Palacios is Plan 'A'....and 'B'
Wednesday, October 14, 2009 at 1:19PM Spurs fans. Hard to please. Apparently one or two of you have been a little critical about Wilson Palacios of late. Ignoring jet-lag and the fact we've also been without Luka Modric, our dip in form has apparently been aided by our midfield enforcers lack of bite and lacklustre passing. So say the fabled football message boards.
Ok, he's not at the level he was at the start of the season and when he first signed for us. But let's not get too carried away with the negatives. Without him - we will struggle. A 70% Wilson is better than having no Wilson. Let's not forget how easily we've got bullied by lesser teams in the past. He is imperative and probably the most definitive signing we've made with regards to our intent to progress in the right direction. Unlike Zokora he has actual purpose. Zoko, for all his heart and athleticism, had no clear direction - other than running very fast in a very straight line (which I personally loved to bits). But for all his charm his touch and passing was non-existent and he failed to stamp any type of authority over that space between the back-line and the midfield. Wilson does. He is concrete compared to Zokora's feathers.
Our Prem record with him in the team reads as follows:
P19 W12 L3 D4 PTS39 (this might not be spot on by the way...read comments)
His impact is undeniable, no? Although credit obviously to the gaffer for team selection and motivation.
Expect him to be around the 70% mark again this weekend against Pompey thanks to International duty. After that, with Modric two weeks away from a possible return, and the distinct possibility that we'll be signing another DM in Jan, things will even out to a more comfortable level which will allow us to rest Palacios more often.
We have a Plan B when Modric isn't fit.
We don't quite have one when Wilson is unavailable. For the moment, he's the masterplan. Plan A and Plan B. Thankfully buying Cotton wool between now and January is not restricted by the footballing authorities.
Reader Comments (33)
Spurs fans critical of Palacios? Let me guess. Glory Glory? Heh.
He's not been 'great' but I cant disagree that without him we would struggle against the bigger sides, although we did lose to both Utd and Chelsea. He went off in the Utd game ( I think ). But against the smaller sides he is still fairly dominant in his position. We at Spurs have high expectations, then most clubs do. I dont think any of us should be 'critical' of his recent performances.
Without Luka, we can still win. Without Palacios, it could be tricky to do so.
Don't read Glory GLory but Ive heard enough at Spurs games to know one or two of our ever so patient fans have mumbled about his form. I personally dont see what there is to criticise at the moment. Every fan has a different opinion. Once Luka is back I predict an upsurge in far more dynamic action packed marshalling of the midfield from General Wilson. Its a slight dip, nothing more.
Wilson is GOD. He's 1000 times the player Zokora is. The problem with Zok is he had nothing in his head. No grey matter at all. had he we would have been laughing with gay glee. Palacios is far more disciplined even if he's guilty of some clumsy tackles.
I knew Spurs record since Wilson came to the lane was good, but that is staggering.
Gotta love willie P., but his play at times gets my bollocks at bit tight*** everytime I see a late/hard tackle... he plays on the edge of a red card and have visions of him getting a serious knock on of those times.
*** tight as in the sense of being nervous, not it the "I have man love for him" way
Wilson and clumsy tackles? Yes, sometimes he is guilty. Sometimes he sacrifices himself (and picks up a yellow card for it) completely on purpose. He's a clever lad and one who will improve in other areas over time. His passing isnt brilliant at the moment. But its improving.
Great player, great signing. Bargain at £14M. I was shocked and a little disheartened when we signed him for that fee but its proved to be worth every penny. Dont disagree with you Spooky. We need cover. We had cover in Jamie and sent him out to Pompey and then had to listen to Harry complain about lack of depth. Must be nailed on for a new defensive mid in Jan.
I would rather have Wilson at 70% than a fully fit Zok any day of the week. The thing is though, he can't play every game, and we have no one else like him, he does a job in front of the back four better than anyone I have seen in 30 years supporting Spurs. We badly need a back up/partner for him in January. Without him and with Jenas/Thudd trying to do the job, we'd be back to square one. With Sissoko looking off the radar, who will come in? Sandro perhaps?
It speaks volumes how much we've lacked in the DM position over the years when you look at his performances and the impact he has on his team mates. Players are more confident to go about their business knowing the war machine that is Wilson Palacios is ready to crunch the opposition.
Seems to me that Wilson's got a little cocky ie trying to do clever backheels, run forward too often etc. whereas when he started he kept to a more DMish role which suited the team better. He's still our best tackler though and certainly plan A, B and probably C until Thudd learns to run.
Sandro in January will do the trick. He will need to bed into the EPL and so it wont be a problem playing him off the bench to start of with. You never know, he might even end up partnering WP in central mid. Steel in a Spurs side, how'd have guessed that would ever happen?
COYS
Anyone know how Zokora is getting on in La Liga? What position he's playing in and how he is handling the pace of the game out there? Would be typical if he is excelling.
Best signing Harry has made is Palacios.
Can anyone suggest a better Spurs message board than Glory-Glory.
I'm literally sick of the two bob blind opinions on those pages but hey I need my fix and something to get me through the working day.
Can't just rely on Dear Mr Levy :)
Not sure Zokora is even first choice at Sevilla.
It speaks volumes how much we've lacked in the DM position over the years when you look at his performances and the impact he has on his team mates. Players are more confident to go about their business knowing the war machine that is Wilson Palacios is ready to crunch the opposition.
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spot on
some people want the moon on the stick; ie, palacios should also be able to shoot n pass better.
i'm happy to accept football is a team game. wilson is a specialist and plays his part unbelievably well and facilitates the other players to go about their business (like heskey does for england). palacios is a monster!
Had Enough -
To be fair, GG is possibly the best if you want the full immersed experience with football and random chat. As much as the fickle crowd there knee-jerk, there is a wealth of experience and articulate folk and the banter is decent too. Its sometimes good to be able to read the knee-jerking because it can help place things into perspective. Other forums out there? There are plenty, but its hard enough committing myself to one (although you are always welcome to join www.rumourwhores.com). I know there are a few which have closed memberships. So I cant really suggest an alternative.
Also, as I've been dwelling in a lull of creativity recently, I'm thankful to the boys and girls of GG for inspiring the last couple of blog articles. International breaks are the bane of blogging.
Fair play Spooky!
'wilson is a specialist'
Thank you. That's bang on the money that. We seem to want some of our players to be the complete player. Yes, football has changed and you could argue that the modern day footballer (midfielder that is) can tackle, pass, shoot and play box 2 box. Some try to, others (Lampard, Gerrard) are capable. But if you have a player that fulfills a role and he is just one part of 11 parts that all come together - than fine. No complaints.
Wilson can tackle and bully and is dominant and respected. He CAN pass - he's no Huddlestone but he can play the simple balls and I agree with comments made - he's improving.
Be happy fellow Yids. We've got ourselves a player with a winners mentality.
well he is not excelling in sevilla but he has played almost every game and is doing a fairly good job in a team that has the winning mood ...
Quality player. All these years with a DOF and Harry comes in and the first DM we sign is the type of DM we've begged for since forever.
Simples.
Sounds like I was wrong then. Zoko a success in Spain?
Its the Twilight Show.
I love Wilson.
Sorry to be a stickler, but I make Premiership record with Palacios as Won: 11, Drawn 3, Lost 5 = 36 points from 19 games. Still better than Spurs have been for years! Yes, I wasn't too appreciative of those back heels and flicks that he was attempting against Chelsea. Win the game first, then try the cute stuff! To say he is off form is a little harsh. He is more consistent than the rest of the team. Also, we were playing the best 2 teams in the league - it is not easy! Don't forget, this time last year we had 2 points and didn't look like ever getting a win! As for Zokora - too early to say if he is a hit in Spain or not. He has played 5 games. I am still amazed that we recouped our money on him!
Yeah, he's been off form...But I won't criticise the reckless tackles. We've all complained that the team has been too much of a soft touch for some time. Let us never speak of entering Europe thru the "fair play" booby-prize again. Let's just get Modric back and another DM in Jan or at least O'hara and take it from there.
Far enough dude. I copy and pasted it and made the assumption it was more or less correct. Obviously not.
You certain you're right before I make the amend?
;)
(I should really do my own stat research)
I'm sure I saw Zok playing at full back for Seville for one of their games?! Am I going mad ??!!! I'm sure he did though.
He was useful at RB for us. No need for overwhelming brain-power in that position.
No need for brain power at right back? You need more brain power there than at holding midfield... You must know when to attack / defend - hold the offside defensive line, and cover for centre backs when they move across. You also need to know whether the attackers are left footed or right footed so that you can prevent them crossing or shooting. Defensive midfield is mostly a physical role - rather than cerebral... Zokora was no right back either - and NEVER cover for centre back.
In central midfield its like a sardine in the ocean, it can swim anywhere. What Zoko ended up doing every time is swimming towards the sharks. At right-back, its a more disciplined position in that you have more specific responsibility (as listed by you). Yes, you need to be aware of certain aspects, but he seemed to be ok at the set of defensive duties he has in that position.
I agree, he was far from being a 'great' right-back. I should have said he was better there in cameos than he was in midfield over a period of games.
I know what you mean about the physical side of a DM's role and it not being too cerebral however you need some part of the brain to function in the most simple of tasks.
zokora used to play as a left back in belgium :-) so he is versatile after all :p ah well i m glad he's gone all though he was by far the most amusing player to look at when things were going down the drain for us ... at least he could make me laugh whereas the rest made me feel like weeping
You admit that he's been a little off lately and that is all fans are saying. Jet lag, personal problems back home, not living up to the hype or whatever.
Firstly let me say that supplies some grit in midfield that has been missing for some time and I hope he settles in to become the force that everyone is desperate for him to become.
He is not that force yet. His passing is poor though not as bad as Zokoro's which is not much of a standard to go by;
Boateng was crucified for rash tackles around the box,Palacios does it regularly but this apparently only proves his determination.
Statistics won't save him either because Jenas can be statistically proved to be beneficial to the team but it doesn't convince the majority of fans.
I like the boy, he is skilful and supplies strengths that others don't have. But to say we can't win without him is silly . We said that about Modric.
He played brilliantly against Arsenal but has not played to that level since.
Can agree with that. Take wilson out of the team and we do not have the strength in midfield.
That should be CANT by the way.