Match Thread: Tottenham v Blackburn

[SCIFIN17YID]

http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/42888000/gif/_42888741_tott_bla_0506.gif

White Hart Lane
Thursday, 10 May
Kick-off: 2000 BST


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

[Milney yid]

Hmm. No offense, but it appears that there's only one person here who can start a match thread. And they've gone missing.

[SCIFIN17YID]

Hmm. No offense, but it appears that there's only one person here who can start a match thread. And they've gone missing.

Im sure I saw that so hence why I started the Thread.

[SurreySpur]

This is going to be really tight game, Blackburn are a very very dangerous team and they are bang on form. I think we'll win it 3-1 or 3-2.

[peterc]

I am going for a 2-1 win for us. COYS

[Chewy]

Team:

Robbo
Chimbonda King Dawson Gardner
Lennon Malbranque Zokora Tainio
Defoe Berbatov

[mjbmedia]

well i got three strikers from this game in my fantasy football team so lets have a 6-5 win with Keane scoring two hattricks and all of them being set up by Berbs, and Mccarthy replying with 5 of his own.:cool:

[\jackdaw]

They seem a bit dodgy at the the back though the same as us .. they have let in 50 goals and us 52.

Its either going to be a 0-0 draw or a goal feast .. I think the latter .. 4-2 to the mighty Spurs.

[Chewy]

well i got three strikers from this game in my fantasy football team so lets have a 6-5 win with Keane scoring two hattricks and all of them being set up by Berbs, and Mccarthy replying with 5 of his own.:cool:

keanes on the bench mate :p

[Spur]

A good looking team, we'll see how it goes.

I think a win is in order as we're at the Lane.

2-1 Us to score first.

[Chewy]

SSN team line up showed Malbranque in the middle - god i hope he is. Malbranque is so much more effective when played in the centre.

[SurreySpur]

OH BOLLOX!!!!

Rob Styles is The Ref!! He's ****ing clueless

[\jackdaw]

At least that cheating **** Savage isnt playing.

[london0998]

any1 know where jenas is???

[\jackdaw]

any1 know where jenas is???

Injured with back spasms apparently

[SurreySpur]

Its all really disjointed so far. I hope we calm it down a little bit soon

[london0998]

Its all really disjointed so far. I hope we calm it down a little bit soon

On a positive note though, at least lennon seems to be getting the ball for a change

[SurreySpur]

On a positive note though, at least lennon seems to be getting the ball for a change

Unfortunatley he isnt doing anything with it tho

[SurreySpur]

Hopefully that will shock us into playing

[\jackdaw]

Could see it coming .. our midfield I feel is too lightweight .. can see them getting swamped later if not careful.

[SurreySpur]

Blackburn are one of the worst timewasting teams in the prem. We need to get back into this quickly

[SurreySpur]

Why the **** are we squaring freekicks to probably the worst striker of a ball at the club? That was really strange!!

[AssaTM]

Oh god what is the reception gonna be like when Zokora scores a thunderbolt one day, hahaha, and relax guys, i'd take a draw from this but we're more than capable of scoring 2 in 45 mins, as long as we come out the second half fighting more/more hungry :) :p

[\jackdaw]

Did seem a bit strange .. unless he has been like JJ and doing it on the training ground !!!

Still worried about the midfield .. but we need to start the second half like we did the first against Charlton.

For some reason we are playing slow and not relly pushing like in other games.

[peterc]

Hope Defoe gets a cold shower at half time and wakes up.

[SurreySpur]

Give it 15mins and see how it goes, if its still the same we should bring Keano on.

It was good to see Aaron have a positive run, hopefully they'll be more of that in the second half.

[peterc]

[QUOTE=SurreySpur;47980]Give it 15mins and see how it goes, if its still the same we should bring Keano on.

He does not seem too bothered, hope MJ gets on Keano ASAP. Still predict that we will win 2-1. COYS.

[london0998]

Hope Defoe gets a cold shower at half time and wakes up.

He's got no service from midfield. Could do with keane coming on, he'll drop back and help the midfield if he's not getting the service.

Our midfield prob currently consists of 4 of the worst passers of the ball in our whole squad.

[london0998]

Get Ghaly Out!

[SurreySpur]

****off ghaly you prick

[peterc]

****off ghaly you prick

Last time he wore a Spurs kit. Jol should send him packing straight after the game.

[denis-cro]

Ghaly is a disgrace . Throwing Spurs shirt is not acceptable. He should be punished!!!!!!!!!!! CMON YOU SPURS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[SurreySpur]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get In!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[\jackdaw]

Great control by Berby .. come on boys we can win this.

[peterc]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Get In!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sorry Defoe, I take back cursing you. COYS.

[SurreySpur]

Its not very often you see 2 teams finishing a game with 3 strikers a peice!!

[london0998]

A Goals brewing!

[peterc]

Its not very often you see 2 teams finishing a game with 3 strikers a peice!!

It's getting hotter and hotter, come on give us the second goal Berba, maybe Keano or Defoe, whoever.

[peterc]

One point is always better than none, however I think that we should have won it, second half, we played much, much better.

[RuFuS]

Ghaly is a disgrace . Throwing Spurs shirt is not acceptable. He should be punished!!!!!!!!!!!

I dont care how up set he is about being subbed and no doubt MJ will put up some defence about Ghaly's passion that's why he was upset and threw his shirt but i never want to see him play for spurs ever again.

[shoot_ffs]

a fairly disjointed display again. i can't believe it takes a half time team talk to get the team to pass the ball quickly and support the strikers better, it just seems to happen so often. can somebody enlighten me on the ghaly incident as i had a phone call and missed it.

[RuFuS]

can somebody enlighten me on the ghaly incident as i had a phone call and missed it.

He got replaced by Keano and when he was leaving the field he took his shirt off and as he got near to Jol he threw it on the floor and then stormed off down the tunnel :mad:

[shoot_ffs]

well he probably saw tainio's performance and thought jol has to be kidding. maybe mido and ghaly off to city then. bring back routy.

[JM_]

maybe mido and ghaly off to city then.

Just give Harry @ pompey a ring, and I guess he'll take them both for 6-7mill :p

Just disgusted with Ghalys reaction. I have never rated him, and let's just hope he signed his own ticket out of the club. Big M didn't look to pleased about it either :mad:

Good performance by Keano again. He showed some class and some spirit as he came on.

Let's hope we can see some nice football on Sunday to finish off the season in style.

COYS!

[Billywhizz]

Ghaly's a ****in disgrace, he should never get a chance to wear the shirt again.

**** him off now!!!!! :mad: :mad:

[Ginola's Son]

Well....Ghaly reaction was very nasty, he's clearly an average player and he should feel priveliged he was even allowed to play in our colours as many times as he did...it must have been totally humiliating for him to be subbed as a sub...but I do beleive it was a tactical ploy by MJ, he was the only one who we could risk taking off at that point, I argued that Ghaly could go in the middle and Tainio - who was having a mare - should come off, but the bloke in front of me mocked that in front of everyone - ****. Anyway, I doubt we'll see Ghaly play for us again.

Lovely second half pressure, but I have to give B'Burn their due...they are a very well organised team and it was hard to break them down, a point apeice was fair.

[hastingsyid]

Ghaly's a ****in disgrace, he should never get a chance to wear the shirt again.

**** him off now!!!!! :mad: :mad:

gotta agree billy me old mucker

[Spur]

Ghaly has already been told that he's leaving the Club, he was told before todays game. I suppose being the sub that got subbed was just too much for him to handle.

[hastingsyid]

so he sulked like a bitch

[Ginola's Son]

Ghaly has already been told that he's leaving the Club, he was told before todays game

How do you know this?

[Billywhizz]

MGP was awsome tonite, i can see why a lot of people rate him.............he can open tin can's with that left peg.....

great ball for McCarthy's goal and the one they hit the bar with......

I hope Jenarse was watching his deliveries @ set pieces, maybe he learnt something......

[Spur]

How do you know this?

Same way I know most things. Not all things, people sometimes cannot talk quick enough, but alot.

I don't know when Ghaly was told, all I know is that before he stepped foot on the Lane's turf tonight, he knew he'd be gone this summer.

[Billywhizz]

Same way I know most things. Not all things, people sometimes cannot talk quick enough, but alot.

I don't know when Ghaly was told, all I know is that before he stepped foot on the Lane's turf tonight, he knew he'd be gone this summer.

Anychance of taking he's fat friend from Cario with him as well........

[peterc]

Same way I know most things. Not all things, people sometimes cannot talk quick enough, but alot.

I don't know when Ghaly was told, all I know is that before he stepped foot on the Lane's turf tonight, he knew he'd be gone this summer.

I'm sure that many of us won't miss him. We don't need disloyal players like him.

[jrio]

I don't know when Ghaly was told, all I know is that before he stepped foot on the Lane's turf tonight, he knew he'd be gone this summer.
That would explain such an open demonstration of dissent. That was easily one of the worst displays by a sub I've ever seen. To call it inept would be overpraising him. Jol had no other choice in who to take off and I thought he could well have been replaced at half-time.

Also incredibly inept was Rob Styles. Blackburn seemed intent on fouling throughout the game, repeatedly pulling players back by the arm and charging into them. Defoe should have had a penalty for a pull by Samba(?) and how Berb was penalised for a player having his arms around him in the second half is beyond me. Blackburn refused to retreat more than 8 yards at free-kicks around the area and Styles indulged them. They also liberally advanced at least 10 yards at throw-ins but at least he took some action there.

[choda]

I can't understand why Defoe started tonight. I thought it might cost us, and it did.

Andy Gray has it right for once. You can't leave out players of Keane's quality in important games.

Defoe's just not good enough. His movement and link play are average at best. We'd have easily won the game had we had Keane's quality up along side the Bulgarian genius for the 90 minutes.

I'm really tired of this situation happening. As tired as golden balls Jenas being undroppable and even unsubable (Is that a word? It should be and have a picture of Jenas and Jol beside it in the dictionary).

I love the Jolster but I really can't fathom his overly abundant time for the Jermaines. IT COSTS US A LOT OF POINTS.

I think these issues have been clear-cut and obvious for a long long time. I hope he has a re-think in the summer and finally sorts it out.

[AssaTM]

Because when it boils down to it Jenas is only one of few that's tall and attacking in midfield really, him and malbranque are the most attacking, and cant really play both, so he opts for Jenas in the middle and Malbranque on the left usually :p

[choda]

Because when it boils down to it Jenas is only one of few that's tall and attacking in midfield really, him and malbranque are the most attacking, and cant really play both, so he opts for Jenas in the middle and Malbranque on the left usually :p

That's not a great arguement mate. Lennon is actually the most attacking and Jenas has been useless all season. The only thing you can say is he's scored eight goals, which is pretty good. But overall he's so poor.

You don't have to be tall to play in central midfield. And we could play Huddlestone with Zokora bombing forward. Or Taarabt on the left with Malbranque in the centre.

[choda]

Same way I know most things. Not all things, people sometimes cannot talk quick enough, but alot.

I don't know when Ghaly was told, all I know is that before he stepped foot on the Lane's turf tonight, he knew he'd be gone this summer.

I guess that explains how woeful he was. I don't think he's that bad. He's hit and miss alright but he's had some great moments for us. I remember him setting up a number of assists etc. in his limited chances at the club. Credit where it's due.

He won't be a great loss to us, but he was a handy squad member. He worked hard, was athletic and had flashes of great quality at times.

I think his beef was with Jol, not with the 'shirt'. Though many have taken it that way. Being told he was leaving and then playing so shit and then being a sub who was subbed all came together to make him feel humiliated by Jol. At that moment he was hating Jol and it was a parting shot. I think that's why it happened.

But in hindsight he will know that Jol obviously didn't plan it that way.

I'm a bit sad, because I thought he was an alright player with potential. And ironically he did work his balls off for the shirt when he played.

[singapore spur]

i thought ghaly also worked very hard when he got his chances , unfortunatly his skill didnt match his endeavour or his intentions with the ball .
but saying that , cant be doing with petulance of throwing the shirt down , but if as is suggested he was already told he was on his way out maybe a bit more understandable .
he did literally sweat blood and tears for the club , i.e when he had his teeth kicked out , but carried on , so i wish him well for the future despite what happened last night .

[Gino Ginelli]

****'s SAAAAAAKE! We simply can't do things easily can we? They have to put us through the grinder don't they? I reckon we can kiss 5th goodbye now, but still need a point to secure the UEFA cup. Whats the chances that we balls it up?

Anyway, I reckon that just about any opposition must be laughing there tits off when they play us. We do all the running, the games are ours for the taking, normally we do take them, but we then give it right back to them. Same as the Charlton match; a bit of composure, a couple of right decisions from the players, and we could have shredded them up. For example in the first half when Defoe had the ball in loads of space - usually he would dart into the gap and power one into the corner of the net, instead he tried to play Lennon in when the pass wasn't on. And as for our free kicks... what do we do in training, practice clowning? Each set piece was a joke, and Berba was as guilty as anyone.

I'll not mention Ghaly, as he was ****ing useless and is as good as gone. Robbie did in one move the chipped through ball that Ghaly ****ed up 5 times. But anyway, all of them were guilty of negative play, still no positive forward passing on the deck, just safe backward and cross balls, with several Dawson boots up the pitch to the opposition. No wonder Berba changed entirely when Robbie came on, cos up till then we lacked creativity. Naysayers should use last night as an example of how important Keano is to us.

I would actually like to see us start with the 4-3-3 we used in the second half. Given our lack of left wing seeing a midfield of Zokora, Tanio and Lennon, with a forward line of Berba, Defoe and Robbie, it could be a good solution. I felt the front 3 formed a very dynamic attack, with all 3 involved for the goal. And I was pleased to see Jermaine get another. We should endeavour to keep all three of them

Anyway, I suppose we have to stay positive and hope they'll at least appear to be arsed about it on sunday.

[MaccYid]

Just shows how important Robbie is to us now. he was superb for us last night and if Defoe ever needed convincing that he is third choice then last demonstrated that fact!!

There's only 1 Keano, thank **** we didnt sell him 18 months ago when his spurs career looked over. He is one of those players who is getting better with age & experience.

[\jackdaw]

****'s SAAAAAAKE! We simply can't do things easily can we? They have to put us through the grinder don't they? I reckon we can kiss 5th goodbye now, but still need a point to secure the UEFA cup. Whats the chances that we balls it up?


5th place can be ours easy still .. Everton away to Chelsea and Bolton home to Villa. If we win and Everton dont then 5th is ours.

[AssaTM]

That's not a great arguement mate. Lennon is actually the most attacking and Jenas has been useless all season. The only thing you can say is he's scored eight goals, which is pretty good. But overall he's so poor.

You don't have to be tall to play in central midfield. And we could play Huddlestone with Zokora bombing forward. Or Taarabt on the left with Malbranque in the centre.

Zokoroa bombs forward then usually runs out of ideas, he's still developing more of that final third play, because he is a defensive midfielder, you only named me one central midfielder thats attacking there, i'm not saying Jenas is good or great, far from it, but I can at least see why Jol picks him, for now anyway, I dunno if Jenas will be a regular come next season :p

[Gino Ginelli]

I have to say that I was mightily impressed with MGP and Bentley last night. Their delivery and crossing was outstanding, just the quality we've lacked since Carrick left. Break the bank and get them both in!

[SurreySpur]

I have to say that I was mightily impressed with MGP and Bentley last night. Their delivery and crossing was outstanding, just the quality we've lacked since Carrick left. Break the bank and get them both in!

Ive got to agree with that GG.

Other than their delivery what impressed me was their work ethic, they didnt stop running up and down the flanks. They put our widemen to shame last night, Lennon looked a little brighter than he has been recently but he's still really off form at the moment.

Maybe Little Lenny cant handle all these big nights out that he's been having recently!!

[Chaydle]

5th place can be ours easy still .. Everton away to Chelsea and Bolton home to Villa. If we win and Everton dont then 5th is ours.

I agree mate Everton have a very difficult game away to Chelsea and if we don't beat Citeh at home we don't deserve to finish 5th!

[Gino Ginelli]

Maybe Little Lenny cant handle all these big nights out that he's been having recently!!

I do think that he's thinking more about where his next drink/snort/shag/pearly earrings/whatever is coming from, instead of what to do with the ball when he get's into the final third of the pitch. I hope that Jol can keep him under control before his talent implodes into haze of alcohol and charlie. He just seem sto have no direction right now.

Mind you neither do most of them. I know we're exciting to watch but there never seems to be a set gameplan or focus to our tactics.

[Chaydle]

I can't understand why Defoe started tonight. I thought it might cost us, and it did.


I wondered how long it would take..... It's called having a squad!!!!

Keane was absolute shite on Monday against Charlton and what more can Defoe do than score in his last 2 games.
BMJ obviously though Keane either needed a rest or a kick up the backside and it obviously worked, no player has an automatic right to be in the team.

Do I recall Keane last season heading straight up the tunnel after being subbed??

[SharX]

I'm sure that many of us won't miss him. We don't need disloyal players like him.
although no one would disagree about his unacceptable behaviour throwing the team shirt on the ground, you are all forgetting the blood that lad literally gave for the team. you are forgetting that 4-5 of Berba's goals were assisted by Ghaly's awesome crosses, let alone the ones Berba missed. you are forgetting the good effort he gave in the second half last night.... Yes, it might be unforgivable to throw the shirt, but there are more "disloyal" team members as far as i'm concerned. those who dont even give the effort to improve, and i can name half a dozen off the top of my head.

[olly27]

Just shows how important Robbie is to us now. he was superb for us last night and if Defoe ever needed convincing that he is third choice then last demonstrated that fact!!

There's only 1 Keano, thank **** we didnt sell him 18 months ago when his spurs career looked over. He is one of those players who is getting better with age & experience.

A certain Mr Berbatov can take credit as well...the partnership has brought the best out of Keane...they have both flourished together through intelligent link up play and a great understanding..keane and berabtov are by miles the best partnership...defoe may have got the tap in..but keane's through ball to feet, was the first decent ball berby got in an advanced position..they both made the goal..

[GOONHATER]

although no one would disagree about his unacceptable behaviour throwing the team shirt on the ground, you are all forgetting the blood that lad literally gave for the team. you are forgetting that 4-5 of Berba's goals were assisted by Ghaly's awesome crosses, let alone the ones Berba missed. you are forgetting the good effort he gave in the second half last night.... Yes, it might be unforgivable to throw the shirt, but there are more "disloyal" team members as far as i'm concerned. those who dont even give the effort to improve, and i can name half a dozen off the top of my head.As much as he has done in the PAST he threw down my team shirt!! To me that was so disrepectful i cannot forgive him, if i was Jol i would first give him a good kicking in a small room in WHL, then send him on his way! as the crowd stated he's not fit to wear the shirt.:mad:

[Spur]

To improve, Ghaly is one of those that must go.

[olly27]

I guess that explains how woeful he was. I don't think he's that bad. He's hit and miss alright but he's had some great moments for us. I remember him setting up a number of assists etc. in his limited chances at the club. Credit where it's due.

He won't be a great loss to us, but he was a handy squad member. He worked hard, was athletic and had flashes of great quality at times.

I think his beef was with Jol, not with the 'shirt'. Though many have taken it that way. Being told he was leaving and then playing so shit and then being a sub who was subbed all came together to make him feel humiliated by Jol. At that moment he was hating Jol and it was a parting shot. I think that's why it happened.

But in hindsight he will know that Jol obviously didn't plan it that way.

I'm a bit sad, because I thought he was an alright player with potential. And ironically he did work his balls off for the shirt when he played.

I agree Choda I think he had potential..was a bit raw but showed glimpses of quality...oh well..

[spursmadnick06]

Defoe is our most instinctive stiker, i hope we don't sell him although clearly Keane and Berba are our best strikeforce.

Got to say our midfield looked so much better without Jenas yesterday :rolleyes:

We will still beat City and get 5th so all in all not a bad result.

[choda]

Zokoroa bombs forward then usually runs out of ideas, he's still developing more of that final third play, because he is a defensive midfielder, you only named me one central midfielder thats attacking there, i'm not saying Jenas is good or great, far from it, but I can at least see why Jol picks him, for now anyway, I dunno if Jenas will be a regular come next season :p

Oh yea, I'm not saying he should never play. You're misinterpreting my beef. I just don't like the fact that he gets special treatment that he doesn't deserve. He's treated like the golden boy. He even takes all the set pieces, even though he's shit at them.

I'm not saying he doesn't have abilities and brings things to the table in the current squad. Hell I'd probably start him a lot. But other people deserve at least an equal chance. As you've said Jenas is far from convincing.

I'm hoping we can get a much better player in the summer, and a left winger. With this boy Taraabt in the squad as well, then the midfeld would be a different kettle of fish. And I expect great things of Zokora and Huddlestone next year. I think they will both be a different propositon then.

[choda]

I wondered how long it would take..... It's called having a squad!!!!

Keane was absolute shite on Monday against Charlton and what more can Defoe do than score in his last 2 games.
BMJ obviously though Keane either needed a rest or a kick up the backside and it obviously worked, no player has an automatic right to be in the team.

Do I recall Keane last season heading straight up the tunnel after being subbed??

He may not have been fit on Monday. He didnt play well alright, but EVERYBODY has bad games. It's easy to come up with curt responses like that.

When Berba has a bad game, do you drop him for Mido? No.

You have to look at the big picture. Keane is in a different class to Defoe individually and his partnership with Berba is recognised even by non-spurs as a bit special.

When I saw the team I went, 'ah shit, this could be trouble'. But then I thought of what you just said and said to myself, 'well Keane had a bad game and Defoe looked 'lively' against Charlton.'

But I was being hopeful and kidding myself really. After fifteen minutes I was well and truly snapped out of that because Defoe was shit as usual: Brainless movement, not working hard enough, poor link play, being caught offside needlessly and numerous other things that Keane would do well and make a big impact on the game.

I'm not sure you understand all the elements of being a striker when you say what more could he have done. Absolutely loads is the answer. Apart from his tap-in last night he was woeful.

It's not just about scoring (and by the way Keane score far more prem goals than defoe, check goals to games in the prem for spurs, it compares them exactly).

You're not honestly going to tell me Defoe was better and more influential than Keane last night, are you?

Over 50 games I would definitely start Defoe lots of times, but against teams you expect to beat anyway and not in important games you need to win. Otherwise it could cost us points like it did yesterday.

[mjbmedia]

Thing is the service Defoe gets are too many airbourne balls that hes going to struggle with. Hudd gives him ground balls mainly and he thrives , is it coincidence that Hudd was playing when JD had his best spell earlier in the season. The service we gave in the first half was crap, 2nd half it improved esp with Robbie . play all 3 , why not keep the ball upfront is best way to defend a match.

[RuFuS]

play all 3 , why not keep the ball upfront is best way to defend a match.


Man U have tried that for years........It'll never catch on :rolleyes:

[choda]

Thing is the service Defoe gets are too many airbourne balls that hes going to struggle with. Hudd gives him ground balls mainly and he thrives , is it coincidence that Hudd was playing when JD had his best spell earlier in the season. The service we gave in the first half was crap, 2nd half it improved esp with Robbie . play all 3 , why not keep the ball upfront is best way to defend a match.

I will agree with that. But doesn't that apply equally to the two small men?

Your only going to bring them in with balls to feet or via the majestic Berba.

I'm not for playing all three. It won't work as a starting strategy. It's too easy to defend against when peole expect it or aren't being hemmed back, and I guarantee you Keane will go missing and Defoe will have the same issues he always has, plus we would be breaking up the Berb Keane partnership.

Keane's an out an out striker really. And it's his sharpness around the box that makes the difference. Take that away and your stripping points off our team.

That's not to mention the defensive complications of playing that team. You need almost total control of the game to do it.

When we are chasing a game we can play him like last night, because he will get space and plenty of ball. But that won't happen under normal conditions.

Certianly I'd do what we did last night when we need to score, because we'd then have more options to create something.

Also sometimes Jol puts Robbie out right when Defoe comes on, which I can't understand. Robbie useless on the right. If he feels we don't have enough control to play Robbie behind them centrally then why not take off Robbie and bring on an attacking midfielder like Taarabt? Or even let him cut in from the left.

[choda]

Man U have tried that for years........It'll never catch on :rolleyes:

ManU don't play three strikers. But they always have plenty of attackers alright. I would like to see two wingers, two strikers and an attacking midfielder.

[Spur]

We don't have the midfield to play all three strikers I don't think.

That would mean having a midfielder to back up the strikers when they drift out wide, which wouldn't be a problem as all three do so anyway, but we don't have a midfielder capable.

[peterc]

although no one would disagree about his unacceptable behaviour throwing the team shirt on the ground, you are all forgetting the blood that lad literally gave for the team. you are forgetting that 4-5 of Berba's goals were assisted by Ghaly's awesome crosses, let alone the ones Berba missed. you are forgetting the good effort he gave in the second half last night.... Yes, it might be unforgivable to throw the shirt, but there are more "disloyal" team members as far as i'm concerned. those who dont even give the effort to improve, and i can name half a dozen off the top of my head.

No other player has ever thrown off the colours of the mighty Spurs. That is total dis-respect, and as far as I am concerned, Ghaly is no longer a Spurs player, hope Jol and the board send him packing ASAP. He has ruined his own chances to try and prove to his worth. END OF............................

[jrio]

I will agree with that. But doesn't that apply equally to the two small men?


We've been through this before but, while Defoe undoubtedly is small(5'7"), Keane isn't(5'10"). What we lacked against Blackburn was any effective width. Blackburn dropped McCarthy back into midfield when defending, denying Mal the space to turn and run into central areas where he could find Berb and doubled up on Lennon. Added to their propensity for muscling us off the ball and using a variety of cynical tactics, it reduced us to try to chip 20 yard passes through the centre. In those situations you need a player with the passing ability of Hudd to stretch the play and make the opposition work harder, trying to pull them out of position.

Whilst Defoe was fairly ineffectual he wasn't woeful. He was offside too often again and his trick of cutting inside from the left from 20+ yards to shoot is now fairly predictable, but he worked hard, linked up well with Lennon in the second half, and played a flick to Berb that was returned only a few feet to far for him to beat Friedel to it. As always, Choda can only see the good things in Keane and the bad things in Defoe.

[choda]

We've been through this before but, while Defoe undoubtedly is small(5'7"), Keane isn't(5'10"). What we lacked against Blackburn was any effective width. Blackburn dropped McCarthy back into midfield when defending, denying Mal the space to turn and run into central areas where he could find Berb and doubled up on Lennon. Added to their propensity for muscling us off the ball and using a variety of cynical tactics, it reduced us to try to chip 20 yard passes through the centre. In those situations you need a player with the passing ability of Hudd to stretch the play and make the opposition work harder, trying to pull them out of position.

Whilst Defoe was fairly ineffectual he wasn't woeful. He was offside too often again and his trick of cutting inside from the left from 20+ yards to shoot is now fairly predictable, but he worked hard, linked up well with Lennon in the second half, and played a flick to Berb that was returned only a few feet to far for him to beat Friedel to it. As always, Choda can only see the good things in Keane and the bad things in Defoe.

When have you ever seen Keane win a straight high ball downfield? I don't think there is much difference aerily aside from crosses coming in where Keane would have a better chance of scoring.

It's simply not true that I only see the good things in Keane and the bad in Defoe. Sometimes it may seem that way because I think there is a gulf in class and it widely goes unrecognised. This annoys me because it costs us points during the last two seasons.

On occasion I get more riled up than is fair on the lad, but it's more the situation that bothers me.

Defoe is a good player, but I don't fancy him. He was a good signing for us previously, but I'd never buy him if I was one of the top clubs. I'd be amazed if he cut it at one of the top four clubs.

And with England I'd have him below Rooney, Owen, Crouch, Bent, Ashton and Johnson.

He's got a great shot, and he's a very good finisher. But the problem is his laziness, and lack of cleverness in his play and movement. It's all so predictable, and his choices are poor.

Keane has his faults. And I have mentioned them. Sometimes when he has time to think he thinks too much instead of just playing in the present. He could be more clinical with his finishing and he could have another yard of pace.

But I find it hard to criticise him too much because he's such a good player. After all how many better strikers are there around than him? Not many, why would I want lay into him? And also probably because I hate the way he gets so much stick he doesn't deserve.

There is so much I love about Keano's game. He's so quick brained, great movement, clever passes and link play. He works hard and always plays well with a complementary strike partner. And he's always going to create things for himself and others. And his goal record speaks for itself.

I always feel that things will happen for us when Keane is in the pitch, and especially now with Berbatov, who is arguably the best striker in the world. Keane's a livewire with real quality and his enthusiam is infectious.

Defoe as our first choice is never going to progress this club into the top four. That's how I see it anyway.