*** CHELSEA v SPURS *** Official Match Thread

[General Levy]

I thought O Hara played ok, yes he gave the ball away at times, but I put that down to him only starting his 3rd premiership game.
He was always offering himself for the pass, and gave the simple ball.
His energy, and tracking the opposition halted a lot of their attacks, which was also witnessed against Arsenal.

Taarabt got the ball, head down, done some tricks, went back on himself and then lost the ball, when he could of passed or crossed.

Yes he won a couple of corners. Most of them though, went straight in the hands of Cech.

So why can't you put Taarabt failings down to it being his 5th substitution appearance?

You play tight on O'hara, means you can read his game as he is so one footed. He will never be an accomplished CM in the same way Beckham couldn't.

When they moved him out wide and had Malbranque and Boateng in the middle - we looked much better and we wasn't getting over run by Chelsea's midfield.

 

[Beni]

I am not talking about O Hara playing better out wide or in the middle.

I am talking about we played better with Taarabt off the field than on.

We had an inexperienced CM partnership today, which showed at times.

But, we have seen already, that O Hara is more than able to perform in CM. He showed against Arsenal not just against Gilberto and Denilson in the cup, but also against Fabregas and Flamini at the Emirates in the premiership, that he holds his own in there.

In both games, we limited their possession, and gained more possession than them at the Emirates. I can count on one hand the number of teams that have done that against Arsenal at the their place.

 

[SpursManChris]

To give Belletti THAT much f*cking time and space was a total disgrace and everyone was clearly unaware of what can become of that talented Brazilian right foot. They just stood around like a pack of fools as if everything was relaxed. There was no pressure applied at all. Cerny I have to say should have done better too to save it. Second goal, well, Lee got totally and absolutely DONE by Cole he really was pathetic, can't really blame King for that one, it was just a bad wrongly timed challenge but he was excellent the rest of the game. Disgraceful clearance by Dawsyndrome that so nearly led to Anelka's first. Really want to forget that game.

 

[BorisTM]

O'hara gave away the ball as ..... O'hara should never be played in central midfield again.

He lost the ball or had bad passes way too many times against the Arses, at some point I thought the guy had no clue. And his free kicks were close to awefull. He's not ready to play games against big teams yet. That's the first time I saw him playing and I wasn't impressed at all.

What was the reason JJ didn't play? He's our best holding midfielder.

Dawson is a donkey. Never liked him. He's not very bright.

 

[chrissivad]

What was the reason JJ didn't play? He's our best holding midfielder.

suspended, 5 yellows

 

[whendayearendsin1]

Poor game not only by us but chelsea as well. We lacked ideas and energy. Maybe something to do with a amount of games most of the players have been playing.

If Bent is fit on Tuesday he has to play Berby is looking tired.

 

[thetallaghttiger]

Men against boys in the midfield today.

Could only listen to the match on the radio today, but the words 'cleared by Makelele' or 'won by Makelele' were said quite a lot. Obviously we're crying out for a few quality players at the back and in midfield, and until we get them, we can't really expect to compete with the top 4 on a regular basis or expect to win in 90 mins.

Jenas and Zokora were obviously a big loss today, so our midfield can improve on todays performance.

People have said a few of the players looked tired, perhaps the likes of Bent, Tainio, Kaboul, Jenas and Defoe deserve their chance on Tuesday, while also giving a few of the regulars a chance of a rest.

 

[loyalyid]

Played well 2nd half, what's needed?

Watched todays game, and although money bags had most of the posession 1st half, only yet another 30 yarder seperated us from them. 2nd half we were much better, without creating too much, in the end the result was just about fair with Cerny making an incredible save from Anelka, and Anelka hitting the bar. Our only real chance was a Malbranque shot straight at Czech.

Whats needed? Well IMO midfield of Boeteng and O'hara was men against boys. Makelele was everywhere, doing the simple thing everytime. Chelsea have a huge squad of seasoned pro's, Lampard, Terry, Drogba, lampard, Sheyvenko, mikel and Essien out, and still looked very good, we lose a couple of players, we only have youth to throw into the fray. Therefore, we need....

1st....A new keeper, yes, crucially a new KEEPER. Great teams have great keepers... and I realise that Jol probably lost his job due to the fact his keeper let him down time and time again. This manager will immediately identify the need, and I really hope the keeper arrives this month, then we have a chance of winning something THIS season.

2nd... A midfield general a la makelele or similar quality, to take the game by the scruff of the neck, a real leader on the field.

3rd... that sprinkle of magic that great teams have, a Ronaldo, Ronaldinho, Robben, Henry, someone who puts you on the edge of your seat every time they have the ball at their feet. Ramos likes Brasilians, so do I, so I would not be surprised if that sprinkle of magic isn't a Brasilian.

Last, a class central defender to play alogside the imperious King.

Players will of course leave, I feel that the following will go...

Robinson, Cerny, Salteri, Dawson, Lee, Defoe, Gardner and Rocha, plus a possible surprise.

If, yes IF we sign a class keeper this month, we could still win something, Petr Czech really commanded his area today, and that fills the team with confidence, we need the same.

Just IMO of course, but I pray for a keeper this month, and the others to follow soon. I look forward to being at the lane in 2 weeks, and watching Ramos making history so quickly, by taking us to a Wembley final, the NEW Wembley. COYS

 

[Michey]

We need another CB and a midfield

 

[truespur]

mental strength, concentration, belief and quality

 

[striebs]

If Port Vale had played Tottenham as many times as we have played Chelsea in the last ten years then they would have been expected to win at least once .

Your question of "what we need" is as hopelessly optimistic as Port Vale asking what they need to be able to compete with us .

 

[gregga]

I was highly surprised by the optimism of some people on here leading up to this match.
I mean O'Hara and Boatang vs Makalele and Ballack is hardly a fair contest.

If we don't sign an experienced, established centre mid during the transfer window I will be highly disappointed.

 

[loyalyid]

If Port Vale played Tottenham as many times in the last 10 years as Tottenham have played Chelsea then Port Vale would have expected to win once .

The question of "what we need" is about as hopelessly optimistic as Port Vale asking what they need to be able to be able to compete with Tottenham .

That's the most pessamistic thing I have ever heard from a Spurs fan. Things change, we were much better than Chelsea in the past, and can be better again.

 

[General Levy]

Today we were unlucky. We should have played with 5 midfield, although if Bent was fit I would have played him as we needed to strech their central defenders to allow Berbatov some space.

Keane was full of wank again.

 

[joey55]

I was highly surprised by the optimism of some people on here leading up to this match.
I mean O'Hara and Boatang vs Makalele and Ballack is hardly a fair contest.

If we don't sign an experienced, established centre mid during the transfer window I will be highly disappointed.

I think it's because on paper this was the weakest Chelsea team we've played in a long time and perhaps we got caught up to much on their problems and ignored our own. When you see a Chelsea side without their 4 best and most influential players (Drogba, Terry, Lampard and Essien), it's only natural to have a little more optimism than usual.

 

[Black]

That Lennon foul should have been a goal, but once again Lennon was too scared to shot and wanted to pass

 

[AllSeeingEye]

We needed a decent midfield.

O'hara Malbranque Boateng and Lennon is not good enough. They never really made themselves available.

And Taarabt was cack.

All in all it was a nobs game today.

We did everything 90% when you need 100% to beat Chelsea on their home turf.

They were too strong at the back and scored against a nervous back four.

The last goal could have been avoided, and we should have tried a little harder in the second half because we may have got something out of it.

I spent all my vitriol down the pub, as BoF will attest.

My mouth can be quite foul sometimes......

We were poor today and we should be resigned to the fact that we will not be in Europe next season if they don't pick their damn selves up and start playing like they know what they are doing.

Having said that, I really don't think Chelsea were much cop either.

Worst player today? Chimbo.

I think his mind is elsewhere....

 

[BorisTM]

Makelele was everywhere, doing the simple thing everytime.

...Could only listen to the match on the radio today, but the words 'cleared by Makelele' or 'won by Makelele' were said quite a lot...

IMO the world's best defensive midfielder. :bowdown: He's been my favorite one since I watched him playing for Real against Porto in CL back in 2001-2002.

Makelele deserves a Golden ball. :clap:

 

[weststandvoice]

Just watching video highlights of the first goal.... where is our DM lads??

 

[joey55]

Just watching video highlights of the first goal.... where is our DM lads??

Where has it been seen Carrick left. In the last 18 months how many goals have we conceded form outside the box? I don't know the the figures but I'm sure it's by miles the highest number in the Premier League.