Match Day Thread Tottenham Hotspur v Middlesbrough

I've always thought reductions should be for our travelling fans. Let them know they are thought of instead of taken for granted!

 

Am glad the cub have dropped the prices. Instead of being charged £90 for 2 tickets to see a category c prem match it'll cost us £40 to see a category c game in the fa cup.
Can afford that one...so me and the teen beast are on the way back to rhe lane .... wahoooooo!

Have also saved £100 so far in the hope that the 3 of us can get tickets to the CL last 16 match...

 

I think that I'll go too. I cannot see anything but a defeat this coming w/e, so the team will need lifting after a run of poor results and performances. I don't know what he's saying to them before kick off but it sure ain't working, so the fans need to try and do it for him.

Plus, whilst I've been giving Mourinho some very well earned 'clog' recently, I probably need to balance that by getting behind whatever team he decides to put out...even if it's only to prove that I'm not a Gooner.

I'd expect to see someone else, other than Aurier, at right back and at least 2 of Skippy, Parrott and Tanganga get on the pitch, preferably in the starting line-up. They may be inexperienced but so what? It's not like the alternatives are putting in proper performances at the moment.

 

Have missed screaming mysef horse...ain't been since the Olympiakos game ... so God help who ever is sitting near us

 

I’m gonna tell you now to ease the pain, you’re probably gonna be disappointed.

 

Funnily enough I think I actually said in a more comical vibe before Poch was sacked that Harry would probably be ideal for this squad. Poch and Harry have been our best gaffers in the Prem yet both were so different (though shoutout to BMJ for laying the foundations).

Poch - favoured youth and hard work. Exploited - in a good way - their desire to play by having them train extremely hard in order to be able to out run the opposition. Worked for a number of years but once the young squad became more senior, Poch failed to adapt his ways in order to make the side work smarter and not harder. This ultimately led to his downfall, along with thinking the same players would get better results by doing the same thing.

Harry - favoured experience and the 'arm round the shoulder' approach. Got Modric playing to an elite level, allowed Ledley to train how he pleased (Poch would've broken him in one session) made some great older signings in Friedel, Gallas and Parker, along with Rafa and Ade and got the team playing great football. Youth struggled to get in, Bale and Walker the only two who really forced themselves into the side and I think Bale got lucky too in that we had an injury which opened up a space for him, as rumours were he'd be loaned/ sold to the Championship - Harry got lucky there .

Harry's effect is similar to what I hoped Jose would have. Experienced manager who gets a lot from experienced pros whilst adding a 'winning mentality' and a strong tactical set up, so far though despite an early bounce, it just hasn't gone as I'd hoped. Not much looks any different now to what we were watching under Poch.

 

Tactical genius....my arse!

 

Let's hope they don't have a player that can run through a defence.Meaning ours! Are you listening Toby and Aurier?

 

And Dier. And Vertonghen. And whoever keeps picking them.

 

For some reason the replay has been chosen by the BBC for live coverage, thought the matches at Tranmere, Newcastle and even Old Trafford looked more inviting though we probably offer the best chance of 'a story'.

 

The tv boys have got to be home for supper!

 

The replay's on BBC1: https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/51025804

 

Oh joy, ninety minutes of being sneered at, having paid £155 for the privilege...

 

They probably want to be the broadcaster present when we unveil Dybala, Upamecano, Aarons, Koulibaly and Soumare

 

stop it please , I popped a rib and it hurts to laugh

 

Tottenham manager Jose Mourinho has confirmed that Christian Eriksen will play on Tuesday. Wasn't he meant to be in Milan?

"Eriksen plays tomorrow. Every player we have has to be ready to help the team.

"We are not in conditions to think about anything else than that.

"One thing is to not put his best performance in but for so many reasons players all around the world have better seasons than other players."

Mourinho is then asked if this is the best version of Eriksen he could have?

"No. If you ask me the reasons, I am not an idiot, I have been in football many years.

"A player in this situation, even if he wants - and I am not criticising him - it's normal a player in this situation doesn't perform in the highest level.

"But he is helping us in matches he has played for us. He's had positive performances and contributions like against Olympiakos and Norwich."

 

Well,Ericson can change from street clothes to football gear,but then everything else comes to a raging halt!

 

…..and Jose knows Ericson is ready to bugger off. Please,someone,lend him his bus fare!!!!

 

So if he does his hamstring and is ruled out until April, scuppering any chance of moving this month, am I allowed to criticise the berk who played him?

 

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Tuesday 14th January 8.05pm
FA Cup 3rd Round Replay
Tottenham Hotspur Stadium​

Not the result that any of us wanted against Liverpool, but far from the disaster that many were predicting.
It did show some of the more defensive football that Mourinho's known for though, which will probably provoke mixed feelings.
It's another loss and puts us well out of the mix for a top four place, which places added emphasis on this tie.
It's a quick turnaround for both sides, so I think it's fair to expect a number of changes.
Can Mourinho do what he's known for and get us winning again or will we get a televised embarrassment?

Only one match for each side since the first game, so not a lot to talk about.
Boro were pegged back late by Derby, having taken the lead twice, though it does continue their unbeaten run:

Here are Mourinho's thoughts on the game and a few other things:

Davies, Lloris and Ndombele are continuing their rehabilitation, while Kane and Sissoko recover from surgery.
Assombalonga has been left behind by Boro to aid recovery. Randolph may miss out, due to continuing speculation about a return to West Ham.
Neither side has any suspensions.

Lineups for each side's last league game:

Spurs: Gazzaniga; Aurier, Sanchez, Alderweireld, Tanganga, Rose; Eriksen, Winks, Alli; Moura, Son.
Subs: Vorm, Vertonghen, Sessegnon, Dier, Skipp, Lo Celso, Lamela.
League form: WLWDLL.

Boro: Pears; Spence, Fry, McNair, Howson, Coulson; Roberts, Saville, Wing, Tavernier; Fletcher.
Subs: Mejias, Wood, Liddle, Clayton, Johnson, Gestede, Nmecha.
League form: LWWWWD.

Ref: Craig Pawson. VAR: David Coote.

TV: BBC1.

How would you like to line up for this one and what would you change from the Liverpool game?
Would you stick with much of the same lineup, make a few changes or go for a wholesale switch?
Which system and tactics would you use and what are you expecting Boro to go with?