glorygloryeze
Tom Huddlestone
Interesting. How strong do people think Siggy is? He's another 6-footer isn't he?
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OMT Tottenham Hotspur vs Chelsea, WHL, Sat 28 Sept
- Thread starter Nezza
- Start date
Interesting. How strong do people think Siggy is? He's another 6-footer isn't he?
glorygloryeze
Tom Huddlestone
In this match last season it seemed that in the end we lost because we just didn't have enough footballing intelligence in the day to hold onto our lead once 2-1 up. Perhaps this was symbolic during the Walker-Mata battles that culminated in the bit of play near the end before Mata passed for Sturridge to score his tap-in. The intelligence of movement showed by Mata, Oscar and Hazard in the end seemed to make Torres' presence up front almost irrelevant that day.
Do people think we have upped our footballing intelligence to prosper (or at least hang alongside Chelsea) in this game?
Do people think we have upped our footballing intelligence to prosper (or at least hang alongside Chelsea) in this game?
El Guepardo
Rafael Van Der Vaart
At least this time we won't have Gallas and Friedel gifting Chelsea goals.
NaijaSpurs
Les Ferdinand
Is that based on you seeing them together and coming to the conclusion that it does not work?
NaijaSpurs
Les Ferdinand
Ivanovic is a good solid right back but he does have problems dealing with blistering pace so I would be tempted to play Lamela or Townsend on the left and the other on the right
Denmark Spur
Michael Carrick
AVBs pre game press conference
[video=youtube;8twfQHTe1jk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8twfQHTe1jk[/video]
[video=youtube;8twfQHTe1jk]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8twfQHTe1jk[/video]
braineclipse
Steve Sedgley
Lamela on the right in that case and Townsend on the left, for me at least. Lamela has spent most of his time playing either as a number 10 or on the right, not sure if this is the time to play him in a position he's less comfortable in. Townsend on the other hand is comfortable on either flank.
AVB gave a lot of playing time to Chadli before his injury, he says he's in contention for the game against Chelsea. I wouldn't be surprised if Chadli starts.
We have a lot of good options for almost all positions though. So many options and possibilities, I trust AVB to make a smart decision on the starting line-up whatever it ends up being.
braineclipse
Steve Sedgley
Isn't that more as a result of this being standard operating procedure for most top teams with plenty of attacking options?
Most good creative attacking midfielders have to adapt to playing in a wider position at some point in their career if they want regular playing time either at a top club or top international side with a lot of competition for places. It's also natural because the difference between a 'number 10' role and a role where you cut inside onto your stronger foot from a wider starting position isn't all that big.
I know there are exceptions of course, talking in slightly more general terms.
El Guepardo
Rafael Van Der Vaart
How about it you remove Townsend's shots?
I
indianspur
Guest
any chance that AVB will go ultra defensive with the following team?????
...................Lloris
Walker..Dawson..Vertonghen...Rose
............Sandro..Dembele
....Townsend..Paulinho..Sigurdsson
...................Soldado
AVB wont want to lose, and that team is the most solid he has at his disposal
...................Lloris
Walker..Dawson..Vertonghen...Rose
............Sandro..Dembele
....Townsend..Paulinho..Sigurdsson
...................Soldado
AVB wont want to lose, and that team is the most solid he has at his disposal
I
indianspur
Guest
:lol: will make a dramatic difference wont it
Nezza
Ben Thatcher
I certainly hope not. There's an argument for changing to a 433 (which is what that lineup says to me) away from home to a top side. But neither of these criteria are met tomorrow
braineclipse
Steve Sedgley
Eriksen for Sig and Lamela for Townsend and that would be my preferred team. Although I'm essentially going to be happy with any team sent out considering how well so many of our players have played recently. Although I see it more as a 4-3-3 with Dembele and Paulinho ahead of Sandro as the holding midfielder.
I don't think a line-up like that has to be super defensive. How defensive or attacking a team is depends on so much more. If Sandro drops deep and we push both our full backs up that can be very attacking. If we press high up the pitch that can be very attacking. That team might lack a little in creativity, but should be able to dominate possession if Chelsea come to the Lane to sit back as long as it's 0-0.
The above line-up you posted is very similar to what we played away to Arsenal (although once again in a more 4-3-3 looking formation). Sandro for Capoue and Sig for Chadli, otherwise the same. I don't think we were ultra defensive in that game.
I
indianspur
Guest
ultra defensive was probably too strong a description. Certainly if AVB decides to keep Eriksen and Lamela on the bench it means we will be more solid than potentially creative in the final third.
I dont think he will start Lamela in this game. Chelski are strong down the left with Cole and Hazard, so im pretty sure AVB will want Walker and Townsend there not only to deal with the their pace and attacking ability, but also to give them something to worry about with the pace of our boys.
I think Sig will definitely start. He has that goal threat that AVB appreciates. So imo it all boils down to Sandro or Eriksen depending on what AVB's plan is. Keep it tighter with Sandro from the start and then bring Eriksen into the game later, or to start with Eriksen and to give Chelski more to worry about from the beginning.
jeez its great to have these options:lol: I love our squad
I
indianspur
Guest
its so strange that this game could easily finish 0-0 or it could be a 3-3....both sides have strong defensive players as well as extremely good attacking players. It will be fascinating thats for sure
braineclipse
Steve Sedgley
Me too!
And although I'm still an argumentative and opinionated bastard my opinions on the line-ups these days is a lot less firm than it's been in the past. So many options...I'm not as sure about Sig as you are, Eriksen has proven that he can score goals. AVB said himself that Chadli is available and in contention. AVB preferred Chadli to Sig for the Arsenal game where we did start 3 of our 4 central midfielders. Even if Sandro doesn't start we could still see Chadli-Eriksen-Lamela/Townsend as our attacking 3.
Will be interesting to see what he does with Lamela. So far Lamela has done alright defensively, although he's a bit **** one on one defensively he's tracked back quite diligently from what I've seen. I don't think there's much difference between him and Townsend defensively. I think Cole and Hazard will have a lot more to worry about with Lamela than with Townsend when we attack. Then again, I thought Lamela was very likely to start against Cardiff and if AVB didn't want to give him his first PL start in that game I'm not sure he will in this game either.
braineclipse
Steve Sedgley
Yeah, an early (or first half) goal for either team, but particularly for us could really open the game up and there could be a lot happening. If Mourinho sets them up to defend like he did against United though it might very well end up 0-0 like you say.
Great mix of fascination, excitement, nervousness and so many other feelings about this game... Can't ****ing wait. Why is it Friday? Why not Saturday already? Damn you time!
THFC6061
Paul Robinson
If you don't shoot, you don't score.