Domestic bliss the European hang-over cure
Thursday, September 16, 2010 at 11:46AM Wolves this weekend. Six points. That's what they took off us last season. Third league home game for us and a win is much required. We need to shake off the sleepy lapses (energy drinks should do the trick), be clinical and not fade away in the second half. We've been a touch out of sorts. It's not quite flowed from start to finish within individual games which has birthed the same blippy form across all our games. Perhaps now our first CL group match is out of the way, having worked our way through the build up, the experience, the game, the post-match - we can start to perhaps relax and just play.
The EPL. Bread and butter. It's the priority.
Modric fit to play?
If Modric is back and fully fit, Harry has to once more shuffle. Very decent against WBA before he left the pitch injured. If he's fit, I'd have him back in the side in place of Jenas. But wouldn't be too upset to see JJ get another chance. Although he's likely to disappoint (what? I can't be doing with too much JJ positivity, the Spurs blogosphere would collapse in on its self). Jenas would mean Luka getting a softly softly return to action. Kaboul in place of Corluka at right-back. Just because Charlie hasn't got it going on at the moment.
I'd drop Lennon for Gio. Or Bentley. However, I'll hazard a guess and say Azza will start regardless of his current average form. Mainly because he might just explode into life, and Harry values that potentiality a better risk than to play the likes of Gio or Bentley from kick-off.
Crouch will start up front on his own, if that's how we opt to play again.
The bog standard 442 is now redundant if played in traditional fashion. 4411 is not negative for a home assault. Not if the midfield display relentless ruthless rogering of the opposition. Hey, it might happen. You never know.
Probable (hopeful) line-up then?
4-5-1, lined up as a 4-4-1-1 or displayed as a 4-2-2-1-1 (bite me). We played 451 away to WBA. With Bale left-back. And Roman up front. Bale left back? No thanks. And give Roman a holiday.
-------------------------------------- Cudicini ---------------------------------------------
Kaboul --------------- Gallas ------------------ Bassong --------------------- BAE
--------------------- Modric/Jenas ------------------- Huddlestone ------------------
Lennon ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bale
----------------------------------------- vdV --------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------- Crouch ------------------------------------------------
King to be rested. But if his knee allows it, I'd start him alongside Gallas. Otherwise Bassong. Palacios to miss out again. And even though Wolves beat us last season and Wigan beat us the other week, Harry will still deem this game very winnable and therefore might not risk the Luka rush-back (UNLEASH THE JENAS) or for that matter rvD.
van der Vaart not fit to play?
So if there's no rvD (calf injury recovery), let's say he's not risked/fit. Sits on the bench.
-------------------------------------- Cudicini ----------------------------------------------
Kaboul --------------- Gallas ------------------ Bassong --------------------- BAE
------------------------ Modric/Jenas ----------------- Huddlestone ------------------
Lennon --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bale
------------------------------- Crouch ----- Keane ----------------------------------------
I've just gone back to 442, haven't I? Ah bugger.
Robbie Keane? Am I mad? He's as pointless as West Ham I hear you shout. Well, if there's no vdV then there's no 451. So it's two up front and I'd rather give old man Keane one last chance to ignite his flagging/flagged/flaggigated Spurs career. If he's with us until Jan, then he has to play a part at some point and what with Pav resembling a Russian inanimate carbon rod on wheels, Wolves at home is surely a good candidate for Keano to try and reclaim some respect. I'd also want Kranjcar to get a game. He's been somewhat marginalised this season. Although not at the expense of Bale at left-back, but if he plays...it's Bale at left-back. So perhaps Niko should remain benched. Trying to second guess Harry. It's tricky business. Palacios can be stuck on in the latter stages if required.
No Moddle or Raf
Of course, a team without a Modric or a vdV is going to be substantially weaker than one with either of them or both of them. The problem is (re: 451) can't work if we're missing Luka or Rafael. Hence the default to 442. Or can it?
Before anyone says 'hold up Spooky, in your last article you said Harry should settle with a formation and be done with it', all I meant was: Play your best players in their best positions. And if we're going to stick with 451 (or a variant ) then it's not so difficult to stick to it and just shuffle players like for like around due to injuries/rest/etc. Sure, tactical switches to say nullify certain opposition tactics or players - well, that's just a given for certain games, but I don't believe every opposition requires special treatment.
Get the same players playing to build up momentum and consistency.
But perhaps tinkering is unavoidable if key key players are not available. I suddenly see why Harry mixes it up so much. Hang-over? I've got a headache.
For larfs and larks:
-------------------------------------- Cudicini ---------------------------------------------
Kaboul ---------------- Gallas ------------------ Bassong ---------------------- BAE
-------------------- Palacios/Jenas ------------------- Huddlestone -------------------
Bentley ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bale
----------------------------------- Kranjcar/Modric/Gio --------------------------------------
------------------------------------------- Crouch -----------------------------------------------
The main bugbear as far as application, intent and end result is that we need to put to bed (preferable with a bullet to the head) the frustrating fact we can smash up teams that attack us but struggle to break down teams that sit back and defend.
We need to seek and destroy. Carpet bomb the Wolves all the way back to the midlands.
We are struggling with goals from forwards (in the league) so the midfield have to push up and get involved in and around the box. We can craft and create until the cows come home. Modric and vdV and Huddlestone's disguised passes.
Let's hope one of the two (Luka/Raf) make it.
We need to FINISH the chances layed on. Ruthless Tottenham this Saturday please. Nothing less. Regardless of formation.
No hang-over. Hair of the dog Spurs, hair of the dog.
Reader Comments (26)
No King?
I'm going with worst case scenario. He's rested.
King played midweek and will probably be rested, no need to risk him against wolves.
Reckon King will be rested and Gallas given a chance to push up his fitness level further. Will be nothing short of a disaster if we don't get all three points from this game. I'd go as far as saying we'll finish 6th. Just think at this point we need to start winning these games.
Spooky you missed the possible 4-3-3 formation for home games and that's with Rafa playing.
Up and at 'em and all that. Get in early, avoid some of their nastier tackles, get an early goal, don't concede near half time, bish bash bosh 3 points and an early night to catch up on some sleep.
COYS
If no vdv then I would like to see Harry give Gio a go in his role.....can't see it happening mind.
Thus
CC
Kaboul
Gallas
Bassong
BAE
Bentley
Moddle
Thud
Bale
Vdv / Gio
Crouch
Just for gits and shiggles, assuming all fit what would your ideal team/formation be spooks/all?
Let's also not forget we're playing Wolves. God help our physio...
Hmmm.....well I've got Bale,. Lennon and VDV (who I brought in for Moddle) in my FF team. So I've got some tough decisions to make if Lennon and VDV are dropped!
433? How will that work?
Despite injury,selection & format , this is a home game. Home game means that there are no excuses whatsoever to lose. We have sufficient players in fielding a winning side. Play is in the hands of the players themselves (as HR say's). We must not hesitate to make early changers in replacing non performers.
thfc1882, ideal line-up?
Gomes
Kaboul King Dawson BAE
Lennon Modric Huddlestone Bale
vdV
Defoe
Jep , 4-3-3 would work with bale and lennon as attacking winger forwards , kaboul and bae plating at the wingback position and a triangle in the middle with 2 defensive mids and a attacking mid , probably jenas/hudd and VDV or Mod in the point of that triangle
But 4-3-3 is in fact an adaptation of the 4-5-1 ... Attacking it's a 4-3-3 and defending its more like a 4-5-1 ...
If VdV isn't fit, put Gio in his best position.
I think he deserves a chance!
Talking of Football Manager, neat that when you take over Spurs in the next version of the game, CL will be there waiting for you from the off. Still, to even things out I bet all we get is £10M spending money.
gio looked great in that vdv role against fulham, I keep hearing people assuming he will be played on the left or right, but he always looks fantastic playing centrally, would happily see him play defoe's role while he's out, fast and direct as he is
Gomes please come back
Gallas and Bassong
Kaboul for Charlie
Bentley for Lennon (Gio is defensive liability at RM)
Modric (if he's fit) for JJ
Gio or Modric for VdV if he's knackered
I thought we're playing 4-2-3-1 anyway?
Harry has to start putting faith in players. Gio is hardly getting a look in. Play him. Let's find out if he can do the job. At home against Wolves. Wont get a better chance.
I rekon Harry Kane might get a run against Arsenal in the tin foil cup on Tuesday
I expect us to play a fairly strong side against Arsenal. Can't believe for a second we'll play the kids.
451? Not on Saturday. Expect us to play a 442/433. Two up front with an attacking mid just behind the two.
Just waiting to see what Harry does, hopefully this time he rests some of the CL players and gives our bloody good Kranjcar a chance. Home games are mustwins so we can't "try Gio and see how he does". Maybe he can get some mins at the end.
P.S I thought about this for a little while and if everyone were fit, I'd like to see the team like this for Prem and CL:
Kaboul...Dawson....King....BAE
Jenas...................Huddlestone
Modric(Yes!) VDV Bale
Crouch
Yes, I would play consistently play Crouch alone up front before Defoe(bench). Defoe works better in a 442, slightly ahead of his striking partner, not by himself infront of three midfielders but he can still sub in and pop up with a goal, I'm sure. Remember this is a BEST 11 to compete in the League and CL.
Also, Modric on the right before Lennon. Azza gets bench and will be subbed on to great, incredible effect - but please believe me, his form is too inconsistent to be our guaranteed starter - IF WE WANT TO STAY IN THE TOP FOUR, WE MUST THINK LIKE THAT!
Kranjcar is great and can sub for VDV or out on the wing
Sandro/Palacios can compete with Jenas to play beside Capt. Hudd.
Now for Gio, he worked well out wide with Barca and in the hole/wide for Mexico because those teams play at a very high level with CONTINOUS QUICK MOVEMENT! We dont play like that just yet. Expecting him to work magic from isolated wide positions (like the Almighty Bale and lennon can do) is like asking for golden eggs from your pitbull. He is not a British winger, he is a Spanish-trained attacking player. As such, and more damningly, his defensive game is poor. He must be played in the hole(#10) for now, in the middle of all the action/motion, at least until he learns to play out wide for us or until Spurs increase their movement. Unfortunately, even then, I dont see him beating out VDV, Modric, or Kranjcar who are much better and more experienced to play that #10 position. I predict that he will leave our club.
As for the RB situation, I really like Charlie b/c he has a great sense of awareness and positioning, but he plays well as RB mainly because of his understanding with Lennon. Azza's speed and good defensive awareness, also complement Charlies slow play. So with lennon on the bench, Charlie out for Kaboul - who is an f..ing BULL!!!
As for BAE, I will not say much except that he's not Ashley Cole, lets stop expecting Ashley Cole. And his good outweighs the bad, be honest! He only really comes up short against big four teams, esp Man U.
We do need to be looking for experienced world-class fullbacks, though. Sometimes it is worth it to spend that $20 mill on a defender, just as we would on a midfielder/striker.
COYS!!
I wonder what team Ossie would have fielded with our current array of attacking talent.....
3-4-1-2
Gomes
King Kaboul Bale
Lennon Modric Huddlestone Gio
van der Vaart
Crouch Defoe
I thought we'd use or full backs more like wingbacks, with our centre-mids sitting deep and our wide-mids as attcking-mids and two up front, giving us more of a 2-2-2-2-2 formation...
it's home, it'll be 4-4-2
based on this thread i do now have an interesting theoretical formation to ponder;
the 1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1 with zonal marking, i envisage it to be very fluid and dynamic, and other stuff, though somewhat narrow
Cant believe you lot. You shuffle the team around but that big lump 'Hudd' ('Captain Hudd'! Dont make me laugh) gets to anchor the midfield yet again. Only an anchor would be more mobile. He was USELESS against Wigan (and west brom). He cant break down a stubborn defence but he is some kind of God to most spurs fans. Answer me this: which top team would he get in to? Please open your eyes - he flatters to decieve - and you've all been deceived!!