Spurs v Liverpool 15th December

yiddo59

Heading over for this one. With Gerrard out we have to take advantage and take maximum points.

DubPerryman

It looks like Gerrard and Henderson are out. As much as I don't rate Henderson, he seems to be improving over the last couple of weeks.

According to one Liverpool fan, these absentees leave them very short in centre mid - http://www.empireofthekop.com/anfield/2013/12/10/versatility-test-boss-by-denny_thereds/

curraghyid

Our midfield should be well in control in this game, the problem is a certain Uruguayan , how do you stop him? .Would it be wise to assign sandro in a marking role.
Or would he just end up getting sent off.

Mr. Guappa

Reports today that Vertonghen is possibly out until the New Year. Would be a huge blow over the Christmas period if true. Not looking forward to Suarez giving Dawson the run around.

SuprSi

I have to admit, whatever my feelings have been on Suarez as a player, he's been an absolute joy to watch this season. Some of the goals he's scored have been brilliant. He'll be very difficult to manage but I don't believe he does as well against strong defences or better teams. Look at who he has scored all his goals against this season;

Sunderland
Palace
West Brom
Fulham
Everton
Norwich
West Ham

Everton is the only 'big' club in there. Now I know he missed games at the start of the season but Utd were the only other big team in there too. He scores lots and lots of goals against inferior opposition. Admittedly lots of really great goals, but still against inferior opposition. I think they'll miss Sturridge more than Gerard to be honest as he enables Suarez. Sturridge is another player I've really enjoyed watching this season, except for that stupid dance he does when he scores!

They also have a very good, well organised defence, so our biggest issue is once again going to be putting the ball into the net. It was nice seeing Townsend on the left against Sunderland, going down the wing and crossing it into the box - more of that but with Soldado in the box and I think we'll have a chance.

It'll be a good close game though and I'd imagine they'll definitely go for it, which should open things up a bit more for us too. Expect goals, and I wouldn't be surprised with another 2 - 2 draw or something similar.

DubPerryman

curraghyid wrote: »

the problem is a certain Uruguayan , how do you stop him?

Just adding to SuperSi's point, just look at the number of goals Suarez has scored away from home.... not many at all.

He's scored 14 goals, three have come away from home. Two of those three were against a terrible Sunderland team. The other was a free-kick against Everton. Now he won't have Sturridge and Gerrard behind him.

bradolf pittler

Really hard game to call this,I suppose it will come down to which Suarez turns up.The one who's been banging them in for fun or the one one who was anonymous against Hull.They haven't beaten us at home since 2008 which counts for something i suppose.They also haven't won away since Sept 29th,Another good sign.
Their gonna rely heavily on Suarez for goals,But after him with 14 and Sturridge on 9 they have Gerrard on 3 and they won't be playing so if we can keep the Uruguayan quiet they will find goals hard to come by.On the other hand in recent games we seem to have a goal threat coming from every position bar our strikers with Paulinho,Holtby,Vlad,Sandro,Walker and Dembele (kinda) getting on the scoresheet so if we win the midfield (and i think we will) then we can retain possession like we have been doing,isolate Suarez and take our chances when they come to us then i think we can win this game.Big ifs of course but its do-able
I'll go for 2-1 again

Sugarlumps

No one has mentioned Coutinho as being a danger, rather surprising?

bradolf pittler

Sugarlumps wrote: »

No one has mentioned Coutinho as being a danger, rather surprising?

1 goal,1 assist this season so no not really a danger

2nd Row Donkey

Sugarlumps wrote: »

No one has mentioned Coutinho as being a danger, rather surprising?

You beat me to it, he's getting back to the form he had before his injury. He'll be a dangerman.

Suarez will give Daws the run around.

To win we will have to outscore Liverpool, and that might take 3 goals which we just don't have in us at the moment.

I'm predicting a score draw or a tight win to liverpool.

Sugarlumps

^^^
Think you're right with a score draw prediction.

GS11

A draw wouldn't be the worst result, Coutinho can supply Suarez if Gerrard and Sturridge are out. Really hope we get stuck in to them and don't sit back. Interesting stats re his scoring.

Hatch99

Really need to be beating our rivals for 4th at home, a draw not worth a fcuk

Sugarlumps

Hatch99 wrote: »

Really need to be beating our rivals for 4th at home, a draw not worth a fcuk

Me'h, once we don't lose I'm okay with a draw. Sure, a win would be ideal, but were not exactly slaying teams at the moment. And at home we've suffered from limp dick.

KingdomYid

Going to go all positive for this one and say we will win

Kiith

Suarez is going to destroy Dawson if he's not given support.

Definitely set Sandro on him. He'll either shut him down completely, or get sent off.

Hatch99

Kiith wrote: »

Suarez is going to destroy Dawson if he's not given support.

Definitely set Sandro on him. He'll either shut him down completely, or get sent off.

The roma could take suarez no ??

White Heart Loon

Yeah, break out the Vladinator

tippspur

We've had the upper hand on Liverpool for the last few years except for the stupid game we threw away last season,I think we have the beating of them again,I'm heading over so I want to keep my winning record at the lane intact:)

jobeenfitz

Soldado should start Sunday after getting his hat-trick boost tonight. Would also like to see Holtby start.

ingo1984

Suarez likes to roam around the pitch looking for the ball. I think we need to deploy sandro who's sole responsibility will be to stick by his side and get in his face. Rough him up a bit. Need to cut off all supply to him.

Devo from Dublin

Before the Fulham i was almost dreading this one...
Now i cant fricking wait.
Really think we'll slap these saps again.
So many of us have Lolpool mates so to me this is my big game of the season so far!!
Im also loving the comparisons between the 2 clubs this year..
Spurs are muck and spent £100m and Lolpool are absolutely flying.
A win on sunday and we go level on points with the flying scousers??
Cant wait for Facebook meltdown...;)
Also, having to listen to the excuses " no Stevie or Sturridge" crapoloxgy.
I reckon after looking at last nights team...
Lloris.
Walker...Dawson...Vlad...Rose.
Sandro.
Dembele...Paulie..
Lennon..Soldado...Townsend..

Meaning we'll be "missing"..
Kaboul,Vertonghen,Eriksen,Holtby,Siggy,Lamela,Defoe,Capoue,and Ade.

Spurs 3-1 Lolpool.

DubPerryman

It looks like AVB is playing a less cautious style of play, we've only kept one clean sheet in the last eight games.

On the flip side, we've scored 14 in those 8 games and looked more of an attacking threat. Plus won five and drawn one.

With Liverpool's key absentees we really need to be winning on Sunday.

2-0.

curraghyid

Keep the ball rolling and start soldado, wouldn't start Townsend, I think chadli would be the better option.

Devo from Dublin

curraghyid wrote: »

Keep the ball rolling and start soldado, wouldn't start Townsend, I think chadli would be the better option.

Jaysus, i ALWAYS forget about him!!
Think he will start him on sunday...
His heat map shows he runs around a lot!!!:rolleyes:

GS11

Soldado should start but I can't see it happening.

Left Back on the Bench

GS11 wrote: »

Soldado should start but I can't see it happening.

surely he'll start after banging in a hat trick.he'll be brimming with confidence as they say

MrKingsley

To me ot would be insane to not start soldado.

Hes finally put in a killer performance. what kind of message would it give him if a hat trick means hes still behind Defoe in the pecking order

tippspur

AVB didn't rest Defoe last night for nothing,I think he'll start.

jobeenfitz

tippspur wrote: »

AVB didn't rest Defoe last night for nothing,I think he'll start.

Can't see Defoe starting. Soldado is a definite starter. He has too.

Leinstersqspur

tippspur wrote: »

AVB didn't rest Defoe last night for nothing,I think he'll start.

Rest Defoe? Don't you mean he benched Soldado for two games to make him hungry?