To be honest, the only reason I created this blog was to remind everyone that LONDON IS RED. The best of the lot is fighting for the league title, while the other one is trying to overtake Aston Villa for a 4th place finish to qualify for Champions League. Do you remember the first 10 games? Ange was the next big thing in the world, Spurs were competing for the title and some of the pundits (trust me, I will do a better job) were claiming that City reign has come to an end. Nothing like that has happened, mate.
Liverpool dropped points again and Salah couldn’t hold his anger towards Klopp. Statistically, they are still in contention but realistically, they are out. It’s either Man City or Arsenal. We are sitting a point ahead of City having played an extra game. They are a winning team, and they have easy run of games. No one will be surprised if they go on and win all their games in hand and ultimately the title. However, the least we can do is, keep them on their toes, a win today will give us a 4 point lead, and they won’t be able to afford any slip ups. We are better in goal difference as well.
But for that to happen, we must beat Tottenham today. Will it be tough? No – if we don’t go out to shoot ourselves in the foot. We are far superior than those c*nts.
Team News
We have a fit squad except Timber. Jurrien played an U21 game but he still need some time to make into the match day squad. Thomas Partey is back, and is in form.
When we signed Declan Rice from West Ham, everyone expected a midfield of Odegaard, Partey and Rice where Thomas takes the defensive role, and Rice plays in an advanced position. However, Mikel did a Mikel and started Partey at RB at the beginning of this season, who then got injured. Jorginho played that role in few games, Rice played the defensive role while Havertz supported him otherwise. Against Chelsea, we saw what we expected and we won 5-0 (which could have been much worse for the blues). I am hoping we get to see that midfield again.
Defensively, we are set. Saliba and Gabriel with White as RB and Tomiyasu/Kiwior as LB. I would love to see Martinelli starting today, Saka is going to start and I would prefer Havertz over Jesus in the CF role.
We all have forgotten about Ramsdale.
Game plan
I am not the manager. I don’t have any game plans except for no-fuck ups, and scoring 5 goals at minimum. And yes, don’t forget the clean sheet.
Here’s the thing, Ange likes possession and he likes to press. Our defence is press resistance and with Partey’s addition, we get that extra threat where he just comes up with a perfect balanced pass that no one would have thought of. The key would be to score an early goal, get tight defensively and hit them on the counter like we were doing against Aston Villa in the first half.
There will be some moments in the game where we will not receive the ball. Spurs have the 2nd best possession percentage after City, and in those moments, it’s very crucial that we maintain our defensive structure and not let them break it.
One very positive thing about today’s NLD is that we don’t get to see Harry Kane. He has been a c*nt against us.
Wrapping Up
Make sure to order an extra pint today, because we are winning and that means we get to celebrate the St. Totteringham Day.
I am hoping for a good game today, and a win keeps us in the title race. City will drop points if the gods are not happy with those 115 charges.
Right, see you during the game. Don’t forget to share your starting XI and predictions in the comment section.
Good post Ambarish here’s hoping….
If we play at our level, we’re good for a win. Spuds have to play above their level to get anything out of this. I’m calm about this game as I’ve been in a long time. At my game yesterday, I could tell Spurs fans were less chipper. It was all shrug shoulders, talk about how they’d ‘love it’ if they shot down our title challenge but with no real confidence in how they saw that happening.
We have to show ManC game levels of concentration, take the derby element out the game. I’ll take a 1-0 with the home crowd pacified by our control. That’s what got us where we are so far.
Teamwise, my own preferences depend on how Ange wants to play this. Udogie being out means he needs to ask whether Davies is suitable for their high line v Saka. Either he asks VDV to do the double up or have a more defensive MF set up. If it’s more VDD doing the cover, Havertz has to be nine. Romero is a basket case and I’d be hopeful Havertz up against him with his own particular brand of spikey could lead to a card or two
I’d expect Son and Richarlson to start. Either Kulucevski or Johnson, £45mill, seriously, on our right. If Johnson, content with Zinny, if Kulecevski I’d prefer Tommy as he’s a left footer and stronger. Assuming Tommy is fit. If he is, play him. There’s no point trying to manage him only three games left.
Same for Partey. Bussouma amd Sarr aren’t mugs. I recall a lot of us would have fancied Bissouma before he signed for them. That made sense at the time. Both are good box to boxes MFs, cover a lot if ground and pressure midfield well. I’d feel more secure with Partey and Rice in there, both for control and abiility to match them physically.
Up front, only issue is who’s left. Martinelli’s pace v Trossard’s form, they say Porro is fit, which is less fun.
It’ll be interesting to see if Ange will give it the big un in this game. Spuds fans expectations, from what I see, don’t seem particularly high. And I suspect they’ll accept his gung ho approach even if it plays into our hands. After all their outrage about Conte. Mourinho and the ‘fossil football’ aw they called it, they’ve had to take a seat while Big Ange goes all out and suffer the consequences.
I hope they suffer today. Title challenge or not, I always hope they suffer. Not long now. Come On You Rip Roaring Reds!!
Going with our best line up if Havertz is on form at 9 and with Partey’s inclusion, Tomi at LB we should be too much for the poor Spuds.
Assuming FotMob is correct.
Nice piece Ambarish
Pleased to see Partey start and having Martinelli on the bench gives us a strong option there.
I posted this on the last post and nothings changed:
So this is where we are. Win all of our remaining matches (todays is in my opinion by far the toughest) and we finish on 89 points, draw today and we finish on 87 (its not even worth talking about if we lose).
If City win 4 and draw 1 they finish on 89 points so it could go to goal difference, win 4 and lose one its 88.
A draw for us today means City have to drop points in 2 matches – 2 draws would see it again go to goal difference.
I can’t see City dropping points in more than 1 match so we’ve got 4 Cup Finals.
Now go out and fucking win.
FOTMOB has this spuds line up”
Vicario
Porro Romeo Van de Ven Davies
Hajbjerg Bentancur
Kulusevski Maddison Werner
Son
Bissouma & Sar on the bench
Going to be a hard fought game we should still win with our squad where ultimately it will be down to our collective game intelligence and effective in-game management.
Partey Ode and Rice in midfield is a game changer for me; Jorginho would have been too slow on the ball in the frantic/frenetic first half.
Interesting mach up and sure to be a cracker for the neutral, but let’s make it a nightmare for City to follow and Pool to wallow in self ‘poor me’ pity.
Norg
If you’re travelling I hope you can get the game where you are.
KP
You live with the game?
Checking in Tony. Watching the women struggle against Everton right now. We have the same XI as against Chelsea I think. Replicate that and restrict their chances, we should have enough. Any idea who’s reffing?
PS I hope all our mates in 🇮🇳 are present!
Sherwood, Adebyor and Wrighty making the panel I’m getting here that’s made some really good points. Not a fan of Sherwood but he’s making sense today and is favoring us by expressing his fears for the game.
Don’t always get the pundits here.
Michael Oliver is in charge today
Sherwood may have played and managed in N17 but he’s a big Gooner. Adebayor can righteously go and fuck himself. I’ve got Merson, Michael fucking Dawson and Keano!
Going to be a big player moment game today. Need another Chavs’ game Ode performance to unlock the Spuds👀
Right let’s get this done
Tomis been watching Shogun
Big Ange keeps his instincts in check. A less worrying line up. There was a time people suggested we sign someone as limited as Hojlberg.
Our free kick special needed now
This is turning out to be a nervy game. Spurs are trying well.
It’s all about getting a ball in behind their back 4. OK start.
Right, that’s the first. 4 more we need.
London is red. #COYG
Corner-tastic
Poor Spuds Hojlberg in the running for motm for us
Hero hojbjerg
NORG
estamos ganando. 1-0
Deep down, he is an Arsenal supporter 🤣
Havertz pushing that cunt off the pitch. Good.
Spuds hit the post. Gotta pick up Romero
Need to calm things down now. We’re getting excited and playing into their hands.
Both White and Havertz getting over-aggy.
Showing the clubs badge as if they have won a lot in last 61 years.. fucking cunts.
Looked offside but we’re living too dangerously for my liking. I thought we’d be tighter with Partey and Rice but Rice is playing high up the pitch.