By dixon9
March 19 2008

There are 3 main reasons for beating Spurs at the Lane tomorrow; the first is they are traditional rivals with no love lost between the sets of supporters; second, we need all the points we can get to maintain pressure in the league and help pull off a shock if we win the PL after all that’s happened this season and lastly, we want revenge for that terrible Wembley result in the League Cup.

Grant doesn’t admit to revenge being a motivator and many have criticised a “limp” attitude. 

To be fair, Mourinho himself once said there was no place for revenge in football although I would suspect that Mourinho probably doesn’t feel that way and said what he said to handle a situation at the time – whereas Grant possibly means what he says. 

'I don't live in the past. When it came towards the Carling Cup final, I didn't say that we won in the league against Tottenham six weeks earlier. Before we lost in the Carling Cup, we won 2-0 in the league without all our players so it doesn't say anything about the next game.' 

'My team, even if we won the Carling Cup, would want to win this game just as much. It is an important league game and we have the mentality that we want to win every game we can. We have done a great job in the league - we won many games at the right time - and we want that to continue. 

Out of touch with the fans on Grant’s part or the right attitude?  I’m a bit worn out by the Grant debate at the moment and all I really care about are the 3 points and yes…revenge for the League Cup final – a 4-0 win would be nice although I don’t really see that happening.   

Still you never know.  With a bit of luck Spurs will play video footage of the League Cup Final whilst the players are warming up – that should do it! (They did actually do this once before after they’d knocked us out of the League Cup and we went on to win 4-0!). 

Woodgate certainly believes revenge will be a motivating factor for the Chelsea team:

"Believe me; Chelsea will be going all out to win. It will be a harder game than the final - Chelsea will want to put that right.  

"They are going for the title, they've always been in the hunt and they have players hitting form at the right time. "But we always fancy ourselves to beat anyone and this is no different."   

This will probably prove to be a tough match whatever the psychological reasons behind player motivation.

Despite the stats illustrating the contrary (35 points from 25 games is Spurs lowest return at this stage in 10 years) there does seem to be something extra that Ramos has brought to the north London club.   

Spurs used to score a lot but leak a lot of goals at the same time but the introduction of players like Woodgate and Kaboul plus the gradual return of King have helped stem the tide. 

With our 4-3-3 it will be very important for our wide men to get round the back of what has become a more solid Spurs wall – something which we failed to do at Wembley against them.

Many footballing public eyes will be on both our match against Spurs and Man Utd´s at home to Bolton.  A win from us will help put the squeeze on Arsenal as we would be level with them on points – barring a 5-0 win we will remain in 3^rd place however. 

If the unthinkable happens and Man Utd LOSE to Bolton then all Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea will be level on points and Sky will go into ecstacy at the prospect of "Armegeddon Weekend" this Sunday or whatever they are going to call it!

A few players will probably reach personal milestones tomorrow night; for Spurs Keane will make his 150th Premier League and for us Lampard his 400^th (West Ham, Swansea and Chelsea) and Kalou his 50th start in a Chelsea shirt.

Spurs have few injury problems although Robinson apparently has some ankle problem and is 50/50.  King is a doubt as always but Kaboul (knee) could return.  Gareth Bale is obviously out for the rest of the season.

We also have goalkeeping trouble and whilst Cech says he might be ready in time I can see Grant not risking him with Arsenal coming up. 

Shevchenko was being talked up a bit earlier by Grant so maybe he’ll at least be on the bench.I’ve no idea what our line-up could be but I reckon we’ll get a very tough win. 

Mavis Riley is the ref so we can expect some controversy! 

Tottenham (from): Robinson, Cerny, Chimbonda, Hutton, Lee, Gilberto, Gunter, Woodgate, King, Kaboul, Dawson, Zokora, Tainio, Jenas, Malbranque, Lennon, Huddlestone, O'Hara, Boateng, Taarabt, Berbatov, Keane, Bent.

Chelsea (from): Cech, Cudicini, Hilario, Ferreira, Belletti, Carvalho, Alex, Ben-Haim, Terry, A Cole, Bridge, Ballack, Lampard, Essien, Mikel, Lampard, Shevchenko, Pizarro, Sidwell, Wright-Phillips, Malouda, Drogba, Anelka, Kalou, Makelele.

Chance to Put the Record Straight: Spurs Preview

Discussion started by 50 Years Over 100 Years , 19/03/2008 00:09

50 Years Over 100 Years
19/03/2008 00:09

Chance to Put the Record Straight: Spurs Preview

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Since 66
19/03/2008 20:45

2-1 Chelsea

Drogba 3

Woodgate 12


Essien 20


so far

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Since 66
19/03/2008 21:30

2-3 Chelsea

Joey Cole 52 mins


Berbartov 65mins

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Since 66
19/03/2008 21:40

3-3

GET HIM OUT!!!

GET GRANT OUT!!!

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Since 66
19/03/2008 21:44

4-3 Chelsea

Joey Cole


Chelsea don't give away 2 goal leads!!!! GET HIM OUT NOW. GET GRANT OUT!!!!!!

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