Spurs played a very weak team against their Russian opponents tonight in the UEFA Cup game, suggesting A) that the first team players were still stitching up Rednapp's heart, or B) Tottenham are planning to give us a thrashing Sunday. Should be a real test for us.
Assuming Murphy's knock is not serious, I think Jol will start with the QPR line up. Especially since Hughes and Senderos are still ruled out. Will it be good enough against the much more forbidding Spurs? Yes, if we start with the same commitment as Thursday. Funnily enough I can see us creating chances given the way they play. That said, there were time when we let Krakov pass through us too often in the middle and we know Spurs will be more adept when it comes to shooting. So we need to be tighter there. Then there is the left back spot. If Jol feels he can't risk Briggs, he needs to seriously consider bringing in Kelly - who would worry me a wee bit since he is so right footed. But at least Hangeland would be able to get on with his own game.
PS Hope that old sod, Harry, bless him, has made an okay recovery. I wouldn't buy a used car from him, but I'd trust him to make the right sustitutions at the right time. So maybe a good enough recovery to sit up in bed to watch the game.
This has the potential of being an absolute cracker of a game, lots of fast flowing attacking football. The big question for me is who will be better defensively. We seem to have played better or perhaps been able to work the new tactics in a freer game - second half of Man City game and QPR, also against Chelsea in the cup. If there is any game where there will be lots of space, this is it. Agreed Riise may be a liability, giving Briggs ago against Lennon sounds like a great plan, I reckon he will do a job on him. The middle of the park is going to be interesting. Modric and Parker are 2 tough characters to play against, not all together different from Murph's and Sidders. Modric and Parker are probably more talented but at home Murph's is brilliant. So it comes down to BZ and AJ, as opposed to RVDV and Adebayor. On their day both are impressive, Van Der Vaart is on fire. Defensively though, I reckon we have the upper hand, albeit slightly. Going to stick my neck out and go for a blistering 3 - 2 to Fulham. COYW
I'm not holding out a lot of hope. If we had fielded a weaker side ourselves midweek, I'd be more optimistic. The only threads of comfort I can see are the after-effects of all the travelling (did their big stars even travel for Thursday's game?) and them missing Harry's influence on the touchline (like, I'm sure, all of us, I echo Cottager's comment about hoping he makes a good recovery). Despite the popular image of him being a latter-day Kevin Keegan - strong on motivation and man-management, weak on tactics - I don't think that's entirely fair. When we played them in the cup under Hodgson, we had the better of the first half and were leading, then Harry make a couple of adjustments and they deservedly beat us in the second. I've always thought his weakness is a tendency to pay big money for players who are already peaking (or long past their peak), resulting in ageing squads a couple of years later, but tactically he's quite shrewd. Anyway, it looks like he won't be there for this one. As for Briggs or Riise, I know that Riise has been disappointing everyone, but I still have more confidence in his defensive game against a fast, tricky winger like Lennon. This is one for experience over youthful vigour, I think. When I think about Parker and Modric vs Murphy and Sidwell - and a tired Murphy at that - I can't see us coming out on top. Really hope I'm wrong, but I'm not holding my breath this time.
What the Captain said. Spurs attack at such a lightning pace that I think our tiredness will be exploited massively.
The main 11 in the Spurs squad didn't travel to Russia so in theory should be fresh. However they are carrying a fair few injuries and/or doubts - Doubtful Gallas (match fitness), Giovani (calf), Corluka (foot), Rose (ankle), Modric (groin), Pavlyuchenko (back) Injured Huddlestone (ankle, Dec), Dawson (achilles, unknown) Also, life doesn't always follow the expected pattern. With the exception of the league game after the away fixture to Krakow (when we rested key players!), Fulham have invariably performed well in Sunday matches following Thursday night exploits in Europe.
If they don't have Modric it could make the game a completely different situation. If they do, it might be extremely tough for us.
Spurs fan here, don't be surprised if Lennon is dropped to make way for Sandro. Not only did all the XI that started against QPR stay at home, but Sandro did too. It may be that was precautionary as there were/are doubts about Modric and Parker, but it may be we will feel the need to bolster CM with two 'defensive mids'. Whatever, as has been said should be a top game tomorrow.
