Tottenham v Fulham

Spurs are so manic depressive I have no clue what to make of this game. A loss has the potential to be devastating or change nothing, a draw or win could change everything; it's really about our result in the context of what others do.

The relegation points zone/total this weekend ranges from +1 (if we win and Norwich lose) to -5 (if we lose and Norwich win). Quite the swing.

 

Interesting article posted by Zach on the fusa Facebook page about Felix aka 'The Last Dictator of Europe' http://grantland.com/the-triangle/we-we ... -managers/ Had to laugh when the author said Magath is the 'entangled DNA of Tom Thibodeau (genius Chicago Bulls coach) and a lunatic.' One thing that is hard to argue against is the team is committed and they are the fittest they've been all season. Go back to the Norwich match, the last ten minutes were the best stretch of the game for the guys in white and instead of holding on, Fulham took it to them (Degajah should of scored). The win before at Villa, the fitness levels had to contribute to the lads outworking Villa for the deserved match winner instead of crumbling after the Villians tied it.

My guess-timate is the team needs a minimum of 7 points from the 4 matches for a realistic chance of survival. This means they could possibly sustain a loss and still pull a rabbit out of the hat. However, they need to play with a sense of desperation and belief that they can get a result (who wouldn't take a draw right now?). Expecting to lose, but with GD a non issue we might as well go for it. Unfortunately, Holtby isn't allowed to play against Spurs, so Parker will need to be at his best.

 

I'd said with a victory over Norwich, I'd be back in the "belief" camp. So leave it to Fulham (this year's version anyway) to do so in such an uninspired way that I still have doubts. I believe we're in it mathematically and with our comparable run-in. I don't believe in our ability to get results.

We've put up wins against punchless teams. However, we afforded Newcastle (w/o Remy), Villa (w/o Benteke, Agbonlahor & Delph) and Norwich plenty of good chances that they failed to convert. Will that hold against the better teams we'll face in the final 4 matches? I don't believe so, especially against Spurs. They're shaky at the moment, but the one constant is that they can score. Despite being blanked by Liverpool and Arsenal, Spurs have scored 11 from their last 5 (3 each v Soton & WBA, 5 v Sund). Meanwhile, we've averaged a goal a game over our last 8. 6 matches with 1 goal, 1 with 2 (@ Villa) and a we were blanked by City. So it comes down to whether we can keep a clean sheet against an opponent or if we can hold them under 2. I don't think either is likely v Spurs. Prediction: 3-1 loss.

As for the rest of the run-in, it remains to be seen how they'll play now that they're safe. Stoke and Palace are secure. Hull aren't, but may feel they are by the time we line up. In current form (for all teams considered), I don't like our chances to take more than 4 pts from here on out. So I remain on the fence, frustratingly.

On the one hand, I get Felix's comments as a defense of Palace and supporting the stance that the result should hold. On the other, I'd have preferred he stayed out of it and not drawn any attention to us and our preparation. Personally, I think the whole thing is silly. There's no shortage of available info out their to scout and prepare for teams. To think that knowing a lineup would make that substantial a difference is an over-reaction. Yes, it was a different lineup than they'd been using. But was swapping Jones and Zaha in for Bellamy & Noone that much of a game changer? I doubt it. Especially since Palace went with a lineup that was unchanged from their previous 2 matches.

 

I was feeling like we could think about three wins in a row until I read your thoughts AggieMatt. But you are right, the last two wins were against sides that were particularly weak. Tottenham has had a rough spell, although their losses were against top tier teams, so if we are going to get a draw or win this is the week to do it. We're actually above them in the form guide! http://www.premierleague.com/en-gb/matc ... guide.html Also in our favor, Holtby will be sitting on the sidelines and won't be available to score the late winner for the Spurs this time around.

My heart says 1-1, but my head says 3-1 Spurs.

 

Unfortunately for the left coasters the 10 am EST listed on the homepage is a couple hours off as espnfc has the start time of 4:45 am :confusion-waiting: The things to do list now includes setting the timer on the coffee pot.

 

No matter how Spurs have been playing there is more talent in their squad than Fulham's. Any points would be good points.

 

My continued optimism is based upon Spurs need to fight back against WBA for a late draw and their inconsistency in the league. Should Fulham score an early goal, I think they could eek a point or three. However, this is a tough, tough match - can Kamara pull off a bicycle kick for us? Just wondering...

COYW

 

Back home but won't be able to watch the match unless I dvr it. I don't think I can watch, not like during the last escape when I was there until the end. This season has just made no sense and is too frustrating. In my absence COYWs!!!

 

I love you too, Heather.

BTW, that's not entirely true about my perspective. I'm a realist and never been big on the rah-rah stuff. If you go back and read what I was writing during our run to Hamburg, it's an entirely different tone. But yeah, for the last 2-3 years what I've written has mirrored our performances and been much more negative than positive.

 

to quote the beastie boys.... "NO. SLEEP. TILL TOTTENHAM!" or something close to that.

 

GJ said that Diarra and Richardson had injuries and Reither had an illness. Not sure what Kasami's story was.

Hearts won the first half, heads won the second. Story of the season.

 

:angry-banghead: :angry-banghead: :angry-banghead:

That performance reminds me of the Days of Jol. Why on earth didn't we at least try to take the match to them at 2-1? Goal difference means absolutely nothing at this point, so we should have been throwing the kitchen sink, the fridge, and a microwave oven at them. But we sat back. Sat back. Sat back. This match turned when Parker had to go off. Instead of brining on Woodrow, Bent, Roberts, or Kasami, Magath puts out...Karagounis. Seriously?

 

Unfortunately you did not miss much. 1st half was great, then it all came crashing back down...