he faded red stripe running around the middle is the only outward indication that it is the property of Southampton Football Club. Yet it was here, in Darwin Lodge, where the scholars of the Southampton academy lived from 1998 until May of this year.
More notably, for one season between 2005 and 2006, it was the residence of Theo Walcott and Gareth Bale. And they even shared room No 9 on the corner of the first floor.
Arsenal Vs. tottenham Hotspur.
Okay, let`s not get too excited, we are away to one of the big four and we know what that means...
For once, I am not actually expecting miracles and am looking thinking more of another below par display or one where something silly, spectacular or of course a referee blunder costs us the points, but we only have to look at WBA and [COLOR=#006400 ! important][COLOR=#006400 ! important]Newcastle[/COLOR] to realise that
arsenal are not quite the
[COLOR=#006400 ! important][COLOR=#006400 ! important]home[/COLOR][/COLOR] bankers ( I said Bankers...) on past seasons, so perhaps we could shack the world and break of top four jinx or am I being silly?
In past seasons, to beat Arsenal, you either had to be physically stronger and press their players or park the bus and hope for a lucky break, but we know that we aren`t capable of the latter this season and even a disciplined two banks of four, probably won`t cut it this time such is our own fragility in defence, so could we see Harry looking to fight fire with fire? I hope so.
arsenal vs
tottenham live
The great news for Spurs is that both Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe are back in training and in the squad, which will add definite pace to our attacking options, though I would be surprised to see Defoe start, but if we are still in the game after 70 minutes, he would be a great option to bring on against an
arsenal central defence that has often been caught for pace, especially late in games.
One negative, is that Croatia`s international scoring sensation, Niko Kranjcar is a doubt after picking up a calf injury against Malta in midweek, but other than slight concerns to whether Aaron Lennon will be 100%, it is "only" the long term absentees of Dawson (knee & ankle), Huddlestone & Keane (both ankle), Dos Santos, King & Woodgate (all groin), O'Hara (back), though the news seems very positive on both Dawson and Woodgate.
All common sense would tell us that we should look to play either Palacios or Sandro to break up Arsenal`s midfield, but I really like the idea of taking the game to them and if possible play a five man midfield of, Jenas, Modric and Van der Vaart in the middle and Lennon and Bale wide. Now although the central three are not exactly tigers in the tackle, all have an ability to put a foot in and press the opposition and instead of trying to stop Arsenal, wouldn`t it be great to give them something to worry about?
In defence, I would expect to see our now regular five of Gomes, Hutton, BAE, Kaboul and a Emirites return for William Gallas, which should be interesting, whilst I have no idea which of Pav or Crouch will start in attack, but would Crouch be a sensible bet after his "wonder" goal against France?
arsenal vs
tottenham live
So for me I would like to see Harry be brave and go with Gomes, Hutton, Kaboul, Gallas, BAE, Lennon, JJ, Modric, VDV, Bale and Crouch and I actually believe it is a side to compete and make it one hell of a game, but whether we truly have it in us to win could again be played as much in our minds as on the pitch and perhaps that is where we will fall short yet again..
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