Well of course AVB hasn't been able to pick his full strength side on a number of occasions, but I suggest that in the games where points have most definitely been dropped, the side he has picked has still been much superior to that of the opposition, so the point still stands. Furthermore, of the signings he has made, a couple have been a disaster so far. Okay, he's getting more out of Aaron Lennon, but that is counter balanced by an alarming drop in the form of Kyle Walker. He has clearly upset Adebayor and also Michael Dawson and to a lesser extent Tom Huddlstone. So not only do I think he's not as tactically astute as we were led to believe, but I also think he continues to lack man management skills. I do agree with you about the players taking some responsibility, in fact my original post on this topic on another thread, did mention this. The players have shown signs of disinterest in the Europa games and some did at Norwich on Wednesday. But if a new manager can't motivate his players for games during his 'honeymoon period', when can he do it ??
I think tomorrow AVB really needs to switch it up personnel and formation-wise, if we can't experiment at H vs Wigan, when can we? I think the team should be; Lloris - Walker Caulker Verts Naughton - Lennon Sandro Falque Bale - Ade Defoe Lloris needs to be brought in now permanently otherwise we risk losing him and we really don't wanna lose one of the best keepers in the world cos we wanted to keep a 41 year old happy, Falque deserves a start as he's impressed when given the chance and Hudd Dempsey and Sig aren't doing enough atm, Also Ade and Defoe should be given a go as we're at home to a weak side and should really go for goals. However I fear we will see another one of AVB's predictable line-ups which will look like this: Friedel - Walker Caulker Gallas Vertonghen - Sandro Hudd - Lennon Dempsey Bale - Defoe
You're looking too hard trying to find a problem with what I'm saying. Where we can I'd side with playing the same players regularly and in the same system, obviously injuries have forced our hand in some areas in the past but that doesn't mean we should abandon that mentality and move one of our main goal threats out of position or that an experienced player like Dempsey isn't a credible option because he's had a few poor games. I think we're both a bit confused though now. Wish I'd never bloody said anything .[/QUOTE] Then I have no idea how either of us have managed to write so much waffle over nothing! I agree with what your saying, all I was getting at is that I feel Falque deserves a start and would like to see bale in a more central role to pose a threat where we look poor. 5 out of 6 ofthe front 6 would be the same, but just the inclusion of Falque would be nice! Nice talking with you YV!
Not sure if this is mind games or just friendly advice. Martinez has said that Bale should forget going to Spain as he won't get the same space as he gets in England.
Hi Taylan, good post and so agree with you about Lloris. Am still not sure on Falque though, I think he deserves to start, but I think Hudd has to play alongside Sandro. That then makes it two from Ade Dempsey Defoe Falque. I think I'd go for Ade and Defoe.
If Adebayor's upset it's his own fault, surely? Any footballer that thinks they should walk into the side half fit and ahead of an in form player is a fool. I can understand him not being happy at being on the bench, I think that's a good thing, but if he's angry at AVB for not selecting him I think he's mistaken. Again on the flipside of the coin, Caulker's very happy and it was clear from what he was saying in preseason that he wanted to get chances here and I'm not so sure he would've under 'Arry. I know who I'd rather have happy at Spurs between Caulker and Dawson, because lets face it keeping 5 centre backs happy is tough even with Kaboul's injury.
Adebayor's been fit enough to play two full games for Togo, yet not fit enough to start one for us. Why wasn't he fit enough to start against Chelsea? I still don't get that one, playing a jet-lagged Dempsey instead of him, I suspect Ade doesn't get it either. Today is an ideal chance to start Ade, I hope AVB takes it.
Back injury, same reason he didn't travel to Maribor after and then he got ill before Soton didn't he?
Team news(look away Ghoddle): Friedel, Walker, Caulker, Gallas, Vertonghen, Lennon, Sandro, Huddlestone, Bale, Dempsey & Defoe Subs: Lloris, Dawson, Naughton, Carroll, Falque, Sigurdsson and Adebayor
Glad that Adebayor's fit enough to make the bench and that Carroll and Falque did enough in midweek to join him. No surprises, so let's hope we can put on a professional performance for 90 minutes.
Friedel; Walker, Caulker, Gallas, Vertonghen; Sandro, Huddlestone,; Bale, Dempsey, Lennon; Defoe Lloris, Dawson, Naughton, Carroll, Falque, Sigurdsson, Adebayor Hope to see Carroll come on as Hudds gets knackered - rather than Verts moved to midfield and Naughton at LB...
Well pretty much as expected, as usual in Prem games I'm annoyed about the keeper position, but apart from that can't complain too much. I just hope Dempsey has finally got over all his travels and looks a lot sharper today. I can see why he's got the nod over Falque. Naturally I was hoping for Ade to play, but good to see him on the bench, hope to see him on the pitch today for at lesat half an hour. I'll go for a narrow win for us, with Arsenal losing this is a great chance to stake a genuine claim for a CL spot, let's do it.
Another standard AVB choice although it is odd to see the out of form Dempsey maintain his spot. Oh well - another 2 hours of nailbiting ahead.
Line-up just as I predicted it would be last night, should be enough to beat and can even see Dempsey scoring today but the line-up is becoming a bit too predictable now and the like of Adebayor, Lloris, Falque, Sigurdsson and Naughton may become frustrated if they feel AVB will pick the same team no matter what happens
The only link I can find that isn't being blocked by my anti-virus software is Fox Sports. Disappointed that I have't got Yank commentators, I love the enthusiasm they have when they say "Hotspurs".
