Post match Spurs thread

[Tee]

Give hobbs a chance

I agree but can you imagine this place if he was given a chance and we lost?!! We have to trust Rafa on this, but I just feel Rafa has too much to do right now and could do with a genuine right-hand man.

[MerseyCider]

Possibly, but Rafas paid to make the big decisions. This is one he needs to make.

[peekay]

You keep saying this, but I think it is BS. We always play a high line and the reason we are comfortable with this is not because of defensive pace, but because we have the ultimate GoalSweeper.

I've looked out for this and we have NOT played deeper.

Definitely not in this match. The number of times Pepe had to come of his line
was a proof of that and it was worrying though. A pacy defender would help our cause immensely even if his defensive qualities are not up to
the level of Carra.

[calvoboy]

Carra and Hyypia isn't playing well right now because Hyypia can't cope to play two games a week anymore. It will affect the other central defender if one of them is off form.

So in a way, no rotation is to blame this time.

Yep - I thought Carra was carrying some kind of injury today too. He wasn't moving very comfortably and kept reaching down to his left leg whenever he had the chance. At least he's got a fortnight off now.

[MerseyCider]

At least he's got a fortnight off now.

Yeh, good for us, but speaking as a england fan im still absolutely baffled as to why manclaren still puts the likes of Ferdinand in ahead of him.

The england setup is a joke.

[tomasjj]

Maybe Arbeloa should be in the middle with Carra?

BTW anyone got a link to some highlights?
Didn't get to see the game today.

[MerseyCider]

Motd. Bbc2

[El Jefecito]

Definitely not in this match. The number of times Pepe had to come of his line
was a proof of that and it was worrying though. A pacy defender would help our cause immensely even if his defensive qualities are not up to
the level of Carra.

Pepe, gets out faster than someone like Ferdinand could get back, so I think it is a non-issue.

[andyinswinton]

I'd give Arbeloa a run at centre back instead of Sami.

[El Jefecito]

I'd give Arbeloa a run at centre back instead of Sami.

I'd try to sort out the midfield before I messed with the defense. If we got the CM nailed then both the defense and attack would play better

[peekay]

Pepe, gets out faster than someone like Ferdinand could get back, so I think it is a non-issue.

I dont doubt Pepe's ability to come of his line. Considering the amount of distance pepe had to travel the margin of error is fine. It is just the number of times Pepe had to do it worried me. I would be having a word with the defense if Pepe had to come out and clear chances like that of Berbatov and Bale consistently.

[Kenneth]

The whole team plays 10-15 yards deeper with Hyypia in the team. That means less attacking options and a slower tempo.

Gerrard is best playing a high tempo game with an attacking team. Not playing a slow tempo game with little space to make his runs.

Our opponent don't need to worry about any quick counter attacks with Agger out because our team plays so deep that it will take to long time to change defense to attack.

That's just made up though. Sounds intersting, but is actually just a pile of ****e.

[MerseyCider]

Im losing all confidence in Reina at the moment. Im writhing in my seat whenever the opposition cross the half way line these days.

I know its not a popular opinion amongst reds, but Carson should be our No.1 for me. Four clean sheets so far for villa behind a pretty average defense.

[kurtangle01]

Maybe Arbeloa should be in the middle with Carra?

BTW anyone got a link to some highlights?
Didn't get to see the game today.

It's worth a try but to be honest I wouldn't do it at Goodison or against Arsenal and by then Agger will be back. Maybe we could give t a try later on in the season though just in case we need to call on him again.

[James]

I can't help but feel that Rafa's comments to the press about playing games early after an International break have a part to play in this.

He keeps moaning about it and it has to effect the players - if he keeps complaining about their lack of fitness/freshness then they will start to believe it.