Spurs/Arsenal Champions League Spot?

[Karlos]

Yeah, Arsenal certianly played like that last night alright

you must have missed the smiley and the schoolgirl giggle.......!!


I was actually going to let you away with that golden nugget you had in your last post - What was it again, oh yeah, Villareal should have gone through, despite not being able to hit a barn door with a banjo while playing out of their skins and all the while still creating fewer chances than Arsenal did in the first leg where Villareal sat back, defended and feigned the odd injury

Over the two legs, Villareal deserved it because Arsenal were terrible in El Madrigal.

Villareal deserved it because over two legs Arsenal were terrible in one of them! Classic!

You'd wanna watch Geysir doesn't try to get you to find 10 journo's to agree with that assessment of the one leg, two legged tie!!! (I'm pulling yer leg Geysir! ) Excuse the pun!

[NeilMcD]

I think its going to be a great final and I would have Barcelona as the slight favourites as I think they have more attacking options and they have a footballing genius on their side. Although Henry is not too far behind. Going to be a good game I feel and hopefully Barca for Spurs sake win it. But one could hardly argue if Arsenal go and win it.

[Roadend]

If they keep Ronaldinho quiet, they'll win, as accoring to Drunkphy, Barca are an average side without him.

[geysir]

It was an intense game with plenty of good and sublime football.
We even had Milan toying with the total football concept with the pace and skill of Jaap Stam lashing down the right wing. It was a sight to behold.
But the real shock was Deco staying on his feet unless clattered.

"Barcelona ordinary without Ronaldinho?". I would say they are less extraordinary. Dunphy has these pathetic self promoting, condescending, transparant, wet dream football fantasies. It looks to me that the 2 best teams are there in the final.

[OwlsFan]

If they keep Ronaldinho quiet, they'll win, as accoring to Drunkphy, Barca are an average side without him.

Takes a football genius to make a comment like that ok. If both sides play to their potential, Barcelona should win comfortably. Clear leaders in the Spanish League vs 5th in the Premiership. However, very rarely do both teams play their best. Wenger is aware that Barca on their day will tbeat his team. Therefore he'll continue the defensive formation with Henry ploughing a lone furrow up front and relying on some magic from him. I am not expecting a classic.

Dumpy claims he says all along that Barca won't win it. Ergo Barca to win it.

[klein4]

have to agree with jdfan there. both teams were ver conservative when there was a lot at stake in the semi final second legs and you would expect them to do likewise in final. barcelona are fairly overhyped as well and think milan deserved to bring tie to extra time at least. good to see stam running amok down the wing after ronnie whelan said milan should exploit that weakness only for him to be laughed at by some of the self proclaimed all knowing ones on here...

[Roadend]

Takes a football genius to make a comment like that ok. If both sides play to their potential, Barcelona should win comfortably. Clear leaders in the Spanish League vs 5th in the Premiership. However, very rarely do both teams play their best. Wenger is aware that Barca on their day will tbeat his team. Therefore he'll continue the defensive formation with Henry ploughing a lone furrow up front and relying on some magic from him. I am not expecting a classic.

Dumpy claims he says all along that Barca won't win it. Ergo Barca to win it.

I must say though, my heartiest laugh of the night was when Giles said of Et'o,"He'll be a good player, him"

[NeilMcD]

Well said Klein, I supported Whelan on that comments a few weeks ago and it was confirmed last night. If your right back is willing to take a gamble and choose his moments you can certainly exploit the fact that the Ronaldinhio does not track back half as good as Giuly does.

[geysir]

and it was confirmed last night. If your right back is willing to take a gamble and choose his moments you can certainly exploit the fact that the Ronaldinhio does not track back half as good as Giuly does.

I don't see where it was confirmed last night. Milan made an attempt to exploit a gap with Stam getting forward at RB. Stam got in one very good cross.
Barca were not threatened on their left and Milan then tried the other option they had with Cafu coming on midway 2nd half. I thought Stam did quite well in the middle.
Ronaldinho doesn't track back but makes himself available and invariably the ball out of defense gets to him.

[NeilMcD]

It was confirmed in that serveral times throughout the game it was an avenue which Milan used. It could be clearly seen last night that Giuly tracks back a lot more than Ronaldhinhio does. This is not a criticism of him but just a reallity. If I was the manager I would be quite happy with it as his threat going forward is so good. However if I was the manage of the opposition I would still try to exploit it. When you are playing a team like Barcelona such small things can be vital and I am sure Wenger will have noted it. I thought it was unfair at the time to slag Ronnie Whelan over his in my view insightful comment.

[geysir]

I wasn't disaggreeing about Giuly's role, he is an excellent player, only disaggreeing about the amount of any real positive outcome Milan made from the forays on the right side with Stam.
I could imagine that many have tried in the Spanish league.
Will Messi be available for the final?

[CollegeTillIDie]

Given how both Arsenal and Barcelona performed in the second legs of their respective Semi-finals, am I alone in fearing that the Final is going to be crap?

[sligoman]

am I alone in fearing that the Final is going to be crap?

For Arsenal yes, for Barca, no. It's gonna be a very one sided game imo.

btw, Spurs bet Bolton today, with Keano getting player of the season award after it.

[thejollyrodger]

can spurs win their last game ?? it will be close but i expect barca to win against the arsenal

[Karlos]

For Arsenal yes, for Barca, no. It's gonna be a very one sided game imo.

I see you don't even want to address the possibility that Arsenal might actually jam a win!!. Positive thinking and all that jazz! God only knows why it's stiking the fear of his good self into you!

btw, Spurs bet Bolton today, with Keano getting player of the season award after it.

Wonder what odds Sam actually gave Martin on Barca winning the Final....brave man imo, as I hear Martin has a reputation for playing underhand & not paying up!!

[geysir]

I thought there was going to be another one of those ironic moments, in the 2nd half of the Spurs Bolton game, when Murphy went down injured and lost the ball at the same time. Then Bolton went on a threatening attack and if they had scored ??
I thought it was fair play. Murphy was injured bad enough, it was self inflicted and play moved on.

[NeilMcD]

Good News for Spurs.

The Club is delighted to announce that our Captain, Ledley King, has signed a new, improved four-year deal.


Commenting on the contract extension, a smiling Martin Jol said: "Ledley is without doubt one of the most impressive and talented players not just in this country, but in Europe. We know that so many other Clubs would love to lure him from us so we are really pleased he has agreed a new deal.

"We often tease him that he has blue and white blood - he came to this Club as a local youngster 11 years ago and we have been privileged to have seen him develop with us and represent this Club for seven years. Loyalty is a rare commodity. Ledley is an outstanding role model for our youngsters. We have never taken his commitment to this Club for granted and we always seek to reward our best players with improved contracts."

Ledley added: "I am thoroughly enjoying my football at Tottenham. It has been a terrific season, one of the best ever whilst I have been at the Club. We are a Club with a very bright future and I am looking forward to playing a part in that."

Named Captain after Jamie Redknapp’s departure in January 2005, Ledley has made 204 appearances in all competitions since his debut against Liverpool at Anfield in May 1999. Now an England regular, he has 16 full caps to his name.

[OwlsFan]

Given how both Arsenal and Barcelona performed in the second legs of their respective Semi-finals, am I alone in fearing that the Final is going to be crap?

No. You'll hear a lot about the attacking game Arsenal play but once again Henry will be left up front on his own by Wenger hoping to hit Barca on the break. I don't criticise the tactic but it's not the attacking football which we'll hear from the pundits. Henry may weave some magic but Arsenal will play a defensive game - they can't afford to do otherwise really against Barca.

[NeilMcD]

I see Sky Sports in their wisdom are showing Man Utd V Charlton and Arsenal V Wigan. What a disgrace. The Spurs game is the most important game of the last day as if Spurs win there then Arsenals result against Wigan counts for nothing. Obviously they are just picking 2 of the best supported clubs.

[Clifford]

I see Sky Sports in their wisdom are showing Man Utd V Charlton and Arsenal V Wigan. What a disgrace.

Got to agree with you, if I was a Spurs fan on the threshold of CL football I'd be going bananas with the bas*ards. Last night's coverage of the Arsenal game was a disgrace, Andy "brutal" Grey temporarily swapped his undying love for man u to Arsenal, hanging on every move or itch made by Henry etc. It was sickening. (So did Graham Poll to be honest, but that's another story). I hope West Ham players genuinely weigh up the options on Sunday and let Spurs get whatever result they need as the "rest" may as well become as corrupt as the "big" ones in order for a bit of fairness.

Good luck Spurts, it will be a victory for all things good.