A disappointing set of results in the Premier League has predictably led to fingers being pointed in several directions by Spurs fans. Looking at some of the comments this weekend, certain players seem to be shouldering the blame more than others but who should be entrusted with the job of securing Champions League football?
Up front, Harry used Defoe in preference to Saha but as often happens in this situation, the player dropped to the bench always looks more impressive when he is introduced to the action. After the game however, it was Adebayor who came in for most criticism.
At the back, it’s sad to see Ledley coming in for a bit of stick but if the King is unavailable, who is there to take his place?
Even the midfield has come in for its share of criticism with suggestions that Bale was looking tired at the weekend.
Trying to keep the emphasis on positivity rather than criticism, what’s your first choice starting XI to get us over the line?
Sadly the OLD Kaboul was playing on Sunday…
If Lennon gets fit, the winning scenario is the one that got us to 3rd in the first place! 4-4-1-1: Brad, Ekotto, King, Kaboul, Walker, Bale, Parker, Modric, Lennon, VDV, Ade. HOWEVER, if no Lennon, we are screwed. All we can do is try to play with Niko on the right.
I think if he’s fit we need to get Gallas back into the team. Kaboul’s been great this year, but still has soft moments and right now, we need Gallas’ winning mentality to help steady the ship.
Friedel
Walker, Gallas, King, BAE
VdV, Modric, Parker, Bale
Saha/Defoe + Adebayor
Or maybe away, put Kranjar wide right and move VdV forward to tuck in behind Adebayor.
Lets not panic. 2 of our recent defeats came against 2 of the top 4, and the other an away game to a team who has not lost in 8. Of the next 10, we have tough away games against Chelsea and Sunderland. THe remaining 8 are not too bad (on paper). You don’t drop Kaboul because of 1 missed tackle. Important bit is for Harry to play the likes of Bale and Modric where they are best. Personally I think Ade is the guy who should be dropped/rested and give Saha a good run
I agree — especially about Bale and Modric.
We need Bale to stretch the play out wide, especially when Lennon is out. As for Modric, he’s just so much more effective in the middle.
I’d say this should be our default lineup — with second choice/sub in ():
Friedel
Walker Kaboul King (Gallas) BAE
Parker (Sandro) Modric
Lennon (Niko) VdV Bale
Ade
After an hour look to subbing out VdV (about when he usually tires) with Defoe or Saha, who both seem to be impressive as impact subs — and switch to a 4-4-2.
Tony Rich’s selections are close enough. Lennon IS important to make the right side dangerous, but if he’s out then Ade has to really use that space because Walker is too green to know how to do it alone.
My comment on ‘Nobody knows how we lost’ says that the coaching staff has to instill better defensive sensibilities before we can be more consistent in our outings with the Evertons of the world (remember last spring?!). If that sesnsibility could start to grow, I like Kaboul better than what I remember of Gallas in terms of athletic ability. While we have a good group that can tick the ball around to great advantage, for longer passes, let Mod and VDV do the passing, with some Bale and BAE and only rarely Kaboul. Walker’s crosses lack quality, as do Bale’s when from the right flank. Parker dribbles himself into trouble, he needs to be able to release the ball to a diagonal run early, or know where the escape valve pass is, perferably a heel to Mod. If Ade is not making a difference or holding the ball well for others to catch up, then pull him to make sure he knows that isn’t gonna fly.
Lennon is key, so we can play Bale and Modders in their best positions. If Lennon is out why not try Walker in right mid-field and put either Kaboul or even Sandro at right back. Walker is still young, and his crossing is not consistent but he can keep the ball and pass and provide a defensive strenght that Niko cannot give.
More than anything, they need to play like every game is a cup final and against Everton they were far too casual.
As said by many fans already, it is purely the manager’s lack of tactical awareness, playing Modric and Bale out of position, which is why it has all gone wrong.
The team that always worked for Spurs is the one listed by Tonyrich. With the erratic form of Adebayor, it may be better to give Saha an opportunity to play with Van der Vaart.
Modric & Bale were not the main reasons. It was 4-4-2 – we were out numbered in midifeld. Even if we played 4-4-2 with Bale left, Modric centre – we still would have lost that one. Sadly Bale had to be on right to try to restrict Everton’s attacks that ALL came down our right.
People are making too much of the Bale on right thing vs Everton. With Ade and Defoe (supposedly) in the box, even if Bale got crosses in, how likely are they going to score vs the well drilled Everton defence? Nil. Ade is not renowned for that, and Defoe mainly scores from distance. Without Lennon, Bale on the left is half as effective – because they double up on Bale INSTEAD of Lennon. We would have got more joy from Bale cutting in and trying a shot from the right, than being on left. Having said that, I would have played 4-4-1-1 WITH Bale on left because the balance would have been right.
The one playere i said we would miss is big Tom Hudds and sadly we are. This is why we are facing teams in sixth gear and full of top up tempo just like Arsenal they are still running when the whistles gone. Big Tom could beat this saturated defending and attacking by launching his missile passes over defences and stop us having a posse of defenders waiting in the box to stop us scoring. When Lennon and Bale are full y fit we can score with Quick breaks but when one is missing we are lopsided. Also Harry needs to bring Gomes back because Friedel is looking 41 and every corner or shot is flying past his ageing body. Our Gomes is a far better all round keeper and Harry needs to act quickly or we will end up chasing games from behind like the Everton one and sometimes get beat.
Too late I’m afraid the rot has set in and we will now finish 5th. I have supported Spurs for over 40 years and have witnessed too many disappointments in that time. It doesn’t matter who you pick now, we’re running scared like rabbits caught in the headlights. Quite simply we cannot battle and scrape out results when we really need to, depressing.
ho ho ho hahaha he he he hehehe hoa hahahahahahah!
okay now thats funny. i just know how chicken could become a rabbit
I agree with Paul unfortunately , we faced the same dip in form this time last yr and now can’t see champs league footy being at the lane next season . Best chance to finish above Arsenal and we’ve blown it!
HA HA HA HA HAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
OHH HOW FUNNY- WHERE ARE YOUR VOICESSSSS PUSSIESSS!???????
U WERE NEVER and WILL ALWAYS -NEVER- BE A GOOD CLUB, LET ALONE THE GREATEST ONES!!!!
HAHAHAHAHAH MIND THE GAP U WERE SAYING?
MIND THE GAP MY A** !!!!!
Doctor Wenger filled the gap with top up tempo Liverpool 3 Everton 0 All goals where scored by a man with one leg at half time his calf had gone. By the end he was running like Usain Bolt to score is third goal . This shows why Arsenal have started running for longe one of there players played for them and looks like Skrtl Benayoun ake up ther are more and more slimmers Vermalin Keshelny Turner sinderland Andrews Drugba all have the Kolo affect.
HO HO HO HAHAHA HE HE HE UH AH HU HA HA HOWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH HO HO HAHA HEE HEHEHE
AND I AM ARSENAL !!! WATCHING US OVERTAKING U BY THIS WEEKEND !!!!!!!! WHAT WOULD U DO SPUSSIES!!!???? OOOOOOH HAHA HO HO HO HEHEHEHE
JOKE CLUB!!
Druga drugs drugs Ephdrine who are the slimmest club in the premiership Arsoles Liverpool Chelsea all have the biggest loser followed by Sunderland West Brom uTD shity
OUR WORST SEASON IS ONLY 1 point off YOUR BESTTTT SEASON EVER!!!!!!!!!!!! and THat 1 POint WILL BECOME SMOKE IN THE COMING WEEKND!!!! HA HA HA HONK HONK HONK . O MY LMFAO CANT STOP LAUGHING!! 3 WEEKS AGO YOU WERE SAYING????????????? MIND THE GAP!!!!!!!! MY A$$
Drugs it in your history Adams Mersons Doctor Wenger as desperate to fill the gap
We’ve spent so much money on transfers, and still look to spend more in the summer, where’s all the money coming from!?!?
Where’s all the money gone is a more important question!
Polker — what money are you talking about? The 8m each for VdV and Parker? That was well spent. Friedel and Saha for free. Modric was 14m but that has to be seen as a wise investment, and same with Bale (forget what he cost).
True, money was wasted on a couple of players (Bentley, Hutton, ?) but that’s a couple of years ago now. What other teams HAVEN’T picked some poor players, occasionally?
It seems to me that the last couple of seasons we’ve spent less than almost anyone else, despite some good final positions and the champions league money.
I’m an Arsenal fan but have a lot of respect for Tottenham this season, they’ve played quality, exciting football and the last couple of games they’ve been plain unlucky. I hope they finish in the top four (with Arsenal), much better them than the spoiled brats at Chelski
BETTER CHELSKI THAN SPUDDIES! i bet youre a plastic Arsenal Fan!