Further to my earlier throw away comment about Bale and Lennon swapping sides... Would anyone else also like to see the two playing more on the opposing sides of the field a la Messi, Finney, Waddle, Overmars, Pires, Robben, Duff, Adam Johnson, Ashley Young... I think Bale in particular can be absolutely devastating coming inside from the right. attacking the full back's weaker foot, at pace - although Lennon less so, as his finishing leaves a little to be desired. Is the crossed ball from the by-line any longer the most effective goal threat in the modern game? (was it ever?) Would this overcome our recent inability to score goals? Personally, I am a fan of swapping in-game; Bale's ability to cross a ball from the left is simply too good to eliminate from the side altogether!
I'll always remember Lennon's ability to play on either wing being used as a justification for signing Bentley as opposed to, say, a left winger.
Definitely, I think Bale needs to do something to stop him getting marked out of games like he was at the end of last season. Even if he doesn't swap sides, just cut in a bit more to mix it up.
Problem I forsee here is players running into each others space, VDV & Modric all run centrally and the two wingers cutting inside also means teams will simply play very narrow eliminating the threat. If they have any decent wide men themselves we'll get torn to shreds by opposing wide men and the fullbacks will be isolated. It could work if you have your full backs overlapping and giving width in attack but then you're quite overloaded going forward and you'd be susceptible to counter attacks.
How do we know Valencia would lose all effectiveness on the left, if he always plays on the right? You are quick to dismiss the notion of wingers playing on their opposite side and yet it works for Messi, Robben, Duff, Johnson and Young, all of whom are all predominantly 'one footed' and make a marked impact on games cutting inside deeper than the by line, game after game. Also you say that the Spurs duo have made their biggest impact playing on their 'correct side', but they have very rarely been given the opportunity to switch - so how do we know? There are a couple of very interesting and insightful pieces I have read on this topic, and it makes me think that Spurs should employ a deal more flexibility in their play if they want to compete at the top level. Will they ever do that under Redknapp? I doubt it. No only can would it help address the doubling up on Bale, but also provides defensive headaches for the opposition, particularly if employed 'in flight'. http://www.guardian.co.uk/sport/blog/2010/mar/24/the-question-inside-out-wingers http://www.wsc.co.uk/content/view/4975/38/
Would I like to see them switch more, no I would not. Both wingers need to be capable of playing either side. It doesn't take much working out for any fullback on how to defend, when a one footed winger turns up on the wrong side. Lennon is about as ineffective as you can get on the left. Cutting inside allows the opposing back4 to stay narrow, reducing the space between them. Far better imo for wide players to do exactly that and keep defences as stretched across the pitch as possible. There was a game earlier this year, can't recall the opponents, but we started a 2nd half with Bale and Lennon opposite, it wasn't long before they were reverted back to where they should be! It was tried a few times this season and didn't work well at all with these 2. To argue the case of one-footedness with likes of Robben, isn't really fair either, he's an exceptional dribbler of the ball, happy to go either way round you still. Robben, Young etc can cut inside and are more than capable of an accurate shot from outside the area...not something I'd attribute to Lennon!
Au contraire. I counted at least 3 occasions where he did do that from the left last season, and at least one occasion whereby cutting in left him with space to shoot, and score he did
The odd times Bale has gone on the right he hasn't impressed me. Lennon appears to be very capable on the right however. I agree with Darren that we'd become too narrow if both played on opposite wings.
SSS- Now you mention it, I do remember a goal, did a gap open up like 'a parting of the Red Sea'! but well taken nonetheless? However I do not recall any crosses with his left foot going outside a defender, thats not to say he didn't, I just recall any right now. All that aside, if an odd cross and an odd goal is the result, I'd have to say its still fairly effective, I'd prefer a constant threat, rather than occasional. The law of averages says he'll have success at some point, but is it worth the wait.
