I don't think it was any coincidence that when Lennon came on against Villa our play suddenly improved. In fairness he didn't go on too many mazy runs but I think the mere fact he was on the pitch caused Villa to become more careful as they know a Lennon and Townsend counter is far more deadly than a Sig and Townsend one. Townsend had already ran Luna out of steam so they needed to be careful with another speed demon entering the fray.
Villa had to instantly stretch their back four across the pitch with Lennons introduction, that alone opened things up. If you can use two touchline huggers you will get gaps in the middle, especially later in the game. If AL is to be used left while Andros is in this vein, I think its important to get the position behind him sorted, he'll do better with the more familiar Danny Rose. You'd think AT and DR would have a better understanding coming though the ranks together, but its intriguing now that both forward wide men and the two FB's have been at the club some time and know each other well, and are all English, I think thats important.
It's funny how Rose and Townsend have both become such key players for us. Who would've guessed at that happening in the summer?
The thing I like about our current squad is that if we play 4231 then the attacking midfield 3 could be almost any combination of Chadli, Eriksen, Holtby, Lamela, Lennon, Sigurdsson and Townsend, possibly even Dembele. Which will actually start should depend on a number of things including the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition. I don't really understand why Sig is so poorly rated on here: he scores more goals than any of the others which is a massive plus.
He's not rated in the no10 role more than not rated. I actually like him left of the 3 as long as Rose is playing for the width. As a no10 he is a poor choice compared to other players in the squad (notably Eriksen and Holtby)
Massively important. It's nice to see we've still got an English core despite the influx of foreign signings and the fact they're all becoming key performers is a major plus too. I remember when Rose was still a LW and I was talking to people (not on Not606) about who will be the one that makes it and who will be back up/ sold out of him and Andros, great to see them both beginning to flourish for us now. The first time I saw Townsend was at a FA Cup Youth game against Arsenal at the Lane, was about 5 years ago I think, he was by far head and shoulders above the rest of the Spurs squad bar one other player - Caulker. It's good to see that we are producing talent to challenge for first team places and with others like Pritchard, Carroll, Kane all coming through, future's looking pretty bright. Hall has apparently been great for Swindon too, not sure if Spurcat can confirm or deny that but if true, hopefully he can provide some cover/ competition for next season if need be.
Agreed, though a gradual transition to it may make the most sense. I would say that Gylfi is one of our few proven goal-creators, along with Soldado, Eriksen, Holtby and Paulinho. (It may be churlish of me not to add Lamela, but he's still hardly played.) As it happens he hasn't had any assists this year, but I like his eye for a pass, like the one he released Bale with against Arsenal last year. But if we want width and pace from our wide men, Gylfi won't play.
I most certainly did and got lambasted for it! Post 4927 in the Transfer Window thread: Boss and Spurm backed me up
I still don't think Rose is better than Benny, at least not yet. Having a good start to the season is a lot different to being consistent over a number of seasons.
BAE is on paper still our best proper LB. Hopefully the QPR stint will make him grow up a bit, and he'll return in the new year eager to put in a shift during the business end of the season.
"It's a full season loan isn't it?" Doubt it. Walker went from QPR to Villa in the 2010-11 season. So robably a review/renew option at the next transfer window. BAE is too good to be in the league below, so he should be recalled (assuming he will stop the antics) , or sold in the next transfer window.
From BBC: "QPR have signed former Tottenham midfielder Niko Kranjcar and current Spurs duo Benoit Assou-Ekotto and Tom Carroll on season-long loan deals." Unless there's a recall option?
"Unless there's a recall option?" Must be one, for sale purposes at the very least. I would like the AVB/BAE rift to somehow work out with both sides doing the minimum possible to further the Spurs cause. But it seems we're beyond the point of no return on that one. I can see AVB playing the tea lady at LB all season rather than recall a match-fit but repentent BAE.
And failure to get at least 4th place and/or a Cup might yet bring AVB's man management skills into question....again.
I honestly reckon if we don't get 4th, AVB could be gone. Whether I'd agree with it or not (depends how far we were from 4th and how we got on in cups), fact is AVB was brought in to take us onto that "next level" and two seasons at 5th (or below) isn't reaching those targets.
