This game is only 2 days after the Birmingham game so i'll start the topic now, i predict a draw for this game, West Brom are solid at home and will be a scappy game, though it's a game we should win i've got the feeling it'll be a 1-1 draw. your thoughts?
They have had some good wins at Home - beat A*senal, Everton 4-0, Man City and scored a lot of goals -4th highest in the league at home. Got quite a bit of pace and power up front. They have been vulnerable though and are in the relegation placings. I think a win is on the cards, although a draw if we play like we have over the past few weeks. The good news is that our fullbacks are our weak links, but West Brom don't have much out wide, especially with Gera coming back from injury.
Will be able to give a more accurate prediction after I see the way the team performs against Birmingham.
I predict a good xmas stuffing for both Brum and W.Brom. Neither have the class in their side that we have or the quality back-up. West Brom will be very stretched against i think. So i predict we're gonna beat Birmingham 1-0 (Robinson long range free kick) and West Brom 3-0 (Ron Vlaar hatrick)
Looks a tough game on paper, but to me it depends what happens on Boxing day. If we win and they lose then we'll be in a better situation than them and will win.
I don't like us playing at the Hawthornes - we never seem convincing. I would be there if I was at Uni but just my luck the fixture is just when I'm at home.
I will not be writing an angry letter if we get 4 points out the 2 games but will only be satisfied with 6 points. I know we're not the finished article but bloody hell, we'd still have a long way to go if we can only get one win against two relegation fodder teams.
...they have a good attack and seem to be sound at home, but they are dodgy at the back, and I feel our MF can be one of the best in the league. And expect Spurs to boss the game.
...they will have a go at us and I do believe that Jol will use our squad in this game. I expect him to rest Jenas and even maybe Davids.
Pff, resting players at christmas is stupid. 5 games that can make or break a season. If these guys are any sort of professional players then they will be able to cope with it. Not like they are new to the game, every player goes into christmas knowing the demands of it. Lets rest Davids and Jenas, then lose to WBA and Man City and lay 7th or 8th going into January. Great idea.
...I can see Davids gettin a rest but Jenas at 22 is way to young to need a rest. If anyone would get a game I think it would be Davis or Brown. Mendes is on the out and I doubt we'll see him in a Spurs shirt again.
...Jaymes I think he's the odd man out, for whatever reason MJ has overlooked him. You prolly know better than any of us about managers personal taste. For whatever reason he will not get a look in. I have no inside info, as I have no contacts in side the club, but its obvious Jol does not trust in him.
They must have had a falling out. Last season, Mendes was a sort of regular wasn't he? Ok, he was playing on the right, in a position that he didn't like, but I saw Martin put his arm around him many times. They must have had an argument of some sorts.
The problem for Mendes is Carrick. You can't play them both in the same team, at least not in the Premiership where you need at least one centre mid who can do the dirty work. If Carrick got injured then Mendes would at least have Brown's place on the bench.
...I have a feeling Davis would take the place of Carrick if he was injured. Jol's comment a week ago saying that Davis is one of his best players, is interesting considering.
Davis and Davids would be one of the hardest centre midfield combinations in the league. Davis is great at tackling, i remember on his debut against Liverpool he went into a 50-50 with Steven Gerrard and i never thought he would get up after it.
I think Mendes' problem is Carrick playing in his best position (and he's not likely to be dropped). The other problem now is that Huddlestone is coming through with his eyes on that position too so it looks even less likely that he'll get a chance. It's a shame because I like Mendes; he's excellent with his passing, he'll get his knees dirty and tackle, and he's experienced.