Spurs away - 11 Feb 2012

My team for Saturday (and by the way, what has happened to the Match Day thread?, maybe I'm just blind/thick):

.............................Krul.............................

Simpson...........Williamson...........Colo.............Santon

Obertan...........Guthrie.........Ben Arfa..........Gutierrez

.......................Ba..........Cisse...................

Subs: Harper, Abeid, Lovenkrands, Shola, Ferguson, Perch, Gosling.

The only possibility I see as being different to my shout above, is that he will probably play Perch alongside Guthrie instead of Obertan, and possibly Shola instead of Cisse.

 

The team for this game is painfully obvious. You're really kidding yourself if you think Ben Arfa is going to play in the middle of the pitch though. Its clear that Perch is going to start there and thats the starting 11 done.

The only possible difference will be Shola for Cisse and Pardew's tactics therefore being to hoof it up to him constantly, bypassing Tottenhams midfield and hoping Demba gets a flick on.

 

Yeah, I think I made it pretty clear what I would play and what I think Pardew will play, but Guthrie/Ben Arfa v. Modric/Parker would be a good match up.

 

Wrong.

 

I think it's going to be Perch in the middle with Guthrie which I do think is the way to go as Modric and Parker are both hard working and we will need to close them down. if Tayls is fit I would have him on the right subbing obertan on with 20-30 minutes to go.

can't wait for this one. really enjoyed it when they came to St James Park earlier in the year. It's going to be tough but we have a good record there in recent years. Hopefully we keep on being their bogie team. Nothing to lose with this one as nobody expects us to win or indeed get anything out of it.

 

Don't think GRB's new job affords him the time to do the Match Day Thread now.

Maybe we need a new volunteer.

 

I nominate you

TBH, after Perch's decent performances in CM, I'd carry on playing him there. If HBA plays in the middle, Guthrie will be massacred cos HBA does little defensive work. The thought of Guthrie trying to deal with Parker, Modric and VDV on his own...

 

433. **** it we're gonna struggle and need to push Bale into helping his full back. Matching up 442 with them is not advisable at their place. Benni, Cisse and Ba up top. Jonas, Perch, Guthrie with Perch an out and out holding player. Put Santon right to deal with Bale and bring in young Ferguson on the left to give us width and driving full backs to pin back their wingers. We've always done better when we've had a go at WHL. Matching 442 in relegation year and 451 last year resulted in 2-0 and 1-0 victories for them with the scorelines belying the ease with which we were beaten. They are good at home and like teams who try to sit back. Clever passers in midfield and of course pace. Of course it would be brave and Perch would need to show real discipline and awareness but I prefer having a go in games like this.

It'll be 442 with Krul, Simpson, Santon, Willo, Colo, Jonas, Ober, Perch, Guthrie, Cisse, Ba though.

 

I believe we got a 1-1 draw last year, they equalised in stoppage time...?

Also, Ferguson LB up against Lennon or VDV?!?!?!?! And with Bale switching sides?!?!?! You are ****ing mental! He'd be massacred more conclusively than a cow in an abattoire.

 

Wouldn't like GRB to think I was trying to take his job off him but I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you stepped in and took it over for a week.

 

Benny in the middle? Forget it! Not when the Guthrie and Perch combo has worked so well in Cabaye's and Tiote's absence.

I can see the formation the same as last week but Pard's will swap Ameobi for Best and look to Cisse as an impact player. Although Cisse scored a brilliant winner last weekend, it was clear he needs a few games to get settled in as he looked a little off pace coming into the fast paced Premier League.

Be great if we could get something out of this game, there's a good chance that we could! HWTL!

 

Anyway, today's game. It's going to be tough as Spurs are right on top of their game and playing some good stuff. Rosie (oops) 'arry, has them playing really good football and playing for each other and it's paying dividends.

Strength throughout the team and home advantage makes it a home win for most of the pundits but I still think we can get something out of it. We're playing quite well ourselves and another performance like the one against Villa could earn us at least a point. Maybe I'm seeing it through B&W eyes but I do feel we'll come a way with something.

HTL.

 

I think that was the home game

 

No it was defo a very comfortable 2-0 last year, Lennon and Bale. We were under strength I think with the likes of Perch, Smith, Routledge? We are a better team this year and have a stronger bunch to choose from. I think you underestimate young Fergie to be honest. Very able and looked in great nick in his recent sub appearance. We need to look to keep possession and push them back in the wide areas. Modric dictates play, so we we'll need to get stuck into him and upset his rhythm. Also moving Santon into his natural role will help us attacking wise. Bale switches but spends most of his time on the left so I'd put my strongest full back there. Simpson is having a great season overall but has been patchy of late, played every game and does stand off at times. You can't give Spurs space because they have high levels of quality.

Sometimes against stronger teams I believe you have to mix it up, backs to the wall counter attack is not always the way. History suggests we need to attack Spurs.