Huddlestone or Jenas? I've changed my mind...
Friday, September 18, 2009 at 10:23AM Chelsea v Spurs Preview
Is anyone giving us half a chance to get something out of Sundays derby game? I think most, pundits and neutrals, can't see past anything other than a Chelsea win. Whether its comfortably achieved or points are stolen in the dying minutes. They are at their efficient best at the minute. Not in anyway sexy or free-flowing. Just determined, resourceful, strong, organised and lucky. The latter being something you earn from sheer hard work. You can't be critical of any team that churns out results in the manner they do. In what looks like a season where the likes of Utd, Liverpool and Arsenal will suffer more defeats than usual, all eyes are on Chelsea. If their performances thus far have been scoring 70% or so then its ominous what they'll be able to do at full pelt. That is if there is a full pelt. Maybe the way they're playing is as good as it will get. Doubtful. Hopeful.
It really depends how we line-up and just how we go about our business tactically. We got it completely wrong against Man Utd. But Harry had limits to what he could do, with Niko possibly not quite match-fit for a start and Keane ok on the left but leaving Huddlestone with no support in the middle. Far too many hoofs and not enough clever disguised passes. But then with Modric sidelined, it was always going to be tricky re-working the balance and structure of the side. Having Utd was not a gentle test for our first re-think. Chelsea away is equally annoying as Harry tries to compensate for the Luka loss.
Earlier this week I blogged about the possible tactical re-shuffle that we will need to undertake. Click here to re-visit this or if you missed it first time round.
I discussed the obvious. Stick Keane back up front with Defoe because we'll need him to drop deep and help out a midfield while Jenas (starting) plays alongside Palacios. JJ's role will be to run his socks off and aid us in the battle against being over-run in the centre. In addition, we need to try to stretch the Chelsea midfield so Jenas might have to work it a little on the flanks too with Niko (who would start on the left) possibly looking to cut in a little. And yet more responsibilities for Jenas as he also makes sure that BAE isn't over-run by Chelsea's attacking full-back(s).
However. I've had a sudden change of heart. I have no logical explanation for it. Although I do believe that Harry will go with Jenas over Huddlestone (gut feeling) I've decided that even though this is a derby match and relatively important for confidence (imagine what a win there would do for us and the Premier League?) - I think Harry should stick with Huddlestone. We've already had one major trauma to the team, no need to induce another. We know Jenas can work with Wilson. But he's also let us down countless of times. He's also performed admirably on occasions. But Huddlestone being dropped serves us and the player no good in the long run. If Tommy is going to be this big bad quarter-back of a player then if he can't do it against Chelsea then there's no real point in placing faith in his future as a Spurs central midfielder.
He did a job on the Liverpool midfield. The United game was unimpressive for many of our players so singling him out for an average performance is not warranted.
Stick with Huddlestone. Allow Palacios to bite at their knees. Keane dropping deep will allow Hudd a little time to pick out a pass. When he isn't in possession he is more than capable of some hustle and bustle. The midfield will probably be congested at times. So mobility might not be required criteria. Pressure on the opposition in the middle will be. And he's big enough to handle himself there.
Niko on the left. Lennon on the right. Spread the ball out to them. It's all easier said than done, and on the day its going to come down to us wanting it and believing we can win. The type of reassurance that the likes of Chelsea possess so well. Which is why they don't except anything less than three points.
I do not want to see a single Spurs player go out there with an apologetic manner like they've got sand in their minge. Get up them. Be fearless. We haven't done too badly against them in recent games. So psychologically there's a slight edge there. Ever so slight.
Defeat won't be the end of the world. But losing is a shit feeling that leaves you with what you started with a second before the kick-off. Nothing. Enough hype, show intent.
COYS
Reader Comments (27)
Hudd was back to his usual lazy pedestrian self against Man Utd on Saturday. When Wilson came off and we needed energy in midfield JJ was the obvious choice. JJ looks like he's beefed up considerably, he looks stronger and meaner.
Wilson and JJ played superbly against Chelsea at WHL last season and I strongly favour their high energy 'get at it' approach against the top sides over the grit and guile that Wilson and Hudd offer us.
Wilson looked knackered on Saturday because once again he was doing both his and Hudd's running in midfield. Wilson's good but he can't be expected to do his role and carry Hudd too.
For me on Sunday it has to be Wilson and JJ in CM with Krancjar at LM with Defoe and Crouch up-front (Keane will start instead of 3MP though!)
Spooky must be drunk on the rum. I favour JJ for this one. I think playing Huddlestone will shatter his confidence. If that means that in the grand scheme of things he is not good enough, then I guess he is not good enough.
I think he'll play jj. Hudd was ok against Hull, Spam, Brum and Pool but three of those were sides we'd expect to outplay and Liverpool were well below par. Against all the teams except Hull we had a nervouse late spell and could have dropped points and that is exactly when Hudd looks at his least effective/ a liability. Fast players frequently run past him with ease and he doesnt have the pace to carry the ball out of defence. I think he places a big burden on Wilson. We had a very good spell early this year with JJ alongside Wilson, so I would stick with that myself. I expect all the other selections to be the obvious ones (inc Krank at left wing with Keane moving into the centre, and the return of Gomes). We have seen that Harry isnt one for radical changes.
Jenas and Huddlestone are both cut from the same slice of bread. They both disappoint (think toast landing buttered side down). I think its really down to how they feel on the day. A on-form JJ or Hudd are fantastic. But you never seem to get a just below par JJ or Hudd who is still capable of a performance type of performance. They are either shit or fantastic. I'm going to say Big fat Tommy for this one. He is more likely to unlock their midfield.
Lager Lout - Jenas has the midas touch. He'll score against the slags, have faith. He needs to fight his way back into the side and he'll stick in a good shift for us I say.
Jenas fight his way back into the side? Its not much of a fight if he simply gets to replace Huddlestone after one poor Hudd game?
I get where you're coming from Spooks. But I think for the sake of the team and progress Harry has to pick the best players for the job and in this game we need to know the chances of us outplaying them on their home turf are not great. So we need the energy of Jenas in there chasing down every ball that Wilson can't get to. And then we need the same energy with him running out of midfield into the box.
Something tells me Spooky is tired of Jenas letting himself and us down every week.
I would play them both, and mr Wilson match up chelsea in the middle with 3CM's, I think Niko may not be right to start this game give lennon a slightly free role with keane and Defoe up front. Plenty of movement should get amongst em and give us a real chance.
DAVELEE has a point..................
Remember the FA Cup game 3-3 at Stamford Bridge? We played Lennon in a free role behind the 2 strikers and it totally dumbfounded Chelsea and we should have knocked them out of the cup that day. I say that Lennon is now a better player than he was at that time and we're a better side all round.
Hope Harry's reading!!
I agree with Dave Lee, play with Jenas, Hudds & Wilson in the middle with Jenas marauding to the left. Keeno & pass it to Jermain up front, Azza on the right and bob & fanny are your relatives.....
Guys, can you honestly see Harry being that brave? I'd love to see that formation. I reckon it would show we want to win it. But I don't see us starting like that.
Levey i live not for from manure everton liverskint and city and and trust me the top four will not change till our premiership slows down to normal speed .It never surprised me that all our teams in the champs league would slow down and struggle .people take the piss out of Davspurs for telling the truth about paddy Kenny and Danny Caddamateris dodgy energy drug tests failure danny caddamateri is in Scotland now getting player of the month awards ?. Don't judge any player against UTD trust me we were never going to win that game and if cudicini ha dent gifted them easy goals then a penalty or sending of would have happened to spurs.The FA and the premierships Mr Schofield cannot allow its top club to flounder or its debt will cripple it and they are turning a blind eye to energy abuse and playing two 35 year holds dident surprise me iFerdinand is now injured and doubtful for Sunday if adybyor was playing he would play. David Pleat said UTD played with great energy and Fletcher stop the ball from flowing with is great Energy its this energy that makes me sick and i cannot watch spurs it doe sent matter who we play when the come out for the second half they have topped up there tanks with illegal drugs .This is no bull shit but people have said spurs must be on these drugs well so far the answer is no if you now and seen these energy drugs you can spot this a mile of Chelsea and Man utd Liverpoll all have the three tell tale symptoms of this drug massive weight loss red face and part of the neck more evident in shaven headed players i will name players that give you some idea (skyrtl carragher benayoun)( malouda drogba ballack ) (fletcher ferdinand giggs vidic ).All were waiting to se what the FA dished out to kenny and they bottled it by excepting is lame excuse he bought cough mixture wwhen it is banned a couple of yeras ago for causing heart attacks and weight loss he got 9 months and Blackwel is manager stuck up for him saying they would appeal shocking This is how teams play fast closing down chasing the ball roony and fletcher fashion even when they wont get the ball its frenetic for the full 90 mins and beyond players when the other team tires are still full throttle . The team i first found out were taking this drug black and grey capsules of pure energy were described by an overseas manager has the Duracell bunnies wind them up and they will run all day last year they held the record for late goals and comebacks that's the clue .So when all our players play like that then we have joined the rest and that's because if we don't we will get beat by cheats .Harry join in or help stop it.COYS
I hear this point being made repeatedly about Huddlestone having such a poor game against Utd. because Keane was not there to offer him support. I cant help but feel I've missed something - surely something is not quite right when a midfielders game is dependent on a forward coming back to offer him protection?
Oops
Harry's stated that we're going there to attack. We're not going to shut up shop and try to keep them out. If you do that against Chelsea you'll tough it out for 70-odd mins then end up buckling in the latter stages of the game.
We've got to go and play to our strengths which is our attacking play and passing game.
In short we're going for the Icarus effect. We'll either fly to victory or burn up in a blaze of bravery
Oh dear Davspurs
Are you on energy drugs too? Whatever they've got you on I'm glad they allow you access to the internet.
love your blog spooks best by a mile,
think you and all the other bloggers have missed a trick though
imo this is the perfect game for bentley to kick start his career
i think, start lennon on left and bentley on right and interchange as the game progresses
with krajar jj,and santos on bench.
keane and defoe up front.
this game could be more a question about bentley than anyone else.
p.s
spooky who are you?
We were over-run in midfield last week because Willy P had an absolute stinker, which is rare. We then had to have JJ and Hudd in CM who are powder-puff together.
If we are assuming Keane and Defoe will start together up front we are going to need someone who can pass in CM (even more so in Modric's absence) , so it's Hudd rather than JJ for me. If we are going to start wih JJ, then Keane would have to be benched in favour of a big man, as we would inevitably run out of ideas and lump it up there.
It has to be a 433 for me, play the both of the JJ Hudd Wilson in the midlle. Then Keane and lennon as wing forwards who can drop into a 5 man midfeild. Defoe up front on his own when were defending then when were attacking have keane and lennon supporting. In theory it works!!
Is ham a member of the Bentley family? I am for trying him again at some stage (although I dont think he will "make it" at spurs) but in a game of this magnitude...no chance
yid101 ,a player who cost 15 million has to be given a chance, even only to protect our interest in him. look at the game he had against the scum last year, this is a similar stage, in which we are expected to loose.
its a tough call. Its all very well having the industry and energy of JJ & Wilson but from their hard work we need to be able to spring counter attacks. Getting the ball to Keane, Lennon, Niko & Defoe will take some doing in a congested midfield and neither JJ or Wilson have the creative force that Thudd possess. However, I can see the short-coming of Thudd in a game like this.
We'll be up against a diamond midfield (in more ways than one!). Lampard at the head needs tracking, that will mainly be Wilsons job. The 'wide' players of Ballack and Malouda/Cole will stay quite narrow but still need matching up. If Keane is detailed to occupy their anchor (Essien) then that leaves Lennon, Niko and Thudd/JJ looking after Ballack and Malouda. Lennon always puts a good shift in on the flank, but if tucked in against Ballack then Cole will overlap. The same will happen on the other flank with the RB overlapping.
For this reason I think we need our 2 CM is sit deep and protect the midfield. Chelsea are a very good team but in a congested midfield, if we can slow them down, I am not sure if they have the creativity to break us down. They will probably look to switch play quickly, to find an overlap on the wingand our midfield has to be prepared and organised enough to be able to cope with this and not leave us exposed.
But from this deep defensive position, we need to strike quickly. For this reason we need Huddlestone. Whether a long ball or a clever short ball, he is the man. In possession we can better retain possession with him and without the temptation of Crouch to hoof it to, perhaps we'll do bnetter than last week. Chelsea are not the most mobile of midfields, Hudd can cope better with the likes of Lamps & Ballack better that smaller more agile/fast players.
Final thought, we must look to keep possession. We cannot sit too deep all the time, inviting pressure and looking to counter all the time. We need to judge when to counter quickly and when to retain the ball and relieve the back line.
COYS!
I thought Huddlestone and Jenas linked up well for the first 25 minutes of the second half. Found space and each other well..
I think Harry will go with Kranjcar and drop Huddlestone for Jenas but I would like to see Palacios,JJ, and Huddlestone start. Unless Harry is very stubborn Keane on the left wont be tried again and playing long balls towards Crouch against Terry will be as big a waste of time as last week.
Well here we go again ,same debate on the left hand side like it has been for 5 years.
Lets not keep putting square pegs in round holes.
Untill modric is back for me there is only 1 player who should be on the left and that Giovani pace ,clever,who can score goals and is LEFT FOOTED.
Come on harry get real play the boy alongside Palacios and Jenas.
Time to give potential its chance
crouch defoe
kranjcar jj wp lennon
bae lk sb vc
cc
thats a good enough lineup to have a go at chelski and halftime get gio on in place of crouch.then pav if jd is tired...
Keep the team as it is with the exception of Krancjar coming in on the left on the left. He should offer good cover for a marauding BAE. More so than Gio anyway. If Chelsea are persisting with a narrow diamond in midfield then Wilson and Hudd in the middle should act as a veritable brick wall.
If we're relying on the guile of Lennon then we need someone in midfield who can find him with a pass. Hudd can get the ball quickly and effectively to the wingers with either foot. Jenas can't.
To play Jenas because he runs about a lot is a very negative tactic. Wilson's there to do the chasing and harrying, to compliment him we need someone who can make up for his creative deficiencies.
If Jenas does play then fine, I hope he has a blinder. Personally I don't see the point in tinkering.
Well said Spooks!
Give Hudd a shot at Chelsea, revert to Keane and Defoe up front, and bring the same fierce attitude and determination shown against Liverpool.