El Classico, North London Style

Deluded F*ck™ wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:Agree withh Debs and coops - BAE was very good and there is no way a club of Spurs' stature could get much better than him.

Another gem from comolli - it must be a real sickener for him to see the man who spent £50m on Crouch, Defoe, Palacios and Keane get all the credit.

For talent and potential the players he bought are much better than redknapp's signings (Taarabt, Dos Santos, Kevin Prince-Boateng etc.), however he left the squad horribly unbalanced during the farce of the 2008 summer window..

Gutted really, Arsenal were there for the taking and we didn't do enough to make them set off the gun that they seem to have permanently pointed at their own foot. Redknapp was a moron for starting such an non-athletic team against Arsenal (football basics 101)... See how we dramatically improved with Kaboul, Lennon & later Sandro all on the field.

Pav was beyond hopeless tonight as well. Starting both him and Crouch was lunacy. No surprise first half was spent hitting it long. Much better second half when Sandro came on for Pav, allowing Modric to push forward with VDV supporting Crouch. That move which ended with kzzcfhjtgeny saving off Modric was the move of the game and could never have happened with the two lanky immobile guys upfront.

With Kaboul back, Corluka should be sent on an early summer holiday. Has progressively got worse since that injury against Milan

We just need to clean house on all the strikers - Keane & Defoe included. I though Pav and crouch were the same, both ran around (slowly) and worked hard, but stepped on each others toes in attack far too often. They both pissed me off for their staticness in attack - neither make any effort to hit the front post AT ALL.

Missed this bad boy, seeing it ended in 3-3 with RVP and VDV scoring!

God, Dutch footballers are awesome

Fey wrote:Missed this bad boy, seeing it ended in 3-3 with RVP and VDV scoring!

God, Dutch footballers are awesome

Both are so stereotypically old school Dutch as well: moments of exquisite flair bordering on genius, interspersed with a number of genuine "What the fuck was that supposed to be??" moments, lots of arguing with refs, finger wagging, shrugging shoulders and then looking off the pace and completely done by about the 75th minute. Fucking awesome and frustrating all at the same time

Noah und der Bale wrote:

Sgoater1 wrote:

Shame it hands the scum the title (i expected over the last moth or so though cos Arsenal always bottle it) but good result for us. Spurs 2 points behind, have to go away to us, Chelsea and Liverpool and we have a better goal diff so we are in a good position. The big one will be us v them bi think we will take them at our gaff and have our revenge.

Yes, it's amazing how a 100 million pound summer spending spree can help with that obtaining that revenge...

I hold little hope of catching man city- we ve still got to go to Chelsea and Liverpool.

Then again, you've lost Tevez and we have a tremendous record against City. We just need history to repeat itself.

Yeah, you could buy Keane, defoe, Crouch, palacios and have a spare of each on the bench

Pav wasn't great but would be so much better than Crouch if he was a redknapp signing and the tax-evading one felt obliged to start him all the time.

Still has more EPL goals than crouch and Defoe put together?

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Pav wasn't great but would be so much better than Crouch if he was a redknapp signing and the tax-evading one felt obliged to start him all the time.

Still has more EPL goals than crouch and Defoe put together?

Yes

7 to 6


13 prem goals total from our strikers (15 if you include the moaning leprechaun at Eastenders FC)

Deluded F*ck wrote:

Pierre Littbarski wrote:

Pav wasn't great but would be so much better than Crouch if he was a redknapp signing and the tax-evading one felt obliged to start him all the time.

Still has more EPL goals than crouch and Defoe put together?

Yes

7 to 6


13 prem goals total from our strikers (15 if you include the moaning leprechaun at Eastenders FC)

Yeah, but then Crouch has scored 7 in the CL to Pav's 1 I believe.

I find both equally frustrating. Pav is the better footballer, but he just does not have have that urgency to get into the right positions, or that intangible will to win you see in the best strikers. He never ever attacks the 6 yard box at corners or crosses for example.

I think it's safe to say all our strikers have been dross this season. I don't see Pav as the solution, he's had plenty of chances and still doesn't play as a dominant centre forward willing to lead the line, which is what we have needed.

Pav would probably be tired out if he played all the games.

One thing I will say. The North London Derby has been a great credit to the league over the last 5-6 years. Poor defending has more than played its part, but at least we've had two team who have consistently gone for the win no matter whether they are at home or away. So many entertaining and ridiculous matches in recent years, and the matches have very rarely been dull - unlike some hyped up derbies.

Should have went with Huntelaar. He'll be playing in the CL semis while you don't.

There, I said it.

I'm not even defending Pav here. They all need to go for various reasons.

Why dont people let Arsene Wenger walk their dogs?

He cant hold onto a lead.

See you next week

christmasborocooper wrote:Why dont people let Arsene Wenger walk their dogs?

He cant hold onto a lead.

See you next week

On a similar theme, why don't people let Roy Keane walk their dogs?

blutgraetsche wrote:Should have went with Huntelaar. He'll be playing in the CL semis while you don't.

There, I said it.

*bites bait*

Schalke have only scored 35 in 30 as a TEAM, in the traditionally naive/attacking Bundesliga, no ta. Pav is outperforming him in assists as well...

Also Schalke's path to the last 4 has been relatively easy by CL standards, not that they don't deserve their place.

21:8 goals in the CL don't lie. They had a crappy campaign in the league for various reasons, the other BL teams being naive is not one of them.

Huntelaar may not be even significant (although he did score 3 CL goals in 7 CL matches for them), may not even play a single match again in the remaining games, but HE IS STILL IN THE SEMIS WHILE YOU AREN'T. He can keep his grin, you can't!

Wouldn't call Schalke's path 'easy' at all though. They won their group comfortably which wasn't that easy, then knocked out Valencia (who gave ManUtd a pretty tough time in the group stages) and the title holders Inter. Hardly cannon fodder.

Kimbo wrote:

christmasborocooper wrote:Why dont people let Arsene Wenger walk their dogs?

He cant hold onto a lead.

See you next week

On a similar theme, why don't people let Roy Keane walk their dogs?

Red rocket

Deluded F*ck wrote:

blutgraetsche wrote:Should have went with Huntelaar. He'll be playing in the CL semis while you don't.

There, I said it.

*bites bait*

Schalke have only scored 35 in 30 as a TEAM, in the traditionally naive/attacking Bundesliga, no ta. Pav is outperforming him in assists as well...

Also Schalke's path to the last 4 has been relatively easy by CL standards, not that they don't deserve their place.

Should've kept Bent.

D.Bent PL Goals: 14
All Spurs Strikers PL Goals Combined: about 3

It's a STATISTIFACT

Keane is to kennels what Wenger is to primary schools.

debaser wrote:

Deluded F*ck wrote:

blutgraetsche wrote:Should have went with Huntelaar. He'll be playing in the CL semis while you don't.

There, I said it.

*bites bait*

Schalke have only scored 35 in 30 as a TEAM, in the traditionally naive/attacking Bundesliga, no ta. Pav is outperforming him in assists as well...

Also Schalke's path to the last 4 has been relatively easy by CL standards, not that they don't deserve their place.

Should've kept Bent.

D.Bent PL Goals: 14
All Spurs Strikers PL Goals Combined: about 3

It's a STATISTIFACT

Sandra Redknapp would be outperforming all of Spurs' strikers too.

debaser wrote:

Deluded F*ck wrote:

blutgraetsche wrote:Should have went with Huntelaar. He'll be playing in the CL semis while you don't.

There, I said it.

*bites bait*

Schalke have only scored 35 in 30 as a TEAM, in the traditionally naive/attacking Bundesliga, no ta. Pav is outperforming him in assists as well...

Also Schalke's path to the last 4 has been relatively easy by CL standards, not that they don't deserve their place.

Should've kept Bent.

D.Bent PL Goals: 14
All Spurs Strikers PL Goals Combined: about 3

It's a STATISTIFACT

Average position of a Prem team with Bent as the lead striker = 13th

Average position of Tottenham without Bent since he joined Charlton in 2005 (his 1st full Prem season) = 5th.

I'm very STATISTIFACTISFIED with my findings

Sheffield gunner wrote:One thing I will say. The North London Derby has been a great credit to the league over the last 5-6 years. Poor defending has more than played its part, but at least we've had two team who have consistently gone for the win no matter whether they are at home or away. So many entertaining and ridiculous matches in recent years, and the matches have very rarely been dull - unlike some hyped up derbies.

it's like two fighters throwing windmill punches as soon as the bell rings. It's always refreshingly open, even though some of the defending makes you want to pull your hair out.

As for the huntelaar thing- surely it's Raul who is the man doing it for Schalke. Would have been an excellent coup if we had signed him.

Saying that, we aren't in the semis and schalke are because we played Madrid. Would Schalke beat Madrid? Course not

Noah und der Bale wrote:
Saying that, we aren't in the semis and schalke are because we played Madrid. Would Schalke beat Madrid? Course not

Yeah of course not. Lets skip to the semis already. Its 99-1. yadda yadda
But you are right, Real would have been another thing, but lets see what Schalke can do in the finals against them


On topic: Great game couldn't watch it but constantly checking my live ticker. Draw was kjust the worst outcome for both imo.

COTR wrote:Arsenal's squeaky bum time form


Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Blackpool 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn
West Brom 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland


8 points from 18 and now overtaken by Chelsea.

This is Wenger's interpretation of it:

Of suggestions that his team - who were leapfrogged by Chelsea on goal difference on Wednesday and now sit third in the table - lacked the capability to secure an important win from a commanding position, the Frenchmen added: "It is very unfair.

"We're on a 15-game unbeaten run, and no-one else has done that.

He's going cuckoo...or been reading about the exploits of that Iraqi Information minister

Brilliant how he can change it and try and say their recent form is a positive

Noah und der Bale wrote:

Deluded F*ck wrote:OTTO-font

It's an ode to Otto, given in the past he's successfully managed to promote such mouth watering clashes as 1860 Munich Vs Hertha Berlin as the BIGGEST GAME in the GALAXY since Chinese monks first played keepy uppies with a pig's head inbetween meditation classes.

fcb wrote:

COTR wrote:Arsenal's squeaky bum time form


Tottenham 3-3 Arsenal
Arsenal 1-1 Liverpool
Blackpool 1-3 Arsenal
Arsenal 0-0 Blackburn
West Brom 2-2 Arsenal
Arsenal 0-0 Sunderland


8 points from 18 and now overtaken by Chelsea.

This is Wenger's interpretation of it:

Of suggestions that his team - who were leapfrogged by Chelsea on goal difference on Wednesday and now sit third in the table - lacked the capability to secure an important win from a commanding position, the Frenchmen added: "It is very unfair.

"We're on a 15-game unbeaten run, and no-one else has done that.

He's going cuckoo...or been reading about the exploits of that Iraqi Information minister

Having watched the end of the game again, it appears he also stormed off down the tunnel without shaking Redknapp's hand at the end, leaving it Pat Rice. Can anyone confirm if it was just missed? Been mentioned on F365.

Throughout the game they would cut to him throwing tantrums.

Wenger is almost definitely losing it if you ask me. The pressure is getting to him to such an extent it's actually sad to watch what was once a cool, collected individual now resorting to flapping his arms around like a nutty professor, showing no grace or dignity when his team doesn't win.

Maybe it's time he bowed out, for health reasons...

Wenger's manner on the touchline has been this way for the past few seasons. He looks like a nervous wreck most of time as he constantly fidgets around in his seat. Even when we are in winning positions it looks as though he is going to be sick from nerves. Like the supporters he can probably see what's around the corner and how this team can throw away any lead. The players themselves can't look at his behaviour and take any confidence from it.

I don't even read or listen to his post-match thoughts anymore, it's either excuses or spin.

I guess a years sabbatical doesn't really work in football management. Even when Ferguson is a whiny ungracious c**t, there's generally some reason behind it. The toys he throws out of the plan leave a mark somewhere - through the media or his players.
The same isn't trye for Wenger. He throws a lot of shit at the wall in the hope some might stick. Redknapp made the point about how the English game has changed him. He used to be known as the professor, but now resembles a lunatic half the time.
Some proportion of it could be said to protect his players, but I have my doubts.

Pierre Littbarski wrote:We all know that Walcott has great pace and we all know that, apart from rare moments like the cross to RVP, he lacks talent but his composure is wonderful - that 1st goal was like the Michael Owen of 1998.


Ray Wilkins' offside call for VDV's goal

WHAT A GAME !!!!!

How can you "lack talent except at certain moments"?

You see how agendas can tie one in knots...

"Eastenders FC"

Fuck it, don't want to talk about the football, the awesomeness of the game is no consolation.

One of the very finest coaches in the game has sadly become one of the worst managers – "go out and (out)play (the opposition)" makes for some great games especially against comparably naive opponents, but is never going going to cut it against well-drilled opponents managed by someone from the dark side who dares to use tactics, game plans and such.

Fantastic game last night. Credit to both sides for that.