who'll be in the squad v Liverpool tonight

[spurs4europe]

on another note, berchiche again in the reserves. i take it he's progressing well then?

 

[BoringOldFan]

Liverpool's touring reserve team got a deserved 2-1 win at Orient against us. It was a friendly, and Clive Allen made five second-half changes on a bitterly cold night that affected the rhythm of the team. The visitors recovered from a first-half penalty and delivered two late sucker punches to steal the win.

First half Liverpool started brightly, with everything going through their no. 6 Jay Spearing. He was their star man. But Spurs came into it with Pekhart making some good forward runs, on one occasion taking on their entire defence and getting his shot in.

Joe Martin had another shaky game at left back, but put in a terrific lofted pass to Danny Rose who ran from his central midfield position into the penalty area where he was brought down. Pekhart placed his penalty high to the 'keeper's left.

Dag Olsen was clean through on another occasion and was brought down, but the ref gave nothing. Dervite had a commanding game at centre half.

Second half and off came Forecast, Hutton and Livermore and on came Button, Kasim and Fraser-Allen. Routledge moved from right to left midfield. Things began to get a bit confused. Certainly Livermore's midfield bite was missing.

Liverpool took advantage and came more into the game. More subs at 70 minutes when Berchiche replaced Rocha and Hutchins replaced Olsen. Danny Rose was pushed upfield to support Pekhart, but it didn't really work and the 'Pool defence was rarely troubled, although Pekhart hada good chance with a header from a Fraser-Allen cross. But it was pretty much straight at the 'keeper.

We were just about holding out until the last 10 minutes (sound familiar?). Then a free kick on the 'D' was fired in. Button couldn't hold it and the rebound was swept home. Two minutes later Spearing sent in a high free kick on the right to the near post, which was headed in.

A disappointing result, but Dervite came through 90 minutes and Rocha saw 70 minutes action. As posted, no Ledley King, and he did not travel with the first team squad which went up to Manchester today.

 

[thetallaghttiger]

no King tonight will make people think 2 things. He's either going to play tomorrow night or on Saturday, OR, that he's had a setback!

I hope it's invisible answer No. 3, we're being very careful with him and easing him back into things

I reckon Rocha could make the bench for Saturday

 

[yanno]

BOF - thanks for your report, as ever. Good to hear that Dervitte had a "commanding" game.

I see Danny Rose was playing in CM. How did he do there? And do you think it was a case of needs must? Or that Ramos has decided Rose may have a future as a CM?

 

[PT]

Saving King for Arsenal? He would have been given another 45 minutes if that is the case, surely...

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Must be a setback. There's no way he'd be starting away at arsenal with 45 minutes of reserve football under his belt in months.

 

[finch101]

Wish the club would keep us posted on King, there must know that everyone is incredibly interested in his comeback, and when he isn't involved in games such as 2night we should be told why. When were not told it gets fans guessing, my guess-setback i thought tonights game would be almost tailor made for more gametime, encouraging RR played though, reckon he could be on the bench saturday

 

[BoringOldFan]

BOF - thanks for your report, as ever. Good to hear that Dervitte had a "commanding" game.

I see Danny Rose was playing in CM. How did he do there? And do you think it was a case of needs must? Or that Ramos has decided Rose may have a future as a CM?

I was a little disappointed with DR playing as left CM. He had little chance to show his dribbling or crossing skills. David Hutton played LM. He's skillful, but very small (barely comes up to Pekhart's shoulder) and gets knocked off the ball easily.

He didn't fare much better when he was pushed up front with Pekhart in the second half. He got whacked a couple of times so may have been a bit crocked. As we'd already brought on 5 subs I think he had to stay on.

Rose did well to win the penalty, but I don't think he's as effective as a CM compared to the chance to run at people from a wide position.

 

[yanno]

Rose did well to win the penalty, but I don't think he's as effective as a CM compared to the chance to run at people from a wide position.

Aha - so he is still the long-term solution to our LM problem, eh? :wink:

Thanks for that. Given Rose has played centrally for the ressies and academy quite a bit recently, I was wondering whether Ramos and Poyet (who knows him from Leeds) had a sneaky plan to change his position. Whereas every description I've seen of his style of play (plus the odd YouTube clip) suggests he's purpose-built for a Ramos-style direct, down the line, LM..

 

[N10toN17]

it's terrible isn't it N10 - I find the only cure is sleep - but of course with Spurs there's so many things to think about before falling asleep, and then it's one last check on the computer, and then .... I'd get myself a life but I think they're out of stock ... [/B]

:razz: DC your a star, you've just reminded me, I'd better get her indoors some pressies for xmas.

Thinking about it, as she supports Spurs I might buy her the opus book, only 4, 8 or 10k, peanuts for the definitive book on Spurs................. yeah right.

 

[truespur]

CM is not a new position to rose as he often played there for leeds and england youth teams but he is MUCH better on the wings

 

[General Levy]

Match report

 

[stevenurse]

that tackle against robben just makes me smile, what a beast ledley is. dont forget about the block against huckerby too!

 

[chinaman]

I'm also a bit pessimistic. Guess he must have had a bit of reaction after his last run out.

 

[bubble07]

This doesn't sound like good news to me. I thought this fixture was an unofficially arranged freindly match specifically for him.

 

[DC_Boy]

:razz: DC your a star, you've just reminded me, I'd better get her indoors some pressies for xmas.

Thinking about it, as she supports Spurs I might buy her the opus book, only 4, 8 or 10k, peanuts for the definitive book on Spurs................. yeah right.

N10 - good luck with the shopping -

What a game tonight promises to be

 

[DC_Boy]

Hi BOF - how did Rocha play?

I predicted yesterday he was more likely to play than King on Sat (indeed my money was/is on King's absence being due to a 'setback', though we can't use that word can we?

 

[BoringOldFan]

Hi BOF - how did Rocha play?

I predicted yesterday he was more likely to play than King on Sat (indeed my money was/is on King's absence being due to a 'setback', though we can't use that word can we?

RickRock was pretty solid, but as TBNTM (The Bloke Next To Me) pointed out, he doesn't really have a lot of 'presence'. He's not very intimidiating, more hard-working.

As the first team was in Manchester, Gus & Wendy were not there to see how he got on. So DZ could continue at CB until Daws' head trouble clears up.

I am trying to 'look into' wink what happened to Ledley. I'll let you know if I hear anything.

 

[DC_Boy]

RickRock was pretty solid, but as TBNTM (The Bloke Next To Me) pointed out, he doesn't really have a lot of 'presence'. He's not very intimidiating, more hard-working.

As the first team was in Manchester, Gus & Wendy were not there to see how he got on. So DZ could continue at CB until Daws' head trouble clears up.

I am trying to 'look into' wink what happened to Ledley. I'll let you know if I hear anything.

Cheers BOF - that's RR for you - he's just a defender who goes about his job - and given some of Spurs defending that's no bad thing- I don't think he's in the 'Ist XI' but we sure need squad cover ATM -

 

[BoringOldFan]

Threads merged to bring you the news that the reason there was no Ledley last night is that the coaches did not want him to play in that particular game and that we will see him again "soon".

There has not been a 'setback' in his recovery.