Spurs Vs Shaktar Donetsk: Match Thread

[milkman]

Banner thanks to Evolution​

Tottenham must overcome a 2-0 deficit at home to Shakhtar Donetsk if they are to progress to the last 16 of the Uefa Cup but Harry Redknapp will field an under-strength side.

Spurs battled hard in the first leg in Ukraine a week ago but fell behind after a Heurelho Gomes mistake in the 79th minute and Jadson then added a second late on.

Redknapp has made Premier League survival his top priority but he is also looking ahead to Sunday's Carling Cup final against Manchester United.
The last thing Redknapp wants is for any of his key men to pick up an injury so he is expected to select an inexperienced team.

The likes of Dean Parrett, John Bostock and Giovani Dos Santos are set to feature once again, while Gomes will line up in goal in the absence of Carlo Cudicini, who has a knee injury.

Ledley King, Jonathan Woodgate and Luka Modric are among those who will not be risked, although Jamie O'Hara may play after recovering from a hip complaint.

Robbie Keane, Vedran Corluka and Roman Pavlyuchenko are all cup-tied, while Alan Hutton and Jermain Defoe are long-term absentees.

Shakhtar news

Shakhtar coach Mircea Lucescu is expecting a difficult test despite Redknapp's selection concerns.

"I still think the Tottenham team will be strong and we will be strong as well," said the Romanian. "There are no weak players in their squad.
"This is one of the high-level opponents we will be playing, like our matches against Barcelona, Valencia or Celtic - they are that kind of team."

Shakhtar's preparations have been disrupted by snow in Ukraine and last week's match was the club's first since early December.

Lucescu will welcome Tomas Hubschman back from suspension, while Brazilian playmaker Jadson is likely to provide the main threat again.

http://www.skysports.com/football/match_preview/0,19764,11065_3095437,00.html

Tottenham squad:
Gomes, Jansson, Gunter, Bale, Huddlestone, Chimbonda, Palacios, Bostock, Parrett, O'Hara, Giovani, Campbell, Bent, Obika, Townsend, Mason, Butcher, Smith, Gilberto, Dawson, Zokora.

Team: Gomes, Gunter, Gilberto, Huddlestone, Chimbonda, Giovani, Palacios, O'Hara, Bale, Campbell, Obika

Subs: Jansson, Smith, Butcher, Bostock, Parrett, Mason, Townsend, (A full academy bench.)

 

[BringBack_leGin]

It seems forever since I was last at the lane, for the game v the Scum, so Í'm just happy to be going home again.

 

[Welshiespursboyo]

We're the Park Lane, We're the Park Lane, We're the Park Lane TOTTENHAM!

 

[DC_Boy]

so is cudicini in the squad or not - according to the OS he's not injured - unless I misread it.

 

[gibbs131]

I think we can stuff them at home even with the B team. COYS

 

[james82mckay]

4-3-3 please.
gomes,
Gunter, daws, hudd, bale.
Palacios, Bostock, O'hara
Campbell, Bent, Gio

 

[SpurSince57]

46 Years Ago Tonight…

Spurs 4 Dukla Prague 1 A goal down from the first leg, Spurs returned to European Cup football at White Hart Lane determined to proceed to the next round. The pitch was covered with snow but Spurs attacking flair over-powered the Czechs. The match was virtually decided after fifteen minutes as Bobby Smith and Dave Mackay had scored to wipe out the first leg deficit. At the start of the second half a mistake by the Spurs defence allowed the visitors to score and level on aggregate, but Smith and Mackay continued their domination with two goals in a minute, one each, to see Spurs into the semi-finals. (Thanks to Topspurs)

A good omen? I'd like to think so. :grin:

 

[milkman]

Nice stuff SS57!

Looks like we'll be playing a backup/youth team tonight.

 

[hughy]

Looking at our squad, and the Villa squad today, looks like we really don't want to meet eachother in the next round! :lol:

 

[milkman]

Looking at our squad, and the Villa squad today, looks like we really don't want to meet eachother in the next round! :lol:

That's if we get through to the next round. :violin:

 

[hughy]

That's if we get through to the next round. :violin:

Ya, what I'm saying is, it looks like we're trying our hardest not to progress. Us and Villa.

 

[milkman]

Ya, what I'm saying is, it looks like we're trying our hardest not to progress. Us and Villa.

Oh shit, I read your post wrong!

 

[SpurSince57]

It just seems that everything has conspired against us as far as the UEFA Cup is concerned—fixture pile-ups, ineligible players… It just seems a crazy situation that we have to play two games in the week before a major final. I'm sure Ferguson would have liked a full week to prepare as well.

Anyway, never say never. The one thing about Shakhtar is that although their build-up play was very impressive their finishing wasn't, and if we can just seize the initiative and put their keeper under pressure—because he didn't look all that sound to me—and grab an early goal we might just do it.

 

[hughy]

It just seems that everything has conspired against us as far as the UEFA Cup is concerned—fixture pile-ups, ineligible players… It just seems a crazy situation that we have to play two games in the week before a major final. I'm sure Ferguson would have liked a full week to prepare as well.

Anyway, never say never. The one thing about Shakhtar is that although their build-up play was very impressive their finishing wasn't, and if we can just seize the initiative and put their keeper under pressure—because he didn't look all that sound to me—and grab an early goal we might just do it.

Aye, I've been saying for a while now, an early goal and we're right back in it. Not only will it give the players the belief, but it'll give the fans something to cheer about.

 

[Damian99]

A good omen? I'd like to think so. :grin:

Maybe if some of those were playing tonight, then yes.

 

[Bowser]

Quote from BBC website:

1906: I'm hearing news that will send shockwaves throughout north London: academy striker Jon Obika will make his full Tottenham debut against Shakhtar tonight. Who's he when he's at home, then?

 

[hughy]

I'm hoping Bostock starts. I'm looking forward to seeing him more than anyone else.

 

[nidge]

Team: Gomes, Gunter, Gilberto, Huddlestone, Chimbonda, Giovani, Palacios, O'Hara, Bale, Campbell, Obika

Subs: Jansson, Smith, Butcher, Bostock, Parrett, Mason, Townsend, (A full academy bench.)

 

[glking]

1915: Spurs team to play Shakhtar: Gomes, Gunter, Gilberto, Huddlestone, Chimbonda, Giovani, Palacios, O'Hara, Bale, Campbell, Obika.
Subs: Jansson, Smith, Butcher, Bostock, Parrett, Mason, Townsend.

 

[robin09]

Crikey, now we've got too many left footers!