Who ever said we are along way from catching any of the top four teams should eat their words after that game. Liverpool were worse than we have ever been over the last two years. We have known that they are a one man team for years now and although Gerrard did his best (great goal) he couldn't compensate for a defence full of players that would make our much maligned canadian look like a world beater.

Whenever we don't get a good result it is crisis time for some who come on here but for the Scousers, a team who believed that they could /would win THE TITLE this season they have been shown twice in a couple of days how far off they are. They have been battered out of two cups, will loose to barca in the CL and are at best playing for fourth spot in the EPL.

They have spent lots of money and are no nearer than us. Infact, we have kids who are improving and they don't so in some ways we are ahead of them.

Perhaps most surprising was that the Goons didn't really play exceptionally well. They just tried to hold the ball ( like we need to) and spaces opened up with their movement. A very simple but effective. We have players to who like to play that way and so I felt after that game that the gap we are trying to close is now very small indeed.

So if you want to see a crisis i'd recommend Anfield. I am looking forward to two games against woolwich though as I reckon we can turn them over this time.....if we turn up!

Wenger stated after the match that he would continue to play his kiddies against us.
As long as we don't make the same mistake as Liverpool and try to play our reserves, we should win this one.

The key will be getting a win at home. Last match aside, we have usually had really tight games against Arsenal, but have failed to win any of them, with most ending in draws.

We should expect a draw at best at the Emirates, so the focus is on getting the result at home.

Come on Spurs. time for some Silverware again!

I agree with you about Pool, Juan. It still galls me that they did the double over us this season, as they didn't deserve to win either of those games. Having said that, Benitez must take some of the blame for resting pretty much all of his first-teamers last night, particularly just days after having been humiliated by the same team in the FA Cup. Did he really think that Arsenal's "boys" were going to be that easy to beat? Even their second string are a top-notch side. If I were a Liverpool fan, I'd be absolutely furious. I'd have wanted my revenge for Saturday, but he threw away the chance to take it.

As for Arsenal though.... still can't help thinking they're gonna murder us....

Very annoyingly, due to the replay of the FA Cup 3rd round now taking place on the night this game should have been played, I will now miss the semi home leg as I'll be out of the country on business. Absolutely gutted.

Ali, when you look at the two sides I'd say that Wenger played a fair number of the 'kids' but Benitez played a high number of first teamers. Bellamy, Gerrard, Hyppia, Garcia, Aurelio, Alonso came on, Carragher came on. It's easy for them to say ah but we put out a bunch of fringe players but so did the Goons. We are trying to build a squad rather than a team which is what is needed to be top four. Three of them have it to lesser or greater extents but Liverpool don't. I think our squad is as strong as theirs or very close to it in terms of depth and quality that's why I think we are close to bridging the gap.

I have said it before and will say it again i really do feel that Liverpool are Tottenham plus Steven Gerrard.

I'd love us to go out and tonk their brats, but i've got a big fear they'll swindle us out of it. Some kind of dubious decision somewhere along the line. I'd have rather played Liverpool.

Oh well, time for positivity and the good, the bad and ugly that is JD, Berba and Tommy H. If we get at them and get tough we might just batter them into baby mode and send them fleeing for their ipods.

A very good assessment yido. Just a pity the "plus" is such a bloody huge one!!

I'm really looking forward to these two games - it's what being a fan is all about - these are massive games - they will be fought with intensity - drama will be guaranteed

two of the biggest ties spurs have ever played were the lge cup semis v Arsenal in 69 and 87 - both ached with passion and excitement - we lost both - both then led to Arsenal stealing a march on us in other competitions - let's reverse the trend.

This is a tie that can make heroes and legends of some of our players, bring it on!<!-- / message -->

Dont Worry, this will be are time!

Lets not get to worried about the gimps down the road just yet, its a 180 mins of football and two weeks before the first tie! With all the games that both us and the scum have comming up, good fortune will hopefully smile on us for once and present Arse with some injuries suspenisions!

ive been saying this for some time, gerrard and maybe alonso aside i believe we've got a better squad, better youngsters and a better manager.
here to a day out at cardiff!:grin:
:beer: :beer: :beer: :beer:

Totally agree with DC, ill be there for the home tie and i can tell you the crowd will be buzzing and thats what its all about mate, I dont fear them at all! Liverpool played a very slow back four and all the arse did was to play quick forwards and dink it over the top, sunday league stuff really. With our pace in the back four (the return of the King, Chimbonda and Lee if he can get it together) they wont be able to do that. Everyone else on the injury list seems to be comming back just at the right time. Bring them on!!!!

I think our keeper, centre backs and forward line are better than Liverpool's. We have a weakness at left back which they don't, and one outstanding winger which they don't. The only area where they are considerably better than us is in midfield.

Unfortunately, that's where games are won and lost.

To match them, we need Huddlestone, Zokora and Jenas to develop to the levels of Alonso, Sissoko and Gerrard. Do they have the ability? Zokora does. Huddlestone might. Jenas doesn't.

I disagree Jenas does, Huddlestone might, Zokora...the jury is still out on him. He will need at least one full season to settle in.

I actually think our squad is better than Pool's - and even if you look at the starters yes they have Gerrard who is fantastic but pick a combined first team - I come up with this:
Defoe, Berby
Gonzo (over LG), Gerrard, Alonso (just - in a year TH), Lennon
JAR, King, Carra, Chim
Robbo

Scott - that's the spirit

I was at the Lane for the semi second leg in 69 and you could have taken a knife and fork to the atmosphere it was that tangible, when Greavesie scored to level us on aggregate, the roar, the excitement, the sheer relief, I'm straight back there thinking about it.

We lost in the end as we have too often, but the game was unforgettable.

a gazza esque long ranger from the thud will do nice

I am confused! Is it tue 30th or wed 31st?:shrug:

It says tue 30th here:

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news...day100107.html

But says wed 31st here:

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news...atechange.html

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/matc...tches_frr.html

also here:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/foot...es/default.stm