Match Thread: Chelsea vs Tottenham Hotspur

[Neil_Vaughan]

Talk about the game in here before, during and after.

[Milney yid]

I honestly think we can get a draw, take them back to the Lane and beat them there. If we show the same fight and passion we showed today, we are a match for anyone.

[RuFuS]

we are a match for anyone.

With our recent record against them we got naff all to lose. Do them there at their place.Get it over and done with.

[Ginola's Son]

We go in with absolutely no pressure on us at all, they are the clear favourites. If we just show a respectable account for ourselves, win, lose or draw, then I'll be happy....but lady luck does seem to be shining down on us at the mo...

[mjbmedia]

mmmm so if todays game had ended 6 minutes earlier youd not be giving us a chance at chelsea bearing in mind we totally lost the initiative against the bottom team who were clearly shit scared of us once we had scored just one goal. Once we scored the second it seemed we were shit scared of them .
Chelsea will **** us if we play anywhere near as crap as we did today .
yeh we won today but it wasnt cos we were constantly banging on the door for the winner, we got a lucky break and took advantage and against Wham in their predicament etc it just aint good enough .

having said that what a game lol

so chelsea, well theyll have two days rest more than us following their CL (Tues home?) and our UEFA (thurs late!! away) games , can either Dawson or Gardner stop Drogba , dont think so .

[wayne wonder]

mmmm so if todays game had ended 6 minutes earlier youd not be giving us a chance at chelsea bearing in mind we totally lost the initiative against the bottom team who were clearly shit scared of us once we had scored just one goal. Once we scored the second it seemed we were shit scared of them .
Chelsea will **** us if we play anywhere near as crap as we did today .
yeh we won today but it wasnt cos we were constantly banging on the door for the winner, we got a lucky break and took advantage and against Wham in their predicament etc it just aint good enough .

having said that what a game lol

so chelsea, well theyll have two days rest more than us following their CL (Tues home?) and our UEFA (thurs late!! away) games , can either Dawson or Gardner stop Drogba , dont think so .


Maybe not but Stalteri will score a few for us so we're gonna do em 2-1:cool:

[highlander]

as long as we go out there and put in a good performance i dont really care, although it would be nice to keep the momentum going and get something from the game

[Chewy]

Chimbonda got a 5th yellow card today so thats him out.

[DiamondGeezer]

Chimbonda got a 5th yellow card today so thats him out.

nah he aint

the deadline for that rule went last week so all he gets now is a written warning from the FA.

so hes ok

its now only if u get 10 u get a 2 game suspension the 5 card rule has gone

[Chewy]

nah he aint

the deadline for that rule went last week so all he gets now is a written warning from the FA.

so hes ok

its now only if u get 10 u get a 2 game suspension the 5 card rule has gone

Didn't realise that. Awesome news then!

[Spur]

What's that? An away game...? It's in the bag then!

[spurs61]

What's that? An away game...? It's in the bag then!

LMFAO, pissed myself at that comment! :D

[JuicE]

14 goals in the last 4 games! I can see a 6 - 6 score line, maybe we can just nick it with a Robbo goal kick in injury time!!!! :D

[wayne wonder]

14 goals in the last 4 games! I can see a 6 - 6 score line, maybe we can just nick it with a Robbo goal kick in injury time!!!! :D

F*ck that our attacking midfielder paul stalteri will score past the keeper for an injury **** thats already been done haha

[MaccYid]

winnable game now, gotta just go for it. A lot will depend if Terry is playing?? If not i fancy Keane & Berba to tear Calvaliho and essien apart!!!

[MaccYid]

Also does Berba get a rest on thursday???

[Chewy]

Also does Berba get a rest on thursday???

Hope so. I'd start Mido and Keane on thursday, save berbatov for chelscum.

[Ginola's Son]

No, Play Berby in both. He's too important to leave out now. I'd actually consider the UEFA game more important TBH

[Welsh Spur]

Mido needs game time. He has a lot to offer us.

[gazzaG8]

Mido needs game time. He has a lot to offer us.

Spot on mate, i'd start with Defoe & Mido. I'd even start Taarabt

[DiamondGeezer]

Spot on mate, i'd start with Defoe & Mido. I'd even start Taarabt

thats not a bad shout!

[highlander]

i think Berba should play on thursday and be rested against Chelsea. we're not going to beat Chelsea at home and the fixtures really will build up in the next 2 months as we need to compete in the league and UEFA Cup. this is where the depth of squad will come in handy

[singapore spur]

as ever the 1st goal is crucial , but it may sound bizarre but it may be even better for us if chelsea score 1st , i fear if we do then we will just sit back and invite them on to us as we have so many times this season and then will struggle to switch up a gear if they equalise .

as regards resting players in the uefa , for the fa cup , well i actually think for future progression that the uefa cup would be a more significant trophy for us to win , despite the magic and the history that the fa cup holds for us , so therefore i would field the strongest team we can in the uefa

[JuicE]

I agree we have a first goal syndrome which is detrimental to our health. Going down 1-0 may be better, just not 2-0 or were ****ed. We need to introduce Tarbaart as a sub into the 2nd half as a surprise as well not from the start. I will be sending my recommendations to MJ!

[Ginola's Son]

I think we need to restart the club bus! And park it in front of their goal. **** what Jose thinks of that, get them back to the lane!

[spurs61]

I think we need to restart the club bus! And park it in front of their goal. **** what Jose thinks of that, get them back to the lane!

Good idea, this time we'll remove the wheels as well so they can't move it at half time!

I think that if we really go at Chelsea from the start and play a very mobile and aggressive midfield we could nick something. Keane has to play, the Chelsea defenders are scared witless of him, they also hate playing against Mido. I'd keep Aaron on the left to exploit whoever plays at rightback (although I have had a premonition of him skinning Cole) and I'd push someone right up against Makelele to keep him occupied. As strange as it sounds I'd have Gardner marking Drogba to leave Dawson free to cover any gaps.

[Ginola's Son]

Lennon should go back on the right, he must be in his favoured position if he is to play at his best on sunday. If Steed is fit, then he can slot in on the left, if not, then play Teemu there and stick Hudd in with Zokora in the middle. Just put Hudd on Robben throughout and neutralise him with brutality.

[MaccYid]

I think that if we really go at Chelsea from the start and play a very mobile and aggressive midfield we could nick something.

And where the hell are we going to find that in 5 days???

[MiloMinderbinder]

And where the hell are we going to find that in 5 days???

Jenas?! :D :( :rolleyes: LOL

[MaccYid]

Jenas?! :D :( :rolleyes: LOL

arrr yes, how stupid of me...................

[MiloMinderbinder]

arrr yes, how stupid of me...................

or Murphy....:rolleyes: TT is tenacious but then I'd have him on the team sheet before any of the midfield, inlcuding Lennon.

[Thfc4Life]

or Murphy....:rolleyes: TT is tenacious but then I'd have him on the team sheet before any of the midfield, inlcuding Lennon.

LOL, Is Tainio good now because he scored a goal on Sunday :p

Teemu Tainio is a jack of all trades master of none! Yes he works hard and battles well, but so should every single player wearing a Spurs shirt.

He isn't good enough in my opinion too lightweight and gives possession away too often (sounds like i'm talking about Jenas there) I just feel we need better players than him to enable us to compete with the top 4.

Joey Barton or Nigel Reo-Coker anyone ;)

[MiloMinderbinder]

LOL, Is Tainio good now because he scored a goal on Sunday :p

Teemu Tainio is a jack of all trades master of none! Yes he works hard and battles well, but so should every single player wearing a Spurs shirt.

He isn't good enough in my opinion too lightweight and gives possession away too often (sounds like i'm talking about Jenas there) I just feel we need better players than him to enable us to compete with the top 4.

Joey Barton or Nigel Reo-Coker anyone ;)

TT is essential in the midfield at present, he's the only one who covers ground, gets ahead of the strikers and picks up runners. He may well not be the most technical player but he's good enough. Of all the players we have he's one of the only ones that gives his all game in game out, check out the stats for when TT plays, he plays we win, simple. He's like a David Howells, you don't realise how important he is until he's not there and a club without players like this are on a hiding to nothing.

[DiamondGeezer]

LOL, Is Tainio good now because he scored a goal on Sunday :p

Teemu Tainio is a jack of all trades master of none! Yes he works hard and battles well, but so should every single player wearing a Spurs shirt.

He isn't good enough in my opinion too lightweight and gives possession away too often (sounds like i'm talking about Jenas there) I just feel we need better players than him to enable us to compete with the top 4.

Joey Barton or Nigel Reo-Coker anyone ;)

Joey Barton

forget reo-coker

[Shuggie13]

Joey Barton

forget reo-coker

If things carry on as they are for Man City Barton could well be going on the cheap in the summer. I don't think Reo-Coker is an option.

[DiamondGeezer]

If things carry on as they are for Man City Barton could well be going on the cheap in the summer. I don't think Reo-Coker is an option.

wouldnt mind bringing him in

hes a gd player

but is a bit of a prick at times

[mjbmedia]

dont want either of them.

if we have to have another midfielder (more!!!!) lets have Arteta and/or Cahill

[DiamondGeezer]

dont want either of them.

if we have to have another midfielder (more!!!!) lets have Arteta and/or Cahill

yeah two more good players

but i think ur right about not needing more midfielders i think the left side needs to be sorted our first!

[spurs61]

Has anyone else found it raher puzzling that the FA have allowed the game to be scheduled for an early kick off despite the fact that we will have just over 48 hours to rest? I can't help that think that no other club would be forced to do this, certainly none of the clubs in the Champions League would be asked to play two important matches in less than 72 hours. Surely our tie should have been scheduled as either a late kick off on Sunday or on Monday night?

[Shuggie13]

Has anyone else found it raher puzzling that the FA have allowed the game to be scheduled for an early kick off despite the fact that we will have just over 48 hours to rest? I can't help that think that no other club would be forced to do this, certainly none of the clubs in the Champions League would be asked to play two important matches in less than 72 hours. Surely our tie should have been scheduled as either a late kick off on Sunday or on Monday night?

I was thinking exactly the same thing last night. You could imagine the uproar coming from Wenger or Ferguson if that happened. Mourhinio would just say 'it makes no difference to me, we play when we have to, we are champions, I do not rest becasue I have no need. A champion never rests and if I am told to rest I will go to another club that will pay me to never sleep. I expect the same from my team'.

[suBerb]

Has anyone else found it raher puzzling that the FA have allowed the game to be scheduled for an early kick off despite the fact that we will have just over 48 hours to rest? I can't help that think that no other club would be forced to do this, certainly none of the clubs in the Champions League would be asked to play two important matches in less than 72 hours. Surely our tie should have been scheduled as either a late kick off on Sunday or on Monday night?


In the second half last night Berba took a rest. So, he won't be tired:p

[Shuggie13]

In the second half last night Berba took a rest. So, he won't be tired:p

And in the first half! He may as well of been drinking a cup of tea whilst playing, I've never seen a player play at his own pace as much as that. It was beautifull.

[suBerb]

Gavin Peacock told BBC Sport: "Berbatov has been a real plus for Spurs this season. Against Bolton he gave one of the most complete performances from a centre forward I have ever seen. He's a huge talent."


Well Gavin, next year you are going to see THE most complete performance from a centre forward, perhaps in a game against Chelski :p

[jrio]

Well Gavin, next year you are going to see THE most complete performance from a centre forward, perhaps in a game against Chelski :p

Unfortunately, there are large times when he outclasses his own side. Keane has begun to rise to the challenge, and it's up to Mal and Lennon to really raise their game.

[suBerb]

Unfortunately, there are large times when he outclasses his own side. Keane has begun to rise to the challenge, and it's up to Mal and Lennon to really raise their game.

Keane enters his prime, Lennon is a great talent. Mal, however, is good but limited. We need better players than Mal, Jenas, and Tainio. I watched Babel against Bremen - he's outstanding! Sign him and a top attacking CM, say, Van der Vaart, and we will score much more goals. Given the amount of goals we have scored recently, the thought of adding such players to our team makes me optimistic about Spurs. Levy and Jol must bring such players in!

[jrio]

Agreed, a top priority is to have Berb stay and to that end we need to extend our ambitions.

Did anyone else see Jamie Redknapp extoll the virtues of Berb before Wham on Sunday and say that he could even play for a CL side like Chelsea!? I was really cursing him! Why does every other club get an ex-player who seems to still have an attachment to them and we get Graham(Arse!) and Redknapp(Pool!)?

[Shuggie13]

Agreed, a top priority is to have Berb stay and to that end we need to extend our ambitions.

Did anyone else see Jamie Redknapp extoll the virtues of Berb before Wham on Sunday and say that he could even play for a CL side like Chelsea!? I was really cursing him! Why does every other club get an ex-player who seems to still have an attachment to them and we get Graham(Arse!) and Redknapp(Pool!)?


We could petition Garth Crooks to become a pundit on Sky, now that would be funny. I got to agree there seems to be a lack of pundits sthat are ex-Spurs and Spurs through and through. Maybe Teddy will go into TV.

[suBerb]

Tevez made his best game against us. I'm afraid that Sheva could do the same.

[Shuggie13]

Tevez made his best game against us. I'm afraid that Sheva could do the same.

Only if you bring in AC Milan's side to play the match with him. He just can't play in the Chelski side. Tevez last week was as a result of West Ham side who decided to actually play a decent first-half in ages. You got to feel for Tevez I'm not sure anyone of his potential could have played well in the Spammers this season.

[Spur]

Most of our ex-yids go into management or have successful business adventures of their own, look at Mabbutt, rather than fall back on the easiness of TV punditry.

[yido4life]

i think we can win,if we play like we have done we are a match for anyone.


"1 nil down, 2 one up, thats the way to shut them up with a knick knack yid attack, stick keano on the throne, jose mourinho **** off home":D

[JuicE]

Let's realise the dream! Stuff the ******s!!!!! and at home, that's what we need! ;)

[jrio]

Some interesting thoughts here, particularly on how he nearly left Spurs halfway through his first season after "He had joined the underachieving north London club as the "first assistant to the head coach" - whatever that was supposed to mean - and it quickly became clear that the role was even more spurious than the job title."

More revealingly "Arnesen and Jol have remained firm friends.... Jol is touted as a possible successor to Jose Mourinho at Chelsea. It is not a position this ambitious 51-year-old ... seems averse to filling. Jol stresses that he has enormous respect for his Chelsea counterpart. But in accordance with football's protocol he refuses to covet another man's seat. "[Mourinho has] said he will be there to 2010," he said. "This is my mission. I've got another three years here." Later he refers to going back to Holland in 2 or 3 years but then seems to extend that because "For me as a manager it would be important to win the title not the FA Cup. But is that possible at Spurs? I don't think so. So maybe in five or six years I will have to go to Ajax or PSV to win a title because that is the only domestic thing I have not won. I have won everything in Holland - the FA cup, the non-league, all the other cups - but not a title. But is that possible? For me it's possible abroad but not at Spurs. Top four, say if one club falls out of the top four, Liverpool or Arsenal, why shouldn't we take up that position? Why not?"

Seems a few players will not start tomorrow, possibly including Lennon. Big mistake as without him any chance we have of getting a result goes out of the window. Rest him for the Braga return because if we seriously lose that by 2 goals then we don't deserve to get through. Also, when he says Mido is probably fit - surely not resting Berb? That would be complete insanity. Again, these are the sort of changes to make on Wednesday.

[Ioang]

I wouldnt read anything into that, they always say 'stalteri is almost fit' or 'Murphys gonna take a little longer' even when they blatantly wouldnt play even if they were fit!

[Spur]

I wouldnt read anything into that, they always say 'stalteri is almost fit' or 'Murphys gonna take a little longer' even when they blatantly wouldnt play even if they were fit!

I geniunely believe that the medical staff and coaching team tell players who aren't first choice to rest up even with the slightest niggle for longer than they would a first choice first teamer.

[jrio]

There is a real danger that Jol will look at the current situation, taking into account the long absence of King, and concede that we can get continued success in the league and Europe, but only at the expense of the FA Cup. Wednesday should be a cake-walk and that is the game to rest players in. I can see the logic as we played late on Thursday but players only real feel the strain when they're in a mixed or losing streak. At the moment everything's going very well for us and we really need to be positive

[highlander]

ill be interested to see how weel Cerny does for us tomorrow, hopefully he can have a good game and put more pressure on Robbo

[suBerb]

Robbo and Keane out :(

[Spur]

ill be interested to see how weel Cerny does for us tomorrow, hopefully he can have a good game and put more pressure on Robbo

Cerny has always been a more than able deputy. I like Cerny. Very similar to Robbo. What would have been interesting is whether Cerny would have played had Alnwick been fit. It will also be interesting to see whether we extend his loan again or let him go back to Slavia Prague at the end of the season now we have brought Alnwick in.

[jrio]

No real problems there as Cerny is a more than able deputy for Robbo and Defoe offers different qualities to Keane but is no less lethal. Let's not get our excuses ahead of our performance. The real loss is King, one that may cost us a trophy and a high final finish.

[Chewy]

I'm hoping to see this line up

Cerny
Chimbo Dawson Rocha Lee
Lennon Tainio Zokora Malbranque
Berbs Defoe

Bench: (4th choice keeper), Gardner, Huddlestone, Taabart, Mido

I have a strange feeling cerny is gonna have an amazing game and be our hero at the end of today. Stalteri's time has come - step up cerny! :)

[Danishspurs]

I'm hoping to see this line up

Cerny
Chimbo Dawson Rocha Lee
Lennon Tainio Zokora Malbranque
Berbs Defoe

Bench: (4th choice keeper), Gardner, Huddlestone, Taabart, Mido

I have a strange feeling cerny is gonna have an amazing game and be our hero at the end of today. Stalteri's time has come - step up cerny! :)

Agree with your line up except i would play Gardner instead of Rocha..

It will be interesting to see weather Jol will rest any players and if Taraabt comes on, see if he can do a difference again. :)

No matter what it's gonna be a tough game. With JJ, King KEane and Robbo out we have lost probably our best player in their positions, except for Keane maybe.. I'll be happy with a draw.

COYS!!

[Spur]

No matter what it's gonna be a tough game. With JJ, King KEane and Robbo out we have lost probably our best player in their positions, except for Keane maybe.. I'll be happy with a draw.

JJ best midfielder?

Somebody's been on the crack in the early hours...

[Shuggie13]

Not that we have a lot of width to start with, there is going to be absolutely none today as Steed, TT and Zokora will be containing their midfield 3. It goes without saying that will be the key to todays match.

[Chewy]

Chelsea aren't very physical so no need for gardner. I think rocha should be able to cope with Shev and although I don't think any of our defenders except king will be able to cope with drogba..dawson will be up for the challenge!

I orginally had Huddlestone down to start but in the last few games Tainio has been on form. Bring on Huddlestone if they start passing it all around us in mid-field...let him spray the ball around :)

I have a funny feeling Lennon is gonna be on the bench and Ghaly is going to be starting...god i hope i'm wrong.

[Gino Ginelli]

Chelsea aren't very physical

What about Drogba, Ballack, Lampard and Carvalho?? Drogba is a big ****, and for all his theatrics he's very strong & pacey.

I would much rather Rocha though, even if it's for the opposite reasons you give. He will be more aware of the gamesmanship of Drogba and Robben. Gardner, while playing well at the moment, is very naive when it comes to the dishonest parts of the game.

Tainio is proving himself to be an important player and is starting to provide the Michael Brown style tenacity I feel we've been lacking. Hudd didn't have any impact midweek, and would be wrong to start.

Lennon will start, he's undroppable in this kind of game, where quality counts for almost everything. Ghaly is simply not good enough for this level of opposition.

Keane being out is a blow, but doesn't concern me as Defoe is just as good at finishing. I never have any real worries over our forwards, as we have 4 class acts, all world class I believe, and if ones unavailable then the others are just as good. Berba / Mido would be just as good as Mido / Defoe, Berba / Defoe, etc...

My only worry is the absence of Robbo. That to me is the biggest problem. Cerny is good, but Robbo is the best keeper in England, despite his dip in confidence and form this year. The last two weeks (aside from the questionable positioning against Tevez' free kick) he has been back to normal and been vital.

Anyway, not pinning my hopes too much on this one, but you never can tell with footy. As one ex-spur once said after a decade's worth of beer; "It's a funny old game"

[Chewy]

Well here is the line up...i'm not impressed.

Cerny
Stalteri Dawson Rocha Lee
Lennon Tainio Zokora Ghaly
Berbatov Defoe

Gardner and Malbranque on the bench along with the 4th choice keeper. Not sure of the other two. I assume Taabart and Mido.

Edit: Bench: Burch, Gardner, Malbranque, Mido, Huddlestone

[Chewy]

My only worry is the absence of Robbo. That to me is the biggest problem. Cerny is good, but Robbo is the best keeper in England, despite his dip in confidence and form this year. The last two weeks (aside from the questionable positioning against Tevez' free kick) he has been back to normal and been vital


Robbo's absence is the least of my worries. He is clearly not the best keeper in England.

[SurreySpur]

At least Terry and makelele are out, lets hope aaron keeps switching flanks coz he has the beating of both full backs.

[Thfc4Life]

Robbo's absence is the least of my worries. He is clearly not the best keeper in England.

Agreed mate.

But what the **** is Jol doing??

Stalteri in, Ghaly in, and Rocha in and these aren't forced changes either! does he want to ****ing lose or something :mad:

And he has changed our formation for no ****ing reason today we are playing a diamond!

EDIT: 1 nil get the **** in!!!!!!!

[Chewy]

Less than 2mins in and Stalteri has fallen over trying to tackle robben. Is anybody elses heart pounding?

[Chewy]

****ing Berbatov!!!

[SurreySpur]

Ghaly is a ****ing waste of space. why do we keep playing him? Defensily he's a liability

[Thfc4Life]

Yeah im shittin it for Stalteri to be honest, he is useless and so is Ghaly :(

[wayne wonder]

Lennon couldn't cross the road :rolleyes: let someone else take the corners and free kicks geeeeeeeez

[Chewy]

Their just attacking our right side because they know ghaly and stalteri are shite

[SurreySpur]

Lawro is once again on sparkling form!! What a prick!

[SurreySpur]

Fat ****ing Pikey ****

[Thfc4Life]

Has that ****** Ghaly passed to a Spurs player yet??

[SurreySpur]

Has that ****** Ghaly passed to a Spurs player yet??

I get so ****ing nervous everytime he or Stalteri gets the ball, the right side today is very very worrying!

[wayne wonder]

Lampard u **** what a prick i hope your wife gets f*cked by a dwarf in a west ham top :mad:

Anyway COYS!!!! pmsl

[Chewy]

I get so ****ing nervous everytime he or Stalteri gets the ball, the right side today is very very worrying!

Not usually we say that either! Rocha is having a good game.

[SurreySpur]

The Chelsea players are scared of lennon. Need to get him on the ball as much as possible

[TomMcLaren]

How many times is Stalteri going to give the ball away.

[SurreySpur]

Lampard u **** what a prick i hope your wife gets f*cked by a dwarf in a west ham top :mad:

Anyway COYS!!!! pmsl

HAHAHAHAHA

[Chewy]

Cheers essien :):):):)

[SurreySpur]

GET IN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Great Finish!!

A nice calm, side foot finish into the bottom corner.

[shakey18]

Yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! ****in Get In!!

[wayne wonder]

HAHAHAHAHA

hahaha i dont know what come over me then :rolleyes:

get in mickey essien u star and drogba get off the pitch u greasy michael jackson wanna be

[Chewy]

Do we have a sniper in the stands?

[wayne wonder]

Do we have a sniper in the stands?

They're going down quicker than lampards wife :p

[Chewy]

They're going down quicker than lampards wife :p

Waaheyyyy :D

[SurreySpur]

Ghaly is a ****ing waste of space. why do we keep playing him? Defensily he's a liability

I take it back!

Get in!!!!

[Chewy]

Ghaly I Love You...for Now!

[shakey18]

YAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!Ghaly!!!

[Thfc4Life]

OMG 3-1 I think ive just blown my spuds :o

[wayne wonder]

My heart cant take this shit!!!

Im off to see fat franks wife whilst he's away

[MACCSPURS]

We only need another 6 goals and we might win this one....

[SurreySpur]

Complete the sentence... DROGBA IS A....................?

[wayne wonder]

We only need another 6 goals and we might win this one....

Ive come about 6 times never mind 6 goals!!! i reckon we score another 8 we might squeeze thru

[wayne wonder]

Complete the sentence... DROGBA IS A....................?

complete utter bitch with a greasy perm

[Chewy]

Did we ever predict a 3-1 half time score...maybe to chelsea lol
GET IN SPURS!

[\jackdaw]

Someone come round and kick me in the bollocks so I know its not a dream ...

No way would I ever in a million years thought we would be 3-1 up at half time.

[wayne wonder]

I cant watch the 2nd half i need to go and lie down i feel dizzy :confused:

[SurreySpur]

This is going to be a LONG LONG second half guys. Time for the JD i think.

[\jackdaw]

It depends what Chelsea do about their defence in the second half, they took off a defender and stuck on SWP but if our defence can tighten up .. which they need to do badly we have got this.

But how many times have we thrown away a good lead this season and in the past, way to many to even think about.

As long as MJ dosnt go all defensive we can go on and get more goals.

[Chewy]

This is going to be a LONG LONG second half guys. Time for the JD i think.

I've been hitting it from kick off...

[SurreySpur]

When was the last time chelsea conceded 3 at home?

[SurreySpur]

Mourinho had a row with ref at H/T in the tunnel. I bet he ends up giving a pen!!

[SurreySpur]

Here we go, every decision going chelsea's way.

[shakey18]

We're gonna get a red today boys

[Chewy]

We cant get out of our half!! C'mon boys!!

[SurreySpur]

How did we not go 4 up?

thats a terrible miss by defoe

[SurreySpur]

Book the dirty dutch ****

[Chewy]

Diving ****s

[SurreySpur]

or next time break his ****ing legs, give him a proper reason to fall over

[Chewy]

Thats a ****ing red

[SurreySpur]

Thats a ****ing red

I thought so too

[Chewy]

Zokora is a ****ing legend..hes running our mid-field

[Chewy]

Mido coming on for berbatov...hmmm

[Chewy]

****ing hell...im shitting myself!

[SurreySpur]

You Fat ****

[Chewy]

****ing ****s!!!

[shakey18]

****'s sake

[SurreySpur]

C'mon boys!!! lets ride this out.

[Chewy]

Terrible mistake to take off berbatov

[SurreySpur]

Mido looks like he has been on the big-mac diet again

[Thfc4Life]

We need to bring on Huddlestone for Defoe we are getting overun in the centre midfield and Chelsea are dangerous form setpieces.

[Chewy]

Why is he taking off lennon? Our most creative player!!

[SurreySpur]

Hudd's too slow for the chelsea midfield. He'd get turned to easy

[Chewy]

****ing hell Mido is fat

[SurreySpur]

My heart cant take this

[Thfc4Life]

Yeah Hudd is slow, but if he was the defensive midfielder alongside Zokora and Tainio they could be the runners for him.

[Chewy]

This is terrible...my heart actually hurts...

[SurreySpur]

Mido has been wank

[SurreySpur]

this is lik the league game at the bridge last season. We sat back on a 1-1 draw and got punished

[Chewy]

**** off spurs

[shakey18]

****in hell

[SurreySpur]

i feel like crying

[SurreySpur]

We'll lose this now

[Chewy]

omg defoe...

[Thfc4Life]

Surprise surprise, we have shit it again and it will probably get worse :(

[Chewy]

I can only blame Martin Jol and I never do. His subs were ****ing piss. Took of our two most creative players.

[wayne wonder]

Im ****ing crushed!!!

its that bad ive switched onto american idol i cant take it im frothing at the mouth :(

[Thfc4Life]

It all went wrong when we took Berbatov off!!!!

[MACCSPURS]

We only need another 6 goals and we might win this one....

told you :D

[Chewy]

We all know their gonna come to the lane and embarrass us

[wayne wonder]

jols' fault once again :rolleyes:

[AssaTM]

Oh stop whining guys, we had plenty of chances to score a 4th or even a 5th, we blew it ourselves, but bring them on at the Lane :cool:

[wayne wonder]

told you :D

****ing hell mate im gutted

[coys1882]

:mad: cerny was the worst for me. Did not go for the ball for any of the goals. did not command the area and time after time watched the ball go past him. shocking

[Thfc4Life]

I can only blame Martin Jol and I never do. His subs were ****ing piss. Took of our two most creative players.

I completely agree Martin Jol's subs were shocking Mido was useless and malbranque was anonymous and Gardner got bullied by Drogba for the equaliser :mad:

[SurreySpur]

We all know their gonna come to the lane and embarrass us

**** off they will. Where did you come up with that bullshit??

[AssaTM]

I dont think Jol realised Mido in egyptian means shit, but i'm sure he knows now, at the lane we wont need to rest them so much as we'll have alot of days break before the next match, so unfortunately Jol didnt want to burn out Berbatov and Lennon, but cmon now, we've outplayed Chelsea twice this season, who cares if we didnt beat them at the Bridge, we'll just have to beat them again at the Lane :D

[denis-cro]

jols' fault once again :rolleyes:

as usual...

[\jackdaw]

We missed too many chances, the game should of been dead and buried by the 60th minute, but how many on these boards would have taken a 3-3 draw at the start of the day? I would think 99% of you would have.

The truth is we are still in the FA Cup and we now play them at home. If we put out our best team we can beat them again at the lane.

The reason MJ took off Lennon and Berby was in my opinion for the Brage game which we MUST win.

One thing we need to do is learn to keep the lead, no way should we be losing 2 goal leads with the quality we do have in the team.

But in saying that if you look at Chelsea's team they do have some great players that can and have turned matches around.

So hold your heads high still, not many teams have scored 3 at Stamford Bridge in the last few seasons.

[MACCSPURS]

I think we are all gutted but this is just reminds us all not to get excited over a half-time result.

We are just simply not good enough to hold it.

However, positives....

We had Chelsea on the rack at home for 70 mins......

How many sides have done that in the past 3 years?

[wayne wonder]

Mido is wank and his heart's not in it!!! the boy needs to go see a shrink

Jol sort your tactics and stop shitting it when we have a good lead

[Thfc4Life]

:mad: cerny was the worst for me. Did not go for the ball for any of the goals. did not command the area and time after time watched the ball go past him. shocking

Yeah I noticed that aswell, all 3 goals Cerny never moved, come to think of it I cant remember him saving a shot :confused:

[Ginola's Son]

I mean what the hell?

3-1 up? Cruising? Surefire shout for the semi's?

Naaah, can't have that at Spurs can we, lets take Lennon and Berbatov off and remove all our creation from the pitch. ****ing mad decision! Cost us the game. Old 'Head it into nowhere' Mido was never gonna do **** all.

We played amazingly in the first half, so proud of them, we made Chesea look average, with a depleted team to boot. But then we just do stupid things that allow the 'big' team back in as usual.

Messed up our big chance.

[MACCSPURS]

Oh, one more thing....

we have not lost.....

[Ioang]

:mad: cerny was the worst for me. Did not go for the ball for any of the goals. did not command the area and time after time watched the ball go past him. shocking

That's ridiculous! He couldnt do anything about any of the goals and took every single ball he could. Flawless performance from a goalkeeper. Did you even watch the game?

[MACCSPURS]

From the BBC match updates website...

If there's one thing I can't understand about football, it's why managers change formation so many times during a game. Why did Martin Jol have to go to 3-5-2 when Spurs had outplayed Chelsea with a 4-4-2?

[original v.L.n.]

i don't blame cerny he couldn't really do that much about the goals maybe gone for the third but he wouldn't have got there to stop it. Martin Jol tactics were great 1 st half and when we came out looking for a fourth in the 2nd half for a minute i thought we might do them but for me when berbs went off i thought here we go. Gardener coming on was like saying ok chelsea here u go help yourself. Defoe missed sitter in 2nd half and yeah we should have won it easily but least we're getting better. least we didn't lose!

[wayne wonder]

:p Yes we're all upset and rightly so but im VERY confident we can beat them at the lane and they know that now!!

Anyway bring on Braga i for one cant wait :p

[SCIFIN17YID]

Well as they say shit happens, I am totally pissed that we was crusing through the game, and then to see MJ do some stupid decision's take of DM9 for what, to rest him ? he had all our creation, then lennon, and then place's shitty gardener on the pitch, blimey wtf was MJ thinking, for the guy that said chelsea is going to come to white hart lane and embaris us, you clearly dont know fu*ck all about football, how did you even work that out, I blame todays loss on MJ's silly strange stradegy, we had this guys in from the start and now we get 3 - 3, total bullsh*t, anyone notice that ref gives us a shi*t load of yellows and then for the chelsea scum, hardly give's out any card's, we had alot of chance's but due to greedyness, they resulted in fail's, we played very good, but MJ's poor decision's clearly messed up our formation and messed up our tactic's, hopefully we learn from this kind of mistake's and destroy the scum @ our ground in the replay, p.s Braga I caint wait for us to pwnT them yet again mwuahaha, easy picking's.

[Milney yid]

Sorry to all you moaners, but today made me proud to be a Spurs fan. Sure, we didn't win, but we performed heroically throughout, especially the defence, and we outsang the Chelsea fans all game long. Not many teams have scored 3 goals at Chelsea before, and I think we can beat them at the Lane COYS!!! PS does anyone know when tickets for the replay go on sale?

[peterc]

Sorry to all you moaners, but today made me proud to be a Spurs fan. Sure, we didn't win, but we performed heroically throughout, especially the defence, and we outsang the Chelsea fans all game long. Not many teams have scored 3 goals at Chelsea before, and I think we can beat them at the Lane COYS!!! PS does anyone know when tickets for the replay go on sale?
[COLOR="Blue"]Determination., passion and belief kept the team going and we also have to take into consideration that we had the likes of Robinson, King, Murphy, Jenas and Keane missing. I can see us winning at the Lane. COYS.

[Ginola's Son]

Oh yeah, cos missing Jenas is a big blow

Being upbeat is a waste of time

We should be through. Simple as.

[Thfc4Life]

Terry will be back for the replay so they will be 10x better defensively, I fear we have blown an absolutely wonderful opportunity to get through to the next round.

We were 3-1 up with 20 minutes left and looking comfortable then Jol decides to bring off our two best players and the match is turned upside down :(

Why did he need to bring Berbatov and lennon off :confused:

To rest them??

But we haven't got a game until thursday and if they are tired on thursday then don't play them as Braga are woeful and are never in a million years going to win by 2 goals at the lane.

Martin Jol has cost us again! we cant afford to bring off Berbatov for a shit slug of a footballer like Mido.

I'm bitterly disappointed by this, it feels like a defeat, and lets be honest we all knew that even at 3-1 up Spurs were never going to win the match, because our manager is for want of a better word a *****!

[Ginola's Son]

Spot on. Jol ****ed up here, cannot defend him.

[Indianspur]

Well at the start i would have taken a draw when i saw the team sheet.
chelsea had their starting team almost.it was fantistic to score three goals away tho and i think in the form were in we can beat anyone at home.

The players who would normally play robo, King, chimbonda, Jenas, keane all out meant chelsea looked like they would walk over us. next game hope a couple are back then we may offer more.
Chelsea had terry out and makelele rested and usually find that a reason to complain, when half the spurs team played in portugal and with fatigue still played with fight.
Great credit to the fullbacks today against the might of chelsea, and zokora's playing well now.
Mido showed how lazy he is not running like a headless chicken like he should for the last few minutes and thought defending was awful for kalous goal and dawson should have been there.
still gutted tho but the Yids are still fighting fit!

[Ginola's Son]

They had some players out, but so did we, on paper, their team was far stronger, but we made monkeys out of them in the first half, I could not beleive what I was seeing. Second half, Jol perversely decided that we werent allowed through and made some SHITTY substitutions that STUNK out the game and gave Chelsea just what they needed.

[JASER279]

We should have finished them off but who cares. We've definately got the advantage at the the lane although Jol (who I think is normally excellent) really did **** it up. Plus, hopefully Keane will be back who would have killed that game off today.

[Thfc4Life]

We had it won and Jolie chucked it away I dont care who was or wasnt playing and how good or bad everyone was.

Jol took our 2 best creative players who keep the ball off, how many times does Jolie have to get his fingers burnt to learn? its happened 5 times this season its not exceptable. :mad:

To save Berby and Lennon for 20 minutes its cost us a game we had won and another 90 minutes cheers for that. :(

[proto]

would have liked to have seen ghaly and tanio (seemed most tired) swapped for hudd and steed... with hudd sitting in front of the back4 to ping the ball upfield accuratly and steed central in front as an extra outlet, but also as fresh legs to press in midfield and had lennon move left and zokora right to help protect the right and left backs. this would have given us a bit more shape against theres... but still left best options on for a break. after jose's tactical changes what we needed to do was go out for more goals with 20 min to go, left it to them to take the risks and more than likely we could have put in 1 or even 2 more goals... evn if it cost us 1. and with the better long ball of hudd and jermain getting into gear in the last 20min we woulda murdered them

could have been the difference between a capitulation and a legendery win

[highlander]

i cant for the life of me see why Huddlestone didnt play any part in the game today, he would have a huge impact with the open gate at the back for chelsea with terry's absence

[Shuggie13]

That was a unbelievable game, and I'm not suprised to see the comments here.

Jol's substitutions were suspect. It seems in post-match interviews Berbie had a groin problem at half time.

As far as I am aware Chelsea haven't lost there for 3 YEARS what did you think they were going to do roll over and get hammered? I'm not sure what most of us would have suggested Jol do against Mourinho who at one point had 2 defenders playing and 8 others attacking. Jol's tactics were spot on certainly in the first half. He evidently made sure the side kept it up in the second half and had it not been for Cech Lennon would have made it 4-1. Let's not forget a blatant penalty against Carvahlio's handball and Defoe hitting the bar.

I'm actually upbeat about the result, sure I wanted and believed we were going to win it at half time but that was a great performance. Have a check back at the thread 'this months predictions', no one thought we had a chance in this. Put into perspective Lee and Zokora again had a great game. We witnessed a roaming Lennon who was largely unstoppable, Berbie was so good he was booed off and, no doubt many will disagree with me, Jol completely got Mourinho way, way back on his heels with tactics.

This was the third game in less than 8 days with many players featuring in all 3, less than a month ago not one of us would have said we would of been in this postion we are in today.

[suBerb]

Zokora is one of the most athletic players that I have ever seen.

[Spur]

Second half, Jol perversely decided that we werent allowed through and made some SHITTY substitutions that STUNK out the game and gave Chelsea just what they needed.

Yea my thoughts exactly. Everyone thinks it. Everyone should think it at least.

But then look at them in more depth.

Jol was bemoaning Lennon before the game, that he is playing too much, so that was always on the cards, I was surprised to see him starting after what Jol had said. And Dimi came in with a groin injury...what do you want? Dimi to finish the game and then be out for a month with a much worse injury than he has right now?

For me the Gardner substitute took too long. We should have shut up shop long before we did and had we done so we may have just scraped it. Against the best players in the world - on form or not - is always dangerous. Shevchenko has been shit this year, but that shot he had made me crap myself as i'm sure it did you. That's what good players do, they just pull it out the bag without a second thought.

Now we can take them back and put a proper shift in rather than a 90 minute smash and grab.

I'm proud and pleased with the team. I'm a little upset we let a two goal lead slip away, earlier it felt like defeat, but with first teamers out and Ashley Cole not on the pitch to make look silly i'm glad we got out with a draw. I would have taken it before the game no doubts.

I've just had a Chelsea fan say to me 'its embarrassing for us to let a two goal lead drop'. My reply was it's embarrassing how a £400million team was losing by two goals at home to us, a team they have had a 20 year jinx over.

[RuFuS]

Overall this could be a rerun of the scum semi a few weeks ago where by we grab defeat from the jaws of victory. :(

[Ginola's Son]

Yea my thoughts exactly. Everyone thinks it. Everyone should think it at least.

But then look at them in more depth.

Jol was bemoaning Lennon before the game, that he is playing too much, so that was always on the cards, I was surprised to see him starting after what Jol had said. And Dimi came in with a groin injury...what do you want? Dimi to finish the game and then be out for a month with a much worse injury than he has right now?

For me the Gardner substitute took too long. We should have shut up shop long before we did and had we done so we may have just scraped it. Against the best players in the world - on form or not - is always dangerous. Shevchenko has been shit this year, but that shot he had made me crap myself as i'm sure it did you. That's what good players do, they just pull it out the bag without a second thought.

Now we can take them back and put a proper shift in rather than a 90 minute smash and grab.

I'm proud and pleased with the team. I'm a little upset we let a two goal lead slip away, earlier it felt like defeat, but with first teamers out and Ashley Cole not on the pitch to make look silly i'm glad we got out with a draw. I would have taken it before the game no doubts.

I've just had a Chelsea fan say to me 'its embarrassing for us to let a two goal lead drop'. My reply was it's embarrassing how a £400million team was losing by two goals at home to us, a team they have had a 20 year jinx over

You haven't actually justified Lennon's substitution once named in the starting line-up, and with Berby already gone, he remained our sole outlet for a 4th goal. Those subs reeked of, 'we're defending, try breaking us down' which they duly did.

Should have brought on the Hudd to muscle them out of the game!

[SCIFIN17YID]

Some on answer why MJ took of Lennon ?

[Spur]

Some on answer why MJ took of Lennon ?

Because he is playing too much and is still only a baby.

[gazzaG8]

You haven't actually justified Lennon's substitution once named in the starting line-up, and with Berby already gone, he remained our sole outlet for a 4th goal. Those subs reeked of, 'we're defending, try breaking us down' which they duly did.

Should have brought on the Hudd to muscle them out of the game!



Spot on, we were too deep & invited them on to us

[3325PARKLANE]

just got back,gutted but proud in a subdued sort of way.
who else is gonna score 3 there,.
but then,how many times are we going to lose a two goal lead again,and play defensive 2nd half instead of attack and score more,and midos fat.and lazy.
soon as gardner came on i got worried.
great double save from cech,admit it,
defoe hit the bar,
steeeeeed wide open and no pass....
could of done it lads. think of the headlines what they could of been.
and how many would do chelsea home and away.we could of.

and what stupid police chief decided to march us so we were late for kickoff and berbys goal,and then to go RIGHT PAST THE AWAY ENTRANCE????


WE CAN DO IT AT THE LANE, BUT TACTICALLY AND FITTER,NO LESS WILL DO.

i seem to think lately all we can do is play for 45 mins.

[derek zoolander]

you cant blame cerny just because he didnt dive for the goals, he could have done a triple flip to try and save it but it wouldnt have made it any more saveable, and i think you will find he dived even when 3 players were laying on him for fattys 2nd goal. he had absolutely no chance for either of the others and he did everything that was asked of him.

zokora was awesome today, as was dawson, berba, lennon and rocha

[mjbmedia]

so what are the chances of Chelsea playing that poorly again, esp against us???

so whats the chances of us throwing away such a position again, esp against Chelsea ???

ones very unlikley , the others near enough a dead cert.

Chelsea had two proper defenders on there, a great risk but then MJ was the other coach and Mourihno knew MJ wouldnt attack the two defenders, MJ's reputation is now legendary to such an extent that Mourihno can take a calculated gamble and know its a safe bet.

ok he cant legislate for Mido being so piss poor but why take the two best guys off in so short a space of time and with so long still left , give Chelsea an easy time and let them attack us at will, we will always hold on to a two goal lead wont we?????????

shame because to start with MJ totally outwitted Mourihno , but then the old problems resurfaced and predictability set in which has cost us dear this season and last

[JuicE]

Well I expected to lose so this result was great. Stop whining and enjoy the fact that we have another chance to get through. It's more revenue for the club and the result was a real positive. We never had our first choice team and Berby had to come with a groin injury. All in all it was a classic we should be proud of. Mido is a waste of space though!

[denis-cro]

If we beat them once this year at WHL, it means that we can do it again...

[JJ]

so what are the chances of Chelsea playing that poorly again, esp against us???

so whats the chances of us throwing away such a position again, esp against Chelsea ???

ones very unlikley , the others near enough a dead cert.

Chelsea had two proper defenders on there, a great risk but then MJ was the other coach and Mourihno knew MJ wouldnt attack the two defenders, MJ's reputation is now legendary to such an extent that Mourihno can take a calculated gamble and know its a safe bet.

ok he cant legislate for Mido being so piss poor but why take the two best guys off in so short a space of time and with so long still left , give Chelsea an easy time and let them attack us at will, we will always hold on to a two goal lead wont we?????????

shame because to start with MJ totally outwitted Mourihno , but then the old problems resurfaced and predictability set in which has cost us dear this season and last

Didn't have much to do with Mourinho knowing that he could take the gamble. It was a cup game so they had nothing to lose. I doubt highly that he would have attempted that in a league game.

[Spur]

ok he cant legislate for Mido being so piss poor but why take the two best guys off in so short a space of time and with so long still left , give Chelsea an easy time and let them attack us at will, we will always hold on to a two goal lead wont we?????????

1. http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/latebluesforjol110307.html

2. The kid's 19 ffs! You can't seriously expect him to be playing 3 games a week and just carry the whole club, can you?

[Ginola's Son]

Well I expected to lose so this result was great. Stop whining and enjoy the fact that we have another chance to get through.

Bullshit. We should already be through. This isn't whining. When we have the champions in the palm of our hands, making them look average on their own precious ground, you don't just give them back the game on a plate, just so we can say 'oh well, we expected to lose, so the least we can get is a draw' **** that, we should have won today, made history, Jol's subs put paid to that. Facts.

[singapore spur]

ok , berby coming off for a groin strain is fair enough , but surely a fundemental tactic against a team that has to go on the all out attack is having an outlet with real pace if only to at least keep the opposition slightly on the back foot knowing as they do that a goal on the break will really kill em off.
instead as has been stated on here with gardiner coming on , it was a case of saying "ok we have stopped attacking, now break us down " .
but to be fair to jol you should be able to expect a professional team 2 goals up to defend for 20/25 mins . we just didnt keep the ball well enough , errant panicky passing giving possesion back time and time again , and with the midfield pushed back helping the defence so much .it was up to defoe and mido to come back and provide easier outlets for the ball , instead it seemed we were trying to thread 30 and 40 yrd passes to em without success . hudd can do that , tanio and malbranque , and zakora cant .
so yes people can have a pop at the tactics of the manager , but the players have to do their part as well

[Gino Ginelli]

What. a. GAME! So we bottled it as usual but that was one of the best tie's of the competition this year. Class stuff!

Quick summary: Rocha - superb; Lennon - superb; Berba - Superb; Zokora - Superb; Dawson - Superb; Mido - Shite.

Anyway, we were lucky - lets be honest - to be winning 3-1 at half time. Chelsea's defence was ridiculous. But poor finishing let us down. Lennon and Defoe should have scored in the same move, and Defoe was unlucky hitting the bar at the end.

Berba had to come off if he was injured, but i've never seen Mido that useless before. They were poor subs, but we knew Chelsea would just swamp us in the 2nd half. With only 2 defenders, we should have taken better advantage of our breaks.

My concern at the moment is that, while we're scoring freely, we're conceding just as much. Don't think it'll help if a push for 6th relies on goal difference.

Still though, great game to watch.

[Shuggie13]

Bullshit. We should already be through. This isn't whining. When we have the champions in the palm of our hands, making them look average on their own precious ground, you don't just give them back the game on a plate, just so we can say 'oh well, we expected to lose, so the least we can get is a draw' **** that, we should have won today, made history, Jol's subs put paid to that. Facts.

I wouldn't say we made them look average, they had a huge part in that and we took advantage of it. Jol's tactics were spot on, however if Chelsea were on form it would not of been 1-3 at half time. Jol's tactics would have contained them and we may of been looking at 1-1.

As I said in a previous post what tactics would you have employed against 8 players attacking? Berbie was injured and as Spur correctly pointed out do you really want to exhaust Lennon completely?

[SurreySpur]

Is the replay on TV?

[Shuggie13]

I can't find anything yet, although you'd think BBC will as they did with Arsenal vs Bolton. Here's a good link I use to check TV listings.

http://www.livesportontv.com/sportindex.php?id=1

[Spur]

I strongly, strongly hope that we have no players playing for England in their upcoming games.

3 games in a week we have now...look at these for fixture congestion - and England prancing about ain't gonna help!

14 Wed Home Braga UEFA Cup 20:15
17 Sat Home Watford Premiership 15:00
19 Mon Home Chelsea FA Cup 19:45

[Gino Ginelli]

Jol's suggested that he and Jose are going to push for the tie to be changed to a wednesday. Good idea.

[Ginola's Son]

As I said in a previous post what tactics would you have employed against 8 players attacking? Berbie was injured and as Spur correctly pointed out do you really want to exhaust Lennon completely?

Yes, this game was as important as the Braga one, if Tainio, Zokora etc can do 90, Lennon can do 90. We needed to secure this win, it would have been a fine win. It was taken away from us.

Tactics I'd have employed? Bring on Hudd for Ghaly, leave Lennon on, use Hudd to muscle Lampard out of the game seeing as he was the only one creating anything. And then we still have Lennon and Defoe to run at their 2 defenders. when Berba has to come off, use Steed then. Defoe up front alone against 2 defenders is still a threat.

[Shuggie13]

Yes, this game was as important as the Braga one, if Tainio, Zokora etc can do 90, Lennon can do 90. We needed to secure this win, it would have been a fine win. It was taken away from us.

Tactics I'd have employed? Bring on Hudd for Ghaly, leave Lennon on, use Hudd to muscle Lampard out of the game seeing as he was the only one creating anything. And then we still have Lennon and Defoe to run at their 2 defenders. when Berba has to come off, use Steed then. Defoe up front alone against 2 defenders is still a threat.

So get Huddlestone to track Lampard runs from deep into the penalty box? My 93 year old grandmother would have been more successfull with her walker.
I agree with you actually in principle but with another 3 matches in 8 days to come I think I understand the rationale with replacing Lennon. The other problem was no matter how much we swamped the midfield the still had an 8 man attack!

[Ginola's Son]

Well, what if we lose the replay now? Would it be worth it? There are no guarantees we'll win in UEFA.

[MiloMinderbinder]

How proud of the boys was I yesterday?! We ripped the piss out of the Chav$ki muppets, how many other clubs would turn up for a 1/4 final of a cup at the home of the champions and START the game with 10 men before taking a 3 goal lead, allowing them back into the game and then voluntarily with drawing another player so that we could attempt to win with 9 men. That's what I call ballsy, fantastic, and they think that we're not great, of course we are, nearly won at the home of the champions with a depleted squad and depleted numbers.

Relating to this, does anybody know why Defoe and Mido weren't in the squad yesterday?

Oh and Stephen Hawking would out muscle and out manouvere Huddlestone, stop talking about him like he's a saviour and not a total liablity which he quite clearly is.

[Ginola's Son]

Well, I'm sorry if I noticed him coming off the bench at Upton Park last week and contributing greatly to a memorable victory. He have been less likely to **** up then Gardner...who did **** up.

[MiloMinderbinder]

Well, I'm sorry if I noticed him coming off the bench at Upton Park last week and contributing greatly to a memorable victory. He have been less likely to **** up then Gardner...who did **** up.

is this the same Huddlestone who has been out jumped by some 3rd rate Brazilian fag half his size, shirks responsibility at defending set pieces, outmuscled by players twice his age but half his size and is as mobile as the Great Wall of China? The guy can pass the ball but you need two player around him to do his work for him which obviously is not going to happen - plenty of talent, wrong build for a footballer, shame.

[Ginola's Son]

Disagree. He's still growing as a player and will continue to improve. Whereas Gardner has been at the club for 7 years and has a proven track record of causing penalties, falling over, not marking and generally being a lumbering joke. He's ok in minor games, but not major games.

[MiloMinderbinder]

Disagree. He's still growing as a player and will continue to improve. Whereas Gardner has been at the club for 7 years and has a proven track record of causing penalties, falling over, not marking and generally being a lumbering joke. He's ok in minor games, but not major games.

Never should have put a 5th defender on in the first place, if we wanted to stifle Chelsea the move to make is bringing on another midfield player and force them to try and play around us.

And that's worrying, Hudd is still growing, soon we'll need a changing room just for him. Whilst he may improve his understanding of the game he'll never improve his pace and mobility and that's what the major concern is and Gardner has been pretty good apart from against the Spammers, when he was only 1/2 fit, and to throw him on in the moment he was yesterday was quite unfair, he was asked to mark Drogba who is the best in the air around at the moment, given no time to get the pace or pattern of the game, so to blame him is ridiculous.

[Ginola's Son]

Claptrap. The man is 6.5. He should be able to handle a Drogba who had been playing for 70 minutes and who had suffered an injury during the game.

[Shuggie13]

Claptrap. The man is 6.5. He should be able to handle a Drogba who had been playing for 70 minutes and who had suffered an injury during the game.

The same injured Drogba that held the ball, twisted and turned and crossed for their first goal?

[Ginola's Son]

The same.

But he was talking about man-marking him much later in the game.

[MiloMinderbinder]

Claptrap. The man is 6.5. He should be able to handle a Drogba who had been playing for 70 minutes and who had suffered an injury during the game.

I'll try and educated you; Try going down the park with your mates, get them to play 1/2 hour or so, then you join in, watch what happens, the guys who have been playing will run rings around you regardless of your height, pace, skill etc, you have to have 10 - 15 mins in a match to get "up to speed".

yours, patronisingly KK.

[Ginola's Son]

Thanks for 'Educateded' me.

You patronizing bastard! Lol.

10-15 minutes? Drogba had been on over 70 and was hobbling. Gardner should have had no trubs.

[MiloMinderbinder]

Thanks for 'Educateded' me.

You patronizing bastard! Lol.

10-15 minutes? Drogba had been on over 70 and was hobbling. Gardner should have had no trubs.

no problem, it's nice to discuss, Kult...Cultsh....Kultare....cult.....stuff about Tottenham

Drog wasn't really injured, just got a little knock, but if one of our defenders were detailed to pick him up it would be remiss where it not Dawson. But the real point is, that we should not have offered Chelsea onto us.

[Ginola's Son]

So KK....what would YOU have done?

[MiloMinderbinder]

So KK....what would YOU have done?

shat myself and played with it.:o I've already said that we should have left one up top and had five in the midfield after 65 mins when it became apparent that Mourinho had 2 at the back. Definetly should have left Lennon on to terrorise ArseCole as I doubt he'll play on Wednesday.

[Spur]

Yes, this game was as important as the Braga one, if Tainio, Zokora etc can do 90, Lennon can do 90. We needed to secure this win, it would have been a fine win. It was taken away from us.

To compare the work that Teemu and Zokora do to a 19 year old who can run faster than Concorde is rather wrong in my opinion.

Just because he can run fast doesn't mean he can handle it, eg. 100 metre runner running a 400 metre race against a 400 metre race runner. The 100 man is faster but the 400 man will win. Go figure.

[Ginola's Son]

But are you seriously suggesting that a footballer - speedy or not - is not able to complete 90 minutes of football like any other player?

[Spur]

But are you seriously suggesting that a footballer - speedy or not - is not able to complete 90 minutes of football like any other player?

One game yes.

8 games in a 3 or 4 weeks no. You can't expect that. Not for someone who must pick up, on average, twice as many knocks as everyone else (like vs A Cole yesterday) because they just can't catch him and want to take him out. People forget about those types of knocks that can take it out of a player.

[choda]

But are you seriously suggesting that a footballer - speedy or not - is not able to complete 90 minutes of football like any other player?

He has a very valid point mate. The speed merchants often bend down to their knees and gasp for breath during games. I always think, both tactically and physically you should have new attacking options on the bench, as a priority.

That's not to say he should definitely have been taken off. I don't know what physical state he was in, but if it was with a view to Wedensday I think it was a mistake. He won't be needed from the start on Wednesday and possibly not at all.

[mjbmedia]

so using these 'rest our players' arguments we can expect our youth team to be on show V watford on Saturday , 3 days after Braga and 2 days before Chelsea .

what a pile of crap , get paid £20k per week + you should play til your tits are drooping and take your noncy gloves off at the same time ****ing poofter.

So now instead of playing Berbs and Lennon for another ten minutes each ,having a weary Berbs and Lennon but no game on Monday 19th, we have a full game plus possibly 1/2 hour and pens 2 days after a league game that we will now possibly lose due to other more important issues that for some reason werent as important on Sunday 11th!!!!

go figure o and yes its easy in hindsight thing is i was saying it when the Beeb mentioned we were making a sub and Mido was coming on , way too soon and ditto with super effective Mal.

i still beleive we will do it , somehow and MJ is still god but his halo is slipping just as we was gonna open up a shrine to him.

COYS do it in the league too ,we can still catch the scum

[Ginola's Son]

Spot on MJbmedia. These guys are paid thousands a week just to do this, I think a game every 3 days or so is luxury. Most of us are on our feet 5 days a week.

Great point about the possible 2 hour plus marathon Monday could turn out to be.

[jrio]

I don't know quite what to make of this from the Indie:

http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/news/article2352796.ece

Jol had to be told by the board to pick Berb? That may go part of the way to explain Mido's almost complete lack of effort and application. Once again grave doubts about who is in charge of what, but I did say suspicion abounded before the game of Jol wanting to rest Berb and Lennon. I can see what Jol's logic would be but giving up on one competition can quickly spread to others. Shocking if he was really thinking of needing to play a full side against Braga. I have an uneasy feeling that our current run is a strictly limited affair.

[suBerb]

I don't know quite what to make of this from the Indie:

http://sport.independent.co.uk/football/news/article2352796.ece

Jol had to be told by the board to pick Berb? That may go part of the way to explain Mido's almost complete lack of effort and application. Once again grave doubts about who is in charge of what, but I did say suspicion abounded before the game of Jol wanting to rest Berb and Lennon. I can see what Jol's logic would be but giving up on one competition can quickly spread to others. Shocking if he was really thinking of needing to play a full side against Braga. I have an uneasy feeling that our current run is a strictly limited affair.

It seems that Jol didn't believe we could beat them. :eek: There is no point to rest Berba in order to be ready for Braga. Isn't it clear that we can beat Braga without Berba? Maybe he substituted Berba so early for he had told Mido that he was going to start? I believe in the big man but his decisions were a bit strange.

[Shuggie13]

That article reeks of a Journo taking a punt and trying to be a stir up controversy. Some it seems terribly misinformed.

While Berbatov's signing is regarded as a success by the club there are doubts about whether the young French left-back Benoît Assou-Ekotto and Didier Zokora have delivered the goods.

Has the writer even watched Zokora the last few games, aware of the bout of malaria, even aware his is first season in Premiership?

I could almost buy this conspiracy theory other than the fact that Mido is terrible this season, not getting a start after being told he was wouldn't of been a factor n him playing pants.

[SurreySpur]

The BBC have just announced that the game wll be on BBC1 at 8.05pm

[Ginola's Son]

The KO has been made later? That's cool, should be able to do 5-a-side now. Yippee.