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Fan v Fan: Manchester City-Tottenham Hotspur
12/10/2004 1:01:00 PM
This weekend Manchester City entertain Spurs, and with last season’s seven-goal FA Cup epic between the two teams still fresh in the memory, entertain could be the operative word. For far too long, as far as their fans are concerned, these two huge clubs have toiled unproductively in the shadow of their respective neighbours, United and Arsenal. They have that frustration in common, but what marks them apart? And what do they think of each other? Goal.com asked City fan Lucas Ng and Spurs fan Lucas Brown for their views…
GOAL: First of all, how do you feel about your side’s campaign so far? Have you been delighted or dismayed by it?
Lucas Ng (Man City): A great November where we went unbeaten (and City legend Bert Trautmann was formally inducted into our Hall of Fame) was spoiled by the 3-2 loss to Boro last week and Nico Anelka’s silly comments to that French magazine.
Lucas Brown (Spurs): Things never run smoothly at Tottenham and this season is no different. Jacques Santini’s arrival looked to be sound, but doubts about his ability to work under Frank Arnesen surfaced as soon as he took over. Then came the shock of his departure, although it was obvious something was wrong as the team’s performances showed. Martin Jol has not had enough games to say if he can take things on, but the initial signs are good. Despite being in the top four for a brief period, it was always obvious more additions to the squad were needed.
GOAL: Tactically, where do you think this match may be won or lost?
Lucas Ng: I think our defence will decide this match. With the Spur’s striker injuries, Jol will play with either an untested second striker or with a deep midfield. Boz, Distin and Dunnie should dominate either way.
Lucas Brown: It depends whether the defence at Blackburn turns up or the defence against Arsenal does. Tottenham can defend, but they can also look like they’ve never met each other before. At the other end the absence of Jermain Defoe was bad enough, but the news that Robbie Keane may be out through injury has highlighted just how daft the Engand man was to take his shirt off after scoring against Middlesbrough. If Spurs are to win it in one particular area though, it will be between the sticks where Paul Robinson could again be our saviour.
GOAL: Which opposition player do you consider to be the greatest threat to your team in this clash?
Lucas Ng: Jermain Defoe – wait he’s suspended for removing his shirt. Hah. Uh, Robbie Keane …. I hear there’s a good chance he’s not going to make the team selection sheet? I guess Michael Carrick – he’s been looking good under Jol.
Lucas Brown: Shaun Wright Phillips. His speed, ability to beat a man and stamina cause problems for every team. City appear to use him a lot as their outlet when they come under pressure and he will have to be stopped from making those darting runs down the right.
GOAL: Would you want him in your team?
Lucas Ng: Haha, don’t ask that. With our woeful financial condition, we’d want just about any quality midfielder if he came free. It’s that sad.
Lucas Brown: Without doubt and the rumours are still floating about that we are weighing up a bid.
GOAL: Who from your team should we keep a particular eye on here?
Lucas Ng: SWeeP had a terrible game last week and he’ll definitely play out of his socks in front of the City faithful.
Lucas Brown: It would have been Defoe for obvious reasons, but I’ll go for Frederic Kanoute. It will be his job to lead the front line and prove that he is the right man for the job. Reports linking him with a move away from the club continue, but if he starts playing like we know he can then we may not need to look for another tall frontman.
GOAL: What are your side’s greatest strengths?
Lucas Ng: A consistent defence. Remember, Keegan and defence used to go together like chalk and cheese.
Lucas Brown: Certainly not our wing play! Paul Robinson is not England’s number one for nothing and his performances this season have been superb. The defence can be solid and if Nicolas Anelka decides to slouch around on the halfway line then we shouldn’t have too many worries from their frontmen. Sorry to keep harping on about it, but I would said the attack is perhaps the strongest element of the team, but Defoe will not be present.
GOAL: And weaknesses?
Lucas Ng: We overly rely on two men, Anelka and SWP to win games for us. Take away those two and we merely have a decent backline.
Lucas Brown: The lack of width. But that is well known and the management are reportedly looking to bring in both a left and a right winger. The midfield without Sean Davis is also not the same as he provided a backbone that Spurs had not had for a few seasons.
GOAL: What do your lot typically think of their lot?
Lucas Ng: Underachievers, like us. Personally I think Frank Arnesen will steer Spurs in the right direction within the next few years.
Lucas Brown: I don’t think Manchester City are a side that Spurs fans either like or dislike to any great degree. You have to admire the way the club came back from going down two divisions.
GOAL: What single thing irritates you most about them?
Lucas Ng: Santini. Pleat. Hoddle. Christian Gross. George Graham. Gerry Francis. The revolving door at White Hart Lane has only one speed setting: fast. They seem desperate to emulate the old glory days, not just in silverware but in playing style too, when clearly you need some sort of stability and a solid foundation to build upon, not new managers every other season.
Lucas Brown: In the early 1990s I would have said the wooden benches in the away end, before they moved travelling fans to the stand behind the other goal at Maine Road, which they’ve since vacated. Nowadays I would have to say Anelka again, because he should be grateful for what he’s got.
GOAL: And what do you grudgingly admire?
Lucas Ng: Their reputation (and Arnesen’s astute direction) seems to allow them to attract quality players more readily than our lot.
Lucas Brown: The fact that their fans have stuck with them through thick and thin and have had to look on as Manchester United enjoyed a decade of success.
GOAL: Who is your all-time number one hate figure (or object of amusement) from their lot?
Lucas Ng: Glenn Hoddle. Scored the goal to defeat us in the FA Cup and his player management as England and Spurs manager was always a good source of jokes.
Lucas Brown: I remember Paul Gascoigne constantly berating Paul Lake for having such big ears during one match, but these days the only one who will get some stick is Nicolas Anelka thanks to his connections with the Woolwich Nomads at the other end of the Seven Sisters Road.
GOAL: What’s the best of business ever done between the two clubs?
Lucas Ng: Recently Ben Thatcher came over from Tottenham, albeit via Leicester, and he proved a bargain investment until injury. City great Paul Stewart went over and did well for Spurs (and was a nice little earner for us).
Lucas Brown: There have been very few transfers between the teams so I’m going for Paul Stewart. Until he moved back into the midfield it looked like he was never going to win the fans over, but he became something of a cult hero at the Lane. At £1.7million he was expensive, but what price do you put on his equaliser in the 1991 FA Cup Final? The fact that we actually sold him to Liverpool for more than he cost from City made it all the more sweet.
GOAL: What’s your fondest memory of past clashes against them?
Lucas Ng: This is easy. FA Cup. 3-0 down at half-time, Joey Barton sent off. Four second half goals later, final score 4-3 to City. One of the greatest City comebacks ever.
Lucas Brown: It has to be the 1981 FA Cup Final Replay, doesn’t it? It was our first trophy since coming back up from the second division and was the start of a run of appearances in different cup finals under Keith Burkinshaw. But, of course, the winning goal is what it was all about. The best goal ever to grace the Wembley turf.
GOAL: What do you think the score of this match will be, and how will it affect your weekend?
Lucas Ng: 2-0. With our form this season I expect City to win their home games and it’d be a real downer for me if we were to lose. A draw would be met with disappointment but I could live with it. As a City supporter, you are automatically an eternal optimist so I don’t think even a loss would considerably dampen my weekend spirits.
Lucas Brown: Unfortunately, a draw will be seen as a decent result under the circumstances. Victory would be great because, despite all the inconsistency in recent weeks, we are still capable of challenging for a European place. Losing would feel as depressing as ever, but it will just make me want the January transfer window to arrive even quicker. But I honestly believe that if we have some luck then we could nick a win in the same manner as we did at Blackburn. Manchester City 0-1 Tottenham.
goal.com
12/10/2004 1:01:00 PM
This weekend Manchester City entertain Spurs, and with last season’s seven-goal FA Cup epic between the two teams still fresh in the memory, entertain could be the operative word. For far too long, as far as their fans are concerned, these two huge clubs have toiled unproductively in the shadow of their respective neighbours, United and Arsenal. They have that frustration in common, but what marks them apart? And what do they think of each other? Goal.com asked City fan Lucas Ng and Spurs fan Lucas Brown for their views…
GOAL: First of all, how do you feel about your side’s campaign so far? Have you been delighted or dismayed by it?
Lucas Ng (Man City): A great November where we went unbeaten (and City legend Bert Trautmann was formally inducted into our Hall of Fame) was spoiled by the 3-2 loss to Boro last week and Nico Anelka’s silly comments to that French magazine.
Lucas Brown (Spurs): Things never run smoothly at Tottenham and this season is no different. Jacques Santini’s arrival looked to be sound, but doubts about his ability to work under Frank Arnesen surfaced as soon as he took over. Then came the shock of his departure, although it was obvious something was wrong as the team’s performances showed. Martin Jol has not had enough games to say if he can take things on, but the initial signs are good. Despite being in the top four for a brief period, it was always obvious more additions to the squad were needed.
GOAL: Tactically, where do you think this match may be won or lost?
Lucas Ng: I think our defence will decide this match. With the Spur’s striker injuries, Jol will play with either an untested second striker or with a deep midfield. Boz, Distin and Dunnie should dominate either way.
Lucas Brown: It depends whether the defence at Blackburn turns up or the defence against Arsenal does. Tottenham can defend, but they can also look like they’ve never met each other before. At the other end the absence of Jermain Defoe was bad enough, but the news that Robbie Keane may be out through injury has highlighted just how daft the Engand man was to take his shirt off after scoring against Middlesbrough. If Spurs are to win it in one particular area though, it will be between the sticks where Paul Robinson could again be our saviour.
GOAL: Which opposition player do you consider to be the greatest threat to your team in this clash?
Lucas Ng: Jermain Defoe – wait he’s suspended for removing his shirt. Hah. Uh, Robbie Keane …. I hear there’s a good chance he’s not going to make the team selection sheet? I guess Michael Carrick – he’s been looking good under Jol.
Lucas Brown: Shaun Wright Phillips. His speed, ability to beat a man and stamina cause problems for every team. City appear to use him a lot as their outlet when they come under pressure and he will have to be stopped from making those darting runs down the right.
GOAL: Would you want him in your team?
Lucas Ng: Haha, don’t ask that. With our woeful financial condition, we’d want just about any quality midfielder if he came free. It’s that sad.
Lucas Brown: Without doubt and the rumours are still floating about that we are weighing up a bid.
GOAL: Who from your team should we keep a particular eye on here?
Lucas Ng: SWeeP had a terrible game last week and he’ll definitely play out of his socks in front of the City faithful.
Lucas Brown: It would have been Defoe for obvious reasons, but I’ll go for Frederic Kanoute. It will be his job to lead the front line and prove that he is the right man for the job. Reports linking him with a move away from the club continue, but if he starts playing like we know he can then we may not need to look for another tall frontman.
GOAL: What are your side’s greatest strengths?
Lucas Ng: A consistent defence. Remember, Keegan and defence used to go together like chalk and cheese.
Lucas Brown: Certainly not our wing play! Paul Robinson is not England’s number one for nothing and his performances this season have been superb. The defence can be solid and if Nicolas Anelka decides to slouch around on the halfway line then we shouldn’t have too many worries from their frontmen. Sorry to keep harping on about it, but I would said the attack is perhaps the strongest element of the team, but Defoe will not be present.
GOAL: And weaknesses?
Lucas Ng: We overly rely on two men, Anelka and SWP to win games for us. Take away those two and we merely have a decent backline.
Lucas Brown: The lack of width. But that is well known and the management are reportedly looking to bring in both a left and a right winger. The midfield without Sean Davis is also not the same as he provided a backbone that Spurs had not had for a few seasons.
GOAL: What do your lot typically think of their lot?
Lucas Ng: Underachievers, like us. Personally I think Frank Arnesen will steer Spurs in the right direction within the next few years.
Lucas Brown: I don’t think Manchester City are a side that Spurs fans either like or dislike to any great degree. You have to admire the way the club came back from going down two divisions.
GOAL: What single thing irritates you most about them?
Lucas Ng: Santini. Pleat. Hoddle. Christian Gross. George Graham. Gerry Francis. The revolving door at White Hart Lane has only one speed setting: fast. They seem desperate to emulate the old glory days, not just in silverware but in playing style too, when clearly you need some sort of stability and a solid foundation to build upon, not new managers every other season.
Lucas Brown: In the early 1990s I would have said the wooden benches in the away end, before they moved travelling fans to the stand behind the other goal at Maine Road, which they’ve since vacated. Nowadays I would have to say Anelka again, because he should be grateful for what he’s got.
GOAL: And what do you grudgingly admire?
Lucas Ng: Their reputation (and Arnesen’s astute direction) seems to allow them to attract quality players more readily than our lot.
Lucas Brown: The fact that their fans have stuck with them through thick and thin and have had to look on as Manchester United enjoyed a decade of success.
GOAL: Who is your all-time number one hate figure (or object of amusement) from their lot?
Lucas Ng: Glenn Hoddle. Scored the goal to defeat us in the FA Cup and his player management as England and Spurs manager was always a good source of jokes.
Lucas Brown: I remember Paul Gascoigne constantly berating Paul Lake for having such big ears during one match, but these days the only one who will get some stick is Nicolas Anelka thanks to his connections with the Woolwich Nomads at the other end of the Seven Sisters Road.
GOAL: What’s the best of business ever done between the two clubs?
Lucas Ng: Recently Ben Thatcher came over from Tottenham, albeit via Leicester, and he proved a bargain investment until injury. City great Paul Stewart went over and did well for Spurs (and was a nice little earner for us).
Lucas Brown: There have been very few transfers between the teams so I’m going for Paul Stewart. Until he moved back into the midfield it looked like he was never going to win the fans over, but he became something of a cult hero at the Lane. At £1.7million he was expensive, but what price do you put on his equaliser in the 1991 FA Cup Final? The fact that we actually sold him to Liverpool for more than he cost from City made it all the more sweet.
GOAL: What’s your fondest memory of past clashes against them?
Lucas Ng: This is easy. FA Cup. 3-0 down at half-time, Joey Barton sent off. Four second half goals later, final score 4-3 to City. One of the greatest City comebacks ever.
Lucas Brown: It has to be the 1981 FA Cup Final Replay, doesn’t it? It was our first trophy since coming back up from the second division and was the start of a run of appearances in different cup finals under Keith Burkinshaw. But, of course, the winning goal is what it was all about. The best goal ever to grace the Wembley turf.
GOAL: What do you think the score of this match will be, and how will it affect your weekend?
Lucas Ng: 2-0. With our form this season I expect City to win their home games and it’d be a real downer for me if we were to lose. A draw would be met with disappointment but I could live with it. As a City supporter, you are automatically an eternal optimist so I don’t think even a loss would considerably dampen my weekend spirits.
Lucas Brown: Unfortunately, a draw will be seen as a decent result under the circumstances. Victory would be great because, despite all the inconsistency in recent weeks, we are still capable of challenging for a European place. Losing would feel as depressing as ever, but it will just make me want the January transfer window to arrive even quicker. But I honestly believe that if we have some luck then we could nick a win in the same manner as we did at Blackburn. Manchester City 0-1 Tottenham.
goal.com