Match Thread: Tottenham Hotspur vs Barcelona

[Gino Ginelli]

So, what do we all reckon will be the lineup for today? No defenders as we know so who from the reserves / youth squad would you like to see?

Also, is Dos Santos back from Mexcio yet? Would have liked to see him line up against his old club.

So I guess...

Naughton
Corluka
????????
Ekotto

Lennon
Jenas
Palacios
Modric

Keane
Pavluchenko

With many subs to follow no doubt.

[olly27]

Gomes

Naughton/Hutton/Chimbo
Dervitte/Hudd
Corluka
Benny

Lenny
Palacios
Jenas
Modric

Bent
Defoe

Think Pav and Keane have thigh strains. May be fit - not sure.

[Neil_Vaughan]

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

[Gino Ginelli]

Oops, sorry Neil, impatient me :blushing:

I'm saying draw, only because I've no idea what team Barca are putting out. If it's only half of their usual starting XI then I guess we're knackered, ha ha!

[singapore spur]

im guessing the hudd and corluka as c.b's
defoe n bent up top

and they are showing it on telly here :001_smile: , live at 3 am :sad:

[Mattyboii]

Gomes
Naughton Charlie ??? BAE
Lennon Palacios JJ Modric
Pav Defoe :)

ive heard harrys been really pleased with pav lately so he might go for that...

[olly27]

Pav big doubt - probably wont feature, Robbie struggling.

Defoe and Bent up top most likely.

[Gold7]

I'm going for 1-1 It will probably be a very slow paced game with both teams more interested in just trying to knock the ball about more than scoring.

Aren't they a bit behind us in preparation that must count for something even though they are class, i remember roma last year albeit
we were almost ready for the season at time.
Can't wait for it to start.:001_smile:

[Neil_Vaughan]

I wonder if he'll dust off GDS for a run-out against his former side.

[LifeTimeYido]

My hope will be..........

With 3 main centre backs out.

Starting....... with plenty of changes at 1/2 time.

------------Gomes--------------
-Hutton--Corluka--Dervitte--BAE-
--Lennon--Wilson--Modric--GDS--
---------Pav-----Defoe----------

Keane
Bent
JJ
Ohara
Rose

and others.........

2-1 Spurs.

[gazzaG8]

Went for the draw the CB's are a problem for us, but i can't see Barca playing Xavi, Iniesta & Messi for the full 90.

[GQCoolest]

GDS played 120 minutes for Mexico last night in the Semifinals of the Gold Cup in Chicago. I think it's safe to say that he won't feature. Tucked in a smashing pen in the shootout however.

[matthius23]

Here we go boys, we're about to play Barcelona! :drool:

[LifeTimeYido]

Cnut balls....thunder and lighning in the NE = sky sports go boom !!! :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown: :thumbdown:

[olly27]

Where is Bent?...getting ready for Sunderland maybe?

[matthius23]

Our kit is ****ing disgusting - there, I said it.

[denis-cro]

Why the **** are we playing 4-5-1 once again ?????????? I ****ing hate this system.... Cmon Harry dont be such an idiot like Juande was.... FFS !!!!

[matthius23]

Why the **** are we playing 4-5-1 once again ?????????? I ****ing hate this system.... Cmon Harry dont be such an idiot like Juande was.... FFS !!!!

Lovely to see you again Denis. You think maybe because we have 1 FIT STRIKER!!!!!!?

CRACKING save by Cudicini.

[olly27]

Why the **** are we playing 4-5-1 once again ?????????? I ****ing hate this system.... Cmon Harry dont be such an idiot like Juande was.... FFS !!!!

Howdy Dennis....out of hibernation?

[olly27]

I actually like our kit :scared:

[denis-cro]

You think maybe because we have 1 FIT STRIKER!!!!!!?

CRACKING save by Cudicini.

This type of games are the best available to see if reserve players are fit enough to be first team players (Obika)...

[matthius23]

I actually like our kit :scared:

Whenever they show a shot of our bench, I have to turn the contrast on my TV down! It's a bit too, er, yellow!

[denis-cro]

Anyone know attendance for this game??

[Defoe8]

Was going to go to this game with me old man but when we saw the prices we decided against it, i can see that alot of other Spurs fans thought the same considering the amount of empty seats!

Would like to see as many fringe players as possible get a run out 2day, so hoping for the likes of Jenas/Palacios/Modric etc to go off at HT.

N.b. For a 2nd string team Barca still have some damn good players, esp that Bojan

[matthius23]

0-1 Bojan - Incredible run from Yaya Toure.

[GQCoolest]

Great tackle from Hudd, Hutton switched off for a sec and let Bojan in there.

[Chewy]

This borefest needed a goal...

[denis-cro]

This is gonna be one very hard season once again....:001_rolleyes:

[olly27]

Great last ditch tackle from Hudd, desperately unlucky the way the ball broke to Bojan. Was good run from Toure.

Should of been 2-0 down, that was onside.

[LifeTimeYido]

This is gonna be one very hard season once again....:001_rolleyes:

Will you fcuk off..............its one pre-season game without 3 CB's and 3 forwards.

Get a grip.

[LifeTimeYido]

Why is Hutton being boo'ed ??

[nuttyhotspurs]

our passing is woeful. i cant believe we have no fit centre halfs and only 1 fit forward. jesus f-kin wept

[nuttyhotspurs]

Why is Hutton being boo'ed ??

celtic fans

[Defoe8]

Why is Hutton being boo'ed ??

Celtic fans who were there at Wembley for their afternoon game are i guess still here

[olly27]

How come Bentley isn't even on the bench?

[olly27]

Modric smashes the bar....

[GQCoolest]

This is gonna be one very hard season once again....:001_rolleyes:

Missing 3 strikers and 3 top choice CB's, and you still deem the season over?

Close to a leveller there.

[TheRealestYiddo]

Unlucky Luka & Benny! Almost 1-1

[Defoe8]

Great run from Palacios, unlucky Modric!

Palacios will a key key player for us this season, like Essien is for Chelsea.

[matthius23]

This is gonna be one very hard season once again....:001_rolleyes:

I really REALLY hope those rolly eyes mean you are joking.

What a great player Abidal is.

[olly27]

Can someone tell me where Bent is? Did Harry say he was injured? Not sure I would believe that...:001_smile:

[GQCoolest]

Charlie with a bit of a shocker that first half.

[olly27]

Corluka has been sloppy twice now....

[olly27]

Charlie with a bit of a shocker that first half.

Yep - very sloppy, needs to wake up a bit!

[matthius23]

I know we're only giving 60%, but Jenas still looked poop :001_rolleyes:

[Gold7]

Palacios is so class, even if he didn't get Toure for their goal he's immense.
how lucky are we that we signed him?

[irishspur]

Wheres pav, i never heard he was out? Corlukas havin a shocker, modric looks stronger than last year hes been hitting the weights i would imagine, defoe looks lively up top.

[KevSpur]

Anyone still happy with Thudd and Corluca maybe playing a lot at CB in the
PL due to injury prone Woody and King ?
Barca look class though ( and it's their 2nd string mostly ! )

[KevSpur]

Palacios is so class, even if he didn't get Toure for their goal he's immense.
how lucky are we that we signed him?

Modric been hitting the weights:001_smile: :001_smile:
He must go about 8 stone now then !!

[olly27]

Anyone still happy with Thudd and Corluca maybe playing a lot at CB in the
PL due to injury prone Woody and King ?
Barca look class though ( and it's their 2nd string mostly ! )

Corluka is having a shocker...he'a a RB, dont like him at CB. Hudd is actually playing well made good tackle unlucky the way the ball broke to Bojan. Has hit some awsome balls to Lennon on the RW.

But we are giving the ball away to easily, which is vital when it takes you ten minutes to win it back.

Palacios, Hudd and Modric stick out as the positives, allbeit small ones, in the first half - oh and Carlo.

They way Palacios created the chance for Modric was pure class. So glad we have those two they will be massive for us this season - easily our two most important players.

[olly27]

Barca have changed their whole side! We have made 4 changes....Naughton, Gomes, Keane and Chimbonda.

[GQCoolest]

Naughton, Chimbo, Keano and Gomes on.

[olly27]

Seeing more of the ball...playing better.

[TheRealestYiddo]

Chimbonda - 50p Head! lol

[GQCoolest]

Hudd has played some fantastic balls over to Lennon's side throughout the match.

[KevSpur]

Barca have changed their whole side! We have made 4 changes....Naughton, Gomes, Keane and Chimbonda.

And they're still playing football from a different planet to us.
Where do they get these players from ?

[olly27]

Livermore 1-1...:001_smile:

[matthius23]

Dont shoot me, but I thought Palacios had a so/so game - passing wasnt great, and the great tackles/challenges he made were to make up for losing the ball in the first place - bit of a Zokora-esque performance.

Bostock is gonna be out of this world.

GOAL FOR LIVERMORE!!!

[GQCoolest]

BAE to Livermore there. Nice finish Jake.

[TheRealestYiddo]

Get In There Jake Fvckin Livermore :thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

[olly27]

What a chance Defoe...

[matthius23]

Bostock, Rose, Livermore - Jamie O'Hara be very afraid for your place.

[olly27]

Pitty we hadn't score 30 mins ago...might of been a very good second half.

[nuttyhotspurs]

Bostock, Rose, Livermore - Jamie O'Hara be very afraid for your place.

the sad thing is we probably wont see them again after the season starts. thats if any of the past few seasons are anything to go by!:thumbdown:

[TheRealestYiddo]

Dont shoot me, but I thought Palacios had a so/so game - passing wasnt great, and the great tackles/challenges he made were to make up for losing the ball in the first place - bit of a Zokora-esque performance.

Bostock is gonna be out of this world.

GOAL FOR LIVERMORE!!!

His passing isn't good mate, infact I think Zokora could pass better than Wilson but he makes up for that with the rest of his game.

Gonna be massive this season.

[TheRealestYiddo]

the sad thing is we probably wont see them again after the season starts. thats if any of the past few seasons are anything to go by!:thumbdown:

Harry is more likely to give youth a chance mate. Just think of the players he brought through at West Ham? Lampard, Cole, Ferdinand to name a few.

I expect to see more of these kids.

[nuttyhotspurs]

Harry is more likely to give youth a chance mate. Just think of the players he brought through at West Ham? Lampard, Cole, Ferdinand to name a few.

I expect to see more of these kids.

i hope you are right! it would be good to see

[nuttyhotspurs]

His passing isn't good mate, infact I think Zokora could pass better than Wilson

i nominate this for the daftest post of the pre-season

[LifeTimeYido]

Well i think Barca can thank thier lucky stars....scraping a draw against the mighty YIDS !!!! :001_rolleyes: :001_rolleyes: :001_rolleyes:

Spurs youngsters look ok IMO.

JJ looked poo in the 1st half.
Modric looked good, Wilson looked pretty solid.
Charlie was so so...Lennon still stuggles to cross a ball, i think he runs faster than he can think.

[TheRealestYiddo]

i nominate this for the daftest post of the pre-season

lol. I aint saying Zokora's passing is good though, that was crap too.

[olly27]

His passing isn't good mate, infact I think Zokora could pass better than Wilson but he makes up for that with the rest of his game.

Gonna be massive this season.

Not a chance..Palacios can pass a lot better than Zokora...

[KevSpur]

i nominate this for the daftest post of the pre-season

Why do you have that as your signature ?
He had a really good last season, and tonight looked the only player I could imagine would fit in the Barca squad.

[olly27]

If you watch Palacios he passes the ball into the space for the player to run on to...something Zokora couldn't manage for love nor money.

[Shelfside]

A good result all things considered.
To be honest and I know it's only one game,but if we don't make the signings that we are hoping for then that will force our hand to blood these young players in the first team.And that would be a very good thing.There are too many players 'coasting' in the first team and if their place was under threat from a young player with the hunger and desire that we need,then that too can only be a good thing.
Downsides about tonight? THAT FCUKING KIT!!!!!!!!.

[KevSpur]

If you watch Palacios he passes the ball into the space for the player to run on to...something Zokora couldn't manage for love nor money.

Agree with that.
Be fair Zok had trouble putting the right weight on a 2 yard square ball.

[olly27]

A good result all things considered.
To be honest and I know it's only one game,but if we don't make the signings that we are hoping for then that will force our hand to blood these young players in the first team.And that would be a very good thing.There are too many players 'coasting' in the first team and if their place was under threat from a young player with the hunger and desire that we need,then that too can only be a good thing.
Downsides about tonight? THAT FCUKING KIT!!!!!!!!.

Agree...very impressed with Naughton even though he didn't get forward really. I really think he could putting serious pressure on Hutton et al if he beds in well.

Pitty he hadn't brought the youngsters on for the last half hour as oppossed to the last 10 mins. But yeah, Bostock, Livermore and Rose...I reckon we could be seeing a bit more of these kids..they need real game time to sharpen the learning curve.

[Rojoknapp]

Palacios' passing was really poor tonight. There were positives (Defoe held the ball up brilliantly, Livermore got a goal, Carlo was excellent) and negatives (Keane was non existent, albeit injured, Palacios' passing, and the fact that our passing was abysmal compared to that of Barca's second and third strings) tonight. I'm glad we got the goal, the results do make a difference, no matter what we sat about pre-season games, and I guess we did pull it together in the last 30-35 minutes so we deserved our reward.

[CarlosKickaball]

+

Youngsters all look good......(is it me or do they all lookalike)

Gomes looks assured

-

Jenas invisable

Keane dont look match fit

Kit is shit

[SCIFIN17YID]

who won, sorry I was playing xbox live 1 vs 100 :)

[nuttyhotspurs]

Why do you have that as your signature ?
He had a really good last season, and tonight looked the only player I could imagine would fit in the Barca squad.

lol good idea...done!

[MarlowSpurs]

How did Naughton do??? I was fvcking working so missed the whole pissing lot

[olly27]

How did Naughton do??? I was fvcking working so missed the whole pissing lot

He did well. Didn't get forward much but looked very comfortable out there and didn't put a foot wrong. Think we have found a real promising player. With more confidence to come - very exciting prospect by the looks of it.

[Mattyboii]

In all fairness a kinda poopy game, second half was better but a pretty average spurs. Modric was stronger and was a bit flamboyant. Thudd is definitley stronger and was a good CB. Naughton i have to say played brilliant. Charlie should stay as a RB. Defoe isnt good as a lone striker we should never play it anyway. Palacios' passing was a bit rough today but as ever, if he looses it he will try his damn best to get it back. Keane was average once again. Gomes and Carlo did well. The Youngans seemed to want it more than the first team. BAE had a bit of a bad game, comparing to how well he improved last season. But think what we coulda done with a fully fit squad......... COYS bring on sunday smash the celtic ****s, my celtic mates are pissing me off, i hope we wipe the floor with them. I do like mcgeady though. Argh i just cant wait for new season.

[Gold7]

His passing isn't good mate, infact I think Zokora could pass better than Wilson but he makes up for that with the rest of his game.

Gonna be massive this season.

I know most have gone over this statement enough but i recall palacios lifting a nicely weighted pass over to Lennon and also didn't he slip mod through for the chance which hit the bar ?
He does give it away a bit i must admit but one thing i've noticed him do which no other player of ours seems to do is the cynical little foul which you don't often get booked for but stops an attack before it develops ,shows how street wise he is.
sadly i do see him picking up bookings for for persistent fouling, but i'd take that all day long.

[choda]

Palacios' passing was really poor tonight. There were positives (Defoe held the ball up brilliantly, Livermore got a goal, Carlo was excellent) and negatives (Keane was non existent, albeit injured, Palacios' passing, and the fact that our passing was abysmal compared to that of Barca's second and third strings) tonight. I'm glad we got the goal, the results do make a difference, no matter what we sat about pre-season games, and I guess we did pull it together in the last 30-35 minutes so we deserved our reward.

I don't know how you come to that conclusion since he clearly couldn't play on his own and was struggling whole game as he couldnt' get into it. The service was poor and not suited to the two small fellas. But I thought Defoe could have at least tried to get his head up and look for a pass and see if trying that is a better idea.

The balls to him weren't good and he often had two or three swarming on him, but I wanted to see him at least be more aware and try to make a pass at the right time. His decision making for me is still piss poor.

I thought we got a football lesson tonight. I'm hoping not administering footbal lessons ourselves like we did last two years, particularly last year, in pre-season means we might actually be good from the off when it really counts!

Jenas and O'Hara were atrocious. I still believe in O'Hara given half the games he got in cm were very good (4 of 8) and would like to see him get a run in the middle but enough of those performances and I'd throw him out as he was pants.

I was fed up of Jenas three years ago. :angry:

We desperately need to find the solution to play with Palacios because he was trying to do two mens jobs, he's a class act, watch him get better and better. He knows what the team needs and often he is trying to take over the passing as well when his partner is missing in action. And often it proves too much to handle as he is still working on his own passing, which I feel may come good Essien style as he shows he can do very well on the ball often as well.

They need to try Corluka in midfield, in fact I'd nearly write Harry a letter and ask why the hell he isn't trying it when all we've got is Slug, Jenas and JoH (flattering often). I beleive Charlie would be majestic, every time he comes into cm he looks the business.

One positive I took from the game where Barcelona's second string made a mockery of us technically, was that the when the kids came on they really injected some life and creativity into our play.

Many of our fellas looked like they didn't give a shit. But maybe this really should be viewed as gaining fitness and sharpness. The preparation this year does look different and maybe it is the right approach instead of being super fit, excellent early and over cocky for when the pace gets up to fever pitch, maybe this time we will be ready when the lights come on.

[Gold7]

Why the **** are we playing 4-5-1 once again ?????????? I ****ing hate this system.... Cmon Harry dont be such an idiot like Juande was.... FFS !!!!

mate we're lucky we played 4-5-1 cos is we did play 2 up top we would have got murdered 5 nil. I'm not a fan of the lone striker either but needs must.

[choda]

Dont shoot me, but I thought Palacios had a so/so game - passing wasnt great, and the great tackles/challenges he made were to make up for losing the ball in the first place - bit of a Zokora-esque performance.

Bostock is gonna be out of this world.

GOAL FOR LIVERMORE!!!

He's trying to do two jobs with Jenas imo, and without the ball he is just superb. His reading of the game and tackling is different class to Zokora, so I wouldn't even compare the two. Plus he's much better technically, as he shows at times, he just needs to put it together.

And a good partner would help him out a lot. He looked like he was on his own all night until Livermore came on.

[Gold7]

agree choda with palacios only getting better. i do fear however if palacios does have a good season and we as a team don't it might be a case of carrick/berba all over again.

[irishspur]

Defoe did really well all night, yes he should have played keane in once or twice, but he did hold the ball well and won it back tenaciously several times and won free kicks aswell. He looks very sharp at the moment and should be first choice until keane proves his fitness and starts bangin them in. Oh and which numpty went for the draw post match?! It was spur or CY:001_smile:

[KevSpur]

[QUOTE=choda;156443]I don't know how you come to that conclusion since he clearly couldn't play on his own and was struggling whole game as he couldnt' get into it. The service was poor and not suited to the two small fellas. But I thought Defoe could have at least tried to get his head up and look for a pass and see if trying that is a better idea.

The balls to him weren't good and he often had two or three swarming on him, but I wanted to see him at least be more aware and try to make a pass at the right time. His decision making for me is still piss poor.

I thought we got a football lesson tonight. I'm hoping not administering footbal lessons ourselves like we did last two years, particularly last year, in pre-season means we might actually be good from the off when it really counts!

Jenas and O'Hara were atrocious. I still believe in O'Hara given half the games he got in cm were very good (4 of 8) and would like to see him get a run in the middle but enough of those performances and I'd throw him out as he was pants.

I was fed up of Jenas three years ago. :angry:

We desperately need to find the solution to play with Palacios because he was trying to do two mens jobs, he's a class act, watch him get better and better. He knows what the team needs and often he is trying to take over the passing as well when his partner is missing in action. And often it proves too much to handle as he is still working on his own passing, which I feel may come good Essien style as he shows he can do very well on the ball often as well.

They need to try Corluka in midfield, in fact I'd nearly write Harry a letter and ask why the hell he isn't trying it when all we've got is Slug, Jenas and JoH (flattering often). I beleive Charlie would be majestic, every time he comes into cm he looks the business.

One positive I took from the game where Barcelona's second string made a mockery of us technically, was that the when the kids came on they really injected some life and creativity into our play.

Many of our fellas looked like they didn't give a shit. But maybe this really should be viewed as gaining fitness and sharpness. The preparation this year does look different and maybe it is the right approach instead of being super fit, excellent early and over cocky for when the pace gets up to fever pitch, maybe this time we will be ready when the lights come on.[/QUOTE

Good post.
Agree with it.

[Rojoknapp]

I don't know how you come to that conclusion since he clearly couldn't play on his own and was struggling whole game as he couldnt' get into it. The service was poor and not suited to the two small fellas. But I thought Defoe could have at least tried to get his head up and look for a pass and see if trying that is a better idea.

The balls to him weren't good and he often had two or three swarming on him, but I wanted to see him at least be more aware and try to make a pass at the right time. His decision making for me is still piss poor.

I thought we got a football lesson tonight. I'm hoping not administering footbal lessons ourselves like we did last two years, particularly last year, in pre-season means we might actually be good from the off when it really counts!

Jenas and O'Hara were atrocious. I still believe in O'Hara given half the games he got in cm were very good (4 of 8) and would like to see him get a run in the middle but enough of those performances and I'd throw him out as he was pants.

I was fed up of Jenas three years ago. :angry:

We desperately need to find the solution to play with Palacios because he was trying to do two mens jobs, he's a class act, watch him get better and better. He knows what the team needs and often he is trying to take over the passing as well when his partner is missing in action. And often it proves too much to handle as he is still working on his own passing, which I feel may come good Essien style as he shows he can do very well on the ball often as well.

They need to try Corluka in midfield, in fact I'd nearly write Harry a letter and ask why the hell he isn't trying it when all we've got is Slug, Jenas and JoH (flattering often). I beleive Charlie would be majestic, every time he comes into cm he looks the business.

One positive I took from the game where Barcelona's second string made a mockery of us technically, was that the when the kids came on they really injected some life and creativity into our play.

Many of our fellas looked like they didn't give a shit. But maybe this really should be viewed as gaining fitness and sharpness. The preparation this year does look different and maybe it is the right approach instead of being super fit, excellent early and over cocky for when the pace gets up to fever pitch, maybe this time we will be ready when the lights come on.

Obviously Defoe could have done with a partner and been much better off but I felt that he made a good job of keeping the ball, even if he didn't manage anything incisive with it when it was played to him.

[olly27]

Defoe didn't really get a look in - the kind of game he hates. Needs a partner and Crouchy is the man to bring out a lethal Defoe.

Barca passed and moved brillantly, closed down very well. We were better in the second half.

1 or 2 of Palacios's passes were waywad, bar that I thought he had a good game - made the chance for Modric expertly. Corluka was sloppy at CB.

[singapore spur]

typical pre season game against foreign opposition , technically outclassed and it wasnt till the kids came on and their endeavour,( which so much of the uk game is built on ) evened things up a little .
we gonna have a big problem against liverpool if we have to start with corluka and hudd as c.b's , neither looked mobile enough to deal with the likes of torres , though hudd always looks comfortable when given time and he sprayed some good passes about from the back .
one up front doesnt work for me , not when its defoe , but i guess injurys dictated the line up to a great extent .

would like to see more of the young guys given a crack this coming season and against the sweaties later today ,

oh and the kit looks shite , at times looked like we were wearing fecking capes , horrible