Jenas: The Marmite of the Spurs midfield
Tuesday, May 19, 2009 at 9:47AM Click on the following hyperlinks for Part I and Part II and Part III.
Tapestry Part IV
Jenas: The Marmite of the Spurs midfield
Dear Mr Levy,
"Graham Roberts would run through walls for Tottenham. Jenas would apologetically whisper that he has lost the keys for the door, then sleep in a park bench for the night"
I think it was two years ago when I made that statement. And in some ways it probably stills apply today. I'm not going to dive deep into the enigma that is JJ as I've done that already in great detail here. But I will touch upon one or two aspects in order for the question at the end to make sense.
Jenas is a definitive Levy signing. You know this to be true Daniel. He's always been your poster-boy. Young, English, bags of potential and only cost £7M. And he's also a textbook Spurs midfielder. Bit of a fairy at times, goes missing far too often but has a eye for goal and does turn in a performance every so often. A luxury some would say, as arguably he can only play outstandingly well if he has the right type of players around him, so never expect him to excel if the team is struggling. There's no Roy Keane tenacity or extreme self-belief Lampard style to be seen here. And his best performances usually come against lesser opposition. Not to say he hasn't performed well against stronger opposition, but he does enjoy destroying the likes of Wigan and Derby.
The fact is, Jenas has been at Spurs for a few years now. And we are all still waiting for him take it to the next level. Now considering we all know he lacks that streak of arrogance that would surely elevate him to consistent performer, maybe the reason Jenas has never struck gold at Spurs is because he has never had the right partner in central midfield. He's obviously a fussy type.
See us lot over at Spurs struggle from one season to the next thanks to our inability at noticing what needs fixing. I can see it from the stands, but we'd be damned if you (Mr Chairman) and the management can. Harry, thankfully, did see it on his arrival. Comolli thought he did, but signed us Zokora. But with Harry, in came Palacios. A mean, disciplined (but knows when to be dirty) midfield enforcer who does all the donkey work, sweeping up balls defensively so that can go on the offensive. It's incredible to think that we've not filled this gaping hole in recent years. And when we eventually do, it’s like finding the end of a rainbow and that pot of gold.
Jenas, without the responsibility that usually leads to him crumbling under pressure, has the freedom to roam and actually fulfil that box-to-box expectation we have of him. But with the emphasis more on attack than defence. See no matter what is said about JJ, we know he has the talent, he just struggles with the application. He's a bit like Windows Vista. Got all the tools in the box but it’s a sodding bitch to get it to work with anything.
If you're wondering, Zokora is Windows ME. An eternal blue screen of death.
So I guess the question is - is he worth it? Is Jenas worth another season of patience?
With no Wilson (Windows XP, Service Pack 2 - not flash but bloody consistent), alongside Huddlestone (Linux - an acquired taste ), it doesn't quite work. Is that JJ's fault or the fact that Huddlestone is also the type of player that requires team protection? But if Wilson can boss the midfield no matter the player by the side of him, is JJ a luxury because he only works well if he has someone like Palacios by his side?
If there is a player out there that can handle himself and doesn't suffer from that apologetic disorder we see so much of at the Lane, then why even bother with Jenas at all?
Every season, its 'next year' with us. It's synonymous isn’t it, that we are forever in a transition from one season to the next, never quite settled and it's mirrored by Jenas and his metamorphosis remaining in continued stasis.
Do we need to replace him just for the sake of a fresh start? Or does he warrant a chance, a full season under the guidance and man-management of Harry Redknapp, who has worked his magic with the likes of BAE, which let's face it, we all thought would be an impossible task even if playing in a full back position is more of a rooted role than central midfield.
A consistently confident Jenas is something we have yet to see, but maybe he's deserving of another season with Wilson at his side to prove all the doubters wrong.
You could then sell him to Utd on the final day of the transfer window for £20M.
Regards,
S
Tapestry Part V up next, and Harry Redknapp.
Reader Comments (38)
First time I've been moved to post to a blog ...but great article. Jenas's problem as I see it it a lack of vision needed to play quick creative passing . The rest of his game attacking and defensive is superb imo. I think Harry will try and bring in an experienced physical 'beast' next to wilson...Maybe a Gonzales or a barry. This will push jj to first reserve/1st team option for certain counter attacking games, a role I'd love to retain him in but doubt he would be prepared to tolerate if inter come in.
One point I disagree about is that he is no flat track bully. Indeed his scoring record is better against bigger sides, whcih is because he can use his phenomenal athleticism to counter attack rather than his lack of vision to open weaker sides up.
I reckon JJ and Wilson are forming a potent partnership in CM for us and JJ's performances of late have been good without being outstanding. However, the Chelsea game saw JJ and Wilson batter the life out of Ballack, Lampard and Essien and until Howard Webb castrated the physical approach of the two of them with pointless yellow cards at OT they bossed that game too - Something we haven't seen in years.
I have always tried to stand up for JJ as I believe he's got an immense talent and I want to see him fulfil it at Spurs (who can forget his inspirational performances against Arsenal in the last 2 seasons and the wonderful goals he scored against them - You're telling me they're just luck?)
As I've posted before, I feel JJ hasn't benefited from having to make up for the lack of effort/skill of his CM partners pre-Palacios. Zokora's crap and JJ had to help him out, Hudd's lazy and JJ had to make up with extra running, O'Hara's inexperienced and JJ has to try and coach him through games. It's no coincidence that JJ's best football for us came when he partnered Carrick in CM. Let him form a partnership with Wilson next season and if that doesn't work then we cut him loose.
Diverting away from JJ I honestly feel that Palacios is the missing piece of the jigsaw for us. Not since the great Graham Roberts have we had a true destroyer in midfield. Davids and Freund snarled and hacked but no-one goes up against Wilson and gets an easy ride, this is made all the more amazing by the fact that Palacios also seems like an absolute gent off the field too. The boy's a credit to his family and I'm proud to call him a Spur!
I truly believe that we should let JJ and Wilson continue to forge their partnership in CM next season and let them drive us on to greater things. I know I'll get pelters for backing up JJ but there you go! I guess I must like Marmite!
I don't mind if we keep Jenas. What irritates me though is that he never seems to get dropped, even after a run of average performances.
Keep Jenas, but sell Zokora and Bentley. Replace them with one other quality battling central midfielder (eg, Sully Muntari or Scott Brown), to give us more options. Sometimes, like in games at Old Trafford, we need 2 battlers in central midfield.
Also, don't forget Jenas's versatility. He can also play left & right midfield or wing-back if needed.
He's a good squad player, and occassionally puts in a star performance.
Firstly, I thoroughly enjoyed your comparison of Huddlestone to Linux - great.
An interesting debate, and one that has me firmly entrenched in the 'get Jenas out' quarters. the above comment about giving him more time with Wilson and his immense talent is the most infuriating thing ever. Is this bloody Groundhog Day? How many times have people been saying this about Jenas, and what is it exactly about the man that he deserves so many chances with big clubs and even, unbelievably, England??!!!
I find it staggering as you can probably tell. He warrants absolutely no more chances, no new partnership opportunities. He only plays well when Spurs are winning (so not often enough), his first touch is often atrocious and he is incredibly weak for a man of his height.
Yes he is fast and has a good finish, but compared with Huddlestone the talent gap is huge. At least with Hudd you have fantastic strength, balance, control, vision, passing and even shooting and set pieces. Jenas offers pace, finishing and hard work, but with his weak will and lack of self-confidence he is exactly what the above post states, a luxury item.
Why can we not buy a proper LM or LW (NOT DOWNING) and move Modric to the middle? This seems the best option for me, as I believe Modric will go from strength to strength next season and cement his place as one of the best in the league.
Jenas has put in some quality performances this season. He does all the dirty work that people seem to not see. He is constantly running, he gets some vital challenges in around the box and then he is up again and raring to go. His only fault could be that he likes to sit sometimes and watch rather than get stuck in but over the past 5-10 games ive seen him in and around the oppositions box far more. This is no accident, of course it is helped by an equally or maybe better CM partner. All these players mentioned that Jenas should be aiming for... look at the players around them, ud be stupid to think he can carry a shoddy unblanced midfield on his own.
Roy keane was surrounded by legends, Lampard although very creative has 500 million pounds worth of players making the runs, the other player you could argue makes or breaks a game is Gerrard as he can drive forward, finish and find the killer pass.
I think Jenas has just been biding his time, waiting for someone to actually come in and put the team together. For too long have we been an average unblanaced side. Harry comes in, and were almost transformed and Jenas has been a massive part of that. There is a reason why he is never dropped to answer someone elses comment... that is because he is far better than highlights show... get to a match once and a while and you will see all the work he puts in.
Anyone with a season ticket knows im right.... the real problem in our team is Robbie Keane... what a waste of money and space that bloke is
I've seen more than enough thank you. Show him the nearest exit.
Matt
HOW YOU CAN COMPARE JJ AND HUDD IS BEYOND ME!!!
JJ as has been pointed out does PLENTY of running, covering more ground than almost any other Spurs player, he gets forward to support attacks and tackles back to help out his defence, his athleticism means that he can keep up that pace for the 90 mins and as a consequence gives him an edge on 90% of opponents. OK, he's not deadly in front of goal and his passing vision isn't beckhamesque and yes sometimes he goes missing BUT to compare him to Hudd is a joke!
Huddlestone - Talented, YES, very very lazy, YES. How you can accuse JJ of going missing when Huddlestone is a varitable David Copperfield is beyond comprehension. In the last 2 games (Everton & City) we've seen Hudd have a great first half only to see him totally disappear in the second half. Huddlestone is the one that only plays well when Spurs are winning not JJ. This is largely down to the fact that when Spurs are losing JJ is legging it around trying to help the side whereas Hudd just stands in the centre circle waggling his leg at opposing players in a vain attempt at a tackle.
For his size and 'talent' Hudd should be running games. He never will though because he's a very lazy shister who'll never fulfil his talent because he doesn't know what it is to put in a hard shift for his team. He's a player that needs to be carried by his teammates and that just doesn't cut it for me.
If you need any reminding, watch the 2nd leg of the CC semi-final against Burnley..... Huddlestone needn't of bothered putting his kit in for the wash that night, it was spotless cos he did fuck all for 90mins.
jack has it spot on, jj does a lot for the team that is unsung hard working and dies for the cause. Keane is a big big question mark and should never have been brought back. we mugged liverpool when we sold him cos it was the bulgar that made him look class. he's no great shakes without him. Hudd on the other hand believes that crap that he is like hoddle. Yes he can hit a pass beautifully but seriously, when has anyone ever seen him truly work hard or get physical. At Burnley he was atrocious and a disgrace to the shirt. far too many lazy performances from a man that just wants to strut and pose and look good. get rid and let jj have the benefit of playing alongside wilson and you'll see him reach his potential.
When did JJ become a great finisher? Sure he can side-foot a few past the keeper, maybe even scuff a couple in off the post but he can't strike a ball, not a proper 'laces on leather' strike! As for giving the guy ANOTHER season to prove himself... Palacios brings the best out of whoever partners him in the middle, why not give the position to someone with talent? Hudd has a remarkable talent, an unteachable skill that can win us games, can he not benefit from partnering Palacios? Or someone else maybe, buy a midfielder who CAN do the job rather than play JJ who nearly done it. JJ is a nearly man, for all his efforts he always falls short and that has been the story for Spurs for too long. As for his comparisons with Marmite..I think it's outragous you sholud dare compare..I fcuking love Marmite!
Jamiespurs, so JJ can run for 90+ minutes....so can Zokora, what's your point? Kids in the playground spend the whole game running after the ball! As for anyone saying about Hudd's poor game against Burnley...name me a Spurs player who could hold their head up high after THAT game!
Do all the Huddlestone lovers actually watch the full 90mins or just watch highlights reels?? Hudd looks good in the highlights because it's full of fancy long range passes but by the end of the 1st half he's knackered and then vanishes in the second.
JJ's 'team play' is something you only appreciate when you watch the full 90.
As for his finishing - The 3rd goal against Arsenal? the finish against West Brom the other week?
Another thing - Do you think we'd ever see Hudd busting his balls to get into the box to get a head on the end of a cross the way JJ did against Villa? No I don't think we will, Hudd would probably be too busy practicing his 'post-pass pose'
Zokora can run but do fuck all else, his running doesn't benefit the side as he can never find a pass and his tackling is pathetic. JJ runs for the good of the team, getting forward to support attacks and getting back to help in defence (the Villa game was a case in point)
It isn't JUST Hudd's poor game against Burnley it's the second half of every game he's played for us in recent memory. The bloke vanishes, he can't tackle and he can't boss a game the way someone of his size should be. Even the most hardened Hudd supporter has to admit he's a lazy bastard. It's a shame as he's hugely talented but I don't think anyone should be carried by their teammates and that is what Hudd wants. As pointed out before he believes his own hype and that's not good.
I like Hudd don't get me wrong I reckon he's a great footballer BUT he's not a PL footballer. Stick him in Spain, Italy or Germany and he'd be legendary because the pace of play is slower and it would suit his lazy style, but the PL is WAY too fast for him!
And how many has the ever present JJ scored this season? Considering the amount of times he gets into decent scoring positions he should be in double figures by now!
30 points from the last 15 games (since mid Jan).
No changes required. Jenas works with Palacios.
And as much as I am disappointed in Keane's recent games, his arrival (along with Palacios) has coincided with the change in fortunes.
Remember this time last year and we couldn't win, and it just carried on through to the start of this season.
Too often changes are made to make it appear that management is hard at work. The harder choice often is to keep things the same.
Fans that want to see action during the off season should visit some gentlemen's clubs and keep their eyes averted from the transfer market. This includes management. Lets all have some time off. (I know the Paver needs to).
I'm with Jamie & Jack (J&J?) on the JJ debate. It's an overused phrase, but he truly is the engine of the team in a way that THudd, as much as I like him, can never be.
I can't understand how JJ, as Marmite as he clearly is, gets accused of going missing so often, and yet THudd can disappear for 45 (and, sometimes even 90) minute chunks and not get the same criticisms. Perhaps Thudd, with his Hollywood pass/shot flatters to deceive when edited down into bite-sized MotD highlights, and looks more Hoddle-esque? But the boy gives nowhere near the effort that JJ does.
As for comparing JJ to Zokora, a player who, it seems, is only capable of running, and who can't seem to either tackle that well, pass or shoot, well, that's plain barmy when we all know JJ can do all of the above.
I'm not saying JJ's the greatest midfielder in the world or anything remotely like it. I think he'd be twice the player he is today if he had that little bit more fire in his belly, but he's nowhere near as bad as some would have you believe, and, when coupled with a reliable, decent partner (Carrick, Sarge Wilson), looks a decent bet in midfield. I'd certainly have him partnering Sarge over THudd or Zok, that's for sure.
One thing's for sure, this debate could run and run, without any sort of end product in sight - much like Zokora.
God article MR D.M.L . Matt you have got it right and also wrong yes jenas is everything you say but where your wrong is tom huddlestone has played three games latley and you pick on the everton one when he got 8 out of ten in is other games in both he srayed the ball round majesticly hammered some wonderful shots at goal there are plenty of players with jenas is work rate .But very few with the vision of a hudds 50 yard pass or chip over defences or like is swerved cross to defoe jens couldent do any of those passes when teams flood the midfield every team needs different types of players we have fanstastic speed LENNON great enforcer PALACIOSgreat passer and shooter HUDDLESTONE and the wizard MODERIC .And these players could all come in for moderic and do a good job bale bentley jenas dosantos ohara townsend rose bostock and mason parrett. our midfield will mature if we dont start selling and chopping also stabilaty at the back is a prioraty even if it meens saying good by to ledley i would love this defence except ekotoo is playing well HUTTON WOODGATE DAWSON CORLUKA .Moderic could help corluka with is left side dutys but like i say that could become our defence if ekotoo is injured .Harry should base is buying on two things is the new player going to take time to settle is he better than we have or will he upset the team by storming down the tunnel like pav .i say keep the same set up till atlest 4 or five games we may save millons and harry would be( mr magic )
best article ever written about jenas
he has the potential but has always lacked any kind of fight when up against a midfield battle
palacios coming into our team has masked a lot of jenas's weaknesses ...... main one is he dwells on the ball far too long and his lack of technique costs us as he usually has to take to take too many touches ( i have seen so many counter attacks break down because of this over the years) shame really if we could transfer jenas's pace to huddlestone we would have one hell of a player however i honestly think he has had too much time at spurs and its time to replace him with another player that harry would like.
oh and as for jenas playing every week there is a reason for that , one of my close friends worked at tottenham with the previous coaching team and he swears blind that levy agreed to all of jenas demands to secure his move from newcastle ( as he thought he was signing the next viera when in fact he turned out to be more like jason dozzel !!! ) and one of those demands was to automatically be picked when fit !!!!
if you look back at how many poor appearances he has made in a row over his time at spurs and yet was still picked for the next game .... it makes sense !!!
I think JJ is coming good. Those of you who say give him time to gel with Wilson have a vision to see what could be a great partnership. For those of you slagging off Keano, i think you need to view it from another point,
Before Berba, Keane has been prolific, over the 6 seasons with Spurs, he was one of the most consistent & prolific strikers in the Premier League. Go check the stats. Berba just came along & made it better. The reason Keane hasn't been scoring freely is because he's had to fill the gap behind the front line. Since his arrival, he has steadied the ship & Harry knows that. So let us stop slagging off players & let Harry do his job. I say even when i have sometimes disagreed with his decisions.
Huddlestone I dont think can be taken seriously - he would be the best midfielder in the league if every team looked as uninterested as West Ham or Man City. Unfortunatley it takes nothing more than a Rory Delap or a Kevin Kilbane to take him out of games, nevermind an Essien or a Barry. If there were limitless substitutions and we could take him off when we were on the back foot and bring him back on once we were on top again it would be fine...
Jenas is underrated I think and nowhere near as bad as some make out, but his problem I think is he tends to do a lot without making it matter. He puts in plenty of work but tends to be more of a hinderance to opposition than a prevention. He also brings the ball forward but usually takes the safe option instead of trying to really hurt the opposition.
That said really dont know if Modric could hack in the centre, outstanding as he is? Somewhat wasted on the left too mind you
Spurs fans are always being accused of being over optimistic how can that be the case when so many accept mediocrity and are happy with Jenas.
"My car has a good engine. It can't play football either"- Ruud Gullit
Running around a bit isn't enough. Scoring a paltry four league goals a season isn't enough. Attempting only three tackles in 90 mins and failing with all of them isn't enough. Compare JJ with Stephen Ireland, another player who until recently was all unfulfilled potential and little end product. Ireland is also playing in an unsettled team that has had a rollercoaster of a season but has stepped up and achieved so much more. I thought he was excellent on Saturday. Jenas? Barely noticed him.
Quite simply JJ's perceived 'potential' is based on overachieving for his age whilst at Forest. He never quite did it for Newcastle and I was surprised when we signed him. We can do a lot better.
JJ is, as Churchill put it "a riddle wrapped in a mystery inside an enigma". He possesses the talent, ability and engine to be top player, but lacks consistency. Whether it be imagination or confidence, there is a clear lack of something. The ability to take the game 'by the scruff of the neck', like he did against the ar5eholes, is too seldom seen. In fact, all too often he chases the game.
The problem with JJ & Hudd amongst others is that they have the potential to be great, which has encouraged us to stick with them. It's about time that we stopped being a team full of players with potential, and became a team of winners like Wilson and Luka.
All-Honduran-Heart
Buying in readymade talent isn't easy and certainly isn't cheap. It's why we have to take a gamble on players and hope that we make them fulfil the talent they posess. I agree with you on JJ & Hudd and their potential greatness unfortunately only one of them is able to benefit the side for more than 45mins.
I suppose it all comes down to what you feel is more valuable - a player who runs his arse off for the side, getting involved in all areas of the pitch, scoring the odd goal but forming a strong partnership in midfield OR a bloke who gives you 45mins of good hollywood passing and long range pot shots, sometimes he'll create he migth even score occassionally but essentially he's in it for himself.
Stephen Ireland. That's one hell of a player who would show in 2 games more than Jenas shows in a season. If he were to become available, I would love to see Spurs sign him. Palacios beside him in midfield, with Luka in a free role from the left.........my mouth is watering.
Jenas just isn't all that and a bag of chips. If he was, we wouldn't be so far down the table year in year out. He rarely shows for a pass, or if he does, he runs straight towards the guy who gave it to him, taking defenders with him, and gives it right back, putting his colleague in trouble with no support. He hides so much in midfield that it is a joke. I've tried to work out what he does, on numerous occasions, but he rarely does much. He has undoubted quality, which he will show once in a blue moon, but is that really enough?
Suffice to say, I beleive that we need to replace him, and urgently too.
toxic and next season seem to be some of the few who talk sense. i cannot understand why spurs fans continue to put up with the crap displays of Jenas week in week out. i think it is a case of fans judging people on potential and reputation, similar to the way Engalnd teams are picked (and never win anything). if you accept crap you will get it. jenas is never forced to play any better because he is never dropped - not really his fault, it should be the manager who sees that he does nothing in a game.
running around is not enough. as said before, zokora can do that. does he win tackles? no. does he score goals? not enough. does he contribute with assists? no. does he control the tempo of a game? never. what does he do. don't listen to this crap that he covers a lot of ground. maybe so, but if he does he should pick up a lot of ball. if he is just marking someone, well, zokora could do that.
also, any time he plays well (invariably against derby, wigan or west brom) he starts talking about inter or winning a place on the england team. last time i checked he played for Spurs. don't think we'd hear Roberts, Perryman (who stayed with a relegated Tottenham to get them straight back up) or Hoddle talking like that. He's not good enough, and Tottenham shouldn't have to put up with it any more if indeed we really are a big club.
Steven ireland is a great example of a player who has fulfilled his potential (so far). Tall and rangy like Jenas, he chips in with goals, assists and intelligent play all round. I'm sick to death of Jenas standing with outstretched arms as if to say "nobody is making the runs". Modric for the middle, a good left winger, and let jenas go to whoever he likes.
if managers keep tolerating his performances, jenas will keep producing them. Anyone would do the same. If he is an good, drop him and let him show everyone what he is worth.
well said weejp!
Downing is out for six months.
Phew.
Cheers Alan!
I'm tired of inconsistency, and Jenas personifies that very word more aptly than any other player.
Decent squad player, but if we want to go anywhere we need a better midfielder to partner Palacios. If JJ suddenly becomes more creative and starts showing more end product, then perhaps the partnership would work. Atm it is decent at stopping attacks and winning midfield battles, but poor in passing and not very creative. Wouldn't mind keeping both JJ and Hudd as squad players for next season and selling Zokora/JOH.
There are far better options out there, players that posses Jenas qualities but have far stronger mental attributes much like Palacios has. Yes he has energy and can produce some great moments of play and has an eye for goal but the very fact we are debating this proves he is not the answer for us. Can you honestly compare him to Gerrard or Lampard? Ok maybe that's unfair as all three are unique in their own way, but we need - excuse my French - a cunt of box 2 box midfield player who can play, who knows they can play and shows up every game.
If only it was that easy...
I always saw Jermaine Jenas as the original Amstrad.
'...and for that reason, you're fired!'
Fine. Everybody go and rip Huddlestone to shreds, but remember this:
HE WAS THE ONLY PLAYER AGAINST MAN CITY WITH THE SKILL TO SET UP A GOAL IN OPEN PLAY ON OUR TEAM.
Hudd might be lazy, but that is why he should partner Palacios all day long. We should incentivise his contract so that if he loses 15lbs of muscle (sorry, I'm from America and don't know shit about stones or kilograms, whatever the f that is), starts doing yoga to increase his flexibility, and runs at least 6 km a game, we give him a +5,000 quid bonus in his contract. Hudd is the ONLY midfielder we currently have that can win games by the skill in his boot. Hes still young enough to change for the better. How can we rip Huddlestone when hes had absolute pussies of midfielders to learn his anchorman trade from here at Spurs? Plus, in England U21, he plays as an offensive midfielder. The obvious tactic to use him for is to sit him and Palacios deep, get possession, play up the wings and let Lennon and Modric cut inside. Hudd needs to arrive late in the box where we have men set up and either let him dink a beautiful chip or cross inside (nearly every ball he hits into the box is a killer ball, you must admit), or let him pull the trigger with his rocket launcher of a shot. Jenas can never do what he will do, Palacios will never do what Hudd can do, Modric, maybe, but hes too small for centre mid (I even anglicized the spelling so you all feel more comfortable), Lennon can't hit a ball like Hudd and probably never will. Nobody on our team comes close except Modric, and he can't do it by himself, plus, hes obviosly not long for England and I guarantee hes going to Serie A in about two or three seasons MAX.
Keep Hudd, keep pure talent on our team, give him a full season next to Palacios and only then should we judge whether or not hes a great contributor to our team.
-Kevin
Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, NY, USA
He has to be replaced, unless you like having the same discussion season after season.
loved the OS references spooky, keep it up
3-5-2 with modders up behind the front 2 not keane. behind modders wilson..midfield then modders jenas palacios with lennnon n bale as wb or bae/chimbonda. jenas is a tad frustrating and it would be realy good to get another gritty midfielder.so without buying any players just changing our tactics will bring results.
You are a great writer!
I was not suggesting replacing Jenas in the team with Huddlestone, I was merely comparing him to someone who hardly has featured this season despite his talent. I was completely disgusted, like you, over his performance against Burnley, and he is too slow and lazy a lot of the time. But Jenas has been given ample time to provie himself, and the best anyone can ever say is he has had SOME good games this season and he works hard and is box to box. I'm sorry, but this is not enough from our central attacking midfiled player and someone who has captained our side.
This is a great post about the midfield from mr levy