Berba Blow/Kaboul injured

[mawspurs]

Source: Official Site

Dimitar Berbatov is out of Saturday's home match against Derby County with a groin injury.

The striker joins Younes Kaboul as the latest injury setbacks to hit our plans in early season.

“We’ve had a couple more blows,” reported Martin on Wednesday. “Younes Kaboul will be out for the next three or four weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered against Everton, that’s a real kick in the teeth and Dimitar Berbatov has a groin problem. It’s an old problem and he will now visit a specialist in Germany. He will be out for a couple of weeks.”

There is some positive news though. “Gareth Bale is looking better,” added Martin. “Our medical team have also told me that Young-Pyo Lee is up to 85 per cent fitness and that will soon be 100 per cent.”

[Sam]

Kaboul looked class in the 2 games he played.

he could be the leader in central midfield we have been looking for.

Its a double blow and really things get from bad to worse

[Chimbo!]

This really is a nightmare! This the worst start to the season i can remember. My dreams for spurs are being quickly destroyed. Perhaps though it might relieve the pressure on our strikers that one is unavailble. means Bent will defo strart. We need dawson and we need him now.

[DoublePivot]

Well at least Jol won't be able to include 4 strikers on the team sheet.

[SelbYido]

Kaboul looked class in the 2 games he played.

he could be the leader in central midfield we have been looking for.

Its a double blow and really things get from bad to worse

I posted the very same suggestion in one of the post-match threads on Saturday. As I said then, he's comfortable on the ball, quick, strong, has a good range of passing, not afraid to get forward but also has the defensive attributes to hold & protect the back four. Of course, its dependent on him getting fit & having better CB options available. But when Dawson &/or King return it might give us the DM strength we've been crying out for. Also with a stronger DM we can afford to throw in a more attacking option alongside (KPB or Taarabt) or at least give JJ the freedom to push on into attacking positions where he's most effective.

[cabinfever]

Kaboul looked class in the 2 games he played.

he could be the leader in central midfield we have been looking for.

Its a double blow and really things get from bad to worse

Very good point and I did think last night that it would be worth a shot when King is fit.

Anyway, I couldn't believe it when I heard about these injuries today - what bad luck. Could explain DB's body language in the two games! He had this last season for ages and played with it too.

Boy am I glad we bought Bent!!!!!

[doom]

berbs out could be a blessing, it means more midfield options on the bench, kaboul on the other hand is a big blow. we desperately need lee back, so many op attacks have gone down the left side and we should get better link play with malbranque. if we can get the midfield sorted we should be fine against derby. hopefully dawson is back too, boy have we missed him & lee and everyone else...

[will8587]

Source: Official Site
“We’ve had a couple more blows,” reported Martin on Wednesday. “Younes Kaboul will be out for the next three or four weeks with the hamstring injury he suffered against Everton, that’s a real kick in the teeth and Dimitar Berbatov has a groin problem. It’s an old problem and he will now visit a specialist in Germany. He will be out for a couple of weeks.”

Haha, was that a reference to the Kaizer Chiefs game?

On the bright side, this leaves Jol with very little options of who to start (Chimbo, Gardner, Rocha, Stalteri) in defense and (Bent, Keane/Defoe) at striker. Hopefully, this will limit his ability to mismanage another game.

[ziggy]

Hopefully, this will limit his ability to mismanage another game.

Oh Yea of little faith, can you remember back those years before Jol came ?

[rsam8]

Hopefully we will have Lee back then we can drop Stalteri

[Pillbug]

Kaboul as central midfielder. Good god, I think sometimes the spurs faithless are comprised of mental hospital patrons.

You don't just shift a career central defender to the center of midfield. I don;t doubt his ability, but he has no experience filling up the final third and no experience tracking back. If he were to be converted, it would take more than a season to do so.

The suggestion is just crazy.

[NeverRed]

is the bent deal so ridiculous now to those same people blasting it before before as pointless and not needed???

[mawspurs]

Kaboul as central midfielder. Good god, I think sometimes the spurs faithless are comprised of mental hospital patrons.

You don't just shift a career central defender to the center of midfield. I don;t doubt his ability, but he has no experience filling up the final third and no experience tracking back. If he were to be converted, it would take more than a season to do so.

The suggestion is just crazy.

We were told when we signed him that he can play as a DM so it is not as crazy as it sounds. He has apparently played there before so adjusting to the role should not be a problem. However with both King and Dawson out he looked our best CB option till getting crocked himself.

[macspurs]

I am dusting off my boots and I await the call.

Our defence didn't really need Kaboul out - if only we'd kept the ginger Pele !
Time for Bent to be the main man. I too am very pleased he came.
Now all we need is a midfield who can give him the ball, not just a Robbo kick to him.
After all the disapointment of the last two results, a good win would be sweet, however I would be more than happy with a scrapy 1-0 win. Until we get our best players back things will quite possibly remain grim.
I still love Martin Jol though.

[cabinfever]

is the bent deal so ridiculous now to those same people blasting it before before as pointless and not needed???

Exactly.

"We were told when we signed him that he can play as a DM so it is not as crazy as it sounds. He has apparently played there before so adjusting to the role should not be a problem. However with both King and Dawson out he looked our best CB option till getting crocked himself."

Correct.

[spud]

It won't affect us in the least that Berbatov is out as the rest of our team appear to be incapable of getting the ball to the strikers.

[BringBack_leGin]

Kaboul being injured is such horseshit! I pray that Dawson and Lee are fit for the weekend or we will lose to Derby county. Dawson and Rocha at the back with Lee and Chimbonda is acceptable.

Up front, while Berba is basically the only reason to go to Spurs since Ginola left, maybe a blessing in disguise tht there is a forward injured so now we can have two in the team and one on the bench. no perhaps a creative midfielder or two will make the 16! Defoe and Bent up front, Routledge on the flank to put in some crosses and pease give Taarabt or Boateng a go, whichever is more ready, so taht some real space can be created by inventive players!

[gdoguk22]

Good site for injuries:

http://www.physioroom.com/news/english_premier_league/epl_injury_table.php

[RandAlThor]

I was actually sort of hoping one of our strikers got injured. Not Berbs though. If one of them is injured all season then I won't be dissapointed because Jol won't be able to fill up half our bench with strikers.

[pistolP]

There are no harmony in the dressing room as players are having shouting matches among themselves while some are threatening to go while Jol is powerless to stop the arguements. He is loosing the dressing room,do not be suprised to see him sacked or go on his own accord if the board gets to hear about problems in the dressing room.

[NeverRed]

:bs: There are no harmony in the dressing room as players are having shouting matches among themselves while some are threatening to go while Jol is powerless to stop the arguements. He is loosing the dressing room,do not be suprised to see him sacked or go on his own accord if the board gets to hear about problems in the dressing room.

[Kay]

Why don't we play Huddlestone in defence, is everyone forgetting that is where he started his career from.

He is quite comfortable playing there, we can play him alongside Rocha or hopefuly Davies if he comes in and play Gardner at left back.

Make any sense to anyone else ?

[noiseboy55]

things may seem like their going from bad to worse - but I dont think throwing money at the problem will solve it. We've got a excellent reserve squad and academy team, lets give some of those boys a chance (ie Dervitte) instead of bodging a defence together out of right backs! What we need right now is a team with players in their correct positions, doing what they do best - confidence will grow, and we will start proving to the doubters what we can do. Berbs is our star striker no doubt - but with him out for a few weeks it gives Bent a good run in the side playing alongside defoe or keane - and leaves Jol without the option of chopping and changing his strike force to fit everyone in (put yourself in his position, if you were the manager you'd probably do the same with that quality at your disposal!). Remember, we're only 2 games into the season, theres 36 more to go there really is no need to panic right now! For all we know that could be all the games we lose this season! Get behind the boys, its times like these they need the fans most. MARTIN JOLS BLUE AND WHITE ARMY.

[chookz]

Kaboul as central midfielder. Good god, I think sometimes the spurs faithless are comprised of mental hospital patrons.

You don't just shift a career central defender to the center of midfield. I don;t doubt his ability, but he has no experience filling up the final third and no experience tracking back. If he were to be converted, it would take more than a season to do so.

The suggestion is just crazy.

I did read that he could play in midfield

[ravo]

There are no harmony in the dressing room as players are having shouting matches among themselves while some are threatening to go while Jol is powerless to stop the arguements. He is loosing the dressing room,do not be suprised to see him sacked or go on his own accord if the board gets to hear about problems in the dressing room.

Did you take any notes whilst sitting in the corner of the dressing room listening to the arguments, or did you just wake up, certain that this had happened???
:duh:

[ravo]

Not good fortune. The pressure was always going to be on us from the start of the season. Injuries to nine first team players doesn't help anything at all...

[danielneeds]

Why don't we play Huddlestone in defence, is everyone forgetting that is where he started his career from.

He is quite comfortable playing there, we can play him alongside Rocha or hopefuly Davies if he comes in and play Gardner at left back.

Make any sense to anyone else ?

Er maybe the reason we shouldn't play Huddlestone in defence is that he has the turning circle of and articulated lorry...??

[Timspurs]

At least our doctors and physio's are earning there money...lol

[smudger]

Er maybe the reason we shouldn't play Huddlestone in defence is that he has the turning circle of and articulated lorry...??

yeah and he likes to do 20 cruff turns on the edge of the box and wants half hour on the ball. i dont mind huddlestone although i remember when he was still at derby he played there and the commentator said " note to spurs never play huddlestone centre back" and for some reason that has always stuck in my mind, although if he knew that much guess he wouldn't be on 5 live ha ha

[pistolP]

:bs:

My friend it not

[pistolP]

Did you take any notes whilst sitting in the corner of the dressing room listening to the arguments, or did you just wake up, certain that this had happened???
:duh:


I was not in the dressing room, but somebody was and confirmed it. Why are a lot of our players argueing among themselves on the pitch this season, have you failed to notice it. All is not well. They should sort it out but before it gets out of hand like it did at West Ham

[Firekid]

And I suppose pistolp you aren't going to give names or details? If not what possible reason do you have for not sharing that information.

[GetSpurredOn]

I've laways been a big fan of Jol, my friend's a Liverpool fan and he's thinks he's a good manager too, but yesterday morning I was converted to the Jol out brigade. But after sleeping on it over night, I'm more relaxed, knee jerk reaction over. I still have some issues over his tactical decisions and team selections, he often seems too keen to sit on a lead, and he seems to have favourites that he tries to lever into the team regardless of position, but all that is needed is a few slight changes for saturday and we'll soon be beack on track.
I was always happy with Bent joining even though others questioned it, but allof a sudden due to injuries, signing him suddenly looks like a major bonus. Also Berbatov's injury means we will start with Bent and Defoe/Keane, meaning we will carry an extra midfielder. Jol seems to have given Jenas the role of playmaker, and it just isn't working. It'll be a sign of his management skills if he accepts this and makes changes, work on Jenas's dictating of play skills in training not during league games, or will he persist. I fhe brings in Taarabt or Boateng to be the principal creative player, which they are more accustomed to, it would free up Jenas to return to his more athletic based game alongside Zokora, maybe returning to the form of last season when they played well together in the closing stages of the campaign, whereas at the moment they look disjointed. Taarabt would give us width on the left too, allowing Malbranque to return to his more natural right side, or even put Routledge on the right as he had a decent cameo versus Everton, maybe regaining the form that saw us chasing him for so long, genuine natural width, pace and ability to beat a man and put a decent cross in. The other option is to swap one of Jenas/Zokora for Huddlestone, giving us creativity and guile in the middle, the natural playmaker and his skill and range of passing would suit perfectly the introduction of Bent's style of play, maybe even partner him with Defoe, give JD some game time and have those two scurrying onto THudd's slide rule passes.
These adjustments to the midfield personnel should allow all to play their natural game rather than square pegs in round holes. More guile, creativity and long range shooting prowess would force opposition midfields to be more cautious and spend less time pressurising our back four and would also give our front two much needed service and support, further occupying their midfield, much like ours was tuesday. Arteta ran the show for Everton tuesday.
We are still being linked with more and more players, spending more and more cash, Guti, van der Vaart, big bucks. Yet we have, for a few seasons now been stockpiling some of the brightest prospects from around Europe, yet we are still linked with new players. At what point is this potential realised and we stop signing and start promoting from within. Why look to bring in Davies for £10m when we have Dervitte and Mills two former youth captains for their respective countries. Why look at Guti for £6m+ when we have Taarabt, Boateng, Routledge. Even Ghaly could still have a role to play, I still rate the guy despite his shirt throwing antics, he scored a reasonable amount of goals and created a healthy number of assists for a player who was never really considered first choice. We also have the likes of Lee, Bale and hopefully Dawson nearing fitness, would like to see Ekotto too, as with him and Bale over Lee we have two left footed players on the left flank.
Reallistically we should be able to field a comfortable side saturday and turn our form round. Jol in!

GK Robinson
RB Chimbonda
LB Stalteri (Bale/Lee if fit)
CD Rocha
CD Gardner (top scorer?!?)
RW Routledge/Malbranque
CM Huddlestone/Jenas
CM Zokora/Tainio
LW Taarabt/Boateng
CF Bent
CF Defoe

Subs, Cerny, Dervitte, Jenas, Malbranque/Boateng, Keane.

If all else fails and we end up with a midfield of Tainio, Jenas, Zokora and Malbranque again, look clueless again, disjointed again for the next 3-5 games, Sheringham and Klinsmann for the Spurs legends management dream team.

[guernsey_spurs]

Anyone else find the timing of the treatment for Berbatovs in jury a bit odd. He has had it for most of last season so why wasnt it sorted in the summer.

methinks Mr Jol may have said "look, youre playing ssshhh!t, and you dont sshheem interesshhted, we dont want to offisshhially drop you, sshho maybe you sshhould get that groin sshhorted out"

[Tazza25]

fuck were fucked! what do we do? any ideas?

[jk2006]

Totally Agree

[Oz_Spurs]

I expect the players do argue in the dressing room after a game and do blame each other, they're hardly going to blame the Physio but I sincerly doubt they are going to go, that just b***ocks any player who genuinely wants to walk out after two matches can f**k off out of it anyway because they clearly wouldn't be commited to us in any way shape or form...

But I suspect no such threat have actually been made

[will8587]

I was not in the dressing room, but somebody was and confirmed it. Why are a lot of our players argueing among themselves on the pitch this season, have you failed to notice it. All is not well. They should sort it out but before it gets out of hand like it did at West Ham

Somebody told me we're close to signing Kaka, Gerrard and Fabio Cannavaro. This should resolve our injury woes for the time being. :roll:

[will8587]

GK Robinson
RB Chimbonda
LB Stalteri (Bale/Lee if fit)
CD Rocha
CD Gardner (top scorer?!?)
RW Routledge/Malbranque
CM Huddlestone/Jenas
CM Zokora/Tainio
LW Taarabt/Boateng
CF Bent
CF Defoe

Subs, Cerny, Dervitte, Jenas, Malbranque/Boateng, Keane.

If all else fails and we end up with a midfield of Tainio, Jenas, Zokora and Malbranque again, look clueless again, disjointed again for the next 3-5 games, Sheringham and Klinsmann for the Spurs legends management dream team.

I agree, both with your extensive assessment of the team and the projected starting 11. Hopefully, Bale or Lee will be fit, but I think that the above squad will get the job done vs Derby.