Latest news is Parker has been back in light training for a week or so and will be back in full training this week. Benny will be returning to training this week (according to talksport anyway). These players will be absolutely crucial for us in the busy Christmas period. With Dawson out, Benny coming back means Vertonghen can slot back in the centre. This will strengthen us to be able to have such a class player playing in his preferred position and having one of the best left backs in the league back. Also Parker alongside Sandro with Dembele pushing forward to support Adebayor/Defoe will give us a much more solid line up particularly how AVB likes the team to score goals and then hold on for the rest of the match! ;-) All in all things are looking very positive. Lets hope we do what's necessary on Thursday!
Which means maybe Dempsey can be utilised in his prefered left side cutting in role as an alternative and competition to Lennon. Think we look adaptable in midfield with Parker back and Sig having a good impact on weekend aswell as Dempsey perking up lately. Benny for all his stepovers in our own area and casual atitude has been missed as a natural left back.
Totally agree Dona. I know there has been a bit of moaning about our squad and injuries but what I like is generally, apart from the Chelsea match, we have been able to replace quality with quality for each game. To be able to have Adebayor, Defoe and Dempsey all available for Everton on Saturday wont weaken us massively. Obviously you will always miss a player like Bale but it is a great option to have. Dempsey scored more goals than Bale did from that position last year.
Was it just me or once Bale went off it felt like the rest of the team started to play their own game? Sometimes I feel that we are too focused on Bale and I felt us loosen up a bit after his departure. The Sig proved to be an ample replacement.
Sigurdsson did well when he came on Dona, but I think Fulham lost their defensive cohesion trying to chase a goal. He took full advantage of it though, so all credit to him.
I think sometimes the team thinks give it to Bale and let him do the rest! The balance of the team looked very good when he went off but this could also be down to the fact they were chasing the game. Also I guess they would double mark Bale but wouldn't feel the need to do that to Dempsey or Siggy thus allowing more space like what happened with our second goal.
True...chasing 1 goal though should not mean losing your shape. I thought Defoe was surrounded by about 5 men when he got that slide rule from Dempsey for the 3rd. I can imagine Bale being looked for then Defoe if he was on the pitch. Benny and Parker is a great problem for AVB to have. If we get through Everton I can see us getting stronger where we are weak, Defensively.
This is the downside to having a stand out player, the team start to rely on him and work for him rather than the team. The question is were Fulham a better team without Berbatov or with him. Will Spurs be a better 'team' without Bale? The 'team' certainly struggled when VDV first joined us. As we have a good 'team' it's just possible we might produce a more collective effort when he is not there. Bale that is not VDV.
For me, there's more than one downside to Bale being missing. Apart from the obvious, the other factor to be considered is that defences are **** scared of him. Therefore, he always occupies 2-3 defenders whenever he gets the ball. With him not in our side, opposition sides don't have that problem to worry about - which will restrict he space available to our other forwards.
In theory yes, but on the other hand they will have two defenders who are not sure who to watch. There is some truth in that flippant remark as I am sure we will develop as the thread proceeds.
I agree, but it also makes us more predictable. There are 2 players marking him for good reason, we rely too heavily on him and sometimes you stop Bale and you stop Tottenham. We need Dempsey, Ade, Siggy and/or Lennon to show good movement and Bale being out wont be such a problem.
Benny's been sorely missed in my opinion, Vertonghen has done a more than fantastic job there but the combo of Benny & Bale is one of the best in the league in my opinion. Yes he has his heart in mouth step over moments but he's a very good left back and suits our style.. Parker's return is great, although I think Sandro has cemented the DM role, Parker's availability will be a massive boost for the team. His experience and leadership in the dressing and obviously his ability on the field is a more than welcome return for us.
I think Sandro and Parker with a 5 man midfield could work for some matches I.e united away. With Dembele in front behind Defoe/Adebayor.
Good news on Parker- played 90 mins in a reserve friendly. http://soccernet.espn.go.com/news/s...to-the-pitch-for-tottenham's-reserves?cc=3436
Good news on Scott, if he comes through the next reserve game, the U21's have Sunderland on Monday, so we could see him for the home Swansea game...sounds like a plan to me!
Hopefully Sandro won't need to throw up on the pitch any more through exhaustion if he can get the odd day off!
The DM appears to be showing BAE training today. RESULT! http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...e-Villas-Boas-beat-freeze-Spurs-training.html
