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Newcastle vs Tottenham match thread

Discussion in 'Tottenham Hotspur' started by Moorpheus19, Aug 16, 2012.

  1. PleaseNotPoll

    PleaseNotPoll Well-Known Member Forum Moderator

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    Squad depth might be key in this respect if we all progress in the cups, as Pardew's not got a lot of European experience.
    When he managed to drag West Ham into the UEFA Cup, he had a troubled start to that season and they rather hastily sacked him before Christmas.

    It'll be interesting to see how everyone deals with the Europa League, as us and the Scousers have new managers and Pardew's not used to the packed schedule it can bring.
    Could get messy!
     
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  2. Graham Carr's Binoculars

    Graham Carr's Binoculars Well-Known Member

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    Agreed, he's come out and said that at least 5 of the first 11 on Saturday won't even travel this week, which I'm pleased with and would like him to adopt this team selection for at least each of the group games (should we qualify). I'd be happier if he made 11 changes truth be told.

    Although I'm not sure if he's doing this as a one off as our game with Chelsea is on the Saturday and not the Sunday, Uefa refused to move our game to the Wednesday and Chelsea game can't be put back due to issues it would cause with policing the game.
     
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  3. redwhiteandermblue

    redwhiteandermblue Well-Known Member

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    My impressions:

    Good first game for AVB. Given a squad lacking both a playmaker and an appropriate striker, his selection and tactics should have gotten one point and could have gotten three with a little luck. I liked seeing Spurs pressing, maybe because I hate to see it used against us. It's true, it does negate Spurs' strength on the counter, but it translated into Spurs having more good chances. I also think pressing is just what AVB does. It may work and it may not, but let's see how it works out. I would have started Vertonghen as well, but I could see his POV: away against a team with two dangerous strikers may be the time to start your veteran CB, not your new defender who looks to be better offensively than defensively.

    Newcastle look stronger than either Spurs or Arsenal right now. Unlike them, they have an established team back, which includes two strikers better than anyone either Arsenal or Spurs have. Cabaye and Ben Arfa are also excellent.

    One goal loss to a rival + two woodwork shots = it would be nice to get a little luck occasionally. A draw would have been fair.

    Two winnable games coming up at home and no new striker (or playmaker). Levy and AVB will get a lot of flack if Spurs don't win them both. Levy deserves it, AVB won't (if he does this well in the next two games.)

    Jonas' family, by whom I mean the officials, are in midseason form already: total crap. The ball was out. Walker got a yellow when he got all ball. The flag was up on a Spurs miss that was onside. And Jonas must have gotten four calls he didn't deserve.

    Lennon and Bale were excellent.

    Spurs looked incoherent near the Newcastle box early on, but improved. Gylfi, I agree, will be excellent, but this wasn't a great game for him. Everything was about a foot off.

    VDV brought a composure and skill at the edge of the box which had been lacking, and which helped make the first goal. On the other hand, poor defending, which is all too typical of him, gave away the winning goal.





     
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  4. redwhiteandermblue

    redwhiteandermblue Well-Known Member

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    Yup, disappointing result. A draw would have been a fair result, I thought.

    But I don't feel bad on balance because AVB gave me more reason to hope he's going to be the right man for the job. Also, the fact of the matter is that as it stands, you have the better club. It was very difficult for us to convert a bunch of good chances into one goal, whereas you had players who created two out of nothing.

     
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