Looking ahead to Spurs v Liverpool - 14.08.04
As usual, when Spurs meet Liverpool, I have been asked by http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/ to provide them with some material for their preview. Here is the full article as submitted late on Monday 9th August. The usual Spurs Odyssey Preview Pack will be published later in the week.
1, What's the general mood of Tottenham fans going into the
new season? What are your expectations for the campaign?
An early wave of optimism because of the new management and coaching structure has been rapidly dissipating due to a very poor pre-season, results wise. There have been plenty of signings, none of which are spectacular, but all of which are useful. Some are youngsters, which we expect to be groomed under the new Arnesen umbrella. Some Spurs fans even booed their team off after last week's friendly at The Lane when we lost to Cagliari, so Jacques Santini and Co. know that their honeymoon period will be short.
2, What are your early impressions of new manager Jacques Santini?
I think it is too early to judge. He speaks better English than the press would have you believe, and looks very "hands-on" during games. In my view, his credentials are good, and he is a far bigger name than Spurs fans could reasonably have expected after last season.
3, Is he the right man to turn around the fortunes of your club?
I am confident in the long-term future of the club with the new structure that is in place. Santini has a competent deputy in Martin Jol, and the whole set up of the club behind the scenes has been changed to provide better physio, training, and medical facilities, and skills.
4, Tell us about the transfer activity which has taken place
at White Hart Lane over the summer?
Spurs off-loaded some oldies at the end of last season, such as Anderton, Ziege and Poyet. We have a list of new names such as England Keeper, Paul Robinson, who will probably oust Kasey Keller from his slot. Other signings include the likes of left back Edman, and midfielders Sean Davis, Pedro Mendes and Thimothee Atouba, all of whom will be challenging for first team places. Sporting Director Frank Arnesen has also picked up youngsters such as Swiss left back Ziegler, Hungarian keeper Marton Fulop, and a Brazilian defender Rodrigo Defendi. As I write, your own Danny Murphy decided not to join us, because we could not guarantee first team football. Sounded like he didn't really want to make a big move south. No self-respecting team is in a position to make guarantees like that. I bet Drogba is not guaranteed his place at Stamford Bridge! It also looks like Stephen Carr will join Newcastle. Getting 2 million for him is good business when he can go on a Bosman at the end of the season. Carr's body language has not been that positive for a couple of years now, and many Spurs fans saw what was coming.
5, What's an 'outsiders' view of what's been going on at
Liverpool over the last couple of months?
Less transfer activity than us! Good signing of Cisse, and of course a coach with credentials. It will be interesting to see if you can keep Baros happy!
6, Do you see Liverpool challenging the domination of the top
three next season?
Sorry, but no. All the pundits seem to be tipping you for fourth place, and I agree that's the best you can hope for. The big three are by far above the rest of us, including you!
7, Which player in the Liverpool team do you most fear?
I think your new striker Cisse is going to be a handful. It will be interesting to see what style of football Benitez plays. I suspect there will be less long balls arrowed to the strikers and a bit more structured build-up play.
8, What would you describe as being Liverpool's strengths and
weaknesses?
I think your central defence lost the edge it had two years ago, but on its day, is still very competent. Gerrard, of course, is a dynamo. You can only have two strikers, but whichever two you pick will be tricky and to be feared by most defences.
9, What sort of game are you expecting next weekend?
I don't think it will be defensive. Liverpool will play with plenty of pace, and Spurs may have trouble matching that - especially if a certain ex Liverpool Captain plays! It is SO difficult to assess Spurs on their pre-season games, but I think there will be three or four goals.
10, Give us a score prediction with scorers.
I can't predict a win for Spurs, I'm afraid. I'll go for 2-2. Defoe and Kanoute for Spurs. A goal for your new boy, and Gerrard to score from midfield.
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