I like Valencia, one of very few wingers that doesn't dive or cheat and just plays an honest game, add to the fact he's also a great crosser of the ball, I'd certainly have him at Spurs, though I very much doubt Utd would even consider a bid. Hoiletts good but he's not an improvement on what we have, yes the fact we missed Lennon (and will for a couple of weeks) Hoilett could come in and do a job but I'd have Lennon to start over him all day long when both are fit. Where as Lennon or Valencia (or Valencia-esque player) to choose from, decision not the easiest, would depend on the opposition I think.
The only way we can accommodate sandro and parker is to drop vdv or modric because they are both rubbish when on the wings. Parker and modric partnership wins for me unless modric fills in for vdv while he's injured. Walker at rw with kaboul at rb is our best option with the current squad
SoS "Hoiletts good but he's not an improvement on what we have, yes the fact we missed Lennon (and will for a couple of weeks) Hoilett could come in and do a job" This is where we are just behind the other top sides, the times when you've got players "doing a job" out of position, is where mistakes are made and weaknesses are exploited. This is life in the Top4.
That's your opinion NSS, I disagree. With JD we could have attacked more and worried Chelsea even more than we did. Remember we nearly nicked it in the second half with Pav playing as an anonymous bystander. The extra energy, pace and edge that JD could have provided might have tipped the scales. Also, it was always likely that a very good Chelsea would have got a result last night whoever Harry had taken on from that bench when VDV was withdrawn. Re Modric, I see no reason why he can't be accommodated centrally with Sandro and Parker. Chelsea played three mids last night, and did so when they won a lot of trophies under Mourinho. In fact quite a lot of teams play/have played three mids successfully. I think there's a lot of overstating by many re the loss of Lennon too, we managed 4th without having Lennon for a lot of the 09/10 season. The loss of Lennon is a big blow, but so is the loss of VDV and Defoe, had any two of those been playing and properly fit, we could easily have won last night. Also had Lennon played, we still might have only drawn with a very good Chelsea team. Lennon was playing in our only loss during our great run since the window closed. In fact we played a lot better at Stoke in the second half when Defoe replaced Lennon, who was completely lost (like vDV) amongst the 'monsters of Stoke'. Lennon also played in both our other defeats this season. I'm not blaming Lennon in any way for them, but actually I would say Parker and Adebayor are more important to our team than Lennon, and King usually, though he looked off the pace last night. I think buying cover for Ade is even more important than buying cover for Lennon, though naturally would be happy with both.
Its not just my opinion GH it was Harry after the game aswell re 442, but you are respectfully entitled to yours, which is only catering for us having the ball, its the part of the game when we don't have it and being over-ran in MF thats the problem being overlooked here imo. Its all about balance, and I'm not criticising, just pointing out your views in this instance, seem more weighted to the attacking element of our game. Yes we nearly nicked it...so did they!...I fully appreciate they are a top side (that got beat at home by Liverpoo!) and should get a chance or two, but they were gifted many. All in all I'm happy with this half of the season, this game was just one of those frustrating outcomes for a number of reasons...one or two need immediate addressing to move forward though.
Think that was more to do with us being terrible than anything! We went with no recognised right back against one of the best wingers in the league in Bale, which meant Carra was at RCB. Skrtel may as well have not been there against Bale, and the gap hideously exposed Carra's lack of pace when he tried to cover. Agger came off injured and was replaced by Coates (who should be brilliant some day) who currently has the turning circle of an oil tanker. Enrique was decent though. Adam being sent off was criminally bad from him, and Modric's goal was disgraceful - why wasn't he closed down? From then on it was one way, I thought Spurs were brilliant that day and from then on. It seems to have given us a kick up the arse defensively too - if only we could stop hitting the post, it's maddening. Would just like to say that Ade is really impressing, thought he'd have faded by now but you've made a great loan deal with him. Are Defoe and Pav both leaving in January?
Even with Lennon in the team there is no guarantee we would have won. This is the Chelsea that went 1-0 down early in the game against City and came back to win. Yes we could have nicked it but so could they-it was a fair result. Everyone seems to have forgotten the option of Charlie at RB and Walker pushed forward-maybe next season with Naughton coming back. We need Kaboul at CB until Daws comes back as King will probably be out for the next two games now. We have a few options for the right and last night's isn't one of them- personally I was surprised Nico didn't come on but maybe Harry is trying to increase Pav's value. As for a purchase-Odemwingie.
Just to add to this discussion regarding Walker, remember as an attacking fullback he is used to running into space and seeing a large area of the pitch before he attacks space and supports Lennon. If he was placed as a winger, this means he will be normally be receiving the ball at feet in righter areas and then himself needing support, or he will be attacking space in tight areas and will be required to use more trickier so am not sure he would work as a winger.
Still would have had him overlapping with Kaboul. When one gets forward the other stays back. Both can cross. Both are strong. Both like to get forward. They would have coped with Cashley and Mata quite easily. Parker has been due a break for while now so we should have had Sandro and modric in the middle. We should also have brought on Kranjcar for VdV instead of Pav.
Agreed, it is not ideal. But still would have been better than wasting Modders' talents out there. Walker often takes up winger positions in the second phase of moves, so wouldn't be too alien to him. Take your point though that attacking full back and winger are very different.
HarrysDisciple to be honest nothing is ideal now as VDV is out till the new year and Lennon is out for about 3 weeks but this 4-4-2 with Modric on the wing and sandro and parker in the centre just doesn't inspire the team or provide me with much optimism. While I personally see issues with walker at right wing, at least if arry attempted it, we would still have some balance and walker may well adapt to the position and prove me wrong.
I don't think we used Kaboul last night as he seems to be carrying an injury.Hoilett would be great coz he can play on both wings and down the middle.But Harry must come up with a solution:change formation or use someone else on the right.Been reading alot about Harry saying we'll only buy a really big signing in the window,so i wonder if he's got something in the pipeline.
The thing is, we have cover for Lennon, it's just GDS isn't living up to his billing, Pienaar is habitually injured, and we're holding back on Townsend making a Premier League start (even though he could be a useful player to bring on as sub with 15-20 minutes to go.)
You're a pain in the arse! , I keep seeing him left sided, so guess what I used as reference!...begins with W! Personal information Full name David Wayne Hoilett[1] Date of birth 5 June 1990 (age 21) Place of birth Brampton, Ontario, Canada Height 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in) [2] Playing position Left Winger Checked a few vids of goals....(trying to wriggle out of it), but no, I stand erected! With this new information an upgrade on Pienaar and Gio without doubt.
I was surprised when Arry brought Pav on (even after his goal against the cats), he contributed absolutely nothing in 45 mins and is just generally too lazy and inconsistent. I still expect him to be sold in Jan. I cant understand why GDS never gets a game out wide to replace Lennon, his pace and trickery is similar and I can only remember a handful of times when Gio has had PL game time. Certainly a better attacking option than Pienaar. Also we are not the same with Modric out wide.
