Tottenham vs Liverpool: Match Thread

[Flashspur]

If we play to what we are capable of, based on QPR i.e. where we played within ourselves, then we can beat the scousers. I see us nicking this one. Balotelli to cause us grief but our overall fitness to shine through.

I have to say Liverpool looked poor in their last two games, but that could be early seasonitis. Tough game overall but we can win this!

To dare is to do! COYS!!

 

[arunspurs]

Apparently Poch's 100% record (this is before Limassol home game) of 3 competitive game wins is the best ever for a Spurs manager.. Now with yesterday its extended to 4.

3 in 3 in league would be awesome. Probably toughest game of the season - physically & mentally. We have to do it to be seen as a credible CL contender.

 

[teok]

Well up for this one (fucking hate that it's on sunday though, I can never get used to that).

Liverpool fans have been mouthing off for months now. Dammit I really want to win this one. For some reason their fans have been winding me up way worse than any other prem club recently.

 

[arunspurs]

Well up for this one (fucking hate that it's on sunday though, I can never get used to that).

Liverpool fans have been mouthing off for months now. Dammit I really want to win this one. For some reason their fans have been winding me up way worse than any other prem club recently.

I am certain majority of Spurs fans feel that way.

A win over that lot would be so wonderful

 

[dirtyh]

massive game. hate those fucks so much, just want to shut their stupid gobby pieholes for a few days.

 

[Scottish Spur]

Tough ask for me.

Liverpool didn't concede more than 3 goals in a game all last year. Their heaviest league defeat was 3-1 at Hull. They aren't coming to WHL and getting smashed. They only lost two on the bounce once last year when they went to City and Chelsea away, both more than respectable places to lose matches. So, it'll be hard work.

Having said that, do I think it's a no hoper ? No, I do not. Indeed, I probably make us slight favourites providing we don't allow them a fast start. My biggest fear is that we'll be two down inside half hour on Sunday. They started fast at City and but for both the great defence of City and Liverpool's loss of penetration post Suarez, they'd have likely been ahead of the game there at HT. What worries me is that a) our defence is not as resolute and composed as City's and b) you'd expect Liverpool's attack to improve week on week.

Hold them for the opening period, allow the game to settle and get a hold in the contest and I think we can beat them. Their defence is poor. Not just average, it's poor. Our attack can score at least two on them if we give ourselves a chance and I have no concern for us getting at them. The tactical styles are so similar, it'll be very interesting. Capoue is going to need a good game as Sterling is becoming a great player whilst Coutinho is exceptionally clever. Their main man as always is Gerrard though. We must maintain consistent pressure with our high press on him or he'll start 'quarterbacking' the ball all over the field and their attackers will find little pockets of space.

In a nutshell, I think this week comes down to the opening period. If we're not behind after 30 minutes, then I really think we can win it or at the very least it could go either way. If we allow them to get off to a flyer, then we're buggered. Another concern is that this game is crucial for our confidence moving forward. A comfortable Liverpool win will reinforce to us that we aren't contenders and to them that they're better than we are. A Spurs win will send shivers down their backs. They're already incredibly defensive over Spurs because of the previous 5/6 visits to the Lane before last term. It is a real opportunity to announce to the PL that we are serious top four contenders again.

COYS

 

[arunspurs]

I can't see Rodgers starting Baloelli given how we press higher up.
Looks like both Johnson & Moreno are out of the game ,which means their loan signing Manquillo will start at RB & Enrique or Flanagan will start LB with Skrtel & Lovren as CB.
Honestly, Liverpool back 4 is wafer thin. If we can stop their attack, we can win over them.

My XI :
Lloris,Dier,Kaboul,Vertonghen,Rose,
Capoue,Bentaleb
Eriksen, Lamela,Chadli,
Ade
Same as QPR.

IMO, stopping Gerrard is key to stop them playing. Our defense is suspect with the diagonal balls and Gerrard would ping those all game.
I would put Lamela or Eriksen to man mark him and try to close him down & induce a mistake.

 

[Good Doctor M]

Hoping Balotelli comes off the bench and bites someone. That would be the best result I could imagine, regardless of the the final score.

 

[Gb160]

I can't see Rodgers starting Baloelli given how we press higher up.
Looks like both Johnson & Moreno are out of the game ,which means their loan signing Manquillo will start at RB & Enrique or Flanagan will start LB with Skrtel & Lovren as CB.
Honestly, Liverpool back 4 is wafer thin. If we can stop their attack, we can win over them.

My XI :
Lloris,Dier,Kaboul,Vertonghen,Rose,
Capoue,Bentaleb
Eriksen, Lamela,Chadli,
Ade
Same as QPR.

IMO, stopping Gerrard is key to stop them playing. Our defense is suspect with the diagonal balls and Gerrard would ping those all game.
I would put Lamela or Eriksen to man mark him and try to close him down & induce a mistake.

Also....Flanagans injured, I completely agree with you, their back 4 was weak last season, looks even weaker for Sunday.

 

[Supersi32]

Can't see Fazio starting in a game of this importance. Same as last week for me although Sandro looked good tonight and I'd love to see him destroying that pussy Liverpool midfield. That would mean dropping Bentaleb for me.

Sandro did indeed play well, but Liverpool`s midfield is just to mobile and quick for him at the mo.

 

[Mr Pink]

All the talk will be around Balotelli but I fancy Adebayor to steal the limelight. This is the sort of occasion he gets up for.

He's shed the rustiness now. I think he'll given Lovren all sort of problems.

 

[carpediem991]

Ohh i will be there. South lower stand 35 here i come. So excited.

 

[Coyboy]

Ohh i will be there. South lower stand 35 here i come. So excited.

Massive fan of South Lower. I was there on Sunday and it was much better being nearer the pitch for once. Not sure I could deal with a ST there but at least they sing their hearts out unlike Paxton.

 

[Paolo10]

Well this will show us how good we could potentially be under Poch, it's looking promising so far, but this is the first real test. COYS!

 

[Scottish Spur]

Just imagine a good win against them though. If we come raring out the blocks, are two up at HT and end up winning by 3 with a dominating performance, I'd register for RAWK and explode all over their forum. Third generation Irish Fenians.

 

[mpickard2087]

I'm looking forward to this, its going to be an interesting one as its hard to know where both teams are at this early in the season. Both are rebuilding somewhat and have questions to answer. I think games like this the most imperative thing is not to lose. First test under Poch, lets hope he and the players rise to it!

 

[Hazardousman]

What annoys me more than anything about Liverpool supporters is their sheer arrogance saying things like "We should be smashing this lot, we have better players all over the pitch"

I don't understand what they are basing that argument on? One season of finishing ahead of us in 5 seasons with one of the best players in the world playing for them?

Last year they had Suarez and we had an entirely new team (all full of players that have never played in this league before) and went through 2 managers...oh and they had no European commitments either.

The sheer delusion that comes from most of their mouths is enough to make anybody cringe, I honestly would LOVE to smash them and put them back in their place, they do not, in my opinion, have better players than us, I think it could be argued they might have better depth in some areas but not to the extent they want everybody to believe.

I honestly expect a draw from this game, but I would love to get a win, anything better than the embarrassment I witnessed last year will be a major improvement if I am honest, but I very much doubt that will happen under Poch. (Being embarrassed I mean.)

On a final note, I really think if we win this it will give us the confidence we need to have a great season and I would expect that motivation to take us right to the final day for 4th spot barring any bad injuries or bad luck (Which we seem to have in abundance let's face it)

Anyway COYS

Edit* It's things like the following quote from RAWK which annoy me..."I don't get it. Aside from possibly Lloris, not a single spurs player would make it into our starting 11. How can we possibly fear a team like that?

They are to be respected and taken seriously but this I game where a loss would be an unacceptable result."

He doesn't even say Lloris for sure just "Possibly" as if that's even debateable to start with lol! And I can name 6 players right off the top of my head that would walk into their starting 11 straight away.

 

[lukadownthelane]

I think Dier will play CB and Naughton will come in to RB. Otherwise it'll be the same team as QPR

 

[riggi]

First time I was in south lower, was las season against.....Liverpool. Good times.

 

[lenny7]

Big test this one, if we can escape the absolute smashing we took last time out (pretty confident we will), I'll be happy.