Manchester United v Tottenham Hotspur

I know that it's one man, but Bale has been playing like a man possessed recently.

Should we do anything particular to counter-act him? Like play Valencia at right-back (Obviously valencia will be assisting the right-back anyway)?

(I do remember, of course, that Portsmouth did limit him in the FA Cup semi, but then Portsmouth were playing counterattacking football, and we won't be)
 
I don't think theres any need to make any major tactical switch for Bale - if they played him at LW again (which they might not - remember Palacios is coming back) any of our current three wing options (Nani, Valencia, Park) do more than enough to help out their fullback.
 
I know that it's one man, but Bale has been playing like a man possessed recently.

Should we do anything particular to counter-act him? Like play Valencia at right-back (Obviously valencia will be assisting the right-back anyway)?

(I do remember, of course, that Portsmouth did limit him in the FA Cup semi, but then Portsmouth were playing counterattacking football, and we won't be)

skeptical-hippo.jpg
 
hate early kick offs :( Unless we win....obviously

1-0 Scholes in Injury time
 
It's about time normal service was resumed with Spurs. 0-1 up after 10 mins with a dodgy deflection and go on to lose 4-1.
Excellent, you're predicting another "good hiding" for Spurs.

Surely you can't be wrong 3 games in a row? Or should I consider this an official jinx on Man. Utd's chances?
 
You've had your 15 minutes. Reality beckons.
Excellent again, that's precisely what you said after the 1st of your "good hiding" predictions against Arsenal.

The official jinx momentum is already starting to look more promising .... keep 'em coming.
 
I know that it's one man, but Bale has been playing like a man possessed recently.

Should we do anything particular to counter-act him? Like play Valencia at right-back (Obviously valencia will be assisting the right-back anyway)?

(I do remember, of course, that Portsmouth did limit him in the FA Cup semi, but then Portsmouth were playing counterattacking football, and we won't be)

Rafa-Rafael

Rafa-Rafael

Rafa-Rafael

Rafael da Silva!
 
I'm expecting a very good, open game here. So it will probably be a 0-0 or 1-0.

VDS
Neville Ferdinand Vidic Evra
Valencia Fletcher Scholes Nani
Berbatov Rooney​
 
Football Gods, Please let us win this game and let Chelsea drop points.


Manchester_United_Premier_League_Champions_20_863950.jpg


Possibly the greatest feeling in the world, our boys lifting the trophy. I want to experience it again this season.
 
Which one was that? ...
Don't play dumb.

A couple of weeks ago, prior to the recent games against Arsenal and Chelsea, you predicted that Spurs would get a "good hiding" in each match.

And now you're making the same prediction for the upcoming Man. United - Spurs game.
 
Don't play dumb.

A couple of weeks ago, prior to the recent games against Arsenal and Chelsea, you predicted that Spurs would get a "good hiding" in each match.

And now you're making the same prediction for the upcoming Man. United - Spurs game.

Do you think Harry will bring back Palacios and break up the midfield that's done so well in the last 2 games?
 
Don't play dumb.

A couple of weeks ago, prior to the recent games against Arsenal and Chelsea, you predicted that Spurs would get a "good hiding" in each match.

And now you're making the same prediction for the upcoming Man. United - Spurs game.
You said 'good hidings' v Arsenal. The 3-0 sprang to mind along with some others since 1999.
 
Do you think Harry will bring back Palacios and break up the midfield that's done so well in the last 2 games?
Good question.

It could be argued that away from home Spurs will need more defensive steel in CM (and conversely will have less scope for making use of attacking flair). On the other hand, Huddlestone and Modric have done very well together in CM in the last 2 games - particularly against Chelsea who outnumbered them in CM.

I guess we'll go for the first option (Palacios), but I'm not sure. Or it could well be Palacios and Huddlestone in CM, with Modric in nominal LM and Bale replacing Ekotto at LB.

Either way, Modric is sure to play somewhere.
 
Bale should be on the bench.

Fat chance with the way 'arry been gushing about him. He's definitely on form but, we've shutdown Bellend, Ribery and Ronaldinho on the left with Gary/Rafael - am confident they can do their job against Bale.

Not suggesting Bale is lesser to any of those but, he certainly isn't going to be more of a challenge than them either.
 
Good question.

It could be argued that away from home Spurs will need more defensive steel in CM (and conversely will have less scope for making use of attacking flair). On the other hand, Huddlestone and Modric have done very well together in CM in the last 2 games - particularly against Chelsea who outnumbered them in CM.

I guess we'll go for the first option (Palacios), but I'm not sure. Or it could well be Palacios and Huddlestone in CM, with Modric in nominal LM and Bale replacing Ekotto at LB.

Either way, Modric is sure to play somewhere.


Yeh that's a good point (about being away). But if that means Modric being pushed out to the left where does that leave Bale? Given the current form of Bale and Modric i'd say they both need to play but seeing as you need someone like Palacios in there i wouldnt be surprised to see Harry tinker with his system and play 1 up front as a way to get all 3 (Palacios, Bale + Modric) playing. Which would play into hour hands imo.

Our midfield really hasnt been up top much this season so if Harry doesnt bottle it and sticks with the same midfield (apart from maybe Bentley) that played against Chelsea i think that is Spurs' best chance.

Spurs must be buzzing with confidence at the minute and imo, the best think Harry could do is mess with a team that is playing out of it's skin at the minute.
 
Right now Spurs are thinking - we managed to beat Arses and Chavs within a few days time - no way are we going to be able to take 3 big scalps in a row - lets just hope we don't get embarrassed at OT.

At least that is what I am hoping is in the back of their minds ;).

We need this one. Spurs can lose this one and still beat Shitty to take 4th, so not a must win for them, a nice to have.
 
this will in no way be an easy match.

there is so much talk about the Liverpool Chelsea match. But this match is not a given.

We need to be at our best...and watch Bale.

with just three matches to go, this has to be a win whatever happens.
 
Lennon makes his comeback this weekend.

Great timing...
 
Lennon makes his comeback this weekend.

Great timing...

And Palacios too.

For feck's sake.

Mind you, with my optimistic hat on I'd like to think that the return of these two will tempt 'Arry to tinker with a winning formula and disrupt the team that was so impressive against Chelsea and l'Arse.

Lennon's been out for ages too. He should be under-par in his first few games back. Hopefully :nervous:
 
On a side note, does anyone know where I can find the train times between Old Trafford and Piccadilly? Need to catch the 3.35 back...
 
Tottenham have done well this past week or two, but they will be coming up against the best midfield combination of all three matches on Saturday. We'll cain Huddlestone and Modric if we play Scholes and Fletcher.

Fully confident of the win. We're getting a full week of rest in between matches now and that will be telling.

Also, don't feel any trepidation at the prospect of an undercooked Lennon who hasn't played for about 4 months. Let them be more worried about Nani and Valencia, both of whom are better players.

Home to Arsenal and Chelsea is a very different prospect to Man United away.

VDS

Neville Ferdinand Vidic Evra

Valencia Scholes Fletcher Nani

Berbatov

Rooney

3-0
 
I like your team but I'm torn between Nev and Rafael at right back. Bale is mighty quick and Nev is mighty slow but Rafael is mighty impulsive.

I also wonder if Carrick might get his game after having an enforced rest. He's usually excellent against his old team.