Spurs build up thread

[Gibbo]

Luis Suarez
Finally the day came!!!

Can't wait

[BigChief]

Referee: Michael Oliver

That's not for the Wolves game is it?

[RedReet]

Agree mostly with the team that Kris posted up. Bellamy, Carroll and Suarez have to all play. Not sure which two I would play out of Adam, Henderson and Spearing

Personally I'd be tempted to keep the same team as against Wolves, but with Gerrard and Suarez in for Adam and Bellamy. I'd then use Bellamy as we did against United, coming on fresh after 60 minutes and available if we need to score.

I worry that we have relied on Bellamy more than we had planned to and may pay the price towards the end of the season. For that reason, I would start using him sparingly when possible.

A must win match perhaps doesn’t seem to be the best time to do this, but there is a fair chance that the match could be won in the final 30 mins tonight and I’d much rather have a fresh Bellamy coming on to influence it, than a tired Bellamy going the other way.

[Mostar]

Bellamy has shown in his last few games that he is fit to play entire match especially if given enough rest so I personally would "go for the jugular" and put him and Luis in the starting lineup.

We have Kuyt who can come and influence the match in the second half if need be just like did with Mancs.

[Daffy Duck]

I'm so nervous for this one, big match and I ****in hate Spurs.

Pepe
Kelly Škrtel Agger Enrique
Gerrard Spearing Henderson
Suarez Carroll Bellamy

Adam, Shelvey, Kuyt, Maxi, Johnson all possibilities if we don't have the result by 50th minute.

Come on

[Gibbo]

Johnson has to play for me, I think going forward he will peg Bale back a bit, I think playing Kuyt is a must to as he will provide the support for Johnson should Ekotto break down that wing.

[RichC]

I'm so nervous for this one, big match and I ****in hate Spurs.

Pepe
Kelly Škrtel Agger Enrique
Gerrard Spearing Henderson
Suarez Carroll Bellamy

Adam, Shelvey, Kuyt, Maxi, Johnson all possibilities if we don't have the result by 50th minute.

Come on

That would be the side for me apart from Johnson in for Kelly

[Chazza]

Even with Kabul out, if true, they still have King and Dawson so they are ok there.

If Modric or Bale were out well that would be a different story..

I think losing Kaboul is a big blow for them, he has been excellent when I have seen them and is a beast in the air

Dawson hasn't played well for a while, hence being left out

[dww]

That would be the side for me apart from Johnson in for Kelly

Still don't get why people don't rate Johnson.

I agree with some of the earlier that Enrique has been exposed a bit of late. He just needs to learn to use the ball a bit earlier. Even when he was playing well at times his confidence on the ball resulted in him looking like he might give it away in dangerous areas, now he is delaying his use of the ball it is a real issue.

[Mostar]

I think losing Kaboul is a big blow for them, he has been excellent when I have seen them and is a beast in the air

Dawson hasn't played well for a while, hence being left out

Yes Kaboul has been great for them but Dawson was their first choice CB until he picked up achilles injury in August and wasn't match fit until late this year.

He is finally ready (played against Watford in FA cup game) and should start today.

[RichC]

Still don't get why people don't rate Johnson.

I agree with some of the earlier that Enrique has been exposed a bit of late. He just needs to learn to use the ball a bit earlier. Even when he was playing well at times his confidence on the ball resulted in him looking like he might give it away in dangerous areas, now he is delaying his use of the ball it is a real issue.

Yup, I questioned about Enrique earlier in the thread, he's been brillilant for us defensively on the whole but going forwards he needs to move it quicker.

[Mostar]

Yup, I questioned about Enrique earlier in the thread, he's been brillilant for us defensively on the whole but going forwards he needs to move it quicker.

He needs to get rid of the ball and pass much quicker and earlier.

He holds on it far too long and when he finally decides to pass, the player he is passing it to is already covered and can do **** with it.

[Daffy Duck]

Still don't get why people don't rate Johnson.

I rate him a lot, so much I think he's one of the best players in the club, just got a feeling his form has dropped slightly in the last few weeks. Besides that, in my view Kelly has so far managed to keep quiet every single left sided opposition player he's had to deal with, which I couldn't always say for Johnson. Different players, though as Gibbo9 has pointed out, Glen's attacking abilities could keep Bale busy, so, a matter of tactics then.

[BigChief]

Dawson is always due a screw-up. Kaboul has been completely dominant in his absence. He's also slower than Kaboul which will force their defence to play deep leaving gaps in midfield for either Adam or Gerrard to exploit.

Should be an easy match actually as Parker can't cover everywhere and Bale/Modric won't help him much.

Ergo Suarez and Bellamy both have to start.

[Reece]

Agree with the last few posts regarding Enrique. But I'm confident he'll get back to his early season form.