Tottenham v Spartak Moscow 12/18/2008 Pre/During/Post Match Thread

[vasilli07]

Because of our injuries problems, youngsters Dean Parrett and John Bostock have been called up.

Probable lineup if King is rested again.

--------------Gomes------
Gunter---Dawson---Zoks---BAE/Bale
Bentley---O'Hara---Hudds---Lennon
--------------Modric------
--------------Bent--------

[code1390]

Scenarios for the final game...

- Tottenham Hotspur will secure first position if they defeat Spartak Moscow AND Udinese lose to NEC
- Tottenham Hotspur will qualify for the knockout stage if they do not lose to Spartak Moscow by more than 1 goal OR if NEC do not beat Udinese

[AudereEstFacere]

Anyone know about the viewing situation in the U.S.?

[rbpierce]

--------------Gomes------
Gunter---Dawson---Zoks---BAE/Bale
Bentley---O'Hara---Hudds---Lennon
--------------Modric------
--------------Bent--------

that is a huge hole right in the middle of the park, but im not sure we have better options.

[mjlutz]

Anyone know about the viewing situation in the U.S.?

2:30 PM EST on FSC

[Phillyspur]

Scenarios for the final game...

- Tottenham Hotspur will secure first position if they defeat Spartak Moscow AND Udinese lose to NEC
- Tottenham Hotspur will qualify for the knockout stage if they do not lose to Spartak Moscow by more than 1 goal OR if NEC do not beat Udinese

First place is very favorable for the next round, so Udinese will not want to lose. That in turn makes it more likely we will go through no matter how we do.

Then it gets complicated because finishing 3rd is better than 2nd (next opponent is a group winner rather than a Champions League dropout). The way the group is I doubt we could safely engineer a 3rd place finish. Losing to Moscow while Udinese get at least a draw would do it.

[vasilli07]

Bent is out...Campbell to start.

[chanman83]

Bent is out...Campbell to start.

too bad we couldn't like call up anyone like Parkhurt I think he's on loan iirc.

So we really only have Campbell as our only legit striker... Am I wrong to be a little bit worried?

[YiddoInAkron]

too bad we couldn't like call up anyone like Parkhurt I think he's on loan iirc.

So we really only have Campbell as our only legit striker... Am I wrong to be a little bit worried?

Nah, Modric for a hattrick tomorrow.

[vasilli07]

too bad we couldn't like call up anyone like Parkhurt I think he's on loan iirc.



I don't think Pekhart would make a difference. He is not even getting any games at Southampton. His last appearance for them is about a month ago. That shows how much they rate him.

[sumthingspecial]

spartak were unbelievably bad lately, and to make matters worse for them, the season ended a while ago. (i'm sure landrup is planning a complete rehaul during the transfer period). but for this match, the only real concern spurs should have is the pace spartak have going up. thus harry's gameplan should be to attack, and get an early goal or two to seal off the game (they are soft). modric could shine as it seems there will be very little pressure (in more ways than one).

but if zokora is playing center back, :confused: (especially aloneside bale :eek:) this could be one crazy basketball game

[Slater582]

Just watched Redknapp's press conference from yesterday.

League is the priority & seems to value the Carling Cup over Uefa.

He wanted to rest certain players but he can't because Ramos registered the squad & so several of the fringe players missed out.

Woodgate had a back spasm but might make the weekend game. King isn't fit & Redknapp said he wouldn't have played even if he was.

Said he thought Dawson was outstanding against Manchester United on the weekend and it's a question of who partners him. Said it'll either be one of the young kids or Hudd/Zok.

Bent in bed with tonsilitis, Pavlyuchenko cup-tied, so Campbel the only eligible striker for the game.

Joked that there are so many Uefa games that half the managers don't want to be in the competition & said that he's glad they're going to change the format next season.

Quite a few kids going to be in the squad, interesting to see who he picks & how they cope.

[Colm]

Going to be quite a weak team by the looks of it, lets hope we get through to the next round.

[code1390]

Gomes
Gunter
Zokora
Dawson
Gilberto
Bentley
Huddlestone
O'Hara
Bale
Modric
Campbell

[Phillyspur]

Gilberto??

Dawson captain??

:confused:

[Phillyspur]

Looked like a shove in the back for Modric as he went up for Bentley's cross...

[code1390]

Um...wow.

[Phillyspur]

Another comedy of errors.

[The Double]

Gilberto making his case for a first team start.

[code1390]

Go Udinese.