The Official League Cup Champions Thread.
- Thread starter nidge
- Start date
Chris12345
LADdam Hussein
- Jan 15, 2005
- 11,908
- 31
arrrggghhhh
I ended up with like 3/4 hours sleep!
kept on waking up in sweats going WOT IF THEY GET FOOD POISONING! I WONDER IF THEY'VE GOTTEN THE TEAM COACH SORTED? WOT IF THEY FORGOT? THEY WONT GET THERE!
mg:mg:mg:
I ended up with like 3/4 hours sleep!
kept on waking up in sweats going WOT IF THEY GET FOOD POISONING! I WONDER IF THEY'VE GOTTEN THE TEAM COACH SORTED? WOT IF THEY FORGOT? THEY WONT GET THERE!
mg:mg:mg:
spurs4europe
misses the snow!
- Oct 11, 2004
- 1,105
- 201
this could be the longest official match thread ever after it's all finished
spursgirl21
Member
- Jan 7, 2008
- 113
- 0
robbiesavagehasbreasts
dinkin' flicka!
- May 23, 2007
- 2,689
- 69
--------------------Cerny
Hutton-----Woodgate-------King-------Chimbonda
--------------------Tainio
Lennon-------------------Jenas--------Malbranque
-----------Berbatov-------------Keane
Bench: Robinson, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Zokora, Bent.
Play Lee for Chimbonda if Chimbo is injured.
Hutton-----Woodgate-------King-------Chimbonda
--------------------Tainio
Lennon-------------------Jenas--------Malbranque
-----------Berbatov-------------Keane
Bench: Robinson, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Zokora, Bent.
Play Lee for Chimbonda if Chimbo is injured.
theShiznit
Well-Known Member
- Jul 26, 2004
- 17,892
- 23,950
Just did the PES 2008 Final... and if the actual game tomorrow is anything like this take extra pairs of pants :roll:
Now i normally play at amateur level and win quite comfortably, but thought for the final against the Chavs i will up it to professional level Eek
Picked what i thought would be the team tomorrow (i have added woody, Hutton & Gilberto to my team and Anelka to Chelsea's)
Robbo
Hutton, Woody, King, Chimbonda
Lennon, Zoko, Jenas, Malbranque
Berba, Keane
Started off with them having a few chances and this level is so much quicker with hardly any time on the ball, then they scored after 6 minutes (Kalou)
i had a couple of half chances but finding it hard to get to grips with the pace at which they close down on this level.
First half 1-0
then they score a 2nd through Pizzaro (who looks like a world beater) 64 minutes
I now decide it's time for drastic measures and make a triple change, taking off Chimbonda for Gilberto, Zokora for Bent and Taarabt for Malbranque.
I am now playing with Taarabt in behind bent and Berba with Keane on the left :up:
after 68 minutes Bent is played in on the inside left he dummies to shoot with his right and comes back onto the left beating the keeper, he is just about to tap in when Cech taps his ankles sending him crashing to the ground.
The ref gives the Pen and Cech is given a straight red card. (we're back in it baby)
Berba converts spot kick straight down the middle (2-1)
despite being down to ten they are still coming forward and create a few clear chances, then in the 74th Minute Keane exchanges passes with Berba from the left and cuts inside placing a shot in off the post past Cudicini (2-2)
Chelski continue to press forward and Lampard guides a shot from a rebound agonisingly wide with 2 minutes remaining.
Full-Time 2-2 (extra time)
extra time is fairly even with both sides creating half chances, King and Jenas are booked, then in the 120th minute with practically the last kick of the game, Bent gets played in in the inside left position cuts across Terry and from 20 yards hammers a right foot screamer into the top right corner.:hump:
Final Score 3-2 (After ET)
MOM : Berba, others mentioned, King, Jenas & Bent
I'd take that tomorrow :clapbut i don't know if my heart could)
Now i normally play at amateur level and win quite comfortably, but thought for the final against the Chavs i will up it to professional level Eek
Picked what i thought would be the team tomorrow (i have added woody, Hutton & Gilberto to my team and Anelka to Chelsea's)
Robbo
Hutton, Woody, King, Chimbonda
Lennon, Zoko, Jenas, Malbranque
Berba, Keane
Started off with them having a few chances and this level is so much quicker with hardly any time on the ball, then they scored after 6 minutes (Kalou)
i had a couple of half chances but finding it hard to get to grips with the pace at which they close down on this level.
First half 1-0
then they score a 2nd through Pizzaro (who looks like a world beater) 64 minutes
I now decide it's time for drastic measures and make a triple change, taking off Chimbonda for Gilberto, Zokora for Bent and Taarabt for Malbranque.
I am now playing with Taarabt in behind bent and Berba with Keane on the left :up:
after 68 minutes Bent is played in on the inside left he dummies to shoot with his right and comes back onto the left beating the keeper, he is just about to tap in when Cech taps his ankles sending him crashing to the ground.
The ref gives the Pen and Cech is given a straight red card. (we're back in it baby)
Berba converts spot kick straight down the middle (2-1)
despite being down to ten they are still coming forward and create a few clear chances, then in the 74th Minute Keane exchanges passes with Berba from the left and cuts inside placing a shot in off the post past Cudicini (2-2)
Chelski continue to press forward and Lampard guides a shot from a rebound agonisingly wide with 2 minutes remaining.
Full-Time 2-2 (extra time)
extra time is fairly even with both sides creating half chances, King and Jenas are booked, then in the 120th minute with practically the last kick of the game, Bent gets played in in the inside left position cuts across Terry and from 20 yards hammers a right foot screamer into the top right corner.:hump:
Final Score 3-2 (After ET)
MOM : Berba, others mentioned, King, Jenas & Bent
I'd take that tomorrow :clap
but i don't know if my heart could)
speccy_spur
Active Member
- Aug 2, 2005
- 1,192
- 0
I reckon Berby will take it to another level on the big stage at wembley. And Keane, Steed, JJ and Lennon will benefit from it as they did against l'Arse. 4-1 to Spurs!:grin:
Ledley holding the cup aloft to be my pc background until we lift the uefa cup.
Ledley holding the cup aloft to be my pc background until we lift the uefa cup.
- Feb 1, 2005
- 19,120
- 6,003
- Staff
- #90
I'm beginning to feel all emotional.
We're really going to Wembley, aren't we?
We're really going to Wembley, aren't we?
Adamspurs
Well-Known Member
- Jul 14, 2006
- 2,776
- 431
We are:grin:
- Jul 27, 2004
- 24,868
- 11,368
- Thread starter
- Staff
- #92
Yes Bill we are going to Wembley :grin:
Chris12345
LADdam Hussein
- Jan 15, 2005
- 11,908
- 31
Nah, half price stadium tours i think... team bonding or something maybe? :shrug:
milkman
Banned
- Oct 3, 2005
- 12,150
- 3
nah mate. its just a Sunday, a day of rest.
1000th post!!! must be good luck for 2moz! :wink:
milkman
Banned
- Oct 3, 2005
- 12,150
- 3
London Carling: Sky Sports
taken from Sky Sports
Chelsea take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Carling Cup final on Sunday and skysports.com caught up with ex-Blue Ray Wilkins and former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp to find out about their memories of the competition, of Wembley, where the key battles will be, and who they think will come out on top.
What do you make of your former club's new manager since his arrival?
Ray Wilkins: Avram Grant has done a fine job to date. He bought very well in the January transfer window, with Nicolas Anelka coming in to add more options up front, but apart from that it's very much still Jose Mourinho's side. But Grant has got them playing some terrific football again and they are playing winning football as well. From that aspect he's kept them on an even keel. He's doing a good job.
Jamie Redknapp: I think Juande Ramos has been very good - the football Spurs have played under him has been exciting. A lot of foreign managers who come to this country seem to be very tactically aware and a lot of them can be defensive-minded, but he's not. Ramos' philosophy is to attack and play good football which Spurs fans like to see. From that point of view I think he's been a breath of fresh air and already has been really good for English football. You don't get to two Uefa Cup finals on the spin and win them if you haven't got something about you.
Where on the pitch will the key battles take place?
RW: All over the pitch! Chelsea are playing against a Tottenham side that is free-scoring at the moment so it's very, very important that John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho are fit and on their game. And of course, Tottenham also have to defend properly. Chelsea have the ability to keep a clean sheet but I'm not so sure that Spurs do. If they can, then they have half a chance because they can score goals. But, more often than not though Chelsea do score at least one.
JR: I think one of the key areas will be at the back: can Tottenham keep Didier Drogba quiet? Spurs will hope to have Ledley King back as he's so important for them. When he's fit they are a different team and I think Jonathan Woodgate has been a good signing. King and Woodgate are strong enough to deal with Drogba so they've just got to hope that on the day, they can defend well. We know Spurs can attack but it's whether they can defend well enough and stop Drogba and Frank Lampard's late runs to quell the threat that Chelsea pose.
If Chelsea/Tottenham are to win, who will be the most important player?
RW: Chelsea have got Drogba back and we all know how important he is for them. It's going to be very interesting to see if - and how - Avram pairs Drogba with Anelka. Does he change to 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2, or play Anelka wide and stick to the 4-3-3? I'll certainly be watching on eagerly to see how those two players play in the same team.
JR: For Spurs to win, the partnership of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane will need to continue its fine form; they're really important for Ramos. Berbatov is capable of doing something different - he can put that bit of stardust on the pitch with his imagination, great touch and his eye for goal. He's sorted out his problems: earlier in the season he was more a hindrance than a help, but now he's getting on with his game and playing well. I'm also a big Robbie Keane fan and I think they make a great partnership.
How important will victory be for both clubs?
RW: Well, Avram Grant will want to win his first piece of silverware, that's for sure. If you're going to enter something then go on and win it! When you've got a final as interesting as this one, with such great rivalry between two clubs, both teams will want to win it. They will want to go out there and beat their rivals. I'm sure that's what Chelsea will have in mind when it comes to the game on Sunday.
JR: Of course it's important for Tottenham as it's their first final for nine years, but it's also important for Chelsea because Avram Grant will want to win his first trophy. That's why he rested Lampard and Terry in the Champions League match against Olympiakos in midweek. For a manager to win his first trophy can take the pressure of him so much. There are a lot of cup finals which on paper you think will be a classic, like last season's FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea, but both teams cancelled each other out. But this is something new for Spurs and they're going to want to play open football which is the only way they know, so I'm looking forward to this final more than I have done for a long, long time.
It's the first Carling Cup final at new Wembley, what memories do you have of the old stadium? What do you think of the new place?
RW: The 1983 FA Cup final is a fond memory for me obviously as I scored. And of course I played there many times for England. I also remember losing at Wembley - a 1-0 defeat to Denmark which was painful also because I was captain. Old Wembley was a fantastic stadium and this new one does look extremely impressive - a stadium that I'm sure every player would love to play in. Whenever I used to play at Wembley, with the great playing surface, it was always a very enjoyable experience. And I'm hoping that London can give us a great atmosphere for what should be a great game. With this being the first Carling Cup final at new Wembley that should add something extra to the occasion. And the winner does qualify for Europe through this, no-one knows what can happen as far as the Premier League is concerned and I have a feeling we'll have two teams going at it hammer and tongs.
JR: I have good and bad memories of Wembley to be honest. I won the League Cup with Liverpool and that was a great day - we beat Bolton in the final in 1995 and Steve McManaman scored a couple of great goals. Playing at Wembley still stands out as one of my greatest career moments even though I got carried off on a couple of occasions! I'm really looking forward to going to Wembley on Sunday and commenting on the game for Sky Sports. I'm really hopeful that this could be a classic final and from a neutrals' point of view, the ideal scenario would be for Spurs to score first as Chelsea will have to come out then - and that should add to a really good game.
What's your score prediction and why?
RW: Chelsea 2-1. I just think that Chelsea, all round, are a superior outfit and they've got a strong bench that they can call on if required, which could be vitally important on Sunday.
JR: This is such a tight one to call but I think it could end up 2-1 to Chelsea as well. Simply because they just seem to have a hoodoo over Spurs. And I think they could do it again, as I see them having a little too much with Drogba back up front. Spurs are going to have to defend really well and that hasn't been their greatest asset this season.
taken from Sky Sports
Chelsea take on Tottenham Hotspur in the Carling Cup final on Sunday and skysports.com caught up with ex-Blue Ray Wilkins and former Spurs midfielder Jamie Redknapp to find out about their memories of the competition, of Wembley, where the key battles will be, and who they think will come out on top.
What do you make of your former club's new manager since his arrival?
Ray Wilkins: Avram Grant has done a fine job to date. He bought very well in the January transfer window, with Nicolas Anelka coming in to add more options up front, but apart from that it's very much still Jose Mourinho's side. But Grant has got them playing some terrific football again and they are playing winning football as well. From that aspect he's kept them on an even keel. He's doing a good job.
Jamie Redknapp: I think Juande Ramos has been very good - the football Spurs have played under him has been exciting. A lot of foreign managers who come to this country seem to be very tactically aware and a lot of them can be defensive-minded, but he's not. Ramos' philosophy is to attack and play good football which Spurs fans like to see. From that point of view I think he's been a breath of fresh air and already has been really good for English football. You don't get to two Uefa Cup finals on the spin and win them if you haven't got something about you.
Where on the pitch will the key battles take place?
RW: All over the pitch! Chelsea are playing against a Tottenham side that is free-scoring at the moment so it's very, very important that John Terry and Ricardo Carvalho are fit and on their game. And of course, Tottenham also have to defend properly. Chelsea have the ability to keep a clean sheet but I'm not so sure that Spurs do. If they can, then they have half a chance because they can score goals. But, more often than not though Chelsea do score at least one.
JR: I think one of the key areas will be at the back: can Tottenham keep Didier Drogba quiet? Spurs will hope to have Ledley King back as he's so important for them. When he's fit they are a different team and I think Jonathan Woodgate has been a good signing. King and Woodgate are strong enough to deal with Drogba so they've just got to hope that on the day, they can defend well. We know Spurs can attack but it's whether they can defend well enough and stop Drogba and Frank Lampard's late runs to quell the threat that Chelsea pose.
If Chelsea/Tottenham are to win, who will be the most important player?
RW: Chelsea have got Drogba back and we all know how important he is for them. It's going to be very interesting to see if - and how - Avram pairs Drogba with Anelka. Does he change to 4-4-2 or 4-3-1-2, or play Anelka wide and stick to the 4-3-3? I'll certainly be watching on eagerly to see how those two players play in the same team.
JR: For Spurs to win, the partnership of Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane will need to continue its fine form; they're really important for Ramos. Berbatov is capable of doing something different - he can put that bit of stardust on the pitch with his imagination, great touch and his eye for goal. He's sorted out his problems: earlier in the season he was more a hindrance than a help, but now he's getting on with his game and playing well. I'm also a big Robbie Keane fan and I think they make a great partnership.
How important will victory be for both clubs?
RW: Well, Avram Grant will want to win his first piece of silverware, that's for sure. If you're going to enter something then go on and win it! When you've got a final as interesting as this one, with such great rivalry between two clubs, both teams will want to win it. They will want to go out there and beat their rivals. I'm sure that's what Chelsea will have in mind when it comes to the game on Sunday.
JR: Of course it's important for Tottenham as it's their first final for nine years, but it's also important for Chelsea because Avram Grant will want to win his first trophy. That's why he rested Lampard and Terry in the Champions League match against Olympiakos in midweek. For a manager to win his first trophy can take the pressure of him so much. There are a lot of cup finals which on paper you think will be a classic, like last season's FA Cup final between Manchester United and Chelsea, but both teams cancelled each other out. But this is something new for Spurs and they're going to want to play open football which is the only way they know, so I'm looking forward to this final more than I have done for a long, long time.
It's the first Carling Cup final at new Wembley, what memories do you have of the old stadium? What do you think of the new place?
RW: The 1983 FA Cup final is a fond memory for me obviously as I scored. And of course I played there many times for England. I also remember losing at Wembley - a 1-0 defeat to Denmark which was painful also because I was captain. Old Wembley was a fantastic stadium and this new one does look extremely impressive - a stadium that I'm sure every player would love to play in. Whenever I used to play at Wembley, with the great playing surface, it was always a very enjoyable experience. And I'm hoping that London can give us a great atmosphere for what should be a great game. With this being the first Carling Cup final at new Wembley that should add something extra to the occasion. And the winner does qualify for Europe through this, no-one knows what can happen as far as the Premier League is concerned and I have a feeling we'll have two teams going at it hammer and tongs.
JR: I have good and bad memories of Wembley to be honest. I won the League Cup with Liverpool and that was a great day - we beat Bolton in the final in 1995 and Steve McManaman scored a couple of great goals. Playing at Wembley still stands out as one of my greatest career moments even though I got carried off on a couple of occasions! I'm really looking forward to going to Wembley on Sunday and commenting on the game for Sky Sports. I'm really hopeful that this could be a classic final and from a neutrals' point of view, the ideal scenario would be for Spurs to score first as Chelsea will have to come out then - and that should add to a really good game.
What's your score prediction and why?
RW: Chelsea 2-1. I just think that Chelsea, all round, are a superior outfit and they've got a strong bench that they can call on if required, which could be vitally important on Sunday.
JR: This is such a tight one to call but I think it could end up 2-1 to Chelsea as well. Simply because they just seem to have a hoodoo over Spurs. And I think they could do it again, as I see them having a little too much with Drogba back up front. Spurs are going to have to defend really well and that hasn't been their greatest asset this season.
milkman
Banned
- Oct 3, 2005
- 12,150
- 3
Carling Cup Final Preview
Chelsea face London rivals Tottenham in the first Carling Cup final to be played at Wembley since 2000.
The Blues will be looking to defend the trophy they won in Cardiff 12 months ago after a fiery encounter with Arsenal.
Ugly scenes marred the end of that match as Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and John Obi Mikel were all sent off and there were seven minutes of stoppage time.
This year's final promises to be memorable for footballing reasons as Tottenham go in search of their first major trophy since they triumphed over Leicester in the 1999 final.
Martin Jol was in charge at Tottenham as they began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough, before Juande Ramos came in for the game against Blackpool in the next round.
Ramos has a superb record in cup competitions and has led Spurs impressively to the final.
The highlight of their run was undoubtedly the 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal in the semi-final, which upset the form book and suggested Tottenham were also capable of turning over Chelsea in the final.
Spurs' sluggish performance in their Uefa Cup clash against Slavia Prague on Thursday betrayed their claims that they would not start focusing on the final until Friday morning.
Duo set to start for Spurs
Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane played a half each against Slavia but are almost certain to start together up front on Sunday.
Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas and Steed Malbranque are certainties for midfield places but Ramos faces a dilemma over whether to include Didier Zokora or Tom Huddlestone in the centre.
An even trickier decision for Ramos will be whether to keep Paul Robinson in goal after his impressive display against Slavia or recall Radek Cerny.
Ledley King has been saved in recent weeks with the final in mind, and he is set to partner Jonathan Woodgate in central defence even if he is not 100 per cent fit.
Chelsea are still in the hunt for the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, and they will be hoping to take the first step towards an unprecedented quadruple.
Tricky decisions
Avram Grant made 11 changes to his side for the midweek game against Olympiakos and he is set to tinker yet again.
He is spoilt for choice with no new injury worries, and must decide on the formation of his team as well as the personnel.
Didier Drobga and Nicolas Anelka have yet to play in tandem and it seems improbable that Grant would alter his approach and go with two strikers.
Joe Cole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou appear to be vying for two spots, while Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele will all be desperate to feature in the centre of midfield.
John Terry could be recalled in defence but Ricardo Carvalho and Alex have both impressed in recent weeks.
______________
here are the current results from the match poll:
Ch*lski to win: 44.8%
Tottenham to win: 54%
Draw: 1.3%
Chelsea face London rivals Tottenham in the first Carling Cup final to be played at Wembley since 2000.
The Blues will be looking to defend the trophy they won in Cardiff 12 months ago after a fiery encounter with Arsenal.
Ugly scenes marred the end of that match as Kolo Toure, Emmanuel Adebayor and John Obi Mikel were all sent off and there were seven minutes of stoppage time.
This year's final promises to be memorable for footballing reasons as Tottenham go in search of their first major trophy since they triumphed over Leicester in the 1999 final.
Martin Jol was in charge at Tottenham as they began their campaign with a 2-0 victory over Middlesbrough, before Juande Ramos came in for the game against Blackpool in the next round.
Ramos has a superb record in cup competitions and has led Spurs impressively to the final.
The highlight of their run was undoubtedly the 5-1 thrashing of Arsenal in the semi-final, which upset the form book and suggested Tottenham were also capable of turning over Chelsea in the final.
Spurs' sluggish performance in their Uefa Cup clash against Slavia Prague on Thursday betrayed their claims that they would not start focusing on the final until Friday morning.
Duo set to start for Spurs
Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane played a half each against Slavia but are almost certain to start together up front on Sunday.
Aaron Lennon, Jermaine Jenas and Steed Malbranque are certainties for midfield places but Ramos faces a dilemma over whether to include Didier Zokora or Tom Huddlestone in the centre.
An even trickier decision for Ramos will be whether to keep Paul Robinson in goal after his impressive display against Slavia or recall Radek Cerny.
Ledley King has been saved in recent weeks with the final in mind, and he is set to partner Jonathan Woodgate in central defence even if he is not 100 per cent fit.
Chelsea are still in the hunt for the Premier League, the FA Cup and the UEFA Champions League, and they will be hoping to take the first step towards an unprecedented quadruple.
Tricky decisions
Avram Grant made 11 changes to his side for the midweek game against Olympiakos and he is set to tinker yet again.
He is spoilt for choice with no new injury worries, and must decide on the formation of his team as well as the personnel.
Didier Drobga and Nicolas Anelka have yet to play in tandem and it seems improbable that Grant would alter his approach and go with two strikers.
Joe Cole, Shaun Wright-Phillips, Florent Malouda and Salomon Kalou appear to be vying for two spots, while Frank Lampard, Michael Essien, Michael Ballack and Claude Makelele will all be desperate to feature in the centre of midfield.
John Terry could be recalled in defence but Ricardo Carvalho and Alex have both impressed in recent weeks.
______________
here are the current results from the match poll:
Ch*lski to win: 44.8%
Tottenham to win: 54%
Draw: 1.3%
alfiespurs
Well-Known Member
- Aug 8, 2006
- 4,058
- 374
Greetings all ! Less the 24 hours before the BIG DAY ! Well excited here ! I for one will not be able to sleep. Play the old youtube videos before the game and off to the Pub. Its freezing (-10) , but I have a 15 minute walk and will be singing all the way ! A BIG CoYS to all the Boys.
