Teemu's Target

[mawspurs]

SPURS NEWS

Teemu Tainio is looking for a repeat of last season's away performance against Arsenal - with the addition of two extra points in the bank!

Source: Official Site

The Finnish international was outstanding in a central midfield role alongside Michael Carrick as we dominated a crucial match against the Gunners - the last derby at Highbury - in April.

That dominance was rewarded when Robbie Keane tapped home Edgar Davids' cross to open the scoring but eventually Thierry Henry came off the bench to rescue a point for the home side.

"I enjoyed that central role and it was a great performance from the team," reflected Teemu. "In fact, we were disappointed not to win because we played so well in the first half.

"This is a different game. It's a new stadium, new players but we all know how much it means to everyone. I think we are ready.

"We know we have to get close to them because they are a good footballing team, so we have to prepare for that. I think we are confident of getting something from there."

Asked what last season's display would have done for the lads confidence, Teemu added: "Arsenal will know we are not easy to beat and I'm sure they will be watching us in the table."

[Spoilt4_the_spurs]

I hope that Teemu plays with jenas in the midfield, to guys who close down the play all day will be whats needed against the arsenal center mid pairing, pressure pressure pressure

[DOX]

:evil: Teemu and Zoko for tomorrow's game:evil:

[walworthyid]

TT should play tomorrow. I think we have missed jj but he will not be 100% fit so maybe we should go with lennon, zok, tt and malbranque. TT just gets that bit closer to players than anybody else.

[gloryglory]

I think he might go with Tainio on the left with Jenas and Zokora in the middle. That maximises our physicality and aggression.

There's no way he'd drop Zokora because he's the man to rise to this occasion. I want Zokora to do to them what Vieira used to do to us.

[striebs]

This is a six pointer and a chance to pull level with Arsenal .

However , if the team are basking in Glory on Saturday night it is essential that they have learnt to be professional and do not follow it up with a Reading like performance on Tuesday against Boro .

[RBlanch]

Teemu is good, but I think we need the Hudd involved....he will boss 'little Cesc' all game.

[bubble07]

i'm still undecided

i'm swaying towards

______________________Robinson

Chimbonda______Dawson_______King_______Assou-Ekotto

lennon_______Huddlestone_______Zokora_______Davids

____________________________Keane

_____________________Berbatov

SUBS
Cerny
Davenport
Malbranque
Tainio or Jenas
Defoe

[gloryglory]

No no no. We should play a 4-5-1 with Lennon and Keane wide, Berbatov up front on his own, and a central midfield trio of Zokora, Jenas and Tainio. I'm 90% confident that's what we'll do (although it's just frasible that Malbranque or Huddlestone will get the nod over Tainio.)

Don't ever expect to see Davids in a Spurs shirt again.

[spurs4europe]

why not malbranque for jenas? the guy's been out for a couple of games and i don't really think we can afford to have players still getting their touch back, even if it hasn't been all that long

[adamsilver]

Surely it should be:

Robinson
Chimbonda Dawson King Ekotto
Lennon Zokora Tainio Malbranque
Defoe Berbatov

Subs
Cerny
Davenport/Davids
Huddlestone
Jenas
Keane

[xmastreeformation]

Surely TT and Zokora in the centre. Malbranque and Lennon on the flanks and Defoe up front instead of Keane. Jenas is recovering, Thudd might be a little overwhelmed. I would imagine that JJ, Thudd and Keane will all appear from the bench (probably for TT, Malbranque and Defoe)

[Meds]

Henry out, Senderos suspended.

Call me naive, but I am feeling quietly optimistic about this.....

[Ali]

No he won't. Tainio is a much better agressor. He will go after Cesc, win the ball and pass it. Hudd is great on the ball, but really not so great off it. He has lots of promise but I don't want to see him yet in a game of this sort.

[Ali]

Yes, yes, yes, that's what I want!! No Huddlestone for this game please!

[Ali]

That's always dangerous.....

We can't be complacent. Arsenal are one of those teams who will go and finish off a bad run with an absolute mauling of someone else, and we are not great away from home. We mustn't get carried away before the game even kicks off.

[Ali]

I'd go for that too, but suspect he'll play Keane. Keane scored against them last year, and I don't think anyone can deny that despite his poor scoring record this season, when Keane plays we just have a bit more about us.

He is a leader and he wants to win. I like to see his frustration when things don't run his way. If he plays like he did against Chelsea, we'll have them.

[SouthLondonSpur]

I dont know about formation, I'll leave that to BMJ. All I know is i cant bloody wait andf beginning to be nervous as hell. Ali is right that they do have a tendancy of making up for lack of form by hitting someone hard.

[SouthLondonSpur]

And dont forget they have Chelsea the following match, so they will be up for this too in the knowledge that they just sold their best player to the champs...

[davidmatzdorf]

I agree with adamsilver, xmastreeformation and Ali. It's not the right game for Huddlestone and no, he wouldn't be able to keep Fabregas in his pocket. Tainio just might.

Much as I would like to see adamsilver's selection and formation, I suspect that we will start with Berbatov and Keane.

[Yiddster]

If Tanio is anywhere near fit he will play and sit on Fabregas...........side imo to get a result tomm

Robinson
Chimbonda, King, Dawson,Ekotto
Lennon, Zokora, Tainio, Malbranque
Berbartov, Keane

with Defoe and Jenas to add the impetus if needed from the bench to either hold what we have or chase the game

[davidmatzdorf]

If Tanio is anywhere near fit he will play and sit on Fabregas...........side imo to get a result tomm

Robinson
Chimbonda, King, Dawson,Ekotto
Lennon, Zokora, Tainio, Malbranque
Berbartov, Keane

with Defoe and Jenas to add the impetus if needed from the bench to either hold what we have or chase the game

I agree with nearly all of that. I'd start Defoe, because he has that look in his eye at the moment and because he isn't a good sub.

Then, if we are not ahead, I'd bring on Keane shortly after half time. Not at 70-80 minutes. In fact, if we are ahead, I'd so the same thing.

[FMA]

Apologies if this has already been posted, but apparently we will deploy a 4-5-1 formation tomorrow.

Zokora, Jenas and Tainio in the middle, with Malbranque and Lennon on the flanks.

Berbatov up front. Keane and Defoe, on the bench.