I'd start both Defoe and Ade, come to think of it, and assuming the VDV rumor is true. They've worked well together, the biggest danger may be no goals, and it should keep both Defoe and Ade happy.
If it's thought imperative to keep JD happy, then Sandro VDV Siggy Bale JD Ade, though to me it makes a nonsense of AVB's system, unless we're going to play JD a la Sturridge. We need to get rid of Defoe if we're going to play 'lone striker' and he's going to kick up a fuss when he doesn't play, which will be most of the time. If AVB's going to dismantle the key feature of his attacking system just to placate JD, then 1-0 to player power, and AVB is going to look stupid/wise depending on results.
With respect, I think that's jumping the gun a bit, because we don't know what AVB will do on Saturday, so until then, it's maybe unwise to conjecture too much. I do agree with you on one of your earlier posts though, where you said if we play Defoe on his own up top, then it seriously reduces our chances on Saturday. Now it's my turn to jump the gun, because I believe that is what he will do, which is why I have predicted a 0-0 on our prediction competitions on here.
Fair comments OS We'll see what happens. Harry apparently had a lot of earche from Defoe moaning that he wanted to play regularly, as someone wwho has I believe, a fair bit of 'inside knowledge' you probably know more about that than me. Simple fact for me is, JD can't play lone striker, to accommodate him in that role is a bad move. All IMHO. Let's see how AVB deals with what may be his biggest problem yet at Spurs. It's one thing losing at Toon, failing to beat WBA at the Lane, then the pressure really kicks in.
Freidel Walker - Dawson(c) - Vertonghen - BAE Sandro Sig - VdV Lennon - Defoe - Bale That would be my team. I don't think AVB can justify dropping Defoe considering he scored last time out and Ade supposedly isn't fully match fit yet. Plus the last thing we need right now is to piss off Defoe to the point where, this late in the transfer window, he decided that enough is enough and he wants out. Ade to come on after, say 60 mins to provide something different and prove to us why he should be the man up front. Centre back pairing is Dawson + Verts because we're hearing that Kaboul is out, I don't like Gallas, and I'm not sure AVB thinks Caulker is quite ready just yet. I wouldn't be hugely surprised to see Caulker starting because he's probably more AVB's type of defender, in so far as he's more mobile than Daws. But, if he's still here, I think on balance Daws will start, if only to captain the team. The formation is something I heard mentioned and then posted about in the 'Bite the Bullet' thread, I think at home we should be making the fullest use of the attacking talent available to us. I know Defoe perhaps isn't ideal for the lone striker role but if VdV and Sig can get close to I'm then it could work. With the greatest respect to West Brom, especially given their win against 'Pool last week, these are games we should be looking to win well at home and I see no reason that that defensive quintet cannot deal with West Brom's attack. If it doesn't appear to be working then all the manager has to do is change the system by bringing on Livermore for one of Sig/VdV.
I think the best thing would be for JD to leave and us get in someone who can play the lone striker role properly, if that's what AVB thinks is best. Not playing Ade might piss him off, and as he is a far better player than JD, that's surely a far bigger worry. Of course if we're going to start down the 4-4-2 route then fine, or not, depending on how it works. It's pointless placating JD IMHO, either accept he should play on merit and give him what he wants or shift him out if he wants regular first team football but we're going 'lone striker' He doesn't have the skillset to justify that at Spurs, even Harry, who was/is a big fan 'triffic lad, etc', knew that. It isn't that 'he isn't ideal' he simply doesn't fit the bill, at all. Jol and Ramos while using 4-4-2, both preferred other options mainly to JD as well.
If Gallas was a better pick than Daws last time, then I cannot see that changing. Ade to start and JD as impact sub later would be the norm...but its not the norm atm! This has to be one of the most intriuging waits for a teamsheet for a long time. Hiag...get back here and explain why you dropped Bale!...its the only reason I continued reading!
That'as the thing about the "three strikers are enough" comments none of the papers have considered - Ade counts as one, Kane might count as a second (or he could be played in the attacking midfield trio, as he was in pre season) but at no point does he say Defoe is staying.
Good point HBIC. To me it would be stupid to start September with Ade Defoe and Kane. Only one of them is 'Abel' to lead the line properly, and it's simply asking, indeed begging on bended knees for trouble. The Defoe question has to be faced now, not September 1. Delaying it for a week because Ade isn't 'match fit' solves nothing, IMHO.
Haha it's only a loan so not yet! I might just keep it anyway............but lets stay on topic eh? I only left Gallas out because I heard somewhere he was a doubt for the game. If he's fit then he could well start instead of Dawson and he'll just be captain again. I don't really like Gallas but I could see it happening.
Andre's words are something on the lines of "talks with his agent have been productive". - that's so vague though. what does that even mean? IMO, he is being vague on purpose and dodging the real questions, as he knows that there could be changes.
Friedel Walker - Gallas - Vert - Benny ------------------Sandro-------- ------Gylfi-------------------VDV-- ---Lennon------Ade-------Bale---- Think that should work well. Galas has experience, Vert needs time on the field so no such a loss. Ade needs to get fit at some point so why not start him? I guess he has been training, so him being 60% is surely not fitness, but match sharpness, which can only be gained one way. I see Defoe as a sub, nothing more. If he doesn't like it then he can get on his bike, I've never seen him be consistant enough to warrent making any demands of a manager. Would love to see Carrol come on too.
My starting XI would be Friedel Walker - Daws - Verts - Benny Sandro Lennon - VDV - Siggy - Bale Ade this is probably our strongest line up apart from Kaboul. Also depends on Ade's fitness, if he is fit but just not match fit then i would start him, if not then we have not choice but to start with JD
Well said SG, and good line up, one that I posted earlier so I'm bound to like it Why people want to placate JD I know not. Nothing against him, it's not his fault he doesn't have the skills and physical attributes to be a line leader, it's just a sad fact. I like Jake, but I'd still drop him for this one, and not stick him in up front to keep him happy. I think incidentally that Ade played recently for Togo, so that presumably helped with his fitness, but as long as he's in reasonable shape, he has to start.
Think that we'll probably start ---------------------Friedel-------------------- Walker----Gallas------Vertonghen----Benny Lennon------Sandro----Livermore------Bale ----------------------Siggy------------------- --------------------------Defoe--------------- Subs: Carlo, VDV, Ade, Daws, Naughton, Townsend, Caulker Expectind an Ade 55th minute, and VDV 65th min change if things aren't going well
Mixed messages on ITK regarding Ade's fitness, but overall sounding positive. So hope he plays, am fearing dropped points otherwise. We have to get that extra striker in ASAP!
