Match Threads Spurs vs Chelsea - Match Thread - Carabao Cup - Round 4

[philll]

I'm confident that we'll lose but I don't think it'll be a trouncing. We'll be solid at the back but toothless and ponderous going the other way.

 

[Serpico]

Need to be 100% whoever plays - our morale is always a little shaky so massive defeat would set us back-we mustn't collapse - thats how fearful I feel the outcome could be. COYS

 

[Spurs 1961]

JM to do his standard park the bus routine against top teams packing the side with defence and midfielders. Perhaps hold back Kane, Lo Celso and Ndombele for the last 20 minutes if we are still in the game.

 

[Gareth88]

Watching this really makes me miss Dembele, unit in the midfield. I love the fire and desire in the sqaud although I dont think a mass brawl is right I love the swagger and passion we showed.

 

[holsten777]

Maybe this is just me but I really feel like Jose should keep his opinions to himself sometimes, he's basically admitted that we're writing this off so what kind of motivation does that give the starting eleven tonight? Save the excuses for after the match, not before. He did the same at United and I hated it back then as well.

I'll be beyond shocked if we win this on the back of everything he's said.

I think he says one thing to the public, so as to have an excuse if we lose. I bet you though he's as motivated as any to do a number on his old club. Nobody will be gunning for the win more than him.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

It's nonsense anyway. We can easily select two full competitive XIs and he himself said he has too many players.

That's what is required when we play one midweek match. Sun-Tues-Thurs-Sun is a completely different situation. Even being on the bench 48 hours after the previous game will necessitate disruption to their usual active recovery between games.
Starting a player tonight who played most of the Newcastle game, only 48 hours earlier, is going against basic sports science and asking for injuries. In order to put out a "competitive" team tonight, key players would need to have been rested against Newcastle, as well as against Maccabi Haifa and Man Utd.

If we forget the league games either side of the two midweek cup games, I still disagree that "we can easily select two full competitive XIs" for Tuesday and Thursday. Two "competitive" XIs against opposition's best XIs obviously puts us at a disadvantage compared to our opposition. The options are:
a) Put out two balanced, "competitive" teams (each of which is significantly weaker than our best XI) and accept the probability of winning each game is lower than normal (significant chance of losing both).
b) Use the best XI for the highest priority game and field a team omitting all of the best XI for the lower priority game (sacrifice one game to maximise chances of winning the most important match).
c) Use most of the best XI for the highest priority game, but omit some key players for use in the lower priority game (icnreased risk of losing the most important match).

I don't think it's financially viable for Mourinho to take and chances on Thursday - failure to progress in the Europa League is simply not an option.

 

[Neon_Knight_]

Maybe this is just me but I really feel like Jose should keep his opinions to himself sometimes, he's basically admitted that we're writing this off so what kind of motivation does that give the starting eleven tonight? Save the excuses for after the match, not before. He did the same at United and I hated it back then as well.

I'll be beyond shocked if we win this on the back of everything he's said.

Anyone who has been watching Jose's interviews since his first spell at Chelsea should know he doesn't say anything in public without intent and purpose. Negative comments are always to provoke a reaction from his players, alleviate the pressure on them, deflect, cause opposition to be complacent etc.

It should also be obvious that he won't be saying the same thing to the players.

 

[easley91]

I can kinda see a sit back and use pace on the counter approach with Bergwijn and either Sessegnon or Lamela (Lucas shouldn't start at all and be rested for Thursday). Will just have to wait and see who starts.

 

[Spurs 1961]

I think he says one thing to the public, so as to have an excuse if we lose. I bet you though he's as motivated as any to do a number on his old club. Nobody will be gunning for the win more than him.

like all politicians he excuses everything by blaming all his predecessors and knows enough people will buy it

 

[Gb160]

like all politicians he excuses everything by blaming all his predecessors and knows enough people will buy it

Who did he blame?

 

[dondo]

Apparently we had a free week last week where as Chelsea played the league cup game according to fat frank ?.
Surely you get prepared before doing an interview for the TV?

 

[tototoner]

Good that Marcos Alonso has fallen out with Lampard right before his annual good game against us

 

[VegasII]

Watching this really makes me miss Dembele, unit in the midfield. I love the fire and desire in the sqaud although I dont think a mass brawl is right I love the swagger and passion we showed.

 

[DiVaio]

 

[SlotBadger]

if Colchester can do it, why cant we

What, beat Tottenham?

 

[spursfast]

What, beat Tottenham?

no, Chelsea

 

[Neon_Knight_]

like all politicians he excuses everything by blaming all his predecessors and knows enough people will buy it

When has Jose blamed something on Poch (his predecessor)? I'd be interested to see some quotes, as I'm unaware of him doing this and like to follow the off-field politics and psychology. I try to watch as many of our manager's interviews and press conferences as possible (pre-Mourinho too)...what have I missed?

 

[13VanDerBale13]

To be honest our squad is pretty strong in itself when we pick a different 11, if Kane starts ill be shocked

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

what have I missed?

That some people looking to stick the boot in latching onto anything they can. It's laying the groundwork for if we lose at which point this'll become a full blown thing. They'll make sure of that.

You'll also see a number of posters who have been relatively quiet over the last few games suddenly spring to life like the skeleton warriors coming out of the ground in Jason & the Argonauts

 

[13VanDerBale13]

Kane starts tonight ? & Son on Thursday ? (if the rumours are true that he's in the squad for Thu)