After the appetizer of Young Boys (behave), the arrival of Schteve McClaren's former charges FC Twente signals the arrival of the Champions League proper to the Lane. The Champions League music and the flag waving against Young Boys set my heart fluttering. We've made it to the promised land. We may not be here again next year but for now who cares, we're here, let's have fun. Champions League footie under the floodlights. The atmosphere is going to be electric. I can't bloody wait.
So what can we expect from Twente? Well despite the fact that the 'Wally with the Brolly' has moved on they are Dutch Champions so they can't be shit. A warning as to the dangers of Twente can be found in their draw with Inter in the first game, not just in the result, but in the manner of the goals. The first a cracking free kick from Theo Janssen and the second an own goal from a Theo Janssen corner. Twente are a threat from set pieces and last time I checked we aren't too hot at defending them. The left boot of Theo Janssen will be a huge threat all night and we need to keep corners and silly free kicks around the box (Mr. Bassong take note), to a minimum. That being said, as long as we keep Twente on the back foot as much as possible I think we will be ok.
Now to the boys in European all-Lilywhite. It is possible we will have no-one who missed the West Ham back (although fingers crossed on Gomes and Assou-Ekotto). However, I'm confident that we will still be too strong for Twente. We have seen in the past that visiting teams in the Champions League tend to be cautious and defend deep. Hopefully this should mean that our patchwork defence does not come under too much sustained pressure. Nevertheless, we need all our attacking players firing on all cylinders, including our cigar-chomping winger. Whether 'Arry gives him the arm round the shoulder or the kick up the backside, we need Aaron back on form and soon. I want to see Huddlestone in the quarterback role, exuding authority and stroking balls left, right and centre. Modric and VdV buzzing around like blue-arsed flies creating space, openings, chances. Even if he starts at LB in the absence of BAE, Bale needs to be the unplayable simian marauder we know he can be. Crouch may not be able to hit a barn door in the Premiership but stick a Champions League badge on his arm and he becomes a goal machine. Another couple tonight please Crouchie.
Our club is built upon these floodlit European nights. Glory glory Tottenham Hotspur and all that. I wouldn't want to be anywhere else in the world.
COYS.
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