Spurs vs Chelsea (Carling Cup Final) - TalkSoccer

**bandini** · 22-02-2008, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Juande Ramos admits Tottenham will have little chance of Carling Cup glory against Chelsea without significant improvement on this week's European performance.

Spurs warmed up for Sunday's Wembley showpiece with a nervous aggregate victory over Slavia Prague in the UEFA Cup.

'The truth is if we play like we did against Slavia, then we are not going to win very often,' said head coach Ramos.

'But you have to remember this is the same team that beat Arsenal three weeks ago, so we do have possibilities of winning.

'It's true, though, the performance against Slavia wasn't the best - and we'll have to improve to be able to beat Chelsea.

'Every game is different. We know Chelsea are a good team and probably go into the final as favourites because they are higher up in the league table as us.

'But anything can happen in football, and we need to play with the maximum level of concentration.'

Ramos has earned a reputation as a knockout specialist after consecutive UEFA Cups and a Copa del Rey with Sevilla.

He has already masterminded victory over Arsenal in the Carling Cup semi-final and came within seconds of defeating Manchester United in the Barclays Premier League.

The United result saw him praised by Sir Alex Ferguson, and he has been tipped as having the potential to be one of the top managers in England.

However, he added: 'That's not something that's up to me to judge.

'It's tremendously satisfying that people are happy with the work we've done, the progress we've made.

'We've made our position in the Premier League a lot healthier than it was; we're having very good runs in the cups, which is very satisfying, but it's not up to me to judge how good I am.

'It would be absolutely magnificent to win a cup, particularly because it would bring tremendous happiness to the club - who need a trophy.'

Paul Robinson looks favourite to start in goal against Chelsea after returning to the starting line-up against Slavia and keeping Spurs ahead on aggregate last night.

Radek Cerny, in goal for the previous 10 games, said: 'I will be disappointed, like any player who doesn't make the first team. We are playing a big final at Wembley and against Chelsea, and I would love to be out there.

'But the most important thing is that Spurs win, and I will still get to be at Wembley for the first time.'

Captain Ledley King has been rested since the semi-final to get him prepared for Wembley.

Ramos said: 'I'd like him to always play, but his condition has not allowed it.'

There was a slight injury concern when Pascal Chimbonda picked up a knock against Slavia, but first impressions were that it was not serious.

source: ESPNsoccernet - England - Ramos: Spurs must improve against Chelsea

This is going to be a rough one. Lets not kid chelsea have owned Spurs in the past, but anything can happen and Spurs are hungry for this one.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

keano10 · 23-02-2008, 01:35 PM

I think we can do it, but we have to be at our best - Chelsea are obviously the favourites and we are the underdogs. I was at the Slavia Prague game on Thursday and we did not play well at all, you could see the players had their minds on this match.

A lot depends on whether Ledley King plays. If he does, and we produce a performance like in the Semi Final, we have a great chance. Berbatov and Keane will cause any defence problems, so if we can keep Drogba and Anelka quiet, then who knows?

Come on you Spurs!

**bandini** · 24-02-2008, 04:28 AM

Great to have you on board mate. Welcome.

Looks like King may play and Chimbonda seems ok, but there are a few injuries that will hurt us.

I know it was a terrible performance on Thursday. I watched the game but not at the Lane

Gonna be a wild one. We need this one really badly and we are so hungry. Gotta get that lead and then make sure we do not give it up in the last 15 - 20 minutes which is where we are always suspect and they are so strong.

**DavidMc** · 24-02-2008, 10:11 AM

Im guessing Alan Hutton will be back in for this one?

keano10 · 24-02-2008, 12:08 PM

Thanks for the welcome Bandini, much appreciated.

Quote:

Originally Posted by DavidMc

Im guessing Alan Hutton will be back in for this one?

It looks like it, I think Hutton will start at right back and Chimbonda will switch to left back. I've been quite impressed with Hutton in the couple of games he's played so far, looks to be very quick and powerful and a good addition to the team.

**bandini** · 24-02-2008, 04:46 PM

Zokora why????????????????????????????????//

Should have passed it to Berbs

**bandini** · 24-02-2008, 05:07 PM

Wooooooooooooooooodgate

**bandini** · 24-02-2008, 05:44 PM

YES! SPURS WIN THE CARLING CUP!

2-1 and in all honesty it was a very well deserved win. We had plenty of close chance with Zokora clean through and Cech made some amazing saves. This was a well deserved win with goals by Berbs and Woodgate cancelling out Drogba's fantastic free kick.

**unitedfan** · 24-02-2008, 05:47 PM

Absolutely brilliant victory for Spurs. They started well, finished well, and survived that scare when Chelsea scored against the run of play, to come out of it as winners. Clearly means the world to them, and why wouldn't it? There'l be thanks paid to Juande, who turned what might have been a horrific season into one Spurs fans can smile about. By hook or by crook, he's also gotten them into Europe today, so you could say today has pretty much given them all they could want from the whole season.

NJ10 · 24-02-2008, 05:49 PM

How good was Jermaine Jenas today btw.

**Mighty T.A.L.** · 24-02-2008, 06:05 PM

Congrats Spurs! I missed the game today.

**Trim** · 24-02-2008, 06:23 PM

Spurs take the Cup home! Congratulations!

hijjawi1 · 24-02-2008, 06:25 PM

:: Goals ::

0-1 Drogba (Min 38)
Click Here for Video

1-1 Berbatov P.K (Min 68) :: Incident Included ::
Click Here for Video

2-1 Woodgate (Min 94)
Click Here for Video

:: Extras ::

Great Video Of The Fans In The Stadium
Click Here for Video

Keane Shoot (Min 1)
Click Here for Video

Chimbonda Header Hits The Cross Bar (Min 8)
Click Here for Video

Malbranque Shoot (Min 27)
Click Here for Video

Lampard Shoot (Min 28)
Click Here for Video

Drogba Free Kick (Min 33)
Click Here for Video

Zokora Double Miss (Min 80)
Click Here for Video

Berbatov Shoot (Min 84)
Click Here for Video

Lampard Free Kick (Min 100)
Click Here for Video

Kalou Chance (Min 113)
Click Here for Video

:: After Game Celebrations ::

Tottenham Players Celebrations
Click Here for Video

King & Keane Lifting The Cup
Click Here for Video

Tottenham Fans Celebrations
Click Here for Video

**Vargas_4** · 25-02-2008, 02:55 AM

Good win for Tottenham. Congrats.

But you really need a new keeper. Horrible, HORRIBLE positioning from Robinson.

--------------wall
-----------x
|_____________| x = Robinson

What the hell is that? Really. He just asked Drogba for the goal. Idiotic decision. Almost costed his team the Cup.

Anyways, congrats again on your victory.

**bandini** · 25-02-2008, 03:00 AM

Robbo was definitely caught flat footed totally out of position. It was a gift for Drogba who can put those away with ease. The interesting thing is that Robinson had lost his place for a while, but he actually looks leaner and sharper than ever now. He made that one bad mistake, but he actually made some good saves to make up for it. His one where he stuck out his foot to save a sure goal was magic although I guess it was instinct more than anything. I think he is a little rusty from not having played for a while and he still has to get better with set pieces which has always been a weakness of his.