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The Game
Tactics at the top, belief at the bottom and adios El Tel
Tony Cascarino, Alyson Rudd and Tom Allnutt join Gregor Robertson on the Monday edition of The Game. The team pay tribute to Terry Venables and reflect on his eclectic range of interests outside the game and his tactical ability as a coach.
Reflecting on the weekends fixtures they look at the tactical battle at the Tottenham Hotspur stadium, Man Utd have won five in six and are two off the top four. At the bottom, Everton’s belief and frustration couldn’t get a result, whereas Luton showed they never give up.
What will be the difference in making the top four or avoiding relegation?
Timeline
Venables memories
2’ A remarkable man who did so many things outside of football. Busi9ness, singing, tailor, bought a club…sold Maradona and bought Archibald.
4’ edit neil and tony.
5’ shrewd, negotiator, charismatic, loved football. Tactically ahead of his time.
7’ Loved in Spain, tactically respected. A Penalty shootout away from winning the European cup with Barca.
9’ Embodied Tottenham.
Tottenham v Villa
10’ Spurs opened very well. Unlucky not to be further ahead. Fair result could have been a draw.
12’ the offside derby, two teams playing a high line.
14’ Villa applied the break more often, spurs remained gung ho and paid for it.
15’ intriguing game. No compromise by either team. Good decisions by Emry, taking cash off, getting Teilemons on. Demonstrates the level of management in the premier league.
19’ Villa right in shake up for top four. But spurs heavily hit by injuries and suspensions.
Everton v Man Utd
21’ Not in the script for Everton to be hit by a wonder goal.
23’ where did Garnacho’s goal rank? Great goal, how important was it?
27’ Bergkamp, Adam, Crouch, Bergkamp again…
29’ Utd, fifth win in six games. Only two off top four.
32’ Everton now have a BIG job to avoid relegation.
Luton v Palace
36’ Lift off at Luton. Performances starting to get results.
38’ Fit team, heads don’t drop. Not capitulated in any game. Great self belief.
39’ Place facing injury problems to key players. Could they get sucked in?
40’ Injuries came at key time in the game. Hodgson has defensive know how.
Newcastle v Chelsea
48’ Is Tiago Silva starting to show his age? At 39 are the years catching up?
50’ Backward step for Chelsea and Poch. First time he has called out his players.
52’ Anthony Gordon gave Reece James a torrid time.
City v Liverpool
55’ there for city to win, they missed the chance.
56’ Good result for Liverpool, a point at City, how can you grumble?
Arsenal
Top and under the radar.
Brentford not at their best.
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