So how DO we defend against Bale et al?

@ DDk unfortunately he reads these too so none of this is gonna be able to be passed off as MY wisdom lol, but still, listen to everyone and make up your own mind is my personal rule, and the more people you can listen to the better

 

When did Martin's ever NOT blast it? That's why he usually spunked it over the bar most of the time haha

 

Well as everyone seems in agreement that Simpson/R.Taylor are likely to struggle against Bale, Pards should show us he has some balls and drop them both.

Bring in Jonas as a full back as we have plenty of wing options anyway..

Jonas-Taylor-Colo-Santon
Obertan-Tiote-Cabaye
Arfa-Best/Ba-Marveaux

Simples...

 

---------------Krul---------------
Simpson, Saylor, Coloccini, Santon
---Raylor, Gosling, Tiote, Jonas---
-------------Cabaye-------------
----------------Ba---------------

For me this will be the toughest game of the season by a long shot so far and we will need to defend well, again!

Try and snatch an early goal or with HBA, Marveux, Best all to come off the bench I think, if we are still in it, we will nick it in the 90th.

Here's to hopeful thinking

 

As I said on another thread it doesn't matter who we play because on his day Bale can rip up any fullback (scored hat trick playing against Maicon)

 

So you can't be both aggressive and attacking? All due respect but that is rubbish.

 

Bale is very overrated IMO Modric is there danger man stop Modric and you stop Spurs playing.

4231

_______________Krul__________________
Simpson___Saylor___Coloccini(C)___Santon
_________Cabaye_____Tiote____________
Obertan_______Ben_Arfa________Gutierrez
________________Ba__________________

 

Way too many replies to read through. But if Ba is out I'd play Ben Arfa as an advanced midfielder to give us a bit more presence in the middle. Marv on the right might mean Bale has to think a little more about his defensive role and restrict his opportunities going forward. Tiote and Cabaye can handle V d V and Modric with Taylor and Colo watching Adebayor and any runner from deep.

 

Did I say that? No. I don't know how you end up coming to these conclusions from what I say. I've heard of reading between the lines but you just read whatever you want it to say.

Anyway, I don't agree with your Stoke tactics, leave it at that, and maybe don't be so defensive in future. Let me know if I'm allowed to disagree with you, that'd be great, cheers.

 

I though Ba wasn't gonna be played vs Spurs?

 

http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/law/article714410.ece

 

This is a genius plan!

 

Play Santon at LB (just because he's better than Raylor, not to counter VDV/Lennon), but dont give Bale any extra attention. We were all terrified about N'Zogbia v Simpson and that came to nothing. Bale's a cracking player but nowhere near the level of his reputation.

 

Agree that Bale isn't as good as what is being made out, but OMG how fast is he?

 

He's very quick but we should be the ones making other people adapt their side to play us, not the other way around (especially at home).

 

Agree 100%. Ben Arfa should be a certainty imo

 

HBA defo needs to play, right not to play against wolves, but spurs perfect game. and marv should get proper run out ,atleast 45 mins. pardew takes the piss with him.

 

I'm more worried about the left hand side to be honest. Lennon will destroy RTaylor. I think Taylor will always do a solid job, but against a quality winger he won't cope. Santon is perhaps less dependable, but more likely to keep Lennon in check I think. If Lennon plays I think Santon should, if not Taylor.

 

Agree with both comments

 

Is Lennon even fit?

If van der Vaart plays I fancy us to keep him quiet, he's left footed and our left backs are both strong with their right foot so him cutting inside will do no good (in theory).