Match Thread: FA Cup 4th Round: TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR v Leeds United

[Gino Ginelli]

White Hart Lane, 5:15pm, ITV1 (coverage starts at 5pm)

Talk about the cup match here, before, during and after.

[denis-cro]

The key is going to be an early goal. If we struggle to find a gol in the first 20 minutes, or even in the first half, the pressure will rise upon a team. We cant cope with it, and Harry makes terrible choice with subs or even with tactic trying to change game, so we must score one ASAP, or we will have Stoke, Hull and Wolves scenario once again. Id like to see GIO on the wing from 1st minute, and Hutton at RB, cause hes better than Charlie going forward. If Hudd is fit, than he should play alongside Jenas in the middle. Palacios should be rested for a while so he can composure himself a little bit, cause he has been nothing than shit recently... start with Keane instead of JD, as Keane is more team player than JD, as we need someone to link up with our midfield cause Leeds will probably play with 5 in the midfield, with massive pressure on our players from 1st minute, like Stoke, Wolves and Hull did...

[olly27]

I would start Hutton, just to inject some pace down the right.

My team for Leeds:

Gomes

Hutton
Dawson
Bassong
Bale

GDS
Palacios
Hudd/JJ
Modric

Keane
Defoe



Rest Niko and Charlie.

That team should be more than strong enough, with a bit more pace and trickery in it. No lumping the ball thank you.

[Gino Ginelli]

Leeds will come to draw and get a return fixture at Elland Road. I agree that they'll probably go for a 5 man midfield, and look for Beckford on the break. The best way to break them down is with quality. League One football (or division 3 as I call it) is all about long ball, direct play and physicality. Crouch will hardly get a look in, and they can press us all day long with the tactics or lack thereof that we employed against Liverpool.

I agree entirely with Keane/Defoe/Gio/Modric and Hutton in those positions. Hudd definately preferred to JJ.

[olly27]

I am hoping Hudd is fit, come to think of it...if he isn't use Ohara.

I forogt about Ohara, when Wilson got booked the other night why didn't Harry opt for bringing him on for the last 15-20 mins?

[Gino Ginelli]

Damn good point!

[earl warwick]

I would start Hutton, just to inject some pace down the right.

My team for Leeds:

Gomes

Hutton
Dawson
Bassong
Bale

GDS
Palacios
Hudd/JJ
Modric

Keane
Defoe



Rest Niko and Charlie.

That team should be more than strong enough, with a bit more pace and trickery in it. No lumping the ball thank you.
There's some ITK about Rose starting, which would be a major surprise.

I'd keep Crouch in but those other changes would be worth doing, but perhaps Modric rested instead of Kranjcar. We have Fulham on Tuesday and a few players would benefit from not having to play 3 games in a week.

I think Leeds will attack as they did against United. We haven't scored in 2 games and they will fancy their chances.

[earl warwick]

I am hoping Hudd is fit, come to think of it...if he isn't use Ohara.

I forogt about Ohara, when Wilson got booked the other night why didn't Harry opt for bringing him on for the last 15-20 mins?

He wasn't on the bench! :blushing:

[Ginola's Son]

LOL!! He was NOT on the bench!

I'd like to see Jamie tomorrow however. We need to play a strong team, the FA cup is important and we haven't progressed beyond the 4th round in about 3 years. We are the pioneers of this competition, we've always shown it the most respect.

And lets face it, Leeds are a high ranking Championship side in disguise, take them lightly at our peril.

[berbzy 'G']

For some reason I can see us annihilating Leeds.

5-0 Tottenham. Crouch to score.

[deadleyledley]

a strong team should play but not the full team.

gomes
hutton daws bassong bale
naughton jj WP modric
keane crouch.


bench: alnwick gds charlie pav defoe o'hara niko

[peterc]

I would like to see Arry give Gio a chance, I predict a win for us.

[JJ]

I would like to see Arry give Gio a chance, I predict a win for us.

I'm with you. I'd like Gio to get some action.

[peterc]

I'm with you. I'd like Gio to get some action.

Some extra spice would only benefit our most needed boost that we seem to be lacking.

[matthius23]

My cousin in Istanbul is saying that Turkish news is reporting Gio has signed on loan to Galatasaray.

[Gold7]

I'd like to see hutton at right back with bentley in front of him (is he fit ?).
Bentley can hold on to the ball quite well which would let hutton over lap they did it well against everton in the carling cup . Also bentley gives us goal scoring threat from free kicks , his set piece against wigan was a cracker but went unnoticed in the excitement of the score line.
if bentleys not fit then leave chorluka in and play gio in front of him .

up front i would like to see keane and pav but pav wont get a look in so i'd go for keane and crouch use jd as an impact sub.

lastly give kranjcar a rest and play luka on the left .

oh ! and another thing we should do is :hmmmm2:.......................................... .................................................. .................................................. .......... score a bloody goal !!

[StevenYTID]

****ing hell you really wanna risk our cup potential on two guy's who have not played in months? Not keen on that idea Gold but each to their own I guess. Hutton is utter dog shit along with Bentley we tried them in the Carling cup against Man Utd what did they do then , **** all. Yes you mentioned one set piece vs Wigan but that's hardly something to give him a chance because of. That's just my view though , if he does play tomorrow and plays excellent I wont be ashamed to say I was wrong , I'm more than man enough to admit that.

I wouldn't rely on them to produce the goods now , my opinion is they was crap then , still will be now.

I know you probably think "Oh but he deserved a chance" Bollocks does he , he needs to earn it, I'd like to get to the final of the F.A cup it's got much more merit than the Carling Cup has.

My team line up is our full strength team but on the left wing Gio , because we need pace somewhere down the wing and it also allows Bale to defend more because he knows he doesn't need to go forward so much. Stick Modric on the right wing so we can have GDS on the left with some pace, I can't judge the guy based on Championship Ipswich performances so now is the best time I guess.

[choda]

I've given up on Hutton to be honest. He was a fantastic footballer when he first came but injuries have ruined the lad.

Love to see a start for JoH, even if Hudd is fit, just to give him a game. Smashing lad, and a fine footballer with a good deal of potential as he's showed in central midfield.

And start Keane, up front. He's pretty key to how we do as I've always said. But he needs faith in his ability and a run again. One way or the other he'll get the best out of those around him.

Play Gio on the left so we have someone that can go past people in midfield.

Toward the end if we are leading I'd try Kranjcar in the hole to see how that goes.

So good selection, balanced and capable of playing the football that made us look top class at the start of the year. Pick the right side Harry and encourage football for God's sake.

[TURKISH]

I think Harry would have given the lads a rollicking, so we should see a reaction against a good footballing Leeds side.

I'm with choda I have given up with Hutton, Charlie isn't in the best of form but he looks lost without Lennon. Bale is a liability who never seems to have any understanding of the game what so ever.

We looked one paced against Liverpool, easy to play against because we had no pace and no variety. I'm still appalled by our performance against Liverpool, or should I say Liverpool B Team?

We need to instill pace and passion, JOH will be cup tied I think from his pompey days so sadly he can't play.

King will not ever make my team again, the man is shot. We need to bring Bassong through and not keep dropping him for an unfit player.

Gomes
Charlie
Dawson
Bassong
Bale

JJ
Palacios
Gio
Modric

Keane
Defoe

Rose and Naughton to get minutes on field if we have a good lead.

[SurreySpur]

Keane has been dreadful recently, he actually looks like he's trying too hard to get some form and hes not able to just play his natural game. I think he needs to start today and hopefully net a couple of goals to up his confidence. Id play him with crouch today and keep defoe on the bench as im still not convinced on the defoe/keane partnership.

The same goes for Luka, he needs game time to get match fitness and form.

Gomes

Corluka
Bassong
Dawson
Bale

Modric
Huddlestone
Jenas
O'Hara

Keane
Crouch

[MarlowSpurs]

I'm fvcking nervous about this game!!!!!!!!!!!!!:afraid::afraid::afraid:

[deadleyledley]

i want us to make a real effort to win this cup.
i think it brings baack tradition and if we miss out on 4th then we can have some glory from the season.

[StevenYTID]

i want us to make a real effort to win this cup.
i think it brings baack tradition and if we miss out on 4th then we can have some glory from the season.

I think we all do mate.

[earl warwick]

ITK from Coys saying this is the team:

Gomes

Hutton Daws Bassong Bale

Kranjcar JJ Palacios Rose

Defoe Crouch

Subs

Alnwick
Dervite
Naughton
O'Hara
Palacios
Keane
Pav

[singapore spur]

I
King will not ever make my team again, the man is shot. We need to bring Bassong through and not keep dropping him for an unfit player.

.

this time last year you would have been shot for uttering those words , and i would have been first with the gun , but sadly , very sadly , you are probably right .
as class as he is , it was stupid to change something that was working .
harry is paid a lot of money to make tough decisions , and calling tme on sir ledley will be one of the toughest he has to make , but make it he does i think

[singapore spur]

as an aside , my eldest kid just called me up , he is back in the uk , got tickets for the game with his uncle but turned up down the train station and all trains cancelled due to engineering work (bishops stortford -liverpool street line )and by bus wont get there till midway second half , nice one BR :thumbdown:

[Indianspur]

krancjar JJ modric rose

im excited always wanted modric in the middle and should have been like this against liverpool. JJ swapped for pal and rose for dos santos.

[TURKISH]

Robbo is still spurs through and through. I think people actually forget how good he was for us when he first joined. A great bloke who had his ups and downs but as a proffessional he was top draw.

[denis-cro]

JD is ****ing greedy bastard... he want give a ball even on the center of the pitch...:stupid:

[denis-cro]

JD is a ****in GREEDY BASTARD !!!!!!!!!!!! A disgrace !!!!!!!!

[denis-cro]

Harry you ****ing IDIOT !!!!! give PAV a chance you ****ing bastard !!!!

[Gold7]

Why the hell didn't kranjcar take the pen ??? ....... ahhhhh!!!

[StevenYTID]

We're all over them.

[Gold7]

Has jd ever scored a pen ?

This keeper looks inspired like the commentators keep mentioning

[olly27]

Was really hoping to see Pav but he's leaving...oh well. Niko has to take penalties...its getting embarrassing.

[olly27]

This contest should be well over....

[StevenYTID]

It's 20 minutes in Olly , all things come to those who wait.

[denis-cro]

JD **** OFF **** OFF

Harry YOU ****ING **** replace Defoe ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StevenYTID]

JD **** OFF **** OFF

Harry YOU ****ING **** replace Defoe ASAP !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Oh just shut up , he's doing nothing wrong apart from that pen which was a bit unlucky and miss one shot, give the guy a break.

[denis-cro]

Modrić cant play in the middle... He just cant... ramos was trying with him in the middle and he failed...

[olly27]

It's 20 minutes in Olly , all things come to those who wait.

yeah...and ever so slightly Leeds are taking confidence from keeping us out and are actually growing into the game a bit...Beckford could have scored there...and again, just there now.

We have to be careful.

[Gold7]

If we don't score this half I can't see us winning , they look more likely now .

[TURKISH]

Modric, Rose and Niko have all gone missing. Jenas is the only one in midfield trying to get things going. Dawson is getting done everytimes. Hutton is lively but clumsy. Bale is just a disgrace to himself.

Defoe looks lively and crouch is just jumping and heading as usual....


Gomes having another stormer.

[earl warwick]

At ****ing last!

[TURKISH]

Clinical from crouch...

[Gold7]

F***ing awsome Bale I love ! bale I love bale !

[denis-cro]

Thank You god... Thank YOu FFS !!!!!!!!

[StevenYTID]

Bale is quality.

[Gold7]

Put chorluka left back and let bale destroy them on the wing .

[earl warwick]

Put chorluka left back and let bale destroy them on the wing .

He's not on the bench. Poor shot from JJ. Game over there.

[StevenYTID]

No , how about we leave it as it is. If it's not broke don't fix it.

[Gold7]

That would have been a sublime goal , and would have broken Leeds . Oh well I'm a hundred times happier than 10 mins ago .

[TURKISH]

He's not on the bench. Poor shot from JJ. Game over there.

The wolly lost balance.

[earl warwick]

Leeds look like they have a goal in them and Daws and Bassong look very clumsy at times, especially Daws. I imagine Modric will come off after 25 mins and Palacios will come on. Rose has largely disappeared from the game and JOH must be in line to replace him.

[denis-cro]

Modrić performance in the center of the midfield was terrible, but we all knew that if he plays there than we are very vulnerable. he should be replaced or moved on the flank... bassong and dawson at the back are piss poor but without help of Modrić in the middle they will not improve... JD has lost all credibility, its time to start a game with him on the bench...

[SurreySpur]

So thats Jermains fourth straight penalty miss? Maybe its time to change takers when Robbies not in the side. Maybe its time to give Luka a chance.

[MAcHinA]

Been impressed by Bale so far, Rose has also played well. COYS we can end this 3-0!!:fight:

[Indianspur]

Spurs tactics mean rose and krancjar are cutting in and disappearing and allowing the fullbacks to become wingers which is working. i dont think its their fault harry wants them to play like that. Gotta admit its working well we just need to finish.

Modric is quiet because he's not recieving the ball and seems to be jogging slowly and not driving like he should. his pass for defoe was sublime however! give him time.

Surprised why Gio gets on the bench against premier teams and doesnt even start today or make the bench. Harry's silly sometimes with tactics.

Agree get pavlychenko on as he may not be sold and we may need him to play in the future.

[MarlowSpurs]

What a crock of fvcking shit!!!!!!

[denis-cro]

Harry please RESIGN !!!!!!!!!!!!! RESIGN !!!!!!!!!!!!! You ****ing disgracefull **** !!!!!!!!!!!!!

[StevenYTID]

What a crock of fvcking shit!!!!!!

Lucky goal , nothing else but that.

[Gold7]

We need to get some players on and win this game

[StevenYTID]

On que , Wilson.

[olly27]

Oh FFS...you just know whats going to happen...

[olly27]

come on Spurs...jesus I cant take any more hurt this week!!!

[Gold7]

Bring on keane for christ sake we look flat up front , freshen things up harry .

[denis-cro]

We look terrible... we are panic unnecesarry...

[earl warwick]

F*** me! Pav and Keane for Crouch and Kranjcar! If Keane is wide left this won't work.

[StevenYTID]

Keane on the left again , i'm gonna lose my shit i really am.

[Gold7]

Oh finally , come on Roman & Keano .

[olly27]

Pav, and Keane on for Crouch and Niko.

Keane on the left though ffs....looking forward to seeing Pav with Defoe though!

[denis-cro]

Harry you ****ing bastard... why do you make 2 changes...its always risk that someone got injury...

[denis-cro]

not replacing Dfoe was anoter disgracefull move by Redknapp... ****ing disgracefull... and Keane on the left... OMFG !!!!!!!!!!!

[earl warwick]

Cue Denis going mental!

[StevenYTID]

That's why you don't sell him.

[Indianspur]

SUPPPPER Pav legend!

[Gold7]

Shame on u harry !

[Antilokhos]

Brilliant by Pav, Harry's stupidest move was antagonizing and isolating a quality player.

[denis-cro]

Well done Roman... well done you ****ING DESERVE IT !!!!!!!!!!!!

[MarlowSpurs]

That's why you don't sell him.

Exactomondo

[TURKISH]

not replacing Dfoe was anoter disgracefull move by Redknapp... ****ing disgracefull... and Keane on the left... OMFG !!!!!!!!!!!

Palacios to pav, pav dummies to defoe, defoe to pav, 2.1.:santaclaus:

Great linkup play between defoe and pav.

[olly27]

Great goal. Great dummy...great finish, why are we selling him again?

I dont flipping want him sold, this guy should be starting with Defoe...what the **** has Harry been doing with this guy.

[StevenYTID]

after that goal, keep him , he's proved there he's a much better player then Crouch.

[TURKISH]

Great goal. Great dummy...great finish, why are we selling him again?

I dont flipping want him sold, this guy should be starting with Defoe...what the **** has Harry been doing with this guy.

Telling the players to keep lumping it to crouchy.:thumbdown: Crouch couldn't score a goal like that.

Pav should start against fulham with defoe.

[Gold7]

Pav looks so much like Teddy the way he runs around, and that goal was teddy all over .

[Antilokhos]

How is Pav this sharp with no game time? It looks like he's working really hard in practice, and clearly he wants to perform. Plenty of effort today. I hope Harry will eat some humble pie and apologize to Pav for the way he's been treated, if not in words, at least in action by giving him a run in the league.

[olly27]

Telling the players to keep lumping it to crouchy.:thumbdown: Crouch couldn't score a goal like that.

Pav should start against fulham with defoe.

Totally agree, and it makes you wonder had he started with Defoe against Hull and Pool.

That was such a beautiful move...

Pav should be first choice with Defoe. I dont want him sold, might start a thread about it actually!

[TURKISH]

Wasteful from JJ.

[Gold7]

Totally agree, and it makes you wonder had he started with Defoe against Hull and Pool.

That was such a beautiful move...

Pav should be first choice with Defoe. I dont want him sold, might start a thread about it actually!

Start the thread Olly I'm with u.

[StevenYTID]

Start the thread Olly I'm with u.

Me too, go for it.

[olly27]

Start the thread Olly I'm with u.

Ok mate....doing it now.

[Gold7]

Best game for bale for god know how long , he looks so much stronger . Great tackle daws

[Indianspur]

**** sake#

[TURKISH]

Thats not a pen. By the way thats how you take a pen.




I will say it once again lads until you start believing we are BOTTLERS who don't know how to win football matches when it matters.

[Antilokhos]

Nothing for Gomes to do there. Dawson has been pretty poor all game. Frankly a draw is somewhat flattering to Spurs given how we've played for long stretches of the game.

[olly27]

OH MY ****ING GOD....How are on earth, its just inexplicable really.

[denis-cro]

harry redknapp is a massive disgrace to this football club... A recejt pikeys **** !!!!!!!!!!! **** off you re a disgrace !!!! Nothing short of a disgrace !!!!!!!!!!!!

[MarlowSpurs]

Typical fcvking spurs, cvnts the lot of em

[StevenYTID]

Robbed , absoloutly robbed.

[olly27]

Nothing for Gomes to do there. Dawson has been pretty poor all game. Frankly a draw is somewhat flattering to Spurs given how we've played for long stretches of the game.

It wan open game for sure, but flattering to us? Your having a laugh there...It should/could of been 6-2 in our favour.

[MarlowSpurs]

at least I got the poll correct

[nuttyhotspurs]

one word. PATHETIC!:thumbdown:

[TURKISH]

bottlers!!!!!!!

[denis-cro]

Best game for bale for god know how long , he looks so much stronger . Great tackle daws

Hell never be a quality player... NEVER... He was world class up to 85th minute, and then he blowed everything... He had 2 unmarked players , and he blew a 100 % goal to kill the game off...

[olly27]

harry redknapp is a massive disgrace to this football club... A recejt pikeys **** !!!!!!!!!!! **** off you re a disgrace !!!! Nothing short of a disgrace !!!!!!!!!!!!

Your really doing my ****ing head in now, seriously you are.

[nuttyhotspurs]

Robbed , absoloutly robbed.

were we buggery. our godawful finishing and lack of fight at the end cost us

[Indianspur]

IT Is harrys shit tactics that messed us up from the start!

I dont want him sacked but if he's learned that pavlychenko is a better all round striker than anyone else as can head and hold the ball up not mention score for fun.

SOOO harry has to start pavlychenko, start playing fvkin wingers and drop players when they are crap.

Jenas and Bale had great games so cant complain about them nor should anyone else!
Im pretty confident we will beat them at elland road if we have the balls to play the best team.....not the best players individually scrawled onto the team sheet.

Dawson ffs stop hoofing the ball up at every oppurtuinity, they league one ffs and y slide when he's away from goal dixk.

[deadleyledley]

one word: BRAINLESS

bale had a brilliant game but he doesnt have the brains to be a quality player. he went for the 3rd, but he didnt get his shot in. he should hav epassed down the line to pav and taken it into the corner.

then daws who was shit for the whole game, make the most brainless foul in the world. i think he got a bit of the ball but beckford wasnt going anywhere, but he decides to lunge in and give away the penalty.

[Spursfan94]

that p*** me off so much coz my mate supports leeds so i was ready to wind him up and ***** 20 seconds to go or summat and they get a penalty WTF???

who let defoe take penalty shows he cant score one missed 2 out of 2.

and when is replay?

[GQCoolest]

then daws who was shit for the whole game, make the most brainless foul in the world. i think he got a bit of the ball but beckford wasnt going anywhere, but he decides to lunge in and give away the penalty.

That killed me. Beckford isn't going anywhere, has no angle on goal. There was no reason to go in on him there. Just stand your ground and there were people there to help.

All started because Bale needlessly took on a shot with less than a minute to go. Bale had a great match going forward, but he left his position exposed when he ran all the way down to do that. Have to kill the game off with only a 1 goal lead.

[Milney yid]

I do sometimes think our team is very unintelligent. How about just passing it around in the last 2 minutes instead of committing men forward and ending up giving away a penalty? Our finishing was atrocious, it should have been out of sight by half time. Christ I'm so pissed off. Oh and if Keane starts another game ahead of Pav I truly give up

[TURKISH]

Reminds me of the days of.

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42354000/jpg/_42354433_martin_jol_gett300.jpg

Harry needs to play players in there natural position.

[Shelfside]

Robbed , absoloutly robbed.

Yeah 'cos it's daylight robbery to be held to a draw at home by a team two leagues below us.
Seriously,I am fcuked off totally with this team and club and manager over the last week.Again some of Redknapp's tactics were comprehendable to him alone.As for those gutless,spineless overpaid players,no 'challengers' to the top four needs lessons in the basics like we do.I cannot believe we gave that penalty away.We were on the attack FFS.Just take the ball into the fcuking corner and keep it there.We were ahead,we didn't need to score again.And what was JJ doing on Leeds' first goal?.That was the most half hearted attempt at a tackle that I've ever seen,even from that total waster.
And those tossers totally arsed up my accumulator,which is the final kick in the bollocks.:cursing::cursing::cursing::cursing:

[Indianspur]

square pegs in round holes! your right natural positions let modric play wherever, but have sacrifice krancjar at some point.

UNintelligentance is due to managers tactics. if he had a word with dawson to not hoof it he would probably listen. but im sure the tactic is aim for crouch when you hoof it :( .
There were many times we had players on the edge of the area too and everytime we got inside their box they were avoided.

defoe needs to start assisting people on the edge of the box inside if thinkin he can score with a defender up his arse!

[heartofspurs]

I do sometimes think our team is very unintelligent. How about just passing it around in the last 2 minutes instead of committing men forward and ending up giving away a penalty? Our finishing was atrocious, it should have been out of sight by half time. Christ I'm so pissed off. Oh and if Keane starts another game ahead of Pav I truly give up

Totally agree. It was painful to see us trying to play out the last couple of minutes, we were leaving space all over the field.
Gomes played really well but our defense looks really weak, this is not a premiership side we are playing and we were at home and should have closed the game off. Jenas was wasteful and I've defended him a few times over the years but we shouldn't just have players who can run...no end product
Defoe has looked a little off pace recently but as soon as pav comes on we start having proper link up play...oh and we have turned into a long ball side!
But, I'll give Leeds credit, they are a decent side and they play really good direct football. I think Harry should think less about the tax thing and concentrate on his best starting eleven, with good responsive tactics. I felt his substations had the feeling of desperation and Pav is a top level finisher. It could have been so much worse and may still be!

[Shelfside]

In my anger I forgot to mention our penalty miss.
Why the bloody hell is JD our penalty taker?.His miss at Everton cost us.His miss today cost us.Both of these penalties weren't great saves but nervy daisy cutters placed too near to the keeper.
Seriously,is it a lack of bottle in the side that means certain players are passing the buck when it comes to spot kicks?.

[Milney yid]

Leeds had everything we didn't today... Passion, commitment, a real desire to win, loud support... They seemed a lot more up for it than us, and they can be proud, unlike us.

[Indianspur]

Modric takes croatias penaltys so should have stepped up because before Everton Defoe would never even have taken a penalty.
Harry should know from the training ground that defoe isnt a penalty taker and would have even bet my house on bale scoring from the spot too.

[peterc]

That's what one gets from missing great chances that we could not score. That was Defoe's fourth miss in a row. About time JD stopped taking penalties. Great to see Pav come on and score. Thought that Arry left it too late to make changes, not the first time. Won't be easy at Elland Road.

[Milney yid]

One more thing, when are we gonna get rid of the pile of drivel that is Jermaine Jenas? How many times today did he run with the ball, only to get tackled before releasing it or blasting in a poor shot etc. He is a waste of space and should be sold to a mid table team like Blackburn, because that is the standard he is at.

[choda]

Harry, Harry, Harry, my word.

Long ball again. We manage to make Modric look ordinary. When he brings on Keane he is on the left. And even when Crouch went off we seem to now have this obsession with going straight for goal, early and loose in everything we do. Straight for the jugular, even when it's nowhere near on. Stupid.

It's bad tactics and bad direction. Is Harry finding his level?

As for Dawson, I did say he was still positionally suspect and prone to doing rash daft things. And I do like him and think he has potential, but I think he's still a level off the top defenders. His positional error in the first half was woeful and his tackle at the end was daft and gave the ref a decision to make.

Bassong is also pretty raw, but he gives me less kittons because his pace gets him out of jail a lot of times.

[TURKISH]

Harry, Harry, Harry, my word.

Long ball again. We manage to make Modric look ordinary. When he brings on Keane he is on the left. And even when Crouch went off we seem to now have this obsession with going straight for goal, early and loose in everything we do. Straight for the jugular, even when it's nowhere near on. Stupid.

It's bad tactics and bad direction. Is Harry finding his level?

As for Dawson, I did say he was still positionally suspect and prone to doing rash daft things. And I do like him and think he has potential, but I think he's still a level off the top defenders. His positional error in the first half was woeful and his tackle at the end was daft and gave the ref a decision to make.

Bassong is also pretty raw, but he gives me less kittons because his pace gets him out of jail a lot of times.

The defence was bound to be suspect with such an attacking team. We have no defensive minded players in midfield, Modric offered no defensive help at all and JJ is not a holding midfielder.

Tactics, maturity and bottle went again. We are bottlers choda history proves it. When the tough gets going we go hiding.

[Shelfside]

The defence was bound to be suspect with such an attacking team. We have no defensive minded players in midfield, Modric offered no defensive help at all and JJ is not a holding midfielder.

Tactics, maturity and bottle went again. We are bottlers choda history proves it. When the tough gets going we go hiding.

And when our bottle goes against a League One side then it's no wonder we looked so pathetic against the Sky Four sides this season.
Still the players don't give a shit,as win,lose or draw,it's another £50k in the bank.It seems no matter how many players we buy and sell or how many managers we appoint or sack,the fundamental problems of this club always remain untouched.

[choda]

The defence was bound to be suspect with such an attacking team. We have no defensive minded players in midfield, Modric offered no defensive help at all and JJ is not a holding midfielder.

Tactics, maturity and bottle went again. We are bottlers choda history proves it. When the tough gets going we go hiding.

This isn't new with Daws mate, and he had a bad game the last day as well. Plus Wilson came on for the last part of the game and he was still diving in for the penalty when the guy was going nowhere.

Our main problem was the front pair and Harry's obsession with going straight to goal all the time.

[TURKISH]

This isn't new with Daws mate, and he had a bad game the last day as well. Plus Wilson came on for the last part of the game and he was still diving in for the penalty when the guy was going nowhere.

Our main problem was the front pair and Harry's obsession with going straight to goal all the time.

Your right infact I felt Dawson looked the daws of old, but he has been fantastic for a good year and a half. Improving and committed which at times is his down fall. Bassong also gave a pen away at anfield, mistakes happen and we just seem luckless at the moment.

Harry is slowly turning us into pompey, buying crouch is a bad idea because before we always loved a long ball but now we seem to do it all the time.

Crouch is such a lovely guy but he just isn't suited to our style of play.

[choda]

Your right infact I felt Dawson looked the daws of old, but he has been fantastic for a good year and a half. Improving and committed which at times is his down fall. Bassong also gave a pen away at anfield, mistakes happen and we just seem luckless at the moment.

Harry is slowly turning us into pompey, buying crouch is a bad idea because before we always loved a long ball but now we seem to do it all the time.

Crouch is such a lovely guy but he just isn't suited to our style of play.

You think I'm slamming Daws when I aint. I'm just saying the same thing as a few weeks ago, improving great prospect but prone to bad positioning and a rash daft tackle at times. He was the same in those games too, just that a few incidents passed over without any recriminations and people started saying he's this and that.

He's been punished lately.

People haven't pinned Bassong up as the next Terry. Bassong and Daws have equal merits for me right now. Daws's attitude and courage is better, but Bassong's pace gets him out of jail at times when Daws would be in big trouble.

I agree with the rest of it, it is sad the way things are going. Harry is getting very basic.

My point about bottle is, how can you even judge anything to do with bottle when so many things are going wrong tactically? How can you get into a game when it is all over the place. It's just bad play coming from bad tactics and then people talk about bottle.

I can judge bottle when tactics are semi-good to good, but not when the thing is shambles.

People said this team had no heart or quality a year and half ago. That wasn't true, it just had no direction. The same set of players, roughly, have worked their balls off this year when on the pitch. All of them.

If a guy goes out to play golf and he plays well all year, but suddenly loses his swing it is obvious to good players what has happened, but people might think he has lost his bottle. It's a technical matter. If his swing is good and he is still collapsing then that is something mental.

But if the guys swing has gone to pot or is just bad you can't even judge whether he is bottling it or not because he is just shit from the get go. The fundementals are missing.

Fundemental tactics are missing with us right now. They weren't at the start of the season.

[TURKISH]

You think I'm slamming Daws when I aint. I'm just saying the same thing as a few weeks ago, improving great prospect but prone to bad positioning and a rash daft tackle at times. He was the same in those games too, just that a few incidents passed over without any recriminations and people started saying he's this and that.

He's been punished lately.

People haven't pinned Bassong up as the next Terry. Bassong and Daws have equal merits for me right now. Daws's attitude and courage is better, but Bassong's pace gets him out of jail at times when Daws would be in big trouble.

I agree with the rest of it, it is sad the way things are going. Harry is getting very basic.

My point about bottle is, how can you even judge anything to do with bottle when so many things are going wrong tactically? How can you get into a game when it is all over the place. It's just bad play coming from bad tactics and then people talk about bottle.

I can judge bottle when tactics are semi-good to good, but not when the thing is shambles.

People said this team had no heart or quality a year and half ago. That wasn't true, it just had no direction. The same set of players, roughly, have worked their balls off this year when on the pitch. All of them.

If a guy goes out to play golf and he plays well all year, but suddenly loses his swing it is obvious to good players what has happened, but people might think he has lost his bottle. It's a technical matter. If his swing is good and he is still collapsing then that is something mental.

But if the guys swing has gone to pot or is just bad you can't even judge whether he is bottling it or not because he is just shit from the get go. The fundementals are missing.

Fundemental tactics are missing with us right now. They weren't at the start of the season.

The liverpool game we didn't show any fight, heart or spirit and looked like shrinking violets. Same against arsenal early on in the season. We can't keep our nerve or want to win football games enough to be able to see matches through. When the pressure games come around we bottle it, mentally we are not winners.

You can say what you want tactically, I couldn't give a fvck about that. What concerns me is the players being a shadow of themselves in these important games.

[berbzy 'G']

Defoe should never take a penalty again in a Tottenham shirt. EVER !

[choda]

The liverpool game we didn't show any fight, heart or spirit and looked like shrinking violets. Same against arsenal early on in the season. We can't keep our nerve or want to win football games enough to be able to see matches through. When the pressure games come around we bottle it, mentally we are not winners.

You can say what you want tactically, I couldn't give a fvck about that. What concerns me is the players being a shadow of themselves in these important games.

Because of HORRIBLE tactics in both games that diminished their chances enormously imo.

As I say I didn't see a lack of bottle, I saw very bad management of both games which busts your bottle, spirit and heart pretty quickly.

You need both or you have nothing against a good team (which pool will always be at home in an important game, average personel or not).

[Gold7]

Hopefully after todays game harry has finally realized that this long ball to crouch peeling off at the back post is a lame and predictable tactic . It stops us playing our football and it must be frustrating the hell out of players like Luka and niko . we cant exactly blame dawson or crouchy as they are simply following orders.

For the people who are knocking bale i saw the same mistakes as you but he wasn't the reason we didn't win, it was because our players were passing up chance's or their keeper was in form which ever way you prefer to look at it. He did fail to play keane in for which would have been the killer goal but you just cant single him out. we should look positively at the fact that he was getting into Lennon like positions and that he looks a player again.

Another thing i hope that harry has learnt is that pav is by no means a 4th choice striker but one with nouse and finishing ability .

Bassong was so un composed today he was just inviting pressure when a clearance would have sufficed.
Daswson had his worst game since three days ago he was playing like awesome Daswon up till the last couple games. These two guys just had 5 straight clean sheets in a row and now all of a sudden they look so nervy i just don't understand it.

I really hope Lennon will be back for the replay because i want us to mean business in the FA cup.

btw . where the hell was hutton when beckford got the ball for the pen, he didn't even get back or any thing .

[matthius23]

Danny Rose anybody? Yes, without question a young player with bags of potential, but today (albeit winning a penalty) was completely non-existent and withdrawn within an hour. GDS/JOH maybe shouldve started. And Bentley not even making the squad is a surefire sign he has absolutely no future at THFC, which is a shame.

[Milney yid]

Danny Rose anybody? Yes, without question a young player with bags of potential, but today (albeit winning a penalty) was completely non-existent and withdrawn within an hour. GDS/JOH maybe shouldve started. And Bentley not even making the squad is a surefire sign he has absolutely no future at THFC, which is a shame.

Rose is promising, but perhaps brought into the squad slightly too early. The comparisons with Lennon were gonna be inevitable, but he's clearly no where near that level yet. I want JOH back in the team above Jenas any day. And is it really a shame that Bentley has no future? Quite frankly the sooner we get rid the better IMO, could go down as the worst signing we've ever made.

[Ioang]

We need to chill out - we're still in the draw and only one of the so called big four are this year, two to lower league opposition!

We're probably second favourites now, not scared of Elland rd. Class will out in the end as it did against Burnley last year in the League cup.

[Gold7]

I was thinking of a positive and have come up with this . Normally as a team when don't take your chances or give away a late goal to not get the result which looked on the cards all game . You would normally end up with 1 point instead of 3 (hull & everton) or in the case of the stoke game 0 points instead of 3 and the frustration of "how did that happen" and " I would give anything to have that game back".

Well in this case we are still in the cup and have chance to put things right. I expect Daws to have a cracking game at leeds after his disappointment of conceding the pen . The whole team in general should be pumped up after the home game and we're good away so I'm not too concerned now .

[earl warwick]

Danny Rose anybody? Yes, without question a young player with bags of potential, but today (albeit winning a penalty) was completely non-existent and withdrawn within an hour. GDS/JOH maybe shouldve started. And Bentley not even making the squad is a surefire sign he has absolutely no future at THFC, which is a shame.

I'd question it. Where is the potential? He didn't really win a penalty, the defender just smacked into him whilst he was trying to control the ball. Beckford won his penalty, as he tempted Daws into an unnecessary challenge.

Rose looks Championship at best. No ability to beat a player or cross, some pace but nothing exceptional.

Bentley's stitched himself up, and I don't feel remotely sorry for him. When things go wrong for you, you get your head down, work hard, and do all the things you did before that got you to where you were. He's just given up and then shown contempt and ill-discipline. I never thought he'd do that.

[earl warwick]

We need to chill out - we're still in the draw and only one of the so called big four are this year, two to lower league opposition!

We're probably second favourites now, not scared of Elland rd. Class will out in the end as it did against Burnley last year in the League cup.

Chelsea favourites, then City and Villa. Probably ahead of Villa if we beat Leeds.

[Rojoknapp]

Unbelievable. While the blame lies with us obviously, we again have to look at the referee. 5 c*nting minutes? Where the f*ck did that come from? Think of all the time that was lost against Hull, and 6 minutes were added. There were barely any stoppages against Leeds, and he gets 5 minutes. The Leeds fans even started singing "Fergie time, Fergie time" for ****'s sake.

And as much as I've been a fan of Crouch, and a doubter of Pav, I'm getting pretty sick of the lanky one. How does a man that tall fail time after time after time to win so many headers? And so many of the ones that he wins go nowhere near any of our players. And his first touch is dreadful, his technique is pretty poor. Pav frustrates me so much because more often than not he just disappears, or comes in and out of games, but he has got some true class about him. Crouch couldn't even dream of scoring the goal that Pav scored yesterday, and his first touch and technique can be a joy to behold. The ball sticks with him so much, much better than with Crouch.

And Choda, Harry just can't win can he? All you've done this season is complain that he can't change games and can't adapt - yesterday he brought on 3 subs, all of whom had a positive impact - 1 scoring, one immediately bringing control back to midfield and being involved in the goal, and on who just simply kept the ball and calmed us down a bit. So things were looking pretty good when all of his subs worked - it's not his fault that Bale cuts inside instead of sending Pav down the line, which ultimately cost us.

[choda]

Unbelievable. While the blame lies with us obviously, we again have to look at the referee. 5 c*nting minutes? Where the f*ck did that come from? Think of all the time that was lost against Hull, and 6 minutes were added. There were barely any stoppages against Leeds, and he gets 5 minutes. The Leeds fans even started singing "Fergie time, Fergie time" for ****'s sake.

And as much as I've been a fan of Crouch, and a doubter of Pav, I'm getting pretty sick of the lanky one. How does a man that tall fail time after time after time to win so many headers? And so many of the ones that he wins go nowhere near any of our players. And his first touch is dreadful, his technique is pretty poor. Pav frustrates me so much because more often than not he just disappears, or comes in and out of games, but he has got some true class about him. Crouch couldn't even dream of scoring the goal that Pav scored yesterday, and his first touch and technique can be a joy to behold. The ball sticks with him so much, much better than with Crouch.

And Choda, Harry just can't win can he? All you've done this season is complain that he can't change games and can't adapt - yesterday he brought on 3 subs, all of whom had a positive impact - 1 scoring, one immediately bringing control back to midfield and being involved in the goal, and on who just simply kept the ball and calmed us down a bit. So things were looking pretty good when all of his subs worked - it's not his fault that Bale cuts inside instead of sending Pav down the line, which ultimately cost us.

He can win, he made a good job of the subs yesterday. He also started Jenas and Modric in the middle, which was too weak.

Sometimes things happen. Dawson made a very stupid tackle that gave the ref a decision to make, and it went against us.

Over a season if he made good substitutions like he did yesterday then he'd be generally rewarded for it. I don't know why people think so short term. It's about percentages surely. Percentages he usually gets wrong (in changing games).

He made a horrible decision against Everton to bring no one on but he got a piece of luck when a punt landed on Crouch's head and he knocked it down for the onrushing Palacios.

Let me say this too though. Yet again he brings on a proven quality striker in Keane and shoves him in on the left. Harry, don't bother bringing him on if you don't play him up front, it's a waste of time.

Also it has to be said Pav doesn't always hold the ball up like that, where was the precendent to back his decision for that? If he continues it no one will be more delighted than me, but his general play and hold up has been awful for 95% of his spurs career.

We needed hold up play and it improved our play, but Harry bringing him on, I don't think it was for the same reasons a top manager would've brought him on. I don't think his precedent was to make our hold up with the forwards better.

I think he just threw him on and didn't mention the lack of hold up play that had gone before it. After all he keeps picking Crouch and JD and they are both rubbish at holding the ball up.

I'm not criticising Pav in any way as he did what we all want to see from him, but I'm just analysing the likelyhoods of Harry's decision and thought process based on his actions.

I think a more astute call would have been to put Keane and Pav up top, maybe leaving JD on as well. Then you would get a good guarantee of better hold up from Keane and fresh legs and chance to prove people wrong in Pav.

[mjbmedia]

look on the bright side, we're on TV again!!!!!

[Gino Ginelli]

look on the bright side, we're on TV again!!!!!

http://www.oleole.com/media/main/images/wallpapers/47656/carling-cup-final-20_45973.jpg

[Gino Ginelli]

It's fair to say that Roman Pavluchenko managed in one swift movement and finish, what 3 of our strikers have failed to do in quite some time. And that's to score a goal of pure genuine class, exhibiting first rate awareness, movement and technique. Oh so simple, oh so good. I still think Levy will sell him on if he can, and that's a mistake to me. But then I said buying Crouch when we had this guy was a mistake all along anyway.

I think we were let down big style by our defence though today. Yes Defoe was mostly ineffective and can't take pens, yes Keane was out of position again (Harry's equivalent of ignoring the fact that the star shaped peg will not fit in the triangle hole in his first playskool learn-center and simply continuing to blat it over the head with the squeaky mallet... "but it must work!!"),yes despite his mostly reactionary 'finish' off his left knee, Crouch was next to hopeless. And yes JJ reminded us why we've pretty much forgotten him by doing his usual trick of working an exquiste and incisive move to work an excellent position in the box and summarily fluffing it in comical fashion. But for me, Dawson and Bassong were exhibiting alarming lax marking and positioning from a fairly early stage.

They let Beckford drift into position unmarked on at least 2 occasions, giving the young lad clear chances on goal each time. He's a very dangerous striker, with plenty of pace and a natural strikers instinct, and Daws/Bassong gave him way too much space. So the warning signs were always there. And as for the pen, well it was just plain stupid. Daws is standing him up, pushing him wide. Beckford has to either turn towards the flank and look to cross or hold it up and wait for support. To lunge in from behind like that was inexperienced at best. Ok, where the flying monkey giblets did 6 added mins come from? But there was no need to do anything so rash in the dying seconds!

Ultimately, better creativity from our two playmakers in Modric and Krancjar, link play between them and a genuine talent like Pavluchenko, Defoe practising penalties, and Dawson/Bassong paying attention to what they're doing, and the replay is ours.

Sort it.

[olly27]

Jenas and Modric centrally offered the back four very little protection. It was remiss of Harry in not starting Wilson as Leeds are a very hard working side - which is obvious by the way and anyone who has watched them lately would know.

You could argue though, with the domination we had in the first 30 mins, his selection (in midfield) was justifiied as we squandered numerous opportunities.

As the game ran on the more they crept into the game taking confidence from keeping us out.

Palacios shoiuld of started, and at the very least been on at halftime given the ease Beckford was finding good positions.

[earl warwick]

The amount of time refs add on in games is scandalous. 3 minutes seems to be automatically added on, regardless of stoppages. Even if the ref added on 30 seconds per goal(which he shouldn't - they're natural stoppages like corners and free-kicks, which can take 10-40 seconds), 3 and half minutes was the absolute maximum(4 stoppages for subs).

[earl warwick]

Jenas and Modric centrally offered the back four very little protection. It was remiss of Harry in not starting Wilson as Leeds are a very hard working side - which is obvious by the way and anyone who has watched them lately would know.

You could argue though, with the domination we had in the first 30 mins, his selection (in midfield) was justifiied as we squandered numerous opportunities.

As the game ran on the more they crept into the game taking confidence from keeping us out.

Palacios shoiuld of started, and at the very least been on at halftime given the ease Beckford was finding good positions.
The conversion rate for chances is appalling. 2 goals from 17 on/2 off. It was similar story against Hull. Contrast it with United against Hull: 4 goals from 15 on/10 off. Generally speaking, 1 in 4 on target should be converted and 2 out of 3 shots should be on target.

[Gino Ginelli]

Jenas and Modric centrally offered the back four very little protection. It was remiss of Harry in not starting Wilson as Leeds are a very hard working side - which is obvious by the way and anyone who has watched them lately would know.

You could argue though, with the domination we had in the first 30 mins, his selection (in midfield) was justifiied as we squandered numerous opportunities.

As the game ran on the more they crept into the game taking confidence from keeping us out.

Palacios shoiuld of started, and at the very least been on at halftime given the ease Beckford was finding good positions.

Fair point!

[olly27]

The conversion rate for chances is appalling. 2 goals from 17 on/2 off. It was similar story against Hull. Contrast it with United against Hull: 4 goals from 15 on/10 off. Generally speaking, 1 in 4 on target should be converted and 2 out of 3 shots should be on target.

It is, its actually devloping into a real problem. I dont expect Defoe to be taking penalties anytime soon. Interestingly, had Pav started I bet we would of ran out comfortable winners. He would of converted some of those chances and dispatched the penalty...hindsight, eh?

[apr82]

redknapp should have fielded his strongest side killed the game off then brought on the squad players,totally underestimated leeds!now the team has another game they didn t need especially as things are getting tight in the league.

[choda]

It's fair to say that Roman Pavluchenko managed in one swift movement and finish, what 3 of our strikers have failed to do in quite some time. And that's to score a goal of pure genuine class, exhibiting first rate awareness, movement and technique. Oh so simple, oh so good. I still think Levy will sell him on if he can, and that's a mistake to me. But then I said buying Crouch when we had this guy was a mistake all along anyway.

I think we were let down big style by our defence though today. Yes Defoe was mostly ineffective and can't take pens, yes Keane was out of position again (Harry's equivalent of ignoring the fact that the star shaped peg will not fit in the triangle hole in his first playskool learn-center and simply continuing to blat it over the head with the squeaky mallet... "but it must work!!"),yes despite his mostly reactionary 'finish' off his left knee, Crouch was next to hopeless. And yes JJ reminded us why we've pretty much forgotten him by doing his usual trick of working an exquiste and incisive move to work an excellent position in the box and summarily fluffing it in comical fashion. But for me, Dawson and Bassong were exhibiting alarming lax marking and positioning from a fairly early stage.

They let Beckford drift into position unmarked on at least 2 occasions, giving the young lad clear chances on goal each time. He's a very dangerous striker, with plenty of pace and a natural strikers instinct, and Daws/Bassong gave him way too much space. So the warning signs were always there. And as for the pen, well it was just plain stupid. Daws is standing him up, pushing him wide. Beckford has to either turn towards the flank and look to cross or hold it up and wait for support. To lunge in from behind like that was inexperienced at best. Ok, where the flying monkey giblets did 6 added mins come from? But there was no need to do anything so rash in the dying seconds!

Ultimately, better creativity from our two playmakers in Modric and Krancjar, link play between them and a genuine talent like Pavluchenko, Defoe practising penalties, and Dawson/Bassong paying attention to what they're doing, and the replay is ours.

Sort it.

I see it in four points, with the last point being as crucial the other three put together imo:

1. Daws and Bassong are both pretty raw imo, I think they will have poor moments in them as they develop. I'm sure that is sortable short-term without one of our more senior centre backs, who are geniunely top/world class. But if we play our football we should be fine generally as they are still high standard. They have a problem right now that the ball is bouncing back at them far too easily with the scrappiness and bad hold up when it gets up front.

2. I think when Lennon is missing we need pace and a geniune wide man on the wing to give us some balance and an outlet. Naughton and Gio are the only ones that can do it other than Lennon. Kyle is gone on loan I believe so that just leaves Gio and he is the one that is able to ghost by players and is more of an attacker anyway. Why he isn't getting a chance is beyond me, he wasn't even on the bench against Leeds. But we need to play our football to get quality movements to feed the pace properly to do the most damage.

3. We need a hold up player up front in Keane or Pav if he is reved up like he was the last day. One of them should definitely play. Maybe an experiment with Niko in the hole should be tried at some point to see how that goes as well. But again, it is important that we play football, play it into feet so they can use their ability to link up and create movements.

4. We need to play football. When we play it out, and pass and move we look dangerous and cut teams open or if they are sitting deep we look like if we stick at it, eventually it will pay off.

Even in the last two games despite selection and tactical problems, when we got the ball down we created good moments and at times looked good. Most of the time we played scrappy direct football and looked pathetic.

Get the selections right and try to play our football nearly all the time and we will look a really top side again, not just cl challengers but 10 points better off at this point and about 15-20 points better over a season.

At present we are top six at best. Even with poor selections if we played football we'd still be in and around the top four at the end imo. Get the team right, tactics and selections right and we'd currently be in a title challenge imo.

In fairness Harry has done a lot right, so the way we've thrown away about 10 points so far is really disappointing. This squad is very very good.

[choda]

It is, its actually devloping into a real problem. I dont expect Defoe to be taking penalties anytime soon. Interestingly, had Pav started I bet we would of ran out comfortable winners. He would of converted some of those chances and dispatched the penalty...hindsight, eh?

I think it is because they are scrappy chances that haven't been developed well, if you know what I mean.

And also you know when you feel you don't really deserve something? It often hinders results.

[earl warwick]

I see it in four points, with the last point being as crucial the other three put together imo:

1. Daws and Bassong are both pretty raw imo, I think they will have poor moments in them as they develop. I'm sure that is sortable short-term without one of our more senior centre backs, who are geniunely top/world class. But if we play our football we should be fine generally as they are still high standard. They have a problem right now that the ball is bouncing back at them far too easily with the scrappiness and bad hold up when it gets up front.

2. I think when Lennon is missing we need pace and a geniune wide man on the wing to give us some balance and an outlet. Naughton and Gio are the only ones that can do it other than Lennon. Kyle is gone on loan I believe so that just leaves Gio and he is the one that is able to ghost by players and is more of an attacker anyway. Why he isn't getting a chance is beyond me, he wasn't even on the bench against Leeds. But we need to play our football to get quality movements to feed the pace properly to do the most damage.

3. We need a hold up player in Keane up front or Pav if he is reved up like he was the last day. One of them should definitely play. Maybe an experiment with Niko in the hole should be tried at some point to see how that goes as well. But again, it is important that we play football, play it into feet so they can use their ability to link up and create movements.

4. We need to play football. When we play it out, and pass and move we look dangerous and cut teams open or if they are sitting deep we look like if we stick at it, eventually it will pay off.

Even in the last two games despite selection and tactical problems, when we got the ball down we created good moments and at times looked good. Most of the time we played scrappy direct football and looked pathetic.

Get the selections right and try to play our football nearly all the time and we will look a really top side again, not just cl challengers but 10 points better off at this point and about 15-20 points better over a season.

At present we are top six at best. Even with poor selections if we played football we'd still be in and around the top four at the end imo. Get the team right, tactics and selections right and we'd currently be in a title challenge imo.

In fairness Harry has done a lot right, so the way we've thrown away about 10 points so far is really disappointing. This squad is very very good.

2. Naughton was on the bench on Saturday. Surprised you missed that. :wink:
Rumours abound that GDS is going on loan to Galatasaray. He will need regular starts ahead of the WC

[choda]

2. Naughton was on the bench on Saturday. Surprised you missed that. :wink:
Rumours abound that GDS is going on loan to Galatasaray. He will need regular starts ahead of the WC

Semantics my friend. :wink:

Not a big team issue is Naughton yet, until maybe recently when Lennon is injured and he can inject some zip. Gio would be my preference for the wing ahead of Naughton anyway.

I was a few minutes late to watching the game and asked people who was on the bench, I only got half of it.