Good morning.
Well the Rafa to HSV story was as you read here and seemingly only here rubbish. More proof that the hysteria employed during transfer windows only rivals the lack of thought.
So West Brom indoors it is. If you cast your eye down the Baggies squad you see a who’s who of journeymen and nearly men. Their ability to do more than survive is explained when you know their last manager was Roy Hodgson and their current on Steve Clarke. Two very traditional English football managers and Clarke is clearly planning on upholding the principles of discipline and team work.
I believe we’re a superior match tactically and our lot can leave them reelling. There’s gulf in talent.
West Brom beat Liverpool 3-0 last week but without playing down the value of that I am convinced that had as much to do with Liverpool’s performance as it did West Brom’s. I have to add this isn’t me reading too much into the unwatchable game against Hearts last night, either – that side only featured three regular first team picks for the Scousers. Rodgers is clearly having ‘issues’ trying to convey his ‘system’ to his players.
Talk is cheap but I was buoyed by Villas Boas’ delivery in his presser yesterday. This is a home game and despite the final score at Sid James Park we played some good football. My point is that our boss (on the strength of just one Premier League game) appears to have had fewer communication problems.
I think that a pushing, fast paced 433 with Adebayor a little forward of the top three essentially suits our personnel. And we shouldn’t, at home be afraid of implementing this with attacking players.
You could argue that with Bale, Gylfi, Ade and Rafa I’ve over egged the pudding fielding four goalscorers. But my argument is why play Jake or ***** or Bentley when they have so little to offer? Is it just so you can say ‘it looks more balanced?’ Mmnn. Why?
The real issue here is the absence of a midfield general cum play-maker. That certain someone to add the colour. The only intelligent thing to do is add as much creativity as you can elsewhere, surely? Neither Livermore, ***** or Bentley are going to provide that spark. They are at best three man who might put in a full shift.
We’re at home and we’re not a shower of Cheatski bus parkers. So let’s play to our strengths.We have an interesting system under Villas Boas, we won’t be reckless, we’ll be aggressive. We’ll welcome them into The Lane and we’ll tear ’em apart.
Predictions? My conservative thought is 2-1. But if we get into the groove I can see us scoring three or four.
BIOYWBC!
Hotspurs Half Hour – Show 2 by hotspurshalfhour
H, I would actually drop Azza and play VDV tucked in behind Ade on the right and have Livermore take the central midfield role with Sandy, providing cover to breakdown any counter attacks.
Gilfy could then roam across that middle supplying teasing through balls to the forward 3….I am salivating now at the thought!
Is it lunch time yet?
Not bad, but i thought Lennon looked really sharp last week, in fact i thought we would have won that match if we gave him more of the ball.
Agree Astro old boy, but I would sacrifice Lennon as we all know VDV hardly lasts a whole 90 mins and who better to bring on with 30 mins to go but a terrier who could give Usain Bolt a run for his money and run the right back ragged.
Good point, either way we need to win our first home match for many reasons and i think we will.
COYS!
I think it’s going to be a massive improvement having Ade in the team, especially now he is actually a Spurs player and not acting like the 14 yr old ringer in an under 11s game.
F*** balance issues, having Rafa that far back is suicide and will leave us struggling to win the ball. We could possibly swap him with Bale?
I wouldn’t take anything from WBA’s previous match, Liverpool are a total shower of shite these days
I’m actually slightly worried that Ade’s interest might drop off now he’s finally got his feet under the table. History repeating and all that. But hopefully not, remains to be seen I guess.
Won’t happen. The Ade post-Togolese bus massacre is a very different character to the one from before.
Good point Kevaroo
That’s been a big worry for me too.I still think we could have done better,I hope he has been practising receiving passes.
Pull the trigger!
VDV is actually an Central attacking midfielder if you aren’t going to use him like that,you may aswell sell him as far as i’m concerned
i think your spot on mate. He scores double digits each season from there why play him anywhere else
He plays in a more withdrawn position with Netherlands. I acutally think this formation could work out with Sandro back there to sweep shit up.
I think he would have his hands full with too much shit to sweep tbh. Rafa in midfield has never worked at Tottenham. It hasn’t worked for Holland either, the games I’ve seen him play there.
that’s what i mean,he can be used in the “hole” but not sure if avb operates like that,but he is an actual central midfielder who obviously has attacking on the mind,
Good looking team – happy with that line up