Tottenham vs Manchester City (Official Match Day Thread)

[Modric Hotspur]

I don't want to have a player x vs. player y debate, but I will say that I rate Barry above Parker. (This is my personal opinion, from a blue that watches many Spurs matches).

Almost any City fan will tell you Barry is quite possibly the player of our season. His passing is first-rate, stops counter-attacks consistently in every match, etc. I could go on.

Many people judge Barry from the world-cup shocker when Fabio Capello rushed him even though he was no where near full fitness. Unsurprisingly, he disappointed.

Also if you don't rate Milner, then you haven't watched City play much. Simple as. Milner is not the most technical player (retains the ball well though), but he passes very well and crosses well too. What Milner provides is a work-rate so high that at times it is unbelievable. Milner always provides an option to pass to for our players and can always be relied on. Take a look at his reverse through ball that led to the last second goal against Villarreal.

EDIT: Also, take a look at this INCREDIBLE goal from Milner that he set up himself:
Man City 4-1 Aston Villa (Milner) - football video

Edit 2: The Villarreal goal I was talking about:
Man City 2-1 Villarreal (Aguero) - football video

That's just a difference of opinion then because I rate Parker more than Barry. I must say that Milner has never really caught my eye and, playing in the defensive midfield position that Yaya Toure usually covers brilliantly, I think he could be found out by Luka Modric, Rafa, and Bale.

[blue.moon]

I think he could be found out by Luka Modric, Rafa, and Bale.

I'll confidently say that I don't think so at all but we'll see. I can't wait for this match!!

[grottim]

I'll confidently say that I don't think so at all but we'll see. I can't wait for this match!!

I personally think milner will struggle with the quality of modric, bale and VDV- especially modric. All 3 of those players are better than milner but i think the intelligent play of modric may find him out.

[blue.moon]

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd reckon we'd line up like this, but who knows, as we set up a lot of different ways:

Our fluid 4222 system. Silva and Milner roaming. Barry roaming a bit and covering gaps left by our players. De Jong sitting back slightly to make sure you lot aren't up to any funny business

Richards-----Savic-----Lescott-----Clichy
-----------De Jong-----Barry-------------
------Milner-------------------Silva------
-----------Aguero------Balotelli-----------

I personally think milner will struggle with the quality of modric, bale and VDV- especially modric. All 3 of those players are better than milner but i think the intelligent play of modric may find him out.

Quality players no doubt, but they will not find out anyone if we play a midfield three of DJ, Milner, and Barry. More than capable of holding the fort.

I'd be inclined to play Zabaleta, because he nullifies Bale every time, but Richards has an immense attacking threat.

[Modric Hotspur]

If I had to hazard a guess, I'd reckon we'd line up like this, but who knows, as we set up a lot of different ways:

Our fluid 4222 system. Silva and Milner roaming. Barry roaming a bit and covering gaps left by our players. De Jong sitting back slightly to make sure you lot aren't up to any funny business

Richards-----Savic-----Lescott-----Clichy
-----------De Jong-----Barry-------------
------Milner-------------------Silva------
-----------Aguero------Balotelli-----------

Is that code? Let's hope not!

<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k3FCeHe0-LA">

[blue.moon]

Unfortunately not. Good player, though!

We could possibly have Daniele De Rossi join in if we offload Tevez probably next week. But if it were to happen, I doubt it would be done by the the match. Never know in football though...

[chris60]

Listen man, I come here to partake in good football banter, not to have confrontations because of my club's finances. Money hasn't changed our fans, it's only changed the people around us and your unprovoked negative post is a testament to this.

Same here mate...i think Spurs will suffer the same way as our Clubs are going...Money talks.....the great cash Cow cometh....thanks to Sky and the like our game is slowly dying!!

[Modric Hotspur]

Unfortunately not. Good player, though!

We could possibly have Daniele De Rossi join in if we offload Tevez probably next week. But if it were to happen, I doubt it would be done by the the match. Never know in football though...

Haha I doubt Lille would ever let go Hazard in January when they are in the middle of their Champions League campaign.

Daniele De Rossi would be a top signing although who goes to the bench? Barry?

[BlueCrew LA]

Unfortunately not. Good player, though!

We could possibly have Daniele De Rossi join in if we offload Tevez probably next week. But if it were to happen, I doubt it would be done by the the match. Never know in football though...

I liked you until this.

Fcuk Off!!!

Forza Giallorossi!!!

Offering daddy De Rossi a job with the youth team really struck a nerve with me.

[BlueCrew LA]

I'm just kidding by the way...

I don't want De Rossi to leave but this is all in his hands and he's being a tool atm.

[blue.moon]

He's a brilliant "regista." We'd be on another ****ing level with him on the team. I wouldn't be upset if he decided to stay at Roma, but oh god, if he joined City, I'd have to celebrate!

Edit: And someone should change the title to Manchester City vs. Tottenham. If I was a Spurs fan, I'd want to forget Tottenham vs. Manchester City

[TehLondoner]

Il take a draw. Goal less draw.

[BlueCrew LA]

He's a brilliant "regista." We'd be on another ****ing level with him on the team. I wouldn't be upset if he decided to stay at Roma, but oh god, if he joined City, I'd have to celebrate!

He's more of a Box-to-Box player. He can play deep like Modric but I think he's wasted there to me he's box-to-box, Holding DM, Ball playing CB, in that order. He's a rare player like Modric, the only player I can think can think to compare him to is Schweinsteiger, a holding player with creativity. Modric and other regista's are attacking midfielders that play deep. People often say Pirlo is the quintessential Regista, and I agree.

[blue.moon]

I know he can do the box-to-box role damn good, but this season, he's been playing effectively as a regista very often with the new coach, which is why I said this.

[BlueCrew LA]

I know he can do the box-to-box role damn good, but this season, he's been playing effectively as a regista very often with the new coach, which is why I said this.

I have to disagree, he's actually playing more defensively this season because we're crap at the back and injuries. He was playing CB until a couple matches ago. He did play a 'Deep lying play-maker' role for a couple matches, but that didn't go so well. He played as a Trequartista against Inter but that was more due to necessity. Our preferred midfield is Totti in the hole with Pjanic next to De Rossi, depending on fitness or scheduling Gago, Greco or Viviani can pop into the midfield. Gago hasn't really impressed me. I think Enrique would like to play 3 midfielders but problem is Totti/Lamela/Bojan/Borini he has to figure out a way to get them into the lineup as much as possible, so you sacrifice one of the midfielders. Which isn't too bad because Totti is as creative as any midfielder.

Anyways, I think if De Rossi goes to Citeh he'll be replacing Barry or De Jong. He can play from a with drawn position but I think he's wasted there. If you want a true Regista then a player like Banega would be a better option. I think a midfield of Silva, Toure and De Rossi would be beastly. A bit of everything.

How we've been playing recently, before Kjaer came back.