I thought this article was interesting - particularly as it's written from a Spurs perspective.. http://hereisthecity.com/en-gb/2014/02/26/huddlestone-mistake/ His defensive stats stack up very well
Thanks for the article. The stats are manipulated however. Example being for defense: Huddlestone 1.82 tackles per hour played Dembélé 2.35 tackles per hour played Capoue 2.19 tackles per hour played I didn't bother working out anything else though.
Not true. Depends on your sources. If you have access to the raw data, you can check for yourself... Regardless, my point is that Huddlestone doesn't have the best defensive stats out of those that they say he does. And before you say it, I know stats don't show the whole picture.
You can manipulate stats to coincide with your argument. Hence the example above and then your example. Numbers are very easy to manipulate.
Completely agree. Disagreed. My initial point was a word of warning for those glancing through the article.
Stats are great, but they are a guide and no more. What, from what you have seen, do you think of Huddlestone? Strengths and weaknesses?
Absolutely. I think teams have worked his positioning out. His passing is phenomenal but he used to find a lot of space to collect the ball from others, easing pressure, however now he is often pressurized and doesn't seem able to find that space. I think he may need to push forward to look for more gaps, not just in between the defence and midfield but also between midfield and strikers, where his creativity may be better utilised? Strength-wise, its his passing, composure on the ball and vision. His vision is fantastic and probably his best asset (or may be his passing is that good, that it makes the most of his vision). He always knows where his teammates are. His tackling and defensive abilities have improved. He reads the game well so often gets interceptions and is certainly willing to stick his foot in, something I think Spurs fans didn't used to associate with him. In general, a big success and a bit of a talisman. Also, another thought... if we didn't get Huddlestone, would we have got Livermore/Long/Jelavic? I doubt it, I think he's a big name that others were willing to follow. What're your thoughts?
Good assessment of Thudd's strengths. He's a big guy and is generally very strong on the ball. But he's been losing it more recently to opposition players who nip in when his back is turned....worrisome when it happens so close to our penalty area. Main weakness IMO is that he seems to play at a jog. Never see a burst of speed from him. He could be quite terrifying to defenders if he carried the ball through at pace given his ball control skills and rocket shot. Would love to see him run at the opposition more and open up space for the strikers. Jake is better in that respect.
Stats dont tell you about the amount of pressure the defensive aspect of the team are under more often than clubs like Chelsea and Man City . This probably accounts for CD's spike in interceptions - but these have to be made . Davies like Terry in his younger days was always mentally aware and in the right place to make a clearance .
You're more likely to see Dale Winton turning down a bit of bum fun than you are seeing Tom Huddlestone run anywhere; it's probably one of his few weaknesses. His stength has cost him his pace, but then he doesn't really need to run at people, he can pass a ball from anywhere on the park.
That's better than the usual pissing contest about stats I think he is pretty well summed up by the three posts that followed mine; although I think it is important to remember that football is a team game. For Thud to play in the top-tier he must play to his strengths - vision, accuracy/power, presence - his weakness is a lack of pace, but you build a team to compensate. Yes players will learn to close him down quickly, but that commits them early and leaves a vulnerability that others in our team can exploit. Every players game evolves as every managers tactics should evolve and why some opposition should demand a change of style and, perhaps, manpower - it's how you use your squad. Thud has a personal weakness of looking de-energised and lack-lustre, this puzzles me as I don't think it has anything to do with the opposition sussing him. On the other hand, I have seen him criticised for not being prominent when I (only through Sky full highlights admittedly) have thought him low-key but very effective - which is often how the best midfield-generals come across. Tom, in my opinion, is not a concern, but our erratic left back/wing is!
Tom Huddlestone has not bloody well been found out!!! Nor has anyone else in our squad. He's played in the premier league for about 10 years, managers know exactly what he's about.
I didn't say he'd been found out, I said his positioning has been. Managers are instructing a striker or an advanced midfielder to press him a lot. It doesn't necessarily lose him the ball, but it makes him less available to the other players. Agreed about the lack of pace. He often places on his heels, when the ball is coming to him he doesn't look to be on his toes ready to run with it. First option is always pass, which, when you pass the ball like him, is usually the right option. I agree with what you say about Jake, he often looks for the one-two, whereas Tom doesn't. May be this is tactical as he doesn't push up as far as Jake but I'd like to see it happen. I think a sitting midfielder is a great tactic, but I wonder if Meyler could do a bit more of that and Tom could push a bit more (if we play 3-5-2). I also think he should be getting more assists, sometimes sitting in a very deep number 10 role (as I said earlier), although I know others would may be prefer Aluko there. Imagine Tom playing it up or crossing in to Jelavic and slipping it through for Long's lightning runs. And yes, Fez, I'm also massively concerned about our erratic left back. I did enjoy Brady there. He's ultra fast, hard working, tenacious and offers so much going forward. If you have sitting midfielders, your fullbacks should be second wingers, prospering from the space left behind the more attacking winger. Cafu-style.
