Europa League 2013 topic

Come on You Spurs

Spurs have been very poor today, Bale up front as an experiment has failed and defensively they have been poor, particularly Vertonghen. If they have aspirations of doing well in the Champions League, they have to be beating teams like Basel.

Newcastle have been outclassed by Benfica it seems, which isn't anything to be ashamed about. Benfica have got to be one of the favourites for the tournament.

Chelsea fairly comfortable in their game, but they'll feel a little wary over that away goal, get a comfortable lead and they'll be fine.

Newcastle outclassed yes, however they do have that vital away goal. Very much in the tie and it will be an interesting 2nd leg.

2-2 draw for Tottenham is rubbish. As Crimey said, need to beat sides like Basel. But Basel do seem to cause problems to English clubs a lot.

Chelsea fine and have probably done enough to get into the semi finals.

Damn you Spurs. Damn you to hell!!!! Cost me £130!!!!

Spurs were poor. Bar a brief spell, Basel should and could be out of sight. Gallas was shocking. Bale's injury means he'll probably miss the rest of the season, which is a hammer blow. Lennon limped off as well. Disaster for Spurs, but they're still in the tie.

Never enjoy seeing a player get stretched off, but a lot worse when its a player as talented as Bale.

Gallas is so far past it. Would rather Caulker continue his development. He was superb for Swansea last season and hasn't really had many games to kick on this year. Thought he may go out on loan again. Think Kaboul has been a big miss. Unfortunately, Gallas is being found to be past it at the wrong time in the competition.

Crimey wrote:Newcastle have been outclassed by Benfica it seems, which isn't anything to be ashamed about. Benfica have got to be one of the favourites for the tournament.

You quite clearly did not watch the Newcastle game did you. I am absolutely gutted about last night's result, it was the most undeserved result. I'm sorry but if you think that Benfica outclassed us then you need to get down specsavers. Two words to describe last night.........ABSOLUTE GIFT! First half we were comfortable. We were the better team without doubt and got our goal. It was just a shocking backpass from Santon, who can't defend and isn't a defender, who gifted them an undeserved goal to make it 2-1. They then got a penalty from a handball which could of been a 50/50 in any other game depending on the officials. A crazy five minute spell of our own doing basically gifted them this win. The portuguese league must be the worst league in europe if Benfica have gone undefeated domestically this season. For large parts of the game we were in control and we should of been at least three goals to the good if Cisse had not hit post twice and wasted his opportunities. Pardew said the performace was magnificent but the result was incorrect.....says it all. If Benfica defend the way they did last night then we will be scoring at least two or three next week without doubt.

Chelsea are the favourites for this trophy in my eyes and it would be typical if Benitez won this trophy and added it to his collection, yet being booed by Chelsea fans and demanded to be got rid of.

Yeah, I didn't watch it, hence why I said "it seems", I was going off of the result and the BBC Live Text.

Fancy Spurs to win tonight and at 23/10 (BetVictor) I'm getting on them. Come on you Spurs!

Be two very close games. Newcastle were very unlucky last week to lose and if they can perform to the same level and cut out stupid mistakes then they'll beat Benfica tonight. Plus that crucial away goals will give them a helping hand.

On the other hand Spurs were lucky to still be in the tie after that first half defensive display. They'll need to massively up their game tonight. Unfortunately I think they'll go out on away goals. Its quite clear how much they miss Bale's influence but also Lennon's as well. Dempsey hasn't hit the form he showed last season and neither has Adebayor. I think they'll go out on away goals tonight unfortunately.

I can see Benfica scoring. Wouldn't be surprised to see at least one of our games go into extra time and/or penalties. Both are finely poised.

Despite the performances last week, I think Tottenham have the best chance of going through. Benfica are a much better side than Basel and Newcastle don't have many players with experience of European football, while at Spurs most of the players do.

I think it'll be, 2-1 to Newcastle, and the same score to Tottenham at Basel.

Spurs - if they are to be taken seriously - should be negotiating the likes of Basel with relative ease. I'm putting last weeks result down as an aberration.

Their run so far in this tournament has been littered with draws. Time to step up?

Basel are sitting back for now, happy to defend the away goals, Tottenham lacking the cutting edge. Sigurdsson isn't great on the wings, Dempsey is a shadow of the player at Fulham and Adebayor is poor up front, just doesn't care these days. They need to break Basel down really. No need to panic just yet.

Looking at the stats Benfica seem to be having the better of the play so far. An early second half Newcastle goal and things change.

I see Alan Pardew is taking this fully seriously. The big weapon Shola Ameobi is on. Benfica must be shaking in their boots.

YES DEMPSEY!!!!!!!!

COME ON YOU SPURRRRRSSSSSSS

GAME ON!!!!!!!

Unlucky Newcastle, shame really. Now they need to focus on survival which im 100% sure they will easily do.

God Adebayor really is a useless donkey

If this goes on pens then my money is on Spurs.

FreekShow wrote:If this goes on pens then my money is on Spurs.

"Spurs have lost there last 6 penalty shoot-outs. Last time they won a penalty shoot-out was against Peterborough 19 years ago."

Law of averages Olly. Mark my words.

fingers crossed

Mark Lawrenson: "Jan Vertonghen was the last man there and you know what is coming when the referee is reaching for his top pocket - it's not going to be a toaster." :

What a joke Abebayor is.

wtf was that from Adebayor

FreekShow wrote:Law of averages Olly. Mark my words.

I'll get my coat.

FreekShow wrote:

FreekShow wrote:Law of averages Olly. Mark my words.

I'll get my coat.

Never bet against history Freeky

Olly wrote:

FreekShow wrote:

FreekShow wrote:Law of averages Olly. Mark my words.

I'll get my coat.

Never bet against history Freeky

But that's how I roll Olly.

I'd expect that Adebayor's popularity may have risen at the Emirates at least.

Very well played from Newcastle tonight.

Benfica are a good side and we pulled them apart in the second half. Shame they are diving scum, but never mind.

AVB reckons he has shown England how to take the Europe League seriously.

Obviously forgetting the other two teams we have in this round, and Middlesborough and Fulham both making finals recently #headsgone

in 12 matches Spurs have won 4. Hardly showing the way.

This should be the stick that prods Gareth Bale onto pastures new.

Tottenham were very unlucky tonight, did very well to get a 2-2 draw at a very good Basel side. Always harsh losing on penaltys.

Newcastle well they were always up against it and the better team won IMO

Chelsea to wave the England flag now!

Benfica got the job done in the end. Newcastle never looked likely aside from a 10 minute spell.

Spurs ran out of legs towards the end.

Spurs show that the team is definitely incomplete, lack a real talent up front. Adebayor is past it at a surprisingly young age, just isn't interested anymore, Defoe isn't Champions League quality. That has to be the emphasis in this summer's transfer window.

If they get into the Champions League this year they will need to spend a bit of money to be confident of even getting out of the group stage.

Newcastle did well against a strong Benfica side over two legs.

If Spurs do finish outside of the CL places then can this season be deemed a failure?

FreekShow wrote:If Spurs do finish outside of the CL places then can this season be deemed a failure?

I don't think it'll be considered as bad as last year where they had that dramatic drop in form after actually looking like they might force their way into the title fight. I think AVB has done well with Spurs, after selling Modric and Van Der Vaart.

Anticlimactic then perhaps. They are in dire need of a couple of good strikers. God knows why this wasn't addressed in the January transfer window.

I think it would be deemed as a failure personally.

With Arsenal's shocking first half of the season, and Chelsea just being pants all season, there has never been a better opportunity for Spurs to grab a CL spot.

completely agree desperately need a couple of strikers next season. the team isn't far off, maybe another centre back with kaboul coming back frim injury also.

In the first 90 minutes, Basel only seemed to play when they were behind, they were happy to hold what they have when they were in front. That so nearly cost them and let Spurs back in. Then the red card came, the dynamic changed and Spurs clung on for penalties. Which they lost. AVB clearly needs another left-back, 2 more strikers, another winger, and to get rid of Adebayor if they wish to do well in the Champions League (assuming they get there) next season.

I thought the penalty takers were pretty poor as well, Adebayor was embarrassing, you knew he'd miss as soon as he started his run up. Huddlestone was an odd choice, and his penalty reflected that.

I never understand with penalties why they tell you to go low and in the corner.

As a GK the one place you can usually get too is low, if the penalty is up high then it's a lot harder to get too. Obviously more risk however

If you get it right into the bottom corner goalkeepers often struggle to save them. Top corner in general is always the best place to shoot, but it's obviously harder to get it right.

Lampard is probably one of the best penalty takers in the world, and his tactic is always just to smash them. I don't think there is a right way to take penalty, just wrong ways.

If I took penalties I'd always just smash it down the middle.

No GK will just stand in the middle

Chelsea draw FC Basel in semi final

Fenerbahce v Benfica