No surprises then in the starting line-up really. I suspect AVB will want to blood Holtby and give Gallas a run out later in the game if we doing well.
I think if we're going to get anything out of this game, it'll depend on whether or not Norwich can keep up the pace they've started at.
They seem to be set up to defend deep then all charge forward whenever they get an opening, so I'd expect them to tire later in the game. Probably helps that they're playing with the wind as well.
Hopefully we'll sort this out in the 2nd half .. hopefully ..
I hoped that the Leeds game was just a one off bad day at the office but judging by that first half perhaps it is the absence of Sandro that has upset the balance of the team... Fingers crossed that AVB can sort things out at half time as Everton are now within a goal of taking 4th spot from us!
At least the beast appears to be in good spirits considering!
It's no small coincidence with Sandro being out I guess. You'd expect Parker to fill the role like for like almost, but then I guess Sandro's distribution is a lot quicker which helps.
here we go .. fingers crossed .. hopefully Holtby can come on later with a big of magic ..
Holtby has already shown more ability in 10mins that Dempsey showed in 70!
Spot on. I'd be half inclined to start him next game just to see how he goes - Dempsey, despite his goals, just isn't cutting it and we can't keep carrying him.
I'm relieved we salvaged something out of the game anyway, but watching Norwich reminded me of everything I used to hate about watching Leicester when we played them. Bale's run before his goal summed it up well .. the first Norwich player to get near him tried to take him out.
Defoe looked quite nippy considering he's supposed to be carrying an injury, but I still think he needs a bit of form back.
I honestly don't think we'll be bringing anyone else in tomorrow though. I think the only business we'll be doing is players leaving on loan or sold.
Spot on. I'd be half inclined to start him next game just to see how he goes - Dempsey, despite his goals, just isn't cutting it and we can't keep carrying him.
I'm relieved we salvaged something out of the game anyway, but watching Norwich reminded me of everything I used to hate about watching Leicester when we played them. Bale's run before his goal summed it up well .. the first Norwich player to get near him tried to take him out.
Defoe looked quite nippy considering he's supposed to be carrying an injury, but I still think he needs a bit of form back.
I honestly don't think we'll be bringing anyone else in tomorrow though. I think the only business we'll be doing is players leaving on loan or sold.
Holtby' cameo was one of the few pluses out of today' game, reminded me of VdV with his tenacity and creativity. Perhaps done enough to warrant a start ahead of Parker (wish he'd cut out those pointless pirouettes!) or Dempsey against WBA despite AVB tending to slowly introduce players into the team.
Defoe looks out of sorts and needs a rest but unfortunately we haven't got any other senior strikers available. Fingers crossed that Levy will pull a rabbit out of the hat tomorrow...
Parker is definitely a downgrade from Sandro. sure, he runs around throwing himself into absolutely everything, and fans love that, but he slows everything down whenever he gets on the ball, and offers absolutely nothing going forward. he really is an average player.
Holtby has to start over Dempsey though, and I think AVB knows it, judging by his quote after the game
Lewis Holtby made a difference, it is a major coup for us and he gave us something in between the lines to connect our team
No, I'm not hopeful of us signing a striker either, unless Levy has been working on the QT for a change. Plenty of rumours but nothing substantial to say we are actually talking to anyone.
A striker has to be the no.1 pirority now that we have Holtby to do what Siggy and Dempsey couldn't. 4th spot is going to be difficult to hold onto, if we struggle to score more than one goal in a game.
If Defoe is not given rest then there is the risk that he will break down completely and then be out for a few months at least.
No, I'm not hopeful of us signing a striker either, unless Levy has been working on the QT for a change. Plenty of rumours but nothing substantial to say we are actually talking to anyone.
A striker has to be the no.1 pirority now that we have Holtby to do what Siggy and Dempsey couldn't. 4th spot is going to be difficult to hold onto, if we struggle to score more than one goal in a game.
If Defoe is not given rest then there is the risk that he will break down completely and then be out for a few months at least.
Fingers crossed Spurs can pull off another transfer coup on the scale of VdV or Klinsmann and avoid a last minute desperation signing of the calibre of Rasiak
If Defoe is not given rest then there is the risk that he will break down completely and then be out for a few months at least.
That's a big concern as well. If it happens, we'd be saddled with Adebayor as the sole experienced striker for the remainder of the season and that will not be a good thing, especially if you see this from SSN
Comments
Reading, Liverpool and West Brom to all win or draw tonight please, with us taking all 3 points. Thankyou Thor
Subs: Friedel, Gallas, Naughton, Sigurdsson, Holtby, Livermore, Caulker.
Norwich: Bunn, Martin, Bassong, Turner, Garrido, Snodgrass, Johnson, Tettey, Pilkington, Hoolahan, Holt.
Subs: Camp, Whittaker, Howson, Jackson, Fox, Elliott Bennett, Ryan Bennett.
They seem to be set up to defend deep then all charge forward whenever they get an opening, so I'd expect them to tire later in the game. Probably helps that they're playing with the wind as well.
Hopefully we'll sort this out in the 2nd half .. hopefully ..
At least the beast appears to be in good spirits considering!
Twitter / sandroraniere: My stitches are out!! Lets go! pic.twitter.com/u0BxIapP
here we go .. fingers crossed .. hopefully Holtby can come on later with a big of magic ..
about time dempsey is off .. another anonymous game ..
Can't wait to see that one tonight.
Losing Ground
We Can't Beat Leeds Or Norwich We Won't Beat West Brom.
Isnt There A Transfer Window Happening
We Need A Striker!!!!!!!
Holtby has already shown more ability in 10mins that Dempsey showed in 70!
At least we have a worthy successor to VdV now!
Spot on. I'd be half inclined to start him next game just to see how he goes - Dempsey, despite his goals, just isn't cutting it and we can't keep carrying him.
I'm relieved we salvaged something out of the game anyway, but watching Norwich reminded me of everything I used to hate about watching Leicester when we played them. Bale's run before his goal summed it up well .. the first Norwich player to get near him tried to take him out.
Defoe looked quite nippy considering he's supposed to be carrying an injury, but I still think he needs a bit of form back.
I honestly don't think we'll be bringing anyone else in tomorrow though. I think the only business we'll be doing is players leaving on loan or sold.
Arsenal dropped points, looks like Chelsea will too.
Holtby in for Dempsey from now on please.
Kind Regards,
Pee.
Holtby' cameo was one of the few pluses out of today' game, reminded me of VdV with his tenacity and creativity. Perhaps done enough to warrant a start ahead of Parker (wish he'd cut out those pointless pirouettes!) or Dempsey against WBA despite AVB tending to slowly introduce players into the team.
Defoe looks out of sorts and needs a rest but unfortunately we haven't got any other senior strikers available. Fingers crossed that Levy will pull a rabbit out of the hat tomorrow...
Holtby has to start over Dempsey though, and I think AVB knows it, judging by his quote after the game
which is what we've been lacking all season.
A striker has to be the no.1 pirority now that we have Holtby to do what Siggy and Dempsey couldn't. 4th spot is going to be difficult to hold onto, if we struggle to score more than one goal in a game.
If Defoe is not given rest then there is the risk that he will break down completely and then be out for a few months at least.
Fingers crossed Spurs can pull off another transfer coup on the scale of VdV or Klinsmann and avoid a last minute desperation signing of the calibre of Rasiak
Those stats certainly emphasise what we saw on the pitch tonight!
That's a big concern as well. If it happens, we'd be saddled with Adebayor as the sole experienced striker for the remainder of the season and that will not be a good thing, especially if you see this from SSN
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8456952/
There's another story about the rumoured swap involving Benni as well ..
http://metro.co.uk/2013/01/30/tottenham-consider-swapping-benoit-assou-ekotto-for-inter-milans-alvaro-pereira-3375372
And there's this ..
Harry Redknapp has made a shock swoop for David Bentley
Who wants to drive Bentley to Loftus Road then ?