please log in to view this image Saturday 2nd March 12.30pm Premier League Wembley Stadium A second awful performance and result in a few days has put us firmly on the backfoot. The teams around us all won and we've dropped from pushing the leaders to looking over our collective shoulder. The Goons, on the other hand, won back-to-back matches, closing the gap down to four points. Can we turn this around and keep them at bay or will the Champions League race blow wide open? Unai Emery has definitely had a roller coaster first season since he replaced Arsene Wenger. His opening two fixtures may have resulted in losses, but he turned it around and went on a long unbeaten run. A series of stumbles since that came to an end had some questioning his appointment. Losses to us in the League Cup, Man Utd in the FA Cup and BATE in the Europa League were particular lows. Their form has been somewhat erratic, to say the least, but they're currently on a winning streak. Emery has won the Europa League on three occasions with Sevilla and he'll be looking to repeat that feat. A fairly easy draw sees them face Rennes on Thursday, so that's not going to distract them much. The French side sit in 9th place and shouldn't pose any threat, unfortunately. They'll be able to rest and rotate for that one, so they'll be at full strength. Our trip to The Emirates was one of the lows of the campaign, so far. We'd already faced Chelsea and Inter that week and the team looked tired and jaded. It was no surprise Aubameyang put them ahead from the spot, following Vertonghen's handball. Going in ahead at the break was though, as Dier and Kane scored before half-time to turn things around. A second half collapse saw us concede three and lose Vertonghen to a late red card, adding insult to injury: The match at Wembley last season saw a good performance, but only a fairly narrow win. We spurned several good chances in the first half and went in at the break level at 0-0. Kane headed us into the lead early on in the second period, but we failed to add it, despite dominating. Petr Cech performed heroics for them to keep them in it and keep our fans' nerves on edge to the end: Alli and Dier will miss out again through injury, while Vertonghen and Winks will be assessed. Bellerin, Holding and Welbeck are out for them. Neither side has any suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Lloris; Trippier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Davies; Sissoko, Winks; Lamela, Eriksen, Son; Kane. Subs: Gazzaniga, Aurier, Foyth, Rose, Wanyama, Moura, Llorente. League form: WWWWLL. Arsenal: Leno; Sokratis, Koscielny, Monreal; Jenkinson, Torreira, Guendozi, Kolasinac; Ozil, Mkhitaryan; Aubameyang. Subs: Cech, Mustafi, Elneny, Ramsey, Suarez, Iwobi, Lacazette. League form: WWLWWW. Referee: Anthony Taylor. TV: BT Sport 1. Back-to-back losses and two poor performances, so what should we change for this one? Which system and tactics should we use and who needs to sit it out? Is there anyone that we can't afford to risk, with the 2nd leg against Dortmund next week?
D.G.C Kane needs to be dropped. Bring in Skipp. Sissoko is finished. Gazzaniga in goal. KWP at RB. Drop Eriksen and play Roles. ( or should that be -Role play.)
Hopefully we have some good news on the injury front... ...no, we do not have good news on the injury front
It's about desire not tactics this weekend They beat us at their place quite simply because they were up for it.
Am going with my Uni Kid... is my current state of mind... Just hoping it ain't in a state at 2.15pm tomorrow COYS
Today's game is about being brave in so many ways. Poch above all else needs to be brave and pick a team that will show the hunger and desire to win this game. Sadly, I don't think that will happen. I'm not trying to be provocative here but I genuinely think he needs to drop Eriksen today for many reasons. This is not the sort of game that we'll get the best from the Dane, especially after recent disappearances in combative and critical games. Eriksen's record against the Goons is not good. In 13 games against them, he's scored 0 goals and had only 1 assist. His overall form this season is pretty cack as well compared to 2018/19. Just 5 goals in the PL compared to 10 last term (albeit we still have some way to go) and his general commitment to challenges has been nigh on zero. As much as I'm not the Argentine's biggest fan, I'd rather see Lamela in there for his defence abilities and work rate which is what we need to protect the tiring legs of Sissoko and Winks, cause Eriksen sure as hell isn't going to do that. Eriksen needs to be shown he's not untouchable and needs to earn his place in the team. Hate to say it but I'm starting to feel about him like the Goons do about Özil. As a sub, he could come on later in the game if creativity is needed to unlock the defence but I certainly don't think he deserves to start or warrants a start based on his style of play or recent form. Team for me should be: Lloris Aurier • Sánchez • Toby • Verts (Rose if unfit) Sissoko • Winks Lamela • Lucas • Son Kane Never gonna happen but I'd love to see Verts at left back again, putting quality into the box and if Serge could have a steady game (yeah right!) and find his crossing boots again, it could be a good contest. Kane could enjoy a good game by sticking in and around the box and not coming too deep, with Nando coming on later if Lucas has a poor game, with Kane dropping back into that position. We'll see.
My uni kid has a rotten cold and has been off sick for the past few days but has come up for the game...she has spent all night coughing and got no sleep. I have bruising all over my foot from one of the kids stamping all over it as we moved him yesterday...the git then make a false allegation that I hurt him then called me a ****ing ****** when he realised that cctv, 2 adults and 5 other kids would prove me right Only slept 4 hours after dreaming that we lost MAKE OUR WEEKEND A GOOD ONE SPURS... PLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE.
You think that’s bad? Try having a vindaloo the night before a 12:30 kick off! Anyways, gonna aim to get to Wembley for about 9:30-10:00. Enough time to sink a few beers to keep me numb during what could be another ****-show.
Poch’s Birthday today, if the lads don’t give him a birthday present in the shape of 3 NLD points, they’re mugs.
By my calculations the only currently fit players who people on here have not called to be dropped recently are Gazzaniga, Vertonghen, Sanchez, Sissoko and Son. If I was Poch I think I'd field a full eleven.....
Got to want it today It'll be obvious after the first 10 minutes what mentally we have got. Can't really lose 3 in a row...despite the happy clappy camp trying to convince us otherwise and reminding us of how we have improved etc...that won't really cut it...we can't lose 3 in a row for so many reasons. Some hunger today please COYS
I'm off in about half an hour to shout myself stupid for the cause. Spurlock's right. Today, only a win will do. COYS!
