So how DO we defend against Bale et al?

You're right but unless Bale is injured, he will be playing and Harry will know Raylor lacks pace, he looked nervy agaist SWP at Loftus Road.
I'll be surprised if Santon doesn't get some game time against Spurs, it would be ideal.

 

I wish
Adebayor gets a hamstring or something, have a strange feeling he will score.

 

Probably have a feeling he will score because he is a world class striker lol. Remember that goal he scored for Arsenal at St James' in 1-1 draw when Stevie Taylor equallised. Awesome

 

aye but Shola ameobi is world class striker, why do i never get the feeling he will score?

 

I wonder?

 

Haha, funny that lol.

 

The thing about Bale and the other stars of Spurs are that for every performance like his against Inter, they can also completely disappear. I agree with those who suggest bringing in HBA and Santon, and maybe even Marv (I'll leave my trust in Pardew regarding the latter and whether he thinks he's better suited for the fixture than Obertan).

Let's try and control possession, use our strength through the spine of the pitch, and minimise their wing play on the counter. I wasn't overly impressed with their play against Liverpool or Arsenal (despite the scores), and I don't expect them to be up for the match against us as they were against them.

I expect us to play like we have a point to prove, and I hope for Spurs to have a let-off.

 

Agree with it all apart from Spurs performance against Liverpool. They were outstanding imo - even before Adam got sent off

 

You're right, maybe that was a bit harsh of me, I guess I was too busy at the time thinking how terrrrrible Liverpool were playing to appreciate how well Tottenham were taking advantage of them. I think we'll put in a stronger performance than Liverpool, especially in central midfield and central defence, and won't accommodate the kind of play Spurs implemented that day.

 

Lets hope that WHEN we are ahead, we don't take our foot off the gas like we've done a couple of times already this season, let's hope Best manages to not get caught offside, and Tiote does not get booked. I guess while I'm nit picking, Tim Krull needs to get the ball back into play a bit quicker, and throw it out a little more often rather than kicking it.

 

Its not for a few weeks yet, here hoping he gets an injury.

 

i would give serious consideration to playing santon on the right wing. that way he can drop deep and assist simspon against bale when not in possesion and then he can bomb forward when we have the ball.

 

no chance. we need him at LB, as Raylor would get mauled in the game IMO

 

i agree but i'd be extremely surprised if pards broke up the meanest defence in the land to hand a debut to santon even if itts painfully obvious what lennon is going to do to taylor.

 

Not anywhere have I suggested playing Stoke tactics. How have you worked that out I'm not sure? Are you suggesting if you rough up the opposition in certain games, you're automatically Stoke? Sir Bobby Robson regularly sent his players out to get after the opposition and get stuck in. Shearer/Bellamy would be very aggressive at times. We didn't play like Stoke though. Your responses suggests you haven't played much football, or you'd realise you have to adapt game by game. Certain teams you can be agressive with and knock them out their rhythm, some teams that will only result in getting them involved in something they love and they'll turn into a kicking fest.

I honestly think your main problem is not understanding what is being written. We'll agree to disagree, I believe being aggressive is a legitimate tactic you don't. To be honest you're just hard work full stop. I have plenty disagreements with people on here, but you're the only one who goes on like a bellend.

Whereas as you said "there is a difference between aggressive and attacking" because I suggested we play both. I haven't put those words in your mouth, you actually typed them. It suggests the two are mutally exclusive which they are not in football.

 

Look, just calm down mate. I've read everything you've said, I understand it very clearly, I understand football very well (love your arrogance though, mate, seems to be an "I know much more about football than you so I must be right" attitude ), and I can understand why managers go out to put some intentionally hard and painful challenges in the early minutes of games to "put the flair players off".... But that doesn't mean I agree with it, I prefer to win a football game through determination and skill... but that is PERSONAL PREFERENCE... something you fail to understand. You also can't deny that this is a tactic that Stoke/Wolves employ regularly against more skillful teams - hence my implication that these are "stoke" tactics, surely not that hard to work out.

So please, don't patronise me, don't give me this "you don't understand" ****. I understand fully, I just don't agree. But here's the kicker - THAT IS ALLOWED ON A FORUM.

Can I suggest next time someone disagrees with you, you don't fly off into a hissy fit, you don't get defensive, you don't insult people with silly comebacks like "learn to read/spell" - and instead you just take into account that someone has a different opinion than you, and maybe point out (in a reasoned way) why you prefer your opinion.

Also, don't tell me I've said something that I haven't (which you have to admit you've now done on a number of occassions), as this is extremely irritating and is bound to get me replying to you in a negative fashion, which is not something I want to do, I want a reasoned debate.

So, chill out, accept disagreement, and let's all enjoy the forum without these unnecessary outbursts.

Peace and love in the Toon!

 

I would definately play Santon in place of Raylor, and if Ba is injured, bring in HBA as an attacking midfielder. Although I agree with some people's concern with Obertan's defending, I would not replace him as this would be making 3 changes to the starting line up which I believe would be too many and too disruptive.
Pardew need to use the next 2 weeks to get Obertan focused on his defensive duties and to stop him "ball watching".

We may need Cabaye and Tiote to be disciplined and hold their position in the middle of the park, but with Jonas, and Obertan wide, Best up front and HBA playing in the hole, we should also be able to give Spurs plenty of problems to worry about.

 

To be honest I'm not even going to bother to read that cause you're boring the tits off me and I am no longer interested in being dragged into your petty tit for tats. I saw the capital letters and read a couple of lines still spouting utter bollocks and thought "I've got better things to do" You do your thing, I'll do mine and never do the two have to meet if you keep your petty bollocks to yourself. As I say I have never had a single problem with any member of the forum so I'm sure there are plenty of folk to talk to!

 

Exactly right with Obertan. Its about focus for him when defending. He was getting back into the right area but switching off. I know what you mean re: Santon, it is sorely tempting. My only concern is changing a winning team and the message it'll send to Raylor and a good performance against Wolves. I like what Smudger said earlier about us letting them worry about us. This is why I'm keen for an attacking and aggressive approach.

I want us on the front foot. It reminds me of when I was first asked to play wide midfield having played all my football in centre midfield. I had a mare of a first half because I was pre warned about how good their winger was. I spent the half trying to stop him and standing off him. I came off at half time knowing I'd had a mare. The manager said "I don't need to tell you. Stop worrying about what he is gonna do, attack him and drive him backwards. First chance you get hit with hard fair challenge." I went out 2nd half hit him early and spent the rest of the half raping him! I think it is much mental as anything, treat them like superstars and they'll play like that!

 

maybe you should have: