Tactical re-shuffle for the Chelsea game?
Monday, September 14, 2009 at 11:14AM September, it's a month that sends shivers down the spines of all Spurs fans. We hardly ever win a league game during it. Which makes our next one (away to Chelsea) even more ominous than it usually is. Then again, we never tend to win 4 straight games on the trot from the start of the season, so records (good and bad) are there to be broken. And if we have any ambitions to claim only our second September win since 2003 we'll have to make changes for the visit to that richly veined historic club in the heart of Fulham.
In the aftermath of Saturday, it's quite obvious to all now that selection and tactics didn't quite work against United.
I'm hoping that we are not about to embark on one of those painful ego will eat the football club road trips that sees us sacrificing common sense and logic to appease the vanity of others. Robbie Keane has been undroppable since his return, made more so difficult to drop thanks to the captains armband bestowed upon him by Harry. On Saturday, our first Modricless game, we all pondered who would start out on the left. Would Niko (one training session with his new team-mates) be suitable for selection or possibly Gio who has been in blistering form for Mexico (be it against opposition that are probably the international equivalent of West Ham)? The latter didn't even make the bench. Niko made a second half appearance. Instead Harry found himself in the welcoming position to allow for three of his four forwards to start the game, with Crouch up front with Defoe and Keane out on the left - thus keeping his captain happy. If that was the intention. Bit far fetched, possibly, to suggest that Harry feels he has to play Robbie, you know, because of the armband and the fact he signed him. And for team tranquillity, with Crouch wanting first team football - no Luka meant he could keep them all smiling. Although if Pav spends any more time sitting with his backside on the bench, don't expect him to be in Lilywhite come the new year.
So, what we got was a disjointed balance to the side because - as everyone more or less knows - when Keane is up front, he drops deep which is imperative to Huddlestone who requires the support. With Palacios subbed at half-time it rendered the midfield redundant, although the introduction of Jenas restored - in pockets - some energy and intent.
What this all proved was simply this: For the sake of the team, the unit, keep it simple with like-for-like replacements. We might not be able to swap Luka for someone of equal stature, but we can at least attempt to retain some form of shape. Ok, so no matter the player who starts out on the left - we won't in all likelihood be able to use him as our creative outlet in the same way we use Luka. But at the very least, the midfield remains sturdy and with a touch of freedom to control the tempo a little.
So for Chelsea I’d start Keane up front with Defoe. Let him play his coming deep (ooh) game and helping out the midfield - something we will need in abundance. Jenas (yes that's right, I said Jenas God damn it!) in place of Huddlestone as we're going to need some box-to-box energy to keep up with their relentless power in the middle.
I know Tommy has proven in the past that he can show a level of tenacity that Jenas tends to lack. But I'm thinking JJ has something to prove (hasn't he always?). We'll see.
Kranjcar should be given his first start out on the left flank and let him do what he does. As long as he's fit and able to do what he does. It's not going to be the type of match for passengers. We're going to need 100%, determination and focus and players who can dig deep. As much as I'd like to see Gio get a run-out, I don't think this is the game for him to do it - off the bench, yes. From the start, no.
IMO the above, will restore some order to the front and midfield and avoid the over excessive punts up towards the head of Plan B Crouch. Play it on the decks, with pace. Pressure them, harass them. With Keane able to drop deep, we can look to shift into a 4-5-1, making sure we have plenty of clout in the centre, although it's still in essence a 4-4-2. Keane's main priority should be to keep their defence busy, making an absolute nuisance of himself, and forcing Mikel to chase after him. Nullifying Bosingwa and Cole is another key battle as we all know the damage they can do going forward, so support for our full backs is imperative - JJ, know your role and responsibilities here. BAE will need your guile (yes that's right, I said guile God damn it!) And Palacios will have to be at his monstrous best as he tussles with the likes of Lampard and Essien. We can make it work. It worked against them at the Lane last season. Although Luka was in his ascendancy at the time. Now, he's just looking on from the stands.
Let's not forget our other lickle spark. After a quiet evening versus United, all eyes on Aaron. Will be interesting to see how closely he's marked. Evra, for once, had him contained. Chelsea no doubt will attempt the same - so he might be instructed to swap flanks and cut inside more often than not.
It's going to be won in midfield (under-statement of the year right there). It promises to be a proper ding-dong tactical tussle. No need for any parking of the bus. If we want to compete, we need to go for their jugular.
Other likely changes? Gomes back between the sticks (would he have saved those two efforts on Saturday?). He's got far more of a commanding presence than CC does, even with the occasional cock-ups. Woodgate back alongside King, if Woody is 100%, would also be welcome. Not that Bassong has done much wrong. But Woody + King are more likely to handle the likes of Drogba.
I'll settle for a point, but would prefer us to go for all three. The games that follow this one are all winnable. There's not that much left of September so rejoice. My money is still on us being Top 4 come the end of October.
Thoughts?
Reader Comments (34)
For the comments lost - had to repost the blog entry as News Now failed to pick it up.
Doesn't look like it's made an appearance second time round either Spooks.
Keane has to play up front against Chelsea. I know he's getting slated at the minute but he will do a good solid job for us but only as a partner to Defoe. I'd keep Huddlestone in the line-up though. We need someone to unlock Chelsea's defence.
Niko can do the unlocking. Jenas has to play. Tom will get roasted in that midfield, especially if it's congested.
Tough game, toughest of the season easily. Could do with a point there, if anything to stop them running away with it and apply some pressure on them by helping out Manchester United. Chelsea are flying and a 6th successive win will be taking the piss. COYS
Reckon we'll be well up for it, especially after the Utd loss. Will have a lot to prove to ourselves and Harry wasn't that happy with the performance on Saturday although he needs to look at himself for that. Score-draw on the cards.
Smash'em up. It's been done before, maybe not in the back yard, but its something we can muster up for sure. Just takes a massive performance from us. Dont think Chelsea have been that great. Just never say die. Were not that bad away from home at their ground. Past few seasons we havent faired too badly. Will need the midfield to work doubly hard. Gutted we couldn't hold it together against United. We fair well against Top 4 teams and to get unstuck twice in two game....gutted!
Great post Spooky. Exactly what I was thinking with Keane. Left wing is not the answer, the bench is but only if Harry wants to try something different. I'd also have Gio on the bench for this one. Wildcards can do well (remember Ghaly in the Cup?).
Am I the only one who think Keane should work his socks off instead of crying like a baby when he is down !!! He is our skipper and he is the only one who has an attitude problem! F**k off ! Keane on the bench Gio, kranjcar, palacios, lennon, Pav (who could link midfiel and attack) and defoe !! COYS !!!!
Keane doesn't really show much in the way of leadership qualities but its a known fact he is very positive in the dressing room and gets the players riled upfor the game. Think he's best suited to play just behind JD linking the mid with the attack. And should not be captain.
Give it Wilson or Woody.
Niko can do the unlocking. Jenas has to play. Tom will get roasted in that midfield, especially if it's congested.
I never thought I would her those words in one sentence Kingpin!!!! No, not Jenas has to play but Tom will get roasted....all on live TV..Sky will have a filled day!!!
Anyway, back to the point. Good article Spooks. Thought Robbie didn't have a bad game though but it did leave a gaping hole on the left and left both Tom and Wilson a bit to deep at times giving Scholes and Anderson room to pick passes which kinda left us chasing shadows at various times. Anyway, can take heart that we are not going over the top with our defeat, calling for heads to roll and players to be sold. Back to little and littler up top then for me as well on Sunday and let em run em ragged. Give little legs Lennon the ball and just be solid elsewhere. Keep possession better and we should be, fingers crossed, ok.
COYS!!!
A strategy is a plan of action designed to achieve a particular goal......so
would like to no why de santos was not considered for man u ?......
whatever strategy redknapp sees against chelsea their shape diamond etc
we have got to be solid in the midfield
why do we persist in slagging off jenas and singing hudds praises? Granted tom is a great passer but does he really have the desire and fighting instinct of jenas because thats what we need in these types of games, the hudd lacks mobility big time and the sooner arry realises it the better. My team 4 sunday would b gomes,corluka,king,bassong,bae, palacis jj krancjar lennon crouch defoe
Keane did well on the left but in summary, it didn't help the team as a collective. Gotta change it for the Chelsea game. Have to be tight and fearless and Keane will do damage alongside JD and not on the flank. I'd play Jenas on the flank and keep Wilson and Tommy in the middle.
JJ who i always stuck up fot in the past realy doesnt cut it for me. he has had his chances. however, i do think he will always be more valuable to us than hudd. i also 100% agree with the auther about everything else he has said.
to the person that said play jj on the flank. i have always felf jj was better suited there. he can get up and down one sise all day long and doest require the vision he doesnt have in the middle. he can croos well and has pace.
I'd go with JJ. But if he flops I reckon that should be it for him. These games are the ones he has to came alive in. He's done it before, against the other scum. He can do it again. Got a feeling he might score too.
Ramses, I agree, do not think will happen as Harry just does not want Gio or Pav, although I think that team would be really balanced in Modders abscence
Jenas on the flank will really help out BAE who will need plenty of support on the day. Depends how we line up in midfield. Might match their diamond formation man for man.
Jenas? Fighting instinct? He made one tackle on Saturday. One.
We've managed to win four games out of five with the 'immobile' Hudd. Why change it after one game? Check the stats, we're doing alright:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11662_2705370,00.html
I imagine that Gio didn't play because he was jetlagged. If Wilson was struggling then I doubt Gio would've contributed much.
Would like to see Krancjar start on the left. He looked very lively when he came on, although Keane does have a bit of previous when it comes to playing on the left against Chelsea:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ABV171jTs3I
I love that bit of trickery from Keano.
Hopefully the Utd performance was a lull and Wilson is back to full power and Huddlestone roughs it up. I understand where Spooky is coming from with Jenas. Personally, I think this season is it for him. He either produces the goods or he doesn't. If he plays against Chelsea he'll have to run up and down the pitch without complaints. He'll do that far better than Hudd. Depends on tactics really and what type of formation we go there with and what Harry wants out of the game. 1 point? 3 points?
Niko on the left for certain for me and just stick Keane back to his natural position.
Would love it, LOVE IT, if we beat them on their home turf. Imagine the consequences if we did and City beat United.
COME ON YOU FUCKING SPURS!!
We all need to remember that all but one of the squad had just returned from far flung corners of the world. I suggest that the probable reason Gio was nowhere to be seen is that he had just arrived back from the Americas and was suffering with a 6 hour jetlag. Going east is far worse than going west when it comes to jetlag.
in reply 2 next season, obviously u are a jenas hater and sometimes he gives us reason 2 slag him off but lets b honest about this because as i have said b4 hudd is very talented and probably 1 of the best passers in the prem but there is no doubting he lacks mobility and stamina 2 b a top top player and we all know Wilson has been doing the job of 2 men in midfield this season. but as always jj remains the scapegoat 4 most of the spurs faithful . Can u honestly say that the hudd as we call him apart from the hull game had a great game 4 us this season and can u honestly tell me if jenas has had a bad game against the better sides?
This game might make our season. If we managed to steal all three we could find ourselves in a strong position 2 months from now if we continue to play in the same vein. Not that it would be a disaster if we lost. Just 2 defeats on the spin against top4 teams is a confidence drainer and reality kick in the balls. Harry shouldnt though have a problem keeping them motivated though.
We will lose against the chavs. they don't even have to play well to win. So if we accept that now, then really what we are looking for is what we didn't see at the weekend (a good perfomance and a team that at least looked like it cared about the result, prefereably before they went down to 10 men).
Tactically I can see Nico getting the nod as he will have had more training time with the squad (which is important despite calls that he should have been there from the off on sat). And gio was never going to be a show as having played 2 games in a week and travelled back east as well is perhaps a stretch too far to be 'testing players', however no problem with him being on the bench on sunday.
And so we end up with Keane and defoe up fornt, who to be fair have been doing well, and with keane dropping to those 'deeper penetrating positions' it means that we end up with a bench of Crouch, Gio, Bentley, Jenas (or whoever he has replaced if he is to start), GKeeper, Central Defender (if we have one fit by then), wide defender.
The one advantage we do have is a week for the team to train, whereas the chavs have the small matter of some know nothing team from portugal to play on tuesday.
That's the spirit Tricky!
The irony is that you are probably right.
Heathens!
2-1 to the Yids!
I like your line-up and rationale, Spooky, but this is Harry "just get out there and run about" Redknapp we're talking about. Keane on the left might work if we went 5 in midfield like a few seasons back but I've got a feeling Harry's not going to bother to change.
Spooky, just noticed your new placard. Nice to get in early so you can avoid being cast as a sheep later on, eh?
BTW, Anyone cared to mention to any 'acquaintence goons' that Adebyor learnt to run the mength of the pitch to celebrate in front of opposing fans against us, from a certain 'london (based) lad', terry henry I think his name was, whatever happened to him? goons said they sold him because he was past it. Whereas I was always under the impression he was quite good, but wanted to win medals and such like. Not really heard much since he left. Did he end up with any medals? Still they are playing some lovely stuff at the moment, I expect they are above us in the league table, or maybe just when they win their games in hand? No? well it's early on in the season i'm sure it wouldn't bother any of their fans just yet, after all may is a long way off.
Right, I'm off fishing............
Oh, yeah and 'Harry out', gonna make my A3 placeard ready for Sunday now, then maybe sky can zoom in on me showing the 'level of discontent' when the chavs win in the 108th minute (another new rule this year that seems to have passed some by is Rule K 1(43.5) ss3bi: "the final whistle in any game involving Chelsea cannot go until they are in a winning position". On seconfd thoughts I'll just alter my 'Levy Out' one with Tipex, cheaper that way.
Harry Out? LOL. I think that something to do with Glory Glory.
i think pav should get his first start. big pete got his now pavs chance.
JJ should start. he only play well in these type of games so let him do it. give hudd a warmup
Niko to start on left see how he does. if not im sure keane will come in, i d put gio if it wasnt a big four game.
if you are not going to play Gio why not loan him out, he is an immense talent and would start (and star) on a team like wolves and would get valuable experience, he has been the best player in the Concacaf qualifying, but he needs matches
i agree. no sense bumming around getting more trouble. being more of a nuisance, which i what 'arry think of him