Team v Stoke

[nedley]

I'll say BAE and Dawson are back and available to start, Bale might be on the bench (Saved for the December 26th match for his full return), and Adebayor is out:

------------------------- Lloris --------------------------
Walker ---- Caulker --------- Vertonghen ---- BAE
----------------Dembele --- Sandro ------------------
Lennon --------------Dempsey-------------Townsend
-------------------------Defoe---------------------------

I go with this except Siggi for Dempsey.

Dempsey looks a little tired and although hasn't played badly of late, Siggi (when he's come on) has looked sharp and deserves his chance IMO.

 

[Snarfalicious]

I still go red with anger when I think of that game.

Was possibly the worst refereeing performance i've seen in my lifetime. It was embarrassingly biased or certainly looked that way.

Out of interest, does anybody know who we got refereeing this game?

Premier League ‏@premierleague
Lee Mason has been appointed referee for Tottenham Hotspur v Stoke City on Saturday 22nd December. #TOTSTK

 

[Snarfalicious]

I go with this except Siggi for Dempsey.

Dempsey looks a little tired and although hasn't played badly of late, Siggi (when he's come on) has looked sharp and deserves his chance IMO.

I think whatever we choose, it will most likely be flipped come Wednesday (26th). I agree though, I would prefer Siggy because he can pick a pass that can unlock a defense like Stoke. He's shown he has that eye for the through ball, and while Dempsey has been on a good roll of late, I think Siggy's cameos have been promising enough to earn him a start. Good catch.

 

[nedley]

Yep, I really hope we go for the jugular from the start on sat. A comprehensive win is overdue so I really hope we go for it from the off, keep our cool and press high up like we did against Swansea.

Let's batter these chumps.

 

[Nocando]

We just have to both out muscle them and out play them. That's why I am think playing both Sandro and Parker would allow us to do so as they can press and create a high tempo game which will hopefully allow Dembele, Sig and Lennon space to take advantage with their creative play.

Simply passing it around non vital areas as Stoke (like Swansea) sit back and lick their lips waiting for a chance near the 80th min, isn't something we want. Bully, press, high tempo and quick countering is what I want to see. I also don't think this game is suited to Defoe and being such a physical game may not be the best game for Bale to come back into either.

If we can get an early goal then Stoke's game plan will be out of the window. It's imperative we don't fall into the same trap we always do against these types of anti footballing teams.

Having Townsend, Dempsey, Defoe and Bale on the bench will also enable us to change things if needs be.

------------------Lloris-------------
Walker----Gallas-----Verts-----BAE
------------Parker----Sandro--------
-----------------Dembele------------
-----Lennon----------------Sig--------
--------------------Ade----------------

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

I'm sure Bale will be back surprised so many of you are posting teams minus him

 

[Mr Pink]

I'm sure Bale will be back surprised so many of you are posting teams minus him

agree, and what baffles me even more is that some think Benny is going to start when he's been out for nearly four months and hasn't even had an appearance from the bench or featured in games like Parker has to aid his return to fitness.

 

[Tafspur]

Charlie Adams father has died suddenly - seems unlikely he will play.

 

[we_all_loved_freund]

---------------Loris--------------
Walker---Verts---Daws---BAE
--------Parker----Sandro-------
Lennon-----Dembele------Bale
----------------Ade--------------

I think we need a solid midfield against stoke. The extra height and ariel ability of Ade and Daws will also help with the set pieces.

COYS

 

[Babylon22]

Dembele is more effective from a deeper area.

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

Daws will definitely start if fit.

 

[idontgetit]

We just have to both out muscle them and out play them. That's why I am think playing both Sandro and Parker would allow us to do so as they can press and create a high tempo game which will hopefully allow Dembele, Sig and Lennon space to take advantage with their creative play.

Simply passing it around non vital areas as Stoke (like Swansea) sit back and lick their lips waiting for a chance near the 80th min, isn't something we want. Bully, press, high tempo and quick countering is what I want to see. I also don't think this game is suited to Defoe and being such a physical game may not be the best game for Bale to come back into either.

If we can get an early goal then Stoke's game plan will be out of the window. It's imperative we don't fall into the same trap we always do against these types of anti footballing teams.

Having Townsend, Dempsey, Defoe and Bale on the bench will also enable us to change things if needs be.

------------------Lloris-------------
Walker----Gallas-----Verts-----BAE
------------Parker----Sandro--------
-----------------Dembele------------
-----Lennon----------------Sig--------
--------------------Ade----------------

I would really fucking hate to ever see us play two out and out defensive midfielders at home. We already have a lack of movement. This would be diabolical. Sandro and Dembele are already total beasts, don't need another one. Parkers a short arse as well so hardly ideal for Stoke (I do love the guy but this is not the time or place for him to start)

 

[Mr Pink]

Daws will definitely start if fit.

Agreed - and with so many games in close succession it makes it even more logical, this is definitely the sort of game Dawson thrives in so it should be a no brainer, just like the West Ham game.

 

[jazz15c]

Agreed - and with so many games in close succession it makes it even more logical, this is definitely the sort of game Dawson thrives in so it should be a no brainer, just like the West Ham game.

Got images of Dawson pacing around in a cage at Spurs lodge, salivating, mumbling about an impending aerial battle against some Northern inbred apes

 

[idontgetit]

Verts to stay at left back for an extra game to give us more height at the back. Dawson and Caulker at CB because they are dominant in the air. Bale back in and Siggurdson getting a chance to show what he can really do playing behind Ade. I reckon it's his best position and he's not had a real chance there yet this season. He also gives more height to the team. Should wipe the floor with that shower of shit

 

[wishkah]

Not that our comments are incorrect. But it irks me slightly that we are picking the team to combat stoke, rather than forcing them to play "our way".

again, i agree with all of the above - just annoying we have to bend to the will of Stoke.

 

[jazz15c]

Not that our comments are incorrect. But it irks me slightly that we are picking the team to combat stoke, rather than forcing them to play "our way".

again, i agree with all of the above - just annoying we have to bend to the will of Stoke.

I agree, whilst it would be folly not to at least consider their 'abilities' at the line-out, let them worry about us.

 

[THFC-93]

Think the pace of Defoe could be a better option against stokes back line personally, but could all go tits up and everyone would be on Defoe's back again, So prob best to sub him on 2nd half.

 

[Adam456]

Think the pace of Defoe could be a better option against stokes back line personally, but could all go tits up and everyone would be on Defoe's back again, So prob best to sub him on 2nd half.

Don't think his pace will be that helpful when he's standing amongst 7 Stoke defenders as we camp in their half. We would need them to come at us a bit for him to get the ball in any space or we need him to have one of his 'unplayable' days where everything seems to go in

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

Got images of Dawson pacing around in a cage at Spurs lodge, salivating, mumbling about an impending aerial battle against some Northern inbred apes

That's how Dempsey got his black eye a few weeks ago with Daws getting a bit to eager in training to face the long balls against West Ham.