With less than 24 hours remaining till our crucial game at Manchester City my thoughts turn to our line up, particularly the absence of Emmanuel Adebayor as a condition of his loan from our opponents. Consequently this may be the first game when Peter Crouch is missed having signed off his Spurs career in the 1-5 reverse at White Hart Lane back in August.
When he played a good part of his game was the part that related to defensive duties at set pieces and corners and Adebayor has more than made up or him since his arrival. He may not put away enough chances he does one heck of a lot of work moving the defence around taking defenders with him, conceding less free kicks than Crouch did and actively participating in defensive corners.
Whoever replaces him tomorrow will be unable to fulfil that duty. Defoe can only support on the post or sit up field and Pav is extraordinarily poor in the air in aerial challenges. Whilst this shouldn’t affect our game going forward, where it is in our interests to keep it on the deck, when we haven’t got the ball it could be a problem.
One of Harry’s biggest concerns is how he might get over this to increase our chances of keeping City out and giving us the prospect of a clean sheet. I don’t see a high scoring game if we are to win it and if the goals start to go in it is more likely to suggest another defeat to the Champions elect.
So what can we do? Firstly it depends upon the fitness of Ledley King. Whilst Harry is suggesting that Ledley might or might not train on Saturday he will be desperate to name him in the starting line up. If he does should someone drop out or do we add him to the back line?
In my opinion Kaboul has done so well that he doesn’t deserve to sit it out andDawsonwill not be dropped. So it is a decision as to whether we are brave enough to start with 3 across the back? For the reasons set out above about attackers not being able to offer assistance I think I would choose that route pushing Walker and Benny into wing back positions allowing them to add extra to the defence or be able to use their ability and pace to assist the attack.
If Ledley remains unfit then we have to continue with a 4 across the back as I doubt we will experiment with Bassong for this game despite his role in the defeat at Stoke.
Harry’s press conference also suggested that Sandro is not yet ready to play despite stepping up to outside work along with Gallas. That leaves a decision as to whether to play both Parker and Livermore. Parker had his worst Spurs performance last week but was settling back in after injury. He needed the game to prepare for this match and I expect him to be ready to put in a decent performance leading them midfield from the front.
If Ledley plays then we might keepLivermoreback and play Modric a little deeper with Parker in the middle with Van Der Vaart and Bale ahead of them. If he doesn’t then Livermore and Parker with Modric and Bale ahead of them with Rafa and Defoe further forward seems likely.
Up front I cannot see anyone else than Defoe getting the start for his pace and direct approach. As long as he can stay onside and being on the counter attack that should be easier we have to hope that he can hit the target and make Joe Hart earn his money. Pav is at his best around the edge of the box but, for me, his work rate is insufficient to make the type of contribution required.
That unfortunately sacrifices Lennon but only because I cannot see Rafa, Luka or Gareth Bale being dropped before him. That is a disappointment because for me he gives us our width and was always a decent threat with Defoe in days gone by. You can get away with a lack of width more easily away from home as we showed atNorwichbut, with no disrespect to them, this is the next level up. Nevertheless we still have Aaron from the bench should we need an injection of pace.
So to recap, a choice of sides depending upon the man with one knee (who’s better than anotherEnglandcentre back). With him:
Friedel
Kaboul Dawson King
Walker Parker Modric Benny
VDV Bale
Defoe
And without him:
Friedel
Walker Kaboul Dawson Benny
Livermore Parker
Modric Bale
VDV
Defoe
But what do I know I am sure you have a variety of other line ups in your mind. Whatever, lets hope for a great result tomorrow. Without YaYa and Kompany I fancy our chances are improved and hopefully we can put the cat in amongst the pigeons and put pressure on United to win.
Come on You Spurs make us proud!
Can’t see it happening but what about Azza @ RW, Baler not JD up top with VDV behind, Benny has been handling LW play/crosses anyway recently. Bale has been playing through the middle a lot more, and Citeh would never expect it. To dare is to do! Leave it to ‘Arry and the boys to figure it out! COYS!
Does anyone else feel that a cheeky January bid for clint Dempsey to replace Pav would be good idea
Yes I’d be up for that but BMJ is not that stupid -is he?
I still did not understand why you have omitted Lennon. Without Adebayor, someone has to occupy the defence – and it won’t be Defoe. We need all the weapons available out there. City also like to play with flying full backs, and if they do, having Lennon AND Bale will restrict their movements. Lennon also created the most chances for us vs Wolves – despite being subbed early – he will be missed. For me, it has to be Modric and Parker in central midfield, and the 2 usual wingers. Not sure what Livermore would add. I am never keen on the 3 CBs thing. That would just default to a defensive 5-4-1 wouldn’t it?
It’s only that I cannot see Harry playing without a striker or leaving out Rafa
I agree with TonyRich. Lennon is crucial for this game. They are weak in defense and he can run the hell out of them. He likes to cut in and play a pass on the ground which is what we will need with Defoe and Rafa up there. The pace of Bale, Lennon, and Defoe on the counters will be needed. I say Walker, Kaboul, King, BAE in the back. Modders and Parker in the mid. With VDV and Defoe upfront. However, if Pav was on his game I would definitely choose him and I hope he subs in. I wish Sandro was fit for this one. Him and Parker would dominate the midfield.
Very decent side but if they get a run on is there enough in the middle to tackle them? That’s how we normally get over run in the North West and why we don’t pick up enough points there
Interesting to hear more people consider 3 at the back….perhaps the willigness of Barcelona to occasionally go with it has opened up peoples minds to it. I’d make one main alteration to your 3 5 2 side….Bale at left wing back…because that is what he is….and slot in Lennon. BAE is the unlucky one but such a tactical move almost won us the game at Stoke second half
———————Friedel
Kaboul Dawson King
Walker Parker Modric Bale
Lennon VDV
Defoe
Wouldn’t argue with that but Bale would have to stick to the line (will he?) and Benny has been one of our better players this term. Wherever we go with this there is someone dropped out who doesn’t deserve it
this is based on dawson not being dropped. redknapp is not going to change the formation to include dawson, nor should he. Lennon will start.
In answer to your question, very little it seems.
Dawson won’t be dropped? What nonsense. King if fit will play and one of Dawson or Kaboul will play alongside him.
You don’t suddenly change a back four into a back three for the biggest game of your season, so three at the back is a total non starter.
Utter stupidity to leave out the pace of Lennon, he Bale and Defoe need to run at pace at their back four and get them all booked early.
Lovely thought to think we will have the ball enough to get all of their back four booked early but I know what you mean.
I’m all for winning but wanting to stop us losing it first. If Ledley is fit it’s a big ask for him to step right in and play a blinder but we know he has done it before. Parker struggled to last week.
I think we need some height in the side and without Adebayor I’m trying to replace that for the defensive side of the game. We lacked it at Stoke and were 2 down. No way back from that today in my opinion so reason for change.
We might not agree but we both want the same outcome; 3 points