Tottenham Hotspur Vs Liverpool Match Thread

[L.A. Yiddo]

Dancy dancy!

We had about 40-50 good brothers and sisters of the yid in the pub this morning. What a start to the season, absolutely immense. I have all day now to carry on celebrating!!!

 

[worcestersauce]

Excelent game today but if our game is only about long balls with Crouch on the field I rather have Defoe and Keane on. When Crouch cam on today our game changed totally from playing via the midfield to the long shit towards Crouch. God forbid us to play like that in the future.

And on a sidenote: Crouch hardly won any duels :/

Spot on post crazy' I had been talking during the game that because we only had the little guys up front we weren't playing long and high then as soon as Crouch came on we started, maybe it was the pressure of the occasion twards the end of the game and maybe Modric was tiring but it was not really successful.

Terrific game though terrific performance, terrific result.

 

[MarkTHFC9]

I love the Bassong song!

 

[werty]

I love the Bassong song!

What was it? Did catch it at home

 

[kcmei]

liverpool i think have been expecting crouch to start and harry opted for pure pace up front. i think it may be affected the plans that liverpool had

 

[MarkTHFC9]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9F2tx6BDWC4

Give that a listen, sorry forgot how to embed

Bassong Bassong!

 

[Spurs_Bear]

I'm a very happy young man now!

We started poorly, very poorly, and it was down to our defence that Liverpool didn't make their early dominance count. Then, Skrtel and Carragher clashed heads, a few minutes were wasted and Liverpool lost their momentum while we calmed down, regrouped, and began to asssert ourselves. By the time we scored we had been the better team, carving out the only real chances. Liverpools penalty, though a definite spot kick, came against the run of play, and we hit back straight away when in the past we might have reverted to type and folded.

Some good passing football, some committed and resolute work, and some great individual performances.

Gomes: Tipped over the bar, had little to do overall. Collected a couple of crossed, I think I remember him saving a weak Gerrard effort. Stupid to give away the penalty, Johnson was going nowhere, but at least it didn't cost us ultimately.

Corluka: Good defensively throughout, but first half he was sloppy in possession and gave the ball away a lot. Also failed to give Lennon the usual level of support, which led to Lennon being doubled up on and not really getting into the game. Second half all of this changed as Charlie brought the defence out superbly on a number of times, dribbled well and passed beautifully, releasing Lennon exquisitely down the right on one occasion.

Ekotto: Disco Benny finally has a goal, and what a sweet one. Not long before that he had skied an effort, I turned to my dad and said "He hits them with more purpose than Zokora ever did, he'll blast one in one day. Even Edman got one, and against Liverpool". My dad dismissed the notion, but I had the last laugh and how sweet it was. Aside from that, he was his usual calm and collected self, good in both halves of the pitch. Only question of him is where he was when Liverpool burst into the box leading up to the penalty.

King: Made on mistake, to which he responded by immediately winning the ball back. Distributed like a playmaker, fast, strong, tackled well, owned Torres. The best centre back in world football, no contest!

Bassong: I'm not going to get ahead of myself, but wow. Strong, fast, brought the ball out really well, not intimidated at all by Torres and Gerrard, good in the air and read everything fine. Scored a great goal too. If this is sign of things to come, then we robbed Newcastle. Let's see how much Kings influence will guide this boy.

Lennon: Quiet in the first half, was always doubled up on by Insua and Lucas. Second half however, he was superb. If only he had not been uncharacteristically selfish after that wonderful dribble, but I guess adrenaline can get the better of even the best players. Liverpool were shit scared of him adn rightly so.

Modric: Overall I thought he was a bit quiet today. Didn't do much when he had the ball, didn't really control things as I expected. Johnson did a good job on him though. However, he did set up our winner with a lovely free kick (all his set pieces were pretty good actually) and he put two chances on a plate for Keane, one a lovely dinked cross and one a classy through ball.

Huddlestone: The game looked like being a mixed bag for the Hudd, with some poor passes and decisions but also some superb cross field balls (most notable to Lennon) and a couple of through passes. However, as the game wore in, he grew in influence. His passing, short and long, relieved us of pressure a number of times. He was positionally good as well, making a lot of interceptions and blocks. He had a good day and I think he answered a lot of questions. Deserves to keep his spot for now.

Palacios: I wasa bit underwhelmed by Sergeant Wilson for a while today, but like Huddlestone he grew in stature when we needed him to. He made a few errors of judgement, seemed a touch off the pace and definitely wasn't his usual blood and thunder self. In fact, I though his forward play was his best point in the first half. However, in the second half he made a number of important tackles and broke up a lot of Liverpool play, and his passing was also pretty good, making the right decisions at the right times on most occasions.

Defoe: I thought he was superb. He fought for the ball, played some very nice passes to the other forward players and never shirked the fight. He was involved with some good link up play with both Lennon and Modric, and in the second half when we needed him to keep the ball up the pitch, he did. A combination of great first touch and being rather strong meant that he caused the Liverpool centre halves the sorts of problems that you'd associate with a far larger human being than JD. In a game where the chances for him were lacking, he still shone.

Keane: He had three glorious chances. The diving header was on a plate for him. The one on one with Reina when Modric put him through should have been slotted in. The volley, why did he not take it down, he had so much space! However, I felt he played well. He linked with Defoe well, he fought non stop, and he looked dangerous. I won't criticise Robbie for missing chances, I'll criticise him when he doesn't get chances because he's too busy playing defensive midfield. Today, no criticism's. Job well done and made it work with Defoe, and we all know how hard that is for these two.

O'Hara: Well, he didn't really do anything that wrong or right, but Liverpool had begun to get on top of us again and Modric was shattered, so the fresh pair of legs undoubtedly did us some good.

Crouch: I was a bit dissappointed with him. He didn't win his headers and he didn't hold the ball when it came to him. Still, we have 4 t'riffic strikers at the club, they are all options, we know this, and Crouch will definitely cause defenses problems.

Pavlyuchenko: A very well earned weeks wages. Not for his contribution, he barely was on the pitch, but for the bombastic celebrations (thank you half time jumbotron) when Ekotto scored his goals. Superb attitude!

Can't complain. First day of the season win.. check. Beat one of the best teams around.. check. Play with both passion and panache.. check. A good day was had by all.

Oh, and a special mention for

Gerrard: Self defence, you're 'avin a laugh, Self defence, you're 'avin a laugh! Brilliant!

Pissed myself at the Gerrard song!

Happiest man in the world, first season ticket, first game, and a win, brilliant!

Thought Charlie was awesome as was the rest of the defence, not going to read anything into Crouch's game, will wait unti he starts. Well done the lads!

We literally dominated one of the best sides in the league, come on Harry and the Spurs!!!!!!

 

[Spurger King]

Dancy dancy!

We had about 40-50 good brothers and sisters of the yid in the pub this morning. What a start to the season, absolutely immense. I have all day now to carry on celebrating!!!

:grin: Was the only yiddo in a pub full of Liverpool fans, including all my bin tipper mates. Kept the faith from start to finish, and was the only one leaving with a big, BIG smile on my face! :razz:

 

[mawspurs]

Well, that was an intensely satisfying football match for all kinds of reasons. I could make a list. In fact, I think I will.

First, my new, first-time-ever season ticket lost its virginity. I got to sit where I'll be sitting until...we move.

Second, the defending was magnificent throughout. Unlike others, I thought Gomes was really good, except for the penalty incident. Although he underestimated Johnson's pace, he shouldn't have been in the situation - I had just been saying "too much space, close them down" for the first time in the match and, sure enough, Liverpool got real penetration, got behind our adamant defensive line for virtually the first time. Bassong and King were simply excellent, not only good individually, but good together. They weren't playing against chopped liver, after all, it was Torres and Gerrard and Kuyt bearing down on them mob-handed and, whatever they tried, one of our defenders, usually two, would disrupt it, thinking faster, moving faster and cleaning up after each other.

It was all the things we do not associate with pre-Harry Spurs: it was organised, it was robust, there was teamwork, people knew their jobs, people knew when to come out of position to help out and the clearances usually went to a white shirt.

Man of the match, by a lengthy mile, was Wilson Palacios, who was just everywhere in the first half and nearly as much so in the second. He passed beautifully, anticipated brilliantly, tackled, intercepted, made himself available for balls out of defence, had a great shot ... just everything.

Huddlestone, in the first half, when we were the vastly better team, was also very good. He has been given his chance and he did what he has previously not done. He tackled. And he won the ball. After about an hour, when Liverpool were monopolising the ball, he started tiring and slowing visibly, got caught in possession a few times and sent a couple of passes to opponents. But he had a good game.

Lennon did not see enough of the ball in the first half - and when he did, in the second half, he was most often used, very effectively, as a way out of defence, replacing Zokora's lengthy dribble up the middle with a mazier one up the right. It was effective three times at ending periods of Liverpool pressure. And, of course, in the first half, he had a 60m run straight through about three Liverpool players, before finally falling over under pressure in the box before he could shoot what would have been goal of the month, without a doubt.

Modric and Keane were the orchestrators. Anyone who thinks Keane had a bad match because he missed one chance and had two (one of which he really ought to have scored) brilliantly saved is not thinking at all. Keane was excellent. Tireless, involved in everything, showing much improved judgment of when to drop back to help in midfield and when to lead the line.

Defoe had a quiet first half, but in the second, he showed three times how much stronger he has become, repeatedly holding up the ball with his back to goal to good effect. And he won the free kick that led to the winner.

Crouch was ineffective, winning only one header and creating no chances, but he was really on there as an outlet, to relieve pressure.

Most important of all, we showed mental strength. We got pegged back in a match where we should have been 2 or 3 goals ahead, but we came right back, went ahead again and then held out, without too many scares, against some persistent pressure by a good opponent.

If we're going to achieve anything this season, we have to defend like this. It's the difference. Look at the tables over the history of the Premiership and what sets the top sides apart, statistically, is not their goals-scored records, it's their parsimonious defences.

If we get defending of this quality from the back four and Palacios, we will be extremely difficult to play against. If we can achieve that, then we have the creative players to win matches.

It took us nine matches to get this many points last season.

Sadly for my shiny new season ticket, the schedule is not kind. I will be out of the country for the next home match and then, infuriatingly, I have a gig out of London, which I can't miss, on 12 September, so I'll have to miss Man U instead. The way the schedule is set up, what with international breaks, we have virtually no other home matches until November. Typical. But that's just about the only thing I can think of to moan about :wink:.

:clap: A good summing up David. I definitely watched the same match as you. :grin:

I agree with Palacios as MOM but it was a great all round team performance with some great football all over the park. A special mention for Ledley who as usual was magnificent. To not train and then keep possibly the best striker in the world quiet was something special so see.

Good goals from both BAE and Bassong, and in a few games time Keane will be taking chances like those. Crouchie also looks rusty but that is all it is for both of them.

What a great way to start the season.

COYS

 

[chrissivad]

Love the reation from our bench

 

[riversmonkey]

It was a professional performance, every player did what was expected of them, after last seasons shambles early doors it looks as though the players realize what can be achieved, we must now take this attitude up to Hull.

 

[Spurger King]

It was a professional performance, every player did what was expected of them, after last seasons shambles early doors it looks as though the players realize what can be achieved, we must now take this attitude up to Hull.

Yep. Agree with this. Even if Liverpool had managed to sneak a result, I would not have been too disappointed. For me it's performance first, result second. On this occasion we got both. :wink:

 

[Adamspurs]

I know I'm a bit late but I've been working so..

GET IN!

 

[lishiyo]

I love that reaction from our bench! Pav and Daws just look so happy :grin:

 

[mil1lion]

Whers Ole'Gibbsy?

Harry just interviewed and when given the champers for Wilson, he said "Wilson doesnt drink, none of them are allowed to drink anymore, we'll give it to charity"..

Spice Boys eh :lol:

He was also complaining about how the Defoe and Keane partnership would never work. And he was one of the first to complain that we signed Bassong. But dont expect him to admit being wrong

 

[llamafarmer]

Love the reation from our bench

Brilliant! I love Super Pav.

And always funny to see Harry almost go apeshit and then remember he's supposed to be in charge :lol:

 

[sheringmann]

I'm a very happy young man now!

We started poorly, very poorly, and it was down to our defence that Liverpool didn't make their early dominance count. Then, Skrtel and Carragher clashed heads, a few minutes were wasted and Liverpool lost their momentum while we calmed down, regrouped, and began to asssert ourselves. By the time we scored we had been the better team, carving out the only real chances. Liverpools penalty, though a definite spot kick, came against the run of play, and we hit back straight away when in the past we might have reverted to type and folded.

Some good passing football, some committed and resolute work, and some great individual performances.

Gomes: Tipped over the bar, had little to do overall. Collected a couple of crossed, I think I remember him saving a weak Gerrard effort. Stupid to give away the penalty, Johnson was going nowhere, but at least it didn't cost us ultimately.

Corluka: Good defensively throughout, but first half he was sloppy in possession and gave the ball away a lot. Also failed to give Lennon the usual level of support, which led to Lennon being doubled up on and not really getting into the game. Second half all of this changed as Charlie brought the defence out superbly on a number of times, dribbled well and passed beautifully, releasing Lennon exquisitely down the right on one occasion.

Ekotto: Disco Benny finally has a goal, and what a sweet one. Not long before that he had skied an effort, I turned to my dad and said "He hits them with more purpose than Zokora ever did, he'll blast one in one day. Even Edman got one, and against Liverpool". My dad dismissed the notion, but I had the last laugh and how sweet it was. Aside from that, he was his usual calm and collected self, good in both halves of the pitch. Only question of him is where he was when Liverpool burst into the box leading up to the penalty.

King: Made on mistake, to which he responded by immediately winning the ball back. Distributed like a playmaker, fast, strong, tackled well, owned Torres. The best centre back in world football, no contest!

Bassong: I'm not going to get ahead of myself, but wow. Strong, fast, brought the ball out really well, not intimidated at all by Torres and Gerrard, good in the air and read everything fine. Scored a great goal too. If this is sign of things to come, then we robbed Newcastle. Let's see how much Kings influence will guide this boy.

Lennon: Quiet in the first half, was always doubled up on by Insua and Lucas. Second half however, he was superb. If only he had not been uncharacteristically selfish after that wonderful dribble, but I guess adrenaline can get the better of even the best players. Liverpool were shit scared of him adn rightly so.

Modric: Overall I thought he was a bit quiet today. Didn't do much when he had the ball, didn't really control things as I expected. Johnson did a good job on him though. However, he did set up our winner with a lovely free kick (all his set pieces were pretty good actually) and he put two chances on a plate for Keane, one a lovely dinked cross and one a classy through ball.

Huddlestone: The game looked like being a mixed bag for the Hudd, with some poor passes and decisions but also some superb cross field balls (most notable to Lennon) and a couple of through passes. However, as the game wore in, he grew in influence. His passing, short and long, relieved us of pressure a number of times. He was positionally good as well, making a lot of interceptions and blocks. He had a good day and I think he answered a lot of questions. Deserves to keep his spot for now.

Palacios: I wasa bit underwhelmed by Sergeant Wilson for a while today, but like Huddlestone he grew in stature when we needed him to. He made a few errors of judgement, seemed a touch off the pace and definitely wasn't his usual blood and thunder self. In fact, I though his forward play was his best point in the first half. However, in the second half he made a number of important tackles and broke up a lot of Liverpool play, and his passing was also pretty good, making the right decisions at the right times on most occasions.

Defoe: I thought he was superb. He fought for the ball, played some very nice passes to the other forward players and never shirked the fight. He was involved with some good link up play with both Lennon and Modric, and in the second half when we needed him to keep the ball up the pitch, he did. A combination of great first touch and being rather strong meant that he caused the Liverpool centre halves the sorts of problems that you'd associate with a far larger human being than JD. In a game where the chances for him were lacking, he still shone.

Keane: He had three glorious chances. The diving header was on a plate for him. The one on one with Reina when Modric put him through should have been slotted in. The volley, why did he not take it down, he had so much space! However, I felt he played well. He linked with Defoe well, he fought non stop, and he looked dangerous. I won't criticise Robbie for missing chances, I'll criticise him when he doesn't get chances because he's too busy playing defensive midfield. Today, no criticism's. Job well done and made it work with Defoe, and we all know how hard that is for these two.

O'Hara: Well, he didn't really do anything that wrong or right, but Liverpool had begun to get on top of us again and Modric was shattered, so the fresh pair of legs undoubtedly did us some good.

Crouch: I was a bit dissappointed with him. He didn't win his headers and he didn't hold the ball when it came to him. Still, we have 4 t'riffic strikers at the club, they are all options, we know this, and Crouch will definitely cause defenses problems.

Pavlyuchenko: A very well earned weeks wages. Not for his contribution, he barely was on the pitch, but for the bombastic celebrations (thank you half time jumbotron) when Ekotto scored his goals. Superb attitude!

Can't complain. First day of the season win.. check. Beat one of the best teams around.. check. Play with both passion and panache.. check. A good day was had by all.

Oh, and a special mention for

Gerrard: Self defence, you're 'avin a laugh, Self defence, you're 'avin a laugh! Brilliant!

I love Pav Please don't sell

 

[Bobishism]

I'm a very happy young man now!

We started poorly, very poorly, and it was down to our defence that Liverpool didn't make their early dominance count. Then, Skrtel and Carragher clashed heads, a few minutes were wasted and Liverpool lost their momentum while we calmed down, regrouped, and began to asssert ourselves. By the time we scored we had been the better team, carving out the only real chances. Liverpools penalty, though a definite spot kick, came against the run of play, and we hit back straight away when in the past we might have reverted to type and folded.

How exactly did we start poorly (very poorly)? We were apprehensive, but thats a given against one of the leagues top sides. A very poor start is going 2-0 nil down in 10 minutes. The fact that they didnt score, and that they couldn't hold possession suggests we started very well.

Johnson was going nowhere, but at least it didn't cost us ultimately.

We'd have conceded either way. But Gomes made a mistake. Johnson would have certainly created a chance out of that.

Corluka: Good defensively throughout

Wrong.

Second half however, he was superb. If only he had not been uncharacteristically selfish after that wonderful dribble,

Off day, both halfs were poor. Insua did incredibly well to keep him out of the game.

 

[Spurger King]

I love Roman Pav...Roman Pav loves me!

 

[topcert]

Went down my local for a few celebratory drinks, i walk in and there's loads of liverpool fans in there :rofl:. Did i enjoy taking the piss out of them:rofl:.

Funny how they always think they should of won :roll: and we robbed them :rofl:.

But fair play to them they did buy me a drink :beer:.

COYS