Spurs vs. Everton Nov. 30, Pre/During/Post Match Thread [R]

[Phillyspur]

Test for Harry and the boys this Sunday. Everton are a formidable team: 9 places higher but only 4 points better off. A win would be a big step forward. They've won this fixture the last 2 seasons.

Hutton is crocked; Modric still out; King and Jenas should return. Let's go with

----------- Gomes ------------
-Corluka - King - Woody - Bale-
Bentley - Hudd - Jenas - Lennon
---------- Pav - Bent ---------

Looks like it's on delay, 4.30 EST on FSC.

[calmanalysis]

At this point, I think Assou-Ekotto is regarded by Harry as our first choice left back so he should get the start.

Would quite like to see us go 4-5-1 with Lennon playing Modric's role. With Aaron in form, it would be interesting to see what he could do with the licence to seek the ball all over the pitch.

[Aud300]

Well, Calm... I think I have to disagree with you. I am not a fan of the 4 - 5 - 1 and I prefer the 4 - 4 - 2. I would like to see 3 points but know Everton have beat our lot, I will take a point. 2 - 2 draw.

[Colm]

Will be a tough game for us, We need to win the midfield battle to stand a chance, and Everton will be a big threat up front.

[zizou555]

******** me,i m not gonna be able to watch the game.Don't have the channel!:mad:

didn't get to watch last weeks because i didn't have electricity and this time no channel!

[arak0r]

http://www.myp2p.eu/broadcast.php?matchid=24935&part=sports

first sopcast link is working fine..

[arak0r]

is anyone else even watching this? wtf

[vasilli07]

We are playing without any shape...scrap the damn 4-4-2 and play the 4-5-1...

[electrickeeper]

is anyone else even watching this? wtf
I can only get Justin.tv at work, and I can't find a stream on it, so soccernet matchtracker it is!

:mad:

[arak0r]

************ game anyway :mad: their goal came as a result as a ************ fk given to everton.

[electrickeeper]

Ummm, so the matchtracker just said "Foul by Tim Howard."

Wouldn't that be a penalty (or at least an indirect in the box)?

[arak0r]

Ummm, so the matchtracker just said "Foul by Tim Howard."

Wouldn't that be a penalty?

i would have thought so, i got all excited :(

seems like weve had more chances here, really should have done better finishing

[vasilli07]

Totally deserve to lose the game...the midfield was overrun by everton and great/superb defending by everton too...

[Aud300]

Just watched this, Why does 'Arry take off Bent and leave Pavy on. Bad sub there,Pavy was hot garbage today. Plus I knew it was done when Bale came on. Last question for all to discuss why does Bently take free kicks for us anymore. He got to play on the right and he still was HORRIBLE! Totally deserved the loss.

[arak0r]

i thought his crosses in were actually pretty good, we just didnt finish them. pavs ended up doing a lot better towards the end, had a lot of shots.. again just didnt finish it. bent only really had one chance it seems

[Aud300]

You were watching the game right ?

[Spur_Forever]

Bentley is the new Jenas.

We were bad today, and the most frustrating part is that everton were pretty horrible too -- there for the taking and we blew it.

[DigitalTron]

It really stings to lose this one, but I should be ecstatic about our form under Redknapp, and we can't win forever. I have yet to watch the game but a few thoughts in general:

Pavlyuvchenko was played because he cannot play the UEFA games, so this gives him minutes to shake off the rust and settle while giving Bent a bit of a rest. Sometimes coaches decide on substitutions before the game for reasons that aren't as apparent to us in the heat of the moment--like getting certain players rest, or playing time, or boosting confidence, etc.

Bentley is a right winger and he was doing well there, but in the last few games hasn't really been playing up to his ability for whatever reason. He's showing glimpses of greatness but lots of inconsistency. Given Lennon's blistering form, Harry had to play him--but I expected him to have a freer central role in Modric's absence. My guess is that Redknapp wanted to motivate Bentley by letting him know he has to fight for his place and that Lennon is more on form than Bentley at the moment. Just my opinions.

I can't help but note that what I saw in the lineups as a horrid midfield sounds as though it didn't perform. Zokora is very hit-and-miss unfortunately. Huddlestone is an abysmal defender. Lennon is in excellent form at the moment and could easily excel on the right, but I thought he might be given the chance in the middle in Modric's absence. Bentley definitely is better on the right than on the left. Also, Bale has been fantastic under every other manager, yet something doesn't seem to bring out the best in him under Harry ... this perplexes me. What was their history at Southampton? Is there any bad blood or something?

-Digital

[songoose]

Also, Bale has been fantastic under every other manager, yet something doesn't seem to bring out the best in him under Harry ... this perplexes me. What was their history at Southampton? Is there any bad blood or something?


I don't think Bale's gotten enough run under Harry to make a judgment. Everyone sucked under Ramos this year, and those who have had the chance to play that off have improved under Harry, but Bale's been on the bench much of that time.

No matter what it might be, there is no reason good enough to be playing BAE so much. He actually had a decent offensive game tonight, but defensively he is woeful. Too many blunders to be comfortable with him back there. Plus, he doesn't seem to give a crap at all.

I also worry that if Bale does not start getting more starts, we won't be able to keep him. And sure, he's got some room for improvement, especially on D, but the guy is flat out talented and would be a shame to lose.

(We also need him taking our free kicks. How much longer 'till we pull Bentley off that? 100 terrible attempts in a row? 200?)

[DigitalTron]

All excellent points songoose. Bale is one of my favorite players, but I'm perplexed how he isn't starting. Sure, he was played at left winger (where I think he's best suited) in Harry's first game, and failed to impress. Then he made a clumsy tackle that was a very questionable red card--I could see it called but that type of thing goes uncalled more often than not. So he sat out for the red. He has often had injury problems. But all in all, I don't think there is anyone who doesn't think he is an outstanding LB and clearly the best player we have for the position on the team. Much faster and more effective offensively than Corluka on the left, and just flat out better than BAE.

Is it a motivational thing maybe? Perhaps he thinks Bale wants to leave so Harry doesn't want to showcase him or get the team too dependant on him? I know Bale has been jinxed to be in the losing side many times, but surely nobody is blaming that on him as he tends to be an exceptionally good team player.

-Digital