It always seemed likely that the red card issued to Tom Huddlestone on Saturday would be rescinded and the news was duly confirmed yesterday afternoon.
Tom was sent off in the dying stages of the game against Norwich after a tackle on Jonny Howson and immediately after the match, Andre Villas-Boas hinted that the dismissal would be contested.
The sending off seemed to cap a miserable couple of seasons for the player after injury dogged the midfielder and just over seven days ago, it seemed likely that he would be heading for Stoke on a loan deal until the end of the campaign.
With that arrangement having fallen through, will Huddlestone yet get a chance to impress AVB, even if he has to wait until the Europa league or Capital One Cup to be given a starting berth?
hi guys x
Not needed.
He needs to be playing regular football somewhere else to get him back in shape and up to speed. He is wasted not doing anything.
I think huddlestone can be a useful player in a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1
Lloris/Friedel
Walker Vertonghen Kaboul BAE
Huddlestone Sandro
Lennon/Dempsey Dembele Bale
Ade
We played this formation against Norwich, IMO too defensively with Sandro and Livermore, with Huddlestone as one of the deeper midfielders he can be used a s a deeper passing midfielder and can push forward into a midfield 4 if needed leaving Sandro to patrol in front of the back 4
Its a shame his loan move didn’t go through as would have given him much needed game time.
I’d start him in the cup competitions.
I’m a big fan of Hudd. I don’t think it’s fair to compare him to our other players (or recent players) but, used correctly, he could be brilliant for us.
As an example, Dembele, Hudd, and Sandro could work really well. Dembele, more advanced and connecting shorter, more direct passes (micro); Hudd Playing deeper and looking for the longer through balls as well as keeping the ball moving across the whole field (macro) — these are the passes that show Bale/Lennon to best advantage; and Sandro hustling around adding defensive cover (which would help make up for Hudds lack of pace).
We need a variety of attacking options and the above would do that. Hudd has been injured and not playing for a while and it’ll take some time before he’s at his best — but when he is watch everyone discounting him now pretend they’ve always been a fan.
One of the things I like about AVB is that he makes good subs and early. Not only does it change the game, but it gives the non-starting players a real change at some game time.
What’s with the afro, though? I can only think he’s (similar to Fellaini, Coloccini, Luiz, etc.) trying to make the opposition think he’s so ridiculous that they don’t take him seriously…
I really think that a fit and in form hudd can make the biggest difference to our season. His passing is fantastic and he is the guy who can be our playmaker. But he needs to be fit, and improve his concentration
dembele and thud to start next game in mid livermore isnt that good and sandro is out of form