Ding, Ding… Round two. The first match was an absolute belter, even if it did have a rather unpalatable ending for us Spurs fans. Tonight, I’m hoping for a rather more clinical performance.
With Modric and Jenas being paired in central midfield, Leeds were met with very little resistance when they countered. This evening I expect us to take them a little more seriously. I’d like to see Palacios alongside Huddlestone, but Harry may well use this opportunity to give Jenas a game.
The rest of the team pretty much picks itself. With our legions of right backs out on loan and Kaboul and Walker cup-tied, Corluka will start, while Gareth Bale will be looking to continue his impressive run in the side, with Assou Ekotto still sidelined.
Bassong will partner captain Dawson in the heart of the defence, while Ledley recovers for the Villa match. On the flanks I’d expect Bentley to continue on the right, with Modric on the left, leaving Kranjcar and Rose on the bench.
In attack, Gudjohnsen is unavailable having not been at the club when the first match against Leeds was played, while Pavlyuchenko is injured. So obviously that leaves Crouch and Defoe, with 16 year old Harry Kane possibly on the bench. Having everyone out on loan instead of playing in a reserve side has it’s merits, but it’s at moments like these when we feel the pinch.
Our lack of depth in the squad, pretty much ensures that we have to field a strong team. On paper, we should be able to turn Leeds over no sweat, but their crowd will create an intimidating atmosphere that will lift their team.
This is another big test and let’s face it, we haven’t passed many of them lately. I think a lot will come down to how strong we decide to go in central midfield. If it’s Jenas and Huddlestone, then we might be in for a battle, but if Palacios plays, then I think that we will be too strong for them.
Oh and that Beckford bloke. We should probably mark him pretty tight.
I’m gutted that we did not sign another combative midfielder in the transfer window,as this along with the goalkeeping position has become a weak point to our squad.
Let’s jut hope we make it through until the seasons end,though it must be sorted in the summer.
Don’t worry about Beckford too much. Leave him unmarked and concentrate on someone else. He won’t do anything, we promise!
Good luck for the rest of the season, was a good match at your place and I’m looking forward to tonight. Win or lose, we’re happy. We’ve knocked Scum out of the cup, so we’re happy to bow out gracefully now and get back to the primary objective – promotion from League One.
This just shows how far football has come it can use players for over 96 mins in games without tiring and the fitness levels is staggering .Nearly every game you watch is the same frenetic defending world class saves late goals sometimes its early goals then its defend defend,This was highlighted by last nights shock Results.Imagine what odds you would get on palace Notts Falkirk Kilmarnock Hull four wins and a draw would have netted you a fortune this year alone backing underdogs .This would have netted you a tidy sum ,lets hope we buck this trend because Energizing twice a week is Dangerous and this is when these teams lose there weekend games if they upset the odds it will be interesting to see these five teams at the weekend on paper this should be a good Tottenham win unless Leeds have a easy team at the weekend..COYS