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· Spurs 3 Shamrock Rovers 1 - 29th September 2011
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Spurs record in Europe:-
U.E.F.A Champions League
P W D L F - A
12 5 3 4 25 -19
European Cup
P W D L F - A
8 4 1 3 21 - 13
(Semi-Finalists 1962)
European Cup Winners Cup
P W D L F - A
33 20 5 8 65 - 34
(Winners 1963)
UEFA Cup/Europa League
P W D L F - A
93 54 22 17 192-75
(Winners 1972, 1984
Finalists 1974)
Total
P W D L F - A
146 83 31 32 303-141
Shamrock Rovers'
Europa League Group A Results:-
Shamrock 0-3 Rubin
Spurs 3-1 Shamrock
PAOK 2-1 Shamrock
Shamrock 1-3 PAOK
Rubin 4-1 Shamrock
Europa League Group A
P W D L F-A GD PTS
1. PAOK 5 3 2 0 9-5 4 11
2. Rubin Kazan 5 3 1 1 10-4 6 10
3. Spurs 5 2 1 2 5-4 1 7
4. Shamrock Rovers 5 0 0 5 4-15 -11 0
Going for the "Craic"
In theory, Spurs can still qualify for the knock-out phase of the Europa League, but bearing in mind Harry Redknapp's acceptance of our failure to qualify since losing at home to PAOK, it would seem we are wasting our time thinking of PAOK beating Rubin tomorrow night, and Spurs beating Shamrock Rovers by sufficient goals to overtake the Russian side. The game in Salonika will probably be a bore draw in any case. The income even from Europa League games means more to the Greeks and Russians than it does to Spurs.
Daniel Levy at yesterday's final AGM declared that Harry Redknapp has been given a target of maintaining a title challenge, so a potential further 11 games in the Europa League carries little attraction. That's okay, as long as we maintain a Champions League position, and we Spurs fans would like a run all the way to the FA Cup Final please!
Shamrock have lost all five of the Group A games, but since we met them in September (Spurs 3 Shamrock Rovers 1 - 29th September 2011), Rovers have guaranteed another crack at European Football next season by winning their second successive Irish Premier Division Championship. Rovers' domestic programme ended on 28th October, with a 4-0 win over Galway, and they've only played their two Europa League fixtures in November. Therefore, there may be a sharpness and match fitness issue.
Former Spurs player Rohan Ricketts, who made a substitute appearance at White Hart Lane is a very prolific tweeter (@RohanRicketts), and there seems to be a lot of uncertainty about Shamrock manager Michael O'Neill's future intentions. I have read that his contract negotiations have stalled, but I did see a tweet from Rohan asking home fans to give O'Neill a terrific send off at tomorrow's game. The very latest news is that tomorrow night's game will definitely be O'Neill's last in charge. It could also be Ricketts' last game for Rovers.
It seems therefore that there are a few unsettling factors at work that might upset the equilibrium of the home team, but on the other hand they've got absolutely nothing to lose, and whatever the strength of the Spurs team, a victory would be heralded widely on The Emerald Isle.
Spurs have yet to issue any formal team news, but they have published an article about Danny Rose's ambition to win the game and to qualify for the next phase, so it would appear he will play. Aaron Lennon also seemed to suggest earlier this week that he was travelling, and Jermain Defoe may also be involved. Bearing in mind his suspension for Sunday's game against Sunderland, there is no reason for Younes Kaboul not to start this game. Ryan Fredericks was due to travel but got injured in training today.
Latest (19.10 hrs 14.12.11) - Spurs have taken 15 players to Dublin. Those players are:- Gomes,Cudicini,BAE,Kaboul,Rose,Livermore,Sandro, Townsend,Carroll,Pienaar,Kranjcar,Gio,Defoe,Kane,Falque.
Most of us booked our travel before learning about the club's attitude towards the tournament, so we have no real expectations or enthusiasm for the game itself, but we're going for the "craic"! My guess is that Spurs will win, but that they will fall short of the requirements to qualify from the group. I'll be home and reporting on Friday.
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