Pre-match: Tottenham vs Stoke (away) 11 Dec 2011

Hard game, especially as Stoke have had no Europa game in midweek and are already qualified for the next round. So they will be 100% for this game.

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/team-news-091211.html

King, Defoe and Bale all carrying knocks. Kranjcar back in full training.

Worst case:

----------Friedel

Walker-Kaboul-Gallas-Ekotto

Lennon-Parker-Modric-Pienaar

--------Vdv---Adebayor

Maybe Sandro in place of Pienaar, move Modric to left side.

King is going to be a big loss. Stoke's goals come from set pieces and headers so stout defending is a must. Equally if Bale is absent that's a blow to our goalscoring ability. I guess the win against Fulham (or was it WBA) without Modric and VdV showed we can overcome absences of key players.

Speaking of Bale, let's re-live this little beauty from this fixture.
[ame="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D82MGGCh_4o"]Gareth Bale Goal Vs Stoke City - YouTube[/ame]


For us Yanks it's on FSC at 11AM EST. First game I'll be able to see in a couple weeks.

Without King it's going to be very hard. A draw would be good result.

I'd like to see Sandro start. If Bale is out then I'd like to see Modric/Sandro/Parker/Lennon in midfield. If Bale is healthy then I'm not sure who to put him in place of, maybe Lennon, but either way I think we could use the extra insurance in the center.

Yeah, hope Sandro plays, I'm done with Pienaar for now. Was a big fan of his at Everton, but he needs to go out on loan to find some form. Can't be starting for us, let alone replacing Bale (who I have a feeling might start in spite of the rumors).

Good idea to put VDV in for Defoe. Hopefully we'll get some success.

3 former spurs players in stokes starting lineup....

this looks like a grinder.

Palacios isn't starting, is he?

stream: sky sports

http://www.sportlemon.tv/v-2/14/16/v-341685.html

Coys

no, on the bench.

the players in question: woodgate, crouch and etherington

Echo that Ledley is a huge miss. Galas much prefers it on the deck so Younes will need to step up.

Fast start by Stoke. COYS!

Their high line is a problem when we have VdV in there instead of Defoe, makes it easier for them to squeeze us in midfield. Hopefully Bale and Lennon can expose it though.

crouch looks like a bumbling oaf out there.

0-1

Scrappy goal, should have dealt with that. Crouch controlled that with his hand though.

Finally, the spurs I know and love! Now let's claw it back.

Such a contrast between the two teams. Stoke just throwing every ball into the air, great passing on the floor by us in the last few minutes.

0-2 Etherington again.

Been dominating possession then give another soft goal away. Just going to have to go for it.

Extremely indifferent half.

Not sure whether it's because of his advanced years, but Friedel doesn't seek to leave his line to claim any crosses, which leaves us to fight their big guys in the air in our 6 yard box. No excuses on the second goal though, Walters just strolled in.

Bale was our only decent player in the first 25 minutes and we neutralized him by switching him and Lennon on the wings.

Parker has been superb overall this season, but he was bound to have a bad game sometime... aaaand he's having one today. Misplaced passes, untimely slips, getting physically battered. Modric has been pretty anonymous too. Gallas rusty, VdV playing too deep, and Adebayor losing the physical battle up front. We need Defoe on, but not sure for who.... If I were Harry, I might throw on Sandro for Modric, and Defoe for VdV.

Poor defending on the throws but I can't believe Stoke can keep the 11 men defense going all game. They're going to be worn out soon enough.

oh shit.. bassong in coming in. Well, can't worst right?