Given that Parker, Modric, Bale and Adebayor are always going to start in Harry's first XI, his choice is then between a system to accomodate VdV and Sandro (4231) or Lennon and Defoe (442). The first one has got to be better on average because it gives us more steel and more skill. Having the possibility of moving to the second one (which does have more pace) during a match is excellent though.
I rate VDV big-time, his goal at Wigan, for example, was sensational. I'd back the vast majority of players, including Defoe, to miss that opportunity. It was a moment of wonder that VDV put a quarter chance like that in the net, it stunned me at the time, and continued to do so on several replays thereafter. When VDV's fit, I'd always be looking to play him, IIRC he got 2 v Arsenal last year. He's probably our best penalty taker, which is important to a team who are generally woeful in that dept.
Back to tomorrow's game, which we know won't include VDV. After seeing the team news, http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/team-news-280911.html here's my guess at the team Harry will pick. Cudicini, Corluka Kaboul Bassong Rose, Lennon Carroll Livermore Townsend, Gio Pav Subs: Gomes, Pienaar, Falque, Kane, Fredericks, Defoe, Niko or an Academy lad, depending on Niko's ftness. Personally, I'd be happy if Kaboul was rested, but I can't see how we can realistically and still be confident of winning.
Agree that these are the 2 systems we have to work with, the addition of Adebayor in particular makes both of these systems work so much better than last season though where crouch would be ineffectual in the 4231 in particular. The change to that system last season is the reason we struggled for goals at the latter part of last season. I personally prefer 442 with Defoe partnering Ade although as discussed this mean sacrificing VdV unless he can adapt to be effective from a wide position. I guess 'Ary will pick and choose which system to use depending on the oppo & home or away..
I think it's just nice to have some players coming back,this game shouldn't really be to hard.I surpose Pav will start but if he looks like he has the last couple of games,take him off at half-time.Also we could do with some 1st half goals if we start with the returning players as they will get tired.
We have struck gold with Ade as he compliments a 4-4-2 and 4-5-1 system so a perfect partner for VDV and Defoe as he has shown in the past 3 games. He has already almost passed Crouch's goal tally from the whole of last season (in prem) Even Parker scored more goals then Crouch last season lol
I really wish we could forget about Crouch, but for the record I rate Crouch as better than Pav too. I'm sure Stoke are delighted with him after having scored v Utd, I notice he was in Sky's team of the week. Why some people continue to bash a player who did his best for us and two sored two of our most iconic goals this century so far, v City and Milan, is completely beyond me. He gave us good service, we turned a bit of a profit on him, and last season his total number of goals and assists was only surpassed by VDV. http://www.myfootballfacts.com/TottenhamHotspurPlayersStatistics2010-11.html So why not leave him alone, eh? Also, I wish people would stop having a dig at Gary Docherty too, another player who gave us good service and whose career was massively blighted by a savage and unnecessary tackle on him, that left him never able to perform as well as he had done up to them. If people want to have a dig at former players there are far more worthy targets than either of those two, and no I'm not naming them, because I'm not interested in such behaviour. PS Eton Trifle (nice name BTW I'm not having a go at you, because I'm not sure if you were having a dig at Docherty or not. But I know quite a few of our fans who think he is fair game, and it really irritates me. They should feel sorry for what the lad went through after that horror 'tackle'.
I always liked Crouch because every time I looked he seemed to be trying to do something useful. Not that he was always or even usually successful, but it's an excellent attitude and can rub off. I also think he's shown over his career that he doesn't quite have the talent to be a top four level striker, that he's more like a very good back up. So I think while Spurs did need a more talented striker, he gave excellent service and I wish him well--along with Palacios, another player with an excellent attitude--except when Stoke plays Spurs.
According to this, http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/...ign=Feed: theguardian/football/rss (Football) Pienaar may well start Also it seems Shamrock have put in a few useful away performances in Europe. I think the Guardian's probable team will be more than a little wrong, including positionally and personnel-wise. However Harry has said we will field 7 or 8 full internationals. My guess at the team included 7, but if Pienaar comes in that might go to 8. If Pienaar is to start, I would like it to be at RB with Kaboul rested and Corluka CB, but I'm sticking to my predicted team
Some interesting info on Shamrock, if like me you know little about them. They are fighting for the Irish lge title, so may have some 'juggling' to do just like us. http://www.sportsnewsireland.com/soccer_irish/53774/?
No worries GH, didn't take it as a dig. I get what you are saying about crouch and I do believe he always tried for us and did obviously score some important goals for us. I just think he should have scored a lot more than he did given his obvious attributes. It was more a dig at Pav's poor form than at crouch or docherty
With Townsend on one wing and Lennon on the other should be more than enough ammo for whoever plays up front.
My team prediction is now Cuddicini Pienaar Bassong Corluka Rose Lennon Livermore Krancjar Falque Gio Pav/Kane (Pav will play, but Kane should)
