Europa League Thread

SuprSi

Well, after finally getting our first win a match against one of the great (or perhaps ex-great) Italian teams beckons. Who would you like to see in the first 11?

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Lloris

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Walker -- Caulker - Gallas - Naughton

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Dembele - Sandro

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Townsend ---- Dempsey ---- Bale

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Ade

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I know AVB would like to win this one, and it would do the club no harm to progress in it, but I would still prefer to see players rested and others given the chance to shine, while some of the new players need more time to gel.

Therefore I'd like to see Caulker & Lloris given some game time, and in Caulkers case it would be good to do that with Gallas as the most experienced defender we have. Dembele & Sandro should play again as they need to build on what looks like a very promising relationship, and I'd like to see what Townsend can do given Lennon's role. Dempsey should start ahead of Sig and obviously Ade should also start.

golfball37

Lazio are live contenders for Serie A this year imo, much improved. We'll do well to win this match.

Anyone know if its on TV?

SuprSi

golfball37 wrote: »

Lazio are live contenders for Serie A this year imo, much improved. We'll do well to win this match.

Anyone know if its on TV?

My bad, shows how little attention I've paid to Italian football in recent times! Looks like it's on ITV4

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/europa-league/

DubPerryman

Personally I don't think we'll start as strong a team as you've suggested there SuperSi (by 'strong' I mean league starters). I can only assume that AVB will be influenced to use the Europa as a way of blending the young players in to the first team squad, just like Harry did last season.

Here's my view;

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Lloris

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Walker -- Caulker - Dawson - Naughton

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Livermore - Sandro

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Dempsey ---- Carroll ---- Townsend

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Ade

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As much as AVB would like to win this tournament, I think he knows the importance of getting three points against QPR next Sunday. Plus, this Europa tie gives Ade, Dempsey and Lloris a chance to play their way in to the league team.

Mr. Guappa

I think that Lloris, Caulker, Huddlestone, Dempsey and Adebayor will start. AVB will want to keep our momentum going now and get a first home win under his belt. Also, this is a good chance to make our mark on the group, 3 points here will go a long way towards qualifying, rather than been forced into fielding our strongest XI later on in the group.

Lloris

Walker - Caulker - Vert/Daws - Naughton

Huddlestone - Sandro/Livermore

Lennon - Dempsey - Bale

Adebayor

Dublin Spur

it's definately on Setanta (Live)

I hope we really have a go at this competition

The Final is in Amsterdam

2nd Row Donkey

Dublin Spur wrote: »

The Final is in Amsterdam

Well there's all the motivation the players should need right there.

KingdomYid

Dublin Spur wrote: »

it's definately on Setanta (Live)

Personally I will watch on ITV 4 as I find Setanta's coverage very poor and they have Pat Dolan in commentary IIRC.


Would love a trip to Amsterdam in May

Leinstersqspur

AVB is hungry for it too.. https://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs/News/andre-determined-to-something-special-in-europa-league-17092012.page?

Lazio in cracking form winning 3/3 in Serie A.. Makes for a great game/test..

Hatch99

Lloris,Huddlestone,Dawson, Caulker, Adebayor and Dempsey should all start.

MrKingsley

I want to see Daws, Ade and Lloris in particular. Most importantly I want to see that the team is again learning their jobs. Oh a clean sheet would be pretty tasty too.

Mods: Tell me if im being a tard but would it make any sense to have a Europa League thread instead of one for every game? Could also bring in discussion discussion about our opponents games against each other

Hatch99

MrKingsley wrote: »

I want to see Daws, Ade and Lloris in particular. Most importantly I want to see that the team is again learning their jobs. Oh a clean sheet would be pretty tasty too.

Mods: Tell me if im being a tard but would it make any sense to have a Europa League thread instead of one for every game? Could also bring in discussion discussion about our opponents games against each other

I'm open to ideas, will set one up now, will try the same for the other 2 cups too.

PogMoThoin

Hatch99 wrote: »

I'm open to ideas, will set one up now, will try the same for the other 2 cups too.

Just rename this one, the conversation has already begun...

Hatch99

OK Lads, let's keep it all in here, saves you setting up a new thread for each game. We can also discuss how the group is looking overall.
I hope we give it a good crack this year.

Here are our fixtures in Group J...

Matchday One v Lazio, White Hart Lane - Thursday, September 20, 8.05pm

Matchday Two v Panathinaikos, Olympic Stadium, Athens - Thursday, October 4, 6pm

Matchday Three v Maribor, Stadion Ljudski vrt, Maribor - Thursday, October 25, 6pm

Matchday Four v Maribor, White Hart Lane - Thursday, November 8, 8.05pm

Matchday Five v Lazio, Stadio Olympio, Rome - Thursday, November 22, 6pm

Matchday Six v Panathinaikos, White Hart Lane - Thursday, December 6, 8.05pm

All kick-off times are UK times

Hatch99

PogMoThoin wrote: »

Just rename this one, the conversation has already begun...

Calm down lad...

Hatch99

I'd like Lloris Walker Dawson Caulker Naughton Livermore Hudd Lennon Townsend Dempsey Adebayor

golfball37

Ade out with a hamstring injury.

SuprSi

golfball37 wrote: »

Ade out with a hamstring injury.

Hmmm, ok, not the end of the world as long as it's not a bad injury. Defoe up front with Dempsey in behind I think.

Devo from Dublin

I think Carroll will play!

Antisocialiser

I can see Andre playing a very strong team in this one. Looks like Lloris is making his debut which should be interesting. Hope he performs well. Also Lennon has been speaking to the official site so it's a good shout that he'll be playing.

The Ade injury while unfortunate is likely to only be good for Defoe's form. I started to write a post guessing the starting eleven but I had to abandon it as there is no way to know how AVB will treat this game / competition. I know he has said he wants to win every game but does he think a second string will have enough to get us out of the group perhaps? Another consideration is that he may to play his first team so they can gel a little better.

mickman

is it defo live on itv ?

golfball37

ITV 4

Hatch99

mickman wrote: »

is it defo live on itv ?

Get the beers in Mick

Antisocialiser

‘Rotation will come further down the line. At the moment the players aren’t tired so I think it’s important to keep them playing to continue this series of good performances. For now the players who are playing well will continue.’

Quote from AVB courtesy of harryhotspur. Lloris for Friedal and Dempsey for Gylfi likely.

golfball37

Antisocialiser wrote: »

Quote from AVB courtesy of harryhotspur. Lloris for Friedal and Dempsey for Gylfi likely.

It was the Lazio manager who said that AS, not Villas Boas.

http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/165/8093374/avb-hails-classy-lloris

Lazio head coach Vladimir Petkovic said: "Rotation will come further down the line. At the moment the players aren't tired so I think it's important to keep them playing to continue this series of good performances.

KingdomYid

Our starting team tonight is: Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Caulker, Naughton, Sandro, Dembele, Dempsey, Bale, Lennon & Defoe


Very strong line up, AVB making his intentions towards the cup clear COYS!

Also Azza is captain, that is a first

PogMoThoin

The team
Lloris, Walker, Vertonghen, Caulker, Naughton, Sandro, Dembele, Dempsey, Bale, Lennon & Defoe

I'm happy with that, pretty solid

Leinstersqspur

Looks good, can't wait to see Lloris and Caulker play! COYS!

PogMoThoin

Lennon captain, that's a plus, can we phase out Gallas when Kaboul returns. I'd like to have Dawson back playing. AVB don't seem to rate Daws though

Sugarlumps

Savage line-up.

Insp. Harry Callahan

Good strong line up,nice shape to it#COYS!!

SuprSi

Caulker looks way older than 21!!

Pacing Mule

Live on ITV 4 guys.

Sugarlumps

Fúcking Walker, gormless.

SuprSi

Should've been a goal for Klose

PogMoThoin

We got off lightly there.

Does Defoe ever pass?

PogMoThoin

Great play from Lennon

SuprSi

Lennon SHOOT!!!

Leinstersqspur

Shoot Aaron!

SuprSi

Ohhh hard luck, great play

Sugarlumps

Onside?

Sugarlumps

Put you're boot through it Lennon.

SuprSi

I'm very impressed with how we're playing. Completely dominating against a Lazio team who seem content to sit back. All of their players are in their own half whenever we have the ball.

Emoran

Cracking ball & header, shame for the linesmans call... One of them calls where he was on/off completely 50-50 really ! Good start none the less!

Coys

Leinstersqspur

SuprSi wrote: »

I'm very impressed with how we're playing. Completely dominating against a Lazio team who seem content to sit back. All of their players are in their own half whenever we have the ball.

Every player so comfortable on the ball, Vertonghen, Caulker, Demele, Sandro..

Great stuff so far!

PogMoThoin

Yeah, there's a purpose and fluidity about us. We look like a proper organised team

Sugarlumps

Jan reef that ball away from Bale on the next free kick.

celt262

Lennon is having a good game.

SuprSi

celt262 wrote: »

Lennon is having a good game.

Agreed, and Sandro has been absolutely brilliant.

Emoran

SuprSi wrote: »

Agreed, and Sandro has been absolutely brilliant.

Very rare that he isn't, I might be alone in this but I'd have him ahead of Parker. Massive fan of sandro !

mickman

Walker having a stinker

He has been poor for most games so far - seems a shadow of his former self