I think 5th place is a fairly realistic season ending result. Europa here we come! :/

I honestly hate the Europa league. I mean, it's money and it's a chance to compete in Europe and scout some guys, but I still hate it.

I REALLY like Coutinho. I like him on the wing in a 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1, and I like him up front with Suarez and Sturridge in a 4-3-3. Sturridge was another good buy, I reckon. Allen seems to be finding his way a bit more, which is good. I think Shelvey and probably Henderson are gone in the summer. Probably Downing, too. Time to sut our losses and let Rodgers bring in guys that will fit what he wants to do. I've liked the Sturridge and Coutinho buys, and I think guys like Assaidi and Borini will provide good cover in the long run.

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I see Henderson staying, and Shelvey may get a loan deal. I dont see them selling him. Hes very useful and still young (same as Henderson). I do see Downing being sold, although its great to see him adding an impact to wins.

Coutinho's two assists indicate his class, and how he fits in with Suarez. I find that duo, with Sturridge, exciting enough that coupled with a Europa league stint may bring in another two dynamic, impactful players. I know you dont like Europa, peaches, but it serves a very useful purpose for the club in developing players as well as showing progress. I think many young players enamored with Liverpool can see 5th place and Europa as just one step away from being back to its former dominance... and for that I am excited.

It was better as the UEFA cup when it was a straight knockout competition. The Europa League structure doesn't work, too many meaningless games and the money is pennies compared to the ECL. It's not like there are bad teams in it, a lot of good Spanish and Italian teams but it is marketed so crap and no English team really gives a crap about it.

Spurs will test "no English team gives a crap about it" this week. They are in an interesting dilemma with the first leg against Inter on Thursday, then a crucial away league tie at Liverpool on Sunday. They are in 3rd, need to get points to keep their Champs league position. But also are now deep in the Euro League tourney and play a very strong Inter squad.

What Spurs do with their Thursday lineup will speak volumes to how they perceive the Euro tournament (Im not disagreeing with Glasgow either). Will they rest important players to be better prepared for the Liverpool game and trying to secure that crucial top 4 spot? Or will they put a strong squad out and try and grab a home lead in the first leg? or risk both....

anyways, I see their particular position rather daunting, considering, and will be interested to see what choices AVB makes.

Yeah, it's a really perplexing situation, but I think ultimately, you have to rest players against inter. the money they'll get from a CL spot next year would far outweigh the money they might get for progressing to the next round of the Europa league. they'll be looking to solidify their position in 3rd more than anything. i think they'll field a weakened side against Inter, defend and hope to nick a cheeky goal on the break. Maybe hope for a 0-0 or a 1-1 draw, something like that, maybe even a 1-0 win. then they'll field their best XI against Liverpool on Sunday, and depending on their next league opponent, field a strong side in Inter in the return leg.

That's what I'd do, anyway

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I agree, Peaches.

I'm going to assume that they have Champions League qualification as the primary goal for the season and at this stage they are well placed but still far from assured of achieving that objective. Therefore, I really hope that Bale, Vertonghen, Walker and Dembele are rested, lennon will probably need to start if Bale's out, and Loris will no doubt sit in favour of Friedel.

The objective on Thursday will surely be to keep Inter goalless, or to concede one tops.

While I find the group stages of the Europa League pretty dull, I like the final 32 onwards. I really hope we can beat Inter, even if it makes our run in more difficult. But, the league has to come first.

It's also worth bearing in mind that Inter are tied for 4th at the moment (with a pretty good Lazio, and with Fiorentina and Roma close behind) and may well rest players this Thursday too.

I suggest all in for Spurs on Thursday. Put the top lads in and let them rip. You must defend the Lane from those nasty Italians! They helped start the Big One for godsakes! They insulted the Queen! They insulted Kate! you must grit the bit and play it out.... maybe play a double header with Inter and Stoke.

We will see you Sunday!

Ha ha! Although I'm pretty sure that last time we played Inter they only actually had one actual, real, live Italian in their squad!

And yeah, I'd definitely rather have our players take their chances against Inter than our mates Shawcross, Palacios and Adam at Stoke. That also has the added attraction of not having to listen to Tony Pulis doing his best 'Steve Bruce whinge mixed with Alex Ferguson hypocrisy' impression in the post match interview.

I can't wait for Sunday. I'll be watching with mates in London, including the guy I go to Spurs matches with (City and Southampton coming up on our itinerary) in the aftermath of another mate's stag party before crawling back catch a coach back to dirty old Bristol. There will be couple of United fans there as well to boo Liverpool (yes they are British, no they are not from Manchester, of course). Should be a good 'un!

Apparently Inter have several of their first team defenders out injured. Maybe Spurs should play Bale...

YES! Good idea, get on the dinger to AVB and tell him!

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On the case...

well done sir

``There is a lot of rest time between a Thursday and a Sunday (when Spurs play Liverpool.''- AVB pre-match interview

I like this quote. I see it as being both a refreshing change from the whingeing of Wenger et al about their players being tired and a soundbite to let the team know that they are expected to show up with some effort and energy for both games.

I'm pretty sure that he'll be resting players tonight when all is said and done, though.

Or maybe he really meant it. It's a full strength side minus Lloris tonight.

Seems to be working.... AVB will be able to rest 2 by halftime, maybe all three by 60 at this rate.

I'll revisit the discussion from a couple of weeks ago about the decline of the premier league to add that, based on tonight's match, the English league may well worry have reason to about being eclipsed by Spain or even Germany eventually, but they have very little to be concerned about Serie A. That Inter display tonight was as bad as any I've seen this season. Spurs could easily have scored at least a couple more. Inter had one good chance and that was it.

Good to see AVB take this tournament seriously. It has been a poor year for English teams with a lack of quality. However, next year the new Sky/BT deal kicks in and I expect most EPL teams to spend a small/big fortune. This might improve English teams performance in Europe. I expect Man City to do better in Europe next year once Mancini, who I do not rate gets sacked.

Inter certainly didn't appear to be taking the tournament seriously. They did, however, double the number of Italians in the team from last time we played them, to a grand total of 2.

Had this conversation with some friends yesterday while watching the Chelsea match. Hawkspurs new reflection on the strength of the PL over other leagues mad me think of it again.

Who is the most disappointing newcomer to the PL this season? (Player who was not in the PL last year)

I said Eden Hazard.... there was alot of consternation and indignation... then realization that he really hadnt contributed much since earning some pens early in the season.