interesting at least. Suarez, Sturridge and Gerrard deserve the praise they've gotten, and Coutinho deserves more, but many if not most goals any attacking team scores are a result of simply trying to dispossess players when they're dribbling out, and sprinting down the field and straight at the goal on the break. If we can match Liverpool's intensity at those three things we'll be in much better shape. Conversely, we have got to put a foot through the ball in dangerous situations (upfield or out of bounds, not towards Lloris!). Liverpool's first goal against Sunderland happened because their defender didn't do that.
Go out there and bloody well win,Spurs and we will be grovelling at your feet.......until the next game!!!!!
I wouldn't be so disappointed that Dowd is the ref. He will be out for revenge against us... please log in to view this image
I am a bit on the fence about this game. As we have nothing to play for except the slow death that is the Europa league I sort think a Liverpool win is a better result in the long term. A chance to show that a club on a limited budget that does not sell its best players has a chance of taking on the Viagra teams and making arsenal look crap is not such a bad thing. A full year of Sherwood's anarchy football would be a nail in the coffin. Also there new owners seem to possess so much more integrity . A not to bothered Sid.
I still don't get it Boss. Surely the worse your players are, the more essential it is to play the best tactics. The pressing game/high line makes sure the opponents' best players have as little time on the ball as possible. Surely the worse our players are the more important that is?
I think I can understand what Boss is trying to say. If you press high then there's acres of space for us to attack. With the accuracy of passing from Coutinho, Gerrard and even Henderson our attack with the pace that they posses would have a field day against a retreating back 4. However, with Boss's suggestion there is also the possibility that you end up playing in no-mans-land.
I guess my waffle never worked! I went the long way of saying the high line tactic while being the most effective tactic, is the most difficult to use as it leaves you exposed and for it to be a success, the defence and midfield have to work in tandem, and when you do win the ball, because you have the opposition stifled, there is less space to work in, so that's why when teams like bayern, barca etc win the ball high up the pitch they have the players who can play football in tight areas and create space and create chances. If we win the ball high up the pitch under the current team, unless we're playing a team like Newcastle (in shambles) we struggle to use the ball effectively so agaisnt a team like Liverpool they would just need to win the ball, play it to Gerrard, who plays a long pass and Strurridge or Suarez, who would lose their markers, and be free on goal. We saw that agaisnt the goons, we dominated the 1st half but on about 4-5 occasions they played a simple ball over the top and where through on goal, only their weak finishing saved us, while we had tons of possession but created no chances. Southampton done the same previous game, simple lobbed ball to create chances. The goons tried to press high agaisnt Chelsea and where down 2-0 within 10 minutes. Liverpool have pacey players so the more space you give them to run into, the more chance they have of succeeding, so thats why most of us are worried about a high line as we don't trust the players to play their best game of the season as that is what it will take to make the tactic work and I would rather we focused on playing the best system to suit our squad, which is counter attacking football.
With the regularity that we give the ball way, playing a high line against Sterling, Sturridge, and Suarez, is just suicide!.
I think if Tottenham employ the tactics used against us by Sunderland, at Anfield, they can get something out of this game. Tottenham tend to defend fairly well with numbers behind the ball and they have got good counter attacking players with plenty of pace. However, to maintain the concentration which that approach demands for 90 minutes is difficult, especially at Anfield. I'm looking forward to a good game this weekend, lads. Good luck ... but not too much!
Hopefully Sherwood will get the team playing how it was in the second half against Southampton. A deeper defensive line, closing down well in the midfield and actually passing the bloody thing a bit. Hardly the moves of a tactical genius, but I think he tends to get better performances and results when we keep things simple. The start of the game is extremely important. We can't afford a sloppy start or we'll be out of it by half-time. Sensible possession play might be the best way to deal with this game, especially if we can win a few set-pieces in their final third.
Doesn't look like Chiriches will be involved on Sunday, as he's playing tonight in our U21 game against the Goons. He won't be joined by Shaquille Coulthirst, who is joining Torquay United on loan til the end of the season.
