Following on from Tottenham Hotspur’s sterling victory over Manchester City in our last game, fans will be hoping for the same kind of attacking nouse and defensive strength when we face Ludogorets Razgrad this Thursday in our next Europa League Group J clash.
I’ve been tardy this week but PhysioRoom list five doubts. Erik Lamela isn’t expected back until the weekend following his knock, and both Matt Doherty and Toby Alderweireld are listed as having no return dates just yet. However, both Japhet Tanganga and Harry Winks are potentially expected back for Thursday – but I’d imagine both would be touch and go.
With Razgrad yet to pick up a point in Group J, there’s every confidence we can take our third victory and ideally Antwerp and LASK would share a point to give us a small advantage as we go into the final games.
As ever though, it’s not about relying on others, we know we can get the job done ourselves – we just have to avoid another slip up.
Ludogorets...
Win
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City Humbled As Jose Gets It Spot On – Spurs Top The Table – Match Stats
It’s funny, we were talking about the legalities of penlty taking on the previous thread and while looking into the laws I was reminded about penalty take not hesitating in their run up. I’ve just watched Rashford take one for United where he takes half of his run up, stops and runs on the spot a few times then completes his run up and scores. Surely this can’t be right if the law is interpreted as written?
Jeez, my keyboard is getting worse, I haven’t even spilt coffee on it! 🙂
So true TQ, and what about all the throw ins, I know all players do it, gaining a few extra feet. And the guy from Leeds after the sofest head butt you will ever see, if that’s not play acting etc.
123….can’t agree with you on the head butt, Pepe was just plain stupid and got what he deserved, I think it means he will miss the NLD which is even better news! :- )
The game v Ludo. may not happen due to them having players out with covid. So I would be happy to see this as a walk over for us… rather than risk them giving spurs players covid !
When are they due to decide if the game can go on or not?
I read that if the game can’t go on due to Covid, it would have to be rescheduled. How is that going to happen with our already crazy schedule?
TQ2Spurs – I hear Spurs are appealing Pepe’s three match ban so that he can play in the NLD!!
BelgianSpur – The rules on what happens seem a bit confused. Ludogrets are responsible for the problem and they need to rearrange the game within the cut off period or forfeit it and we win 3-0. But what’s the cut off date ? Also can they simply pick any date they want to play the game regardless of the impact on Spurs, who are the innocent party in all this ?
Danny thanks for another “story” lol! nah! a very good article again.
Head Butting, simple do not move your head toward your opponent but if you do and make the most feather like contact don’t expect your target not win an Oscar, haha.
“Throws in’s” one of the things that piss me off the most, many times ball not clearly thrown correctly from right behind the head, not thrown from correct position moving down the lines yards/metres to gain an advantage.
Ludo and Covid, its typical situation bollox by the Big Wigs of the game who clearly do not give a toss and wash their hands, leaving it up to one or both sides.
Anyway if it goes ahead, a big win for Spurs in my opinion. COYS
It seems the game will go ahead. Ludogorets have pieced together a makeshift team.
If the game is going ahead.. I expect Levy / Jose will insist on testing Ludog. players before the game. perhaps the PL covid test at 85% accurate?
Just heard Maradona passed away. Forget the hand ball. One of the greats. Rip.
The time has finally come for Diego to enter that great football stadium in the sky, and give God back his hand!
Maradona, one of the worlds all time greats. And the greatest to ever don a Spurs shirt and grace the green, green grass of WHL…
Imagine this. A magical midfield made of Ardiles, Hoddle, Waddle and Maradona!
Maradona, Best, Banks, Clemence, Croyff, Moore, Charlton, Styles
I’m sure there are others some team getting together up there. :’-(
It’s a shame. But the better the team are doing, the quieter it always gets on here…
Anyway…
So, who does Jose start tonight? I’m thinking it’s quite a tough choice for him knowing how hard players had to work on Saturday and with a mind to the Chelsea game on Sunday. No Toby and others such as Doherty, Tanganga, Winks, all coming back from injury/sickness…
Also, he will not want to make a similar mistake as he did vs Antwerp. Whereby, he made too many changes to the starting eleven and we were poor.
Hart in goal + ?
Aurier/Tanganga Sanchez Dier Davies
Sissoko Winks
Bale Lucas Bergwijn
Vinicius
That is still a lot of changes.
I don’t know!
I am hoping we see Alli tonight. Imagine him scoring a couple of goals – what that would do to his confidence.
On the other hand, I really hope Dier doesn’t play. He’s played a lot lately, and losing him to injury would be catastrophic. I’d much rather keep him fresh for Chelsea.
I would pick:
Hart
Aurier – Tanganga – Sanchez – Davies
Winks – Lo Celso
Lucas – Alli – Bergwin
Vinicius
I don’t expect us to need to play 2 defensive midfielders against a team that will most likely just sit back. We need players who can pick a pass in tight spaces, which just isn’t Sissoko.
BS, as I always have done, I pick a team that I think Jose (or any manager) might go for. Not my personal choice.
I go by what he has already done and what he says in the lead up to a match.
But, as I finished with “I don’t know”, my predictions, don’t really seem quite right to me anyway. 😉
I have a feeling that with Alli, the club have been working with him and his fitness. And that he will get minutes when they/Jose feels he is ready for a strong return. (Although this is probably just wishful thinking on my part).
Who knows?
HT & BS….just looking at both of your team selection’s for tonight, both very good in there own way, but it just goes to show, both team selections by two fairly knowledgeable fans, how difficult it has to be for JM to just simply get things right for each and every game/situation.
BS you have gone for Tanganga at CB, yesterday I read somewhere, newsnow I think, that JM does not see him as a CB, which I thought a bit odd, I think that Rodders should be given a half at least because I believe he will be picked to play v the Chavs on Sunday.
I am also with you regards playing Alli behind “Sid Vicious”
HT regards your team am with you on Tanganga at LB, but not Sissoko in DM, as BS a ball player with Winks.
You have also noted Bale, I agree, but say for only 1 half, or set minutes.
It just proves our squad is pretty good and even us experts Lol! are having trouble picking a balanced side. COYS
Getting rotation right is much harder than most people think. We saw that with Liverpool last night. Jose has to pick teams strong and balanced enough to win each game while giving players enough rest. The balanced part can be a problem. We really don’t have anyone who can play like Højbjerg so that could be a problem if the opposition don’t come for a point. Like BelgianSpur I’d like to give Dier a rest, but I’d be a lot happier doing it if Alderweireld was fit and could play. The other aspect is attitude. Against Antwerp the team played as if the game didn’t matter, so did Liverpool against Atalanta. The players have to understand that whatever the opposition, whatever the team selection, they have to give everything to win the match. I think Mourinho is slowly getting that into their heads. We’ll see what Thursday brings.