I agree it's whats between their ears that counts on Sunday. The only thing that worries me about not having two wide players is that it becomes a war of attrition in a narrow midfield; One I am not that confident of winning.
Our new Director of Football? please log in to view this image Talking of McKennas, whatever happened to Kieren McKenna? I seem to remember Jol putting him in the squad for a first team game once.
A good news story just before the semi-final.... http://sport.uk.msn.com/football/articles.aspx?cp-documentid=161092062 VDV makes a (sort of) pledge to stay with Spurs regardless of CL footie next year.
"You can't be arrogant and say, 'Listen, I want to play in the Champions League.' We have to show this year that we deserve it and we have to help the club get back there," Van der Vaart told the Evening Standard. Lovin that attitude Rafa.
"I love to play in Europe, the Europa League, too, which is why I was annoyed earlier in the season when I wasn't included in the squad for that competition. The Champions League is great but it's not the most important thing for me." -------------- IIRC wasn't this because he got a hamstring injury and they reckoned he'd be out for most of the group stages? Assuming we'd gotten through it he'd have been in the squad after that.
Apparently, Paul is currently working with Queen Kenny on a new book; "I Can Make you a Football Manager."
Hi DM Cudicini Walker Gallas Nelsen BAE Modric Parker Livermore Bale VDV Ade Though I expect Sandro instead of Livermore.
I would go with Lennon over Livermore as two defensive mid-fielders means we invite teams on us. Play with tempo and scare the pants off their ugly mugs. No King as he looks shot at the moment but I think your right and he play 2 holders in the middle.
Meanwhile, 'Arry says this in relation to the England job in the same paper: “I’m still here today but who knows where you are going to be tomorrow?” please log in to view this image On the one hand, as the Wembley pitch is wider, playing with two wingers is a good idea. On the other, that's probably what they're expecting us to do, so... --- Sandro Modric Parker --- VDV --- --- --- Bale Adebayor That offers width, yet we have creativity through the middle, and solidity if it turns into a game of attrition.
It would be an idea to take account of Chelsea's defensive predicament. Ivanovic is out and Cole most likely to get his first game for a while after Bertrand was ruled out injured. Dodgy fullbacks on a wide pitch? or Cahill and Terry? Just my opinion.
If we have a triumvirate of Modric, Parker and Sandro in the middle breaking their moves down and pressurising the midfield, at some point their defence will crack. We can also turn the screw by bringing on Lennon (or Kranjcar) and changing it to 4-4-1-1 with two wingers and VDV in the hole, with Defoe/Saha in the wings. If we start with Gallas and Nelsen at the back, a little extra strength in central midfield would ease the nerves. We screwed up against Norwich partly because of bad personnel choices (Defoe and Saha are too similar to be a partnership up front, it was the wrong game for Livermore to start in place of Parker or Sandro, we waited too long to make necessary changes when the game was slipping from us), but if we start with a a packed midfield with Modric playing deep with Parker and Sandro, there's space to change it depending on how the game is going.
Good points made, but so is to get at, and behind a back4 thats not played a competitive match for a while early, straight out of the blocks and not give it a chance to settle in to the match. But, we have our own defensive situation so I understand the idea to protect it aswell...tough call!
Haven't kept up to date with this since my last comment but anyone give me any likely team predictions?
