Happy Valentine's Day Yıds
The Europa League kicks off again next week with a visit to Ukraine, the Ukrainian Permier League also restarts after their winter break in a couple of weeks.. so a chance to catch them cold.
Dnipro are sitting fourth, 6 points off leaders Shaktar Donetsk. FC Arsenal Kyiv are bottom having failed to turn up in the league and being booted out
Konoplayanka - subject of a failed bid by Liverpool - will provide the main attacking threat down the wing, with pace enough to worry even Kyle Walker.
Ramos has favoured a 4-2-3-1 formation in the league and they lined up in this style for their last Europa game with Fiorentina. Hopefully we'll see either Capoue or Sandro start to keeps tabs on their attacking 3.
Looking at the Dnipro squad Gama of Portugal and Kalinic of Croatia stand out as their other 'star' names to look out for.. we really should have enough to beat them over two legs even if Tim plays his U21s.
The winners of the tie will face either PAOK or Champions League dropouts Benfica in the last 16.. with the Portuguese side a serious threat after narrowly missing out on qualification despite beating PSG in their last group game.
On paper, a straightforward tie that should see us comfortably into the next round.. which begs the question, could we do without the distraction?
Personally I think we should take it seriously, it's a European trophy that is well regarded in Europe and winning it would be a great boost to the confidence at the club and help us attract (and keep) top players.
Alternatively, it's a series of long trips for little financial reward that will likely hit our league form and be won by a team parachuted in from the CL, with Juventus surely the team to beat.
Thoughts?
Europey ?
Dnipro Dnipropetrovsk
posted on 14/2/14
Oh dear... Vertonghen did not submit a transfer a request
posted on 14/2/14
"He didn't hand in a transfer request, total rubbish. He was unhappy at being played out of position and you cant blame him as it went on for ages."
As I stated (the "allegedly" - transfer request and reasons) .
posted on 14/2/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 14/2/14
It wasn't a dig at you RDBD but the press. Its a journalistic basic, write 'alleged' say what you like. As for handing in a transfer request, this is absolutely the last thing a player will do. He may have suggested it via his agent in personal discussions with Levy but do you seriously think he would lose all that money, be liable to pay off his own contract if it got dirty and be thought of as a player who wouldn't honour a contract. I don't.
posted on 14/2/14
comment by Respected ttliv87 (U11882)
posted 1 hour, 55 minutes ago
comment by Greatteamswinit4times(U6008)
posted 1 minute ago
You're too kind ttliv
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Just seen your comment, jesus christ
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whats the beef between Liverpool and Dnipro?
posted on 14/2/14
Do you think you'll cope better with the EL now than you did before Christmas? The Thursday nights seemed to screw up your league form. Are you worried that will happen again?
posted on 14/2/14
Strongest team possible, FFS I want Spurs to win trophies, not the almost finished top four trophy. What is it with modern fans that they do not want their club to be involved in anything other than trying to get top four.
Feck you lot, I want a bit of glory. Feck the finances, leave that to those that deal with it, as fans we should want Spurs putting out strong teams in every competition they compete in.
posted on 14/2/14
Well said Sandy
Its all about winning trophies. We need to put all our efforts in winning this.
If it was a choice of winning the Europa or getting fourth i would take the trophy anytime.
posted on 14/2/14
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 14/2/14
The likelihood of Spurs winning the EL is slim with all the CL teams added to it, if we get past Dnipro then we face Benfica.
I want to see massive squad rotation for the Europa games and us leaving the majority (if not all) of our first XI at home, so they can train and prepare for Norwich.
If somehow we can progress to the semi`s by rotating, then go all out to win it, but the PL has to be absolute priority and unnecessarily taking first choice players to Ukraine will be madness imo.
Winning the EL will not help attract / keep top players, but qualifying for the CL will.