Spurs vs Bolton: Match Thread

[milkman]

Banner thanks to CaptainCat

Bolton vs Tottenham preview

Two sides locked on points meet at The Reebok

Tottenham travel to Bolton on Saturday looking to build on a morale boosting victory over Stoke City in midweek.

A three-point haul for Harry Redknapp's side takes them up to the lofty heights of 13th, a solitary place above Bolton courtesy of goal difference.

Redknapp's post-match briefings since arriving at White Hart Lane have been more up and down than a yo-yo but the Stoke win had him talking of Europe rather than the Championship.

New boy Wilson Palacios is in line to make his debut as he returns from a suspension accrued during his Wigan days and given the manner in which Redknapp has suggested he'll build his side around the Honduran, it seems likely the midfielder will start.

David Bentley or Aaron Lennon are candidates to make way should guile be replaced by graft, or alternatively, Redknapp could change formation - break up the Jermain Defoe/Roman Pavlyuchenko partnership - and start with a solitary striker and three central midfielders.

Other than the Palacios conundrum Redknapp has few other selection worries, as Carlo Cudicini looks to build on an impressive debut between the posts in Heurelho Gomes' absence.
Bolton news

While Spurs welcome a new midfielder into their ranks, Bolton brace themselves to lose one, as Kevin Nolan edges closer to ending a long-standing relationship with Wanderers in order to join relegation rivals Newcastle.

Nolan's departure has shocked manager Gary Megson, who must be wondering what type of reception awaits at the Reebok having labelled sections of the Bolton support 'pathetic' this week.

Bolton have invested in Wolves' Mark Davies to seemingly help compensate for the loss of Nolan, but given the nature of Megson's comments, Kofi Annan may have been a more astute signing.

The Trotters have no new injury concerns following their midweek 2-2 draw at Blackburn but Johan Elmander, Joey O'Brien, Nicky Hunt and Gavin McCann all remain sidelined through injury.

Davies made his bow off the bench at Ewood Park and could start in Nolan's absence.

Possible starting XIs

Bolton: Jaaskelainen, Samuel, Cahill, Steinsson, Basham, Puygrenier, Taylor, Muamba, M Davies, Makukula, K Davies.

Spurs: Cudicini, Woodgate, Assou-Ekotto, Dawson, Corluka, Zokora, Bentley, Palacios, Lennon, Modric, Defoe.

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_3004585,00.html

Harry Redknapp kicked-off life at Spurs with a win against Bolton - three months, 24 matches and 22 points later and he's looking for a repeat performance of that first day at the Lane at the Reebok Stadium on Saturday.

Goals from Roman Pavlyuchenko and Darren Bent secured our first win of the Premier League campaign that day and since then we've moved onto 24 points and now sit more comfortably in 13th place after Tuesday's impressive 3-1 success against Stoke.

"Twenty-four games in three months - that's a lot of games," reflected Harry at Spurs Lodge on Friday.

"We've taken 22 points in 15 league games and if we take 22 from the next 15 I'll be well pleased. That will see us home. We'll be fine with that amount of points in the bag."

Bolton at the Reebok will provide a stern test and Harry is looking for a repeat of the performance against Stoke.

"Stoke was a massive game for us, a must-win game," he said. "We played some great football and could have been five or six up at half-time.

"It was a good all-round performance and the lads showed a great attitude - Luka Modric was brilliant.

"Bolton are dangerous opposition. I watched them last week and they played well against Manchester United.

"It's a tough place to go and they are difficult to play against but we have to go there, get the ball down and play the football we played the other night against Stoke. We have to get on the ball and play our football."

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/harryseeksrepeat300109.html

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

So, another six pointer?

Plus, now every game seems to put us mid-table with a win and bottom when we lose.

 

[alamo]

Good news that they have just lost Nolan. Hopefully we can take full advantage.:up:

ps. Blimey who the hell are half the players in their squad? Never heard of 'em!

 

[ShelfSide18]

Bloody hell Milky, bit early!

Might as well start up the Man Utd cup final thread while you're at it!

Anyway the game tomorrow, I'd accept a draw, we have a horrible record up there too. We're going to get kicked and bullied, thats all Bolton can do - we need to be ready and up for the fight. COYS.

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

Good news that they have just lost Nolan. Hopefully we can take full advantage.:up:

ps. Blimey who the hell are half the players in their squad? Never heard of 'em!

Yeah. Two or three I don't know. :shrug:

 

[Delboy10]

Coymfs!!

 

[milkman]

Bloody hell Milky, bit early!

Might as well start up the Man Utd cup final thread while you're at it!

Anyway the game tomorrow, I'd accept a draw, we have a horrible record up there too. We're going to get kicked and bullied, thats all Bolton can do - we need to be ready and up for the fight. COYS.

:lol:

Next time you can have the button that commands me to start the match thread!

(I will make the CC final match thread a special one! I'll start doing it now and post it when its ready/nearer the date. )

Coymfs!!

"Come on you money fucking Spurs?"
"Come on you marching fucking Spurs?"
"Come on you mighty fighting Spurs?"
"Come on you mighty fucking Spurs?"

Which one did you mean?

 

[neilistic]

Is Palacios allowed to play, Sky sez he is, Setanta sez he isn't?

 

[ShelfSide18]

:lol:

Next time you can have the button that commands me to start the match thread!

(I will make the CC final match thread a special one! I'll start doing it now and post it when its ready/nearer the date. )



"Come on you money fucking Spurs?"
"Come on you marching fucking Spurs?"
"Come on you mighty fighting Spurs?"
"Come on you mighty fucking Spurs?"

Which one did you mean?

M for Megson

 

[alamo]

"Come on you money fucking Spurs?"
"Come on you marching fucking Spurs?"
"Come on you mighty fighting Spurs?"
"Come on you mighty fucking Spurs?"

Which one did you mean?

M for mother?

 

[milkman]

M for Megson

I wasn't asking you!

 

[milkman]

M for mother?

I think we have a winner. :up:

 

[rabs]

Cudicini
Chimbomber Corluka Woodgate BAE
Jenas Zokora Palacios Modric
Defoe Pav

Bench: Gomes, Lennon, Bentley, Dawson, Campbell, Bent, Gunter/Bale/Hudd

id go that - not much width, but should close them down and keep plenty of quality on the pitch. If we need to open up a bit more add lennon or bentley to hug the touchline for whoever isnt pulling their weight in midfield.

 

[PT]

I hate Bolton. They always out-muscle us and fuck us over.

 

[ShelfSide18]

I wasn't asking you!

Fine :snooty:


:grin:

 

[milkman]

I hate Bolton. They always out-muscle us and fuck us over.

I feel that way too! :-|

 

[stevenurse]

Lennon would always play if you ask me, stick with the team that played stoke, the teams arent that much different in style and approach of play as well as quality. If it aint broke dont fix it and all that.


btw has anyone thought of the asbo midfield of newcastle? barton, nolan and smith? jesus christ

 

[danielneeds]

Think Nolan is a massive loss for them even if he went a bit stale there, very much the dressing room leader. They haven't won this year too...

 

[leffe186]

As long as the ref doesn't donate them a goal like last time. Such a blatant push to get Davenport out of the way

 

[ShelfSide18]

As long as the ref doesn't donate them a goal like last time. Such a blatant push to get Davenport out of the way

And the day Mike Dean had an absolute horror show a few years back and they won 3-1!