Match Thread: Spurs V Boro

[choda]

Gotta score my friends. This is a pretty ordinary side, Woodgate and Yak aside, we're playing.

Steed is playing some nice stuff. So is Hudd, why doesn't Hudd start every match?

Zokora is getting about very well.

[jrio]

Defoe's looked the most likely and we have had a lot of space in the middle but our final pass in moves hasn't been precise enough for the slickness we are trying to achieve. Possibly 0-0 as we haven't tested the keeper enough.

[jrio]

Excellent. Berb allowed too much space in the area and Chimbo nodded back for a volley in the back of the net.

[Billywhizz]

At last thought this was going to be one of those games!!!!!!!!!
hopefully the flood gates should open now.

here Woodgate is having a blinding game

[Chewy]

Listening to it on the radio but all I hear is ' Woodgate with a great tackle! '
Sounds like we would be a few more up if it wasnt for him.

[Billywhizz]

I think Woodgate seems to be returning to his oldself, good luck to the bloke he's had a nightmare time with injuries, but no doubt about it the guy's a quality C/H hope he get's back into the England reckoning. Maybe a cheeky bid from ourselves to Real Madrid would not go a miss during the transfer window.

[derek zoolander]

Anyone know where i can see highlights of tonight?

[Chewy]

**** Sake Spurs!!!

[derek zoolander]

****FLAPS - why are we so shit sometimes?

[Chewy]

But we're not, we're all ****ing over them!! Thats what annoys me! We've had 20 shots, they've had 3! PUT THEM ****ING AWAY!

[Chewy]

KEANO!! ****ing legend!!!

[denis-cro]

OHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!! Briliant!!!!

[JJ]

Alright fine. Keane can play. ;)

[Billywhizz]

I ****in knew it,

[Billywhizz]

There's only one keano!!!!!!!!!!

[Chewy]

What the hell is happening? Who is fighting?

[JJ]

Not sure what that was about. Looked like Zokoras shirt was being pulled down so he went with him.

[derek zoolander]

was keanes goal a free kick?

[jrio]

Christ, it's been like WW3 in the last 5 minutes. I thought there was going to be another red then.

[mjbmedia]

no zoko was defending lennon who was about to get a rabbit punch from behind from boateng good on you didier true team play

[hastingsyid]

Fair play to zoko

[Billywhizz]

What a surprize Boateng was involved, I can't stand him he's an horrible cnut.

[hastingsyid]

What a surprize Boateng was involved, I can't stand him he's an horrible cnut.

And a ugly ****

[mjbmedia]

MOM The Hudd awesome

[JJ]

Yeah, Huddlestone should get a solid run in the team. Got a filthy shot on him as well from around the box with either foot.

[hastingsyid]

That will do,just wish we could finish these ****ing teams off with the chances we create,i keep saying it sooner or later we will punish someone........COYS

[JJ]

There was clearly alot more passion in that one.

Robbo v Huth... oooh that would be messy.

[mjbmedia]

yeh the goal conceded are costing me points in the fantasy league :(

[jrio]

no zoko was defending lennon who was about to get a rabbit punch from behind from boateng good on you didier true team play
You might say that but now he's got a 3 match ban. It's always good to stand up for your team mates but he didn't have to rush into Boateng. Lennon sparked it off by bundling into the back of Boateng who was clearly going to attempt some form of retaliation. Zokora could have just stood there and told him to back off. Once he grabbed him he was always going off.

[Billywhizz]

And a ugly ****

Imagine what his misses looks like, **** that will be frightening

[shoot_ffs]

what's the matter with these foreign players that they need to dig at each other. boateng made an iffy challenge and lennon stuck up for himself. chimbo got involved and probably got boateng sent off. the ref couldn't have seen much in that bundle but though chimbo would get red aswell. we having a self destruct stage. no zokora now and keano's injury looked bad. down to two strikers whether jol likes it or not. defoe didn't have his best game but 90% of the chances came through him. important 3 points but i think we were lucky not to give away pens for holding. hudds did well today.

[hastingsyid]

Imagine what his misses looks like, **** that will be frightening

probably like this

[JJ]

It looked Chimbonda was trying to pull Arca away, granted in a very physical manner, and Arca was holding Zokora's shirt so they all bundled into the ad boards.

Zokora should have just run and in stood there, he kept trying to get at Arca so it looked alot worse.

[Billywhizz]

probably like this

Corrrrr!!!! she's nice

[hastingsyid]

Corrrrr!!!! she's nice

LMFAO...shes all yours or choda can have her

[Spur]

Alright then guys, because my ****ing internet through a wobbly I missed the match, I know highlights are on right now which i'm taping and will watch in a bit, but how did we play?

I listened to a bit on the radio (but the lure of watching Barcelona was too much) and it sounded quite even at the time. It was kick-off until about the third minute I listened and not very in depth either because I was punching the PC (not a good idea).

Is Zokora and Huddlestone the way forward? Talking of forward how did the strikers do? And especially JD seeing as he started? Lee? And of course the goals - where they wondergoals or beautiful football?

[Ioang]

Zokora was oustanding, pure passion, whatever Jol said at the arsenal game, must have worked (And I think the newcomers really might have been confused, Arsenal they saw as a 'very good club' not 'the scum')

Passion however overboiled into a fight, which Zokora had a lot to do with. He'll deserve his 3 match ban, which is a shame, showed real promise. Hopefully the FA won't extend it..

[Ginola's Son]

Just got back from the game.

The last 20 minutes were fantastic. We played a lot better although I'd be kidding myself if I said that was a dream performance, still quite a few loose passes going on.

Huddlestone was excellent, a composed, assured, confident player, he really needs a run of consecutive games. Lennon was outstanding in the 2nd half, and I think by sparking that pulsating brawl, he fired Boro up too much to go for an equalizer. He must have put Defoe through about 6 times and Jermain did poorly to not convert a couple of chances

Steed is settling in now, I can see good things about him now, he'll come good with some goals soon, I'm sure of it.

At the back, we seemed relatively ok, King doesn't look 100% fit and neither does Chimbonda although both didn't make telling errors. Dawson was his usual class. Lee did ok, but overdoes the running.

Berbatov did great, great goal. But I still felt he looked bored and disinterested at times. It could be his Bulgarian laid back manner though. Keane.....the hero...he's been the hero before and now he's the hero again. Comes off the bench to win the game for us, who could ask for more.

I thouroughly enjoyed myself tonight.

[Spur]

How did Lennon play tonight after his marish Arsenal match?

Just been told he is the subject of a 25million bid from Chelsea.

[singapore spur]

How did Lennon play tonight after his marish Arsenal match?

Just been told he is the subject of a 25million bid from Chelsea.

doesnt surprise me if thats true , it was always gonna come , but 25 quid , jeez thats a lot even though he looks the classiest british youngster in the game .
would we sell ? would he go ? lets hope the answer is no to both but even though i believe aaron is on a long contract with us now , its going to be ultimately down to the player and lets hope after seeing the destruction of swp amongst others career that he chooses wisely .

[laspur]

This is the stuff that scares me about Lennon leaving. Especially since our form in the league is so erratic, will he leave for guaranteed trophy's? I know he signed a lenthy contract but it means nothing these days with the money thrown around especially from Chelsea. Unless we win some silverware, how long do you think he'll stay honestly? I see a Carrick situation appearing maybe not now but certainly later.

[JuicE]

How did Lennon play tonight after his marish Arsenal match?

Just been told he is the subject of a 25million bid from Chelsea.

****ing chelski bastards! Ruining the whole ****ing league! :mad:

[SCIFIN17YID]

****ing chelski bastards! Ruining the whole ****ing league! :mad:

OMFG is this true the chelsea cun"ts are trying to buy are lennon from us ? blimey, do you even think they will get him ? :'(

[SurreySpur]

I was at the game Last night and we played pretty well without ever really hitting top gear. Boro lost it completely in the last 7or8mins and could have ended up having another red for what looked like a blatant stamp on huddlestone. Speaking of the big man, he was immense last night and on that performance he could do with a run of games in the middle with zokora. I swear the Hudd gets bigger everytime i see him, he's a monster. Zokora must have got a bollocking after the arsenal game as tonight he looked hungry and always showed for the ball, his first touch is still seriously suspect though.
The defence played well although Chimbonda didnt have his best game in a spurs shirt while Lee looked half decent although he wasn't really tested.
The forwards all looked fairly sharp, we just lack a constant threat as lennon,malbranque,bebrbatov,keane and defoe all drift in and out games too much.
All in all a decent performance and with charlton on saturday we can really push up the league and get ourselves back on course.

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

[JuicE]

3 points off 3rd place sounds better than 10th!!!!!!!!!! :D

[MarlowSpurs]

3 points off 3rd place sounds better than 10th!!!!!!!!!! :D

Too right it does

[shoot_ffs]

i thought it was apretty rusty performance against a very average boro team, they were about as good as we were at the emirates. chimbo kept downing inhis pocket for almost the entire game, although he was lucky not to give away a couple of pens. Think the FA might have something to say about him grabbing another player when he wants to defend himself. Our midfield atleast wanted the ball today, maybe as there were few boro tackles and hudds was the pick of the bunch. Lennon showed often for the ball but rarely got outside his man. Defoe and berby did well in the build up play, but seem to want to make similar timed runs. If we played a settled midfield it would be easier for them to pick out the runs rather than berby being offside half the time. Defoe should have had a couple last night, but mostly never got a perfect pass to make it easy for him.
Thought lee did well on the left but boro didn't trouble him much, i still prefer him to ekotto.

[dommo]

Yep agree i thought lee did well. Even though he hadn't a whole lot to do , he immediately closed down his opponent every time which restricted ball coming into the box ( unlike benny who seems happy to stand off and give them time to deliver a ball into the box )
Chimbo kept downing very quiet.
I thought our midfield was too narrow for most of the game and when we had the ball we had very little option other than backwards. Malbranque tried to get involved quite a bit but gave the ball away too much for my liking. Can't wait for him to be back to his best.

The Hudd was awesome and i'd like to congradulate him on having the balls to shoot when the opening arrives. Wish his teammates would follow suit.

3pts the main thing for me and 3 more on sat will keep us well in touch with European places.

[Ginola's Son]

I think the common consensus here is that Huddlestone is the man!

The 'new' Carrick? Or the first Huddlestone?

I don't know who I prefer out of Assou-Ekotto or Lee, they are both capable of errors. Lee seems to want to get forward a lot more, but Benoit remembers his position a little more...I say, sell them both and get someone even better.

[JJ]

I think the common consensus here is that Huddlestone is the man!

The 'new' Carrick? Or the first Huddlestone?

I don't know who I prefer out of Assou-Ekotto or Lee, they are both capable of errors. Lee seems to want to get forward a lot more, but Benoit remembers his position a little more...I say, sell them both and get someone even better.

He's getting better each game as his confidence builds. I honestly think he has more than Carrick as he's good in the air and rock solid as well. His passing range will become clearer as he plays more and gets more comfortable.

Such a threat to have around the box from corners as well, he's got wonderful technique with both feet.

Ekotto is still very young so his form is a bit up and down. I think he's better than Lee, but Lee is alot more experienced. Having said that, Lee was good yesterday. Pleasantly surprising.

[JJ]

3 points off 3rd place sounds better than 10th!!!!!!!!!! :D

That's what i've been saying. It's never like we've been far from the a top 5 spot. The teams above us will gradually fade away a bit, and hopefully we'll pick up some away form and we'll shoot up the league.

[Spur]

Sounds like we had a good one then, i'll watch it in a bit.

I think Benny can be better than Lee, but like JJ says Lee has the experience and Benny does make a few mistakes - some critical. Lee isn't a bad player, certainly not a bad back up at all.

[Ginola's Son]

Ekotto is still very young so his form is a bit up and down. I think he's better than Lee, but Lee is alot more experienced. Having said that, Lee was good yesterday. Pleasantly surprising.


Yeah, he didn't play too bad all, but I've seen him behave pretty kamikaze (Man U last season) at times, if he has consigned that element of his game to the scraphead then I'm all for him getting games. End of the day...we should never have sold Edman

[Spur]

Yeah, he didn't play too bad all, but I've seen him behave pretty kamikaze (Man U last season) at times, if he has consigned that element of his game to the scraphead then I'm all for him getting games. End of the day...we should never have sold Edman

What we should have done was work on Ziegler to be a left back, because he's a better left back than left winger.

[Ginola's Son]

Always been a Ziegler fan...but I beleive he'll be sold in the January window, he seems surplus to requirements.

[Ioang]

Lee's perfect on the bench - playing both wing back positions. I think i'd still play Benny first choice tho.

[jrio]

Lee is just too physically weak and easily bullied off the ball. He's particularly vulnerable to the far post ball where he cost us a few goals last season. He went forward to good effect a few times in the first half but he has little power in his left foot, greatly limiting his crossing and too often can easily get forced inside. Ekotto's done himself a great deal of damage with his display at Arsenal and will have to work very hard to get back in the team soon.

As to a supposed bid for Lennon there's no way he'd leave at this stage. Maybe in four years when he will have established himself in the England side but even then I could see ManU or Liverpool being favourites. A lot of young English players will have noted the damage done to SWP's career and have Chelsea well down their list as a destination.

Anyone see Dalmat's goal for Bordeaux yesterday? Very reminiscent of Le Tiss as he drifted past a player 40 yards from goal and drifted a chip over the keeper from the right 25 yards from goal.

[MaccYid]

Yeah i saw it, great goal. he scored some crackers for us aswell.

Liked him when he was with us, just a shame he didn't settle because on his day he had unbelivable skill. I think he had a fight with O'Hara and that was the end of him.
Anybody know the extent of Keane's injury yet??

[JJ]

Anyone see Dalmat's goal for Bordeaux yesterday? Very reminiscent of Le Tiss as he drifted past a player 40 yards from goal and drifted a chip over the keeper from the right 25 yards from goal.

Good player Dalmat. Scored a few peaches for us, just a pity he's a bit of a cock. Refused to train with other players or something.

[Spur]

Good player Dalmat. Scored a few peaches for us, just a pity he's a bit of a cock. Refused to train with other players or something.

A bit of a cock? He was meant to be Le Cock, what is it with the French thinking they are bigger and better than everyone else?!? He wasn't even in the French squad FFS and he thinks he is bigger than Spurs? Having a laugh weren't he?

[Ginola's Son]

As to a supposed bid for Lennon there's no way he'd leave at this stage. Maybe in four years when he will have established himself in the England side

That's a naive statement. Rooney buggered off to Man U without a second thought.

I LOVED Dalmat.

[nuttyhotspurs]

Always been a Ziegler fan...but I beleive he'll be sold in the January window, he seems surplus to requirements.

ziegler is dog shit. id prefer us to play lee's missus on the left

[jrio]

Has she got a decent left foot?

[jrio]

That's a naive statement. Rooney buggered off to Man U without a second thought.

I LOVED Dalmat.
A player rather more advanced in football terms than Lennon and the prospects at Everton are also more limited than at Spurs. He wouldn't have buggered off to Chelsea, that's for sure, even without United's interest.

[MiloMinderbinder]

BAE has had a raw deal over the last couple of months. He has been left exposed by the system we play, as a fullback you are taught "stop the cross", ok easily done one on one but when there is the potential for an overlapping fullback you are some what caught in a quandry, do you stay with your man, shut down space or get the left winger in at half time and kick the ****ing shite out of him for being a lazy ****, either way you're left looking like an arsehole due to someone elses inability to take responsiblity. Playing Lee on the left is a bad bad bad move, no left footer on the left means no crosses, and continuing cutting back inside, very predictable and very easy to defend. A left footer on the left is a must not a preference.

As for Dalmat, he has had 500 clubs so far and he's not even 30, speaks volumes.

[Spur]

Well I just watched the highlights and first up two great goals, everyone seemed to play decent - but then they don't call them highlights for nothing so everyone would look decent wouldn't they?

Don't really see what Zokora did wrong just stood up for his mate, his shirt was practically ripped as well from where Boateng tried to pull him in for a kiss the dirty bugger.

Ledley at fault for goal conceded just left two players unmarked can give some others pat blame as well but i'm sure it won't happen again.

[MiloMinderbinder]

Ledley at fault for goal conceded just left two players unmarked can give some others pat blame as well but i'm sure it won't happen again.[/QUOTE]

I blame Jenas

[Spur]

Actually I blame Ledley and Steed, both were just standing there with two players to their left. And it was a pretty poor header from Pascal, and how did Chimbo miss that shot he had?

[Spur]

A player rather more advanced in football terms than Lennon and the prospects at Everton are also more limited than at Spurs. He wouldn't have buggered off to Chelsea, that's for sure, even without United's interest.

Yea apparently United are interested too, but Chelsea will give us the more £££

[MiloMinderbinder]

Actually I blame Ledley and Steed, both were just standing there with two players to their left. And it was a pretty poor header from Pascal, and how did Chimbo miss that shot he had?

I thought Robbo could have done a bit more to dominate the situation, he's a goalie they have the biggest advantage going on a footy pitch and he could have come to try and claim, at the very least it would have put Huth under pressure.

[Spur]

I thought Robbo could have done a bit more to dominate the situation, he's a goalie they have the biggest advantage going on a footy pitch and he could have come to try and claim, at the very least it would have put Huth under pressure.

It was quite far out though. Some keepers would go for it jump on top of the player and punch or something but there is a big risk in that for giving away a penalty for one wrong move or interpretation by the ref and he gives it.

I would have let the players deal with it especially as it was a crowded box, you expect your players - especially your defence - to cover the most basic of football procedures and marking is one of them. I think there were actually three players unmarked as everyone got dragged into the ball, especially Ledley.

[spurs61]

A bit late in the day but nonetheless;

We played ok without ever really looking good. There were a lot of nice flicks and touches but nothing really came off. Hudds was awesome again, he's got so much more to his game than Carrick. At one point he went in for one 50/50 ball and won it easily but his first touch took the ball too far ahead; he went into another 50/50 to win the ball back and the Boro player actually jumped out of the way, you should see it on the highlights as Tom went on to have a good shot from the subsequent rampaging run.

Zokora looked fantastic going forward, a real threat, but that's not his job is it? His first touch was rubbish but at least he went into challenges with something resembling desire and commitment, he still gave the ball away far too much though.

Lee had a good solid game, we were all amazed. Still can't use his left foot though but got forward to good effect (without doing anything) and didn't get caught out of position once!!

Defoe looked bright and sharp; his last two performances have been excellent and he has shown a real understanding with Berbatov, I just wish he'd drift out wide and leave Dimi in the middle rather than the other way round, stupid!

Berbatov produced his usual classy touches and scored another great goal. If he would just play to 100% for an hour a game he'd be World Class, as it is he performs for maybe 20 mins a game......

Steed buzzed around busily, he started on the left but was given license to drift around the pitch as 'Boro played with wing-backs. He got stuck into tackles and kept trying different things, nice little through ball, flicks over the top and ran at the defence. All that was missing was an assist. He's going to be a great player for us.

King and Dawson looked fairly comfortable at the back, although they still don't command the penalty area the way they should, if they had Boro would not have scored.

As I mentioned before, I'm concerned that we are becoming too reliant on Aaron. He was quietly effective last night without really getting into the game.

Chimbo was his usual solid self, he's the best full back I've ever seen in a Spurs shirt.

All in all a decent if uninspired display. I thought Jol could have helped more though, we allowed Boro back into the game on the hour mark and they continued to press for an equaliser. We all said that we needed to make a change just to make Boro think more about defence and sure enough they scored ten minutes later. I've got a horrible feeling that big Mart has taken us as far as he can. I wouldn't replace him as I think a few more seasons of consolidation wouldn't go amiss, stability is the key.

[Spur]

Zokora looked fantastic going forward, a real threat, but that's not his job is it? His first touch was rubbish but at least he went into challenges with something resembling desire and commitment, he still gave the ball away far too much though.

I think that is his job when he plays with Huddlestone.

[jrio]

Fairly predictable from the FA but there was little going on apart from Chimbonda clumsily trying to intervene between Zoko and Boateng. Players were crowding around(pathetic when everyone wants to get involved as though that's helpful and it just encourages the referee to overreact) but little was going on in terms of being out of control. I expect both players will get 3 match bans.

[Welsh Spur]

Boateng is looking at 4, because he also got sent off against Arsenal on Sep 9. Good enough for him, the dirty ****ing ****.

[shoot_ffs]

jol does annoy me with his late subs, when we are in the ascendancy teams bring on fresh legs and more options, and we never seem to bring fresh legs on to maintain stability, or atleast until they've scored. Viduka's sub yesterday changed the game and we should have got steed off then for murphy or tainio. i don't think downing looked a 5m player yesterday let alone 10m.

[Welsh Spur]

jol does annoy me with his late subs, when we are in the ascendancy teams bring on fresh legs and more options, and we never seem to bring fresh legs on to maintain stability, or atleast until they've scored. Viduka's sub yesterday changed the game and we should have got steed off then for murphy or tainio. i don't think downing looked a 5m player yesterday let alone 10m.

That's because he isn't. I wouldn't even want to sign him if I was a manager, I'd want good players in my team not bollocks like that useless streak of piss.

[RuFuS]

Chimbo was his usual solid self, he's the best full back I've ever seen in a Spurs shirt.

Better than Knowles or Hughton ?

[jrio]

jol does annoy me with his late subs, when we are in the ascendancy teams bring on fresh legs and more options, and we never seem to bring fresh legs on to maintain stability, or atleast until they've scored. Viduka's sub yesterday changed the game and we should have got steed off then for murphy or tainio.

We still had most of the possession in midfield and were creating chances but not finishing them. I always felt we would only concede from a set-piece or a 25 yarder. Viduka's only real influence was in blocking so Huth had time to score. The real fault there was in not effectively heading clear after the corner. You've got to expect sides like Boro will start coming forward when they go a goal down but we already had the players to deal with it.

[Ginola's Son]

A player rather more advanced in football terms than Lennon and the prospects at Everton are also more limited than at Spurs

I don't think so, Rooney was the darling of the team at that point. He did the dirty on them after just two seasons...Lennon has been with us two seasons...and is the same age as Rooney was. I saw an interview in which he committed himself to spurs for the season but didn't speak of the long term.

[spurs61]

Better than Knowles or Hughton ?

Ain't old enough to have seen Cyril but Chimonda is certainly as good as Hughton, he's miles better going forward though.