*** NEWCASTLE v SPURS *** Carling Cup Match Thread

[nidge]

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

So we start the defence of our Carling Cup at Sid James' Park against the only club that is actually in a worse state than us at the moment. Now the only problem with that is our record at Newcastle is 3 wins in the last 10 years and normally we are the side they play really well against after they have had a bad patch. That being said I sure we will put in another fine performance because it is a cup game.

The Official Site Team News:

Luka Modric is back in full training after recovering from a knee injury.

The Croatian international was forced off with the injury in last Monday's encounter with Aston Villa but was back training with the First Team group on Tuesday.

Michael Dawson remains sidelined with the hamstring injury that kept him out of the weekend's fixture with Wigan Athletic, along with Alan Hutton who continues his rehabilitation from a foot injury.

The Scotland international is due to have scans on the injury next month, which will determine when he can build up his match fitness ahead of returning to full training.

Skysports.com Preview:

Newcastle and Tottenham will put their Premier League woes to one side when they clash in the third round of the Carling Cup.

Both sides have endured a turbulent start to the new campaign and will hope to find some respite when their attention turns to knockout competition.

Newcastle continue to wallow in the aftermath of Kevin Keegan's shock departure and will be led once again by caretaker boss Chris Hughton on Wednesday night.

Spurs, meanwhile, are yet to win in domestic action this season and are in danger of seeing their grip on the trophy they won last year slip from their grasp.

The Magpies have lost their last three matches, conceding eight goals in the process, with their last success coming in an extra-time victory over Coventry in the previous round of the Carling Cup.

Spurs' main problem so far has been a severe lack of goals, having scored just six in as many games in all competitions, while the 0-0 draw with Wigan on Sunday was the first time they had kept a clean sheet this term.

Martins returns

Their hopes to again keep their opponents at bay in midweek have not been helped by the news that Obafemi Martins is back in contention for Newcastle.

The Nigeria international has missed the Magpies' last four matches with a groin problem but is now fit enough to make a first team return.

Midfield duo Danny Guthrie and Joey Barton are both still suspended, while Mark Viduka and Habib Beye remain sidelined with Achilles problems.

Jonas Gutierrez (shoulder) and Jose Enrique are also missing as Newcastle look to build on an impressive record against Tottenham in cup competition.

Changes expected

In an effort to find a solution to Spurs' ongoing problems Juande Ramos is expected to ring the changes at St James' Park.

That could mean Russian striker Roman Pavlyuchenko being rested as others are given a chance to shine.

Ramos has already used 21 players this season, but has made it clear that he will continue to tinker until he finds the right formula.

He may be able to call upon the services of tricky playmaker Luka Modric, although the Croatian star is struggling with a knee injury.

Full-back Alan Hutton definitely misses out with a foot problem but fellow defenders Michael Dawson and Ledley King are in contention after sitting out the weekend stalemate at Wigan.

Having looked lively during a second half cameo on Sunday, on loan hit-man Fraizer Campbell is in line to make his first start.

---

3
Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, don't forget to check [thread=36635]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 access click one of the links below.

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/index.php?page=sc_chat

http://embed.mibbit.com/?server=irc...ity&settings=8f877fda3b59f0190c39e4e1e0db2551

[/SIZE]​

 

[Rackybear]

Ill have a guess at how we will lineup tonight..

------------Gomes-----------
Gunter-Corluka-Woodgate-BAE
Lennon-Jenas-O'Hara-Giovani
-------Campbell--Bent------

Subs : Sanchez, Bale, Huddlestone, Pavlyuchenko, Modric, Zokora, Bentley

EDIT : How could I forget Corluka and put Dawson in ahead of him :roll:

 

[hughy]

Good banner, Chuba!

Gomes​

Gunter - Corluka - Woodgate - Bale​

-------Huddlestone
Jenas--------
Lennon---------------------Gio​

Bent - Campbell​

Sanchez, O'Hara, Gilberto, King, Bentley, Pavlyuchenko, Bostock.​

Couple of notes - Zokora and Pavlyuchenko are rested, not dropped. I know Bostock is a very long shot, but I think if he doesn't get his chance in the early stages of the CC, he might not get it for a long time.​

 

[hughy]

Ill have a guess at how we will lineup tonight..

------------Gomes-----------
Gunter-Daws-Woodgate-BAE
Lennon-Jenas-O'Hara-Giovani
-------Campbell--Bent------

Subs : Sanchez, Bale, Huddlestone, Pavlyuchenko, Modric, Zokora, Bentley

I think Dawson's still injured, mate.

 

[Rackybear]

I think Dawson's still injured, mate.

Fixed :wink:

 

[NickHSpurs]

Gomes
Gunter Corluka Woodgate Gilberto
Lennon Jenas O'Hara Gio
Bent Campbell

Subs: Sanchez, Bale, Hudd/Zokora, Modric, Bentley, Rose, Bostock

 

[Max_Junglie]

I'm going for:

----------Gomes---------
Zokora - Woody - Corluka - BAE
Lennon - O'Hara - JJ - Giovani
-----Campbell - Pav -----

Sanchez, Bent, Bentley, Hudd, Gilberto, Gunter, King

 

[jamesc0le]

there was already a newcastle thread, but OK
---------gomes-----------
gunter corluka woodgate bale
----------ohara-----------
-----zokora------bentley---
lennon--------gio----------
----------bent------------

 

[Hoowl]

I'd be surprised if we started with both gds and Lennon away from home. Im not sure either will start tonight. At the moment I think the only players that have to start (based on what they have done so far this season) are probably gomes, bale, woodgate and bent. Based on who ramos has used I think the other members of the eleven will be ekotto, corluka, zokora, jenas, o'hara, bentley and pav so the line up will be something like this:

------------Gomes
Zokora corluka woodgate ekotto
Bentley jenas o'hara bale
------------Bent pav

If it were up to me, I'd play modric on the left (fitness permitting) and shift bale to left back. I'd also play gunter (or even traditional right back stalteri) rather than Zokora at right back.

I think it's going to be a difficult and probably scrappy game. Newcastle are probably favourites because of our awful away record. Hopefully ramos can work his cup magic and get our individuals working as a team.

 

[SpurSince57]

Pretty much what I'd go for, except maybe Lennon ahead of Bentley. I don't think Zokora's done anything horribly wrong at RB and he's certainly got the pace to cope with N'Zogbia. Despite BAE's Atouba impersonation on Sunday I'd persist with him. Chopping and changing every game isn't going to help.

 

[al_pacino]

I'm not doing a whole line-up but we need to attack Newcastle tonight. They are the only team with less confidence than us and their defenders make ours look like the Franco Baresi AC Milan team.

 

[SpurSince57]

Anyway, Anniversary Time from Topspurs:

14 Years Ago Today

Spurs 2 Everton 1 The atmosphere was electric as24,553 spectators packed into WHL for Jurgen Klinsmann’s home debut. The reduced capacity was due to the ground redevelopment and Spurs could have filled the stadium twice over such was the demand for tickets. Jurgen, as in his debut, didn’t fail to deliver. The crowd had come to see him and within twenty two minutes he had put Spurs ahead with a spectacular volley. Thirteen minutes later he had added a second. On half time Spurs won a penalty and everyone in the ground was willing Klinsmann to take it. Everyone, except Sheringham who elected to take it and ballooned it over the bar. In the second half Everton scored and Spurs had to hang on to the end to achieve the win their play deserved.

 

[Hoowl]

I think bentley might get the nod ahead of Lennon because of his set piece ability. If he wants to fit lennon in, it could be on the left with bale dropping into defence or he could remain as an impact sub.

 

[jamesc0le]

oh goodie , modric back in frame so ammended as follows

---------gomes-----------
gunter corluka woodgate bale
----------ohara------------
-----bentley---zokora------
lennon-------modric-----------
--------bent---------------

 

[g_harry]

----------gomes

gunter--woodgate--Coluka--Bale

Lennon--Bentley--Jenas--O'Hara

--------Bent--Campbell

Good to see everyone NOW has o'hara in their starting lineup. I have been saying this before the season started.

 

[Krafty]

I feel like its going to be a good day today

 

[Banny]

i had that same feeling at the start of the season....

 

[hughy]

Nervous 10 minutes before we have to spend 45 minutes working out what formation we'll be playing with the unbalanced team named.

 

[Wsussexspur]

Im really nervous about tonight as think tonight could be a massive game in our season we simply need to win and i think like most people tonight is a very winnable game! However I think Newcastle fan will be thinking exactly the same looking at the form we are in! I think it could come down to who scores first. If they do with confidence as low as it is at the moment a few heads might drop and might think here we go again!

My Team,

Gomes, Gunter, Woody, Charlie, BAE, Lennon, Hudd, Ohara, Gilberto (think Bale could do with a rest), Dos Santos and Campbell (Pav & Bent on the bench Like Bale Bent has played lot of football this season)

 

[don1]

coys
we got to win this one