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Tottenham Hotspur vs. Olympique Lyonnais

Olympique Lyonnais curently sit 2nd in France`s Ligue 1 but Lyon lost 3-1 at home to 11th Place LOSC Lille when they could have closed the gap on PSG their current form is very inconsistent.

Probably the most well known player in the Lyon side to us is midfielder Steed Malbranque who played for Spurs and was then sold to Sunderland. Lisandro Lopez, will be one of the key players in Olympique Lyon's and is reported to be none to happy at Lyon after his failed move to Juventus where the deal fell through as Juve thought Lisandro too expensive.

AVB will know Lisandro when he played at Porto. Lissandro claims he no longer wants to play on the left. The problem is, Bafé Gomis and his strong physical presence with the back facing the goal is probably more useful to the team in that position than the diminutive Licha. And the few attempts the manager Rémi Garde tried to field 2 strikers simultanously didn`t prove too successful either. So frustration has been growing on both sides.

Lisandro actually failed to join Tottenham on the last day of this window. Lyon Chairman Jean-Michel Aulas refused the 6ME offer made by Spurs, which is said to have frustrated the Argentine, who was rejoicing at the idea of playing alongside his close mate Hugo Lloris in a major league. Lisandro reportedly expressed to his relatives his total refusal to extend at Lyon and hence his willingness to go for zero euro in a year. Levy please note!

Their Manager is Rémi Garde. Garde started his playing career at Lyon in 1982, helping the club achieve promotion to Ligue 1 in 1989. Recently he has been linked with being a successor to Arsène Wenger? He has only been a manager for just 18 months but he is now second favourite with the bookmakers to replace Wenger. Garde is largely unknown on these shores but he took over at Lyons in June 2011. It is what he has done since, as well as his links with Wenger and Arsenal, that have catapulted him into contention. Garde took control of a Lyons team which had lost its way in recent years after winning seven successive titles from 2001-2008. Claude Puel, the former Lyons manager, spent £125m over three years without success. Garde, who was on the coaching staff for several title-winning years but more recently was running the academy, stepped up with a brief to slash the budget, mainly by shifting non-performing "stars" and promoting youth. He has not only done that, he has also steered the team past big-spending Paris Saint-Germain and done it while cruising into the knockout stages of the Europa League. Lyons are in that competition because Garde just failed to secure a Champions League place last season, but his team did win the French Cup. Garde could have been Lyons manager earlier; he was offered the chance to replace the departing Gérard Houllier in 2007 but turned it down preferring to work with the youngsters.

Garde has been asking his team for consistency. Lyon have been in irregular from one match to the other in 2013, and Garde is asking for more of a performance from his players. The first half of their season the team had ta similar start to us producing very dull 0-0 at Gerland versus Evian-Thonon-Gaillard but with the poor performances have been accompanied by their exit from the Coupe de France in Epinal (3-3, 2-4 on penalties).

Lyon have also seen some of their best player move they have lost Monzon, Novillo, Sidy Koné and of course Michel Bastos and although Ghezzal has been the most obvious replacement for Bastos, the leavers may actually not be the biggest problem Lyon have to manage, now that the transfer window is closed. Arguably, it`s the players who stayed.

AVB has an interesting selection conundrum to solve as we have Lyon on Thursday night and then one week later at their place the Stade Gerland. Then we have West Ham on Monday the 25th February.

If AVB is sincere about the EL then we can only assume that he will put out his strongest side. Playing at home AVB will want to take a winning margin to Lyon and maybe be a bit more defensive in the second leg. So, the question is who will AVB play and, given that by the 25th February at West Ham, we may have both Kaboul and Defoe back does that give AVB more options.

Written by OyVeh Maria

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Writer: OyVeh Maria

Date:Tuesday February 12 2013

Time: 2:51PM

Your Comments

Im going 3-1 .
Adebayor to lead the line & get 2 . Vertonghen & BAE to come in .The season starts for Adabayor on Thusday ,but better late than never .

big cockeral

Do you reckon flowers and chocs for the missus will appease her seeing as she won't have my full attention during the game?!

Metal Spurs

just take her to the game. otherwise, surely it would be bad form to complain at you watching the match after you spend so much money on here. perhaps as an alternative, dont get her a thing, instigate a row, storm out and watch the game...

oxfordspur

My wife is working, how unfortunate ;) I'm saying good shout big c 3 - 1 with ade on the scoresheet,

spurticus87

Metal Spurs.....get her a match progamme as well mate, she'll be really overjoyed. Then while she's reading, nick he chocs...2 - 0 Spurs...good night all round.

Andre's Crouching

Ox second option always preferable. lol. I bought tickets to go to the game so I can avoid any issues for VD (valentines day). haha.

COYS R US

can sit back and enjoy these ties, nice to get away from the pressure of staying 4th for a few games. Basically its a champions league tie without the worry. If we win great, if we lose, who cares. The further we go in it the more it harms our 4th place bid. Im not saying thats right, thats just how football is today.

jimmy-yid

Back to the match up: Lloris, Naughton, Dawson, Vertonghen, Benny: Lenny, Parker, Siggy, Bale; Holtby; Ade: Subs Friedel, Walker, Dempsey, Obika, Caulker, Gallas/Livermore/Carrol/Thudd. Seems Dembele suffering from that nasty Cabaye tackle on his shin/ankle so a rest would be good for him before our next prem encounter in 13 days time. A nice win with a clean sheet, 2-0 would be good to take to France.

COYS R US

2-0 to Spurs stoppng the away goal will make life easier in France. But this will be a big test for us ahead of a very difficult couple of weeks. Great news about getting Kaboul and Defoe back but hope Ade does enough int he next ten days to keep Defoe as a super impact sub!

Slurms McKenzie

Looks like it is a good time to Play Lyon. For that reason...I say..be brave Avb..and go 3 /5 /2....test the waters. I can see spurs winning by 3-0 clear goals....which would be a excellent result. 2-0 would be very good. "come on you spurs".

82spursdebut

@OvVeh...very good article. Should be an interesting game. Maybe BAE,Gallas,Vert and Naughton will start. Dembele needs a rest.

dannylane

Clean sheet is essential. Big scoreline would be welcome. If Holtby, Ade and Sigurdsson could all get on the scoreline, it could really have us in a very positive mood. COYS

peterballb

I can see AVB putting out a strong team for the first leg and we must do our best in that game imo. I don't care what the result is come the second tie, ahead or behind, we have to be saving our STRONGEST team for the west spam tie. Lloris, Verts, Parker, Ade and at least one of our flying wingers. With the Chavs playing Man City we have a real chance of closing the gap, maybe even jumping up a place. COYS.

SpursOne2

I hope that Friedel uses all his years of experience for this game and says to AVB, ''It's Hugo's old team let him play in both legs'' The only time Friedel should be back between the sticks is if Hugo is injured, this is football not a charity, I'm all for R&R Rest & Rotation, but last time he played (friedel) the diffence had a mare, leeds away!!! I know AVB want's to win it, I do as well, but i'm still between the devil and the deep blue sea; Beware buying flowers guys, i did that for my x once and she said ''suppose i've got to open my legs for them'' My reply was ''Is that what you think of me, if i had known that i would have got a couple of extra bunches so they don't flop about''

spu 4 life

To win a European trophy in Villas Boas first year would be massive for the manager, the club and our standing in Europe. I expect the strongest line-up possible in both legs. The double-header is also set up beautifully with no PL games to worry about. And on ITV1 in front of the nation! Spurs to put on a show and go 3-0 up but Lyon to nick a late one to make us nervous for the 2nd leg as usual.

StillRickyVilla

In a funny sort of way if Adebayor kicks on from here he could feel like a new signing himself .
Been after that striker ,Adebayor could be that new striker .He`s been missing most of the season for various reasons so a run of games topped with much better performances from him .

I`d like to see Bale playing off Adebayor ,Dempsey move to the left ,Holby & parker in the middle .Walker Caulker ,Vertonghen & BAE back line .
Please no Friedel ,got to be the brilliant Lloris .Lyon are a good side & despite the tie itself being played over 2 legs ,Friedel just doesn`t have them anymore .

big cockeral

82 you and your 3-5-2, you make that suggestion every game....personally Im not as confident as most on here, as we have been dire in the EL this season, I can see 1-0 to us or 0-0/1-1, as I dont expect Lyon to be so open away from home in the first leg

Ossie

Ossie, are we at a stage where we will be looking to play as strong a side as possible. hopefully we get a decent cushion on thursday to enable us to rest a couple for West Ham after the 2nd leg

oxfordspur

We have to get a result thursday because our game against West ham will dictate our team selection next week!

Slurms McKenzie

Are we assuming that Lloris will start at least one and perhaps both of these games?

oxfordspur

If Friedel gets the nod, then AVB isn't taking it seriously Ox

yiddyboy

ossie....well we more or less...play 3 at the back anyway. I would just like to see.....Vertonghen, Caulker, Dawson (kaboul)...tried...like italy 1990...Wright / Butcher / Walker. I just think those 3 would eat up the ground they cover....plus would be a big threat at our corners. I.e.....a few easy goals would be nice, rather than hoping Bale can deliver every game. It's also......5 / 3 / 2...when defending. But if you gain control of the midfield ..i.e...further upfield....towards the opposition goal then peg them back, with the 3/5/2.........Bit like.....you will laugh at this.LOL........The Zulu....war technique was to bulls horn shape push back the enemy...and squeeze them. Thus...what i'm saying we squeeze the oppostion back in their ldefensive 3rd...attack from the sides and middle. BUT....i do like the 4, 4, 1, 1...system too....if we have fast wingers, which we have. Personnally, i think.....4,2,3,1.....doesn't hold enough width...but i'm not totally against it...and could see that working too.

82spursdebut

Ossie, I don't thnk we have been that poor. Referees decisions in both of the Lazio games cost us wins. We could have done better, but then the squad was still sorting itself out. It's been an interesting year. One in which we have not been abe to start our best XI together. As Sandro is out for the remainder of the season, that will be the case for the whole season. Win by at least 2 and have a clean sheet and we'll be looking great going to Lyon. COYS

peterballb

Ox, AVB has played a fairly strong team throughout the EL, so I expect him to do the same Thursday. I hope we will win by 3 goals and have an easier 2nd leg, but Lyon are a very good team, very experienced in Europe, this will be a very tough tie, won by the odd goal imo.

Ossie

It will be the strongest line-up possible in both legs. Even the modern day footballer is able to recover with 4 whole days off!

StillRickyVilla

To qualify for the CL in AVBs forst season would be massive for him, the club and our standing. Also will help keep players, sign players and will show how far we have come as a team. Even after all the changes, loosing a few key players. For me, put out a strong team for the first tie and get the win if we can. Then for the second leg we could not just 'rest' key players..but maybe keep them on the bench and give some of the other talented players itching to play a go. We will have options on the bench if needs be. Anyone looking at the prem fixtures will see how big a win at west ham will be. Also, playing Friedel in either on of these ties is fine by me. COYS.

SpursOne2

srv...very right there......Training is no great substitute for actual games. Can always do less training..........just need at least one full day recovery from a game, generally. Saying that, wouldn't surprise me..if Dembele was missing from the starting line up. I think he has taken a fair (large) share of the battles recently.

82spursdebut

Again, as Villas-Boas said earlier in the season. There's no point in 'resting' players in all other competitions (particularly European ones) and going all out for 4th in the league. Apart from winning phuck all again and watching Chelsea, Man U and City collect all the silverware in May, what do we do if we actually make the CL next season? I can tell you that judging by last time a lot on here will be willing AVB to rest players in the CL so we qualify again! What then, is the point in any of it I ask you!? We have to be able to manage 2 games a week and to compete for trophies and for league position. That is what we are doing. AVB will put out his strongest line-up and he should do.

StillRickyVilla

Disagree, come the second leg we may be in a position to do just that and keep players fresh for our Premier League game. That would be good management. I hope we go all out to win the first leg.

SpursOne2

srv...quite right again...........finals and silverware....is what matters. Something to show the children and grandchildren. Remember the memories.........NOT tell your kids, "well i helped my team to get 4th and into the champions league, a few times"...lol We must keep pushing on....and learn the art of winning.

82spursdebut

82, absolutely. A 4th place finish gives us nothing more than a greater opportunity to win trophies in the future (access to greater funds, sponsorship etc). So why would we give up the chance of winning NOW! Its an anomaly of the Sky Sports generation that i just cannot fathom. The end goal is, and always will be, to WIN, and hopefully win in STYLE. That's what Tottenham Hotspur should be all about. That's what people remember.

StillRickyVilla

I didnt say anything about just trying to finnish 4th did i? Or not try to win silverware. There are just bigger fish to fry than this tier 2 competition. We can get our selves in a good position to do both, and the PL is still a massive priority...i cant fathom why anyone would not want us to keep that in mind, or not want our team to play in the biggest European competition out there either. Again, i hope we try in the EL but i hope we are in a good position by the second leg. COYS.

SpursOne2

srv...this is what Avb...possibly is......or should be saying to his squad, now. He should be reminding them, that a players career is short and not many opportunities for greatness...espec' with the amount of competition. The platform is built.....now time to Entertain and Win, win , win. Should be a great euro' night thursday.

82spursdebut

Would love to win this cup like everyone else and think we have a big enough squad to do this and Maytain our league form. If I had to choose one it would be a 4th place finish. Only because I believe champions league football would benefit the club more. I'd go for friedel, Naughton, Dawson, Verts, BAE, Parker, Holtby, Lennon, Gylfi, Bale and Ade. Wish for a 3-0 first leg win. Would like to rest both Bale and Lennon for the away leg.

spurspanther

Spursone2......i wonder .....if you win the EL...and also qualify for the champions league. Do you get the choice of which one you wish to compete in, the following season ?

82spursdebut

82 you may be right about the 3-5-2, but at the business end of the season to me aint the time to try new formations. But for me 3-5-2 would lose Lennon, who has been one of our best players this season, as Walker would play right wing back. Im asuming Bale would play behind the striker in that formation yes?.

Peter maybe you right about the team finding itself in the early stages, but truth be told, we have effort in our squad to qualify at ease from that group. We was unlucky against Lazio at home, and barring the Maribor game at home, we was poor.

Ossie

ossie.....no......it would be Dembele,parker, lennon (inside right).......bale left, walker right...............holtby roaming round addy, up front. (like vdv to crouch). Bale can still go outside or diagonal towards goal..or even swop sides occaisionally with Walker....and continue to shoot, when ever poss'. But admittedly...those speedy wingbacks would have to do a lot of running....but i feel they are fast enough and capable. Plus you have the subs'....ready and waiting, if required. But......i like ekotto...and don't have a problem with Vertonghen at left back. Thus, i'm not fussed ...with whatever system he uses. I just would like....dempsey and siggy'...to be on the subs' bench, till we have at least seen the addy'/ holtby/ Bale / lennon ..combo' tried.

82spursdebut

I think ade will get a start alongside Dempsey, the usual midfield and a recall for 'the tong' and BAE, holtby on at 60mins for whoevers performing worst, I think it would be a little unfair to replace Dempsey with holtby just yet, he's always done a job for us wherever he's been asked to play.

sirlordos

Strongest side available is the only way to go. What if we throw the EL for the promise of CL football, finish 4th and Arsenal go on to win the CL? I know it probably won't happen, then again who here had Chelsea down to beat Barca over two legs and Bayern in their own back yard?

thfc1882whl

This game is as serious as any we have had in the PL. Done the nitty gritty of qualifying, it’s now time to really put our markers down in both PL and EL. We’ve had all the tinkering with the team, tactics, formations etc., it’s time to put all the hard work in to a nice run to the end of the season. What I am really looking to see in the team is that strong winning mentality. Being successful in Europe will get recognition and give confidence that should filter through to the PL. Field a strong side to play Lyon at home and hopefully with a worthy margin, see it out back in Lyon to conserve energy for the PL. If my memory serves me right, of the current squad, only Dawson (and may be BAE) has/have tasted playing in a final. The young squad needs to savour that level of success to develop. I will go for 3-0 at the lane. COYS!

Critical_Spur

Always play to win. That's how you build confidence and begin to believe in yourself. If you lose whilst trying your best you might feel bad but not discouraged. Unfortunately that's a habit we developed under HR where we focused on the League to the detriment of the team spirit. This is something AVB must overcome to build that invincible feeling.

jvd

off topic I like the reference to Defoe being a HITMAN in the following article http://www.touchlinetalk.com/spurs-ace-was-arrested-during-investigation/30691/?

Big Ron

any link for madrid v utd tonight?

thfan

oh it is tomorrow lol

thfan

sounds more like he hired a hitman Big Ron lol football gangsters

spurs-stelios

COME ON YOU SPURS and WIN WIN WIN !!!

Madaboutspurs

With no PL games in next 12 days, I guess we need to field a strong lineup. Having said that, I would make a few changes from last PL game. My XI would be ,

Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, BAE, Livermore,Gylfi, Bale, Lennon, Holtby, Adebayor

sydqcb5

Bench Dembele, Parker & Dempsey. Some here dont like Livermore. He is not the best, but he doesnt make any mistakes. With Sandro injured, I would try him there ahead of Parker & Hudd. And Gylfi desperately needs a game. He has not had a good season, but recent 5 games he has looked good when coming on. Hes just unlucky not to get a start.

sydqcb5

"Adebayor to lead the line & get 2 . Vertonghen & BAE to come in .The season starts for Adabayor on Thusday ,but better late than never." says big c!

Good show, big c. usually consistent in your negative assessments of Adebayor, but going for the positive today! Well done, lad.

Total knobhead

Just saw a tweet saying that Defoe was taken to the nick by old bill in a case involving death threats to two women stealing stuff from his house? Anything to this story or is it twitterings in the wind?

Total knobhead

Id like to see us start Siggy. AVB has been good at utilising his squad and the only time it has really backfired was at Leeds, where we had no strikers. Id like to see Lloris, Naughton, Dawson, Verts, Benny, Siggy, Livermore, Dembele, Dempsey, Bale, Adebayor. Give Parker & Lennon a rest. Lennon could be a game changer off the bench. COYS

HuddersfieldYiddo

As for Livermore - He is what he is, an honest hardworking & often effective holding midfielder. He has his limitations but he's an excellent squaddy imo & deserves a start. Certainly above Huddlestone in the pecking order who imo was an embarrassment against Leeds both in performance and physical condition.

HuddersfieldYiddo

Think given Dembele's nasty end to Saturday's game, we might see Holtby moving back a little into the centre of the park and replacing Dembele as the creative midfield man. Would be interesting to see how he performs in that role. Adebayor has to get the start and kick off his season as others are saying here. Would put Gylfi in the hole with the option of rotating with Bale out to the left throughout. I think Parker will still start this one though I would agree with others that it would be nice to see Livermore getting an appearance. Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, BAE, Lennon, Parker, Holtby, Bale, Gylfi, Adebayor.

WhiteHartHotspur

From memory I think Livermore played quite well in the Europa League last year. Think he got a goal at some point.

WhiteHartHotspur

Total knobhead, here's the story, make of it what you will http://www.touchlinetalk.com/spurs-ace-was-arrested-during-investigation/30691/?

In-spurs-ational

Just seen that the exact same link was posted earlier. I should've gone to spec savers!

In-spurs-ational

thfc1882whl – Yes, the strongest side available especially for the first leg. But this is a learning curve for us, how to deal with 2 competitions in the PL and the EL. We may find ourselves in the CL again one day....and we will have to do the same. Manage the PL and the CL. If you consider Man U who have been doing this for a while, even this year they have been working the squad in the same way. They were looking to win key games, maybe resting players for the PL in other games. It’s tough as we learnt with our first time we qualified under Harry. I was trying to highlight this, AVB as we know wants to do well in this comp but he will also have one eye on the PL game against west ham (look at the fixtures around us that weekend – great opportunity if we can get the 3 points). Come the second leg, I think we can keep some key players fresh, coming on from the bench maybe later in the game if needs be. Or we can look to make some changes in the second half, taking players off. I’m all up for the glory, the silverware but also want us to keep the PL firmly at the up there on our priority list. I’m sure we can manage both with some hard work. Cheers.

SpursOne2

The key is utilizing your squad correctly. I think AVB has done a good job with this. I'd expect a strong lineup

Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, BAE, Lennon, Dembele, Parker, Bale, Holtby, Demspey.

I have a feeling AVB would rather upset Ade then Dempsey, who imo is more committed to the cause than Ade is.

yiddyboy

No one mentions Tom Carroll these days. Is he now yesterdays man(boy)? He didn't go on loan, either AVB wanted to keep him, or no one wanted him?

jacobslad

Adebayor to play in the first game, not the second. If he plays in Lyon he is unlikely to be back in time for the WHam game.

jacobslad

SpursOne, you nailed it with your last post. The only thing is Lyon are a CL quality side and so we would have to be exceptional on Thursday to have the tie already won after just one leg. We'll see.

StillRickyVilla

Rest Dembele play Holtby behind Ade with either Siggy or Carroll (happy jacobslad;-)) with parker in the middle. I'd go with sydqcb5 line up in France if we get a good result on thursday!

Slurms McKenzie

Lloris,walker,dawson,caulker,vertonghen,bale,lennon,parker,dembele(livermore),holtby,adebayor.....subs: friedel,naughton,ekotto,livermore(carroll),siggurdsen,dempsey,Kane /o'bika.

82spursdebut

AVB has to go for a strong team, especially with a good weeks break before the return leg. I very much doubt Dembele will play, think he took a bit of a clout on the shin so will be rested. AVB has a few big decisions to make, first ad foremost in the formation. He should play the usual 4-2-3-1 with parker and Holtby in centre midfield, bale LEFT, lennon right, and siggy behind ADE. But id bet anything he will once again start with Dempsey whom just completely throws the balance of the team. Hope bale has a good game, but he needs to remember it’s a team game and not Bale V Lyon. I know he will want to impress against such a recognised team in Europe but we will need to play as a unit to get a result.

hudderspur

Do you really all think Bale will start this game? He has taken a helluva clobbering these last few games. Sometimes its about risk management. I think we have the squad to see off Lyon and WHam without Bale. Give him a rest until the Arsenal game. That said keep him on the bench in case things go tits up.

jacobslad

Phuck Saint Valentine! Phuck Valentine's day!I'm going to catch the game and later meet me lovely girlfriend and probably sleep on the couch! 2-0 to spurs! my team wud be-Lloris(because he's facing his former club),Walker,Daws,Verts,BAE,holtby,Parker,Azza Siggi Bale and (love him or hate him)Ade uptop

SilwalYid

same team and formation as hudderspur mentioned.

SilwalYid

same team and formation as hudderspur mentioned.

SilwalYid

Given who was rested at the weekend, I would assume that AVB intends at the very least to field a very strong defence, no doubt with an eye to not conceding. I think he's done particularly well in this regard, as no matter of who's played where at the back we've remained consistently strong in that area. Although that's as much a testament to the quality that we have as his willingness to tinker with an area that it is often claimed needs to be "settled".
Normally, Friedel would be expected to step in, and I think he's good enough to be risked. But as has been pointed out, it being Lyon will probably make this an exception. In any case, I very much doubt that Lloris is suffering from burnout; there've been games where he could have popped off for a cup of tea at times without much danger to the goal.
I can see Bale sitting on the bench for this, and only coming on in extremis. Siggy or Dempsey out wide in his place. Lennon hasn't looked jaded, but he has played a lot, but I can't see us resting Lennon and Bale at the same time. Bentley with a jetpac, perhaps?Holtby can't need a rest, and I'm keen to see more of him, so he starts for my personal delectation. Parker in, Dembele to get a hip massage. One of the kids to get a run out.
Up front? Well, spoilt though we are for choice, I'd go with Adebayor.

darkenvai

TK - it's just the usual stuff for Defoe from the racist Met - 'someone' connected with him made a death threat, so they arrest JD. They once held him overnight after making a 'mistake' about him being banned from driving, and later arrested him for driving a Ferrari and being in possession of black skin. Just been watching BBC's Life on Mars - not much has changed since the 70's really. I'm sure there are still some good coppers around, but I knew a white bloke in the Met who resigned because he couldn't handle the racism. Sorry for rant. Can't wait for tomorrow night. Looks like we nearly signed Lopez last window. COYS!

DocHotspurs

I suspect lyon to sit back against us and try and hit us on the break in the first leg...so I'd rest Lennon for this one. Ade
Bale Dempsey Gylfi
Holtby Parker
BAE Vert Daws Walker
As for managing 2 games in a week....all very well and good unless your management is negligent and leaves you without Strikers!

shedboy2

Addy' to play in two games per week...he'll want a payrise !!..lol

82spursdebut

Not a great memory of the return leg against Olympique Lyonnais in 1967. After losing 1-0 at their place, we played some great free flowing football. Trouble was that every time we got ahead on aggegate, they got one back. It finished 4-3: My first experience of going out on away goals! Let's hope our defending is better this time. COYS

ParkLane67

Shedboy, i don't go along with this site's hysterical "we need more strikers or we are doomed" mentality. Clearly Villas Boas' preferred formation is to play ONE upfront. We have Defoe, Adebeyor and Dempsey. That's 3 who can play there for a start. How many do we need? People go on about us not solving the striker problem for 4 years- well that's why we bought Adebeyor. Not my choice at all but that was the striker we chose and i didn't see many moaning about his signing in the summer. We can't just 6 months later decide we don't fancy him and we need another one. As for quality of striker, that's another thing entirely, but the likes of Van Persie, Rooney etc don't grow on trees at the right price unfortunately! So if nobody comes available that is better than we got what's the point in signing them for the sake of it and bloating our squad again? That's what Redknapp used to do and it was killing us.

StillRickyVilla

Where we clearly need cover is for Bale and Lennon. We just don't have adequate quality and we look half the team without them. Also Dembele's playmaker role is crucial - but hopefully Holtby can play deeper. Probably why his move was made sooner.

StillRickyVilla

Lennon out....naughton rightback...walker pushed up to right midfield.....that's if playing 4 in midfield. Bale out....a few choices available, but not ideal. Both Bale and lennon out....then it gets more worrying.

82spursdebut

SRV- I'm not saying we're doomed...i am saying it was poor management to leave us without a striker and now v short in the striker dept. Dempsey- have you seen him? is not, never has been and never will be a striker...Defoe despite his early season form is again not ideal to play the lone role up front which leaves us with the youngest of the three Ade....who I'm sure 6mths on we're not saying we don't fancy him (although it took about that with Bentley) because we've hardly see him play! So if we want to manage 2 games per week best our management pull their collective fingers out and assemble a squad capable of competing in several competitions...our 'strikers' are not getting any younger defoe and dempsey wrong side of 30 (dempsey and Gylfi talk about bloating the squad) Also as you point out we need cover on the wings although quite possibly a replacement for Bale as well...so a busy summer buying the two players we should have just bought or should I say August 31st?....no point in pre-season is there....

shedboy2

shedboy2 you're looking at it all wrong, our striking options have incresed by more then 100% in the last week We have never had as many strikers all year!

Slurms McKenzie

and on buying better than we already have....very difficult without a transfer budget...let's see how much we can get for a 30 year old Defoe and then spend that on a better, younger striker....hamstrung by our own board, ridiculous.

shedboy2

None of the 3 strikers are my perfect choice but these are the strikers we have. With ENIC balancing the books and Joe Lewis as owner, a man who has never and will never dip into his own pockets to finance a £30m/£40m player + £100k+ wages what do we expect? Much better to wait for the Lewis Holtby's of this world to pop up. As for our current strikers. The best talent is obviously Ade but i hate his mentality. Defoe is limited but does score. And i actually like Dempsey, scores goals and deserves top marks for putting in a shift at the weekend after travelling all around the world! I really like his mentality. We need better but not more of the same just for the sake of it.

StillRickyVilla

You're right Slurms! we now at least have 1!....my point is we do have to rest players and can't go all out for EL and PL as we simply don't have the players. It's fingers crossed management....hope Ade plays well and doesn't get injured, hope Bale stays fit, hope Dembele can stay fit....it really is no way to run a top4 team...

shedboy2

If we just want to wait around and hope we can spot young talent coming through and buy them cheaply (where every other club has the same idea) then we need to brace ourselves for a return to mid table...that model just does not work!

shedboy2

Unfortunately spending £15m on an ageing Defoe (and £15m on an ageing Keane and £10m on an ageing Crouch) was a product of the previous regime. That's where the money on strikers went. I see us waiting on the Holtby's of this world, picking them up young and cheap. No point in moaning about ENIC. They are what they are. An investment company looking to maximise the value of the company before eventually selling. Levy will crunch the numbers so we just about break-even or make a small loss. Lewis won't finance us. Never has. Never will. We just have to get on with it within our financial parameters.

StillRickyVilla

Shedboy, the nucleus of our team BAE, Daws, Kaboul, Naughton, Walker, Lennon, Bale, Holtby etc etc were all a product of that model! The alternative is to bring in a sugar-daddy owner who IS willing to spend stupid amounts on ready-made talent. But as i said the problem is Joe Lewis is not one of those. So what can we do?

StillRickyVilla

srv- it's ok to buy young just don't pin your hopes of succes on it...timing is also critical we also bought KPB and Taraabt but let them go for peanuts...as for the striker money we have now sold Crouch and Keane haven't we? what we can do, is what we were doing....keep salaries to under 70% of t/o re-invest players sales and spend c10% on transfers per year (10m)....but instead we're leveraged up to our eye balls for a stadium that will take ages to pay off whilst not gaining us any advantage over our competition....and people will clap ENIC for giving us the largest debt in our history....

shedboy2

SRV, I don't know that I agree. As I see things, AVB is quite particular about who he wants as a striker and he will not settle for just because. As you stated, we have 3 players that can be called upon to play the role of striker. Combined the three scoed 45 goals last season in the PL. Are any ideal? Nope. Not by a longshot. You are also correct, when we could have been buying Falcao, Suarez, Perisic and Castaignos, we were preferring Defoe, Keane and Crouch. We need to be looking at the next Facao, Suarez, Perisic. Castaignos could still be had for a fair amount. Son is not signing a new contract. Aspas is probably gettable. Dzagoev. There are all sorts of players out there - Osvaldo is now in a spot of bother in Rome. Negredo hasn't yet moved. I'd rather go young myself. Then again, if Ade plays to potential, Dempsey chips in and Defoe becomes an awesome impact sub, do we need a striker or do we need a couple of striker/wingers (Son, Dzagoev)? AVB does like players that have a level of versatility to them. It'll be an interesting summer where we will finally see what it is that AVB wants. CL and the aded TV money will let him splash on a few players. Monies in from surplus players and wages off the books for those same players will also deliver some much needed funds in reserve. It's not all gone to plan, but then we did try with Moutinho, Willian and Leandro. That's life. At least we didn't commit contracts to players that are not part of the plan as we clearly did wth Keane and Crouch. COYS

peterballb

shedboy, everything that has been said and done speaks to that not being the case. ENIC will not be selling players to pay for the stadium as Arsenal did. We are running at 70% or more on salaries and will be better next year with more surplus players off the books. We are not "leveraged to the eyeballs". We try and live within our means as regards transfers, plus or minus, and we have consistently lived within football revenues. ENIC has maintained all along that the trainng facility and the stadium will come out of other funds. Despite all of the land we have bought and the building of the training facility, here we are, still breaking even on the player side. I have no issue with people not likeing ENIC, Levy, Lewis, but at least dislike them for what they do or omit to do. There have been no profits in any of the previous reported seasons, on the club revenues side, that have been taken out and put towards the training facility or the stadium. That is just pure fiction. All that limits us on the pitch is the revenues we make on the footballing side. The rest has been self-funded and would appear to be sustainable. It'll be interesting to see how revenues have increased as a result of the UA kit deal. I guess next the people who don't like ENIC will be suggesting that if we get CL and get the 20-30M from the new TV deal that that will be 60M closer to paying for the stadium. Utter rubbish. COYS

peterballb

Peter, yes i think Villas Boas has a long-term plan and will only sign players that fit into that plan and how he wants the team to play. I don't think Ade, Defoe or Dempsey will be here say in 2 or 3 years time but needs must. Defoe was Harry wasting big money and Ade and Dempsey were needed at cut-price to fill the gap upfront otherwise we would have had only 1 striker and people really would have had the right to moan. First things first though we need to get Adebayor playing and scoring goals. Then the hysteria miraculously dies down!

StillRickyVilla

avb says brad is in goal tomorrow. not my pick after the last time he played

topspur53

Not surprised about the decision for tomorrow's keeper. I'm sure Hugo was told e would play one of the twoand asked which of the two he would prefer. Obviously the game in Lyon would be far higher on the emotional sale for him and that's what he went with. If true that it will be Brad with Gallas, I have my concerns. Walker beside Gallas is a saloon door. and Brad does not keep clean sheets. Away goals can be killers. To my mind the win and a clean sheet are essential. Tough call. I get the why. I'd have played Lloris inboth games and told Brad next round was his. COYS

peterballb

Come on Peter, you can't honestly think AVB would ask Lloris which game he would prefer to play. Ive never heard of that in football.

Ossie

My pessimism over Dembele is unfounded as he is in training pre Lyon game, if footage is to be believed today. Good news, no injury.

COYS R US

SRV but for every big money expenditure that serves/d OK aka, Defoe, Keane, Crouch,Pav we have had bargains of Lennon £1m, Bale £6m, Berbatov, Modric where not only have they been immense for us we have/will made a sizeable profit on resale. Bentley though will be the sad loss.... money wise.

COYS R US

We should go balls out to win this tie at home. 3-0 at least so start strong and then use the squad for a high tempo game for 90 minutes. Be good to rest key players in the 2nd leg.

Love totty

Oh it's true FRIEDEL is in goal tomorrow night, still never mind A.

spu 4 life

Ossie, there is no way I would even consider playing Friedel. The fact he is playing this game tells me one of three things, Lloris is injured, Lloris won't play either AVB wants Lloris to only play one. There is no way in heaven that AVB is going to play our backup keeper in a competition he wants to win unless one of the above scenarios is correct. And yes, I do think that a player's manager would ask a player exactly that question. We all know that Lloris, if able, will be in net against West Ham. If this were not his old club, with a week off, he would be playing tomorrow with Brad in goal next week. So yes, I believe that AVB spoke with the keepers and this was the decision. Let's see how these three games play out. Can you really see Lloris sitting both legs? That would be wisest if the main focus (as it should be) is three points against West Ham. COYS

peterballb

Hugo Lloris joined us from Lyon, so his not in as number one straight away because we owe a debt of thanks to Friedel. So Hugo plays in the EUROPA ok, then AVB knows Hugo is far better than Friedel, i think we would all agree on that, so Hugo replaces Friedel (with me so far) then Friedel plays in the FA Cup and Europa, R & R Rest and Rotation, we get knocked out of the FA CUP because not just the back four have a mare, it spreads through the team like wild fire, do the back four have a mare, yes is it down to the goalkeeper? The question is rotation of the BEST goalkeeper we have had in a few years for Friedel, because Hugo plays in the premier league games, So next year/season Hugo will be number ONE, should we qualify for the CL, our goalkeeper will be (yes you have guessed it) FRIEDEL.

spu 4 life

Peter bloody livid that Hugo is not playing

spu 4 life

Another absurd decision by AVB playing Friedel. He might have been ok when playing every week but you can't expect him to be totally focussed for the odd game and it unsettles the back 4. We need a high tempo pressing game and Hugo is perfect for that. Friedel invites the long ball counter attack. Grow some balls AVB!

Love totty

Love totty, I would have gone with Lloris for these two matches and the one against West Ham. That's me. So long as AVB has a steady eye focused on the West Ham game an those three points, I support the decision. I still have a feeling Lloris will start in Lyon and then at the Hammers. Just a guess. COYS

peterballb

I still remember the 67 game - cried my eyes out but I was only 13 and a bit of a wuss. Still am.

Love totty

spu 4 life, if we are fortunate enough to be in the group stages of the CL next season, I would expect that AVB will rotate keepers based on the fixture list. Main goal is to get out of the group stages. You have to massage your selections. The table is always the priority. Cups always come down to a bit of fortune. If we get by Lyon, we likely get Inter. It's all tough sledding. We are as good as most and can beat anyone in a home and home but to count on Cup wins is foolish. Play a team to win, but not to the detriment of the League unless the final is upon you. COYS

peterballb

Friedel, Walker, Gallas, Vert, BAE, Parker, Livermore, Lennon, Bale, Siggy and Ade. Keep the faith, players properly rested now and surely we don't have to worry about rest with no game Saturday.

RAF Yid

I would be very disappointed if for some reason Friedel is in goal tomorrow night. As has been said, apart from being too slow and hardly ever stopping a shot, it completely disrupts the defence as we can't press high up knowing Hugo's speed off his line has us covered. There goes us shutting out the away goal.

StillRickyVilla

I think we are more than capable of scoring in France, so if we win say 3-1 I won't be to fussed.

Jantheman

nobody even considers mentioning that Huddlestone is injured.

SilwalYid

I would think about resting some players like dembele, walker and Lennon. Maybe go with Lloris Naughton gallas vertonghen bae Parker Livermore Dempsey holtby bale Adebayor Something similar I'm sure although siggy needs game time so hopefully we'll see him turn into a proper spurs player tonight

gibbothfc

peterballb writes, "It'll be interesting to see how revenues have increased as a result of the UA kit deal." Have you not looked at the kits that Under Armour have produced for our team in their launch season Peter? Have you checked out the dodgy collar on the home shirt? Have you noticed the cringe jokers away kit? Do you really believe football fans world wide would would want to wear jokers kits, when they see, week in, week out, the class kits and training gear that Nike and Adidas produce? Levy has refused to do business with both of the 2 giants of soccer merchandising for a period that will cover 18 seasons when the UA deal ends, because Nike and Adidas control the launching dates of their products, and our Danny Boy loves to wait deep into the summer, (over 2 months after Nike And Adidas have launched their kits) , because Danny Boy wants to have an exclusive launch at his tacky Spurs shops and online website, which loses the club the wonderful opportunity to receive global marketing from the two experts in kit merchandising for almost an entire summer! Danny boy operates in exactly the same way in the transfer market! Daniel Levy, DOF expert, master stadium planner, OS stadium bidder, football merchandising expert, master website designer...

pelebro

StillRickyVilla, Yes I agree with you on Friedel! Good keeper, but Hugo's speed off his line is amazing and the defense is looking organized and settled now, so why change things? Harry made the same mistake last season by giving Cudicini the keepers shirt in the Europa and FA Cup! Friedel would have saved at least 2 of the goals against Chelsea in the FA Cup semi final last season. Rotation can be good, but it should not be used as a vehicle to be kind to squad members. Coaches that are winners in football don't operate to be nice and fair to squad members! They only want to be kind to that trophy cabinet!

pelebro

Steady as she goes tonight....with our slightly weaker side. Still hopefull for the win, which would be good. 2 clear goals win, would be very good. 3 clear goals win, would be excellent. Plus a clean bill of health, would be ideal.

82spursdebut

Time to throw off those "Mental Chains"...AVB. Follow your GODMASTER (Jose)...and STAND beside the touchline from minute 1 to 90. Encourage your players, help in showing the right emotions at the right time....and fear not about being a little bit animated, during the game......it's Valentines day......you are allowed to be PASSIONATE, today. SHOW some MAN LOVE. WE WILL LOVE YOU.....if you get that great win, tonight.

82spursdebut

Having been wed for 50 years, the Valentine's day issue doesn't come up, I might push the boat out and buy the wife some new knitting needles, so I can watch the game in peace. Regarding the game, I am torn, does progressing to the latter stages of the EL potentially damage our top 4 aspirations. Given that our main rivals Arsenal are still in the CL, and will need to play their best team to progress further, do we go all out for the EL trying to win it. I think it is high time we won a trophy and reminded football of our European credentials after our last 8 adventure in the CL, which we unfortunately failed to build on. I think AVB seems fairly astute in player rotation, and can manage an assault on both fronts. We just have to hope we don't suffer any injuries to key players, but that is something you can't manage or control, it's simply fate.

Frank

Frank - get those silent knitting needles, you don't want them clicking in the background, whilst our watching the mighty SPURS

spu 4 life

SilwalYid - Is he, oh well.

spu 4 life

So its all your fault Frank..we haven't won the league since you got married!

jacobslad

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