I dropped in at "Tottenham Hotspur Unofficial Supporters Site Forum"
http://www.tottenhamhotspurs.tv/forum/players-lounge/3909-view-white-hart-lane-saturday-1st-nov-tottenham-hotspurs-v-liverpool.html#post43282 to have a chat with the lads there about their expectations for a season only now starting to look somewhat brighter, and to discuss a match which sees their team sitting at the bottom of the table after 10 games, facing up against the league leaders... (By way of some context, some of these responses were provided prior to the 4-4 draw with Arsenal)
What are your expectations for change under the direction of Redknapp? What changes, if any, do you expect in January?ChrisF The "Arthur Daley" of English football will be wheeling and dealing "Spurs " out of the relegation zone. More direct attacking football would be nice..... Lots of players coming in on loan and a few big names to be seeking game time somewhere else.
funster First and foremost, results. Second, players playing their preferred positions. Third, sensible formations. Fourth, a bit of passion from the players again. Changes in January? Striker and defensive midfielder to come in. Possibly a few to go out, although our squad isn't that big these days. I also expect the mood of doom and gloom around the Lane to have lifted by Christmas.
Old Yid World domination. 2/3 new players.
Spurs4life2008 Sorting out the squad first off, getting a few wins behind us and start climbing up the table. January? Buy aleast one striker.
RiverWire Getting the bunch of individuals to work as a unit for a change and of course to storm the league and finish 2nd *cough* forget the second part, must be the beer from last night talking.
King 'Arry Instill some passion back in the players, get some points on the board so by Jan we are 10th-16th then go and buy a few players.
LukeModric2010 Players being played in the right positions, way more passion, most importantly points
What are your expectations for this season? How significantly have they changed from day one?ChrisF Mid Table would be nice. I was looking at top six...maybe pressing just outside top four.
funster Fourth from bottom would be fine! There is no way we're going to move high enough up the League quickly enough to warrant a challenge for European football that way. I think its too big an ask. But if Harry were to pull that one off, man..... Maybe we can string a decent run together in a Cup or two? Changes since start of season? Well, I had hoped for European qualification through the League. Right now, I'd settle for Premier League status with European qualification through any means being a bonus.
Old Yid A joyful mid table mediocrity would be lovely. I was expecting 6th to 8th before the season started.
Spurs4life2008 Mid-table is all we can expect if we're lucky. Was expecting us to start pushing the top 4 again, maybe 5th/6th
RiverWire From being touted as top 4 material after a disgusting start i would be extremely happy to be in UEFA cup next season, of course that would mean a serious clime in the league or a cup win of some kind, asking alot ? hmmm
King 'Arry Mid-table is all we can expect if we're lucky. Was expecting us to start pushing the top 4 again, maybe 5th/6th.
LukeModric2010 begging of year i was saying 5th, but now im happy if we can get mid-table and top half
Who do you think is your most important player(s)?ChrisF Anyone who can score goals.........selling both Berbatov and Keane wasn't a great idea...although the money was good. So I'd have to say Roman Pavlyuchenko.
funster Ledley King
Old Yid King & Modric
Spurs4life2008 King, Modric & Woodgate
RiverWire King, when he plays there is a noticeable difference in the squad, no one else really has that impression this season
King 'Arry King, Modric.
LukeModric2010 1) King 2) pav
Your worst player(s)?ChrisF Hard to go past Darren Bent lots of money for very little return.
funster Bentley - has been rubbish so far. Imagine his performances will improve significantly from here on. Jenas - although committed, he only displays that commitment once every ten games. BAE - until Sunday, he was absolutely shocking. Plenty of mediocre players in the squad..... Rocha being a prime example.
Old Yid At the moment KP Boateng
Spurs4life2008 would've said Bentley before the Bolton game, but now i'm not so sure. Dont think i could pick a worst player.
RiverWire How many can i list ? , im not a fan of zokora im affriad thats just me, there are alot of fans that like him.
King 'Arry We have a fair few to be fair.
LukeModric2010 hm id say either BAE or Boaeting.
Any young up and coming players in the squad that we might not know about?ChrisF There is a young Irishman called David Hutton....looks pretty good....already capped at 15-16-18 and under 19 level...came through the academy and now regular in the reserves......
funster Adel Taarabt? You've probably heard about him and opinion on here is very mixed. Plenty think he's very greedy, although how they can make that assessment after he's made eight appearances (a lot as sub) confuses me. He is exciting. Runs with the ball at pace, has plenty of tricks, and in his demeanour, reminds me of Chris Waddle. Bet loads on here will give me serious stick for saying that! But what do I care?
Old Yid Adam Smith
Spurs4life2008 Would say Taarabt, been class coming on end of last season.
RiverWire Na i would imagine you know about most of them, Giovani dos santos will rain hell on teams if given the chance and time to mature.
King 'Arry Taarabt, Bostock, Peckhart.
LukeModric2010 perkhart, bostock, adam smith, and GIO!!!
Do you have a particular memory of any previous meeting between our clubs? Say something that happened to you that day or a decision you disagreed with?ChrisF Well I am old enough to remember the seventies and eighties...great games..big name players and lots and lots of goals..I remember Kenny Dalglish absolutely tearing us a part more than once ...a truly magic player... Decision? Liverpool signing him from Celtic......as if Keegan wasn't enough you find a better player to take his place........
funster A few. Two up at Anfield, then got Tarrico sent off. We were singing "Quite good! You used to be quite good!"..... lost 3-2!
3-3 at White Hart Lane after Bill Nicholson passed away. A game played with all the spirit and quality that these two clubs should demonstrate.
And another 3-3 (maybe it was 2-2?) at The Lane when Ginloa had single-handedly put us in a winning position, got subbed, we capitulated..... he was seen remonstrating with those still left on the pitch and everybody around me thought - "Yeap, he's right..... wish we had more players as committed to the cause as that".
Old Yid I was at the 7-0 drubbing at Anfield in 1978......we played you off the park
Spurs4life2008 Hmm... 2-2 last season, really thought we were going to get 3 points
King 'Arry Erik Edmans striker at Anfield stands out.
What kind of reception will Robert David Keane receive?ChrisF Mild bemused applause...good luck to him....
funster Mixed, but on the whole, polite applause.
Old Yid A **** one from me but pretty mixed overall i think.
Spurs4life2008 Overall, it would be a good reception.
RiverWire lol love it, Robert David
if i was there i would be shouting Robert David all match, na he's a good lad and gave us 7 great seasons of giving 100%, i would imagine most reactions will be good, unlike the one berba will get.
King 'Arry Boos. Lots of them.
LukeModric2010 mixed, if i was there id cheer, he gave us alot, but he has left a bitter taste in the mouth of most spurs fans because of how he left
What sort of line-up will be put out against us?ChrisF We have nothing to lose so I imagine 4-4-2....make the back four solid maybe run at the Liverpool defence and it would be really nice if Torres and Gerard could miss the game and if your back four decided to not be so miserable that would be really nice.
funster 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. Not sure who we would play as the two up front in a 4-4-2. The 4-4-1-1 would be (probably) Pavlyuchenko with Modric just behind. Expect not much change from last Sunday against Bolton in terms of playing staff, although Bale will make an appearance I expect, possibly deployed on the left wing with BAE at left back? Depends what Harry picks for tonight at The Emirates. Will give a good indicator. If King doesn't play tonight, I'd expect him to start on Saturday.
Old Yid 4-4-1-1 & a lot of security in the car park
Spurs4life2008 Would go with 4-4-2 with Bent & Pav upfront (Maybe Campbell coming on late on)
King 'Arry Unchanged from the game tonight, although King/Woodgate/Corluka could all change.
LukeModric2010 not much change, pav up front with modric behind. four in middle and four in back
Do you have any favourite/best chant(s) and perhaps any that require an explanation?ChrisF Not really.....I did like the one about being lucky to see Harry Kewell play for Liverpool....
funster The long, rolling build-up with "Oh when the Spurs go marching in". Ones that need explanation? Mmmmmm..... there's always a few of those, but they tend to be transient.
Old Yid My old man said be an Ar5enal fan, i said f*ck off b*llox you're a c*nt etc..... speaks for itself.
Spurs4life2008 Still waiting for "Diamond Lights" to be chanted
RiverWire im rushing to get down the pub so cant be bothered to type anymore
King 'Arry Oh when the Spurs is still our best.
LukeModric2010 hmmm i personally enjoy glory glory tottenham hotspur
Where do you expect Tottenham and Liverpool to finish in the Premier League?ChrisF Spurs 10th Liverpool 3rd...heartbreak again ..sorry boys.
funster Liverpool - top four. Could be any of the top three positions I reckon. Spurs - top half.
Old Yid Luckypool 2nd to 4th. The Mighty Tottenham 12-17th.
Spurs4life2008 I do think Liverpool could win the League this year, if not 2nd. Spurs mid-table
RiverWire 1st and 2nd , i can taste the beer
King 'Arry Liverpool - 3rd. Spurs - 9th.
LukeModric2010 Liverpool - 2nd. Spurs - 10th.
Which Liverpool player will you fear the most?Everyone Gerrard and Torres.
Old Yid Torres. Keane the lean mean goal machine isn't doing much in the Premier League at left back
Care to predict the score?ChrisF Spurs 0 Liverpool 2.....
funster Nah. I don't do predictions!
Old Yid 1-0 Tottenham (always the optimist)
Spurs4life2008 Would like to go with a draw if poss, but have to be real in thinking Liverpool will come out with 3 points if they play anything like they did against Chelsea.
RiverWire 0-3 to spurs ..................... 1 - 1 with any luck
King 'Arry 1-2
LukeModric2010 hope 2-2 but i think it will be 1-2
EDIT: Changed HotspurS to Hotspur!! :p
