¤ Chelsea Football Club || My Blood Is Blue

[CFC | Koop]

thanks, btw, would anyone be able to provide me with a score template?

[Ben100792]

Look at that resources thread? Congrats on 200 by the way

[CFC | Koop]

thanks, and i already looked, cant find one

[CFC | Koop]

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It's only a pre-season friendly series
But between these two
It'll be anything but friendly.
It's Arsenal V Tottenham
And The Battle Of North London

The North London Derby, whenever it's played, always arouses attention, excitement, and an intense rivalry between two of the top teams of England - Arsenal and Tottenham.

And, in a big announcement, ahead of the new season starting, the two rivals have announced a new pre-season tournament between themselves, sponsored by both teams equally, where the Gunners and Spurs will play a best-of-3 series, with the third and possibly deciding game at Wembley.

"We hope this will promote the upcoming season well, and it dosen't get much better for our fans to see a grudge match series like this against our most bitter rivals," said Tottenham chairman Daniel Levy. "It will also of course, give both teams a chance to experiment with their teams, and line-ups, and we're expecting this to be a sell-out.

The first game will be played at the Emirates Stadium, the second at White Hart Lane, with the third and final game at Wembley Stadium. All matches will be at night.

That should also be interesting, with both sides having made new signings in the off-season transfer window, and off-loaded several players. Arsenal have brought in defender Thomas Vermaelen, but have also sold Kolo Toure to Manchester City.

Tottenham made several aquisitions in the window, signing Peter Crouch, Sebastien Bassong, and several others, while off-loading Didier Zokora and Darren Bent (the big name departures).

KEY MEN

Arsenal

Andrei Arsharvin
The Russian playmaker is bound to cause problems for Tottenham in the three games, and should give Spurs defenders a real set of headaches.

Tottenham

Jermain Defoe
Defoe is the Spur's danger man up front, getting behind defenses, using his brilliant technical ability. Watch out for him.

GAME ONE
Emirates Stadium - 20/07/09
Kick-Off Time: 19:45

GAME TWO
White Hart Lane - 25/07/09
Kick-Off Time: 19:45

GAME THREE

Wembley Stadium - 30/07/09
Kick-Off Time: 19:45

koop, Spurs TV


BUMPED

[Liverpöol]

nice work on this thread so far mate, may I suggest you try and grab the guy I signed today from Udinese

[CFC | Koop]

i dont really want to make any signings though, since there's been a transfer window IRL

ill only be signing youth players to develop them

[Muzzy]

We'll take you down. .

Great update though mate. .

[CFC | Koop]

thanks

[CFC | Koop]

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| Eduardo celebrates his late goal against Tottenham |

2 - 0
Arsharvin 45 + 1'
Eduardo 88'
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Arsenal and Tottenham played out the first game of the Battle Of North London series, and it was Arsenal who produced the goods and came up trumps in a typically entertaining derby between the two fierce rivals, as a goal at the end of each half from Arsharvin and Eduardo sealed the series lead and bragging rights for Arsenal.

After a lavish opening ceremony, both line-ups were revealed, with ARsenal playing their 4-4-2 with several young players brought into the squad, Jack Wilshere and Carlos Vela the most prominent. Thomas Vermaelen was also brought in at left centre-back, while for Tottenham, 20-year old youth academy graduate Humphrey Chan started at attacking midfielder in Harry Redknapp's new 4-3-1-2, with the most anticipated decision, the forward line, named with Jermain Defoe alongside Robbie Keane.

The game started brightly for Arsenal, and indeed should have gone ahead on just seven minutes, when some neat build-up play led to a corner. Robin Van Persie's swinging corner was misjudged by Huerelho Gomes, giving Eduardo a header from point blanc range with an empty goal at his mercy. However, the ball was just too high for the Croatian, who could only head over.

The Gunners folllowed this with a smooth piece of play, which, after a series of neat short passing, put Robin Van Persie through on goal, but the Dutchman, after controlling and shooting, hit the post. A second scare after just 15 minutes for Tottenham, and they immediately started to pressure Arsenal higher up the pitch in an attempt to stop their flowing passing game.

That didn't seem to phase the Gunners though, as their technical ability made sure they could play their way out. They created chance after chance, and Arsharvin was put through one-on-one on 23 minutes, the same minute as his shirt number. The Russian looked up, however, to see Gomes rushing up, and his shot was blocked by the keeper's leg.

In fact, it was probably both Gomes and the post that were saving Tottenham. They did threaten on a counter-attack, where Vermaelen's clearing header was volleyed on the rebound by Palacios, with the ball going just wide, but Arsenal hit the post twice in the space of 5 minutes. Van Persie was the shooter for both occasions.

First, the Dutchman waltzed through the Spurs defense, and saw his shot rebound off the inside of the post, only to have it pounced on by Gomes. Then, Van Persie was put through with a brilliant no-look ball from Arsharvin, only to watch his shot agonizingly scrape the woodworkk again.

So, it looked like, despite Arsenal's mountain of chances, and dominance, that Tottenham could go into the break on level terms. But, right on the stroke of the half-time whistle, Arsenal got their reward, when a corner from Van Persie was headed out straight to Arsharvin, who controlled, swivelled and volleyed into the top corner of the net, from just inside the box. The roar from the Emirates Stadium said it all.

Half-Time: Arsenal 1 Tottenham 0

So, into the second half, and Redknapp brought changes galore, using all three of his subs, as Ledley King came on for Dawson in an attempt to firm up the Spurs defense, and Crouch came on for Keane, while Chan moved to striker to play in front of Crouch, in an experimental move. Young gun Bale came on for Assou-Ekotto at left-back.

And, these changes looked to have immediate effect, as Crouch went on the end of the header after Chan had broken away and crossed. Almunia was sharp on his feet however, and made a good save, tipping the ball over the bar.

In the 56th minute, Arsenal produced some substitutes of their own, as Gael Clichy came on at left-back, and Diaby moved to centre-back, relegating the solid Thomas Vermaelen to the bench. Nicolas Bendtner then came on for Eboue, as Arsenal shifted to an experimental 4-3-3.

The Gunners proceeded to create even more chances, and, much like last season, wasted them. Van Persie blasted a quickfire shot just wide, following a frantic scuffle on the edge of the box, and then Fabregas pulled his effort across goal from a tight angle.

Eduardo was booked on 66 minutes, following a late and rash tackle on King, which was totally unnesescary, and many thought that the Croatian deserved a red. It spiced up encounters, and Jenas retaliated with a two-footed lunge on Fabregas that somehow avoided a booking.

Spurs finally got into the game, with just 20 minutes remaining, and played some fluent passes that created two great chances. Firstly, a series of 4 passes between Defoe, Chan and Crouch had the former behind the Arsenal defense and leaving Gallas in his wake. Almunia again came to the rescue for the Gunners, with a fine save after initially coming out to narrow the angle.

From the resulting corner, Crouch's header went just wide of the post, after the England international easily outmuscled an out-jumped Wilshere. But, that was all Tottenham had, and Eduardo sealed the win two minutes from time with a great passing goal.

The Croatian was the beneficiary of a counter-attacking move following a Tottenham corner, when Fabregas released Van Persie with a brilliantly timed through ball. The Dutchman showed too much pace for a tired Woodgate, and when Gomes came out to narrow the angle, he put the ball across goal for Eduardo to slide it home. It was a perfect finish for Arsenal, who now head into the second game of the series high on confidence. A fantastic match.

Full-Time: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 0

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Arsene Wenger

"I'm really pleased with the team's performance today, it was a great passing game from us, and the movement was very good, especially for a pre-season game. But, it's a derby, and we can't get too arrogant, because Tottenham will be very strong at White Hart Lane."

Harry Redknapp

"We've got a lot to work on. Our defense was poor today, and we couldn't cope with and didn't track Arsenal's runs. We definitely have to do better next game, but we're at home there, and we should perform much better."

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Goals: Arsenal 2 Tottenham 0
Shots: Arsenal 12 Tottenham 3
Shots On Target: Arsenal 7 Tottenham 2
Posession: Arsenal 51% Tottenham 49%
Tackles: Arsenal 9 Tottenham 7
Fouls: Arsenal 1 Tottenahm 1
Spurs TV Match Rating: 7/10

Andrey Arsharvin

The Russian had a field day for the Gunners, setting up opportunities, and taking a few shots himself. Scored a great volley goal from just inside the box at the end of the first half.

Goals: 1
Shots: 3
Shots On Target: 1
Pass Percentage: 93%
Rating: 8/10

Koop's Word

A fine performance from Arsenal puts them 1-0 up in the best of 3 series. Tottenham will have to up their game considerably to square the ledger, or even stay alive in this series with a draw, but they are at home next, and that could make a huge difference.

NEXT MATCH: Tottenham vs Arsenal, Battle Of North London pre-season series, 25/07/09, White Hart Lane

koop, Spurs TV

[CFC | Koop]

btw, here is a summary of the two new features im introuducing in this mm -

SPECIAL FEATURES

Special Feature One:

This one is called Spurs Classics. It's a pass the time thing, similar to a Guess The Player, except that it's a flashback to a classic Spurs moment, player, or anything relating to Tottenham. A video highlight is also provided when possible.

Special Feature Two:

This one is probably the better of the two, only problem is, EA announced this as one of their new features of Manager Mode, and I'm left rather foolishly, looking like I copied from them. It even has the same name: Assistant Manager.

This is when, if I have any problems, or decisions to make, you, the reader (has to be a member/poster) make the decision for me, offering me feedback about your decision and thus being the "Assistant Manager".

For instance, say I was facing a FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool. It's a big game, so who to play up front? Do I use the aerial height of Crouch, the finess of Keane or the pace and skill of Defoe?

Of course, there are other decisions that you can make too, squad selection is just one of them.

[SG Cesc]

Both great ideas, do you mind if I employ the first one in my thread?

[CFC | Koop]

that's fine mate

[Radz]

Nice feautres you introduced although you nicked the second one

[CFC | Koop]

i knew you would say that, will you believe me when i say i had the idea first?

[Radz]

Originally Posted by koopIfooty

i knew you would say that, will you believe me when i say i had the idea first?

Obviously you were the only person to introduce these feautres and i don't find fault with you Koop.

[CFC | Koop]

thanks, im hoping to try out AM in the third game of the series

[Radz]

Originally Posted by koopIfooty

thanks, im hoping to try out AM in the third game of the series

No Probs and waht's AM???????

[CFC | Koop]

Assistant Manager

[Steve]

so they letting you play pre season fixtures on 09?? thats sweet will be doing that

[CFC | Koop]

they arent officially

but as i said before, if ea have any problems with this, then just warn me and i wont continue it

and btw what does everyone think of my new updating format? Totally changed everything

[CFC | Koop]

The Battle Between The Sticks

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| Gomes and Cudicini will be vying for a spot in the starting 11 this season |

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Tottenham seem to have one of the strongest squads in the Premier League, with a fantastic squad that could match up with some of the big guns, and it seems like everywhere that Spurs have quality. Their defense, midfield, and forward line are all teeming with experience, quality and finesse.

Their goalkeeping ranks don't appear much different either, with two quality keepers in Brazilian Heurelho Gomes and Italian Carlo Cudicini. Both joined just last season, Gomes at the beginning of the season and Cudicini in the mid-season transfer window.

A very interesting prospect will be to see how Harry Redknapp chooses his goalkeeper before each match. Both have pros and cons, and perhaps Redknapp will alternate these two keepers to keep both fit and ready, and to keep egos down to a minimum.

However, it may perhaps be Cudicini with the edge. The Italian was one of the classiest goalkeepers in England, and perhaps even the world, back in the early 2000s, proving a menace between the sticks, despite his relatively small frame and size.

That was before a certain Czech superstar called Petr Cech came along. Cudicini became one of the best keepers to be constantly kept on the bench at Chelsea, with Cech pulling off save after save to make it impossible for Mourinho, Grant or Scolari to pick him regularly.

Luck didn't favour the Italian either - it seemed just when Cech had an injury Cudicini would follow suit too. When Cech fractured his skull after Steve Hunt's 'accidental' kick, it looked like Cudicini had a permanent spot for the rest of the season, only to get injured just 70 minutes later in the exact same game, leaving John Terry in goal.

His spot was then filled by Hilario, who did admirably, meaning that his regular spot was now denied. When Cech had other little injuries, it seemed Cudicini could only injure himself too.

So, a move away from the Bridge was imminent, and last season, the Italian was offered a contract at Tottenham, and accepted. He was brought in, funnily enough, due to some erratic performances from Gomes himself. But, the Brazilian repaired his sketchy and inconcistency with some solid performances later.

And, the Brazilian has a big advantage over his Italian counter-part - youth. While Cudicini is reaching the end of his career, at the age of 36, Gomes is still youthful, especially in goalkeeper terms, at 28.

So, watch out, because the battle at White Hart Lane may not only be against opponents, but also in the keeper ranks.

Of course, there's still a young keeper, Ben Alnwick, coming through. But, his Spurs senior debut should still be a while away. Of course, it may be closer, given Tottenham's new youth academy.

The Profiles

koop, Spurs TV

[Cahill4]

Hmm.. Gomes is better, he makes some bad errors but he's a very good shot stopper. Quite young for a goalkeeper too.

Nice update.

[Steve]

quality article chan-man

[Radz]

Unique Update not many would do an update on Goalkeepers.

[Steve]

yo koop i drafted a matchday template i was going to use, heres a sample, you can have it if you want