http://www.adifferentleague.co.uk/p6_1_10690_tottenham-club-focus-what-to-do-with-sandro.html The author doesn't seem to know that Sandro was injured on sunday, and therefore couldn't be used, but he raises some interesting points. I think Sandro, when fit, will get plenty of game time, so am not worried about the situation personally.
Undoubtedly, this is a major problem for the club. None of us would seriously suggest that Harry should drop Parker in order simply to accommodate Sandro, but equally, we all of us are acutely aware of the supreme talent that Sandro has and would be greatly disappointed should he become unsettled and start making noises to move away. It would help if we could get his friend and compatriot, Leandro, into the team, but that isn't guaranteed. Having said that, surely he will look at Parker and realise that, eventually, his chance will come, and that when it does, it will be harder for the manager to shift him? I truly hope that he has the patience to wait his turn, because he definitely has a first-team future at the club, probably more so than THudd.
I think when fully fit, we'll see Sandro and Parker in the middle together. It's what I'd like to see anyway and I think Harry mentioned in an interview a few weeks back that he thinks it'd be a very strong midfield with "them two". Perhaps: ...Sandro... Parker Rafa.... Luka.... Bale ...........Ade Although Rafa supposedly said in an interview he doesn't like playing on the right, when he was playing there he drifted to the centre most of the time anyway. Plus I reckon Harry would allow Walker to have a lot of freedom to burst down the right as Parker and Sandro can cover when he does.
S or S, that line-up would appear to spell the end for Lennon in a Spurs shirt. Not unless Lennon is prepared to take on a super-sub role.
Lennon's only got himself to blame I'm afraid HIAG, his form of late has not warranted a guaranteed starting place. Perhaps a kick up the arse may get him to knuckle down and find that form that made him so deadly for fullbacks.
As I've said elsewhere, I think if Sandro and Parker play, then I wouldn't worry too much about VDV or Luka being on the 'right' as I think their main job should be creating/scoring/linking play. When Walker bombs forward, let one of Sandro or Parker fill the gap. To me, it's best to see it as 2-3-1, but in actuality I think (and I copied this idea from Jol) in terms of a front six, and players having the ability within a loose structure to play to their strengths and the opposition's weakness. However, we need a least ten good players to be competing for those 'front 6' positions, and all will get plenty of game time, as long as we remain a team that contends for Europe and has good Cup runs domestically and/or in Europe every season.
When was the last time Lennon looked like a top player? He should be grateful for a place on the bench, in my opinion. As for the article, when did Sandro say he wanted to move to Inter Milan?
Very good point there G10, the pair of them will have the freedom to drift about and find the necessary space to creare danger as Sandro and Parker will be there for "protection". As for the Walker part that was exactly what I had in mind, Walker will really enjoy and benefit from that I feel as well.
HI SF, I know there was 'webtalk' about it, but I bet Sandro never said he wanted a move. Here's my guess, someone interviewd him, mentioned Inter, and he said 'they are a great club, and any player would be happy to be linked to them, blah, blah, blah. To repeat, that's just guesswork on my part, but I've heard it all so many times with so many players.
Hi Ensil, I think on the whole we're debating the 'Sandro question' rather than the ability of the article writer, but I respect your take on the matter
Yeah, I remember him saying at the time something along the lines of being pleased to do well for the club when he was asked about interest from Italy. As Ensil's pointed out though, the author is a nobody who knows nothing.
The only potential problem I can see from playing VDV on the right is, he would naturally tend to drift into the middle, as that's where he likes to be. That would leave Walker exposed to any team with a pacy left back/winger combination. Let's be honest, as good as Walker is going forward, he still has a bit to learn defensively.
He'd only be on the right though NSIS if Parker and Sandro were in the middle with Luka behind the front man, that way one of them two could cover Walker when he bursts forward, though like what G10 made a good point of is that if we had both Parker and Sandro, then the three behind the striker will technically not have an allocated position, they'd have the freedom to find space and (hopefully) cause havoc for the opposition. If Modric or Sandro partnered Parker in the centre, then Rafa would be behind the striker with Lennon or someone else on the right. That's of course my theory... Not saying it's gospel... Although it is from me... So you know
In theory, that would work with Walker going forward. However, any team with a pacy attacking LB/Wing combo would need more than Walker to cover them when we don't have the ball. This would mean somebody a lot quicker than VDV spending most of their time on the right, to help counter such a threat.
That'd be the whole point of having the two DM's. They'd be there to cover Walker/ BAE when forward and also add an extra line of defense when on the back foot.
Modric is always willing to trackback and if needs be play a bit deeper. I like the midfield SoS suggested as it's flexible, both Sandro and Parker are good enough on the ball to help us break down a 10 man defence, whilst Mordic and VDV can swap and Modric can drop back to midfield. I think VDV and Walker on the right could work like Modric and Bale on the left did when we got 4th.
When Sandro joined us he said something like "I won't fit into the team straight away. It'll be some time. Spurs is a top team. I'll wait." He played earlier than anyone thought he would. He'll get his 35-40 games this season, as will most of our players. Fuss over nothing, as pre usual, but it gives us another talking point, which is why we are here.
Lennon is not worthy of a starting place on current form so we may well see a 4-2-3-1 once Sandro is fit.
