Match Thread: Reading vs Tottenham Hotspur

[Neil_Vaughan]

Talk about the game in here before, during and after

[Gino Ginelli]

3-0 Spurs... Keane, Berbatov and Jenas to score!

[DonJolSpurano]

got a horrid feeling about this game.

reading, away from home, on the back of an historic win over chelsea and a less-than-perfect carling cup victory...

we've only scored once away from home this year and that was angels own goal. we need to buck up our ideas when not at the lane so i dont expect tomorrow to be as cut and dry as gino expects.

[Gino Ginelli]

Sure it won't be so easy that we can just walk in and expect them to give us the three points, but I really think we're on a roll now, that we've found our feet and we're going to play very, very well.

Just trying to keep the party going! :)

[jrio]

3-0 is living in a dream world but I'm optimistic we can dominate the game and maybe get a victory by one or two goals. I don't want to see Lennon start on the left because it really reduces his effectiveness and we're far more cohesive with Ghaly there. Berbatov is starting to fit in and will soon start to score goals in the Prem. Reading have conceded a lot of goals in their last few games and may change their approach to a more defensive formation to counter Lennon.

[JuicE]

got a horrid feeling about this game.

reading, away from home, on the back of an historic win over chelsea and a less-than-perfect carling cup victory...

we've only scored once away from home this year and that was angels own goal. we need to buck up our ideas when not at the lane so i dont expect tomorrow to be as cut and dry as gino expects.

It will take a few years of success for us all to shake the cobwebs off! We've all been optimistic going into a season or a cup run and had it all blown away for too long. Hopefully we've turned a corner. Reading will be a good measureing stick of our progress.

[DonJolSpurano]

Sure it won't be so easy that we can just walk in and expect them to give us the three points

they did for arsenal.

[DonJolSpurano]

3-0 is living in a dream world but I'm optimistic we can dominate the game and maybe get a victory by one or two goals. I don't want to see Lennon start on the left because it really reduces his effectiveness and we're far more cohesive with Ghaly there. Berbatov is starting to fit in and will soon start to score goals in the Prem. Reading have conceded a lot of goals in their last few games and may change their approach to a more defensive formation to counter Lennon.

a good tactic tomorrow would be to whip in a few mid-height, fast crosses between the defense and keeper from both flanks. also, from corners and set-pieces, try and get them to the back post and under the bar.

i say cos in the last few league games, marcus hahnemann has been shocking and has made quite a few mistakes that have resulted in goals being conceded. we need to put him under pressure and get shots on target whenever we can, even if the oppurtunity isnt brilliant.

[Spur]

I've got a feeling that someone's going to score a belter...not sure who though i'll have a think about it.

[olly27]

i fancy berby to score..he's showing like he's starting to get use to the prem..he wasn't the best player on the pitch against chelsea for us..however he had a good game..held the ball up well and linked up well...also got into the channels where he drew the free kick for dawsons goal..i think lennon will pick him out and berby will finish with style..my prediction 2:1 to the spurs..berby and keane to sore (if they both start)

[jrio]

Squad news: Mido(knee) and Chimbonda(knee) both not travelling along with past absentees Tainio, Davenport, Stalteri and Gardner. Malbranque is included. Looks like Lee at right-back with the rest of the team unchanged.

[hodgy]

chimbo will be a loss with his leaping ability out. read ghaly is struggling with hammy so does that mean steed will play or will they start the hudd with jenas right and lennon left.

[jrio]

No, more likely Davids then Murphy on the left. After Vale, I'd like to see Hudd start again in the middle with Zokora coming back against Blackburn. Hudd's confidence must be up after his 2 goals(though really both og) and this would be a good game for him to exert an influence.

[Danishspurs]

If Chimbo, Mido and Ghaly is out I would start with hudd after his 2 goals against Vale..

Robbo

Lee Daws King Ekotto

JJ Hudd Zoko Lennon

Keano/defoe Berbatov

[olly27]

jrio..do u know how long chimbo is likely to be out for..apparently its medial ligament damage..thats serious :(

[jrio]

Olly, Jol is saying two weeks as opposed to 3 or 4 which would be typical for less robust players. I wouldn't have great confidence in Lee playing against Blackburn with their rather physical style as he gets too easily closed down and knocked off the ball.

[jrio]

If Chimbo, Mido and Ghaly is out I would start with hudd after his 2 goals against Vale..

Robbo

Lee Daws King Ekotto

JJ Hudd Zoko Lennon

Keano/defoe Berbatov

I wouldn't back this because JJ just fills in on the right and Lennon isn't comfortable on the left. At least have Lennon causing riots on the right and bring in Davids on the left. JJ must be the most undroppable player I've ever seen in a Spurs midfield. I remember when Pleat dropped Hoddle in '87 for Norwich away and my friend, a rabid Hoddle fan, refused to go.

[olly27]

thanks jrio..just caught that on the spurs site..couldn't agree more with your comments about lee facing blackburn..lets hope chimbo back and fit to face the scum!

[olly27]

in light of the injuries he may go:

robbo
lee king dawson ekotto
huddlestone

jenas zokora
lennon keane
berbatov

lennon right and keane left

[jrio]

No, it'll be straight 442. MJ doesn't like experimenting unnecessarily and he will feel that we are in a strong enough position to take the game to Reading and record our first away win. Ideally I'd like Hudd and Zokora in the centre but I know it will never happen whilst JJ still has hold of those negatives.

[Spur]

I wouldn't have great confidence in Lee playing against Blackburn with their rather physical style as he gets too easily closed down and knocked off the ball.

I don't agree because it won't be Lee facing the physical players.

With Chimbo out (which is a huge loss) Lee is perfect to come in just because he is pacy and up against Pedersen. With someone pacy they can close him down time and time again and generally never let him settle.

In terms of going forward then that's where he will face the physcial challenges so he would have to result to more of a holding back full-back role. Then with Lennon on the right I think that's what we almost always need anyway. Chimbo can get away with it because he is as fast as Lennon in a straight sprint (That started out as an exaggeration but I wonder if that's true...?).

[jrio]

Yes, it's true he wouldn't generally be pressed by Savage, Todd, Neill, Mokoena et al so perhaps not as unfortunate as I feared.

Over 10 sprints I think Chimbo could prevail and we are talking about a full game.

[Spur]

Yes, it's true he wouldn't generally be pressed by Savage, Todd, Neill, Mokoena et al so perhaps not as unfortunate as I feared.

Over 10 sprints I think Chimbo could prevail and we are talking about a full game.

At right back no he wouldn't be pressed by any of them, only players out there pressing him would be Morten, and the strikers.

What's this about a whole game I don't get it?

[jrio]

In one straight sprint Lennon would beat Chimbonda but having to make up to 10 in a game I think Chimbonda would have the edge if you averaged them all out, the test being the recovery period from the cumulative effect of making those runs.

[BgSpur]

It's gonna be the easiest match for us this season. All our players are on form , and i expect some 0:5 (Keane - 3 goals , Lennon, and Berba The King one from voley).

[jrio]

And Lawro says 2-1 to Spurs. One thing for sure, if Spurs go 2-0 up in the second half it'll finish close to that. We haven't won away and MJ is fairly conservative, wanting to hang on to what he's got, whereas Arsenal would want to make a spectacle of the game. 2-0, both to Berbatov.

[RuFuS]

I've got a feeling that someone's going to score a belter...not sure who though i'll have a think about it.


4-3 to Spurs. End to end stuff. They got nowt to lose and we're not yet as disiplined as the usual suspects.

[jrio]

4-3 to Spurs. End to end stuff. They got nowt to lose and we're not yet as disiplined as the usual suspects.
Time for me to repeat my reaction to Spur's prediction last week: there's as much chance of this happening as a reappearance of Halley's Comet.

[RuFuS]

there's as much chance of this happening as a reappearance of Halley's Comet.

Probably appears more regular :rolleyes:

[Spur]

I'm scared. I think the belter will be against us...

I'm going for an away win. It will seem comfortable in scoreline but will have me shitting it all the way through.

[neilmcnab]

we have to be clinical against these teams...and put them on the back foot..from the kick off...show them respect by matchin their energy... and add our quality to situations where its called for ie.. on the breaks and when we create openings ...big 1st half performance needed...as most of our rivals collected points today....the league table plus the carling cup draw shud inspire the lads to a win...

[hastingsyid]

This will be a tough game for us as reading see us as a big scalp,they have played 4 teams who finished in the top 5 last season and lost them all so this is there chance to show what there capable off.But with the confidence growing in our team we should be too strong for the chelsea bum boys and nick this 2-1.....COYS

[\jackdaw]

Personally I dont think this is going to be an easy game for us, Reading at times have played fairly well and deserved more from a match. I hope this isnt the match they get what they deserve.

Still in saying that I think we will win .. 1-0 to the mighty Spurs... got to be Berby :cool:

[nuttyhotspurs]

nearly missed the start of the match. fell asleep during the extensive tour of the degenerates stadium on SS ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzz as if anyone gives a shit!!

COME ON YOU SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SCIFIN17YID]

Spurs 1 - Reading 0, The fouled Ghally, and got a penalty kick which Keane took and scored :D

[\jackdaw]

Now we have scored our first goal away from home (by one of our players) let the floodgates open ...

[SCIFIN17YID]

37:15 mins Reading Score 1 - 1 it was a good goal though :( come on spurs.

[SCIFIN17YID]

Yet another goal from reading spurs 1 reading 2 goal by steve sidwell in the last few minutes of the first half :(

[Thfc4Life]

Why the **** cant Robinson save a ****ing long shot???

[nuttyhotspurs]

have we not yet learned not to give players space on the edge of the box??? dawson especially.

the only thing i can think of is that our defence were already in the changing rooms for the half time pep talk at the end of that half because they were nowhere to be seen for that corner

****ING ANNOYING

i would also like to add that lee young pyo is shite. he has the physical strength of a new born child and i think hes mastered the art of sleeping while standing as he spent most of that half stood motionless.

WE CAN STILL WIN THIS THOUGH. COME ON YOU SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SurreySpur]

Another Long range shot beating Robbo. It was a good strike but his positioning wasnt great. The marking for the second goal was non existant. Berbatov and Zokora didnt get tight. Jenas has dissapeared again.

[laspur]

Are we at least getting into the box and threatening?

[MarlowSpurs]

How many ****ing times did we pass straight to Reading with piss poor passing, when are we going to learn not to give players time on the ball near our 18 yard box and as for that corner half the players were on the M4 going home cause they weren't defending. I've got a bad feeling about the second half.

[Thfc4Life]

I honestly dont rate Robinson any more, he needs to be dropped for a while because it seems every long shot on target goes in, and he never comes to claim corners and set pieces either.

[nuttyhotspurs]

ive got a good feeling about it because jol is going to give them the bollocking of their lives. we were in control for 38 mins then let 2 in. what the **** arghhhhhhhhh

[nuttyhotspurs]

Jenas has dissapeared again.

zokora is even worse mate

[\jackdaw]

Zokora, Lee and Jenas having a mare at the moment...lets hope MJ gives them soem serious shit to get them going in 2nd half.

[nuttyhotspurs]

I honestly dont rate Robinson any more, he needs to be dropped for a while because it seems every long shot on target goes in, and he never comes to claim corners and set pieces either.

i do get frustrated with him but come on he cant be dropped. it was poor defending by dawson, who by not closing their player down properly kind of left robinson blind sided and wasnt expecting him to be able to get a decent shot off (he shouldnt of been allowed to)

[MarlowSpurs]

zokora is even worse mate
Didn't realise he was playing:)

[nuttyhotspurs]

Didn't realise he was playing:)

whats happened to him???? hes so negative

[Thfc4Life]

Our midfield is not functioning at all. Ghaly looks full of running but gets caught in possession far too often and always opts for the difficult pass, Jenas closes players down really well but on the ball is woeful he takes too long to see a pass and often lets the game pass him by. Zokora has got a poor touch and looks wasted playing so deep when he has a lot to offer going forward. Huddlestone should be the holding midfielder it is so glaringly obvious with Zokora further forward.

[SurreySpur]

Mj needs to make a few changes.

[SurreySpur]

the midfield dont look interested at all

[\jackdaw]

Huds and Defoe coming on

[nuttyhotspurs]

too many fancy flicks from keane at the minute. he needs to get his foot on the ball, its clear berby isnt on the same wavelength. might be a bit different now with the brain of huddlestone and pace of defoe

COME ON LADS!!!!

[SurreySpur]

3-1 ****ing hell

[MarlowSpurs]

Ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuc cccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccccc ccccccckkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk kkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[SurreySpur]

How can we beat chelsea then lose to Reading. Where is the fight that we showed last week?

[original v.L.n.]

and game over. 3-1, bollox.

[original v.L.n.]

we need to sort out the counter attacks against us, that goal was just like the one we conceded at anfield, we almost scored then seconds later they do

[nuttyhotspurs]

game over. back in the bottom half. all the good work from past weeks nowehere to be seen

how good are we away from home????????? i think we have taken fulhams crown away from them from last season.

[\jackdaw]

[QUOTE=\jackdaw;27175]Personally I dont think this is going to be an easy game for us, Reading at times have played fairly well and deserved more from a match. I hope this isnt the match they get what they deserve.

QUOTE]

Ever wished you had never said anything.. :(

[nuttyhotspurs]

..........and the kit. that will make us more of a laughing stock. can we please stop wearing that in the league at least??????:D

[nuttyhotspurs]

another "effortless i don't give a crap" performance from berby in the league and i might be tempted to jump on the bandwagon with misho

maybe chimbo is the source of all our power???

[original v.L.n.]

oh well least we can take the positives. Err wait, ... bare with me....:(

Bring on blackburn away not getting beat will be crucial!!!

[SurreySpur]

Thats got to be one of the worst performances that ive seen in recent years. King, Dawson, Jenas, Berby, Ekotto and Lee were all awful. Did they choose the lasagne again?

[nuttyhotspurs]

they had more fight against wet spam with food poisoning than they did today

[Spur]

That was woeful. Woeful. Completely and utterly shit.

Couldn't even pass to our own players.

And how can Defoe say he should be playing his performance today and midweek were awful.

I can't even be ****ed with talking about it.

[nuttyhotspurs]

Thats got to be one of the worst performances that ive seen in recent years. King, Dawson, Jenas, Berby, Ekotto and Lee were all awful. Did they choose the lasagne again?

bolton away, everton at home were just as bad and guess what.........we lost both of them aswell!!!!

[SCIFIN17YID]

That was gay, I just hope that liverpool make mince meat out of the scum, to think i went to bed at a mad late time this morning to watch that crap on tv, pfffffffft. we beat chelsea and now loose to reading pfffffft, not good at all.

[uplodd]

:mad::mad: :mad: :mad:

[Spur]

:mad::mad: :mad: :mad:

Well said.

[nuttyhotspurs]

[QUOTE=Spur;27219]And how can Defoe say he should be playing his performance today and midweek were awful.QUOTE]

if your going to point the blame at strikers it should be berby. defoe only had 20 minutes and provided more of a threat as soon as he was on the pitch. get off his back

[Ginola's Son]

Dreadful. Appalling. Lacklustre.

We deserved to lose that, Reading showed great character and came at us and we couldn't handle it, some of the defending was atrocious. I just couldn't beleive it. I also think Robbo was beaten cheaply twice.

We can forget about challenging for Europe with performances like that. And this is why the cup runs are so important.

Lennon should have been on the right for the 90. And Murphy should play instead of Ghaly.

[Spur]

[QUOTE=Spur;27219]And how can Defoe say he should be playing his performance today and midweek were awful.QUOTE]

if your going to point the blame at strikers it should be berby. defoe only had 20 minutes and provided more of a threat as soon as he was on the pitch. get off his back

A striker who can't hit target from 6 yards out doesn't deserve to start. Only reason I mentioned him was because he came out midweek and said he should be starting. I can go on about how we had about 2 shots all game and how Berba hardly looks interested and how he seems to pass the blame onto others with his body language. But i'm not going to.

If a player comes out and says 'I should be playing' and then when he's given his chance he doesn't take it what else do you want me to say?

[hastingsyid]

what a ****ing piss poor performance

[nuttyhotspurs]

Lennon should have been on the right for the 90. And Murphy should play instead of Ghaly.

ghaly had a great first half. the whole team just played terrible 2nd half

[nuttyhotspurs]

[QUOTE=nuttyhotspurs;27223]

A striker who can't hit target from 6 yards out doesn't deserve to start. Only reason I mentioned him was because he came out midweek and said he should be starting. I can go on about how we had about 2 shots all game and how Berba hardly looks interested and how he seems to pass the blame onto others with his body language. But i'm not going to.

If a player comes out and says 'I should be playing' and then when he's given his chance he doesn't take it what else do you want me to say?

what are you talking about he was given 20 minutes? his "chance" would of been to start the game

[Spur]

what are you talking about he was given 20 minutes? his "chance" would of been to start the game

He started midweek and was exactly the same. Missing easy chances, fair enough the keeper was on top form, but that was his chance after he opened his mouth. His chance today he could of drawn us level. Instead we conceded again.

[Ginola's Son]

ghaly had a great first half. the whole team just played terrible 2nd half

I wouldn't agree that he was great, he won the penalty, that was all. His passing success ratio isn't the best.

Defoe deserves no blame, We had shot ourselves in the foot long before he came on, Berbatov was dire today. Robbie was the only one in the whole side with any fire in his belly today.

[nuttyhotspurs]

keane was probably the only half decent performance today but he drops "too" deep. i know its his strength to drop off, find a pass but he was defending at times and thats just ridiculous. why doesnt jol give him a chance out wide where he spends a lot of the time anyway? that way we dont end up with 1 forward all the time

[nuttyhotspurs]

He started midweek and was exactly the same. Missing easy chances, fair enough the keeper was on top form, but that was his chance after he opened his mouth. His chance today he could of drawn us level. Instead we conceded again.

its all to do with confidence isnt it? everytime he scores hes dropped, its bizarre really. it must have an effect. he looks so much more dangerous than keane though who spends the majority of the game out wide or in the midfield. im just venting my frustration

[shakey18]

This past week sums up our beloved Tottenham.**** me it's the most frustrating thing in the world to be a Spurs fan.Today we were shit-simple as. No movement and Lennon NEEDS to be on the right and give us width,not come inside every time, and Zokora looks like he's still got malaria.Let's hope this is just a blip.

[Spur]

its all to do with confidence isnt it? everytime he scores hes dropped, its bizarre really. it must have an effect. he looks so much more dangerous than keane though who spends the majority of the game out wide or in the midfield. im just venting my frustration

What is it with Jenas then? He doesn't score, doesn't set anything up, can't pass, rarely tackles, rarely runs with the ball and still doesn't get dropped. Confidence? Maybe he's too confident and knows he won't get dropped.

All that from our main attacking outlet in midield. Aren't we blessed.

[SurreySpur]

Hopefully it was just a blip, I just cant remember seeing two such different performances from the same team within a week.

[original v.L.n.]

robbo - beat too easily . not convincing

king - most of the time good but sloppy in places

dawson - off the pace, though started well

lee young (Imanob)pyo - i almost feel sorry for him cos he's so bad

ekotto - ok (ish) he needs to learn to cross

zokora - wasteful poor marking to concede 2nd goal

jenas - same old stuff

ghaly - got the penalty. he has drive but needs to concentrate

lennon - good start. i prefer him darting down the wing rather than coming inside all the time

keane - at times i thought it was reading v keane cos he was the only one
trying to make things happen.

Berbatov - Oh dear!


and defoe - needs some composure, no needs alot

[nuttyhotspurs]

What is it with Jenas then? He doesn't score, doesn't set anything up, can't pass, rarely tackles, rarely runs with the ball and still doesn't get dropped. Confidence? Maybe he's too confident and knows he won't get dropped.

All that from our main attacking outlet in midield. Aren't we blessed.

id say drop jenas for huddlestone but zokora looks like a waste of money at the minute too. jesus christ lets get steed fit. why wasnt he on the bench today? please dont tell me hes injured again

[Spur]

He did have a slight groin strain.

Zokora and Steed in the middle it has to be. Or go with Huddlestone and Zokora with Steed our left. Either way I do not want Jenas (you might be surprised to hear) even at the club.

The biggest thing for me is why the hell does he keep getting called up for England? Oh no wait i've just remembered we have a turnip for a manager.

[JM_]

What a ****ing sad performance! :mad: We outplayed them 'til we scored. But then what? And did we bring Ghaly on after half time at all? He's ****ing useless! And I also think we should try with Keane on the left of midfield, so we can give Defoe a run of games! And Chimbonda is even better than I thought, and he didn't even play today! :confused:

[Ginola's Son]

I think we are being too harsh, look what we did last week! It was an off-day. Simple as that, if we perform like that in 3 or 4 games running, then we have a problem.

Jenas clocked 7 goals last season, we know he can do it, he just needs to get it back.

[JM_]

I think we are being too harsh, look what we did last week!

That's what pisses me off!!!!

[Spur]

I think we are being too harsh, look what we did last week! It was an off-day. Simple as that, if we perform like that in 3 or 4 games running, then we have a problem.

Jenas clocked 7 goals last season, we know he can do it, he just needs to get it back.

It's not about three or four games running. We have lost 5 now in the league. That means realistically we can only lose one or two more times to have a shot of a decent league position.

[nuttyhotspurs]

[QUOTE=original v.L.n.;27239]robbo - i am not confident watching him deal with long shots and crosses AT ALL

king - one of his worst performances in a spurs shirt

dawson - one of his worst performances in a spurs shirt (probably played too many games recently

lee young pyo - utter shite. **** him off in January

ekotto - ok (ish) he needs to learn to cross

zokora - very wasteful. he must still have malaria

jenas - very poor

ghaly - got the penalty. he has drive but final ball terrible AGAIN

lennon - good start. but faded. its clear that if lennon has a quiet game. we dont look like winning

keane - best player. too many fancy dan flick though

Berbatov - disgraceful performance. i think he only wants to play in europe

[nuttyhotspurs]

I think we are being too harsh, look what we did last week! It was an off-day. Simple as that, if we perform like that in 3 or 4 games running, then we have a problem.

i pray to god you know what your talking about

[Ginola's Son]

It's not about three or four games running. We have lost 5 now in the league. That means realistically we can only lose one or two more times to have a shot of a decent league position.

True, true. But we shouldn't be turning on the same players that performed so heroically. It makes us look fickle. We have just lost our first game in 11...which really isnt bad when you think about it, especially with our loaded fixture list.

[nuttyhotspurs]

after performances like that though the players deserve a slating and im sure jol will give them one

how frustrating is it though? to be so proud of your team then a week later let you down so much

[SurreySpur]

It all just very frustrating. Lets hope its just a blip, lets all get behind the scousers. C'mon Liverpool, give us something to smile about.

[uplodd]

Berbatov - disgraceful performance. i think he only wants to play in europe[/QUOTE]

It's not that he wants. He just can. He did it so many times before. But the Premiership is different thing. He must learn this lesson ASAP. You can't be a star in the Prem with, like, 10 or 12 good performances. You need 30 plus. And let's not forget he needs some help from the midfield.

[nuttyhotspurs]

i think we all need to forget about this one and get behind the lads for next sunday against rovers. lets hope they buck up their ideas for that one

COME ON YOU SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SurreySpur]

i think we all need to forget about this one and get behind the lads for next sunday against rovers. lets hope they buck up their ideas for that one

COME ON YOU SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Is it home or away?

[nuttyhotspurs]

away unfortunately but the sooner we get rid of the away jinx the better

[Danishspurs]

It's not that he wants. He just can. He did it so many times before. But the Premiership is different thing. He must learn this lesson ASAP. You can't be a star in the Prem with, like, 10 or 12 good performances. You need 30 plus. And let's not forget he needs some help from the midfield.

His attitude was a ****ing disgrace!! He constantly lost possesion and then just stopped and moaned. Chocking!!

Lee's just not in the same class as Chimbonda and I missed him today.

Choking performance from all players exept for Ghaly, Keane and JJ.

Ghaly and JJ were the only players who showed some kind of commitment, and keane played some good through balls, but is playing too deep and is not really a thread..

[nuttyhotspurs]

Lee's just not in the same class as Chimbonda and I missed him today.

hes not fit to warm up chimbos toilet seat

[suBerb]

I'm not surprised at all that Berbatov was poor today. He will have many problems in the Premiership but eventually he will be one of the best Spurs players ever. I think that in the spring of 2008 he will be arguably the best player in England. Before that, however, he will be very inconsistent and many fans will be discouraged from his performances. This is how it was in CSKA and Leverkusen. And this is how it will be here. I have no doubts about that.

[Gino Ginelli]

3-0 Spurs... Keane, Berbatov and Jenas to score!

Next time I'll just shut my big mouth... :o

[Gino Ginelli]

The main thing frustrating me today (aside from slack passing and non existent midfield presence) is that no one has the bottle to shoot from distance.

Look at how many wonder strikes go in against us, why don't we take these opportunities? Keane, Defoe, Jenas, Murphy... they all have long distance shooting in their repartoire, why don't they just have a dig, instead of trying to pass their way in?

We carried the ball well enough but as soon as we enter that final third we just lose any clue we had and practically run into a brick wall.

And just for the record... Jenas, Zokora out - Murphy, Hudd in. Gahly impressed with the amount of involvement he had, but would prefer Malbranque or (dare I say it) Routledge when he returns.

Lennon is most dangerous as an out and out right sided winger. The ball never seem to go to him enough. Long balls are not going to help him, simple passes on the deck to get him involved are all that's needed.

Which raises the issue on the all round lack of confidence there is in short, positive passing throughout the team.

Oh... there's too much! Give 'em hell BMJ!!

[Indianspur]

i agree we never score from outside of the box for some reason.its a crying shame as everyone else does and we never look like even trying. think aaron lennon needs to practice long range shooting as he's the one most likely to cut into the middle

[gbspur72]

robbo - beat too easily . not convincing

king - most of the time good but sloppy in places

dawson - off the pace, though started well

lee young (Imanob)pyo - i almost feel sorry for him cos he's so bad

ekotto - ok (ish) he needs to learn to cross

zokora - wasteful poor marking to concede 2nd goal

jenas - same old stuff

ghaly - got the penalty. he has drive but needs to concentrate

lennon - good start. i prefer him darting down the wing rather than coming inside all the time

keane - at times i thought it was reading v keane cos he was the only one
trying to make things happen.

Berbatov - Oh dear!


and defoe - needs some composure, no needs alot

totally agree with this assesment mate, i thought the Everton game was the worst performance i'd seen in years but tuday was just as bad.Keano was the only player who could walk of the pitch with his head up. I think it all boiled down to work rate, not 1 of those reading players would get in our side for technical ability but we were beaten by sheer endevour.Looked like we turned up expecting an easy win but we were to complacent and end up going home with nothing,lets hope this was just one of those days and that we can go on another run COYS!

[jrio]

After nearly a third of the season Spurs seem to be on a par with City and Boro. We're a point above Boro, 2 above City; they both lost at Reading, but only by one goal; both have beaten a CL side at home(Arsenal and Chelsea).

[Spur]

i agree we never score from outside of the box for some reason.its a crying shame as everyone else does and we never look like even trying. think aaron lennon needs to practice long range shooting as he's the one most likely to cut into the middle

We don't even shoot from outside the box. And I think everyone needs to practice it because at the moment Robbo seems the only to have a chance with scoring from afar.

[nuttyhotspurs]

After nearly a third of the season Spurs seem to be on a par with City and Boro. We're a point above Boro, 2 above City; they both lost at Reading, but only by one goal; both have beaten a CL side at home(Arsenal and Chelsea).

god thats depressing!!

[mjbmedia]

as we all saw. we got one up then instead of doing what the champions do and takign advantage of being in the ascendancy and ramming that home by scoring one or two more, we ****ed about with the ball, passing it backwards , losing momentum then defending like a ****ing pub team from a corner we went in 2-1 down to a team that we should be wiping the floor with.


nobody got more than 4 out of ten for that game, king was shit , played the guy onside for the last goal , Robbo, **** me we should get in the Southend keeper he can save shots (only joking) everyone was shit, bring back Murphy dont know why hes been dropped when he seemed to be hitting some form, Ghaly was way too complacent and JJ had to rescue him many times , the front two just dont gel, simple as Keane and Mido go better and Defoe and Berbs go better , the Hudd looked half asleep when he came on.
where was the team that beat chelsea or was it only cos the ref was on our side that we won, maybe not down to our players after all.
its not the result but the performance that was soo dire ,give them a right ****ing bollocking MJ ,another one like that and drop them all and play the academy boys

[Ginola's Son]

Most of you are going way overboard. It was definitely a BAD performance today, Bitterly disappointing. But come on, its being made into a crisis. We aren't good enough to be challenging for the title yet, we know that, therefore, we are going to lose some of these away games. Reading applied themselves well and got their reward. Its as simple as that. MJ's tactics were wrong today. Lennon needs to be on the right. Period. Never on the left ever again. Malbranque needs to get into the side asap and dare I say it, Huddlestone should come in for Jenas. Apart from that, I'm still upbeat about us for this season, I don't expect miracles in the league, but I am hoping for 2 and possibly 3 quality cup runs.

[Spur]

You say 'some away games'. We are yet to win one yet.

Our away form cost us last season as well. Home or away the game never changes. But two goals away from home? That's not right. Even more so when one was a penalty and one was an own goal.

[Ginola's Son]

Ok then. The proof is in the pudding as we haven't won an away game. But how many games did we play as poorly as we did today, I think only the once - Bolton. We were unlucky not to pick up a point at Old Trafford, we should have beaten Aston Villa, 3-0 to Liverpool was ****ing flattering to the home side cos we really put a lot of backbone into that game. 0-0 V Watford was disappointing but we at least had a go at it.

It'll turn itself around.

[MarlowSpurs]

I can't believe though that Keane is the first spurs player to score away from home all season in the prem, (1 goal in 6 games something not right there, not including the own goal). Saying that Liverpool and Sheff Utd are worse they have only scored once away from home this season.
**** I'm depressed, I work in Reading what a shit day I'm going to have tomorrow

[Ginola's Son]

Still no away goal from open play by a Spurs player. LOL.

I think it goes to show how excellent premiership teams are at home this season.

[singapore spur]

liverpool just as bad as us away , no wins , few goals , playing their main attack minded midfielder in wrong position , 4 arguably top strikers not performing .

actually doesnt really help pointing this out , just thought i would .

[Ginola's Son]

No, its a good point, it cushions the blow somewhat to see an alleged 'big' team doing so poorly, but at least Anfield is a stronghold, we let Fulham and Everton leave with points they shouldn't have.

[Spur]

No, its a good point, it cushions the blow somewhat to see an alleged 'big' team doing so poorly, but at least Anfield is a stronghold, we let Fulham and Everton leave with points they shouldn't have.

For me it makes it even worse. Just as one of the top 4 are ****ing up so are we. WE are not there to capitalise on their mistakes and misfortune when we should be. Then look at the teams that are...Bolton who the **** are they?

[Ginola's Son]

If you are honest, you would say that Bolton are one of the most consistant sides in the last few years, they win lots of games and are usually always challenging for the European places.

If there are teams doing well (Portsmouth, Villa) Then there HAS to be teams not doing so well. It'll be our turn soon. In fact, 10 games without loss is pretty encouraging for me.

[Welsh Spur]

I have noticed....yesterday I lost count of how many times I screamed shoot! at someone. More of this and we'll be indanger of running teams ragged and not scoring, just like the filth. Gutted we lost yesterday - very poor result, we went to pieces after the equaliser.

Dawson is looking suspect at moment, made some errors v Vale and Reading now, Berbatov needs to be dropped, as does Jenas and Zokora, people are taking their places for granted I think. Berbatov is almost useless in the league and a different player in europe. Hudds should be given a run and please god bring Teemu back to full fitness!!!!

[Spur]

If there are teams doing well (Portsmouth, Villa) Then there HAS to be teams not doing so well. It'll be our turn soon. In fact, 10 games without loss is pretty encouraging for me.

I see what your saying but...

It wasn't ten wins was it? More importantly it wasn't ten Premiership wins. Two of those games were Carling Cup, another 2 or 3 were UEFA. We were unbeaten in 5 or 6 Premier League games. Of which 3 were draws. Correct me if i'm wrong? I'm just going on what i'm thinking.

It still isn't good enough if we want to finish 4th or 5th. When Jol was speaking about the run he cast it off as unimportant. We can't lose to teams like Reading. Home or away. Can't draw with Fulham and Watford. It's even more embarrassing because we beat Chelsea last week and his week we lose to a team only just promoted.

[MiloMinderbinder]

[QUOTE=mjbmedia;27300]as we all saw. we got one up then instead of doing what the champions do and takign advantage of being in the ascendancy and ramming that home by scoring one or two more, we ****ed about with the ball, passing it backwards , losing momentum then defending like a ****ing pub team from a corner we went in 2-1 down to a team that we should be wiping the floor with.

This is what spurs61 and I have been banging on about for ohh about 2 years now, MJ must learn from his mistakes, this is the Premiership not the Eridivision or somesuch dross, if you're not ruthless you get punished. Sitting on a one goal lead has to stop ASAP, we are not good enough to soak up pressure in the manner MJ clearly wants us to and must play to our strengths, not aimlessly passing the ball around with no midfield runners.

I said some time ago Zokora's first touch is dog shite, anyone want to argue against that now?

Did anyone understand Lennon on the left when we needed penetration, it was tactical incompetence.

[dommo]

I agree with Spur.... we need a run of 10 Premiership games unbeaten preferably winning 6 or more...

The effort wasn't there yesterday . That's the most dissapointing thing in my view.. our defenders stood off and never attacked the ball at any stage. The distribution from Both full backs was chronic...worse than any pub side and midfiled were non existent for the most of it.

Berbatov seems scared in the Premiership. Sonko bullied him as did Shittu at watford...
How bad was their second goal .. summed up our day really

Hopefully this will be the kick up the backside we need. I think we need Zakora + Hudd in a solid centre partnership away from home and build from that...
All is not lost - still a lot of poor teams only a few points above us !!

[Ginola's Son]

If theres anything you want to avoid its being on the end of Adrian Chiles biting tongue on MOTD 2.....we didn't make it. He mocked that darned Brown kit and the hilarious sight of an in-acres unmarked Reading player waving for the ball. woe.

Spur - I agree that we should win more...but we won't win every game. There has to be losses. And don't forget Reading took a point from Chelsea.

[jrio]

Dawson is looking suspect at moment, made some errors v Vale and Reading now, Berbatov needs to be dropped, as does Jenas and Zokora, people are taking their places for granted I think. Berbatov is almost useless in the league and a different player in europe. Hudds should be given a run and please god bring Teemu back to full fitness!!!!

Don't be too harsh on Dawson. He's the only one to have played 3 games in 8 days, including extra time against Vale.

[suBerb]

I think that we are going to have a very good season in the cups (why not two finals?) and a mediocre one in the Premiership (6th-8th).

[neilmcnab]

u must be joking mate...we have had all the easiest tems in the cups last year we got fiked.. in the early rounds... watch out 4 southend now they see how fickle we are...and the eufa cup ..is stil early stages so i wudnt put my hopes on us winning that... and yeah above quote reading took a point off chelski... but did u watch da game they never beat us WE BEAT US....SAME AT WATFORD.....PLUS they lost 5 strait before our game and many 1st team players were out 4 them... ADD IT UP... we were real poor...i get a lot of stick from my gooner mates...and i goto admit they are justified...i cant talk myself outa this...we had no fight... at least davids fights...

[suBerb]

u must be joking mate...we have had all the easiest tems in the cups last year we got fiked.. in the early rounds... watch out 4 southend now they see how fickle we are...and the eufa cup ..is stil early stages so i wudnt put my hopes on us winning that... and yeah above quote reading took a point off chelski... but did u watch da game they never beat us WE BEAT US....SAME AT WATFORD.....PLUS they lost 5 strait before our game and many 1st team players were out 4 them... ADD IT UP... we were real poor...i get a lot of stick from my gooner mates...and i goto admit they are justified...i cant talk myself outa this...we had no fight... at least davids fights...


Your very pessimistic mate. Last season has nothing to do with this one. The bad news is that we won't be in top 5. The good news is that we are going to have good runs in the cups. The fact that we play poor away in the Premiership does not make us a team that cannot reach the final of one or two tournaments. I think that you have completely forgotten how good we played vs Chelski. I believe in this team. The victory against Chelsea indicated the beginning of new era for Spurs. This isn't a false dawn. It's just a dawn, no more and no less.

Don't forget how young this team is. The most experienced players are 26-27. Daws, Ekotto, Zokora, Lennon, Jenas, Berby, Defoe, Mido, Hudd...are not finished articles at all. Most of them are yet to adapt to the Premiership. Tottenham have a bright future, no doubt.

[olly27]

totally agree suberb...and i wudn't rule out a top 5-6 finish just yet...the next couple of games are important as we have to bounce back..if we beat blackburn and wigan ..our leage position will be much healthier (probably 8th) ...however if we lose to blackburn and dont take 3 points at home to in form wigan..i will concede that a top 6 finish is extremely unlikely..if we were to take 4-6 points from the next two we will have a chance...and then bring on the scum...

i said it at the start of the month that we need at least 7 points to keep in touch..we have 3 so far..another 4 required..

[jrio]

Next 5 games needs to be a minimum of 10 points. Draw at Blackburn and 3 home wins. After seeing Arsenal total Liverpool I have a great fear that we will get similar treatment. Their defending at corners was actually worse than ours.

[neilmcnab]

so arse team is young and jus got togetherlike us...with no strikers,,...they aint losing to watford and reading and those small sides...they have a method ..we dont...and we aint had a decent team in the cup yet....i love spurs just like u mate..just venting my opionion...ans u need to remember these guys get paid to train and play the game...against readin they had no idea...horrible 1st touch...no shots....yet they still get paid..we deserve to be represented better on the field of play.....our players need to knuckle down...and earn their massive wages and status.....even martin jol...says similar in his interviews....

[Ginola's Son]

My missus is a gooner....don't kill me. And she's bought me a ticket for the emirshits game, I gotta sit in the stands....with THEM.

If Arsenal play like they did yesterday and we play like we did yesterday...then we're ****ed. But if we can knock up a brave performance there like we did last season, we could get something out of it.

[Spur]

Don't go. Or go but wear the Spurs shirt.

[Ginola's Son]

I'll be wearing it. But under a jumper. I'm not getting killed for it, lol.

[Spur]

Be brave. Do it for the team. Hopefully someone will throw something at you and you can get them thrown out dirty scumbags.

[choda]

The way I saw the reading game was this:

You can talk about tactics etc. all day sometimes but the biggest problem yesterday was the fact that we went awal after we scored. I think it was a young player thing to be honest.

They thought here we are talented tottenham picking up form we'll breeze past these nobodies.

You can't do that against team which is working hard. Reading were hungier than us. WORK RATE AGAINST NO WORK RATE AND TALANTED PLAYERS EQUALS WORK RATE WINNING.

You have to earn the right to out class teams. You have to work just as hard or harder than the opposition.

I don't believe that there is anything inherently wrong with our passing now (unlike the beginning of the season) but we were lazy as ****. Even when chasing the game we never got a head of steam up because nobody apart from Keane looked like he was up for it. Reading were up for it!

As Jol said we played like a luxury team. We never drove at them from midfield and the back. We were just content to pass it about. As people have said sometimes you have to drive like Gerrard at the box and take shots. Drove at the full backs and whip balls in round the back. Get men in the box!

Where was all that, nowhere. Work rate was nowhere. Jenas ball watching again! Lop sided to one side of the pitch. Ball is switched quickly... left back in oceans, goal. Reading were up for it and concentrating, defending our lazy shit easily and winning the ball and willing to run quickly at us. Another goal from tireless reading working and running, good finish from Doyle.

As for some of the performances: Robbo was shocking. Can he not save long shots? Is he slow at moving his feet or something?

Jenas was absolute dog shit again. Cost us more points. Today defensively (not the first time by any means... and people wonder why some of us get fed up of him). And where was he attacking wise?

I think Zokora is still recovering from malaria. What's wrong with playing Huddlestone while he recovers?

Perhaps Mido should be played mostly in the prem until Berbatov reaches the speed and physicality of the prem. I have no doubt that he will and I still think he's our best striker but any more displays like that and he needs to be taken in and out and given time to adjust.

The bright note is that this is a developing team with young players still learning. We also have some foreign players that are still adjusting to a different kind of football. These kinks will be ironed out.

And the extra games this year is a learning curve for a lot of our players. Generally we are getting there. Patience is key. We still have to remember this team is developing.

I don't care what anybody says I still think this team can finish fourth or challenge for it. And I fancy us in the cups. We've a big squad full of quality and a top manager.

But we have to cut out lacklustre displays like that.

If it doesn't happen we have to be patient. This is a developing team.

[proto]

........Amen ;)

[suBerb]

The way I saw the reading game was this:

You can talk about tactics etc. all day sometimes but the biggest problem yesterday was the fact that we went awal after we scored. I think it was a young player thing to be honest.

They thought here we are talented tottenham picking up form we'll breeze past these nobodies.

You can't do that against team which is working hard. Reading were hungier than us. WORK RATE AGAINST NO WORK RATE AND TALANTED PLAYERS EQUALS WORK RATE WINNING.

You have to earn the right to out class teams. You have to work just as hard or harder than the opposition.

I don't believe that there is anything inherently wrong with our passing now (unlike the beginning of the season) but we were lazy as ****. Even when chasing the game we never got a head of steam up because nobody apart from Keane looked like he was up for it. Reading were up for it!

As Jol said we played like a luxury team. We never drove at them from midfield and the back. We were just content to pass it about. As people have said sometimes you have to drive like Gerrard at the box and take shots. Drove at the full backs and whip balls in round the back. Get men in the box!

Where was all that, nowhere. Work rate was nowhere. Jenas ball watching again! Lop sided to one side of the pitch. Ball is switched quickly... left back in oceans, goal. Reading were up for it and concentrating, defending our lazy shit easily and winning the ball and willing to run quickly at us. Another goal from tireless reading working and running, good finish from Doyle.

As for some of the performances: Robbo was shocking. Can he not save long shots? Is he slow at moving his feet or something?

Jenas was absolute dog shit again. Cost us more points. Today defensively (not the first time by any means... and people wonder why some of us get fed up of him). And where was he attacking wise?

I think Zokora is still recovering from malaria. What's wrong with playing Huddlestone while he recovers?

Perhaps Mido should be played mostly in the prem until Berbatov reaches the speed and physicality of the prem. I have no doubt that he will and I still think he's our best striker but any more displays like that and he needs to be taken in and out and given time to adjust.

The bright note is that this is a developing team with young players still learning. We also have some foreign players that are still adjusting to a different kind of football. These kinks will be ironed out.

And the extra games this year is a learning curve for a lot of our players. Generally we are getting there. Patience is key. We still have to remember this team is developing.

I don't care what anybody says I still think this team can finish fourth or challenge for it. And I fancy us in the cups. We've a big squad full of quality and a top manager.

But we have to cut out lacklustre displays like that.

If it doesn't happen like that we have to be patient. This is a developing team.



Very good comment, mate. I agree with almost everything.

Our only chance to challenge for the 4th spot is that Liverpool are shit in their away games too. Our fans tend to forget that Liverpool had better squad last season and possess one of the best managers in the world but their results are pretty much like ours this season, even though they bought many good players.

As regards my countryman, he will begin to play consistently brilliant in the Premiership, i.e. as good as or better than the Brugge game, in the spring of 2008. Before that he will be excellent in some games and disgraceful in other. Of course, next year (2007) he will score goals more regularly but still will discourage many fans with his inconsistence. The vast majority will think that he's talented but lazy. I know the 'logic' of his career very well. He is going to discourage even his biggest fans before starting to play like a striker from another world.

Why the spring of 2008? Now, he develops as a player in the spring of each even year. In the spring of 2002 he made a name for himself as a talented striker. In the spring of 2004 he became one of the best strikers in the Bundesliga. In the spring of 2006 he was arguably the best player in the Bundesliga with 15 goals and 6 assists in the final 15 games. 2008 he will be pure world class However, before taking two steps forward he always takes a step back.

2008 we'll finish in top 3. Robbo, Dawson, Ekotto, Zokora and Lennon will also up their performances. Keane and King will be in their prime.

[Welsh Spur]

Spot on once again, choda.

As disappointing as Reading was, it's blatantly obvious we are a superior side; the thing is the players obviously thought that too, as you said. Maturity will come, also more players need to be given a chance. How better to teach the lazy buggers a lesson than drop them and give an unsettled player a shot?

Davids is wanting to leave - I know his contracts up at season end but still, Defoe's situation is getting worse if anything, Mido doesn't seem to even get a look in. Huddlestone needs more prem games. Malbranque is going to be drafted in soon and guess what? Teemu's back.

One defeat hasn't changed anything, just highlighted that some of the lads need to keep their feet on the ground. We showed we can beat the best last week - they obviously thought "well we beat chelsea, so reading should be a walk in the park".

My personal gripe is that the strikers dont seem to be used to their strengths, each of the four has a lot to offer this team but the confusion and unrest over who is first choice and poor form is causing a bit of a rut up front.

Isn't it quite terrible that no spurs player has scored more than 1 league goal after 12 games? Also that Keane's goal on sunday was the first away goal from a spurs player this season?

The strikers need to be focused on slamming the ball in, Keane has other duties being the main playmaker we have along with Lennon. But Mido and Defoe are proven, Berbatov needs time. His quality is apparent as we've seen in Europe.

Time is all we need, patience and also -

KEEP THE GODDAMN FAITH!!!!

[Spur]

Yea agree with all that.

But suBerb Spring 2008? That's along time to wait. And I think by then some of these players won't even be with us unless we start winning medals.

[suBerb]

Yea agree with all that.

But suBerb Spring 2008? That's along time to wait. And I think by then some of these players won't even be with us unless we start winning medals.

I think that we are going to win medals this season but not in the Premiership. And the next season we will win medals in the Premiership too. As regards Berby, he will be inconsistent till 2008 which does not imply poor. To play consistently brilliant is to play as good or even better than Henry and RVN and to score 30+. Even this season however, he's able to score 18-20 goals in all tournaments and to make 12-15 assists. At least I hope so.

[mjbmedia]

Ihe's able to score 18-20 goals in all tournaments and to make 12-15 assists. At least I hope so.
i hope so too, minimum for £10milllion

[neilmcnab]

guys we had 10 internationals out ther against reading...i still dont know any reading players except...cant even remember his name...the team dont show enuf commitment....we pay our money to watch games and that is what they come up wid...needs serious questioning...the diference between us and the top 7-8 teams is they all have a pattern of play...we dont...dont tell me get it to lennon is our pattern of play . arse play short quick incisive...like 5-a-side..chel play power game based on wing play when poss...man u play like spurs of the 60s,70s..build up play probing for space...and chasing pack...its mainly big tall powerful play...long balls to front men...bolton b,burn, portsm, etc..everton rely on johnson divin in the box and l,pool a bit like us lost their way,....but have a lot of options....we just have a lot of options...if ur centre mid cant see passes the team aint goin forward...thats us...spurs for life...just fed up of loosing to medriocrity