Great result last night for Pompey and in turn Spurs. Arsenal missed some very easy chances and probably should have won the game. I think Henry was lucky not to get a yellow card or maybe a red for a reckless tacke. One thing that I have admired about Henry over the last 2 years is his sporting attitude and he does play the game with a smile on his face. Last night he looked rattled at times as was giving out to the ref and to fellow players which is unlike him. His goal was top class though. Just wondering what brough on this narky display from Henry. I think he was annoyed at the attitude of some of his fellow players most notably Reyes who was a disgrace in my view.
So much for Renovator saying that the wheels have fallen off the Spurs bandwagon as Bolton, Blackburn and Arsenal all continue to drop points while Spurs won on Saturday. I think if Spurs beat Everton on Saturday and dont get beat by Man Utd they would have to be then favourites for the 4th Spot.
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Originally Posted by renovater
the gunners are back to there best heading for champions final just a small matter villareal beat Man u saturday while the wheels are falling off the spurs band wagon best they will end up is 5th spot, by no means a disgrace or a bad season
How stupid does this post now look.
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What's the gap now? 4 pts with same number if games?
If so it's still just about in the balance. I didn't see the game but I do sometimes wonder just how hungry Reyes is. I assume that's what you're alluding to.
I don't think it was true that the wheels had come off Spurs' wagon, though I do think their form dipped a few weeks ago & they've been making heavy weather of some matches, such as Wigan, WBA etc.
It's a very interesting contest, though I'm not sure supporters of neither team are that bothered about it. If I was a neutral I'd be delighted for Robbie to have the opportunity to play in the CL. If they had European commitments Jol may have to use his squad more extensively and that'd be good news for Reid & Kelly. But I'm not neutral!
How bad were Adebayor's misses?
Should Arsenal have had a penalty?
I'll be cheering on Spurs for the 4th spot but I'll give them little chance of getting it. Arsenal have as easy a run in as you could get, Spurs have it really tough (Bolton at home probably being the easiest of the 5 which says it all).
Spurs are 4 points ahead with 5 games to go. In the last 2 years Spurs have only lost to Chelsea at home and no other club in the league. 3 of their last 5 games are at home and the final 2 are at home. Bolton and West Ham are Spurs last 2 games. Bolton are terrible away from home and will probably have the Uefa Cup Spotted by that stage and West Ham could be preparing for an FA Cup Final last day of the season. Either way I am pretty confident that Spurs will get 6 points from those 2 games.
Now this weekend is huge. Spurs are playing Everton away and Man Utd at home. I feel if they beat Everton and do not lose to Man Utd at home they will get the Champions League Spot. It should also be remembered that Arsenal are playing Spurs straight after the Semi Final next week. I feel this gives Spurs a huge advantage as Arsenal have shown on Sunday that they are tired coming back from the European nights.
Its going pretty much as I said from the start that it will come down to the game at Highbury but the 4 point gap means that Arsenal will probably have to win the game were a draw would suit Spurs.
Finally I am still not sure where Spurs form has dipped this season. Spurs have been consistantly getting about 6 points from every 9. Spurs have not had a great run or a bad patch it has been a few wins and a draw and a defeat from every five games or so.
As I said earlier Spurs only defeats recently were to Chelsea away (last minute goal) and Newcastle away when they went to ten men and faced Newcastles best performance of the season. Even saying that Robbie scored and hit the bar twice and Jenas missed a sitter.
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Reyes passing was terrible and he showed little effort. Henry was getting pretty angry with him over it and rightly so but I have never seen that side of Henry before.
Adebayor missed at least 2 sitters one with his head the other a simple tap in that he should have scored. I felt Pompey played well and hassled Arsenal and probably just about deserved a point for their effort but Arsenal did have 2 clear cut chance.
I dont think Arsenal should have had a penalty, the tackle got neither ball or man as far as I could see.
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I thought Spurs' form dipped, though they still got results. They relied on a late goalie error to beat WBA. They should (or at least could) have lost to Wigan. They were lucky to beat Blackburn. So I think it's fair to say their form dipped - i.e., their standard of performance declined - a few weeks ago, no?
You're very sensitive these days Neil
Just pointing out the facts
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I thought Spurs' form dipped, though they still got results. They relied on a late goalie error to beat WBA. They should (or at least could) have lost to Wigan. They were lucky to beat Blackburn. So I think it's fair to say their form dipped - i.e., their standard of performance declined - a few weeks ago, no?
You're very sensitive these days Neil
Also if Chelsea or Man Utd or Liverpool win games when they are playing badly its a sign of a good side. However if Spurs do it , people say there form has dipped or the wheels have fallen off the Spurs bandwagon. As I said earlier Spurs have been consistant this season in that they have got abotu 5 or 6 points out of every 9. That has not changed all season whether they have played well or not.
Arsenal have 2 away games left 1 against Sunderland and the other against Man City. IF they drop points there that could be it.
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Me too. I genuinely think that Spurs' performance standards dropped a few weeks back & they picked up points that weren't fully merited (I'd be surprised if you didn't agree), though judging by the Man City game they seem to be well back on track. Only for James they'd have won by a hatful.
I agree they were lucky but to be honest if Spurs are **** for the rest of the season and still qualify for the Champions League I would not give a ****. Its all about results at this point in time.
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Absolutely. I doubt any Swiss fans are complaining that they dropped points and decent leads to Israel, struggled to beat Cyprus & Faroes etc. They're going to Germany, we're not. Results, not performances...
If Spurs had 3 more home games I'd have them as favourites but they only have 2, they play West Ham away. Bolton haven't been doing well away from home recently but they are a tough team to beat. In saying that, I expect Spurs to beat them. It is the only match of the 5 I expect Spurs to win though. They haven't beaten Man Utd in their last 9 league games. If they were playing West Ham at home I'd have said Spurs were favourites for 4th but the fact that it's the last day of the season in Upton Park I think it'll be tough.
The 4 point gap isn't that big as Arsenal have to still play Spurs. With Arsenal being at home I'd say it's most likely a 1 point difference with 4 games to play. Arsenal have West Brom (h), Sunderland (a), Wigan (h). That's 9 points in the bag.
Last edited by eirebhoy; 13/04/2006 at 10:47 AM.
Fair enough, sloppy by me there I thought Spurs were at home on the last day. West Ham were rubbish against Chelsea and I think there season in the league is over and they are looking at the Cup now. If they get to the final the game on the last day they will be holding back against Spurs in order to be fit for the final. Either way I expect to win that game. I think the game at Highbury is a 50/50 match especially as Karlos has said Arsenal have to play on Wednesday night and then play early on Saturday morning at 12.45. Spurs will be fully rested there. Also Spurs dont have to win that game or win the Utd game. 2 draws from both those games will do if they win the other games. The fact is the points game is 4 and you cant just say its effectively 1 as Spurs are ahead of Arsenal in the table so its a bit of an insult to the Spurs team to right them off in a game as big as that. You may feel Arsenal are going to win but its no way a home banker.
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Arsenal coming 4th could be the difference between Celtic getting into Pot 2 or Pot 3 in next season's Champions League so I'm certainly up for Spurs to get 4th (also for Keane's sake). I feel if Arsenal beat Spurs they'll get 4th and I can't see anything other than an Arsenal win. Maybe you're right and the CL will weaken Arsenal's challenge but they don't have to travel further than their training camp between the Villarreal match and the Spurs match so I can't see them being that tired. When was the last time Arsenal failed to beat Spurs at home though? Just checked.. 1998.
I'm not too confident.
I personally think the game will be a draw which means that Arsenal will have to gain the 4 points in the 4 other games. After last night I am quitely confident that Spurs can do it. One thing is for sure. Tottingham day will not be until the last day of the season what ever happens.
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Am I right in thinking that if Arsenal win the Champions League then Celtic have to pre qualify for the Champions League but if Barca win it they dont.
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I just worked out that if Spurs
Win against Everton Bolton and West Ham and lose to Man Utd and draw with Arsenal no matter what Arsenal do Spurs have 4th place. But Arsenal would probably win the Champions League if that happened.
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Ah Saint Tottingham's day - one of my favourite days of the year - has been coming as early as february in recent times!!
I didn't actually see the game last night - those damn time zones often mess up my midweek viewing. my first reaction when I saw the team was - play a carling cup team and we'll get a carling cup result. Probably a very simplistic view but that was my gut feeling and so it transpired. By all accounts Arsenal missed a bag full of chances but I can't really talk about the performance with any certainty.
Still think it's all to play for, however I do believe like Neil, that Spurs will be flying if they come out with maximum points at the weekend. Two very difficult games for them it should be said though. If they were to slip at Goodison and Arsenal win - it would make the game with United very edgy & even more difficult.
Spurs could very well be going into the North London Derby knowing a loss could put them two points behind - it really could all change that quickly.
Personally I'd settle for two draws and an Arsenal win against West Brom knowing then that a win against Spurs would put us ahead with our considerable goal difference. I think only the very foolish would write off either teams chances as long as they are in touching distance.
Foot.ie - NFL Fantasy Football Champion, 2006!
Very true Neil but to show how close this all is, if you were to just swap the United & Arsenal Results, Spurs would be fcuked despite collecting the same number of points.......(if Arsenal won their other games of course
Still too tight to call at the moment - less than 48 hours ago, Arsenal had a similar scenario with their games but one draw messed it up. I'll be amazed if the possibilities don't swing back & forth over the next few games.
Foot.ie - NFL Fantasy Football Champion, 2006!
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