My first post in a few weeks, due to a combination of factors. Post-Arsenal game, I was too busy watching the highlights over and over and sitting with a smug grin as Arsenal-supporting mates explained the result away with a combination of complaints about handballs and wobbly long range shots. Then came a state of catatonic stupor brought on by yet another bloody international break, followed by a disappointing result at St James Park. I didn't feel there was a great amount to say about our trip to Newcastle, Defoe is continuing to show flashes of his old self, we look infinitely more nervous at the back without King and the pros and cons of Van der Vaart is an article in itself.
Rubin Kazan tonight. All previews for the Europa League so far seem to have melded into one. Avoid injury, have a look at the kids etc etc. Sandro, Lennon and Rose should return and feature at some point, Bassong and Kaboul will start at the back because we don't have anyone else. Walker and Rose at full back make it a fairly solid back four. The return of Rose will probably push Townsend further forward on the left, with Lennon on the right and two of Sandro, Livermore and Carroll in the middle. Up front I would expect to see Gio playing in behing Pav.
Rubin will undoubtedly be our biggest test so far after (let's be honest) the Scottish, Greek and Irish pub teams we've faced so far. Best known for beating Barcelona at the Nou Camp a few years ago, Rubin have been crowned Russian champions twice in the last 4 seasons, finished 3rd last season and are currently sitting 6th in the Russian Premier League having won their last 2 games.
Rubin have a handful of players that a few Spurs fans will have heard of, particularly former Newcastle and Birmingham striker Obafemi Martins. I'm sure I wasn't the only one celebrating Martins' goal at Wembley earlier this year, but if we're not careful he is undoubtedly a player who can hurt us. Martins scored 4 goals in 7 appearances against us in his Newcastle days, one of which I'm sure many will remember being a cracker of a strike from distance.
Elsewhere, full back Cristian Ansaldi has been capped for Argentina, defender Salvatore Bocchetti has a handful of caps for Italy and obviously there is a scattering of Russian caps through the squad. Certainly not the strongest of opponents, but a side that demands respect certainly.
Both ourselves and Rubin will have an eye on the weekend and will know that a result tonight is not essential for qualification to the next phase of the Europa League. A nice aside is that is Pav has a decent game tonight it might encourage Rubin to buy him in January. We can hope.
COYS.
