Team News for Boro

[Geez]

TEAM NEWS

The midfielder's 45-minute stint off the bench at the Emirates Stadium on Saturday was his first action since suffering a calf problem at Reading and missing the games against Blackburn, Bayer Leverkusen and Wigan.

But now he's out again. "JJ won't be fit to play," reported Martin Jol on Monday afternoon. "He took a kick on the ankle at Arsenal, it doesn't look right and that's a shame after he just came back from his calf injury."

Edgar Davids, Mido and Anthony Gardner remain out, Hossam Ghaly is suspended but Paul Stalteri looks set to return to the squad after his knee injury at MK Dons in October.

Martin added: "Paul Stalteri will be in the squad, he's trained well and looked fine.

"Edgar Davids has a problem with pressure on his eye again, so he's not in the squad. Mido is out, he's still feeling minor pain in his adductor in his groin and Anthony Gardner is out with his lower back problem."

[BelsizeSpur]

Play Defoe!!!!

[NickHSpurs]

Bring back Thudd and Defoe

[Pillbug]

What with all the Defoe fellating... why don;t we try Keane and Defoe at the same time. Berbs could use a rest. We know Jol tends to keep Keane and defoe segregated, but given that Keane looked active if not successful on Sat. and Defoe should be sure to start, it's time to let them play together again. Its not as if berbatov is a massive threat in the air anyway, so the fact that he is a big man is a non-starter.

Lets see what our two most aggressive forwards can do side by side!

[zubs]

Why dont we really go for the kill,Lennon on the right keane on the left steed and hudd in the middle with berb and jd up front and really try to play some attacking football and kill off a team not sit and wait for them to score first and then get some urgency:evil:

[tomo]

Its not as if berbatov is a massive threat in the air anyway, so the fact that he is a big man is a non-starter.


I think he is. I assumed he was. He has been feeding off scraps though from midfield. Maybe if a few more decent crosses were put in we could see.

I'd play Defoe and Berbatov up front Tuesday.

[tomo]

Why dont we really go for the kill,Lennon on the right keane on the left steed and hudd in the middle with berb and jd up front and really try to play some attacking football

Are you Ossie in disguise :wink:

I think big MJ is more likely to bear hug Gareth Southgate to death than pick that line up.

[chrizzah]

bollox... even though arsenal didnt close down in the 2nd half we still saw how important jenas is to us. Without a doubt Huddlestone will do the job i would rather of seen the Jenas and Hud in the middle

[onthetwo]

"Our records indicate that you have never posted to our site before! Why not make your first post today by saying hello to our community in our Introductions forum"....ok, I'll start with something informal...GIVE LEDDERS A REST!

[onthetwo]

i meant controversial

[tottenham4life]

have got to start playing the hudd, everyone keeps on about the loss of carrick this boy is the best replacement there is and get defeo playing cos he is going if he is not getting regular football

[gloryglory]

A blow, this. Jenas has been missed, and looked our best player on the strength of his 45 minute stint on Saturday.

But we ought to have enough to beat Boro anyway. I think this, unlike Saturday, is a game for Huddlestone; I also think that this is a better showcase for Malbranque. But Zokora must continue to start in the middle, so Malbranque is on the left, and there's only room for one of Keane or Defoe. I presume it'll be Defoe.

It would be interesting to see a 4-3-3, but it would be the same personnel except Keane ahead of Defoe.

[18Klinsmann]

What a joke it is that Ghaly must sit out three games for a doubtful elbow decison. With both him, ED and JJ out we really don't many options to replace the saturday midfield. So, I say let them redeem themselves...

Robbo
Ekotto
Daws
King
Chimbonda
Malbranque
Tainio
Zokora
Lennon
Berbatov
Defoe

Keane
Huddle
Lee
Ziegler
Cerny

[Happy_Yid]

I tend to half agree with Zubs. Our midfield either can't or don't want to mix it and tackle anybody so we may as well go gung ho and play all out attack. At least if we are all in the middlesborough half somebody must get their head to one of Robboes kicks, shouldn't they?

[DOX]

Let's just win the goddamn game!!:evil:

[bigspurs]

We have to play Huddlestone this time. We have a decent squad so lets use it! COYS

[elDiablo]

i know we have probably talked last saturdays game to death, and we should move on......but wat annoyed me was that they were so much stronger than us. they are known as the fancy dans who cant ruff it, but every time we got the ball in the first half, they just knocked us off with ease.
Now, im sure u will all agree, but i aint seen anyone knock hudd off the ball, and i think now is the time to give him his chance. Him and zokora in the middle and let zokora attack!!

[grittyspur1]

Come on Martin....it's time to BRING ON THE HUDD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's give our forwards some service, and some crunch in the middle!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Let's win this f'ing game!!!!!!!!!
COYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[tinryspurs]

I have to agree with grittyspur1 and a lot more of ye, Its time for the Hudd to step forward and take over from Carrick, he will grow to be one of the best midfielders ever, but he won't sitting on the bench.

[jenko]

robbo
chimbo king daws lee
lennon Zok Thud steed
JD DB

cerny, keane, Tainio, Zeigler, Salty

[KingSpur]

guys

anyone know if Murphy is injured ?
He done well for the stint he had in the team.

During December and 1st Jan we have 9 games - we'll need to utilise the full squad.
I'm worried about Daws & King - we dont have fit cover for these unless Hudd players center half - bot Tony & Dav are still injured.

I think the next 2 league games are important as they are very winnable - our 2 following league games are tricky away games to Man City & Everton with cup games in there as well.

Point here is that Jol knows this as well and will work the team to suit each game.