Bale out for Milan?
- Thread starter Zimmy
- Start date
yep, make them think he's not around and then freak them out by unleashing him at the last minute.
Not sure how you do surprise right up until team sheets these days. There's normally some fool on SSN saying "we understand Gareth Bale HAS travelled" blah blah...
Not sure how you do surprise right up until team sheets these days. There's normally some fool on SSN saying "we understand Gareth Bale HAS travelled" blah blah...
tobi
Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose
- Jun 10, 2003
- 17,563
- 11,768
ohwhenthespurs
Well-Known Member
- Jan 3, 2009
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More from Redknapp on PA here tonight, confirming Bale and Modric unlikely to play, Crouch is struggling and VDV should be fit. Also confirms Palacios and Sandro will start in central midfield.
1 SOCCER Tottenham 2nd Nightlead
REDKNAPP CONFIRMS BALE UNLIKELY TO MAKE MILAN CLASH
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed Gareth Bale’s back injury will almost certainly keep the Wales winger out of Tuesday’s Champions League tie at AC Milan.
The 21-year-old has had a sparkling first half to the season – highlighted by a brilliant hat-trick in Spurs’ 4-3 group-stage defeat to Inter Milan on their first trip to the San Siro – but is struggling for Tuesday with a back injury.
Asked whether Bale would feature against the Serie A leaders, Redknapp told Sky Sports News: "No. He’s struggling, to be truthful.
"I’d like to be able to scare Milan a bit and say he’s going to be available but he’s struggling to get over this back injury.
"The specialists don’t see too much of a problem that should keep him out too long.
"(But) we’re going to make sure he’s right. He’s a young lad and got a great future in front of him.
"We couldn’t take a chance. He doesn’t feel he’s ready to play. We’ll leave it to him.
"He came up yesterday when we were at Sunderland and worked with the fitness coaches. When they started to push him a bit he couldn’t go on and didn’t feel right so they had to go back a few steps and start again."
Croatia playmaker Luka Modric also looks set to miss out, having undergone an operation to remove his appendix only 12 days ago.
"He trained this morning and felt a bit better again but to push him back into it would be difficult," Redknapp said. "He’s not quite up to speed yet."
There was better news regarding Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who has been struggling with a calf strain, but still a big question mark over England striker Peter Crouch.
"Van der Vaart should be fit," said Redknapp. "Crouch is touch and go. His back’s a bit of a problem – we’re not sure he’s going to be fit."
Redknapp also confirmed this evening that Sandro and Wilson Palacios would form his central midfield partnership, with Tom Huddlestone injured and Jermaine Jenas suspended.
"Sandro will be playing, for sure, because I’ve only got two central midfielders," he said. "We’ve got to wrap them in cotton wool and they’ll be playing."
Another midfielder definitely available and in contention will be Modric’s international team-mate Niko Kranjcar.
The 26-year-old, who might have left White Hart Lane last month, produced a stunning finish to see off Sunderland on Wearside yesterday a week after accounting for Bolton in similar fashion to make light of Bale’s continued absence.
With Kranjcar having responded superbly to his chance, Redknapp admitted he might have included him even if Bale was fit.
He said: "I could always stick Niko somewhere else if Gareth was fit because Niko deserves his place in the team.
"He’s a top player. He spends time after training every day.
"Every day, he is on the training ground after he finishes doing a half-hour’s practice.
"His dad was a top player – his dad is now the manager of Montenegro. He has been brought up with the game.
"He practises, so it is not coincidence that he can strike a ball. His technique is great."
Kranjcar’s decisive intervention at the Stadium of Light came 12 minutes after the break as his side recovered from an ordinary opening 45 minutes to assume control.
Asamoah Gyan had given the home side an 11th-minute lead with his 10th goal of the season, although Redknapp was less than impressed with the fact that central defender William Gallas was off the pitch at the time changing his boots.
Redknapp was delighted at the resilience his side showed to fight back from a losing position once again.
He said: "We have done it more than anybody in the league, I would think, this year. We have come from behind so many times.
"We go behind and we keep going, and that’s what you have to do.
"But I would rather not go behind. I would rather get in front to start with.
"I just felt if we could get a goal back, we had a good chance. We came in at 1-1 and I fancied us to win at half-time. I thought we could go on and win it."
Redknapp headed south ready to start his preparations for a big night in Italy and already looking forward to the game.
He said: "We have been in great form. They AC Milan had a big win – they beat Parma 4-0.
"Tim Sherwood went over with Les Ferdinand for me and I will speak to them on the way home and tomorrow and get a report on what they saw.
"I went last week and watched them and they are a dangerous side. They have got some real quality players.
"The front three have all got goals in them – Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic – they are top-class players.
"It will be a big test, but I think we have got a big chance. I think we have got a real chance and I am looking forward to it."
1 SOCCER Tottenham 2nd Nightlead
REDKNAPP CONFIRMS BALE UNLIKELY TO MAKE MILAN CLASH
Tottenham manager Harry Redknapp has confirmed Gareth Bale’s back injury will almost certainly keep the Wales winger out of Tuesday’s Champions League tie at AC Milan.
The 21-year-old has had a sparkling first half to the season – highlighted by a brilliant hat-trick in Spurs’ 4-3 group-stage defeat to Inter Milan on their first trip to the San Siro – but is struggling for Tuesday with a back injury.
Asked whether Bale would feature against the Serie A leaders, Redknapp told Sky Sports News: "No. He’s struggling, to be truthful.
"I’d like to be able to scare Milan a bit and say he’s going to be available but he’s struggling to get over this back injury.
"The specialists don’t see too much of a problem that should keep him out too long.
"(But) we’re going to make sure he’s right. He’s a young lad and got a great future in front of him.
"We couldn’t take a chance. He doesn’t feel he’s ready to play. We’ll leave it to him.
"He came up yesterday when we were at Sunderland and worked with the fitness coaches. When they started to push him a bit he couldn’t go on and didn’t feel right so they had to go back a few steps and start again."
Croatia playmaker Luka Modric also looks set to miss out, having undergone an operation to remove his appendix only 12 days ago.
"He trained this morning and felt a bit better again but to push him back into it would be difficult," Redknapp said. "He’s not quite up to speed yet."
There was better news regarding Holland midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who has been struggling with a calf strain, but still a big question mark over England striker Peter Crouch.
"Van der Vaart should be fit," said Redknapp. "Crouch is touch and go. His back’s a bit of a problem – we’re not sure he’s going to be fit."
Redknapp also confirmed this evening that Sandro and Wilson Palacios would form his central midfield partnership, with Tom Huddlestone injured and Jermaine Jenas suspended.
"Sandro will be playing, for sure, because I’ve only got two central midfielders," he said. "We’ve got to wrap them in cotton wool and they’ll be playing."
Another midfielder definitely available and in contention will be Modric’s international team-mate Niko Kranjcar.
The 26-year-old, who might have left White Hart Lane last month, produced a stunning finish to see off Sunderland on Wearside yesterday a week after accounting for Bolton in similar fashion to make light of Bale’s continued absence.
With Kranjcar having responded superbly to his chance, Redknapp admitted he might have included him even if Bale was fit.
He said: "I could always stick Niko somewhere else if Gareth was fit because Niko deserves his place in the team.
"He’s a top player. He spends time after training every day.
"Every day, he is on the training ground after he finishes doing a half-hour’s practice.
"His dad was a top player – his dad is now the manager of Montenegro. He has been brought up with the game.
"He practises, so it is not coincidence that he can strike a ball. His technique is great."
Kranjcar’s decisive intervention at the Stadium of Light came 12 minutes after the break as his side recovered from an ordinary opening 45 minutes to assume control.
Asamoah Gyan had given the home side an 11th-minute lead with his 10th goal of the season, although Redknapp was less than impressed with the fact that central defender William Gallas was off the pitch at the time changing his boots.
Redknapp was delighted at the resilience his side showed to fight back from a losing position once again.
He said: "We have done it more than anybody in the league, I would think, this year. We have come from behind so many times.
"We go behind and we keep going, and that’s what you have to do.
"But I would rather not go behind. I would rather get in front to start with.
"I just felt if we could get a goal back, we had a good chance. We came in at 1-1 and I fancied us to win at half-time. I thought we could go on and win it."
Redknapp headed south ready to start his preparations for a big night in Italy and already looking forward to the game.
He said: "We have been in great form. They AC Milan had a big win – they beat Parma 4-0.
"Tim Sherwood went over with Les Ferdinand for me and I will speak to them on the way home and tomorrow and get a report on what they saw.
"I went last week and watched them and they are a dangerous side. They have got some real quality players.
"The front three have all got goals in them – Robinho, Alexandre Pato, Zlatan Ibrahimovic – they are top-class players.
"It will be a big test, but I think we have got a big chance. I think we have got a real chance and I am looking forward to it."
dvdhopeful
SC Supporter
- Nov 10, 2006
- 7,614
- 6,035
Sky have been flip flopping on Bale all day long :lol: We'll see Tuesday, but as I said in another post, if there is the slightest doubt, he shouldn't be risked.
Mr Pink
SC Supporter
- Aug 25, 2010
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To be honest I wouldn't pay any attention to what Harry is saying or what the media are reporting from here on in. Just wait and see, pretty sure there will be a surprise or two. It doesn't make sense for Harry to be feeding the opposition information in the wake of a massive game - which naturally makes you think he's an alterior motive, which he clearly does.
TwoSaintsComeMarching
PIMP-tastic
- Jul 26, 2008
- 2,404
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So pleased Sandro and Kranjcar will start. They deserve it. Sandro is such an exciting prospect, and like others have said he will shine against Italian opposition.
StartingPrice
Chief Sardonicus Hyperlip
- Feb 13, 2004
- 32,568
- 10,280
1 - I agree with Kendall. If anything, use Bale
as an impact sub against tiring Milanese legs;2 - This is the away fixture in the tie. It may not be what Spurs fans want to hear, but I am nearly sure Aitch would be happy with a draw (or even a narrow defeat), without Bale, and then a home fixture with a fully fit Bale.
ajspurs
Well-Known Member
- Jul 7, 2007
- 23,220
- 31,552
Yea agreed, would much rather leave him out and have him fit for Blackpool/Wolves away and our remaining Prem games/2nd leg rather than forcing him in for tomorrow and risk losing him for further games.
Nick-TopSpursMan
Well-Known Member
- Aug 4, 2005
- 4,169
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Sandro wasn't originally registered for the CL. Have we now registered him then???
Kendall
Well-Known Member
- Feb 8, 2007
- 38,502
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Redknapp said Palacios and Sandro nailed on. Modric is out. I think the only position not nailed on is the striker to play of VDV. My guess is Redknapp would rather play Crouch, given that he's been good in europe and plays well off VDV, but he might still be injured.
kaz Hirai
Well-Known Member
- Nov 5, 2008
- 17,692
- 25,340
yes both him, woodgate and peanut have been registered for the knockouts
should imagine 4-5-1 tuesday night, and if vdv isnt fit then probably this
-------------gomes
corluka--dawson--gallas---bae
lennon--sandro---palacios--kranjcar
---------------pienaar
-------------crouch
or possibly niko and pie swapping positions
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