It seems that AC Milan boss Massimiliano Allegri has been taking night classes at the Alex Ferguson school of mind games by claiming that we are not one of the strongest in Europe and that we took advantage of 'mistakes' and the counter attack at the San Siro to win. Now it seems to me that Mr. Allegri would not be saying these things if he were not very very nervous about coming to White Hart Lane tomorrow night. By claiming we are not one of the strongest teams in the competition it would seem on the surface that all he is doing is setting up an even bigger fall for Milan. Surely he should be saying 'Ooh it'll be really difficult for us, Spurs could go on and win the whole thing'? In fact I think Allegri is trying to trigger the one weakness we have showed in the Champions League this year: stage fright. By claiming we still have a huge task ahead of us and are still European minnows, I can only think Allegri is hoping Spurs let the occasion get to them and choke like they did early on against Young Boys and Inter at the San Siro.
Allegri is asking for trouble. These comments of his show he is struggling to find positives. He is already making excuses about the number of midfielders Milan are missing. The size of the occasion will only focus Lilywhite hearts and minds. In the going on 20 years I've sat at White Hart Lane I've never experienced an atmosphere like our Champions League games. Spurs won't choke at the Lane. We won't let them.
Now to the 'mistakes' Milan made which gave us the win in Italy. What mistakes were those? Employing a one-paced backline that struggled against our pace all game? And that was without Gareth Bale. Playing an over-the-hill borderline psychopath in midfield? Not easily rectifiable really.
I have to agree that we took advantage of the counter attack at the San Siro. Well done for spotting that. But who wouldn't play the counter attack away from home in Europe? Bit like saying 'We knew they would use that tactic. They did use it and as a result they won.' Not exactly doing us a disservice. Plus, if Allegri really thinks that the counter attack will form a big part of our game tomorrow then he's in trouble. a) We should attack them from the word go, put the foot on the throat and don't take it off like we did to Inter. b) If we do hit them on the counter, can they stop us? They'll have to go for the win, push people forward and gamble on attacks. Gareth Bale has already showed he likes the big occasions and if Milan struggled against a Bale-less counter attack, then I cannot wait to see our Welsh marauder in full flight tomorrow.
It really doesn't matter what Allegri says about us. If we play our own game, stick it on Crouch's head, give it to VdV, Bale, Modric and Lennon as much as possible, don't play silly buggers at the back then I believe we will win. Against Inter we lost concentration just once, gave Eto'o a yard too much space and he scored out of nowhere. Ibra can do exactly the same. Let's put in another performance that makes Europe sit up and take notice. Let's put ourselves into the hat for the next round and ensure that every team in Europe fears drawing us. Let's show Allegri what one of the smallest teams in the competition can do.
Tuesday 8 March 2011
Monday 7 March 2011
Ossie's Knees Returns. Wolves 3 Spurs 3
After a Jonathan Woodgate-esque absence, Ossie's Knees returns. Where better to return than a frustrating draw at Molineaux?
No doubt in my mind we should have won this game. Almost goes without saying these days that we concede the first goal away from home. Wolves started well yes but regardless of what the shockingly biased Chris Coleman would have you believe (did Spurs do something to him?), Spurs never looked on the ropes and there was no surprise when we turned it around and went in front not once but twice. The biggest surprise was that once we went in front we failed to see it out in the last few minutes, something we've actually been pretty good at this season. Once again we were our own worst enemy not putting away our chances to kill the game off before getting hit with a sucker-punch. We failed to convert any of our 15,000 chances against Blackpool until it was too late and then after three terrific goals out of nowhere yesterday, first Gareth Bale and then a resurrected Defoe failed to put the game beyond Wolves. I can't help but worry that the 5 points we have missed out on against Blackpool and Wolves will come back to haunt us. Our Top 4 destiny is still in our own hands with trips to Chelsea and Macnhester City, but now there's really no room for error. At least 4 points needed from those two games I fear, as well as maximum points from all our remaining home games. We are making it difficult for ourselves, but would we do it any other way?
Let's get the negatives out of the way first. Step forward Mr. Hutton. So Harry chews him out for giving away a stupid penalty at Fulham, is forced into bringing him back in due to Charlie's injury and what does he do? Gives away a stupid penalty and is very lucky not to get sent off. Hutton struggled all day against the dangerous Matt Jarvis, constantly backing off him and allowing him to deliver crosses into the box, which resulted in the Fletcher equaliser. Charlie's injury is looking more and more significant now and I for one am looking forward to next season when we can see Corluka and Walker battle it our for the right back spot.
Now what of our fruit loop Brazilian goalkeeper? Personally I believe he was fouled and the Stearman goal was correctly disallowed. He may have been a bit tentative and should have attacked the ball but Stearman was looking and Gomes and jumped into him. A clear foul in my humble opinion. Plus Gomes also showed us his best side, pulling off a worldie to deny Milijas. Our first half was overall too sluggish and it took us too long to cope with the runs into the box of the Wolves midfielders, particularly Milijas.
So what of the positives? Praise be, our strikers scored! JD's first was textbook Defoe. Given space outside the box, low backlift, sweetly struck deliciousness. His second showed what confidence can do for you. Placement over power this time, JD knew exactly where he wanted to put it and gave the keeper no chance. Will we see the goals flow now? I bloody well hope so. He will probably lose his place against AC to the most prolific beanpole in Europe, but would you bet against him coming off the bench to bang in his 100th goal in Lilywhite? Pav was his usual frustrating self. Anonymous for the majority of the game but pops up with a well taken goal. Say what you like about our Russian friend but he knows where the goal is.
A special mention should also go to Sandro. It's taken him a while to get to grips with the English game but yesterday was another performance of quiet authority and maturity. I've noticed he has a great eye for the intelligent forward run but doesn't neglect his defensive duties. With Palacios going through phases of being unable to string basic passes together and his tendency to give away clumsy fouls in dangerous areas I would have Sandro in the team ahead of him each week now and I hope he keeps his place against Milan on Wednesday. He has the potential to be our midfield enforcer for years to come.
Perhaps the most exciting moment of yesterday's game was the return of one Gareth Bale. The lad could sit have spent the last six weeks sitting on the sofa eating custard creams and watching Cash in the Attic, but he was instantly the most dangerous and athletic player on the pitch, tormenting the rugby player Wolves had playing at full back. It's easy to forget how good players are when they're out injured and I think most of us could be forgiven for forgetting just how good our Welshman is. It adds another layer of excitement to our game with AC that we will see Bale and Van der Vaart together again for the first time in two months.
All in all, a frustrating case of what might have been, but let's follow it up with another glory glory night at the Lane.
No doubt in my mind we should have won this game. Almost goes without saying these days that we concede the first goal away from home. Wolves started well yes but regardless of what the shockingly biased Chris Coleman would have you believe (did Spurs do something to him?), Spurs never looked on the ropes and there was no surprise when we turned it around and went in front not once but twice. The biggest surprise was that once we went in front we failed to see it out in the last few minutes, something we've actually been pretty good at this season. Once again we were our own worst enemy not putting away our chances to kill the game off before getting hit with a sucker-punch. We failed to convert any of our 15,000 chances against Blackpool until it was too late and then after three terrific goals out of nowhere yesterday, first Gareth Bale and then a resurrected Defoe failed to put the game beyond Wolves. I can't help but worry that the 5 points we have missed out on against Blackpool and Wolves will come back to haunt us. Our Top 4 destiny is still in our own hands with trips to Chelsea and Macnhester City, but now there's really no room for error. At least 4 points needed from those two games I fear, as well as maximum points from all our remaining home games. We are making it difficult for ourselves, but would we do it any other way?
Let's get the negatives out of the way first. Step forward Mr. Hutton. So Harry chews him out for giving away a stupid penalty at Fulham, is forced into bringing him back in due to Charlie's injury and what does he do? Gives away a stupid penalty and is very lucky not to get sent off. Hutton struggled all day against the dangerous Matt Jarvis, constantly backing off him and allowing him to deliver crosses into the box, which resulted in the Fletcher equaliser. Charlie's injury is looking more and more significant now and I for one am looking forward to next season when we can see Corluka and Walker battle it our for the right back spot.
Now what of our fruit loop Brazilian goalkeeper? Personally I believe he was fouled and the Stearman goal was correctly disallowed. He may have been a bit tentative and should have attacked the ball but Stearman was looking and Gomes and jumped into him. A clear foul in my humble opinion. Plus Gomes also showed us his best side, pulling off a worldie to deny Milijas. Our first half was overall too sluggish and it took us too long to cope with the runs into the box of the Wolves midfielders, particularly Milijas.
So what of the positives? Praise be, our strikers scored! JD's first was textbook Defoe. Given space outside the box, low backlift, sweetly struck deliciousness. His second showed what confidence can do for you. Placement over power this time, JD knew exactly where he wanted to put it and gave the keeper no chance. Will we see the goals flow now? I bloody well hope so. He will probably lose his place against AC to the most prolific beanpole in Europe, but would you bet against him coming off the bench to bang in his 100th goal in Lilywhite? Pav was his usual frustrating self. Anonymous for the majority of the game but pops up with a well taken goal. Say what you like about our Russian friend but he knows where the goal is.
A special mention should also go to Sandro. It's taken him a while to get to grips with the English game but yesterday was another performance of quiet authority and maturity. I've noticed he has a great eye for the intelligent forward run but doesn't neglect his defensive duties. With Palacios going through phases of being unable to string basic passes together and his tendency to give away clumsy fouls in dangerous areas I would have Sandro in the team ahead of him each week now and I hope he keeps his place against Milan on Wednesday. He has the potential to be our midfield enforcer for years to come.
Perhaps the most exciting moment of yesterday's game was the return of one Gareth Bale. The lad could sit have spent the last six weeks sitting on the sofa eating custard creams and watching Cash in the Attic, but he was instantly the most dangerous and athletic player on the pitch, tormenting the rugby player Wolves had playing at full back. It's easy to forget how good players are when they're out injured and I think most of us could be forgiven for forgetting just how good our Welshman is. It adds another layer of excitement to our game with AC that we will see Bale and Van der Vaart together again for the first time in two months.
All in all, a frustrating case of what might have been, but let's follow it up with another glory glory night at the Lane.
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