Most importantly whoever Harry chooses to play has to go out there and believe that we can beat Chelsea and not be intimidated by their reputation. In general terms we are close to being the form team of the league, the players should go out in every game thinking they can win whether its sparkling free flowing or hard graft and a bit ugly.
Agreed. Though I think the lads are starting to show the belief that we could be in for something special this year. The whole team just wants to attack, our midfield and strikeforce doesn't need any introductuin but when you've got fullbacks like Benny and Walker who attack more than most wingers do, it shows the confidence and intent of the team to really dominate the game and not allow the opposition a sniff.
Whoever Harry goes with , what is brilliant reading through the thread is that we have a great squad with so many good options!
It is a slight worry for me, Benny and his pissing about sometimes, if he gets it wrong Sturridge will pinch it, and from a standing start he'll be gone. A good spot that, its a key match up those two.
Was watching press pass on ESPN and they had Robbie Mustoe and Steve Nichol discussing the game and they both agreed that the tide has definitely turned and Tottenham are entitled to go in as firm favorites. I'm not used to this, but I will take it as we a finally establishing ourselves as genuine contenders.
Notso- quite agree, he got caught yesterday and tripped the Sunderland player and got carded for it. Unfortunately that is the way he plays and I'm sure Harry gets quite frustrated when he does that. For me I would like to see Benny improve his crossing, he got into a lot of good crossing positions and duffed most of them. The more time he has the lower the quality, maybe a few first time balls would be better served.
It's going to be hard on Parker as he's on 4 yellows now,so we should expect him to miss a game before new year.Luckily he wasn't booked last game.Atleast we have Sandro and Livermore as cover.
Probably just as well for Parker to 'get it over with' during the Xmas period We'll need to rotate anyway. another good game for him to miss would the Cheltenham game, which he probably won't start anyway. Not that I want Scott to get carded- but he will every so often, it's the way he plays.
To be honest, none of the players who would replace him would worry me very much. Luiz/Ivanovic will struggle against Ade and Rafa. Although the Benny/Sturridge match up is important, I think they are the ones with defensive worries. Sturridge can't cause many issues if he doesn't get the ball.
We also need to watch the right side with Mata, he has been looking a class player recently, Walker will have his hands full and may not be able to get forward as much as he likes!!!
Quite right too, without Lennon our right hand side could be a bit sterile, Ashley Cole will also sleep well Wednesday night!, Pienaar and Krancjar not offering anything like the same threat. Not having to pay too much attention to that side would allow them to concentrate on stopping Bale. Its going to be very interesting with some of these match ups making all the difference.
I don't think either Niko or Pienaar, will start. I certainly hope not modric parker sandro bale VDV Ade - the front six all day (and evening long for me. If Bale is missing, would bring in JD, only if both are unfit would I consider Niko or Pienaar However, I'd probably prefer a bit of pace and go for Townsend, or Harry's alternative last time out was Pav, could easily be the same replacement for Lennon.
With Lennon missing, I can see us starting with Pienaar, with a possible second half switch to 3-5-2, with Bale and Walker as wingers! I'm pretty confident that Bale will be available on Thursday!!
All is possible Pirate, but I sure hope not If we go 3-5-2 with Walker and Bale, then the other three for me in the mid are Sandro Parker and Luka, no room at the Lane for SP as a starter in this game. Of course if Bale isn't fit we could play BAE, as much as he gets on my nerves at times I'd still rather him as WB than SP. Indeed I'd rather Rose or Townsend TBH, and I'm one of the fans who defends Pienaar on here, against people calling him ****, utter tripe and the rest of it
Agree about the front six, at least against stronger teams/away. I think it's even better than adding Lennon and sitting Sandro, though that makes sense against teams parking the bus. Leave Modric in the middle, let VDV and Bale go where they want, with Bale switching sides often, and rely on Parker and Sandro to cover for them, while getting forward at key times themselves. If Bale can't play, put in Defoe. I'd like to see Kranjcar get more minutes, but not as a starter in this game. Bring him on as a sub, maybe, especially if we're ahead. If we're behind, bring in Defoe, and/or Pav or Gio.
Yep agreed RWB, without Lennon, it's an easy front 6 to call IMHO, assuming Bale is fit. I like 4-2-3-1, so I hope we play that. But as long as that front 6 plays I'm not too hung up on formations, they are all top players, who know how to play football. It's the ole Dutch total football for me. In fact it was from Jol that I first came across the concept of the 'front six', rather than worrying who's going to play on the right to replace Lennon or some such. You don't necessarily need to replace like for like, you need to replace quality for quality. Naturally if Bale is out then you do need to think about getting some extra width and pace in the team. One winger missing is never a problem for me, as I'm no fan of two wingers. Two wingers out, yep that is a problem.
I'm led to believe that Defoe is still struggling to be fit, so we may have the same bench maybe with Townsend coming in.
We need Townsend if Bale is not fit, we need to test the Chavs flanks. If Ledley isn't fit then Bassong should start as he counters their ariel threat better than Gallas. Parker and Sandro are a must together with Modric, Ade and VdV. Friedel Walker Benny King/Bassong Kaboul Parker Sandro Modric VdV Bale/Townsend ADE Subs Defoe Gallas Livermore Pav Cudicini Krancjar Corluka unless Ledley is fit then Bassong should replace Gallas on the bench. I'd rather see VdV out of position than Modric, playing out of position tends to neutralise Modric. VdV is clever and Cashley isn't the sharpest arrow in the quiver, VdV could cut inside and cause Cashley all sorts of grief. He could do a sort of Joe Cole role. If we are in front with about half an hour to go, bring on Charlie for VdV and push Walker forward. If we are behind with 15 minutes left bring on JD or Pav for one of the central defenders. Hopefully the Chavs will be down to 10 men by then but with Chris Foy as the 4th official anything could happen. Ledley is the key, lets hope he is fit.
