Categories
Spurs preview

Man Utd – Spurs Preview: Gareth Bale’s New Goal Celebration

Writing off our chances at Old Trafford is something of an annual tradition here at AANP Towers. It was generally a pretty painless arrangement, and one to which I suspect many a long-suffering Spurs fan could relate – I would go into the game with what could at best be described as a spirit of defiant optimism, duly return empty-handed (albeit occasionally with a tale of indignant injustice to relate) and the following week would roll on. A thousand well-judged curses, therefore, upon Spurs’ current form, which leads me to believe that this time, maybe, just maybe, we might… you know.No doubt about our current form. The Wilson-less central midfield of Hudd and Modders has meant that we have ball-players galore for when in possession, while retaining the discipline to sit and protect when not in possession. While all and sundry leapt around and made merry during the l’Arse and Chelski wins, yours truly could be easily identified as the chap earnestly rubbing his eyes in disbelief as we won the midfield battle against two of the best teams in the country, before letting young Bale do his thing.

Decisions, Decisions

Should ‘Arry bring back Sergeant Wilson or resist the temptation to fix that which most definitively ain’t broke? Rather a pleasant conundrum upon which to dwell in the evening sunlight, although I hope our glorious leader realises that if we lose tomorrow his decision to restore/exclude (delete as appropriate) Palacios may well prompt a fresh chorus from the ‘Arry Out brigade, who have recently been kicking their heels in frustration. Either way, the potential option to restore Palacios, King and Lennon has me positively gibbering in glee.

After spending so darned long sorting out a song for the boy Bale, it seems we now have to teach him a thing or two about goal celebrations. A Roger Milla style pelvic wiggle gets my nomination, although after Gary Neville’s rather unsubtle display of affection for Paul Scholes’ efforts last week, I guess it’s possible we might be treated to something more forthright. The clash of Bale against Neville should make for cracking viewing. I vaguely recall Sir Alex Ferguson dealing quite neatly with the threat of Chelski’s overlapping full-backs a couple of years ago by deploying Park and/or Fletcher out wide, so no doubt he will have some similarly dastardly scam lined up for our handsome young Welshman.

Another virtuoso Bale performance, a late cameo from Aaron Lennon, and then an evening spent cheering on that ‘orrible lot from down the road, against Man City? It sounds crazy, but it might just work.

Book Signing in Stevenage Waterstones, Saturday 24th, 12pm

In case you missed that, I’ll change the font and add some detail: None other than

Gary Mabbutt will be signing copies of AANP book Spurs’ Cult Heroes for the masses this Saturday (24th April) at Watestones Stevenage (3 The Forum, Hertford SG1 1ES) from 12 noon. I make that just about enough time to meet the man, grab your book and settle down for the match… 

Spurs’ Cult Heroes, is now available in the Spurs shop, all good bookshops and online (at Tottenhamhotspur.com, as well as WHSmith, Amazon , Tesco, Waterstones and Play). You can become a Facebook fan of Spurs’ Cult Heroes and AANP here, follow on Twitter here

Sharing is daring:

8 replies on “Man Utd – Spurs Preview: Gareth Bale’s New Goal Celebration”

I think we should make only suble changes, 4-5-1 not really working for us this season when we tried, we need a striker who is a loan striker – i say we put a bid in for Rooney tomorrow, jsut before kick-off, as they so disrespectfully have done to us. Players should also be carefully to stick two fingers up at us and leave, Berba, Keano-Liverpool and Carrick have hardly lit the world alight elsewhere.

DEFENSE
Back to the game, Sir Led & Charlie (i quite like kaboul at RB but not his position and struggled against chelski) restored to the defense if fit. Hopefully BAE will be consistent & solid with cover from Bale/King there for help. Bit concerned about us down the right, but Charlie is more solid that people give him credit for- unsure about Bentley’s defending ability.

MIDFIELD
I would leave the midfield UNCHANGED, with Palacios & Lennon as a good double-substitutions. It is nicely balanced. JJ also an option – GIVE THE BLOKE A BREAK – he now have the chance to shine in a Super-Spurs-Squad.

I would also put Crouch IN for Pav up front, if he has recovered, as Pav has been a bit selfish recently and sloppy touch could gift them posession. Crouch would give them a headache through the middle with Defoe/Luka getting more space from our wide men skinning them (not Bentley obviously – but he offer other qualities). Gudjohnsen and Pav are there for subs, depending on how it is going.

COYS – let’s do them away for a change – then a 1-1 for the scum v man city will still give us a glimmer of 3RD (better to look up than down!)

PS – Dawson, King, Lennon, Defoe & Crouch ALL for England.

Keep Pav in, the rest I agree with, would rather Gud than Crouch to start if I am honest, think Crouch is much more affective as a sub, either to keep back in the box clearing any and all high balls or in attack where tired legs stand little chance of jumping anywhere near him, that is if they could get close the the first place.

I’ve been saying for the past month or so, that I cannot wait to see Bale and Lennon taking it in turns to charge down their respective wings. I cannot wait for Saturday.

Comments are closed.