I didn't see a game thread for this one... Blackburn hosting Tottenham and it's getting ready to be on FSW... Sorry I can't do a real pbp... assuming someone else is watching.
This is a live broadcast... Friedel is of course starting for Blackburn. They could really use a win at home here. I'll chip in from time to time about the action...
BLACKBURN ROVERS Starters: 1 Brad Friedel 14 Nils-Eric Johansson 2 Lucas Neill 6 Craig Short 24 Andy Todd 7 Brett Emerton 16 Barry Ferguson 18 Steven Reid 8 Kerimoglu Tugay 10 Paul Dickov 19 Paul Gallagher Subs: 13 Peter Enckelman 22 Dominic Matteo 5 Garry Flitcroft 20 David Thompson 27 Jay Bothroyd TOTTENHAM HOTSPURS Starters: Paul Robinson 1 Timothee Atouba 24 Stephen Kelly 34 Ledley King 26 Noureddine Naybet 2 Michael Brown 11 Michael Carrick 23 Miguel Pedro Mendes 8 Reto Ziegler 16 Jermain Defoe 18 Robbie Keane 10 Subs: Marton Fulop 25 Anthony Gardner 30 Noe Pamarot 17 Jamie Redknapp 15 Frederic Kanoute 9
What I've seen in this match leads me to think it will NOT end a 0-0 draw. Both teams seem to fly through midfield and get the ball into the attacking third and both defenses have looked a bit iffy (dodgy to you Engilsh folk ) in the first 10 minutes. Blackburns defense in particular gives me the willies...
Blackburn with a free kick near the tottenham goal after a terrible dive by Reid. I agree with the announcers... he had the man beaten and he just slumped toteh ground when the defender had checked and not bumped him. That was awful. Now in the 16th minute... no score yet.
Sort of a strange match in my opinion. Both teams are concedign midfield when the other team has it, then backing up and playing defense with 5-6 players. So while each team gets almost a free run int eh middle of the field, they have no clue how to get a couple passes together to make a real attack on goal. Now 21 minutes in.
Both teams seems to be taking turn with ball possession but both lack the final third's attacking chances. Now Dickov and King side down chasing the ball and Dickov takes down King. But no yellow card. Just a warning. 26th Min.
Nice move by Atouba (for a defender ) faking two Blackburn players out from the endline and clearing the ball. 28th Min.
Dickov finally gets his yellow... but probably for the least of his fouls. That was a yellow waiting to happen as Dickov and multiple Tottenham players seem to be tussling. 30th minute now.
Blackburn's dominating possesion for the last 5 minutes. But just conceded a CK. Weak CK easily cleared. 32 Min.
Shot by Keane (?) in the 37th minute was well saved by Friedel. Not a really difficult shot as it was put right at Brad, but it could have been trouble and Friedel handled it well.
Defoe's shot from Keane hits Friedel's foot and goes over the bar for a CK. Best shot from Spurs so far. CK cleared. 41 Min.
Nice kick save by friedel after a quick pass from Keane to DeFoe... Ball falls out for a corner kick... which Brad claims easily. That was a better save than most he's had to make today.
Dickov's cross almost got into Gallagher inside the box but was cleared by Spurs' defender. 44th Min.
Halftime: 0-0. I agree with the announcer that the 1st half is forgetable. Not enough creativity on the attack, especially from the wings IMO.