Tottenham Vs Sunderland Official Sunderland Not606 Match Thread please log in to view this image White Hart Lane please log in to view this image Preview Jermain Defoe's arrival on a three-and-a-half year deal on big wages illustrates how concerned Sunderland are about the very real threat of relegation. It sounds like a massive commitment to a 32-year-old, but if he helps to keep them in the Premier League they'll feel it is money well spent. With Defoe arriving in a swap deal for Jozy Altidore, it has provided the perfect conclusion for both the USA international striker and the club. It just wasn't happening over here for Altidore and that didn't look as though it was about to change. Goals have been a real problem this season for the whole team with only 18 scored in 21 games, the second lowest total in the top flight. Defoe's track record suggests he'll help that statistic, but they'll need to create more opportunities too. The added twist this weekend of course is that Defoe's debut is set to come against his former club. Too much time on the Tottenham bench is what led to his departure to the MLS in the first place and he'll be up for this one. Sunderland could certainly do with a lift after winning only one of the last 11 league games, albeit the derby against Newcastle, and Defoe could make the difference for them between now and the end of the season. Tottenham go into this game after recovering from an early two-goal deficit to beat Burnley 4-2 in an FA Cup third-round replay on Wednesday and will look to get back to winning ways in the league after losing at Crystal Palace last weekend. It was Tottenham's first league defeat in seven, and their record against Sunderland in recent times is good. They haven't lost to them for five years and won last season's encounter 5-1 at the Lane, with Harry Kane scoring his first ever Premier League goal. Match Appointments please log in to view this image Tottenham Team News Harry Kane is among several players set to return to the Tottenham first team after being rested for the FA Cup replay victory over Burnley. Erik Lamela and Ryan Mason remain sidelined by injury. Sunderland Team News Sunderland's new signing Jermain Defoe is eligible to make his debut against his former club. Liam Bridcutt is suspended after his red card in the 1-0 defeat to Liverpool but Lee Cattermole could be fit and Anthony Reveillere is in contention. Stats & Facts Head to Head Tottenham are unbeaten in the last nine meetings since a 3-1 defeat at the Stadium of Light in 2010. Sunderland's last victory at White Hart Lane was in August 2008. They have since gone five matches without a win at the Lane. The previous meeting at White Hart Lane ended 5-1 to the home side. Tottenham Last week's 2-1 defeat at Crystal Palace ended Tottenham's six-match unbeaten run in the league. They are unbeaten in the last five home league games, a run that started after the 2-1 loss to Stoke City on 9 November. Spurs have given away six penalties in the Premier League, two more than any other side in the division and one more than they conceded in the whole of last season. Christian Eriksen has scored in both of his appearances against Sunderland. Top scorer Harry Kane has scored six goals in his last six league appearances. Kane (18) is just one behind Sergio Aguero (19) as the top scoring player in all competitions for a Premier League club this season. Nacer Chadli has provided an assist in four of his last five league appearances for Tottenham. Sunderland The 1-0 defeat of Newcastle in December's Tyne-Wear derby is Sunderland's only victory in the last 11 Premier League games. Sunderland are this season's Premier League draw specialists with 11 in total, six of which have ended 0-0. Only Aston Villa (11) have scored fewer Premier League goals than Sunderland (18) this season. Sunderland boss Gus Poyet played for Tottenham from 2001-04, scoring in a 4-1 Tottenham victory over Sunderland in 2003. Poyet returned to Tottenham as assistant manager to Juande Ramos, winning the League Cup in 2008. New signing Jermaine Defoe has scored in every single debut he's played(5) Previous Meetings please log in to view this image Form please log in to view this image This Season's Reverse Fixture please log in to view this image Last Corresponding Fixture please log in to view this image Betting http://www.oddschecker.com/football/english/premier-league/tottenham-v-sunderland/winner Links http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-stadium/directions/ http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/hospitality/virtual-tour/ http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/the-stadium/safety-at-the-lane/ Streaming http://xn--frstrowsports-39b.eu/soccer
Head ruled my heart on that vote, unfortunately. Even with Defoe playing at some point, I don't see us changing systems straightaway. Chuffed about us signing Defoe. Strangely still pessimistic after a marque signing. Not sure why.
I`m not pessimistic. Defoe`s a big plus imo but I think we`ve got more problems than Defoe will fix on his own. Let`s say I still have concerns.
Going to this game, pretty excited. Reckon Spurs will win, but you never know! Catts and Rev are out so I'd go Pants Jones-JOS-Brown-PvA Rodwell-Larsson Johnson-Giacc-Wickham Defoe Not sure Defoe will start though as he hasn't played a game for a while, in which case I'd put Fletcher in for him
That's pretty much where my head is at the minute Grandpops. Like I said, pleased about getting Defoe but I'm not sure why I feel deflated at the minute, maybe it was the thread about no more signings due this window. Hope that's not the case.
Maybe Gus feels he has to say that if only to curb the media enthusiasm. You know what they`re like. We only have to say we need a winger and straight away we`re linked with 140 of the buggers. Gus has said before what we need and it wasn`t just a striker. I`ve no doubt if the right deal came along we`d be in there.
Hope so Grandpops. Being realistic, I can't imagine he'll be happy with one just signing. He must be desperate to offload some of the crap we've got on the books, which could free up even just a few mill to add to the squad. And, we still have a loan gap to fill if we can. I just want to see a more attacking attitude for the last 17 games this season. If it does go tits up I at least want us to go down fighting. Whoa, that sounds so negative. Just a few weeks ago I said I was just looking upwards, not down. Time to sign off tonight I think, it's not like me to be soooo negative!!
Mmmm....logged in after a while - and asked for an avatar. Don't how to do! Bless me! > Back to the game: Don't know how Defoe (there's a name from history!) will fit in....(as Funk ++ talks of Gus's system). Will he start?, or a later role. (Hope he starts!). > 4 hours sleeeep, and up for the game. Cheer on fellas.
Gomez has to be dropped. He doesn't offer anything defensively so I dont see how we'd lose anything playing Giaccherini in a middle three. Will Defoe start? Only Gus knows. Pantilimon Vergini Oshea Brown Pva Rodwell Johnson Larsson Giacch Wickham Defoe. If we are on the attack it easily transitions into a 442 with Wickham drifting inside next to Defoe and Giaccherini goes out left to link up with pva.
Haaaaaaaaaaaawaaaaaaaaaay! Frozen Oh defoe oh defoe, you're gonna score many more, oh defoe oh defoe, jozy never scored for us anyway!
I like your team DP but the midfield is a bit of a worry with no Catts or Briddo. Pants Jones JOS Brown PVA Rodders Lars AJ Alvarez Giacca Whicks Bringing Defoe on second half to save or win the game.
