The following is an article I have provided to an opposition site CFCNET . There may be a reciprocal item at Spurs Odyssey before the game. My submission may be edited for the Blues' fans, so here it is in full:-
Spurs come to Stamford Bridge in a state of trepidation no greater or smaller than usual. As you know only too well, we will be trying for the 23rd time to beat you in the Premiership. I'll say at the outset that we have no chance this week, and I am not using reverse pyschology!
Glenn Hoddle must have been feeling fairly smug after a creditable 0-0 draw at Anfield, but we all know that pride comes before a fall (Beware you Blues!), and Fulham taught Spurs one of the regular lessons they get in football each season.
What I don't understand is that whenever I watched Hoddle's Chelsea, I felt they passed and moved pretty well, and had so much control of the game. This does not happen too often at Spurs, as a 3-5-2 is often forced backwards, and becomes a flat 5 at the back with a gap in midfield. I can't remember now, but under Glenn, did you play more 3-5-2 than 4-4-2? I think we look so much more solid with a 4, but the wing-back system is really built for Christian Ziege who is still on the injured list, after his freakish thigh injury last Christmas, and a re-occurrence in pre-season.
The next couple of months will be crucial to Glenn's career at Tottenham, but he should not be judged on the result this Saturday. Of course, you may have to be wary of a team that needs to bounce back dramatically from its last dismal result (0-3 at home to Fulham, in case you forgot). Your all-stars team has been travelling widely over the last two weeks, and perhaps will be suffering jet-lag! I shall be hoping that Frank Lampard plays up to the standard he did for England against Macedonia, but let's be honest, your second eleven will equate to the team that played us last season.
So, there you are then. You face a Spurs team and fan base that will be eager to head home after Saturday's game, and get on with the rest of the season. Sadly we now think like that regarding Arsenal and Man Utd too.
Look out for Postiga who is bound to score his first goal for Spurs this Saturday. Rohan Ricketts is an ex-Arsenal midfielder who was voted player of the month for August on the Spurs Official website, and provides pace, determination and skills to surprise you in the middle. Gus Poyet has just returned to training, and may be on the bench, but I have to say I prefer someone who can give 100% throughout the game. As you know Gus can pop up and score great goals, but he can be a passenger. I hope Bobby Zamora gets a game, but Kanoute is likely to be first pick. I don't think Zamora will be out of his depth this season.
Prediction? 3-1 to Chelsea.
Oh, and by the way, your price of £49 for away tickets is an absolute disgrace. You have the worst away seats in the Premiership; I cannot physically sit down in them (long legs, you see), and the away section is more like a cattle pen than any other ground I've visited. Do something about that, Roman!
· Brian Judson's preview
· Full Preview Pack
· A view from Chelsea.
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