Spurs don't need to wing it to win it through the middle
Monday, December 19, 2011 at 10:42PM Spurs 1 Sunderland 0
It was hardly a quintessential new look Spurs home performance. A distinct lack of shape with that controlled cohesiveness in the middle of the park and that pulsating pace down the flanks MIA. We suffered a little watching the game unfold like a scrunched up piece of paper with a game plan scribbled across it. Except, well, it doesn’t unfold too well. You can sort of make out what the point being made is but its mostly indistinguishable. Thankfully, a second copy was printed out in time for the second half on glossy colour paper.
So what was this game in terms of form and formation?
The first half was untidy. Bale unavailable due to an injury he sustained in training. Lennon leaving the field of play with an injury that might keep him out a while. King (25 pts from 27 pts) was fit and started. Players playing out of position meant Luka and Rafa struggled to find tempo. It looked ominous. It smelt ominous. You sort of watched and scratched your head and pondered that this might be one of those days where the team fail to adjust accordingly and can’t quite dig deep enough.
You. Not I. Well perhaps I’m not in a minority with this but I hardly knee-jerked to the tune of ‘we’ve got our Tottenham back, you know the one, the rubbish one’. The word patience bounced around my head, even with Roman on the pitch.
This season, placing aside the entertaining uber-confident football we know we’re capable of when at full strength, we’ve managed to almost contain ourselves from an anti-climatic scenario. Never quite peaking, always looking to aspire for more and when it doesn’t quite go according to plan...we grind it out. Multi-facet Tottenham. We can win any which way we wish. We battle through at times and even when we impress there is always room for improvements. That’s a fairly healthy position to be in.
The untidiness saw plenty of misplaced passing, average to poor ball distribution and not so positive positioning. No attacking outlet with the missing wingers/insider forwards which let’s face it, is Plan A (attack, counter-attack with pace). Plan B is sort of, well, what is it exactly? It’s not what we witnessed in the first forty-five minutes.
The despondency some felt is natural. When you become accustomed to something that plays out at a high level of expectancy, if it drops, when it drops – everything gets the microscopic treatment, with critics at the game or on the sofa moaning and head shaking. We’ve been spoilt, of course we have. You can’t party every weekend. And the come down is never going to be pleasant. Days like this are equally just as important as the ones where the swagger has us dancing with joy.
The winning mentality is built on persevering and pulling together. Okay, so it was only Sunderland and perhaps (again) it proves we need perhaps extra quality in the squad to compensate for long term injuries if they happen. But it turned out nice again, didn’t it?
We were the better side at the break but still the second half needed impetus and structure. Cue Harry, cue whatever it is he does in the dressing room at half-time. I imagine it’s not the hair-dryer. Probably gets all the players to jump in to a giant-size snuggle blanket and sings gently the tactics in the form of a soothing lullaby as he hugs his way through the first eleven before shaking them all awake with a fatherly pat on the back. Go get ‘em.
All players entering the field of play for the second half more focused, with intent primed and ready to damage the opposition and once prove to everyone the old Tottenham (that rubbish one) no longer exists. We’ve just got a new one that has worked its way through puberty, voice broken, ready to growl and spit and have a ruck if need be.
Luka and Rafa far more central in the second half with Parker pushing further forward and Sandro The Bricklayer building a wall to stand guard over like an over-keen gardener who doesn’t want any silly children playing ball on his lawn.
Disciplined.
Rafa was the completely opposite of his ineffectual first forty-five ghost, giving it one of those Neo from the Matrix performances. Stand out moments that delicious pass to Benny, enough to make you fantasise about it (sorry Sylvie babe) and quite obviously the reverse ball to Pavlyuchenko who finished it for the 1-0. The Russian, quick to point out his name on the back of his shirt. Yes mate, we know it all too well. It says ‘lazy half arsed footballer with sublime technical ability but frustratingly poor with all the other things a complete forward is meant to have’. Costs a fair bit to have that printed on a replica.
If we could perhaps take Pav and Adebayor and fuse them we’d have a player with work ethic, movement, team-work and hunger (Adebayor) with one that can finish with pomp (Pav)...or perhaps not and we end up with a hybrid gone wrong who can’t talk English but smiles broadly when he misses a sitter.
The goal was enough. Modric could have made it two but preferred not to score and keep it for when Chelsea visit. Walker and BAE worked tirelessly down the wings (thus allowing Luka and Rafa to mix it up where they mix it up best – down the middle).
Still hardly at full pelt, but we displayed the grit and tenacity which will always lead to that moment of sublime skill to carve open a goal scoring opportunity. Brad also busy between the sticks when called upon. We got through it. It’s what we do when it’s called upon us. Sandro was admirable, got to love the way players bounce off him as he moves forward with the ball leaving them devastated on the ground.
Parker survived the yellow card that could have ruled him out of Thursday’s game. King ‘should’ play. Kaboul will be back. Bale? We hope will be fine and there’s a little kidology going on.
Start to worry if we’re playing like this and winning like this every single week. Then we might need to discuss a lack of spark and ingenuity. But that won’t happen. Also no point discussing the Jan transfer window until it happens. Only thing that matters it the next game.
We played without two key players, instrumental to the style everyone associates with us. Narrow, congested football doesn’t quite work if it doesn’t have its outlets. Harry worked it out in time for the second half. We need to work it out before we whistle is blown on Thursday to kick-off.
442? Patient possession play? Decisions, decisions. Will say this much though...this game is not as pivotal as its being written up to be. Okay sure it is if we win but we all know it only then takes two or three not so smart results in the aftermath to change things around. If we lose it will hardly be the early Xmas present we’ve asked for but we’re hardly going to have our hopes crushed for the season. However, that attitude is firmly one that sits on the fence.
Smash’em to pieces is therefore the only conceivable option. No matter the players, no matter the formation.
Chelsea are no mugs. But we’re hardly in the shadow of a beast.
I want us to go for their jugular. We play best when we play the Tottenham way.
Momentum.
COYS.
Love the shirt.
Reader Comments (36)
If anyone in the future wants to argue whether VDV should always start, they need to see that pass! Wizardry, sorcery, genius....this guy can see in a blink of an eye what others can't see in a month of Sundays! Absolute world class player!!
COYS!! The Blue Scum are going DOWN!!
Absolutely on the money, we need to be Spurs on thursday, no messin
Please please please our beloved spurs roll up your sleeves on Thursday and smash chelski down a peg or two......I just hate playing them!
I'm still not a fan of Pav, except maybe for the few times he has pulled his socks up and got us through a spot of bother i.e. yesterday. I'm not going to slag him off given what I just said. Generally speaking however, I'd be happier if he was to leave in January so he can get his regular first team football, maybe at QPR or wherever he's been recently linked to.
Redknapp the other day was praising him and saying he doesn't want him to leave and the usual sound bite about not being able to find better - blah blah blah f'ing blah.
" -The Russian, quick to point out his name on the back of his shirt. Yes mate, we know it all too well. It says ‘lazy half arsed footballer with sublime technical ability but frustratingly poor with all the other things a complete forward is meant to have’. Costs a fair bit to have that printed on a replica." - wish that was shorter so I could tweet it, I'll save it in my quotes.
I also wish we'd be at absolute full strength for our encounter with those sicko's from SW, but whatev's, in any event I'm sure Knappy will work something out in the allotted time we've got.
Spot on and on point! However though, I can see no way of us winning the title this season, but we do have a very strong platform for the next couple of seasons.
I strongly believe Spurs will finish in 3rd place. To win the title we had to get at least 4 points against the 2 Manchester clubs, beat Arsenal away, win the home game in hand against Everton and possibly afford to lose 2 games for the rest of the season.
Not to say that this is impossible, i'm forever the optimist, but I very much doubt it.
Still, for a change, its so nice as a supporter for over 40 years to be able to rub the scums noses into the dog shyte for a change after years of those stupid gooners talking about what they haven't won in the last 6 and a bit years, lol>
Here's hoping.....good article! COYS 4 EVER!!!!!
Right let me tell you what we will be up against Chelsea have skeletons in there team like Drugba gaunt moody and mad Merelis ex Liverpool Duracell Bunnie with a tufty head the Brazilian hyper active anorexic Ramires the Hurting Lamppost Nastie tunnel tormentor Cole Curly Nut case Luis crash dummy Check mate and dancing Sturridge who has enough energy has a bowl of porridge. This is a light hearted look at a team who will stop at nothing too win games for there spoilt childish owner Oil grabber Abramovich. And finalyy the worse one A dirty Captain racist women stealer with a father who sell drugs who will also stop at nothing to win games all full of fast manic tempo chasing the ball like terriers swarming all over our players.. We need to drop Ekcotto play three at the back Gallas King Kaboul with a midfield of Walker Parker Van Modric Bale Defoe Adyor Pav if Defoe wont play. And lastly do what Liverpool Arsenal Chelsea Utd and City have done take Kolo juice to make sure we run a lot for 90 plus mins and we will win but if we play in 5th gear we will struggle.
If we are to be without both Bale & Lennon then we should look to employ the following for the Chavski, as in the 2nd half against Sunderland, we looked comfortable.
Freidal
Walker Kaboul King Gallas Assou Ekotto
Parker Sandro
Modric VDV
Adebeyor
"If we could perhaps take Pav and Adebayor and fuse them we’d have a player with work ethic, movement, team-work and hunger (Adebayor) with one that can finish with pomp (Pav)...or perhaps not and we end up with a hybrid gone wrong who can’t talk English but smiles broadly when he misses a sitter." this made me laugh alot!
Why is everyone getting the wobbles about Chelski. Spurs will rise to the occasion. Let's show Terry and Co we're the business.
Up the Spurs.
Right o the money, spooky. great blog!
Also, have to say that I totally agree with Bim Spur's description of Pav, when he wrote....." -The Russian, quick to point out his name on the back of his shirt. Yes mate, we know it all too well. It says ‘lazy half arsed footballer with sublime technical ability but frustratingly poor with all the other things a complete forward is meant to have’.
Im with cuba on the new formation, but I want 5-3-2/3-5-2...
kaboul - king - gallas
walker - rafa- modders - parker - Benny/Pienaer
Defoe ---------- Ade
Friedel
Walker King Gallas BAE
Giovanni Modric Parker Bale
Vdv Ade
Friedal
Walker King Kaboul BAE
Modric Sandro Parker Bale/Pienaar
VdV Ade
Excellent piece, totally agree. A genuinely good team finds ways to win whatever the circumstances. Only a wretched display by the match officials stopped us beating Stoke. Sunderland were overwhelmed in centre midfield. We can do this against Chelsea too.
If both Bale and Lennon are out it should be
Friedel;
Walker, Gallas, King/Kaboul,Ekotto;
Sandro, Parker, Modric, Kranjkar;
Defoe/VDV, Adeybayor
COYS
Don't want any part of Pav added to Adebayor thanks.
Replacing Berbatov with Pav was a downgrade that still impacts on the team even now.
"we end up with a hybrid gone wrong who can’t talk English but smiles broadly when he misses a sitter"
thought we had got rid of Crouch?!?!
Great article as per usual Spooky. For the Chelsea game I wouldn’t mind seeing the team consisting of Brad, BAE, Kaboul, King, Walker, Modric, Parker, Sandro, Bale (if fit, looking like it) VdV and Ade. The Chelsea midfield will be a completely different proposition from Sunderland and they will try and bully our middle so Sandro will be crucial to breaking up their play like Sunday allowing Modric, Parker and Rafa to create chances further up the field. Depending on what the Chelsea formation is like and if Luiz is playing I reckon we will have plenty of opportunities so its up to Ade to put them away (is it not time for another brace?) COYS!!
I wish we still had plan C but sadly Hoky Coky Stoky have him i was sick when he left he was not super but a Spurs man who would get Goals when we struggled. That was till Van ruined him by turning him Defoe and Pav into impotent Strikers like he will do again if Harry persist with 4411. 442 or 352 should be the only systems.
Well I was just quoting Spooky there Beetleblues! Very apt summary of how I feel about Lazylachenko. In the mean time I'm here hoping that our injuries on the wings are just a ruse to fool chelskum.
I'd like to see a 4-2-3-1 against Chelsea with Bale/BAE pushing up to help pin back Sturridge with Sandro on the left to help cover. I think Parker trying to mark Matta and take him out of the game will leave Chelase without any ideas going forward.
I can not help but be a fan of the lost causes that have skill in abundance , the rejects ,the ones that could have been great. Its like having the girl with the hottest body ever that only puts out once every five months and when she does you feel on top of the world. But all the other times , its like humping an old couch. (i think Spooky used this kind of analogy once before)
Thats Pav. If he scores its o so sweet but its not enough to forget the dry spell ...
cannot see why all this negativity on Pav.. he got his chance and took it well which is more than what Ade did with his sitter.. its what strikers do in the box that counts ultimately .. i'd be happier seeing Ade being a bit more clinical in the box than worry too much on our 3rd striker who delivered when asked.
The key to winning the title is to get as many points off the Sky4 as possible and win all the winnable matches at home. Thursday fits both category. The true contenders to the title are Spurs, both Manchester clubs, Chelsea, ARSEnal, and Liverpool. We know Liverpool doesn't stand a chance, Le Miser has conceded the title, while both Manchester clubs are forging ahead. We beat Chelsea then they are more or less out of the hunt as we would have put more day light between our selves and them, and them and the title.
The last two games have shown me that Arry does actually have some tactical nous. We can all tall about formations until we're blue in the face, but it's his decision.
I still don't particularly like him that much as a person but I wouldn't swap him just now.
Maybe in March when he's managing from a cushy suite at her majesty's pleasure.
But I'm sure he will have briefed Ancelotti.
YID ARMY
"Still, for a change, its so nice as a supporter for over 40 years to be able to rub the scums noses into the dog shyte for a change after years of those stupid gooners talking about what they haven't won in the last 6 and a bit years, lol>"
leeleeyid
Yes sir, that's it. That's the other half of the beautiful equation.... it's that knowing that this time it's said not just with confidence and certainty but authority... 'cos everyone else is saying it too.
And the icing on the cake; the most, most beatiful of ALL... is the knowing that "they" deep down know it to...
Yesssssssssssssssssss.
I've missed you davspur.
Happy christmas.
I fear a loss, chavs seem to prefer the underdog tag we once used to incite a performance.
A win is just unthinkable, because it's normally about now we drop points to those around us, and some random mid-table teams.
We are over due our from dropping off, and would take a draw now. They still have an expensively assembled and now experienced squad, we are still the 'young pretenders' as the Sky Sports Premier Legaue would have us badged.
Hope I'm wrong, but suspect that I'm not. Shame, would have liked to see bale and lennon terrorising their full backs. Guess it will have to be the blunt instrument option once again.
Just because one player is not as good as another does not mean
that they are useless.
Adebayor is a much superior all round player than Pav ( as was Berbatov)
But the guy earns his living as a striker and thumps them in
when given half a chance, unlike Adebayor.
He scored the only goal in what could have turned out to be
a second disappointing loss.
I like the boy.Show some respect.
I'm with Tricky and would take a point now.
Great piece.
Tricky has practically ruined the article I had in mind for the pre-match.
Can't disagree if we're depleted.
As for Pav. He does score. Doesn't do much else, so impact wise, might still be able to crop up with the odd important goal.
BAE definitely needs the 'fro out on this one. He should be wearing a dashiki just for good measure. This Terry thing needs a nice stiletto jabbed into it to drive the man into a racist frenzy on the pitch. That'd be fun.
Actually I've been totally out of the loop until today due to real life, that f*cker. What exactly is Terry "alleged" to have said? Use asterisks if you feel it's necessary or it's site policy, but personally I have that PC sh*t(e). I prefer my truth straight but that's just me: I'm an a*shol* American so there you have it. Oh sorry, ars*hol*. Or a******e. Whatever.
****
hate no have hate not have
****
@Malcolm
BAE def needs to bring out what I like to call "the nuclear option" ... Full FRO in all it's funkadelic glory. Here is to the morrow.... COYS
Take a point now? Where's the glory in that ffs!
Don't fret. I changed my mind last night.
If we put out a five a-side team, I still want the three points and a 5-0 win.
This game is going to be a game of two half's - and we'll win both of them with a goal in each half, setting us up for a YIDTASTIC festive gloat......
We've already got a Parker, so eff off and advertise somewhere else