4-5-1 or 4-4-1-1, call it what you like but Sunday’s line up at Swansea represented a real shift in Tim Sherwood’s approach. Admittedly, Roberto Soldado (pictured) had only scored once under Sherwood’s tenure but if the coach was looking at maintaining a 4-4-2 formation, he only had to bring in Jermain Defoe alongside Ade.
In the end it all worked out and thanks to the form of Adebayor, the game eventually ended in a comfortable 3-1 win. The question now is, will we see more of the same when Manchester City visit White Hart Lane in a week’s time?
Having a home fixture would suggest that a switch to a more attacking set up is a logical step but this is Manchester City – the team that put six past us earlier in the season on their way to 100 competitive goals before the end of January.
So does Sherwood keep things as they are or is an attacking set up the only way to deal with Manchester City and the likes of Aguero, Negredo and Dzeko?
Not to fussed as along as we beat Man Shitty we owe them one for the 6:0 drubbing.
UP THE SPURS !!
I vote we stay as we are…. two of our goals against Swansea came from the benefit of having overlapping extra midfield man. Whilst Ade is tearing about, I don’t see the need for Soldado.
I’d like to see Paulhino come in if he’s fit (trained today) and play him and Dembele either side of Bentalib to back up the attacking 3 of Lennon, Ade and Erickson. But then I’d have picked Capoue instead of the youngster, so perhaps I’ll leave it to Tim!
Before getting ‘Adamed’ Paulinho was looking terrific, and deserves to get back into the team. Plus Tim has said he wants to see Dembele further forward. Simples!
Sandro instead of Bentaleb – if fit, We’ll need some extra power in midfield. Yaya Toure will run through Bentaleb all day long.
I can’t see anything in Dembele’s finishing to warrant him playing further forward.
Lloris
Walker Daws Vlad Rose
Moussa Sandro (if fit)
Lennon Eriksen Townsend
Adebayor
Hopefully if Vertongen is fit he can replace our worst centre back by a long shot being Dawson. Somehow Paulhinho also deserves a place. He is a world class midfielder as is Sandro.
I recall us playing 4-4-2 in the first half at home to city last season, then switched to 4-3-3 in the second. This was the catalyst to us dominating possession and scoring three goals in seven minutes to win 3-1. Ok we have no Bale this time but 4-3-3 could still be effective. Gk Lloris RB Walker CB Vertonghen CB Chiriches LB Rose, RM Lennon CM Dembele LM Eriksen, RCF Soldado, CF Adebeyor, LCF Townsend.
Best firm of defence is attack, chucking holding midfielders in a team against city is asking for trouble. However, City will most likely play 4-4-2 so Tim may do that and switch to 4-3-3 later in the game. COYS!
442 is good against the teams lower down the division who set up to defend but against teams who pack the midfield or against the better teams, 451 makes more sense. I would bring back Sandro and Paulinho back if they’re fit. We need the bite and athleticism against City.
difficult situation like to see paulinho come into side i think maybe benteleb could have a problem here with yay in the middle anyway tim knows best we all have our own ideas at the end of the day managers call go the spurs
I am not sure Tim knows best especially if he starts Bentaleb if Sandro and Paulhinho are fit. Bentaleb is a good prospect but for the future.
I’d go back to 4-4-2 for the City game. They like to build from the back so you need to press and keep their centre backs occupied. My midfield four would be Lennon or Townsend, Dembele, Paulinho and Eriksen, with Sandro, Bentaleb, Siggi, Soldado and Defoe on the bench. I’d play Lamela behind Ade at the start. I’m sure the boy has quality and needs the chance to show it.
Sandro for Bentaleb and Townsend for Chadli, only changes for me if both fit and stick with same formation.