Spurs V. Boro [R]

[jumhed]

Man, this game is gonna be tough as old boots! I still think we can take them though.

2-0 to us, with Hasselbaink getting sent-off after the ref mistakes him for the lardy Aussie Viduka.

[ERIMUS]

No chance ;)

[ERIMUS]

Boro Team: Schwarzer, McMahon, Queudrue, Riggott, Southgate, Parlour, Downing, Zenden, Boateng, Hasselbaink, Viduka

[jumhed]

HT 0-0

Quedrue sent off for vile 2 footed challenge on Pamarot. McClaren does a Fergie impreesion at HT by rushing onto the pitch (the centre circle, no less) to confront the ref. Twat.

[jumhed]

1. Robinson, Paul
17. Pamarot, Noe
26. King, Ledley
2. Naybet, Noureddine
24. Atouba, Thimothee
27. Ricketts, Rohan
8. Mendes, Pedro
23. Carrick, Michael
16. Ziegler, Reto
10. Keane, Robbie
18. Defoe, Jermain


Ricketts on the right instead of Mendes. Makes more sense than last week, eh?

[jumhed]

Some of the first-half's action -


36mins: CLOSE. Best move yet, good interplay between Ziegler and Keane, Ziegler played in Defoe, just left of centre, fired just over with left foot from 12 yards.

38mins: Viduka inches away from Parlour's right-wing cross.

40mins: RED CARD. Queudrue sent off after a two-footed tackle on Pamarot.

41mins: YELLOW. Boateng booked for protesting.

43mins: CLOSE. Keane chased down long ball, forced Schwarzer to head clear out of box, header straight to Defoe who shot towards goal only for Keane to block! Aaaaaaaaaaaaargh!

[ERIMUS]

It wasnt a sending off, just checked it out. Harsh red card

[jumhed]

It wasnt a sending off, just checked it out. Harsh red card

A two-footed challenge, missing the ball and landing on the defenders ankle? Yeah, well harsh.

[jumhed]

48mins: GOAL. Pamarot lovely ball down right channel to Mendes, first time cross to near post swept home by Defoe.
Spurs 1, Middlesbrough 0

48mins: YELLOW. Defoe booked for taking shirt off in celebrations.

54mins: DISALLOWED. Late flag as Keane raced on to Mendes pass, lobbed Schwarzer but ruled offside - replays showed he was on.

57mins: Atouba header from Carrick's deep cross but not enough power to trouble Schwarzer.

[E. & P.]

Jermain!

[pookspur]

solid result.
really needed that one.
mr. jol will sleep a little easier tonight.

[jumhed]

Haha! 2-0! I'm a predictive genius!

Kanoute scored with his bum! Cool!

I think everyone played well today, except Naybet was a bit pants, but all in all, good stuff.

[THFC1]

Naybet's passing was poor today, but Ledley & Naybet looked comfortable against Hasselbaink & Viduka. Carrick & Mendes played really well & Ziegler impresses more each time he plays.

Good prediction Jumhed, i went for 3-2 today with Defoe to score the 1st goal today.

[comme]

Thank God we are back on track. If we can beat Liverpool then things won't look quite as bad as they did last week.

[jumhed]

Thank God we are back on track. If we can beat Liverpool then things won't look quite as bad as they did last week.

It'll be a toughie! The 'Pool just beat the Scum!

[metropolis2k]

I was at the game and right in front of both goals and the sending off. I am a referee and it was definitely a sending off. Nobody jumps in like that (vertically) to get the ball - if he had hit the ball he'd have tripped over it. Pamarot had already won the ball and Queudrue just had the red mist descend momentarily because he lost the ball. I don't know how a pro can do a tackle like that on another pro - I thought he'd broken his ankle.

Anyway, Spurs looked good, the midfield was good (Mendes and Ziegler were excellent). When they knocked the ball about with quick one touch passing Boro couldn't get near them. Ignore what McLaren had to say after the final whistle, Boro didn't dominate at all - in fact I was very surprised how badly they played for a team in 5th place. Keane and Defoe didn't get on well again but Atouba was alright at left back.

Nice to see Ricketts back in the team - it's just a shame he seemed to be lacking confidence. Hopefully he'll have a good run out against Liverpool or Blackburn.

[sendorange]

Well we took them apart with 11 v 10, could and probably should have had more goals in the end and Boro didn't threaten other than one freekick from Downing which Robbo dealt with.

Still not happy with the right wing at all, Ricketts may be able to do a job if he's playing his best, but the lack of form and fitness from Davies is such a big problem. I hope Yeates gets chance, I think he could prove to be the best fit for that side, at least until we get to January.

Very good ball from Pamarot to Mendes for the first goal. Ridiculous of Defoe to get booked and therefore suspended for taking his shirt off though. Although I've heard it may have been planned to get his suspension out of the way before the christmas period where we will need as many available as possible. The schedule is ridiculous then and still no winter break.

Keano still cannot gel with Defoe, I can only hope Jol gets it to work, would be such a big plus. Kanoute worked his socks off when he came on though, good closing down for the second goal.

[Dave_M]

Ridiculous of Defoe to get booked and therefore suspended for taking his shirt off though.

Well yes, and no....

The yes:
As I understand it, its against the rules. DONT ask me why - lord only knows what goes on inside the heads of the FA. By that reasoning he broke the rules and got a card.

The no:
HOWEVER, its such a stupid petty rule. Does it really matter. Lord no. And what bugs me is referee's are totally inconsistent with their aplication of said rule. Van Nistleroy takes his shirt of on a regular basis and I dont recall ever seeing him carded for it.

[jumhed]

The way McClaren went on about Quedrue's sending off changing the game, you'd have thought Franck is Maradona in his prime or something! Some two-bit defender who tackles like a striker gets sent off and suddenly its all gone Pete Tong for 'Boro!

Schwarzer's distribution was awful! Kanoute scores with his arse thanks to Schwarzer's crappy kick, and then later on he passed to Defoe, who set Carrick up for a shot. Should've scored, the bugger!

'Boro were second best today. They're overdue a dip in form, they've been punching above their weight for a while now!

Ziegler is shaping up to be a very good buy indeed! Mendes is very cool, Ricketts was quiet. Being sent home early from his loan spell at Coventry must've felt like a proper diss! Carrick seems to drift in and out of games. He really needs a kick up the arse!

[sendorange]

Carrick needs to adjust out of the West Ham playing style, was the same for Lampard at Chelski. No good jogging around and waiting for the ball. He has the quality though, and we've got decent hardworking partners for him.

The midfield is still too sluggish and inexperienced though. We need more pace and cutting edge in there to beat players and move the ball quicker. Ziegler cannot really beat a man and Ricketts is too inconsistent even when confident.