*** MIDDLESBROUGH v SPURS *** Official Match Thread

[nidge]

[SIZE=-2](thanks to chuba for the banner)[/SIZE]​

After an unconvincing win over struggling Championship outfit Blackpool, Spurs arrive at ICI Central in need of a win. It maybe to much to hope that with so little time to drill the defense I can only see goals in this match let just hope we score one more than Middlebrough.


The Official Site Team News:

No Team news as of yet :shrug:

Skysports.com Preview:

Juande Ramos takes charge of his first Premier League game when Tottenham travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday.

The Spaniard, who presided over Wednesday's 2-0 Carling Cup victory over Blackpool at White Hart Lane on Wednesday, must lift Spurs out of the relegation places after an unhappy start to the season under Martin Jol.

Spurs' last, and only, Premier League victory came back on August 18 when Derby were brushed aside 4-0 at White Hart Lane.

Ramos' first challenge will be resolving the defensive frailty which has dogged Spurs all season, with only The Rams having shipped more goals than the North London outfit.

Defensive woes

The absence of captain and key centre-back Ledley King has been keenly felt, and although the England international is in the final stages of his rehabilitation from summer knee surgery he is still not ready to return.

Anthony Gardner is facing six weeks on the sidelines after suffering an ankle injury in the Uefa Cup defeat by Getafe, with Ricardo Rocha (ankle) another long-term absentee.

Gareth Bale has been jogging this week after his foot injury and Benoit Assou-Ekotto (ankle) is running again but neither player will be in the travelling party for the trip to the Riverside Stadium.

Goalkeeper Paul Robinson returned to the side in place of Radek Cerny after a three-match absence with a calf injury and will confident of keeping his place after a clean sheet and one stunning save against Blackpool.

Mido out

Middlesbrough have relegation fears of their own and would slip into the bottom three if they are beaten by Spurs.

Gareth Southgate's men have taken just one point from their last six matches and have not enjoyed the winning feeling since 1st September when Birmingham were beaten 2-0.

Striker Mido misses out on a meeting with his former club as he continues to be hampered by a groin strain with Southgate unwilling to rush the Egyptian back into the side.

Defender Emanuel Pogatetz returned to action for the reserves in midweek after surgery on both his knees, but needs to build up his fitness before returning to the first team.

Robert Huth (ankle) is pencilled in for a second string outing next week, while Julia Arca (knee) remains on the sidelines.

skysports.com prediction: Middlesbrough 2 Spurs 3

BBC Match Squads (take with a pinch of salt):

Tottenham Squad (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Stalteri, Lee, Kaboul, Dawson, Tainio, Jenas, Zokora, Lennon, Malbranque, Boateng, Huddlestone, Taarabt, Routledge, Bent, Defoe, Berbatov, Keane.

Middlesbrough Squad (from): Schwarzer, Young, Taylor, Woodgate, Wheater, Cattermole, Rochemback, O'Neil, Aliadiere, Downing, Tuncay, Turnbull, Riggott, Hines, Boateng, Lee, Hutchinson, Craddock.

Interesting Stats:

After watching his new side beat Blackpool in the Carling Cup on Wednesday, Juande Ramos takes charge of Tottenham for the first time in a Premier League match; Gareth Southgate sends out a Middlesbrough side for the 50th time for league action.

This match brings together the club with joint most losses in the top division, and one with joint fewest wins; needless to say both Middlesbrough and Tottenham are suffered their worst ever starts to a Premier League campaign.

Spurs only maximum in eight Premier League trips to the north-east was 2-3 against Middlesbrough on 28 April; but the Teessiders have scored more goals in this league against Tottenham than any other club (33).

Tottenham did the double over Middlesbrough last season and have not lost in four Premier League matches against them. They also knocked them out at the third round stage of this season's Carling Cup with unanswered goals from Gareth Bale and Tom Huddlestone.

Team:

Subs: Cerny, Zokora, Stalteri, Berbatov, Keane.

---

3
Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, kick off is at 15:00 GMT - check [thread=22581]Geez's Media Coverage Thread[/thread] for watching and listening options.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

[SIZE=-4]Lots of information courtesy of the BBC and SkySports[/SIZE]


[SIZE=-4]Don't forget to head over to SC's live chat during the game. For more info click the banner below.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=-4] [/SIZE]
​

 

[DC_Boy]

Well injuries mean it's a case of one of the worst attacks v one of the worst defences in the Prem.

I'll take a draw now - defeat leaves us deep deep in relegation valley.

Just maybe we'll see something better with Ramos in charge, but I just can't see how with the personnel at our disposal.

Here's hoping though, maybe we'll get lucky, I'd take that big time

Incidentally it seems team (squad) news is going to be later with JR in charge. Apparently the final line up will be left very late before even team knows it.

Wonder if our ITKs will crack that one, apparently it's hard to do with JR's approach to training etc.

 

[41john]

after what ramos saw in the week i hope he goes for.

Robinson,
Stalteri, Chimbonda, dawson, lee
lennon, tainio, jenas, malbranque
Keane, berbatov.

I Know its odd to play chimbo in the middle, but i think it could work and gives Stalteri a chance. Kaboul keeps wondering up the pitch and we cant be doing with that at the moment

 

[TheChosenOne]

In todays Times ...

Middlesbrough v Tottenham
Today 3pm
For his first league match in charge of Tottenham Hotspur, Juande Ramos has a chance to steer his team out of the bottom three at Middlesbrough’s expense. Victory at the Riverside Stadium, where results have been poor for Gareth Southgate’s team, would be Tottenham’s first in the league away from home.
Middlesbrough (possible; 4-4-2): M Schwarzer – L Young, J Woodgate, C Riggott, A Taylor – G O’Neil, L Cattermole, F Rochemback, S Downing – J Aliadière, Tuncay Sanli. Injuries and suspensions: Mido (groin), E Pogatetz (knee), J Arca (knee), R Huth (ankle), B Jones (thigh), M Bates (knee).
Tottenham Hotspur (possible; 4-4-2): P Robinson – P Chimbonda, Y Kaboul, M Dawson, Lee Young Pyo – A Lennon, D Zokora, J Jenas, S Malbranque – R Keane, D Berbatov. Injuries and suspensions: B Assou-Ekotto (knee), A Gardner (ankle), G Bale (foot), R Rocha (foot), L King (knee).
Bill Edgar says
Tottenham have appointed a Spanish head coach but no Spaniard has played for the club. Middlesbrough have lost their past five games by at least two goals
Referee M Dean
Odds: Ladbrokes: Home 7-5, Away 6-4, Draw 9-4
Fink Tank prediction: Home win 33% Away win 42% Draw 25%

- Its ok - I have sent them an e-mail reminding them of a fellah called Nayim !

 

[degoose]

after what ramos saw in the week i hope he goes for.

Robinson,
Stalteri, Chimbonda, dawson, lee
lennon, tainio, jenas, malbranque
Keane, berbatov.

I Know its odd to play chimbo in the middle, but i think it could work and gives Stalteri a chance. Kaboul keeps wondering up the pitch and we cant be doing with that at the moment

agreed with your team there, chimbs is more experienced of the prem league and has done that posisition before, also he is a 6ft so he still has some height to him, stalteri si a good defender and does a job for us.

Tainio agreed as well he doesnt get a chance to play in the centre even though he plays better than zokora so many times. im sure tainio would do a good tough tackling job in the centre.

Actually i really hope that is the team that plays, it would make a nice change and kaboul really is a problem at the moment. We need players who are playing well to get their chances.

 

[DC_Boy]

after what ramos saw in the week i hope he goes for.

Robinson,
Stalteri, Chimbonda, dawson, lee
lennon, tainio, jenas, malbranque
Keane, berbatov.

I Know its odd to play chimbo in the middle, but i think it could work and gives Stalteri a chance. Kaboul keeps wondering up the pitch and we cant be doing with that at the moment

I'll go with that team too - if we start with that I don't think we'll lose

Oh and well spotted Chosen One re Nayim

 

[chrissivad]

Kaboul had one bad game, and Chimbonda is just as bad at losing his man while defending. I would keep Kaboul in at CB just now. COYS

 

[41john]

Kaboul had one bad game, and Chimbonda is just as bad at losing his man while defending. I would keep Kaboul in at CB just now. COYS

More than one bad game imo. he is wondering up the pitch too much and although he scored a couple that should only be a luxury from a defender and not something thats expected

When chimbo is put in the middle he seems to hold position much better, i think when he plays as RB he becomes more of an attacking wing back and forgets to run back, leading to us getting caught short.

Im Certain we will score today, its rare that we dont. so if we can defend well we can win this one. COYS!

 

[degoose]

Kaboul had one bad game, and Chimbonda is just as bad at losing his man while defending. I would keep Kaboul in at CB just now. COYS

the difference is that at right back chimbonda has to get forward more so sometimes he can lose a player, if your a centre back you really should be defending all the time. Kaboul seems to want the glory a lot and goes on runs through the middle, they are good runs at times but if he wants that he should try and become a midfielder.

I do like kaboul i think he'll be brilliant in a year or 2 or with ledders along side hime but for now he should just defend and not worry with attacking, especially that we have let so many goals in.

 

[SpurSince57]

Well injuries mean it's a case of one of the worst attacks v one of the worst defences in the Prem.

I'll take a draw now - defeat leaves us deep deep in relegation valley.

Just maybe we'll see something better with Ramos in charge, but I just can't see how with the personnel at our disposal.

Here's hoping though, maybe we'll get lucky, I'd take that big time

Incidentally it seems team (squad) news is going to be later with JR in charge. Apparently the final line up will be left very late before even team knows it.

Wonder if our ITKs will crack that one, apparently it's hard to do with JR's approach to training etc.

Yes, you can totally discount anything from the 'ITKs' on team selection (assuming you don't already). Palop (I think) said that JR habitually leaves his team selection until about 90 minutes before kick-off.

 

[DC_Boy]

Yes, you can totally discount anything from the 'ITKs' on team selection (assuming you don't already). Palop (I think) said that JR habitually leaves his team selection until about 90 minutes before kick-off.

Yep 57 that's what I've picked up on too.

Re other posters on Kaboul, he has not had one bad game, him (and usually Dawson with him) have had a few of them - I'll say at least five including from memory the pool & villa games the toon game, the everton game, the last game - that's just for starters

 

[Delboy10]

Wasn't Nayim Moroccan :shrug:

 

[oyveke]

after what ramos saw in the week i hope he goes for.

Robinson,
Stalteri, Chimbonda, dawson, lee
lennon, tainio, jenas, malbranque
Keane, berbatov.

I Know its odd to play chimbo in the middle, but i think it could work and gives Stalteri a chance. Kaboul keeps wondering up the pitch and we cant be doing with that at the moment

Agreed. I think we need Tainio's work rate in the midfield, and some defensive experience. Have a good feeling about today. 1-2, Jenas and Berbs!

 

[DJS]

Team I'd go for:

Robinson back in goal as recent Cerny games prove defensive woes more a collective problem rather than solely laying at the keeper's door!

Try Chimbonda at CB allowing Stalteri a chance at RB as Kaboul is still a bit shakey and raw.

I presume Bale is still not fit otherwise I'd have player him at LW instead of Malbranque.

Even though I'm not really a fan, Zokora to stay in CM as keep continuity of selection and let the team blend rather than constantly chopping and changing (plus not sure if Huddlestone has been pulling up many trees lately).

Up front - no explanation needed!

Robinson

Stalteri Chimbonda Dawson Lee

Lennon Jenas Zokora Malbranque

Keane Berbatov

Subs: Cerny, Kaboul, Tainio, Taarabt, Bent

 

[striebs]

Could just as easily have Stalteri at centre back and Chimbonda at right back .

 

[bill]

Anyone know of a pub anywhere in London showing the game ?

Does the Bill Nick show all the away games?

 

[Spurs4Life23]

My team for today:

Robbo

Stalteri--Chimbonda--Dawson--Lee

If Bale is fit:
Lennon--Malbranque--Kaboul--Bale (if fit)

If he isn't:
Lennon--Zokora--Kaboul--Malbranque

Berbs--Keano

COYS!! :beer:
​

 

[Zuben]

Following on from my spectacular Blackpool prediction, I see this match being .... 1-4 (Shimbomba, Dawson, Zokora and Lee).

 

[TheChosenOne]

Wasn't Nayim Moroccan :shrug:

From Wiki ...
Mohammed Alí Amar, Nayim (born 5 November 1966 in Ceuta, Spain) is a Spanish footballer who played for Barcelona, Tottenham Hotspur and Real Zaragoza.
Nayim is best remembered for scoring one of the most famous goals in European football when scoring the winner for Real Zaragoza in the 1995 European Cup Winners' Cup final[1] , an ambitious lob over the Arsenal goalkeeper David Seaman from 40 yards out in the final minute of extra time. The irony on Arsenal was that the goal came from a former Spurs player. Tottenham subsequently made a fanzine based on this moment, dubbed "One Flew Over Seaman's Head".
As a result of the goal, there has been a famous tune sung by Tottenham Hotspur F.C. fans after their bitter rivals, Arsenal lost in the 2005/2006 Champions League Finals: "Chim-chimeney Chim-Chimeney Chim Chim Charoo, Nayim from 50, Belletti from 2" - meaning to taunt Arsenal's fall from grace in both competitions (Barcelona full back Belletti having scored the winning goal in the UEFA Champions League 2005-06 final).

 

[Lanh]

Interesting that after half a game people are beginning to say what I said after Seville, that Chimbonda is better at CB than he is at RB. I know there were a couple of people who agreed with me back then, but to the rest of you...glad you finally caught up! :lol: