Spurs is a "statement" game

[toffeejack]

agreed JDawg - think with players coming back from injuries we'll start to see some of the old swagger back. there's no doubt we can beat any team in this league at full strength.

we've had horrendous injuries lately and suffered a blip (every team goes through one in a season), but if we come out of this with a win or even a really positive draw like the one at the emirates it could put an end to our little blip and set us up for the massive run-in.

i'd say if we're serious about top 4 - we can't afford to lose this one as well as the derby, not that our hopes will be over of course - just much more unlikely.

 

[Baines' left foot]

Would like to see the old false number 9 against Spurs.

Kev, Pienaar, Barkley, McGeady all rotating.

Naismith and Del as impact subs.

I think if we go there trying to play 'our formation' without a proper number 9 then we will get beat.

Fluid system with those interchanging in front of McCarthy and Barry will be too much for spurs IMO

Is Deulofeu back for the Spurs game?

 

[Goat]

Is Deulofeu back for the Spurs game?

It looks likely I think.

 

[mkrudden]

Is Deulofeu back for the Spurs game?

According to Martinez on the OS he's medically fit and back training with us. Says he needs to rebuild his match fitness. I reckon we will see him get 20-30 mins

 

[ianefc]

Its big coz last season we won at newcastle away around new years day and didnt win away again so we need to get back up to speed with winning away games as we are yet to do it this year

 

[EFCPaul]

I think it will depend on whether Adebayor turns up in 'arsed' or 'not arsed' mode.

 

[allen]

We're going to win this. The wheels are going to come off the Sherwood wagon sooner or later, and there's the odd sign it's starting to happen.

As someone else said, Martinez is far more tactically astute. Sherwood seems proud of his lack of tactical and formational awareness. He's a manager from the early 90s. He's Gerry Francis.

We'll out-think them to victory.

 

[Eggs]

...I understand the sentiment of the thread and the significance of Spurs away, but in reality every game in recent weeks has been highlighted as pivotal and I hope that trend continues. Say we get something at Spurs to remain in touching distance of 4th, then the Palace game is significant for similar reasons.

 

[mkrudden]

I think it will depend on whether Adebayor turns up in 'arsed' or 'not arsed' mode.

I don't think it matters. Jags and Distin have all that is needed to stop him. I can't see us losing the more I think about it

 

[Azzurri]

For me it's both just off the top of my head;
Howard= Lloris, Jags-Distin > Dawson-Chiriches, Baines-Coleman > Rose-Walker, Mirallas-Barkley-Pienaar> Eriksen-Lennon-Chadli, Barry-McCarthy> Paulinho-Dembele

Lloris is better than Howard and I'm not sure Barry/McCarthy are better than Paulinho/Dembele but other than that, yeah.

 

[deipnosophist]

Stoke on New Years Day was always going to be a hard game.

Chelsea and Man Utd lost there this season in the league.

I agree with Blueboy. Stoke at their place is always a horrible thing and 1 point is ok...Chelsea and Man U couldn't get any points at all!

 

[radiostar]

Spurs wont be able to contain us I dont think.

Everton will win. Martinez will outwit Sherwood tactically.

 

[Baines' left foot]

According to Martinez on the OS he's medically fit and back training with us. Says he needs to rebuild his match fitness. I reckon we will see him get 20-30 mins

I saw that but missed the bit about when he's back. Great news anyway, we need him and Coleman back ASAP.

 

[meagher94]

Lloris is better than Howard and I'm not sure Barry/McCarthy are better than Paulinho/Dembele but other than that, yeah.

This on toast.

I'd also take Eriksen in a heartbeat.

 

[Dutch Toffee]

For me it's both just off the top of my head;
Howard= Lloris, Jags-Distin > Dawson-Chiriches, Baines-Coleman > Rose-Walker, Mirallas-Barkley-Pienaar> Eriksen-Lennon-Chadli, Barry-McCarthy> Paulinho-Dembele

Tbf, didn't want to sound too arrogant, but believe you're 100% correct in that assesemeny.