Preseason Friendlies 2012

Leinstersqspur

Stevenage v Tottenham 8pm:

Starting XI: Cudicini, Walker, Dawson, Kaboul, Naughton, Jenas, Livermore, Bentley, Lennon, Pienaar, Kane

Subs: Friedel, Adam Smith, Gallas, Vertonghen, Bassong, Carroll, Huddlestone, Sigurdsson, Falque, Townsend, Coulibaly, Luongo

Will post a link if I come across one......... COYS!

gar

seen a quick clip of it on SSN and AVB is not wearig that stupid mac.

2nd Row Donkey

Anyone else shake their head when they saw bassong's name on the bench.

everdead.ie

Siggurdsson scores on his debut to put us 1 up

Hatch99

Gylfi Sigurdsson marked his debut with the winner as we toppled Stevenage 1-0 in our first pre-season friendly of the summer on Wednesday night.

The midfielder wasted little time in showing the shooting prowess he demonstrated in the second half of last season at Swansea with a fine strike 10 minutes into the second half - and just 10 minutes into his Spurs career.
Andros Townsend darted down the left and cut the ball back for Sigurdsson, who controlled and drilled low across Steve Arnold in an instant.
Yago Falque secured the victory two minutes from time, latching onto Adam Smith's pass and driving into the box before finding the far corner.
Full report and photographs to follow...
Stevenage (4-4-1-1) - 1st half: Day; Gray, Ashton, Roberts, Charles; Morais, Dunne, Grant, Freeman; Ajose; Haber.
2nd half - (4-4-1-1) - Arnold; Shelley, N'Gala, Furlonge, Hills; Marum, `Tansey, Ball, Carr; Shroot; Thalassitis.
Spurs (4-2-3-1) - 1st half: Cudicini; Walker, Dawson, Kaboul, Naughton; Jenas, Livermore; Lennon, Bentley, Pienaar; Kane.
2nd half - (4-2-3-1) - Friedel; Walker (Smith, 62), Gallas, Vertonghen, Bassong; Jenas (Huddlestone, 62), Carroll; Lennon (Falque, 62), Sigurdsson, Townsend; Kane (Coulibaly, 62).
Goals: Spurs - Sigurdsson (55), Falque (88).
Attendance: 5,109.
Referee: Mr D Deadman.

2nd Row Donkey

Game time for Jenas, Bentley and Bassong.
'suppose thats what preseasin is for...

Sugarlumps

Sig's goal was well taken. Hopefully he carries that into the new season.

2nd Row Donkey

Who needs Falcao when you've got Falque, eh?

Hatch99

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

Who needs Falcao when you've got Falque, eh?

RoboClam

Spurs Vs L.A. Galaxy (3:30AM GMT) (Being shown on ESPN3 I believe)

Below is the list of players to available...

Goalkeepers -
Jordan Archer, Carlo Cudicini, Brad Friedel, Heurelho Gomes

Defenders -
Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Sebastien Bassong, Michael Dawson, William Gallas, Younes Kaboul, Kyle Naughton, Jan Vertonghen, Kyle Walker, Adam Smith

Midfielders -
Gareth Bale, David Bentley, Tom Carroll, Tom Huddlestone, Jermaine Jenas, Aaron Lennon, Jake Livermore, Gylfi Sigurdsson, Andros Townsend, Rafael Van der Vaart

Forwards -
Jermain Defoe, Harry Kane



I'd like to see a starting line-up of something like below, which is a mix of some established players alongside players back from injury/new signings/younger players. Obviously there will be many substitutions made, but I hope we get to see a bit of AVB's tactical stamp on the game.

-Friedel (Or Gomes for the laugh)-
Naughton---Vert---Dawson---BAE

---

Hudd

---

Livermore----

---

Siggy

---

---Bale

---

Kane

---

Lennon

Donovan and Beckham won't be available for this game.

DubPerryman

RoboClam wrote: »

I'd like to see a starting line-up of something like below, which is a mix of some established players alongside players back from injury/new signings/younger players. Obviously there will be many substitutions made, but I hope we get to see a bit of AVB's tactical stamp on the game.

From a purely commercial point of view I think we may see a more senior team starting tonight. Then a more 'experimental' team starting against Liverpool. Then back to a senior starting line-up against the NY Red Bulls next week.

Leinstersqspur

RoboClam wrote: »

Forwards - Jermain Defoe, Harry Kane

:eek::eek::eek:

Dear Daniel,

Please sign some f*cking strikers!

Bodie Doyle

Leinstersqspur wrote: »

:eek::eek::eek:

Dear Daniel,

Please sign some f*cking strikers!

Yes ffs. There are rumours abound that Adebayor will not sign for us and we will lose him for next season. So we will be left with Defoe. I was looking forward to the new season but unless we sign at least one more striker, we will be in trouble.

larry1

Yes live on ESPN HD from 3.30am. Skybox set... I think I might just have a meeting scheduled for the morning ;-)

spursman11

larry1 wrote: »

Yes live on ESPN HD from 3.30am. Skybox set... I think I might just have a meeting scheduled for the morning ;-)

also live son spurs tv online,use your voucher code for free season access,Liverpool game also on Saturday@#8pm irish time

RoboClam

Finished 1-1 with a header from Bale.

Not a good match. Walker and VDV had to go off injured too

BERBA

watched the second half , cant believe i'm gonna say this but bentley did well when he came on last 15 mins.....i know i know !!!!!!

Kiith

BERBA wrote: »

but bentley did well when he came on last 15 mins.....i know i know !!!!!!

Bite your tongue...bite it! :pac:

At least the injuries to Walker and VDV are only minor.

SSN wrote:

While the return of Bale is an undoubted boost to Tottenham's pre-season plans, the sight of Van der Vaart and Walker hobbling off has offered cause for concern.

Villas-Boas is, however, confident that both men will soon be back in contention.

"I think we are looking at three or four days for both, hopefully," he said.

"Reassessment is always important and I wouldn't like to extend myself without the full knowledge of both injuries.

"But Van der Vaart felt during the week a tightness in his adductor and Kyle twisted slightly his ankle. I think both in three or four days should be back."

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11675/7931367/AVB-admits-to-Bale-gamble

larry1

Questions being asked of Bale over backing out of Olympics and scoring the goal last Night (Video of his goal)

http://thescore.thejournal.ie/injured-gareth-bale-scores-spurs-galaxy-olympics-2012-532886-Jul2012/

Leinstersqspur

larry1 wrote: »

(Video of his goal)http://thescore.thejournal.ie/injured-gareth-bale-scores-spurs-galaxy-olympics-2012-532886-Jul2012/(URL)

Nice cross by Gylfi!

RoboClam

Looks like he's had an ear tuck done.

T-b0n3

BERBA wrote: »

watched the second half , cant believe i'm gonna say this but bentley did well when he came on last 15 mins.....i know i know !!!!!!

I really didn't think he did well at all.

Tom pinged him two long balls out to him on the left and he wasted both of them. He had a half decent shot with his left that never really troubled the keeper and I don't member him doing anything else good really.

I thought Townsend looked decent. Worked hard, had lots of pace but still a bit raw probably. Hopefully he can keep working and improve.

I don't really understand how we played at all. Carlo must have touched the ball the most. The defenders constantly went back to him because the CMs weren't looking for it at all. Then he had to hoof it long cause they continued not to look for it! Was very frustrating.

And the high line looks scary at times. Simple over the top balls killing us.

I know its only early pre-season and all but hopefully things can improve quickly anyway!

DubPerryman

T-b0n3 wrote: »

And the high line looks scary at times. Simple over the top balls killing us.

This was due to Kaboul calling the shots back there. His positional sense isn't the best and he often gets caught ball watching when nobody is keeping him in check.

In this transitional period I think our best pairing is Dawson and Vertonghen (and before anyone pulls the trigger, here's my reasons)....

I think Vetonghen has what's required to be a leader and a very good Tottenham centre back. I think if he had Dawson next to him, he could get comfortable with his surroundings and develop confidence. Once this is attained, I would then bring Kaboul in alongside Vertonghen and have Vertonghen being the 'experienced' one i.e. calling the line.

My fear with Kaboul/Vetonghen being the starting centre back pairing, in this transitional period, is that their confidence could be torn to shreds if they don't gel from the off..... and as I mentioned, if Kaboul is calling the shots back there then I highly doubt things will be rosy for too long.

Hatch99

DubPerryman wrote: »

This was due to Kaboul calling the shots back there. His positional sense isn't the best and he often gets caught ball watching when nobody is keeping him in check.

In this transitional period I think our best pairing is Dawson and Vertonghen (and before anyone pulls the trigger, here's my reasons)....

I think Vetonghen has what's required to be a leader and a very good Tottenham centre back. I think if he had Dawson next to him, he could get comfortable with his surroundings and develop confidence. Once this is attained, I would then bring Kaboul in alongside Vertonghen and have Vertonghen being the 'experienced' one i.e. calling the line.

My fear with Kaboul/Vetonghen being the starting centre back pairing, in this transitional period, is that their confidence could be torn to shreds if they don't gel from the off..... and as I mentioned, if Kaboul is calling the shots back there then I highly doubt things will be rosy for too long.

Hang on till I load my revolver :D:D

MrKingsley

Didnt see any of the game last night but I wouldnt be worrying just yet.

Its only his 2nd game with the lads and everything he is saying about both the players match readiness and the team in general is gearing towards the middle of August when the season starts and not the end of July.

Agree with Daws & Vertz aswell. It would be pretty tough to throw the new guy in with a young/inexperienced backline and expect him to slot in straight away.

4 more games and 3 weeks training should be plenty of time to help get his message across to the players though

T-b0n3

Transfer Central TNC ‏@TransferNewsCen

AVB has said Kyle Walker and Van Der Vaart should be back within "3 to 4 days." -Ash

Thank god for that. Kyle really looked hurt, was worried he'd be out for a while.

everdead.ie

How great is it to have Thudd back :-).
He's our best CM after Modric and so undervalued it's incredible.

He should be starting with Sandro at the base of the midfield.

It's also great to see Carroll doing well.

We need more homegrown talent in the first team.

Bodie Doyle

MrKingsley wrote: »

Didnt see any of the game last night but I wouldnt be worrying just yet.

Its only his 2nd game with the lads and everything he is saying about both the players match readiness and the team in general is gearing towards the middle of August when the season starts and not the end of July.

Agree with Daws & Vertz aswell. It would be pretty tough to throw the new guy in with a young/inexperienced backline and expect him to slot in straight away.

4 more games and 3 weeks training should be plenty of time to help get his message across to the players though

Well I watched the game and I am worried. AVB tried the high line of defence at Chelsea and it failed miserably. La Galaxy had out a reserve side yet they found it relatively easy to find their way through our defence. Simple balls over the top and they had numerous one on one chances against Cudicini.
I know Vertonghen and Kaboul hadn't played together before so I expect them to improve. I only hope AVB has learned from his mistakes at Chelsea and will either drop this high line or changes it to suit our players.
Unfortunately the system suits someone who can read the game well and he has just retired.

MrKingsley

Bodie Doyle wrote: »

Well I watched the game and I am worried. AVB tried the high line of defence at Chelsea and it failed miserably. La Galaxy had out a reserve side yet they found it relatively easy to find their way through our defence. Simple balls over the top and they had numerous one on one chances against Cudicini.
I know Vertonghen and Kaboul hadn't played together before so I expect them to improve. I only hope AVB has learned from his mistakes at Chelsea and will either drop this high line or changes it to suit our players.
Unfortunately the system suits someone who can read the game well and he has just retired.

Obviously watching the game helps analyse how things are/are not shaping up but it was only 1 game and only his 2nd game with us.

One thing that has to be said though is that our defence is not the same as chelseas and far more similar to that of his Porto team. The players themselves will need time to adjust to the system and learn how to implement it themselves better.

AVB also needs game time himself to assess which players best fit into his system and also to analyse which players games/mindsets need to be altered in order for his system to succeed

Bodie Doyle

MrKingsley wrote: »

Obviously watching the game helps analyse how things are/are not shaping up but it was only 1 game and only his 2nd game with us.

One thing that has to be said though is that our defence is not the same as chelseas and far more similar to that of his Porto team. The players themselves will need time to adjust to the system and learn how to implement it themselves better.

AVB also needs game time himself to assess which players best fit into his system and also to analyse which players games/mindsets need to be altered in order for his system to succeed

My problem with AVB is that he took one of the best defenses in the league ( Chelsea) and completely messed it up by trying to implement a style which did not suit. I am not sure that type of defence works well in the Premier league where there's more chance of long balls over the top. Will he adapt his beliefs for our team and the League or is he too stubborn ?
I agree with you that AVB will need time to assess players and see who fits into his system. But if he gets off to a slow start in the league the pressure will be on him.

MrKingsley

Bodie Doyle wrote: »

My problem with AVB is that he took one of the best defenses in the league ( Chelsea) and completely messed it up by trying to implement a style which did not suit. I am not sure that type of defence works well in the Premier league where there's more chance of long balls over the top. Will he adapt his beliefs for our team and the League or is he too stubborn ?
I agree with you that AVB will need time to assess players and see who fits into his system. But if he gets off to a slow start in the league the pressure will be on him.

Absolutely agree with the last point. Im not saying at all that he gets a free 12months to find out what he needs to do. He has a settled and confident squad after all.

However chelseas defence still had quite a bit of containing mourinho about it. I think that a higher line can be successful in the premier league. Not necessarily keeping more clean sheets for us but by putting more pressure on and scoring more goals against the teams who are happy to play in their own half and soak up pressure

pleasant Co.

@all shit journos and rags, owned

The Bale/Olympics nothingness was really bugging me, glad Spurs have laid the hammer down on this so we can get back to being linked with every player under the sun.

everdead.ie

So AVB complaining over an Adam tackle on Bale, sure Adam can't tackle and actually has a history of woeful tackles against us but why didn't AVB take Bale off as a precaution I really hope he's ok.

Kiith

Did anyone see the tackle? Adams is a dirty ****er, so its not surprising, but with the whole "is he injured or not/olympics" deal, i'd say it just pissed off AVB.

Highlights of the game if anyone wants to watch them. Defenders getting caught high up the pitch a few times again, which is a little worrying.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKsZVc52IWc

flyswatter

Don't see much fuss about the tackle to be honest. If Bale gets injured it would be ironic given he faked one to get out of the Olympics.

pleasant Co.

He didn't fake his injury for the Olympics, he was injured that was confirmed by both spurs and the fa/boa, please don't fall for that media witch hunt.

Kiith

flyswatter wrote: »

If Bale gets injured it would be ironic given he faked one to get out of the Olympics.

That's bollox. He was injured, but recovered quicker then originally expected. The press did what they always do, and blew a non-story out of proportion.

As for the tackle, just watched it there. It was bad, but no worse then any other tackle from behind. I'd say he's just slightly pissed at Adams for his previous tackle which ruled him out for over 3 months, and i can understand why.

The "coward" comments are stupid however.

Chucky the tree

I saw the comments before I saw the tackle so I was expecting a lot worse, Bale really went OTT with his comments and I think himself and AVB come across looking very foolish considering Bale stayed on the pitch for another 40 odd minutes.

flyswatter

Mactard wrote: »

He didn't fake his injury for the Olympics, he was injured that was confirmed by both spurs and the fa/boa, please don't fall for that media witch hunt.

Surely if he recovered that fast he could have easily played the UAE game the other day?

pleasant Co.

The Olympic team had already been submitted, surely you know that FIFA like their silly regulations

2nd Row Donkey

flyswatter wrote: »

Surely if he recovered that fast he could have easily played the UAE game the other day?

Yeah sure why not? All they'd have to do is tell the person who got Bales place in the squad when he wasnt available for selection "Oh Sorry Pal, I know playing in the olympics is a once in a life time oppurtunity and you've changed your off-season plans, missed the start of your clubs pre-season and trained with the GB squad for the last 3 weeks but it turns out that ol' Gareths knee is not as bad as we expected so he's back in and your out. Terribly sorry about that old chap, dont forget to bring your crushed dreams with you on the way out".

Orla99

:pac:

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

Yeah sure why not? All they'd have to do is tell the person who got Bales place in the squad when he wasnt available for selection "Oh Sorry Pal, I know playing in the olympics is a once in a life time oppurtunity and you've changed your off-season plans, missed the start of your clubs pre-season and trained with the GB squad for the last 3 weeks but it turns out that ol' Gareths knee is not as bad as we expected so he's back in and your out. Terribly sorry about that old chap, dont forget to bring your crushed dreams with you on the way out".

flyswatter

Ok, seems I was misinformed. We did see the case of Rooney though, who was suspended in the Euros and was included in the squad.

That was where I was coming from.

T-b0n3

Tottenham LIVE! ‏@TottenhamLIVE

#thfc XI to play NY Red Bulls: Gomes; Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto; Huddlestone, Livermore; Bentley, Sigurdsson, Lennon; Bale.

Game about to kick off now in a minute on ESPN for any one who doesn't know.

PogMoThoin

T-b0n3 wrote: »

Game about to kick off now in a minute on ESPN for any one who doesn't know.

Warning, make sure you mute the volume, it's very hard on the ears

Mr. Guappa

PogMoThoin wrote: »

T-b0n3 wrote: »

Game about to kick off now in a minute on ESPN for any one who doesn't know.

Warning, make sure you mute the volume, it's very hard on the ears

Their phrases are gas!

Missed the NY goal.. what was it like?

Bale wearing #9.. wonder will he have that for the season? Squad numbers wont be announced 'til middle of August.

Kiith

Was the match postponed? That's what it says on bbc.

Nevermind...we won 2-1. Not sure what the bbc website is talking about

Also, we weren't playing a striker?

pleasant Co.

Highlights: http://football-talk.co.uk/66380/video-highlights-red-bulls-1-2-tottenham-sigurdsson-stunner-wins-it-for-spurs/?

Terrible vid quality though

Mr. Guappa

Kiith wrote: »

Was the match postponed? That's what it says on bbc.

Nevermind...we won 2-1. Not sure what the bbc website is talking about

Also, we weren't playing a striker?

Bale played up top in the first half, and we lacked a focal point for our attacks. Kane came on up top after the break and our shape was much better. Gylfi scored a lovely goal.

Leinstersqspur

Watched the first half last night, started Bale up front with Sigurdsson in behind and it was very ineffective.

Fairly sloppy the first half I thought, particularly Huddlestone, Livermore and Vertonghen.

In the end a goal and assist from Sigurdsson was good!

Commentary is hard work "the attack zone, nice transition from defence to offence, Tim Cahill playing as a holding midfielder"

Good to see old Teemu getting a run out!

2nd Row Donkey

Shows how hard up we are without a striker.
We're hardly f**king Spain!

Looking less and less likely that we will re-sign Ade which is very worrying with only a few weeks to go.

Even if we sign 2 strikers now they wont be able to hit the ground running on the opening day of the season as they wont have had pre-season games to gel with the team.

*not amused*