If Basel forward Marco Streller had had more luck on some of his shots we might have gone into this tie behind rather than level. If we are to get through this tie and into the Semi`s we will have to step up another gear. Marco Streller`s intelligent play up front and an eye catching display by Mohamed Salah (Mr Levy please note) and Valentin Stocker behind, Basel created far more chances than Spurs and they will be frustrated not to have killed the tie last Thursday
AVB is quoted in the Independent after the match as saying:"This Basel team was probably the best team I have ever seen at White Hart Lane," Villas-Boas said afterwards, entirely fairly. "They are a good team who play great football and were well organised. All the recognition to a top opponent we had to play here tonight. They created more chances than us, they were best side tonight, we easily recognise that. They could have won the game, but the positive thing is we managed to get back into the tie. Had it finished 2-0 that would probably mean our task would be very, very difficult in Basel."
Kyle Naughton had a bad day at the office last Thursday, it was his defensive mistake 30 minutes in that opened the door for Basel's Valentin Stocker to give the visitors a 1-0 lead.Scott Parker spent a great deal of time running into cul-de-sacs and as well as picking up a yellow card he managed to hit a cast iron chance against the boot of Holtby only to watch the ball miss what was essentially an open goal with just a defender standing in the goal mouth and the Basel goalie on the floor. Every time I see the replay that miss gets worse!
Bale had a strangely quiet game which added to our patchy performance. William Gallas will hopefully not be playing, Gallas not only picked up a yellow card he too often left far too much space in between himself and Basel's attacking players. I think AVB will be aware of Naughton`s frailties but I am not sure if BAE was left on the bench against Everton to rest him for Thursday or whether AVB will play the same back four as started the Everton match.
Dembele has to be our inspiration and he has to boss the middle of the park. Dempsey and Adebayour have to get a better understanding between themselves and provide a target for the midfield to pass to. Adebayour in particular needs to be in the 18 yard and 6 yard box more and we have to get better quality crosses into him. The opening minute against the Toffees was a case in point of how difficult he can be to mark when coming on to a cross.
Too many times both last Thursday and on Sunday we were getting the ball into the final 3rd but being left with the midfield looking for a target. We are still not getting the ball into dangerous areas enough and shots from outside the 18 yard area are great if they go in but on Sunday a high percentage of shots were going wide.
We don`t have any wing men so we have to play a more narrow game. Basel will know that and will pack the midfield and force us wide so it`s essential we play down the channels and either play box to box or create spaces out wide for Siggy or Walker to make some crosses.Our set pieces are still not working and I do not understand why Adebyour does not stand in front of the opposition goal keeper instead of trying to break free of his marker and move away from the goal line.
I expect Thudd to be involved at some point, his contribution on Sunday was excellent and I would like to see Thudd playing along side Dembele in the place of Parker at some point during this game.
I can`t see Walker being a good enough footballer to get intelligent balls into the box although he outstripped Leighton Baines on many occasions on Sunday he too often stopped and checked back instead of going for the line.
We do not have to play again until the 21st April so AVB can use almost everyone who is fit to play but we are still going to be light on the bench. I would say AVB will probably put Friedel in goal but I think AVB has to play Verts at CB with Dawson and give Benny the nod for the left hand side. I also expect Parker and Dembele to hold the middle the question is does AVB play Adebayour and Dempsey again or could AVB play 5 across the middle with Dempsey playing on the left instead of Holtby and playing Holtby deeper with Parker allowing Dembele to go higher up the pitch with Adebayour leading the line.
We showed character to come back from 2 - 0 down and we have to take that attitude with us into this game. What ever the result a 1-1 or 2-2 draw will not be enough, so we have to win or draw an unlikely 3-3.
Via: [Live Football] CD Numancia - Barcelona B - Spanish League forward
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