Tottenham Hotspur v Aston Villa Pre-Match Thread

[VillaAlways]

On OS GH has said he would play Carlos at Right Back if needed.I'm presuming that means if injuries occur.Hope so anyway

[Mazrim]

Whilst Warnock is not at his best (he'll be back to his best soon, I'm sure), we still need our full backs to be able to get forward. It was Warnock after all who put the cross in for the real deal against the dogheads. Luke offers similar nous on the opposite side. I dont want Cuellar back there even if we are slightly more stingy in the goals against column. Cuellar is also (arguably)our best centre half. Leave him be.
If there is a need to bring somebody else in at full back, I'd trust Lichaj. Let's see how he goes.

[Concrete John]

Carlos and Collins have done nothing to deserve being dropped or shunted out of position and I very much doubt they will be.

I think Warnock has been the weakest link in the defence so far this season. Shifting Young and Cuellar whilst bring Dunne back is the best answer to that, it also gives us what was probably the meanest defence in the league last season.

Defensively, Cuellar struggled last season at RB when he had a winger running at him, so I'd be concerned over Bale if we did that.  I don't think Warnock has been that bad and now we have Luke Young in his best position and playing well there, I'd be very reluctant to move him!

[midnite]

I'm thinking a 2-0 (Ash freekick and downing volley ha! Ha!) win to villa with spurs on a champions league comedown.

[brontebilly]

Cant see us losing this to be honest. Spurs were gutless in the extreme against West Ham last weekend and Corluka is hopeless at centre half. Crouch and Keane have zero pace, I'd be more concerned if Pavlucheko plays. Spurs can be layed at evens on Sunday and I think that is a very decent bet. If Gabby was in good form I'd strongly fancy us to win.

No way Dunne should come back in, Warnock is struggling but I'd keep the faith for the moment. L young would want to improve from his second half performance the last day too. It isnt time for Lichaj to be tested by Bale though. I wouldnt play Albrighton either to be honest. Bring Ireland in. Let him rotate with Ashley but Bale needs to be tracked which ever of them are on the right. If Houllier sets us up properly we could sneak a win. Key is to pressurise Huddlestone, he doesnt like being pressed and Jenas or Palacious arent as good with the ball. Tottenham's full backs are good going forward but lets see what they are like defensively. Our attacking players will need to work harder without the ball than they did last weekend too. Albrighton and Downing didnt provide too much protection the last day I thought. I dont want Sidwell or Reo Coker moving more than 15 yards away from our centre halves.

Friedel
L Young, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock
-------Sidwell, Reo Coker,----------
Young, Ireland, Downing
--------heskey------------

[Monty]

Seriously, I know Petrov's not in the best of form but bringing in Sidwell for him is utterly ridiculous.

[TaxDodger]

Bit harsh to drop Albrighton surely?

[cheltenhamlion]

I was torn between a draw and a defeat for this one. I have gone for us to lose two one.

[mj]

I am hopeful of a convinving 3-1 win, 2 goals in the last 15 minutes as they fade away.  It's about time we beat them.

I am also expecting to see the same line up as Sunday, barring injuries.

[pedro25]

Sidwell for Petrov is crazy talk.

[Mazrim]

It depends on how phsyically right Petrov is. If he's not going to last more than 45 minutes then calling Sidwell seems like some sort of plan. But ideally I wouldn't be starting him ahead of Petrov.

[Mazrim]

...by the way, isnt it nice to be talking about potential line ups and tactics again? Not knowing for sure, who's going to play and how?

[Monty]

...by the way, isnt it nice to be talking about potential line ups and tactics again? Not knowing for sure, who's going to play and how?

There was a time during the season we competed with Arsenal for fourth where we weren't sure whether it would be 4-4-2 or 4-5-1. Ever since MON resolved that little debate for himself (with totally the wrong answer) the team practically didn't change for two years.

[KevinGage]

Cant see us losing this to be honest. Spurs were gutless in the extreme against West Ham last weekend and Corluka is hopeless at centre half. Crouch and Keane have zero pace, I'd be more concerned if Pavlucheko plays. Spurs can be layed at evens on Sunday and I think that is a very decent bet. If Gabby was in good form I'd strongly fancy us to win.

No way Dunne should come back in, Warnock is struggling but I'd keep the faith for the moment. L young would want to improve from his second half performance the last day too. It isnt time for Lichaj to be tested by Bale though. I wouldnt play Albrighton either to be honest. Bring Ireland in. Let him rotate with Ashley but Bale needs to be tracked which ever of them are on the right. If Houllier sets us up properly we could sneak a win. Key is to pressurise Huddlestone, he doesnt like being pressed and Jenas or Palacious arent as good with the ball. Tottenham's full backs are good going forward but lets see what they are like defensively. Our attacking players will need to work harder without the ball than they did last weekend too. Albrighton and Downing didnt provide too much protection the last day I thought. I dont want Sidwell or Reo Coker moving more than 15 yards away from our centre halves.

Friedel
L Young, Cuellar, Collins, Warnock
-------Sidwell, Reo Coker,----------
Young, Ireland, Downing
--------heskey------------

I follow your logic but that team selection creates more problems than it solves.

Drop one of our inform players (Albrighton) to accommodate someone still finding his feet (Ireland)?  Starting with Sidwell?

We have to be wary of Bale and a few others, but not to the point where we handicap ourselves.  Luke Young came in from the cold last year and marked Lennon out of the game at VP - when Lennon was one of the in form players in the league. I'd be confident he could do a job on Bale too.  After that, lets concentrate on our game.

If Spurs were close to full strength I perhaps wouldn't be so confident. But we have the tools at our disposal to make like uncomfortable for them - providing we pick a team on merit with players in form. No fruity picks or odd formations required for this one.

[Toronto Villa]

...by the way, isnt it nice to be talking about potential line ups and tactics again? Not knowing for sure, who's going to play and how?

what's even more reassuring is that you know Houllier and staff will be looking at this game and figuring out the best way to play against the opposition. And, if it isn't working on the day, having some options available to come on and change things as needed.