Has Walker really offered us that much going forward though? In 20 games, he's got 2 assists. Naughton has 8 and 1 assist (Both according to ESPN player stats). Baring in mind I think all but one of them games Naughton has been out of position I think that's pretty impressive. I know Spurcat mentioned Walker's pass succession rate being very good but with all respect, while it's impressive to have a high success completion, it doesn't necessarily dictate he had a major influence on the actual attack itself, this could've been a simple pass to a player which then eventually developed into a full blown attack, if you get what I mean? All I'm saying is I think Naughton more than deserves a chance at RB, I think he's performed well for the majority of the time he's been out of position, surely he should be given a go to prove himself in the league there?
His actual contribution could be argued SoS I agree, certainly comparing to last season, but its as much his threat as form. The opposition LB will have more to think about facing Walker, and will be less reluctant to get forward himself not wanting to get caught in a pace race. I think if you take Chelsea, any opposition even if Cole was off form, would rather Bertrand was playing, I've used an extreme example, the gap in quality is not the same as between our two, just using it to make the point. You do raise a case for Naughton, but I'll have to think about this one a little more.
That's a good point actually, mentally, a full back will always be more weary of Walker more so than Naughton due to his pace more so than anything. It's only if (which I suppose they will - or should!) study his recent form and notice he's been off the pace lately that perhaps they'd gain an idea that Naughton could possibly be more effective against them based on recent form. That's all ifs and buts though. Hmm, tough one.
I could be a bit cheeky here and say well if Walker wasn't dropped when he was performing below par, then he's hardly likely to be left out now he's performing better is he ????!!!!! But to keep things in perspective, the team is going pretty well at the moment and results are good and Naughton hasn't really let us down recently, so there is a case for his continued inclusion. My feeling is much the same as Notso's, that on form or not, Walker still offers more of a threat than Naughton does. I also find that on occasions Naughton looks as if he is only comfortable playing the way he is facing if you know what I mean, and that to me is not the sign of a top full back.
Haha you're spot on there to be fair Spurcat. Yeah I fully appreciate that everyone will always consider Walker a bigger threat, as I've said overall I do rate Walker the better player (by a distance to be fair) it's just I do think Naughton should at least have a chance to prove himself on the right. Andre seems to have pulled Dawson back from obscurity so there is an idea he doesn't disregard anyone which is nice, maybe, just maybe Naughton will be given a chance sometime soon.
This is why I'm an advocate of playing your strongest team, I think people forget about the hour or two before ko. when the teamsheet is issued, if the opposition see all the names there it does set the mind. This was proved earlier in the season when that 'in the tunnel' video was put up here after the Man City game, Joe Hart ran off with a right spring in his step because JD didn't start.
Naughton slightly bothers me, I don't think his passing is up to standard and he sometimes appears to be at a loss when it comes to his next move. I know he has not had a chance in his favoured position so it's a little unfair to judge him yet, but I would certainly want BAE and Walker to be in the team first atm.
Naughton's played 15 times in total this season, with only 1 of those appearances coming from the bench. He's grown into the left-back role and shown a pretty dramatic improvement and he seemed very comfortable in his natural position against Fulham. Knowing our luck with the treatment table, I'm sure he'll have plenty of chances to prove himself this season.
it was only a few games ago that everyone was saying how much of a liability Naughton was at LB and how he's much better on the right. Despite a couple of good games at LB recently, I'm still not comfortable with his positioning and the way he day dreams, leaving the oppositions winger with so much space at times. He's too prone to switching off. - But to be fair to him, he's looked better recently, like Demspey. walker to start at RB for me all day long, despite him not having the best of seasons. He provides much more of a threat going forward, hugging the touchline with lennon and it's a real headache for defenders, regardless of how few assists he has. its the rest of the hard work that's making the difference for us. lennon and him have a great understanding too IMO and when Walker commits himself, Lennon is always there to help out. the pair seem to be working well at the moment and i currently think that out biggest threat is down the right, regardless of how good Bale is on the left.
Roo, it's an even bigger game considering Man U is next. Big chance to help or hurt ourselves a lot. (I'm so convinced it will all come down to the last game or two of the season I'm going to try not to get too worried about it, though.) Team we'll see: Lloris, Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, Beni Lennon, Sandro, Dembele, Bale Dempsey, Defoe Team I'd like to see: Same, except with Gylfi in Dempsey's place. Both Gylfi and Dempsey have looked better in recent weeks. But I'm not convinced by Dempsey at CAM. He works very hard and he's gotten better, but I don't think his passing is good enough, at least not yet. We've been better with Ade, even a non-scoring Ade, due to his superior passing and ball control. Gylfi's had assists in his last three games, and came closest to scoring against Stoke. I think he's better at distributing the ball, and is less likely to be anonymous. In any case, I continue to think AVB is picking more by diplomacy than tactics, so Dempsey it will be, with Gylfi coming on for somebody, probably him, at the seventy minute mark.
Very true rwaeb! Although we've already beaten those mancs! They are a push over... For the united game IF that's what we go for, I'd like to see a 4-5-1 with Dempsey between where dembele and bale are, and then sandro and dembele switching places like this: Lennon dembele sandro Dempsey bale. It's important we counteract man united in midfield and I think the only way to do this is to play 5. I think we'll get overrun in a 442. - anyway that's for the united game, not QPR.
Very true rwaeb! Although we've already beaten those mancs! They are a push over... For the united game IF that's what we go for, I'd like to see a 4-5-1 with Dempsey between where dembele and bale are, and then sandro and dembele switching places like this: Lennon dembele sandro Dempsey bale. It's important we counteract man united in midfield and I think the only way to do this is to play 5. I think we'll get overrun in a 442. - anyway that's for the united game, not QPR.
Pushover? Give over. Utd are not strong in midfield in terms of ball winners. We have good passers, but we get overrun sometimes as we lack a good defensive midfielder/tackler. I expect the Spurs game to follow a similar pattern to last season. You have all the possession between the edge of our penalty area and the halfway line; we hit you with effect on the counter. I expect Scholes to play. 3-2 to Utd, RvP to get the winner in the 95th minute! QPR is a difficult game to call. 'Arry will get them fired up and they are increasingly proving that they are hard to beat. I'm predicting 2-2. This is a game where Spurs will do the counterattacking.
Yes, I know. The lowest form of wit. If we don't win the league this season it will be down to Spurs not donating the usual 6 points. What's got into you?
While usually I'd agree with that, I think Utd should be more concerned with how to counteract our midfield, I may have my Spurs cap on here but I genuinely believe that our midfield is probably (performance wise) the best in the Prem at the moment. Bale and Lennon are tearing full backs a new arsehole, Sandro is breaking up 95% of opposition attacks and Moussa just glides past anyone with ease. I'd have Dempsey in the CAM role more so than a deeper one, he likes to attack and I think we should play to his strengths there, especially as he (finally!!!) looks like he's regaining his Fulham form now. I reckon Utd will probably line up with: Valencia, Carrick, Cleverly, Young (or Welbeck) In my opinion, that midfield, in terms of Utd ones over the years, is weak by their standards. Valencia is the only player I'd consider top draw and a major threat (no doubt Carrick will bag a hat trick now ). I think the fact they have van Persie and Rooney (plus Hernandez) infront of them makes them look a lot better than what they truly are. Could you imagine Rooney and van Persie infront of Lennon, Sandro, Moussa and Bale?.................. Stuff of dreams.
but this is the thing SOS. - with what you've just mentioned and how strong we are in midfield, its unlikely united will play 4. - They'll need 5, which is why I initially said they'll be strong. I'm not sure who's fit and who isn't, but they have plenty of talent to break us up and disable our usual game. The advantage we have this time is that we're at home. we need to be on top form, as they have the quality to punish us up front in a heartbeat. in terms of strikers, have they got everyone fit?
Won't Rooney and RVP start for our game though? Or is Rooney still injured for a while longer? Even if he doesn't start, I think Utd have been more effective against teams when they've played 4-4-2 so I can see Hernandez (who's no usual back up) starting with RVP and them fielding a 4 man midfield, which would hopef. Maybe you're right and they will go 5 in midfield and in that case it may be a different story. Still quietly confident we can cause them a lot of problems with what we have though. Just hope we don't crumble to them which we do so often, here's hoping the boys take the mentality from OT to this one, do that and we've definitely got a good chance of getting 3 points, especially at home. Just noticed the QPR match thread has turned into talk of the Utd game... Whoops!
I would be suprised if they went 4-4-2 away from home,unless they were playing one of the teams fighting relegation
