Rafatastic
Wednesday, October 26, 2011 at 1:14PM There continues to be much debate about the Rafa van der Vaart conundrum. He brings in-balance to the side. He can't last the full distance. He's a selfish egotist that places himself above others including the club. His lack of conforming to formational positioning can lead to goals conceded. He scores goals, but what else does he do? One trick pony they say.
Okay, so, I'm highlighting various arguments in isolation and if you wanted to be pedantic about it people who are overly pro-Rafa completely ignore his weaknesses and the strengths of others. Welcome to the headaches of football management. But get this...all players have weaknesses, imperfections.
Not everyone is complete in what they have to offer. Modric is good on the left wing, very good when he cuts in from the left wing. But place him in the middle and let him recycle possession with ample doses of Barcelonaesque push and run touches and he's great. But he doesn't get into goal scoring opportunities often enough and his shooting boots are not always polished. Yet he has been known to score a corker or two. Then again, why should he be expected to score a bundle when he's primary responsibility is to play make from deep? Still, get enough Spurs lads in a room and they will still argue and shout about the negatives rather than simply embrace the positives.
I'm not suggesting that Rafa doesn't have any negatives, just that perhaps all the hype around his role in the team tends to be lopsided towards the fact that we are supposedly better with two up front.
Jermain Defoe is in form, in that when he's played recently he looks zesty and has that burst of pace and shot that usually results with a goal. He blows hot and cold and there's a solid argument that when he
blows hot we should make sure we use him effectively before the icicles return and leave him frozen in a permanent state of offside.
Hindsight is the usual tool dusted off post-game to argue the merits of either players. Now you might want to perhaps look towards Harry Redknapp and question if he is strong enough to handle the personalities we have at the club and controlling tactics to the teams best interests rather than accommodating players for the sake of it. Harry might not be the most tactically astute. He might wing it from time to time. But his track record would either suggest he does know what he's doing or that the sheer abundance of quality we posses means we rarely get unstuck. More fine tuning and we might elevate ourselves further.
But removing the managerial element and simply looking at van der Vaart as a player - he is pretty much
undroppable. In my opinion, you cant drop a player in form (more so in form than Defoe) who can't stop scoring.
In fact, he's practically a forward with his ratio of goals scored. He's a born winner that wants to play, always wanting to play and always wanting to lead. Something we have lacked many times in the past. I've used the word 'galvanise' one thousand times before and I'll use it again because that's what he does.
Dropping Rafa to make room for Defoe doesn't equate to logic. Perhaps sometimes he goes missing and he might not defend as brightly (if at all) compared to other players. But check this out: He's a flipping attacking midfielder, he attacks. He attacks the penalty area, he attacks space, he looks for assists and looks to get on the end of assists. He's a forward focused machine, be it one that runs out of gas and needs to be parked up but then having to make a substitution late on in a game is not a strong enough reason to leave him on the bench to start with.
He does cover a fair bit of ground too. Drops deep. This is where you might question how much influence Harry has over Rafa and if he is instructed to go on a wander or if he does so because that's what Rafa likes to do. If played out on the wing, much like Modric, he probably doesn't fit in as effectively. Imperfections. Maybe Rafa does defend more and work harder than we give him credit for. A forward focused attacking midfielder who drops back into deeper positions. If he didn't drop back so often he might not be as effective.
There is valid reason for us to sometimes start with two forwards up top. Long season, plenty of games,
players need to be rotated to retain freshness. With Rafa, at the minute, I'd sacrifice that to allow him to continue to puncture games with his brilliance because when we're not performing all that well, to have such a player in the team that is capable of winning it for us can not be ignored. There's never any guarantee that two players up top will make a bigger impact. Strikers have been known to offer nothing but a goal from time to time. It's about getting the job done, and he does just that.
Having a free-scoring midfielder that turns up no matter the opposition, home or away, big or small - it's something that should be celebrated. You have to love Spurs. We have problems scoring one season and then have problems making room for goal scorers the next.
So just stick a smile on your face.
Reader Comments (33)
I like your blog spooky but isn't this like the second pro vdv write up? I could be wrong but even so mostly you are preaching to the converted so perhaps they style in which you try to get your point across is a little patronising IMO.
Very well put - it's so easy to dwell on the negatives and worry that it will all come crashing down, but so far this season we have looked stronger than last with more bite and resiliance (apart from the first two games when we were deficient in centre midfield).
Away from home I would like to see Sandro tucking in from the right, this would make us harder to play against and give Walker room to overlap. But then again, Harry probably knows more than me about the players!
I love ur artlcles pal,. I like the way u keep levy on his toes! - I am personally a huge fan of what levy has done, and I hope will do for us in the ufture.
BUT! - Dont encourage the 'rafa debate'!! - There isnt one!!
The signing of a beautiul, mercurial talent should be a source of pride for us! - He came to us because we are moving in the right direction when he could have got game time elsewhere!
70 odd caps for a great footballing nation like holland are not given away!
- Redknapp HAS done a fantastic job at spurs - He really has - BUT..
I personally think he is poor tactically, and talks far too much! - Hardly a revelation iI know! lol
But - for the above reasons I would look to change management soon, - I am just slightly worried that his inability to field a team with modric and rafa in central positions is a sign of weak tactical knowledge and that he will cling on to the likes of defoe and hudd when I think they are not good enough (all opinions I know! )
There are top players at 'the big 5' teams that sit on the bench, until they are played in the correct position for the good of the team - this should happen at spurs.
I know we are in the middle of yet another injury poo hole, so it doesnt help and the results are good too! - I just think that we should look to try and get a manager who is a little more open minded/flexible in terms of formation and rotation.
HARRY - Thank you - You have done what a lot of managers have not even got close to for a long time at the lane! That can not be under appreciated - BUT - time for Ancellotti! :) COYS!!!!!!!!!!
I agree with you Spooky.
We need a winner like VDV.
Whilst I think Rafa is much better - QPR at home on Sunday might be a good game for Defoe to start, he generally performs better against the weaker teams. I'd also be tempted to rest Parker. Time to start rotating like a top club
Spooky
Well spoken. If you compare Defoe to Rooney or Argero or Van Persie, he doesn't cut it for me. VDV, as you say cannot stop scoring. Putting him on for an hour instead of Defoe makes huge sense, because, usually, the damage is done by him by the time he runs out of gas. What an exciting season.
The concept of a 'winning mentality' is pretty vague at the best of times, and much-overused by pundits.
But if there's one player at Spurs who does embody it, it's Rafa.
Ie
- scores important goals (usually 1st goal or winning goal)
- scores away from home
- never gets intimidated. Ever. He could not give a shit about who the opposition is, and how fancy they are.
- 4 goals in 3 games against Arsenal, all at crucial points.
- unaffected by pressure when taking a penalty. Even the one he missed against Twente last year was a good strike & save.
He's not perfect, but he's better than most.
Read an article not long ago about lack of "number 10s" in the English game.
VDV is a prime example why, footballing teams should be built around football players like him. Nothing against JD but he's like a blinkered machine. Get the ball run at goal shoot. That's how he plays.
And look where VDV was for the goal on Sunday, behind play in space, runs onto the ball and places it in the net first time. True world class quality.
Le Tissier had the same questions asked throughout his career as well. Another great talent.
A key factor in the VDV vs defoe debate is the form of adebayor. There is no denying that adebayor has not been as good recently with VDV as he was initially with defoe. However adebayor is also supposedly carrying a hamstring strain. I for one will be watching with great interest when adebayor returns to full fitness to see if he can score goals in a team in which VDV is also starting. I would rather have two goalscoring strikers than just 1 goal scoring attacking mid. Obviously having both a goal scoring attacking mid and a goal scoring striker would be even more welcome but it remains to be seen if this will happen
All well put, but I can see the conundrum getting worse than better for Arry. With JD blowing hot and cold and Pav being, Pav (bit lazy and not fulfilling the potential when the opportunity arises). You can see Arry picking up another striker and outting Pav or maybe even JD, if the offer is right.
If that happens you would think any new striker would be a step up in class to what we have, which would give Arry a bigger head ache, who to leave on the bench, Ade, Rafa or Mr new world class striker (lets hope). Because a new striker is going to want some guarantees before joining us that he isnt going to start on the bench most weeks like JD currently does, when Rafa is fit.
All good problems to have though
Yidal, soz you read it like that. I guess I'm aiming at those who knee-jerk at practically nothing and then proceed to go mental towards Rafa's inclusion suggesting that he's a tad over-rated.
There was plenty of debate 2 weeks back regarding his selection over Defoe's. If I wrote about that I must have forgotten about it. Just felt I needed to give it the once over (or twice over).
If we were to play Defoe & VDV upfront (resting Adebayor) can't think of a better game than QPR at home.
I agree with Rob. Adebayor should be given a well-earned rest on Sunday. And possibly Parker (like mattspur says).
I agree and to be honest i think Rafa is a player who needs to be loved and feel needed that's why he wants to play every game (even the europa league). I admit i can get frustrated with him wanting to take every free kick or dead ball but that's just his commitment and leadership shining through, and the worry i have is he came to spurs for regular football and if we leave him on the bench to play Defoe he may begin to question why he's here. We have a player in van der vaart who's the real deal been there and done it all across europe, if he's fit he should be one of the first names on the team sheet
I've got no problem with VdV's defending as an attacking midfielder. In fact, I think he handles the defensive duties of that position quite well, in regards to leading the oppositions attacks in a direction for our midfielders to pounce. The problem however, is when he is played as a winger in a 4-4-2. Even though we have pulled off som great results playing that way, despite his lack of will and skill of defending, it's a real flaw in our side that on any other day will be severely punished.
By the way, great blog.
Can't disagree. Adebayor doesn't seem to be 100%.
Rafa is not so much a man without a position as he is a man with a position, an unusual set of talents, yet to be described by football science (or to fit in with any traditional tactician of a manager). He needs Harry (and the freedom Harry affords his players) as much as Harry needs him to bail him out of tactical slip-ups with goals imagined from nowhere, against the run of play by Rafa's unique genius. Let me be the first to take a crack at it and call him a midfield poacher. I love him. I hate him. I love him again. I don't know how you not start him.
At Real and Holland they had the same issue , what do you do with Van the Man. He is an unicum in the world of football because there really isnt an ideal position for him in the modern game.
But a man that leads by example , that knows what winning is about and has talent to spare ... you need to accomodate him , fully agree with Spooky there
He is top class and that also helps the image of the team , people do not just screw around with him because he shows everybody what it is to be that next level player. Effort , will and skill combined. I heart van der vaart ...
And your final phrase says it all , he turns up no matter the oposition because he only cares about winning , showing the others what it means to be top level
The hunger , the will , that's what it's all about
Spooky. what I like about your blogs usually are the off key metaphorical debates you serve up rather than forthright listen to me dickheads type preaching. Prob first time I've ever critiqued on here as it's by far the best.
still at least you don't start off your stuff with "I think"
Good to see VDV acknowledge he is benefiting from not playing midweek.
I guess it was written in a very matter of fact kind of way, although I'm not sure I was really preaching. Critiquing is fine mate. At least you were constructive. Others just default to calling me a cunt.
:)
VDV should start the next game and JD on the bench and for a few games too and if he has a few bad games then we give Defoe a go for a few games and see how it goes.
In my view it is a delicate balance. Based on very limited games Ade+Defoe looks a little more promising to me for the team but time will tell.
VDV did well in the last game. Previous game... not so much. First half of last season very good. Second half of last season... not so much. Football changes fast. Rafa should get a run then Defoe. Better than trying to squish Ade/VDV/Defoe into one line up.
I think there is a more important thing about the strikers though. So much depends on Ade's fitness. The debate between VDV + Defoe is interesting but our strike force with/without Adebayor is likely to be far more significant and could determine our EPL season.
I also cannot understand why Redknapp finds it so difficult to play Vdv and Modric in central MF positions. Rafa is a unique talent in the sense that he brings so many positives to our team i.e. skill, determination, passion goals etc. His level of commitment to the cause that is THFC is very commendable, the guy is a natural born winner and it shows in the way he plays. I'm a bit puzzled at his fitness level however, is there a valid reason why he seems unable to last a full 90 minutes? An in form Vdv is an integral part of our team and it comes as no surprise that our recent good run of performances have him at the heart of it. He's up there with the best in my book. The man is class and I will always sing his name just as the rest of us do. "Rafa Van der vaart...van der vaart...Rafa van der vaart...na na na na na na na na na".
Is Sandro fit? If not then Parker can't be rested. As good a prospect as Livermore looks he's not quite good enough yet in my opinion to sit in front of defense on his own. Also don't think Adebayor can be dropped as he offers a good out ball and holds the ball up well... playing VDV and Defoe together with both players going for hero status every time they get the ball would end up with a lot of wasted posession. Lennon has been a disappointment but then I suppose he's still trying to get up to full match fitness?
VDV. We know he scores.
Ade + Defoe. We know they work great.
So how about trying Ade and Defoe up front with VDV on the left in front of BAE?
(Playing VDV on the right in front of Walker can be suicidal, you dont play an attacking midfielder in front of a very young, attacking fullback. It's really interesting how nobody blamed young Kyle for not knowing how to cover properly and take care of Song after VDV was beat, to prevent Ramsey's goal).
Yes, that means Bale on the bench.. just for a couple of games, it might get him interested again.
I have to say it I'm afraid as it's part of Spurs mythology
(insert name of world class player) a luxury ?
It's not the good players that are a luxury.
Top scorer last year and so far this year.
Unbalances the side?
The people who don't have him and Modric first on the team sheet
are a little unbalanced themselves.
The rest of the team just need to run around a bit.
and help them out.
Lots of good posts here and to be fair most of them are true. I , like most of you here believe VDV to be world class and must start when he is fit and firing. However , Adebayor quite clearly plays best with someone who can create space by running at them, just like Defoe does V Liverpool. I am very concerned that if VDV keeps dropping deep and leaving us with one up top, the one striker we have longed for for the last 3 years will become pissed off and become disinterested. The guy should be the differrence between us qualifying 5th last year and 4th this year. VDV needs to play off him, like he did crouch then we will be a real threat. Leave Modric to do all the sexy stuff in the middle and unlock bale down the left. Its utterly frustrating to watch VDV trudge around and run 50 yards to collect a ball and give a square pass, when Luka is standing ten yards from him.
Small complaints i know and indeed good times for the spurs but for christ sake harry get some control of the man.
vdv reminds me of watching gazza, his passion and love of playing is awesome. I have criticised his inclussion in the past, but ONLY when we dont have a genuine right sided player in the team - such as lennon. vdv out on the right does disrupt our balance as he natural moves in field hunting for the ball. A team with bale on the left, lennon on the right and vdv and modric doing their stuff down the centre is a wonderful prospect with a big angry striker up top.
I wonder what would happen is we tried this formation at home one day:
friedal
walker kaboul king bale
lennon parker modric
vdv
ade defoe
dont murder me for dropping BAE, i love the guy i am just making a suggestion.
Cant wait for the QPR game, dont change a winning team please arry.
yidoooooooo
That was a very good article. Agree that we have to start with VDV for all the reasons you stated. Sorry Defoe but he has to wait his turn, which will come.
He drags us through poor performances, he may not be perfect, he may get a bit too frustrated and cynical at times, but my god he is a winner.
Agree with all of this, Spooky. I do think that VdV also works well as an impact substitute at somewhere between the 60th and 70th minute because he totally changes the dynamic of our attack and can instantly unsettle a defense. Also you can count on him for at least 30 minutes of pace :)
But starting him and bringing in Defoe in his current form can do that as well.
CEJ, I won't murder you, but will tell you that you are mental for even suggesting that we drop BAE :) Benny is the heart and soul of Spurs. His crossing has been sublime this year even though he does daydream every now and then. Furthermore, Bale never impressed me when he was in the back.
actually I should say--his defending has never impressed me. His attacking was great from the back.