Naughton Vertonghen Dawson Beni Dembele Parker Gylfi Bale Lennon** Ade If injured, then Dempsey, Holtby or Walker; anyone, so long as it's a one for one switch rather than a wholsesale juggling of the lineup. I agree I'd rather have Ade than Defoe at this point.
I've said this before and was hoping it wouldn't be relevant but initially when we signed Adebayor on loan I always believed he wouldn't be the same player on a permanent deal, that was until the end of the season came and he was available for 5 million, no brainier surely? but unfortunately it looks to be the case that Adebayor just simply isn't the same player. Also, some fans may not want to admit this, but Redknapp is a superb man manager and can relate to some players better then AVB, there is a big thing at the moment about AVB and apparently our team spirit being amazing (compared to last year), although no one was complaining about our team spirit last year when we was winning or when Modric was welcomed back into the team , but Redknapp may well have been the perfect manager for Adebayor, to get the best out of him. However, we also have to look, last year we had VDV, he knows how to play behind the striker. When Bale plays behind the striker, it seems Ade is only interested in working hard and making space for Bale to run into, which is fine when it works, yet Bale isn't going to score wonder goals each week, which is why Defoe is the better option as hes greedy, he sticks to his role, a striker, he wants to score goals and he forces players around him to make attempts to set him up. Thats why Defoe nearly scored on the weekend, he had our two best chances and their keeper made two (one superb save) but Defoe makes things happen, and we all know he's a form player, when on form he is a superb finisher, when off form he gets labelled useless. If we still had VDV & Redknapp then Adebayor would be my choice, but with this current team, it has to be Defoe.
You've made a good case, no doubt. I still think I'd rather have an off-form Ade, who at least will try to create chances for someone else, than an off-form Defoe, who'll hog chances for himself and miss them. But--he scored a couple against BBCM. Could this be enough to get him back on track? It's a very tough call, I think, and a very important one. Having a striker in the lineup who'll score at least a few goals in the run in looks to be absolutely necessary.
Interesting to see Holtby prefers playing deeper in midfield. He'll need to improve his tackling if he's going to play there though. http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/199237.html?CMP=OTC-RSS
He got himself a smack in the face scoring for Germany's U21s in their 2-1 win against Israel. His penalty was saved and he got clattered following it up. [video=youtube;zFLteaZRBX0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?&v=zFLteaZRBX0[/video]
You remember the norwich game when he came on and made his impact? I noticed he started to drop deep, obviously thats a role he feels natural and most comfortable in, and possibly if thats the case moving to the premier league and being played out of position is why he has struggled of late. Dembele has also shown he can make a great impact when pushed forward, he used to do it for fulham at times so they can switch roles, but yes tackling would have to improve for holtby as he could be a liability deeper!
with Parker there too, he and holtby really should have enough between them to break up attacks. I think holtby is a bit of a "bulldog" deep down and after some game time in that position, would actually do well for us. It'd also allow Dembele to flaunt his creativity in a more advanced role, which could ultimately help to balance us and solve some problems. At the same time, we might actually show a different kind of threat, rather than being so bloody predictable.
Laudrup's been talking up the mighty Spurs: http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/8602890/ Probably just trying to ease the pressure on his side, mind.
Didn't see anything either apart from AVB saying no one came back injured so Bale's fine. I think Dawson is alright too as his injury wasn't too bad. Lennon, if I remember rightly, required rest but was in today's training photos so either he's fine and can start or he's doing lighter training and will be on the bench in the hope that he doesn't have to be risked. Edit: Dawson's in the background of a training pic so he'll surely be fit to start.
Not a post to endear yourself to Spurs fans, eh? If a team with very little to play for having already won a trophy and qualified for Europe, set out to injure a player in a game where the result doesn't really matter then I'll lose my faith in football. Fulham beat us at home without needing to take Bale out so I guess it's a lack of ambition, at least, on your part.
If I was ML I wouldn't f up the excellent reputation I've been winning for myself and my team by being part of a hatchet job.
AVB quoted on the OS saying that both Daws and Azza in contention for Saturday and the really good news that Kaboom was back training with the team!!!! What a bonus if we could get him back in contention in the next couple of weeks!!!
A little worried how fresh Bale, Jan and Gylfi are after playing full games. On the other hand, Gylfi looks like he's really rolling now. Two brilliant goals, both of which looked a bit Bale-like, especially the free kick. Don't suppose there's much chance he'll take the free kicks? I think he's got the touch at the moment.
SPURS TEAM NEWS: Michael Dawson and Aaron Lennon are back in the frame to face Swansea on Saturday. Centre-back Michael was forced off at half-time in our last outing against Fulham on March 17, a slight muscle injury that denied him the chance to join up with the England squad after he was recalled by Roy Hodgson. Aaron had to sit out the Fulham match through injury and that ruled him out of international duty as well. "Michael trained fully today with the team and gave a positive response," reported Andre after training on Thursday. "Aaron trained fully with the team for the last two days, so they are in contention to come back. Aaron has been excellent for us and it's good to have him back." Further good news sees Younes Kaboul stepping up his training on his return from a long-term knee injury. "Younes has trained with the team, so let's see how he reacts," added Andre.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/21970342 Of the 4 that went for England, only JD and KY got a full run out v San Marino, and Parker half an hour, none featured v Montenegro.
