As one has yet to appear and the game's tomorrow, here's a simple and easy one. The last time that we played each other (possibly the only time), this happened: [video=youtube;4cbzqDx6cuM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4cbzqDx6cuM[/video] The less said about the two goalscorers the better, I guess. This time we face two former Spammers in Besiktas' manager Slaven Bilic and well paid Chelsea substitute, Demba Baaaaaaaaa, who failed trials at Barnsley, Swansea and Gillingham. This tie follows the Goons' game tonight against fellow Istanbul club Galatasaray, so they can all travel together to North London and have a jolly good time. Is it time for Pochettino to change everything again, saving our first choice players for the grudge match against his old side Southampton on the weekend? Will he mix things up a bit and keep some players in or will he stick with those that countered pretty well in the derby on Saturday? My money would be on starts for anyone who didn't do so at the Emirates. Vorm; Dier, Chiriches, Fazio, Davies; Stambouli, Dembele; Townsend, Paulinho, Lennon; Soldado. Might pick a strong bench and will probably go with inverted wingers, though I'd prefer that he did neither.
Paul Stewart played for them! re the scorers...kind of feel torn about Ghali (excuse spelling) ... he always gave his all for us...including losing a couple of teeth and playing on and I know he threw his shirt on the pitch when subbed but I think that it was a gesture aimed at Jol for subbing him but because he did it on the pitch it was taken as an insult to the club. Keane had done it previously but had waited til he got back onto the bench so it was not seen as an insult to the club. Berbatov on the other hand was a brilliant player but used us so he deserve the contempt shown to him. I am lucky enough to be going tomorrow with my girls and cos it's a cheap game I got front row tickets in the west stand near the half way line. Three tickets for me, my 16 year old (adult price) and 11 yr old is only £55...wish it was always that affordable...we can't wait...coys
Bilic,says he can't understand why Spurs are struggling with all the skillfull players they have in the squad
Arsenal struggled to get past them. Playing with an all second-choice team is definitely taking a risk, though I'd do it anyway. We could lose with our first team, frankly. Vorm; Dier, Chiriches, Fazio, Davies; Stambouli, Bentaleb; Townsend, Dembele, Kane; Soldado. Dembele as CAM. What the hell. Paulinho and Lennon haven't done enough. He knows it's because we lack his sublime genius.
"Arsenal struggled to get past them. Playing with an all second-choice team is definitely taking a risk, though I'd do it anyway. We could lose with our first team, frankly." Besiktas are at the same level as the Goons. So to get a win Spurs will have to field a strong side.
Bilic's career has taken a downward trend - hotly tipped when Croatia coach, then led Lokomotiv Moscow to their worst league position since the fall of the Soviet Union, now he's in charge of the best of the rest in Turkey.
Given he publicly criticised Croatia fans for racially abusing Mario Balotelli in a game, to the point of saying he didn't want them supporting the team and asked UEFA to dock his own team points to keep them away, I can't see him wanting the Wet Spam job somehow.
Looks like Rose and Capoue will be rested after picking up knocks at the weekend. Then again, most people expected Davies and Stambouli to play anyway.
Any prognosis, HBIC? Do you have a link? I didn't know Capoue had been hurt, but was concerned about Rose. With Walker out till God knows when, the last thing we need is to lose our other first choice fullback.
I have a little sense of rivalry about this fixture. As an (occasionally) adopted Fener fan, Besiktas is their equivalent to a Chelsea/ West Ham fixture (2nd most hated after Gala). I've got six Fener guys coming with me tonight along with a few of my usual Spurs lot so we'll try and create a bit of an atmosphere and have a bit of banter with the BJK fans. Team I'd go for: Vorm, Naughton, Dier, Fazio, Davies Stambouli, Bentaleb Lennon, Paulinho, Townsend Soldado
I'm not convinced by the Lennon - Paulinho - Townsend trio. If our first choice front 4 is Ade, Chadli, Eriksen & Townsend I'd like to see Kane playing regularly in the cup games and wouldn't mind seeing him in the 3 behind Soldado
I don't think we can risk Naughton and Dier playing together (our current RB's). Those three in midfield haven't played well together in any game yet. I wouldn't mind starting 4 4 2 with Soldado and Kane up front and Dembele playing.
I always liked Ghaly, worked hard and had a bit of skill. Throwing the shirt down was petulant but lets not turn into some flag-waving Americans who burn the flag if it touches the ground, it was just a shirt. As for tonight, I want to see a near full strenth side put out with a couple of changes for players who we may want to start on the weekend. Lloris; Naughton, Fazio, Vertonghen, Davies; Stambouli, Dembele; Townsend, Chadli, Kane; Soldado. Maybe bring Eriksen on at some point and Mason too. Lamela's played in every game so far so I'd give him a rest.
Ghaly could have become I good player for us, I think. The shirt thing was unfortunate - I think he was genuinely disappointed/frustrated. Remember what happened to his teeth? It's hard to doubt his commitment!
Exactly. Redknapp tried to bring him back against Boro(I think) and he was booed as he was about to come on so ended up staying on the bench and never playing again for us. Reckon Redknapp would've made good use of him too.
The club's confirmed that Rose will be out: http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/spurs-besiktas-team-news-011014/
