*** SPURS v MAN UTD *** Official Match Thread

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

Boo, don't boo? That seems to be the only thing that is in the news in the lead up to this match. Personally I would clap and boo at the same time such is the mixture feelings on a certain Bulgarian striker. However beyond that I just want to see a good performance and hopefully some points.


The Official Site Team News:

Harry Redknapp reports no further problems on the injury front as he prepares the squad for tomorrow's visit of Manchester United.

The only doubt is Ledley King and boss Harry will make a late decision on the skipper's fitness. "We take it day by day with Ledley and we'll see how he is on Saturday morning," he said. "The fact that we played at West Ham on Monday makes it a little more difficult.

"We all know he's a quality player but if he's not fit, Michael Dawson will come in and I've been really impressed with him both as a player and a person."

Giovani (ankle), Alan Hutton (foot) and Paul Stalteri (ankle) remain out as does Fraizer Campbell, on loan from United, who wouldn't have been able to play as part of his loan agreement but has a calf injury anyway.

Skysports.com Preview:

Dimitar Berbatov is battling to be fit to return to former club Tottenham Hotspur with current side Manchester United.

The Bulgarian striker left White Hart Lane in acrimonious circumstances as the summer transfer window shuddered to a halt on 31st August.

Saturday's game presents Berbatov with the first opportunity for the 27-year-old to find out just what Spurs fans think about his departure.

However, it could be that the Tottenham faithful will have to wait for a chance to express their feelings as Berbatov is battling to shake off an Achilles problem.

Berbatov suffered a kick to his Achilles in last week's 1-0 win over Sunderland and sat out the 2-2 draw with AaB Aalborg in the UEFA Champions League in midweek.

Selection concerns

Sir Alex Ferguson will be eager for Berbatov to recover in time as the United boss has a number of injury and suspension concerns for the game in North London.

Wayne Rooney is definitely missing through suspension, so Carlos Tevez, who scored a last-minute equaliser in last season's corresponding fixture, seems certain to start.

If Berbatov, who put Spurs in front in that game in February, does not make it, then Ryan Giggs could be deployed in an advanced role to support Tevez.

Ferguson is optimistic that Cristiano Ronaldo will shake off a hip problem sustained against Sunderland, with the Ballon d'Or winner having also missed the Aalborg game.

Another former Spurs player - Michael Carrick - has a thigh complaint and could miss out, which would likely see Anderson partner Darren Fletcher in central midfield.

Patrice Evra serves a one-game ban for collecting five yellow cards and, with the Frenchman having also picked up a four-match suspension from the FA, he will not play a domestic game again this year, unless United appeal.

John O'Shea will fill in at left-back, Rafael da Silva will replace skipper Gary Neville on the right, but Rio Ferdinand suffered a back spasm against Aalborg, so Jonny Evans and Nemanja Vidic could pair up in the centre.

King fit

Spurs boss Harry Redknapp suffered his first home defeat in the club's last game at White Hart Lane as Steven Pienaar's deflected effort earned Everton a 1-0 win.

Since then, Spurs have won at Watford in the Carling Cup and West Ham in the Premier League, with Redknapp contemplating changes from Monday's game at Upton Park.

Captain Ledley King is expected to be fit to face United, despite the defender generally being unable to train between matches and usually not able to play twice in a week.

Roman Pavlyuchenko got the nod to start up front against the Hammers before being replaced by Darren Bent, so Redknapp must decide who starts.

Redknapp's striking options are depleted, though, by the fact that on-loan forward Fraizer Campbell is ineligible to face his parent club.

Jamie O'Hara came off the bench to score Spurs' second at Upton Park and the midfielder will hope to be rewarded with a starting role.

Possible starting XIs:

Spurs: Gomes, Corluka, Woodgate, King, Assou-Ekotto, Lennon, Zokora, Jenas, Bentley, Modric, Pavlyuchenko

Man Utd: Van der Sar, Rafael, Ferdinand, Vidic, O'Shea, Ronaldo, Carrick, Fletcher, Park, Berbatov, Tevez

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

Tottenham Squad (from): Gomes, Cesar, Alnwick, Bale, Gunter, Dawson, Assou-Ekotto, Woodgate, King, Corluka, Zokora, Bentley, Huddlestone, Jenas, O'Hara, Bostock, Lennon, Jenas, Boateng, Bent, Pavlyuchenko, Modric.

Man Utd Squad (from): Van der Sar, Foster, Kuszczak, Rafael, Neville, Ferdinand, Vidic, Evans, O'Shea, Nani, Ronaldo, Anderson, Fletcher, Scholes, Carrick, Gibson, Possebon, Park, Giggs, Berbatov, Tevez, Welbeck, Manucho.

Interesting Stats:

Manchester United, Group E Champions League winners despite a midweek home draw to Aalborg, have this one opportunity to add to their 500 league wins under Sir Alex Ferguson before leaving for Tokyo and the World Club Championship.

Victory for the Red Devils from this Saturday teatime kick off would leave them just two points behind second placed Chelsea, who do not entertain West Ham until Sunday.

Three points for a rejuvenated Tottenham could lift them into the top-half.

In his managerial career, Harry Redknapp has masterminded five victories (two Premier League, and three FA Cups) over Sir Alex Ferguson's Manchester United.

During Sir Alex's 22-year tenure at Old Trafford, Spurs have undertaken 19 managerial changes (either permanent or caretaker).

Spurs have failed to beat Manchester United in 15 attempts in all competitions, but were within seconds of doing so when they last met in February. Carlos Tevez got the Red Devils out of jail by volleying in at the near post in the third minute of stoppage time for a 1-1 draw.

Manchester United have scored more Premier League points against Tottenham than any other club (75).

Distance between the clubs: 197 miles (317 kilometres)

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Right, that's enough fuel for this fixture, don't forget to check [thread=40097]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 links below.[/SIZE]

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

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[nldnboi]

Coys!!!

 

[sunnydelight786]

We are due a result against them. They have a few players out today and we are in ok form at the moment. The key is not to conceade early against them otherwise we will be up against it. I'm gonna go for a sneaky 2-1 victory for us with JJ (he's due a goal) getting the winner.....

 

[degoose]

i think we could get a win from this but we need to put pressure on them and when we have the ball we shouldnt be giving it away easily and misplacing so many passes.

 

[tommyt]

This game is all about Spurs and how we perform collectively as a team. There is no doubt we have fine players, but we need to start playing as a team. We've shown glimpses in spurts of 10 - 15 minute spells during games this season, but to get full points against the Champions we're going to have to up our game for the full 90 odd minutes.

Spurs on their game: Sneaky 2 - 1

Spurs off their game: Spanked 1 - 3

COYS.

 

[camaj]

I'm less confident about this game than I've been in years. Normally I've felt that a keano moment of magic had the potential to steal a win but not this time. However we look more balanced and if Modric plays well it could cause them big problems, especially if Rio and Berba don't play.

 

[wildheart]

If all the injuries Untd have prevent those players starting, then we have a really good chance today.

Modric will be the key, and Bently will play well against the 'big' club.

Fancy our chances

 

[ChRiStOpHe]

Who made the banner? It's rather sexy

I genuinely believe we'll get a result today. Would be nice if Bale was involved too if that's the case [as I have a sneaky feeling he's all too awake of the nasty stat over his head].

Tottenham 2-1, Bale first scorer 200/1 :up:

 

[Partizan]

I actually dreamt today that we would lose 0-4 again. :-|

It was weird though because I had a bunch of reserves of their team and an own goal from ours as the scorers

 

[chrissivad]

Who made the banner? It's rather sexy

[SIZE=-2].... made the banner[/SIZE], it says so under it :razz:


ManU do have alot of strenth in their squad, and im sure that who ever comes in will do a job for them.

Do think we could come away from this with at least a point.

 

[rixter1]

Anyone got a spare ticket...??? If so please give me a call on 07915087163

 

[Spurs_Q8]

my biggest concern is Park/Tevez, not about their skills or movement, I'm talking about they are chasing opponent players too much, that's would be too bad for Gomes or Dawson or Ekotto, as Gomes poor in his first touch, Dawson makes too much long balls and Ekotto isn't confident enough in big games.

it might be better play 4-4-1-1 in first half ( which i predict as Campbell isn't available ) with Zokora-Jenas behind playmaker Modric, Lennon and Bentley in both flanks and Roman as starter. Bent would be good bencher rather than starter. The problem with this we aren't scorng enough goals when we are playing with alone striker but i hope Luke to start his season from today !

If Redknapp thinks 4-4-2 better, then i don't have problem but while Modric could be on left, i think touch decisions here is to start with Bentley or Lennon and who is our striker on bench ? For sure i would like Lennon to play but Bentley is important player for Pavluchenko. :shrug:

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

11-0.

Zokora with 7 goals.

 

[ChRiStOpHe]

[SIZE=-2].... made the banner[/SIZE], it says so under it :razz:

:lol:

 

[ShelfSide18]

Let Lennon loose on O Shea at left back.

Comon you lilywhites.

 

[NickHSpurs]

Going suited and booted today, straight to London hotel after for work do, let's hope I have something to celebrate!

 

[SpurSince57]

41 Years Ago Today

Spurs 4 Olympique Lyonnis 3—European Cup Winners’ Cup 2nd Round (2nd Leg)

Bringing a one goaldeficit from the ‘Battle of Lyon’ when Alan Mullery was sent off, Spurs were hoping to gain revenge by progressing to the next round. However, with various injuries in defence, defensive mistakes were to prove costly and this became a pointless victory as Spurs lost the tie on the away goals rule. Two Greaves goals (1 pen) had Spurs ahead at half-time. Lyon scored early in the second half and suddenly the away goal meant that Spurs had to win by two goals. A minute later Jones scored to restore Spurs overall lead but when Lyon scored five minutes later, they were ahead on aggregate. After 70 minutes Gilzean restored Spurs ascendancy but with ten minutes left, Lyon scored to win on the away goal rule. A night of much excitement but also great disappointment.

(Thanks to Topspurs)

 

[tommyt]

4-3 Spurs would suit me fine!!!

 

[DC_Boy]

I remember that Lyon game - it was on TV - very disappointing end to an exciting game

 

[thetallaghttiger]

line-ups???