2011

[Ted Lasso]

If Tottenham really want to win the league they should have tried to take advantage of United and City dropping points. Poor finishing from both sides, Liverpool had a few chances they really should have done better on, Carroll, Suarez and Spearing all missed good chances.

I thought for sure Bale would have put that away when he was clean through on the keeper, but he sure Walcotted that one!

That was the result I was hoping for, though. Arsenal gained ground on everyone ahead of us.

I doubt they are willing to take any risks away from home in games like this in an effort to close the gap with the Manchester clubs. That's the kind of mentality that could drop a side out of its element like ours back to 5th place.

Slow and steady is the name of the game.

[Ted Lasso]

As for Bale's miss, it was a very similar situation to Defoe's miss at City, i thought. We didn't really deserve to win either game, but could have stolen both at the death and failed to do so. It's a shame but we have to keep the big picture in mind.

Edit: Btw, i laughed at Liverpool fans booing Bale for diving. Sure, we're booing you now, but if you ever want to leave Tottenham and choose to play for us, we'd be willing to pick you up in London and carry you home on our backs.

[Don Draper]

If Tottenham really want to win the league they should have tried to take advantage of United and City dropping points. Poor finishing from both sides, Liverpool had a few chances they really should have done better on, Carroll, Suarez and Spearing all missed good chances.

I thought for sure Bale would have put that away when he was clean through on the keeper, but he sure Walcotted that one!

That was the result I was hoping for, though. Arsenal gained ground on everyone ahead of us.

Liverpool's defense is too good for that. Playing negative was the smart thing to do. Our attack isn't that dynamic when you put a wall of defenders infront of them. No point in risking giving up a cheap counter attacking goal on the road. I thought the gameplan was correct.

[IronChef]

To me it all depends on if they're really trying to win the league or not, as they've said they are. You aren't going to have many times when both Manc sides drop points, so you have try and capitalize on that, imo, even if it is a risk. I thought they were given a boost with Enrique out, and Kelly playing at RB.

You don't have to go all out to score, but they offered absolutely nothing going forward. I thought that was a winnable game and they should have tried to exploit Kelly more with Bale and Ekotto. Especially since Liverpool struggle for goals anyway, and Carroll is a non-threat.

I do see your point, but they played too negative, imo, and threw away a good chance to gain ground.

Also, I don't see the problem with booing Bale for diving. I'm sure they'd love him in their side, but that doesn't make it fine for him to dive like that. It wasn't even embellishing contact, there was no contact. Not that Liverpool don't have players that do that either though...

[Ted Lasso]

Also, I don't see the problem with booing Bale for diving. I'm sure they'd love him in their side, but that doesn't make it fine for him to dive like that. It wasn't even embellishing contact, there was no contact. Not that Liverpool don't have players that do that either though...

Don't get me wrong, he absolutely deserved to be booed. I just thought it was funny because i imagined the potential attitude shift for a second.

I have no understanding for Daniel Agger though. He makes a big fuss about Bale diving, and then, not ten minutes later, dives right into an uninvolved Kranjcar to create contact and get the whistle. So much for your professional integrity, Daniel.

[Don Draper]

@IronChef

I see your point about trying to win the league, but Martin Kelly is a good defender. They should have switched Bale to right, let him cut inside, and let Walker and Bale have a go at Johnson (but then you run the risk of Bellamy counter attacking).

I personally think Spurs are blowing smoke when they say they are trying to win the league. They are trying to hold on to their champions league spot and there is nothing wrong with that.

[5DOM]

Camp Nou cat > Anfield cat

[Ted Lasso]

I personally think Spurs are blowing smoke when they say they are trying to win the league. They are trying to hold on to their champions league spot and there is nothing wrong with that.

[IronChef]

@IronChef

I see your point about trying to win the league, but Martin Kelly is a good defender. They should have switched Bale to right, let him cut inside, and let Walker and Bale have a go at Johnson (but then you run the risk of Bellamy counter attacking).

I personally think Spurs are blowing smoke when they say they are trying to win the league. They are trying to hold on to their champions league spot and there is nothing wrong with that.

I agree there's nothing wrong with that, it's what they should be doing, imo. To build a consistently competitive squad they need the money and the 'prestige' that comes with the Champions League. But, if they're trying to take their shot and win the league, then it's a mistake. It also kind of goes against the way they play most of the time.

Kelly is a good defender, but he's young, and not entirely used to right back. He's also not much of a threat going forward, so I don't think they had to really worry about overlap with Kuyt.

I have no understanding for Daniel Agger though. He makes a big fuss about Bale diving, and then, not ten minutes later, dives right into an uninvolved Kranjcar to create contact and get the whistle. So much for your professional integrity, Daniel.

Yeah, that was pretty funny. I've seen it with Joey Barton, and several other players too, never ceases to amaze. Players seemingly outraged by diving at one point, but not above it themselves.

[5DOM]

AVB keeps talking about this "next year's project" which is supposed to be pretty big. Hopefully we can qualify for the CL first

[Ted Lasso]

That probably just means buying more players he likes. Chelsea are caught between two worlds right now, in terms of both generation and footballing ideology, so it makes sense that Villas-Boas wants to bring in more of his guys and complete the transformation to Iberian football.

[MitchellUK]

Fabio Capello resigns as England manager with immediate effect.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/16941457

[Ted Lasso]

Not surprising, all things considered.

They'd better not try to poach Harry before the season ends though.

[Slava]

Am I the only one who thinks its ridiculously unprofessional to do this just ahead of a big tournament?

[Slava]

Also I'm tempted to put in a few bucks on Mourinho as a candidate.

[Ted Lasso]

Well, it's not exactly an ideal environment over there right now. I don't blame Fabio Capello for resigning considering how it came about.

Capello's shortcoming was on the pitch. I have long thought very highly of him, but some his choices at the World Cup were baffling.

[Ted Lasso]

If i ran the FA, i'd beg Arsenal to let Arsene Wenger come on board on a temporary basis and take the team to the European Championship.

I don't see how Mourinho can leave Real Madrid right now.

[Ted Lasso]

Sky Sports says Guus Hiddink is interested. He has a great reputation in England, did well at Chelsea, but he was pretty awful at his last stop with Turkey.

[Slava]

Whoever's taking over after the Euros will inherit a good young team in development.

--------------Hart-----------------

Richards---Smalling---Lescott---Cole

------Wilshere----Jones----Cleverley---

-----Sturridge-----Rooney---Ox----

Would be a pretty exciting side with Welbeck/Milner/Young/Walker/Walcott/Baines/Dawson/Foster on the bench/reserves.

[IronChef]

Am I the only one who thinks its ridiculously unprofessional to do this just ahead of a big tournament?

I'm with you on that, but I never liked Capello so I can't say I'm heartbroken. It puts the FA in a pretty tough position trying to find someone for this summer.