The Tottenham Thread 12/13

[Crouchinho]

Changed my mind about the schedules, ours is now absurdly harder. Stars denote number of days between games.

Chelsea: City (N) ** Fulham (A) *** Liverpool (A) *** Basel (A) ** Swansea (H) *** Basel (H) ** United (A) ** Tottenham (H)(Likely reschedule) ** Villa (FA Final or League) *** Villa (A) (League) *** Europa Final *** Everton (H).

Not one week rest from the FA cup semi onwards. With rearrangements because of cup results we could get a week between United, Tottenham and Villa. Winning both cups and getting fourth would be monumental in light of that schedule.

Spurs: City (H) **** Wigan (A) ***** Southampton (H) *** Chelsea (A) *** Stoke (A) ******* Sunderland (H)

The only strain they have is Chelsea and Stoke away 3 days apart. Chelsea play a maximum of 12 with a minimum of 10. Spurs play 6. Our schedule could be double theirs in the same few weeks. If they fail to get 4th it'd be one of the most catastrophic bottle jobs I've ever witnessed.

You said yourself you have a large squad. Your striker costs more than our whole first team. You can rest your best players for basel if need be. You're above us and have a game in hand, it's not in our hands anymore, same if arsenal win. If we had a 12 point cushion over fourth place like last season then you could accuse it of being a bottle situation. This is a lot different. We are not in the driving seat this time round. Arsenal and Chelsea are odds on favourites to claim top 4 spots

 

[Castiel]

You say that as if Spurs had a handicap. We're ahead with a game in hand, that's not because of some penalty you suffered though is it? There won't be anyone to blame but yourselves if Spurs can't capitalise on Chelsea's ridiculous schedule. Arsenal are the same. If either of you are left with the wooden spoon you'll be a laughing stock. I think the City fans will confirm that. I expected Spurs to beat Basel which would have evened it out a bit with 8 vs 10/12, but now it's a different story.

 

[JoeMercer'sWay]

from a City point of view there are big positives to any of you 3 not making the CL. It's a shame 2 of you will because for those 2 the summer will be fruitful it's working out which 2 are the best for City's ambitions.

Chelsea in CL with Mourinho and a summer splurge-bad.
Spurs in will keep Bale so probably the best hope.
Arsenal will become even more profitable and eventually spent money so them missing out would be good, plus could snap up Wilshere if they miss out.

End of the day I think it's best for us if Chelsea miss out.

 

[Crouchinho]

You say that as if Spurs had a handicap. We're ahead with a game in hand, that's not because of some penalty you suffered though is it? There won't be anyone to blame but yourselves if Spurs can't capitalise on Chelsea's ridiculous schedule. Arsenal are the same. If either of you are left with the wooden spoon you'll be a laughing stock. I think the City fans will confirm that. I expected Spurs to beat Basel which would have evened it out a bit with 8 vs 10/12, but now it's a different story.

No we lost and teams took advantage. You're now ahead and are firm favourites. The bookies have you favourites, you have a better and larger squad to cope. So you and arsenal should do it really. Even goal difference effectively puts you a point ahead if it came to that

You've outspent city and have a higher wage bill than united. You should be top 4 and Europa league winners quite comfortably

 

[Castiel]

No we lost and teams took advantage. You're now ahead and are firm favourites. The bookies have you favourites, you have a better and larger squad to cope. So you and arsenal should do it really. Even goal difference effectively puts you a point ahead if it came to that

You've outspent city and have a higher wage bill than united. You should be top 4 and Europa league winners quite comfortably

So you're saying Chelsea and Arsenal are better than Spurs? Even with this enormous handicap?

 

[Crouchinho]

No we lost and teams took advantage. You're now ahead and are firm favourites. The bookies have you favourites, you have a better and larger squad to cope. So you and arsenal should do it really. Even goal difference effectively puts you a point ahead if it came to that

You've outspent city and have a higher wage bill than united. You should be top 4 and Europa league winners quite comfortably

So you're saying Chelsea and Arsenal are better than Spurs? Even with this enormous handicap?

I think we are better than arsenal on the day, but not chelsea. Arsenal have the easy fixtures and have a game in hand.

Chelsea have double the wages of spurs and arsenal, a superior squad and strength and depth, you can cope with 3 or so extra fixtures, you can rest the likes of Mata, Oscar and hazard for gods sake. You also are above both in he league with superior goal difference. If chelsea don't finish in the top 4 that would be dreadful IMO. You should be challenging the likes of city and united than accusing spurs or arsenal of choking.

It's out of spurs hands now, we can only win and hope arsenal and chelsea slip up along the way. I'm sure with your expensively assembled squad you will finish third like he bookies have you to.

 

[Syth]

That Chelsea schedule is enough to make me scared if I was their fan. At some point it will prove too much for you guys I reckon Castiel. You've got a big squad but still..Arsenal play well at the end of a season so they can easily replace one of Spurs/Chelsea I think.

 

[Castiel]

That Chelsea schedule is enough to make me scared if I was their fan. At some point it will prove too much for you guys I reckon Castiel. You've got a big squad but still..Arsenal play well at the end of a season so they can easily replace one of Spurs/Chelsea I think.

It does have me worried now that Spurs have lost to Basel. I wasn't concerned when I thought they'd be playing 8 or 9 games to our 10/12 because we can beat them over that marathon.

Crouch we're going to need our best players for City, Liverpool, at least one Basel game, United, Spurs, Everton and the Europa final. If we got there we might be able to rest some of our best for the FA cup final considering City is the hardest team left in the competition by a distance.

That's at least six games in quick succession where we'd have to play Mata and Hazard to stand a chance of winning. Not to mention our other staples, but they're not quite as important as those two to how we perform. If teams like Swansea or Villa decide to make things even more difficult we'd have to send them on from the bench to try to turn it around. Would you be comfortable relying on Bale to perform on a similar schedule?

 

[Manc in London]

No we lost and teams took advantage. You're now ahead and are firm favourites. The bookies have you favourites, you have a better and larger squad to cope. So you and arsenal should do it really. Even goal difference effectively puts you a point ahead if it came to that

You've outspent city and have a higher wage bill than united. You should be top 4 and Europa league winners quite comfortably

If only football was played on paper.

Spurs fans should no more than most that throwing cash around does not necessarily lead to success.

 

[Castiel]

I started writing a reply then realised I didn't say that! :P

 

[ManCitizens.]

You say that as if Spurs had a handicap. We're ahead with a game in hand, that's not because of some penalty you suffered though is it? There won't be anyone to blame but yourselves if Spurs can't capitalise on Chelsea's ridiculous schedule. Arsenal are the same. If either of you are left with the wooden spoon you'll be a laughing stock. I think the City fans will confirm that. I expected Spurs to beat Basel which would have evened it out a bit with 8 vs 10/12, but now it's a different story.

No we lost and teams took advantage. You're now ahead and are firm favourites. The bookies have you favourites, you have a better and larger squad to cope. So you and arsenal should do it really. Even goal difference effectively puts you a point ahead if it came to that

You've outspent city and have a higher wage bill than united. You should be top 4 and Europa league winners quite comfortably

Better yes, not larger. You have a ridiculous amount of midfielders and defenders. No other team in the Prem has a better 2nd keeper (at the club than Friedel). Your only problem is that you have 2 strikers, which is bad management between AVB, Redknapp and Levy.

 

[Crouchinho]

No we lost and teams took advantage. You're now ahead and are firm favourites. The bookies have you favourites, you have a better and larger squad to cope. So you and arsenal should do it really. Even goal difference effectively puts you a point ahead if it came to that

You've outspent city and have a higher wage bill than united. You should be top 4 and Europa league winners quite comfortably

If only football was played on paper.

Spurs fans should no more than most that throwing cash around does not necessarily lead to success.

Not sure how that is relevant, maybe a subtle dig as usual. our net spend in the past 5 seasons is pretty low whereas it used to be high, if anything we have become tighter than a ducks arse. Stoke have spent more than spurs.

city fans were more worried about the threat from chelsea for the title, in the league they have been poor for me. theyre looking below them at spurs and arsenal instead of above them

-- Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:17 am --

You say that as if Spurs had a handicap. We're ahead with a game in hand, that's not because of some penalty you suffered though is it? There won't be anyone to blame but yourselves if Spurs can't capitalise on Chelsea's ridiculous schedule. Arsenal are the same. If either of you are left with the wooden spoon you'll be a laughing stock. I think the City fans will confirm that. I expected Spurs to beat Basel which would have evened it out a bit with 8 vs 10/12, but now it's a different story.

No we lost and teams took advantage. You're now ahead and are firm favourites. The bookies have you favourites, you have a better and larger squad to cope. So you and arsenal should do it really. Even goal difference effectively puts you a point ahead if it came to that

You've outspent city and have a higher wage bill than united. You should be top 4 and Europa league winners quite comfortably

Better yes, not larger. You have a ridiculous amount of midfielders and defenders. No other team in the Prem has a better 2nd keeper (at the club than Friedel). Your only problem is that you have 2 strikers, which is bad management between AVB, Redknapp and Levy.

chelsea have a lot of players on the books. they can even relax top midfielders in the world in europe ready for a big semi final match<br /><br />-- Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:18 am --<br /><br />

I started writing a reply then realised I didn't say that! :P

porkies ;)

 

[ManCitizens.]

No we lost and teams took advantage. You're now ahead and are firm favourites. The bookies have you favourites, you have a better and larger squad to cope. So you and arsenal should do it really. Even goal difference effectively puts you a point ahead if it came to that

You've outspent city and have a higher wage bill than united. You should be top 4 and Europa league winners quite comfortably

If only football was played on paper.

Spurs fans should no more than most that throwing cash around does not necessarily lead to success.

Not sure how that is relevant, maybe a subtle dig as usual. our net spend in the past 5 seasons is pretty low whereas it used to be high, if anything we have become tighter than a ducks arse. Stoke have spent more than spurs.

city fans were more worried about the threat from chelsea for the title, in the league they have been poor for me. theyre looking below them at spurs and arsenal instead of above them

-- Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:17 am --

No we lost and teams took advantage. You're now ahead and are firm favourites. The bookies have you favourites, you have a better and larger squad to cope. So you and arsenal should do it really. Even goal difference effectively puts you a point ahead if it came to that

You've outspent city and have a higher wage bill than united. You should be top 4 and Europa league winners quite comfortably

Better yes, not larger. You have a ridiculous amount of midfielders and defenders. No other team in the Prem has a better 2nd keeper (at the club than Friedel). Your only problem is that you have 2 strikers, which is bad management between AVB, Redknapp and Levy.

chelsea have a lot of players on the books. they can even relax top midfielders in the world in europe ready for a big semi final match

-- Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:18 am --

I started writing a reply then realised I didn't say that! :P

porkies ;)

Livermore, Huddlestone, Parker, Sandro, Dembele, Dempsey, Holtby, Bale, Lennon, Sigurdsson vs Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Moses, Marin, Benayoun.

Chelsea just have a lot more quality instead of Bale.

 

[Crouchinho]

If only football was played on paper.

Spurs fans should no more than most that throwing cash around does not necessarily lead to success.

Not sure how that is relevant, maybe a subtle dig as usual. our net spend in the past 5 seasons is pretty low whereas it used to be high, if anything we have become tighter than a ducks arse. Stoke have spent more than spurs.

city fans were more worried about the threat from chelsea for the title, in the league they have been poor for me. theyre looking below them at spurs and arsenal instead of above them

-- Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:17 am --

Better yes, not larger. You have a ridiculous amount of midfielders and defenders. No other team in the Prem has a better 2nd keeper (at the club than Friedel). Your only problem is that you have 2 strikers, which is bad management between AVB, Redknapp and Levy.

chelsea have a lot of players on the books. they can even relax top midfielders in the world in europe ready for a big semi final match

-- Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:18 am --

I started writing a reply then realised I didn't say that! :P

porkies ;)

Livermore, Huddlestone, Parker, Sandro, Dembele, Dempsey, Holtby, Bale, Lennon, Sigurdsson vs Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Moses, Marin, Benayoun.

Chelsea just have a lot more quality instead of Bale.

i think you hit the nail on the head first time mate when you said they have a better squad.

 

[GHoddle]

Not sure how that is relevant, maybe a subtle dig as usual. our net spend in the past 5 seasons is pretty low whereas it used to be high, if anything we have become tighter than a ducks arse. Stoke have spent more than spurs.

city fans were more worried about the threat from chelsea for the title, in the league they have been poor for me. theyre looking below them at spurs and arsenal instead of above them

-- Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:17 am --



chelsea have a lot of players on the books. they can even relax top midfielders in the world in europe ready for a big semi final match

-- Sat Apr 13, 2013 1:18 am --


porkies ;)

Livermore, Huddlestone, Parker, Sandro, Dembele, Dempsey, Holtby, Bale, Lennon, Sigurdsson vs Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Moses, Marin, Benayoun.

Chelsea just have a lot more quality instead of Bale.

i think you hit the nail on the head first time mate when you said they have a better squad.

Really? I wouldn't trade their set for our set.

Our midfield of Dembele and Sandro is WAY better than Mikel and Ramires.

What they do have which we stupidly got rid of is back up in the wide areas. They can play Moses and Marin out wide if they have to while for us, when Bale and Lennon are out, we have to play Sigurdsson and Holtby on the wings. Especially now that Bale's been playing in the center we have no one with pace on the left wing. If we did, we would have won more games than we have. A lot of people say we should have kept Townsend instead of sent him on loan, but I think it's Pienaar we should have held onto.

Still I wouldn't trade ours for theirs.<br /><br />-- Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:33 am --<br /><br />Our match against City should be interesting. This is the team I'd like to see:

Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen Ekotto
Carroll Holtby Dembele
Lennon Ade Bale

Although this is what I think AVB will do:

Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen Naughton
Parker Dembele
Lennon Bale Sigurdsson
Adebayor

Probably for the better than Parker plays due to his experience but his inability to pass it is driving me crazy.

 

[Crouchinho]

Livermore, Huddlestone, Parker, Sandro, Dembele, Dempsey, Holtby, Bale, Lennon, Sigurdsson vs Hazard, Mata, Oscar, Ramires, Mikel, Lampard, Moses, Marin, Benayoun.

Chelsea just have a lot more quality instead of Bale.

i think you hit the nail on the head first time mate when you said they have a better squad.

Really? I wouldn't trade their set for our set.

Our midfield of Dembele and Sandro is WAY better than Mikel and Ramires.

What they do have which we stupidly got rid of is back up in the wide areas. They can play Moses and Marin out wide if they have to while for us, when Bale and Lennon are out, we have to play Sigurdsson and Holtby on the wings. Especially now that Bale's been playing in the center we have no one with pace on the left wing. If we did, we would have won more games than we have. A lot of people say we should have kept Townsend instead of sent him on loan, but I think it's Pienaar we should have held onto.

Still I wouldn't trade ours for theirs.

-- Tue Apr 16, 2013 2:33 am --

Our match against City should be interesting. This is the team I'd like to see:

Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen Ekotto
Carroll Holtby Dembele
Lennon Ade Bale

Although this is what I think AVB will do:

Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen Naughton
Parker Dembele
Lennon Bale Sigurdsson
Adebayor

Probably for the better than Parker plays due to his experience but his inability to pass it is driving me crazy.

I would rather have our midfield but their defence and strikeforce is better than ours. It seems so long since we've had a full strength midfield.

I liked your inclusion of Carroll in a possible starting lineup. I think AVB will play naughtiness over bae too. Naughton always seems a weak link to me

I've always been fan of Townsend, it just figures we loan him and rose out. I was never a big fan of pieenar personally

 

[GHoddle]

I would rather have our midfield but their defence and strikeforce is better than ours. It seems so long since we've had a full strength midfield.

I liked your inclusion of Carroll in a possible starting lineup. I think AVB will play naughtiness over bae too. Naughton always seems a weak link to me

I've always been fan of Townsend, it just figures we loan him and rose out. I was never a big fan of pieenar personally

I didn't think Pienaar performed especially well in the games he played for us but after his successful loan to Everton we should have given him another chance under AVB imo. We sold him for way too cheap and he's a perfect squad player who can play on either wing and as an attacking midfielder.

Townsend really looks quality, I think it's good in a way that we loaned him out because we see how good he can be but at the same time I think we should have had backup for Bale and Lennon.

Carroll's definitely played his way into contention for a starting place imo. He's the only player we have who is the type of central midfielder that suits AVB's system. When he comes on it's sort of like the gears and cogs start turning and everything comes together. I think he's a quality player but it's more his effect on the team that is valuable.

I think Chelsea have better fullbacks and have one better striker (Ba) than we do. We have better central defenders and I would rather have Lloris than Cech.

 

[mancboy123]

How is Bale doing is he back in full training yet, seems a risk to throw him into such a match with little training especially after an ankle injury

 

[adrianr]

This fight for top 4 is getting more interesting than the relegation scrap. If we beat Wigan I honestly wouldn't mind a loss at WHL if it keeps Chelsea or Arsenal out of top 4. Still really want Chelsea to miss out (Don't have anything against them they're just clearly the biggest threat to us).

 

[GHoddle]

This fight for top 4 is getting more interesting than the relegation scrap. If we beat Wigan I honestly wouldn't mind a loss at WHL if it keeps Chelsea or Arsenal out of top 4. Still really want Chelsea to miss out (Don't have anything against them they're just clearly the biggest threat to us).

You realize that if we make the CL, City have a better chance of being in Pot 2 in the draw? You don't want another group of death, pass the word on to Mancini! ;)