Spurs build up thread

[kris90210]

like that side - got pace to come off the bench as/if Bellamy gets tired and if we need work rate there's always Dirk

Lots of work rate in the midfield with Henderson and Gerrard and if Jay can just sit infront of the back 4 some protection.

Back 4 speaks for itself, only concern there is actually Enrique who I think has been brilliant this season but has looked a little tired of late.

I was a bit concerned about Enrique a couple of games ago. But he was flawless against Wolves. I reckon he'll be fine.

[Icon]

**** it - Attack...!!!

-----------Reina-------------
Kelly - Skrtel - Agger - Enrique
---Henderson - Gerrard-------
Kuyt - Carroll - Bellamy - Suarez

[Muddled]

Was Joe Jordan asked a question about the upcoming game, or to talk about himself for 10 minutes?

[Muddled]

I'd like to see us go 4-3-3 as I think we can fit all our best players into the system, and we'll be set up to control the midfield:

-----------------------Carroll-----------------------
----Bellamy----------------------------Suarez------

Carroll is actually playing well at the moment. I'd hate to see him dropped. Let the Spurs defence worry about him and we've got Suarez and Bellamy playing off him. Bellamy is playing extremely well, and Suarez will come in with a point to prove. Starting Suarez wide will give him a bit more space, and his dribbling will be frightening for the full back. We get plenty of width from the full backs, which means both Bellers and Suarez are fine to cut inside.

----------Henderson----------Gerrard---------------
---------------------Spearing-----------------------

Spurs are extremely strong in the centre, so playing with 3 in there is the best way to counter this imo. Spearing will put himself about and provide that defensive cover. Henderson's work rate will give us good balance, and Gerrard will give the Spurs defence something else to worry about. (switch Gerrard with Adam if he's unavailable, and play him on the left of centre)

----Enrique------Agger------Skrtle------Johnson-----
-----------------------Reina-------------------------

Picks itself. It'll be interesting to see how Johnson gets on against Bale (compared with Skrtle). If it's looking bad, we always have the option of bringing in Kelly - who I feel is already better than Johnson defensively. We can also look to switch things up by bringing on Kuyt (to double up on Bale), at the expense of a central midfielder and switch to 4-4-2, or stick with 4-3-3 at the expense of one of the forwards. We've got options.

I REALLY hope we win this. As Shaggy said, we can nip ahead of Arsenal and put some major pressure on Chelsea. On top of that, I ****ing hate Spurs fans. They spend years in obscurity. A couple of good seasons and they're a bigger club than Liverpool. Tossers. Had a lot of **** from a few of them over the whole Suarez / Evra thing as well. Let's smash them.

Good post Kris.

I agree with your points - however - to nitpick, I'd have Henderson on the right of a midfield three. I know some are trying to get Suarez back in to the team, but not at the expense of Carroll and it's quite the dilemma for Kenny to have.

I guess the more pertinent question is, do we ask questions of Spurs, or do we answer Spurs questions? What I mean is, we're at Anfield and a front 3 of Bellamy, Carroll and Suarez is very attacking and may make Spurs think about their line-up ... which can highlight 'Arry's tactical naiveity. We (roughly) know how Spurs are gonna play, do we force his hand and get him to try something new? Or do we play to nulify the Spurs threat and build on that?

Because the answer to that question tells you whether you start Suarez or Kuyt on the right.

[Reece]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm less confident about this game than I was about either of the recent Manc games. Not really sure why.

[Fredo]

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm less confident about this game than I was about either of the recent Manc games. Not really sure why.

Cos some of your friends are Spurs fans maybe?

[RichC]

I think this is the acid test, are we going to kick on and get on a run of games or are we going to take a step backwards again.

I worry about their pace with Bale and Lennon (if he plays) but I think we've got quite a bit to worry them with as well, surely a fired up Suarez returning, Carroll starting to get better and Bellamy who's in some top form plus obviously Gerrard.

[Reece]

Cos some of your friends are Spurs fans maybe?

Yeah most of them in fact, but that's not really the reason I'm less confident. Perhaps I think their style of play can get at us more, I don't know.

[Muddled]

I think it's because we had bossed the earlier Manchester league meetings and deserved more than we got; our last performance against Spurs was awful.

Add in the media hype about the quality of football Spurs are playing and it feels like it's a tough test, multiplied because we're within sniffing distance of fourth.

[Muddled]

And when I say "media-hype", I know they are playing a good level of football, but they're certainly not unbeatable. They are playing with confidence, which is helping them grind out results when playing badly.

[kris90210]

Good post Kris.

I agree with your points - however - to nitpick, I'd have Henderson on the right of a midfield three. I know some are trying to get Suarez back in to the team, but not at the expense of Carroll and it's quite the dilemma for Kenny to have.

I guess the more pertinent question is, do we ask questions of Spurs, or do we answer Spurs questions? What I mean is, we're at Anfield and a front 3 of Bellamy, Carroll and Suarez is very attacking and may make Spurs think about their line-up ... which can highlight 'Arry's tactical naiveity. We (roughly) know how Spurs are gonna play, do we force his hand and get him to try something new? Or do we play to nulify the Spurs threat and build on that?

Because the answer to that question tells you whether you start Suarez or Kuyt on the right.

Thanks

I think we should let them worry about us. We're playing at home and with an in-form Carroll, Bellamy, Gerrard and a pumped up Suarez (along with a strong defence) we can go toe to toe with anyone. Suarez out wide on the right will terrify them, and it's own way will limit the amount their full back gets forward to support Bale. Spearing can always help Johnson out with Bale, and Henderson's work rate can help fill any gaps.

Kenny will have seen him in training and if he feels he wants to bring him on as a sub, then we'll have to back his judgement. But for me, Suarez has to start. He'll be desperate to get out there, and he's our best player.

People were asking questions about his match fitness after he signed for us (he was just coming back from a ban then as well! ), and he made an immediate impact. Start him Kenny!

[Mostar]

Thanks

I think we should let them worry about us. We're playing at home and with an in-form Carroll, Bellamy, Gerrard and a pumped up Suarez (along with a strong defence) we can go toe to toe with anyone. Suarez out wide on the right will terrify them, and it's own way will limit the amount their full back gets forward to support Bale. Spearing can always help Johnson out with Bale, and Henderson's work rate can help fill any gaps.

Kenny will have seen him in training and if he feels he wants to bring him on as a sub, then we'll have to back his judgement. But for me, Suarez has to start. He'll be desperate to get out there, and he's our best player.

People were asking questions about his match fitness after he signed for us (he was just coming back from a ban then as well! ), and he made an immediate impact. Start him Kenny!

Same here.

"Unleash the hounds" I say.

He is itching to play for weeks and his energy and the fans energy will lift us to the point that It will be like we are flying.

He and Bellamy imo have to start as their ability should make Spurs very cautious and push them back were we want them.

They will be very careful when and how they attack as we, with both of those in lineup, we have the pace to counterattack and match them in that aspect of the game as well.

I cannot wait for this one.

[Craig_H]

It's "release the hounds"

[dww]

Yeah most of them in fact, but that's not really the reason I'm less confident. Perhaps I think their style of play can get at us more, I don't know.

I certainly think they have done in the last couple of games. Kenny has also seemed to not have tactical solutions to the problems Spurs present, but has to those United/City offer. I think having Bellamy and Carroll as well as Suarez on form could be a major benefit.

I think the centre of midfield is key for us. All players in that area have to be disciplined and aware defensively. It's been a problem for Adam and even Gerrard at times this season.

[Mostar]

It's "release the hounds"

"release the hounds" or "unleash the beast" it is the same thing