Tottenham v Cardiff - TalkSoccer

**bandini** · 17-01-2007, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Tottenham boss Martin Jol insists he will remain proud of the team he has assembled at White Hart Lane - even if they end up winning nothing this season.

Spurs are in three cup competitions - they face Cardiff in an FA Cup third-round replay - and are in contention for a European place through the league despite losing two of their last three Premiership games.

Jol, 51 on Tuesday, has been praised for building a team with a British spine and the Dutchman's work could be marked by bringing silverware to the club for the first time since 1999.

They are in the knockout stages of the UEFA Cup and will face rivals Arsenal in the last four of the Carling Cup, and Jol admits there is a risk of ending up with nothing despite such an exciting season.

He also accepts that league form can suffer while his side are in the cups, and he said: ``That is probably reality but if you told me we would win the FA Cup and nothing else then I'd be the happiest man in the world.''

Jol watched his side take the lead twice against Newcastle on Sunday only to lose 3-2, denting their hopes of breaking into the top six.

``Up until the Newcastle game I was very proud of them - in the top seven and going places,'' said Jol.

``If we had won it would have been part of a marvellous season.

``Everyone was talking about Reading, Portsmouth and Bolton and we would have been there - and in the other three cups.

``We are still in three cups and in the league, I feel if we learn from situations like against Newcastle, and with players coming back, I feel we will be strong enough to do something.''

Even if Spurs suffer heartbreak like Bayer Leverkusen in 2002 - the German side lost the league, cup and Champions League in three games - Jol is willing to take his chance in the bid for glory.

``You could be in all the semi-finals of the cups - like Leverkusen had three finals and didn't win anything,'' he said. ``If you lose they can say you're rubbish, but I'd still be proud of my team.

``If we don't win anything you couldn't say we're useless but we want to stay in all competitions and are here in January. But sometimes like against Newcastle you can't say we help ourselves. We could have been a bit more professional at 2-1 up.''

Jol will be without Ledley King again as the skipper has not recovered from a bruised foot, but Robbie Keane is fit to start after recovering from a knee injury.

Arsenal rookie Kerrea Gilbert accepts he could be singled out for abuse from Tottenham fans when Cardiff travel to White Hart Lane in the FA Cup third-round replay.

The 19-year-old full-back is on a season-long loan at Ninian Park and should line up in the Bluebirds' defence for the showdown against his employers' bitter rivals.

The Hammersmith-born England youth international revelled in the volatile atmosphere of the goalless draw against Martin Jol's side, though he admits the tables will now be turned.

Gilbert explained: ``At White Hart Lane they might get on my back because of the Arsenal connection.

``I know at Arsenal they sing anti-Tottenham songs even when they are not playing them, so that's how it is anyway.''

An intense atmosphere at Ninian Park threatened to boil over in the closing stages when riot police were needed to control a disturbance among Spurs fans, while Cardiff supporters lit a flare in the same stand.

``The game at Ninian Park was interesting,'' added Gilbert, who is part of a faltering Cardiff side without a win since November 11.

``I'd never played against Tottenham at the highest level before and it was a good game.

``I thought the Spurs fans might get on my back, but they were outnumbered by the Cardiff fans.

``Maybe when we go to White Hart Lane it might be a different story and they might be on my back a bit more.''

Gilbert is one of a growing pool of talented youngsters to graduate through the ranks at Arsenal, and was sent to Cardiff to gain regular first-team experience.

source: soccernet.com

WE CANNOT LOSE THIS ONE AFTER SUNDAY

**kennethlindheim** · 17-01-2007, 09:46 AM

You really should win this. Cardiff should make it hard but you're at home and you're a much stronger side.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 17-01-2007, 02:08 PM

This is a must win.

Dimitar will score twice if he plays.

**bandini** · 17-01-2007, 02:43 PM

Spurs are hurting after that last loss and they will not take Cardiff lightly. I predict a serious win here for them. It's at home and they have a lot to prove.

**bandini** · 17-01-2007, 08:32 PM

Lennon is BACK!

2-0 in the first 30 minutes.

Lennon 1=0 [26]
Keane 2-0 [29]

**bandini** · 17-01-2007, 08:47 PM

Spurs are rolling. 3-0 at halftime after Malbranque scored in the 40th minute.

**bandini** · 17-01-2007, 09:43 PM

Defoe makes it 4-0 in the 80th minute.

**bandini** · 17-01-2007, 09:52 PM

Final score 4-0.

**Oliver_Kahn** · 17-01-2007, 10:29 PM

No luck tonight ?

**kyan** · 17-01-2007, 10:58 PM

defoe with the 4th, looks nice to have 4 different goalscorers.

what a fantastic signing steed has been btw, hes contributed a decent number of goals considering the number of games hes played and hes really helped spurs with more width.

ill be there on sat when he returns to the cottage and ill probably boo him but hes doing a really good job at spurs right now.

**bandini** · 18-01-2007, 12:53 AM

No luck for Berbatov today. I haven't watched the game yet so can't speak about their play, but it was the result I expected after Sunday's game.

Malbranque is one of those guys that quietly gets the job done. He's not overly flashy or anything, but he's in the right place at the right time and has good vision. He creates a lot of opportunities for us and along with Lennon gives us some excellent creativity.