Tottenham Vs Manchester United

Unreal the way everyone is going on about Aaron fecking Lennon.

O'shea is easily capable of dealing with him.

Its Aaron Lennon for feck sake! He's shite.

He's been very good for Tottenham this last few weeks. Plus, Evra had big problems coping with his pace at Old Trafford in the FA Cup last season, so I don't think it's that weird that people are worried about O'shea.

if Carrick and Berbatov are out it'll probably be Tevez and Ronaldo upfront. Park and Nani on wings. Fletcher and Anderson/Scholes in the middle

I agree. Our bench will be very weak though, so it will be critical that we score first. I'd be VERY happy with a hard fought 1-0 in this match.
 
It should be a good, entertaining game .... as most Spurs - Man. Utd. encounters are.

For me a lot will depend on whether King is fit to play, because it's your pace and firepower up front that worries me the most - and that's regardless of Rooney being suspended and whether Berbatov is fit to play or not.

On the positive side for Spurs, Gomes looks like he's coming a bit more into form and is starting to adapt better to Prem - he certainly looks a lot more confident lately.

Modric is also starting to find his feet - played very well away to WHAM last match. If he is on form on Saturday I'd pick him as the key Spurs player for your team to try and close down because otherwise he is well capable of orchestrating our midfield effort and creating goal chances.

Although some on here don't rate him, I'd also pick Lennon as definite threat. He has been playing really well lately, putting in some excellent crosses and causing panic in opposition defences with his runs: he has by far the most assists for Spurs this season.

Up front Bent and Pavyluchenko have both been doing pretty well of late, though we could well play with just one up front on Saturday with a 5-man midfield. Bent in particular, now given a regular run in the team compared to last season, is starting to find his scoring boots: 12 goals so far, 7 in the Prem.

'ol Harry has certainly turned things around after our worst ever season start: 12 games played since he arrived (all competitions), 9 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats, 25 goals scored, 12 conceded, 5 clean sheets and an average of 2 points per Prem game so far. The whole team is a lot more confident.

Having said all that, tbh I'd take a draw if offered now, because although I think Spurs could win, I'd rate higher the chances of you lot winning.
 
---------------- Van der Sar ---------------
Rafael ----- Ferdinand --- Vidic ----- O'Shea
-------- Carrick ---------- Scholes ---------
Park Ji-Sung ----------------------- Ronaldo
---------------- Tévez --------------------
-------------------- Berbatov --------------

Subs: Foster; Neville, Evans; Fletcher, Anderson, Nani, Giggs

Possibly Welbeck on the bench over Giggs if we want to be able to change our strikers a bit easier.

If Berbatov is out, Ronaldo should play upfront with Tévez and Nani start on the wing. If Carrick is out, Fletcher should start with Scholes, and Scholes should be subbed after 60-70 minutes to bring on Anderson.

If we're without Berbatov, I reckon Sir Alex will go for a 433 formation, with a generic back four, a mix and match between Anderson/Giggs/Carrick/Scholes/Fletcher as a central three, and probably Nani/Tévez/Ronaldo up top, unless he'd prefer more defensive assurance with Park over Nani up top (out wide).

Have a feeling we'll draw this one, but I'm obviously hoping we'll nick a win again. I'll say: Tottenham Hotspur 0-2 Manchester United.
 
It should be a good, entertaining game .... as most Spurs - Man. Utd. encounters are.

For me a lot will depend on whether King is fit to play, because it's your pace and firepower up front that worries me the most - and that's regardless of Rooney being suspended and whether Berbatov is fit to play or not.

On the positive side for Spurs, Gomes looks like he's coming a bit more into form and is starting to adapt better to Prem - he certainly looks a lot more confident lately.

Modric is also starting to find his feet - played very well away to WHAM last match. If he is on form on Saturday I'd pick him as the key Spurs player for your team to try and close down because otherwise he is well capable of orchestrating our midfield effort and creating goal chances.

Although some on here don't rate him, I'd also pick Lennon as definite threat. He has been playing really well lately, putting in some excellent crosses and causing panic in opposition defences with his runs: he has by far the most assists for Spurs this season.

Up front Bent and Pavyluchenko have both been doing pretty well of late, though we could well play with just one up front on Saturday with a 5-man midfield. Bent in particular, now given a regular run in the team compared to last season, is starting to find his scoring boots: 12 goals so far, 7 in the Prem.

'ol Harry has certainly turned things around after our worst ever season start: 12 games played since he arrived (all competitions), 9 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats, 25 goals scored, 12 conceded, 5 clean sheets and an average of 2 points per Prem game so far. The whole team is a lot more confident.

Having said all that, tbh I'd take a draw if offered now, because although I think Spurs could win, I'd rate higher the chances of you lot winning.

:lol: Look who's back!
 
I remember him skinning Evra a few times last time you faced off. That said it was mainly kick and run.

yeah, it was his typical move, I was surprised Evra got skint by him tbh. I used to rate him quite highly but the more I saw him play, the more I realized how one-dimensional he is. Who knows perhaps under Redknapp he can turn things around, I'd take Young and Walcott over him any day though.
 
----------Van Der Sar------------
-Rafael--Ferdinand--Vidic--O'shea-
-Ronaldo-Anderson-Fletcher-Park-
------------------Giggs---------
----------Tevez-----------------

Subs: Kuz, Evans, Neville, Nani, Scholes, Gibson/Possebon, Welbeck

Bystanders: Berbatov, Carrick, Rooney, Evra, Hargreaves, Brown, Fabio

Granted that those named either banned or injured will stay injured, that seems to be the most likely squad for Tottenham. Scholes is yet to be considered fully fit, so I can see him being in bench, while I can't decide whether Gibson or Possebon would be in the bench.
 
It should be a good, entertaining game .... as most Spurs - Man. Utd. encounters are.

For me a lot will depend on whether King is fit to play, because it's your pace and firepower up front that worries me the most - and that's regardless of Rooney being suspended and whether Berbatov is fit to play or not.

On the positive side for Spurs, Gomes looks like he's coming a bit more into form and is starting to adapt better to Prem - he certainly looks a lot more confident lately.

Modric is also starting to find his feet - played very well away to WHAM last match. If he is on form on Saturday I'd pick him as the key Spurs player for your team to try and close down because otherwise he is well capable of orchestrating our midfield effort and creating goal chances.

Although some on here don't rate him, I'd also pick Lennon as definite threat. He has been playing really well lately, putting in some excellent crosses and causing panic in opposition defences with his runs: he has by far the most assists for Spurs this season.

Up front Bent and Pavyluchenko have both been doing pretty well of late, though we could well play with just one up front on Saturday with a 5-man midfield. Bent in particular, now given a regular run in the team compared to last season, is starting to find his scoring boots: 12 goals so far, 7 in the Prem.

'ol Harry has certainly turned things around after our worst ever season start: 12 games played since he arrived (all competitions), 9 wins, 1 draw and 2 defeats, 25 goals scored, 12 conceded, 5 clean sheets and an average of 2 points per Prem game so far. The whole team is a lot more confident.

Having said all that, tbh I'd take a draw if offered now, because although I think Spurs could win, I'd rate higher the chances of you lot winning.

Thought you were dead?
 
Glaston, i reckon Lennon will line up on the left with Bentley on the right. What says you?
 
Glaston, i reckon Lennon will line up on the left with Bentley on the right. What says you?
Could well be, although when that's happened before they've often swapped sides later in the game - and the problem for Spurs of course is that they are both better on the right.

If I was choosing the team I'd play 5 in midfield, with Lennon on the right, O'Hara on the left (playing more narrowly as LM rather than LW as such) and maybe bring Bentley on a sub 2nd half if Lennon runs out of steam:

------ Jenas --- Zokora (or Huddlestone)
Lennon -- Modric -- O'hara

I wonder how many of the cited fitness/injury concerns for you lot will carry through to Saturday? On top of the suspensions for Rooney and Evra, if Carrick and Berbatov fail late fitness tests, then obviously it's good news for Spurs. I've also heard mention of Ferdinand's back spasms and Ronaldo's hip injury .... any chance all 4 won't play? Very little I'd guess - in fact I won't be surprised if all 4 start the match.
 
ronaldo, rio, carrick and berba will all play. mind games from saf.
 
Ok.

So where have you been then?
Holed up in secret talks with Levy about Spurs terrible start to the season and what to do next ;)

Then, whilst moodily pacing a Dorset beach, I bumped into 'Ol Harry walking his dog ... and the rest is history.
 
fecks sake possibly no Rio, Berbatov, Carrick or Ronaldo :nervous:

Team?

GK: VDS

RB: Rafael
CB: Vidic
CB: Evans
LB: O'Shea

RM: Nani
CM: Fletcher
CM: Scholes
CM: Anderson
LM: Park

CF: Tevez

???
 
Injury concern for Reds

United's injury list is lengthening, with Cristiano Ronaldo, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov all doubtful for Saturday's trip to Tottenham.


Ronaldo missed Wednesday's game against Aalborg because of the hip injury sustained during last weekend's victory over Sunderland, while Ferdinand suffered another back spasm in the 2-2 draw against the Danes.

Carrick and Berbatov also sat out the Reds' final Champions League group game at Old Trafford and doubts remain over their fitness ahead of the tea-time visit to their former club, although Sir Alex Ferguson believes the former has the best chance of making it.

With Wayne Rooney and Patrice Evra suspended, it could be a much-depleted Reds side that takes on Harry Redknapp's men at White Hart Lane.

"We've got a job to do in terms of making sure we have a fit team to go out on the pitch," admitted Sir Alex at his pre-match press conference. "But that's why you need a big squad.

"Ronaldo's hip is still very tender - any knock on the hip joint can be very painful. If he's fit, I could play him down the middle if Berbatov doesn't make it. He's struggling with an Achilles problem.

"Rio got a spasm in his back on in the last ten minutes against Aalborg which is a concern. Jonny Evans will replace Rio if he's not ready and I'm very comfortable with that - the boy has improved tremendously. He's got a great temperament and his reading of the game is fantastic. "

http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6623897

:nervous:
 
Injury concern for Reds

.....

:nervous:
On the Spurs injury front - all fit it seems except:

* King is always a doubt - at the moment he's not even training between games (just waits to see if his knee swelling goes down enough for him to play again), which can't be helping his general fitness levels. If I had to guess I'd say he won't play. This would mean a Woodgate-Dawson CB pairing: good in the air as a combo, but slow since Dawson lacks King's pace and class.

* Hutton still out with foot injury. No real problem though as Corluka has played very well at RB for several games now and combined well with Lennon.

* dos Santos still out

* Campbell ineligible of course
 
* dos Santos still out
Still hungover?

20EB4C7B-0736-6783-572DE111EDDF8FE0.jpg
 
We're fecked. O'Shea at LB, Tevez as our only striker, no Carrick, no Rio. We're going to head off to Japan 9 points behind Liverpool, and we'll be 12 points behind by the time we get back. This Japan trip is going to kill our season and we'll probably lose to Gamba Osaka anyway.

Doom!
 
Van der Sar
Rafael - Vidic - Evans - O'Shea
Fletcher - Anderson
Park - Giggs - Nani
Tevez​

Decent team, we need Anderson, Tevez and Nani to be on fire though. If Rio, Ronaldo, Berbatov and Carrick all miss out I'd take a draw, it's certainly better than nothing.
 
This is the squad I would pick for the worst case scenario.

Starting 11

---------Van der Sar--------
----------------------------
-Rafael-Vidic-Evans-O’Shea-
----------------------------
--Fletcher-Giggs-Anderson--
-Park-------------------Nani-
-----------Tevez-----------

Subs
Foster
Neville
Scholes
Gibson
Possebon
Welbeck
Manucho

:annoyed: = Ferdinand, Berbatov, Ronaldo, Carrick
 
This is the squad I would pick for the worst case scenario.

Starting 11

---------Van der Sar--------
----------------------------
-Rafael-Vidic-Evans-O’Shea-
----------------------------
--Fletcher-Giggs-Anderson--
-Park-------------------Nani-
-----------Tevez-----------

Subs
Foster
Neville
Scholes
Gibson
Possebon
Welbeck
Manucho

:annoyed: = Ferdinand, Berbatov, Ronaldo, Carrick

The bench worries me more than the starting XI. It will be critical to score first.
 
Reports of all these injuries are BS i bet.

Carrick, Rio, Ronaldo and Dimi will all start tomorrow.
 
He's been very good for Tottenham this last few weeks. Plus, Evra had big problems coping with his pace at Old Trafford in the FA Cup last season, so I don't think it's that weird that people are worried about O'shea.

That's debatable.

He looked brilliant in the first half against West Ham and he's been OK in other games.

At the end of the day it's Aaron Lennon, yes he's in better form than normal but it's still only Aaron Lennon. Other clubs seem to deal with him pretty fine don't you think?

When he's on the left Rafael will murder him and when he's on the right O'Shea will cope easily.

Even if he does skin one of our full backs we can all rest assured he'll fluff his ball into the box anyway!
 
From TeamTalk.com :

Spurs have not beaten United since 2001.

Redknapp, when confronted with the record, replied: "Right, in that case I probably won't go. My wife wanted to go Christmas shopping anyway so I'll probably go to Woolworths."
 
From TeamTalk.com :

Spurs have not beaten United since 2001.

Redknapp, when confronted with the record, replied: "Right, in that case I probably won't go. My wife wanted to go Christmas shopping anyway so I'll probably go to Woolworths."

:lol:
 
Fiiiiiiiiiivvvvvvvvvveeeeeeeee Caaaaaaaaaannnnnnnttttttoooooooonnnnnaaaa'sssss..........
 
i don't.

he's waaaaaay overrated.

I guess the question is: over-rated compared to who? He isn't Ronaldo or Messi, but in my view there aren't many wingers who pose more of a threat. And he's still only 21.

Those who say Lennon has little end-product are wrong, as are those who say he has pace and nothing else. He has dazzling dribbling skills - at pace and with close ball control and is well capable of putting in accurate crosses - as shown by his assist stats this season so far. When taking on a player, 8 or 9 times out of 10 he will beat them or draw a free-kick-creating foul. In short, he is almost unstoppable except at a cost - which is why many teams double up on him and try to keep him out of the game.

It's true he went off the boil for a while after breaking into the Spurs team and impressing enough to make the England squad. But this season he's back to his best, and has added a higher work-rate/tracking back to his game.

I'd rate him amongst Spurs' best 4 players - alongside King, Modric and Woodgate - even if some on here might say that doesn't mean much.
 
Evra being out is annoying, but he was torn apart twice by Lennon last season, although it depends if Lennon plays on the right or left - he's set up a few goals from the right lately, but 'Arry's been switching him and Bentley a lot. It's good for us either way, because one of them will be on the left where they don't contribute much.

It's hard to say how many of those 'doubtful' players are actually injured. I wouldn't be surprised if they all started. So it's hard to say how we should play. I wouldn't say it is definite that Tevez will start, by the way. If Berbatov makes it, I see 5 in midfield with three central midfielders plus Ronaldo and Park.