We were missing our first-choice goalkeeper, centre-half, central-midfielder, winger and both forwards. We've played Chelsea, Man City, Newcastle and Everton away this season and were very open and attacking, but with more than half our first team out injured (or in Livermore's case, refused permission to play) can you really blame us for parking the bus just once? at us parking the bus at Selhurst Park
Just in case you don't know this already, Spurs didn't stop Livermore from playing in this game. It's against the Premier League rules for a loanee to play against his parent club. I assume that we will stop him from playing against us in the League Cup, though.
Same difference really. You'd have to be pretty ******ed to let your own player play against you anyway
Why am I not surprised by some of the Tottenham fans thoughts about City? We had nowhere near our strongest 11 out, if anything, 7/11ths of our team were mid-table Championship standard (i.e. McShane, Bruce, Boyd etc). We aren't going to come to White Hart Lane and go all-out-attack with an incredibly weakened side considering the massive difference in talent the team's had. Saying that, considering AVB splashed all the money received from Bale's sale on a virtually new XI, City's Championship standard back-up players almost (and arguably deserved to) came away with a point if it wasn't for a ridiculous bit of refereeing. Although, it's all the same to me. Joys of the Premier League and all that; refs caving in to players and fans pressure at a 'big Club's Ground'.
I'm getting pretty sick of repeating this, but all of this crap about the ref caving in to the big club from London rings a little hollow when we didn't get a penalty at WHL for two entire seasons. He made a crap decision. We've had to put up with years of them.
This Spurs board is a fair one. Granted on this occasion, maybe it has taken a few of us a while to get there, but I am sure you will agree, that the general consensus has been generous towards Hull and acknowledgement of what you deserved, but didn't get on the day. Those of you have posted on here, seem a decent bunch and we all wish you well and hope to see you at the Lane again next season.
I seem to remember we beat Hull 2-0 in the FA Cup was it a long while back? They're often close run things between the two clubs and on that occasion Hull were div three I think. So with Hull on 11 points going into yesterday's match I suppose a 1-0 isn't all that surprising.
How is it ridiculous? It was a handball, not intentional but his arm was outstretched from his body and prevented a cross into the box... There really can't be any complaints. Haven't you guys had two penalties given to yourselves this season, both at home? Bit ironic talking about caving into pressure then isn't it? As for the arguably deserving a point bit, no team deserves points when they sit back for a match, regardless of the squad available but in all honesty, we were so poor with possession that it's not right to say we deserved victory either because we didn't.
I never viewed Hulls decision to park the bus as anything other then smart tactics from their manager, and in reality it turned out they parked the bus to make sure they never conceded early (which worked) and they gradually pushed higher up the pitch. That was a smart tactic and one which nearly worked. The teams I have a problem with, are the ones which park the bus and play anti football, in terms of making cheap fouls, dirty play and in general have no interest in even attacking given the chance as they are worried about leaving space. Hull are going to be in with a great shout of staying up, going away to us and getting hammered wouldn't be great for team morale, but going away with a depleted squad and losing to a 50/50 penalty call, means on the way home Bruce can still say (with a straight face, minus the bent nose) that the gameplan worked in open play and the players should feel proud of their efforts.
I haven't read the whole thread to catch up but the cheap pen keeps being mentioned, I firmly believe he gave it to even things up for the home side. Steve Bruce said afterwards he looked desperate to give it. Oliver had earlier turned one down when McShane had hauled Soldado to the floor by his shirt, but only one camera angle saw the extent of that, it was more a pen than the handball imo. Dare I suggest Hull suffered a bit of big club syndrome there. Another observation was Holtby's reaction at being subbed, looked to shake his head in disagreement. Bobby needs to change his pen strategy next time, thats 2 out of 3 he's given eyes (his) right and shot low left. If I've seen it I'm sure PL keepers have.
Well remembered, Notso. Funny how that seemed to get glossed over, just like Hazard's unpunished dive in the Chelsea game. Webb totally bottled that. Does any other side get a card for that any more or is it just us?
Yeah, I remembered that too. I would've mentioned it but it didn't get shown on MOTD so it's difficult to prove. It was just like Suarez's the other week, in my book neither are pens but these days we keep getting told that if a defender grabs your shirt/shoulder you have this "right to go down". As I recall the defender had both arms around Soldado and a lump of his shirt. They used to just call that good defending
I think that cup tie with Hull was in the 50's,played on a pitch resembling Southend with the tide out. A lot of critics gave the officials a lot of stick for playing on a totally waterlogged pitch. We crept home 2-0 with a crop of "old" players! The previous season as a schoolboy,my mum had taken me to the school dentist down Park Lane.5 teeth filled with NO anesthetic!!!Needless to say I collapsed on the floor after the treatment.I remember that day obviously but something nice happened that day....Spurs beat Tranmere in the cup 9-2!!!!!AAAHHHH MEMORIES!!!!!
So we'd expect changes due to rotation, and can probably expect more due to ineffectiveness. I've heard Lamela will start. I really don't know who else will play. Gylfi and Chadli are overdue for some game time, if we haven't loaned Chadli out to QPR already. I might try Lennon on the right, Holtby in the center and Eriksen or Gylfi on the left, in the hopes of finding a lineup that's better at home against teams that sit back. On the other hand, there's something to be said for prioritizing Everton/giving the reserves a golden opportunity to show why they should be starting. It's not like there's much difference in quality between first and second choices in most positions.
Do we know our first and second choice for the positions?i thought it depended on who we played, as to the team AVB put out
"I might try Lennon on the right, Holtby in the center and Eriksen or Gylfi on the left, in the hopes of finding a lineup that's better at home against teams that sit back." Yep, these cup games are additional opportunity for AVB to work out his home formations.
I still feel Redknapps 4 4 1 1 formation was one of the best we have seen.. Flat back four. Destroyer next to the creator. Two pacey wingers. Magican in the hole. Strong presence upfront that can finish. Simple, effective, entertaining and I just wish Avb would try such a formation in cup games to experiment.
