Spurs Vs Chelsea - Thursday 22nd @ 20:00

2nd Row Donkey

KO @ 20:00

A few weeks ago we were rubbing our hands with anticipation at the thoughts of our fast forward line making a mockery of the high line the chelsea defense was playing under VBS.

Are we still as confident?

Any word on Bale and Lennon's injury?

Should we play Parker and Sandro together in order to nuetralise their midfield players?

Thoughts?

Kiith

Lennon is out, but hopefully Bale will be back. Still fairly confident, though they have upped their game a bit in recent weeks. I'd probably be happy with a draw, but i'd absolutely love a win.

Terry is out as well, though i'm not sure if i'm happy about that or not.

ziedth

I'd take a draw TBH. Very important that we don't loose. A win would make my christmas.

golfball37

Terry is available according to most reports today, Lennon out for a few weeks.

2nd Row Donkey

Terry is out? I know what you mean but I think they will be even weaker without him. Who's their backup? Alex?


Would love to have seen lennon and Walker take on Cole.
Its a pity we dont have a direct replacement for Lennon (in terms of pace ... cant see Santos starting).

VDV will probably start in MF and slow things up but Defoe's pace should cause them trouble up front.

2nd Row Donkey

I'm not worried about Terry's defending, its the 5 goals he has this season from set pieces that I'd be worried about.

We need a win, a win for us puts them out of the title chase IMO and keeps us right in it. A draw wont do a lot for either team. If we are going to challenge for a title or even a top 4 finish, then you have to win these type of games.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

We should win, having said that if we play like we did last week or in the first half vs Stoke we won't. Chelsea, for all their troubles, are still a very powerful side. King is needed to do a job on Drogba, I don't think Gallas was ever able to handle him. Also, I'm presuming Kaboul is back?

My team so long as none of the following are injured;

Friedal

Walker --- King --- Kaboul --- BAE

Modric --- Parker --- Sandro --- Bale
Van der Vaart

Adebayor


I think vdV should definitely start, he always seems to up his game for the big boys, plus he had a decent game vs Sunderland. Lennon is a loss, the team isn't as balanced without him, but I still think we should really beat them, 2-0 or 2-1.

mickman

THFC wrote: »

We should win, having said that if we play like we did last week or in the first half vs Stoke we won't. Chelsea, for all their troubles, are still a very powerful side. King is needed to do a job on Drogba, I don't think Gallas was ever able to handle him. Also, I'm presuming Kaboul is back?

My team so long as none of the following are injured;

Friedal

Walker --- King --- Kaboul --- BAE

Modric --- Parker --- Sandro --- Bale
Van der Vaart

Adebayor


I think vdV should definitely start, he always seems to up his game for the big boys, plus he had a decent game vs Sunderland. Lennon is a loss, the team isn't as balanced without him, but I still think we should really beat them, 2-0 or 2-1.

yesterday showed that the wings are our strength. when we have no width we struggle. I would play walker on teh right wing to replace lennon and put bassong at right back or corluka

SuprSi

What about 3 - 5 - 2?

---

Friedel

---

- Kaboul - King - BAE -
Walker

---

Bale
Sandro - Modric - Parker
--- VDV

---

Ade ---

Only having 2 proper CB's might be a problem, and I don't know if King will manage 2 games in 5 days, but that formation would allow us width on both sides and incorporate steel in the middle.

I know it's untried, though I think we did something like this against Stoke in the 2nd half.

Mr. Guappa

A lot depends on who is available, going by reports today it seems that:
Lennon definitely out;
Defoe likely to be available;
Bale seems a 50/50 shot;
King is as always a wait and see type situation.

I'd go for a lineup of:

Friedel,
Walker, Kaboul, King/Gallas, BAE
VDV, Parker, Modric, Bale/Sandro
Defoe, Adebayor.

If Bale is out then Sandro slots into the middle with Modric on the wing. I'm not the biggest fan of VDV out wide but he generally performs in big games and Defoe is in fine form so I'd like to accommodate him.

I wouldn't be too keen on changing to a new formation to start the game but it's always an option if things are not going to plan.

Our bench options are still pretty strong: Pav, Kranjcar, Sandro, Pienaar, Gallas/Bassong, maybe Gio if a bit of width was required. I suppose Rose, Townsend or Gio could be a surprise shout for the LW slot if Bale is ruled out. Who saw Rose starting against Arsenal two seasons ago?

Bodie Doyle

If Bale plays we have a great chance. If JohnTerry plays we have an even greater chance. Seriously has anyone watched him in recent weeks. Yes he still capable of scoring from corners/freekicks but his defending is useless lately.
Everytime we play them he plays right on the edge. 2(?) seasons ago he got sent off because he could not handle Bales pace. He is slower and we have even more speed merchants now( pity Lennon is out). If Chelsea decide to play a high defensive line then we should be able to beat them.

ziedth

Purely for all the whole Luka shíte in the summer I'd love to see us do them. If I'm honest though, I have a very bad feeling about it.

SuprSi

I would have been quietly confident with both Lennon and Bale playing, but with one or both missing it's a completely different game. We should still have enough quality but our pacey game is somewhat disrupted when we don't have both our wingers on the pitch.

oppiuy

Whats your thoughts on bringing in Corluka at right back and playing walker on the right wing?

mushykeogh

oppiuy wrote: »

Whats your thoughts on bringing in Corluka at right back and playing walker on the right wing?

Corluka is just too bloody slow for me, but if walker helps him out, could give us plenty of pace and width down the right.

Antisocialiser

oppiuy wrote: »

Whats your thoughts on bringing in Corluka at right back and playing walker on the right wing?

This is definitely what I would do! I think Harry will be aware that we were poor against Stoke due to a lack of real width. Corluka can do a job I reckon.

Friedal
Corluka King / Gallas Kaboul BAE
Walker Modric Parker Bale / Krancjar
VDV
Adebayor

^ That's the most balanced team I can think of anyway!

oppiuy

Antisocialiser wrote: »

This is definitely what I would do! I think Harry will be aware that we were poor against Stoke due to a lack of real width. Corluka can do a job I reckon.

Friedal
Corluka King / Gallas Kaboul BAE
Walker Modric Parker Bale / Krancjar
VDV
Adebayor

^ That's the most balanced team I can think of anyway!

If Bales out i think he will

ziedth

Personally I'd rather see VDV drop back and Defoe slot in up front. I know we'd loose pace on the wings but we'd gain it up front. Team for me:

Friedal
Walker King Kaboul BAE
VDV Parker Modric Bale
Defoe Ade

Edit: if Bale is out I'd put in Sandro and swap with Luka.

SuprSi

Have to admit I don't like VDV on the wing. He's just too slow and offers nothing defensively. I'd rather Corluka at RB and Walker on the wing as although Corluka is slow, Walker should be able to help him out.

Also, if VDV starts, he needs to stay in their half. If Ade is left up front on his own we really suffer in the goals department.

thudd

Another option might be to get Bale to swap wings to the Right. Put Modric on left, then Sandro, Parker in the middle. VDV and Ade up front then.

I think the Bale's pace on the wing is vital here. We didnt look too comfortable on Sunday without it. So lets hope Bale will play

ziedth

^ I kinda like that idea.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Ya but Chelsea's strongest defensive position is LB. Bale should stay on the left IMO.

Dublin Spur

MASSIVE

tippspur

oppiuy wrote: »

Whats your thoughts on bringing in Corluka at right back and playing walker on the right wing?

Wouldn't be so bad now at all,worth a chance I'd say.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Corluka's first real competitive game for months just can't come against Chelsea, it would be a huge risk. Plus, I don't think Walker would do well at RM vs Cashley. He (Cashley) is very experienced and one of the best LB's in the world, whereas Walker is used to making his runs from deep and coming relatively un-noticed. RM is completely different to RB, and I think he would get cleaned out by Cashley were he to play there. Our best bet is to line-up as normal, we are far better than them at the moment, especially around the middle. We don't need to take unnecessary risks, not against Chelsea.

Wendell Gee

Charlie mustn't have been fit last week, or he'd have played in Tallaght. The good thing is we have options.
If Bale is fit, we have 10 of the eleven regulars- all bar Lennon - available. Both Sandro (away) and Pav (at home) played well and scored against Chelsea.
I like a few options, but I'd definitely start both Sandro and Parker. Chelsea are dangerous coming up the middle, and we need to not let them score- or dominate. Those two should compete well with whoever Chelsea play.
Formation? we could go 3-5-2. If we do, play Kaboul, Gallas and King. Dont't leave BAe coping with Sturridge on his own.
BAE or Bale in that scenario, or both?
Modric and VDV must be released high up the pitch, to turn the Chelsea defence, with Walker Bale and Ade using their speed to bomb on. If defoe is fit, we have him, Pav, Nico, and Pienaar to bring in. Pienaar is not a bad player, and might have his big night soon. Townsend looked great against Rovers, but this isn't Rovers. He might have a role to play.
Like I say, there are lot's of options, and I like a few of them. We got it wrong against Stoke, and lost. Here's hoping Harry gets this one right. it's a big chance to make a big statement.

everdead.ie

We cod always put Kaboul at RB and walker ahead of him he's a pretty damn quick defender is Kab

mickman

everdead.ie wrote: »

We cod always put Kaboul at RB and walker ahead of him he's a pretty damn quick defender is Kab

he is suspended is he not?

everdead.ie

mickman wrote: »

everdead.ie wrote: »

We cod always put Kaboul at RB and walker ahead of him he's a pretty damn quick defender is Kab

he is suspended is he not?

St for Sunderland game no?

RoboClam

I can't imagine that Terry will play particularly well after that ruling. Also, there will be serious hate directed towards him from the crowd tomorrow.

mushykeogh

mickman wrote: »

he is suspended is he not?

one match ban served with sunderland game. He is available. Bale rated very doubtful. King also a doubt.