Europa League Thread

Hatch99 · 08-08-2014 12:26pm #1

AEL Limassol in the Play Off game, away Aug 21st, home Aug 28th

Kiith · 08-08-2014 12:48pm

Haven't we played them before?

Will be interesting to see if Poch plays a 2nd string team, or actually goes for it. As he said in an interview recently, he's never liked the competition, but now that the winners get a CL spot, it's a much more appealing prize.

2nd Row Donkey · 08-08-2014 1:59pm

So, dropped point at home to QPR on Sunday the 24th and Liverpool on Sunday the 31st it is then. Excellent.

Ormus · 08-08-2014 2:41pm

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

So, dropped point at home to QPR on Sunday the 24th and Liverpool on Sunday the 31st it is then. Excellent.

We have more than enough players to make 11 changes and still beat a Cypriot team comfortably

2nd Row Donkey · 08-08-2014 3:15pm

Indeed we have, as we have had the last 3 or 4 years. But will we make 11 changes .. thats the problem.

Ormus · 08-08-2014 4:24pm

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

Indeed we have, as we have had the last 3 or 4 years. But will we make 11 changes .. thats the problem.

There are lots of ways to do it while still involving first choice players in both games. Bring 3 off early in Cyprus and 3 different players off early on the Sunday, make 5 changes. Nobody plays all of both games.

But it's not always necessary. Some players are naturally fit and it actually improves their fitness to play 2 games in the space of 3 days.

And of course there is the travelling factor, but only one of the games will involve a trip to Cyprus, and we'll never have 2 away games on the following Sunday.

Champions League teams have to deal with pretty much the same thing. It just takes organisation and a big squad. We certainly have the numbers.

2nd Row Donkey · 08-08-2014 4:37pm

The players should be fresh seeing as it the very start of the season. The away game will be our 2nd competitive game of the season and 2 days before QPR.

It could be worse, we could be playing someone a lot better but these newly promoted teams are dangerous in the opening weeks of the EPL and Harry will have them well fired up for his return to wHL.

The home match is 2 days before the Liverpool game. Hopefully these games against the Cypriots will be a good opportunity for our strikers to start knocking in goals early in the season and their confidence will be high going into the Liverpool game.

tippspur · 08-08-2014 10:32pm

Nice handy one to start us of in the EL.

Hatch99 · 18-08-2014 5:41pm

Are we on the box ?

Sugarlumps · 18-08-2014 6:57pm

ITV4

Hatch99 · 18-08-2014 9:38pm

Sugarlumps wrote: »

ITV4

just checked listings and no sign of it

Sugarlumps · 19-08-2014 7:18am

Hatch99 wrote: »

just checked listings and no sign of it

Don't think it's listed as yet Hatch, definitely on though!

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/ecl-qualifying/match/tottenham-hotspur-ael-3758355/

mushykeogh · 19-08-2014 9:33am

Will i be able to watch this on UPC? Couldnt watch the last pre season game on UPC, due to rights restrictions you cant view this in your area etc etc.

KingdomYid · 19-08-2014 10:07am

Sugarlumps wrote: »

Don't think it's listed as yet Hatch, definitely on though!

http://www.itv.com/sport/football/ecl-qualifying/match/tottenham-hotspur-ael-3758355/

That is the second leg man, I don't think the away leg is televised this Thursday.

Sugarlumps · 19-08-2014 10:08am

Ah balls.

Leinstersqspur · 19-08-2014 10:46am

One stream announced already, should be viewable.
http://www.wiziwig.tv/broadcast.php?matchid=274157&part=sports

2nd Row Donkey · 20-08-2014 9:46pm

I see 5 of the XI who started at West Ham didn't travel to Cyprus which is encouraging.

One report suggested up to 9 changes to last Saturdays team selection with only Lloris and Naughton expected to start ...

Hoping to see Vorm and Davies play some part.

Will he go with Kane or Soldado up front.

Hatch99 · 20-08-2014 10:30pm

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

I see 5 of the XI who started at West Ham didn't travel to Cyprus which is encouraging.

One report suggested up to 9 changes to last Saturdays team selection with only Lloris and Naughton expected to start ...

Hoping to see Vorm and Davies play some part.

Will he go with Kane or Soldado up front.

Plenty of changes alright I'd imagine, huge squad at the minute so should be well capable of making changes and qualifying easily. Hope soldado plays and scores, a few putting themselves in the shop window you'd imagine.

same ol sh1te · 20-08-2014 10:47pm

Hatch99 wrote: »

Plenty of changes alright I'd imagine, huge squad at the minute so should be well capable of making changes and qualifying easily. Hope soldado plays and scores, a few putting themselves in the shop window you'd imagine.

Does he not become cup tied if he plays

Hatch99 · 20-08-2014 11:08pm

same ol sh1te wrote: »

Does he not become cup tied if he plays

Can't see him being sold at this stage, would be shocked if he was. Not many top strikers available at the minute, can see us being left with the 3 we have.

Devo from Dublin · 21-08-2014 9:13am

Spurs -1 @ 13/10.
Spurs -2 @ 10/3.

Will we whop them like we did in Tblisi last year?
New manager this time around, all trying to impress.....
Tblisi would have been a stronger challenge?
Bashed them 5-0 away.
Having said that, Zenit only beat them 3-1 at home i think???

DubPerryman · 21-08-2014 9:20am

Devo from Dublin wrote: »

Spurs -1 @ 13/10.
Spurs -2 @ 10/3.

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/ael-vs-spurs-team-news-200814/

Looks like we have the latter stage World Cup players playing.

So it should be a strong, if slightly unfit, Spurs team out.

My guess;

Lloris/Friedel

Naughton - Dawson - Vertonghen - Davies

Sandro - Dembele

Chadli - Paulinho - Kane

Soldado

DubPerryman · 21-08-2014 9:25am

Devo from Dublin wrote: »

Having said that, Zenit only beat them 3-1 at home i think???

Oh and they beat Zenit 1-0 at home (:eek:) the lost 3-0 away in Russia.

positivenote · 21-08-2014 9:39am

are we only on streams today or are setanta/3e or any of them showing us?

Sugarlumps · 21-08-2014 9:57am

positivenote wrote: »

are we only on streams today or are setanta/3e or any of them showing us?

Just streams, home leg will be televised though.

2nd Row Donkey · 21-08-2014 11:00am

DubPerryman wrote: »

http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/ael-vs-spurs-team-news-200814/

My guess;

Lloris/Friedel

Naughton - Dawson - Vertonghen - Davies

Sandro - Dembele

Chadli - Paulinho - Kane

Soldado

I agree with your prediction. Kind of a labored looking front 4 but should be enough to beat them guys.

Be interesting to see if Paulinho starts and what is position, role will be.

DildoFaggins · 21-08-2014 12:08pm

OnsBall DOT com

Will have the game for those wondering.

2nd Row Donkey · 21-08-2014 12:41pm

Summer signing Michel Vorm as not registered for the qualifying round.

Odd. Davies was.

DubPerryman · 21-08-2014 2:46pm

2nd Row Donkey wrote: »

Odd. Davies was.

I heard on Sky Sports that Vorm is on some special training regime. Maybe he just wouldn't be fit for the early rounds, so they didn't bother...

SuprSi · 21-08-2014 3:53pm

Starting line-up: Lloris (c); Naughton, Dier, Vertonghen, Davies; Bentaleb, Paulinho; Holtby, Townsend, Kane; Soldado.

Ormus · 21-08-2014 3:59pm

SuprSi wrote: »

Starting line-up: Lloris (c); Naughton, Dier, Vertonghen, Davies; Bentaleb, Paulinho; Holtby, Townsend, Kane; Soldado.

I like it. Plenty of quality there, but only 4 who started against the Hammers, one of whom is Lloris, who doesn't need resting, and Naughton, who is facing a suspension.

Looks like 4-2-3-1 formation again, unless Holtby is playing right midfield in a 4-4-2.

Europa League Thread

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