Tottenham Hotspur - Official thread

[bwi]

We got what we deserved over the two legs i think.

[EJG1980]

We got what we deserved over the two legs i think.

True, I'm gutted that we're out as I wanted to see us lift a trophy so much, but can't complain about it. Basel deserved to go through.

[fallenangle]

I beg to differ; after a fantastically courageous effort Spurs lost it. The stupid sending off and that first Basel goal tonight were a bloody disgrace. I was screaming, again, at the TV 30 seconds before Spurs lost the ball in exactly the same way they did so often in the first leg. Over-elaborate, unnecessary passing back to or across the last line defence. It was drummed into me not to do that by my headmaster (an avid West Ham fan) in my first organised football game at school when I was 7 years old. As for the order and choice of penalty takers!!!!? The perenially languid Huddlestone at less than full match readiness, predictable miss. As for Adebayor, I don't want to even comment on that effort. Throughout the two ties it was almost as though he's lost most of his ball skills. The number of times it got caught under his feet or he simply didn't bring it under control fast enough was appalling. He can be so much better than but hasn't been for ages.

[bwi]

fallen you obviously don't know how i feel about ade. If i wrote what i thought of his performances i would have been banned of here by now.........so considering what i said after the "penalty" he took, i think ive been super restrained.

Unlike the missus who walked downstairs and said "he is a liabilty for your lot and should put on a jet and flown into the sea".

[EJG1980]

I agree that taking it to penalties was an excellent effort by the team, especially playing the extra time with ten men (or nine if you consider Adebayor's performance), they worked their socks off to give us a shot.

I'd still say Basel deserved to go through though. Too many defensive lapses from us, giving the ball away too much, not enough quality on the ball when we did keep it. When they played well over the two legs I thought it looked better than when we played well. I dunno, I'm not that good at analysing matches anyway, especially Spurs matches that I'm emotionally invested in, and even more especially when we've just lost on penalties.

I just hope that the massive disappointment of losing like that can act as a Spur (ahem) for the remaining league games to get us a top four finish. How I feel at the moment reminds me of the Portsmouth semi-final loss in 2010.

As for Adebayor, I don't want to even comment on that effort. Throughout the two ties it was almost as though he's lost most of his ball skills. The number of times it got caught under his feet or he simply didn't bring it under control fast enough was appalling. He can be so much better than but hasn't been for ages.

Annoyingly as well this came after a pretty decent performance against Everton, the best I can remember him playing for a while. Yet he follows it up with a shocker of a performance. So frustrating when he got 18 goals last season, held the ball up superbly and was a big part of our top four finish.

fallen you obviously don't know how i feel about ade. If i wrote what i thought of his performances i would have been banned of here by now.........so considering what i said after the "penalty" he took, i think ive been super restrained.

I was swearing enough at the telly tonight and I try and give him as much chance as possible, I can't imagine the torrent of abuse you were giving him

Ha, you'll be pleased to know that the current number one trend on Twitter in London is #ThingsMoreUsefulThanAdebayor!

[EJG1980]

Had a good night's sleep, time to feel positive again Good article here.

[nakamura]

For the second year running the Europa League has outshone the Champions League in terms of enjoyment. I love my thursday night football now.

[EJG1980]

AVB just held his Friday press conference. Defoe, Bale and Lennon all have a chance of playing against Man City. He said:

Defoe has recovered well and trained with the team all week.
Bale has trained on his own all week and with the team for the past two days.
Lennon hasn't yet trained with the team but there's on more session to go.

So it looks like Defoe is the most likely to play, then Bale, then Lennon. AVB did day he was "pretty confident" that Bale would be fit for Sunday, though.

[fallenangle]

One thing is for sure - Spurs can not afford to lose the match. Our GD is far inferior to both Chelsea and Arsenal so to keep in the top four we have to do it on points. A win tomorrow would be very, very, useful at this stage.

[RetroRevival]

Ade does nothing for 70 mins, Defoe's first shot on goal ends up in the net! Have to laugh.

[nakamura]

Defoe is a top quality player. Adebayor is a clown pretending to be a footballer.

[bwi]

wow, and i think fianlly adebayors time is up.

I screamed so loud when the equaliser went in. All credit to AVB he won that match with the changes.

Kind of found it odd how mancini (just didnt) react when the equaliser went in

[nakamura]

Man City are woeful at the back. They just look all over the place, there is so much hesitation between the centre backs and the keeper.

[fallenangle]

Joy of joys. I'd been keeping my eye/ear on the game via Teletext/R5 and as it went on I thought it was going to peter out to a 0-1 win for MC or worse. Then......well we know the rest. Yay! With that, the BTCC races from Donnington and F1 highlights to come it's made my sporting day. Can't wait to see MotD tonight.

[sj33]

Was a neutral, but still found myself unconsciously cheering when Spurs scored. Makes things really interesting!

I'm no Chelsea hater, but I'd love to see Spurs get into the CL instead of them.