Good morning.
There will be some feeling as we travel oop north today we have far too much in common with the one legged man who entered into a bottom kicking competition.
Striker-less is an unkind phrase as midget gem and all round diminutive dynamo Jermain Defoe is ready, willing and able. As he proved the other night for England. But is he what we really need? Well, my dears …he’s what we’ve got. On an upbeat note, he’s never in his career have a better opportunity to ‘turn it on’ and really prove he’s worth his place. Nevertheless for me he’s benched.
I’d have to run with a 433 and essentially try to implement a ‘best of’ the preseason formations. This is a Premier League game of course so I’m struggling to see the benefit of Rafa as a substitute. That’s a scenario which says once Defoe’s finished bombing around like a mentalist for 65 minutes we throw on a guy who’s prepared to have a few shots from outside the 18 yard box.
Back four picks itself with Vertonghen and Kaboul standing strong front and centre. Dawson seems to lack the finesse for the Villas-Boas method, but the option to bring him in if he’s needed is a bit of a coup. Let’s hope there’s no hair brained scheme to sell him to Liverpool being considered.
Our midfield needs Sandro like a flower needs water. Despite his unavailability for the preseason the boss said of him, “He has had the best training possible in terms of playing time so you can say that he is one step ahead in terms of physical preparation.” Livermore should find Sandro inspiring company and whilst there is obviously no Modric, we are still fielding four players in advanced positions who I’d deem as intensively creative.
The deep lying front line will let van Der Vaart drift slightly forward of Bale and Gylfi who have clearly been developing an understanding. This could be dependent upon AVB’s instruction of course as close to the 433 High Line™ as we have yet seen. Despite the overuse of the phrase High Line™ the only glimpse we got of it was against Valencia went we went into ‘all hands to the pump’ mode after their second goal went in.
The last words from the boss: “It will be very difficult but we have our ambitions and strengths, which we will look to use. It will be a match fully charged with emotion but we have to be solid and stable. If we do that we can take something from the match.” This says to me he’s minded to avoid a loss, try a nick a win. He may well have got that just about right.
considering our well documented shortcomings upfront, I thought we did OK tonight.
Yeah, perhaps we can go through the whole season looking sort of OK across the pitch but scoring less goals than the opposition.
that’s not what I meant and you’re wrong to imply I would be satisfied with your scenario. It was AVBs first competitive match, away at one of the more difficult premiership grounds, and without a much needed new striker. Given these factors, I reckon we did OK and I’m not going to let it ruin my evening or the week ahead.
What he said.
Yeah, I know. I was being sarcastic.
Because what you are saying is not news. This performance / result has had a creeping inevitability about it for weeks. I fail to see why we haven’t adequately addressed at least one our two gaping wholes in the squad in time for the beginning of the season. Either Levy was crossing his fingers and hoping to nick a couple of results or else he is weighing up lost points against a potential million or two saving. Besides which there is still a real possibility that we don’t adequately resolve the midfield or striker situation. In fact it is pretty nailed on that we won’t sign a player of Modric’s quality nor get the minimum two strikers in capable of playing the system AVB is looking to use.
@LLL (below), I accept that my analysis wasn’t saying anything particularly new and insightful, but if that were to be the key criterion for posting on the website then I fear your criticism would apply to the vast majority of posts. I said what I said simply to add my feelings to those expressed by others so that readers of the blog might get a sense of the prevailing mood among our little community after our defeat this evening. Nothing more, nothing less. If it’s not welcome, then tough shit. :winke:
below? above?
Don’t be sensitive, I’m not having a go at you, just expressing my view too, which is a bit different to yours. That’s what this is all about, isn’t it?
I’m OK with that. ;-) Apologies for being a bit touchy earlier.
No problem. I’m a bit touchy tonight too. :daumen:
To befare apart from BAE the team play ok it wasent fantastic but good . What can I say ba 7mil realease before august ? Why did we no bid mr levy ? If we get a top striker and modric replacement this system could work I also think we need left back BAE was rubbish ! But until mr levy get in a top striker and playmaker we will be mid table I no its start of season but could of been good start with liverpool and arscum slipping up so the points could prove costly at end of season because mr levy penny pinches !
We were the better team, no doubt, but the lack of striker options and a creative midfield replacement for modric was glaringly obvious.
I actually feel sorry for AVB, he got his tactics right, and if we had those players that we are sadly lacking, we would have won the game.
Also, even though i always rated BAE, i’m sick of him lately, he looks disinterested, is constantly caught out of position, and loses the ball too regularly for my taste.
All in all, if we can get the right players in, I would optimistic of the season ahead. Gutted about the result though. All up to you now Levy, don’t let us down!
I would “be” optimistic
The team looked good and had a decent understanding. That for me bodes well because they seem to be getting to grips with the new formation quicker then I expected.
But, as the game went on it because apparent that we didn’t have the bench to have the impact that we would hope substitutes would have.
The performance was calling out for an Ade like striker to hold it up and we all know JD isn’t that man. Great sub for attacking tired legs, but to hold it up is never going to be his thing.
Its a defeat, but overall there are still positives; particularly if a striker comes in and a Modric replacement can be added to the midfield.
Plus Siggy looks a quality purchase.
Couldn’t agree more Nezspur!
I think this is a good summing up. Dealing with the new formation/ philosophy/ approach should not be underestimated. Chelsea couldn’t do it.
I can see the Sigster getting better as he gets more playing time. We won’t lose many like this.
maybe the thud is on his way then,people out of squads have to be under scrutiny by the press til the window,if the lane doesn’t do us good in the next couple then we’ll all know about it,that’s for sure
baggies,canaries and reading next or something close
ITK crap seriously sucks cock #thespursinsider. Danny get the cheque book out I love JD but he can’t do it by himself
:daumen: