Best XI...

[Legend10]

I actually quite like that. I know you said it's a 4-4-2 and, without wanting to go too much into formation semantics, it's quite like a Pellegrini-style 4-2-2-2. I reckon we could do that pretty well with those players. Lamela and Eriksen can play wider and are creative players. I'd like to see Ade link up with Soldado, it's worth a go.

It's also a system that allows us to get all of our best players into the team!

 

[jezz]

Personally....

------------------Lloris-----------------
--Walker--Kaboul--Vertonghen--Rose
----------------Sandro-----------------
-----------Holtby----Eriksen----------
--Lamela------------------Townsend--
----------------Soldado----------------

Would consider dropping Townsend, moving Eriksen to LW (cutting in) with Dembele/Paulinho coming in to CM for tougher games.

Nice line up, plenty of passers in there, plenty of intelligence and a bit off added pace down the left.
Thumbs up from me mate

 

[Syn_13]

Personally....

------------------Lloris-----------------
--Walker--Kaboul--Vertonghen--Rose
----------------Sandro-----------------
-----------Holtby----Eriksen----------
--Lamela------------------Townsend--
----------------Soldado----------------

Would consider dropping Townsend, moving Eriksen to LW (cutting in) with Dembele/Paulinho coming in to CM for tougher games.

I like it. I especially like the midfield trio of:

----------------Sandro-----------------
-----------Holtby----Eriksen----------

You've got your destroyer in Sandro anchoring to help out the defence. Holtby is a busy fuck with an eye for a pass, he's got an engine on him and some creativity too. Eriksen is the fantasista, the number 10 flair man. There should be plenty of forward balls coming out of that trio. Lamela adds creativity on the right and will look to push up to help the striker and Townsend playing as a proper traditional winger to give us some natural width. It's a proper 4-3-3 with just one holding midfielder, none of this negative 4-2-3-1 bollocks with 2 holding mids (especially at home)!

 

[idontgetit]

If you're asking me I would play a system which best suits the players available!

And IMHO we are best suited to playing with Adebayor & Soldado up front. I would be playing with 2 CB's, 2 sitting CM players and be attacking from wide areas to get crosses in or feed balls in for Ade & Soldado.

My first choice line up would be:

..........................Lloris......................

Walker.......Vlad............Verts........Rose

..............Sandro........Moussa............

......Lamela.........................Eriksen......

................Ade..........Soldado.............


To me that's a 442, but I would be looking to my 2 CM players to mainly protect, break up play and pass quickly, whilst tucking Lamela & Eriksen in slightly to feed balls wide for the FB' to get round the outside and deliver crosses or for Lamela & Eriksen to slide balls in or down the sides for Ade & Soldado.

You would never have a defensive block of less than 5 but at the same time you have the opportunity to attack with both pace and craft plus the advantage of having 2 targets to hit when under pressure. When you don't have the ball it allows you to press right from the front as you have more than one player to share the work load and if you don't win it back quickly then Lamela & Eriksen drop into more conventional roles and one forward just drops in 10 yards.

I think it gives you such a solid defensive base of the 2 in front of the 2, plus it allows you to move the ball quickly and get your most creative players on it. The 2 FB's have massive roles to play and Walker certainly fits this system perfectly and in the main so does Rose.

But it also allows you to drop players in and out and play the same way, for Vlad & Verts drop in Kaboul & Dawson, for Sandro & Moussa drop in Pauly &Capoue, for Lamela & Eriksen drop in Siggy/Holtby & Townsend/Lennon, for Ade & Soldado drop in Kane & Defoe. The only problem is we don't have ideal drop in FB's although at a push and at home Townsend could possibly provide the left one.

So again if it was me in January I would be looking for 2 back up FB's who have these qualities.

For me this is the best system that we could play to suit the players that we have available, it's offensive, has creativity, pace, a physical threat, 2 forward players working in tandem and still retains a solid base.

It's nice and I know City currently play in a similar manner but you're missing one glaring issue which has been at the heart of Spurs problems since Modric left; we have no passing at all from deep central midfield.

 

[Syn_13]

It's nice and I know City currently play in a similar manner but you're missing one glaring issue which has been at the heart of Spurs problems since Modric left; we have no passing at all from deep central midfield.

Take out Dembele and put in Holtby. That's all I can think of. He's not as composed as Modric was, or as good on the ball as Dembele, but he does look for the forward pass more than the latter and does work hard.

 

[Syn_13]

Yeah I like it more than what we've played so far! Still prefer a 4-3-3 and think we're more suited as a squad to it but it would have been great to experiment more with these attacking formations in pre-season early cup games instead of sticking with pretty much what didn't work for us last year

I'd agree in preferring the 4-3-3. I think we shouldn't be afraid to play our more creative flair players and play a 3 of Sandro, Holtby and Eriksen. I think they provide a good blend of what is required in a midfield 3. The problem is the 3 men up front. Obviously one of our strikers as the point man but we don't have many players suited to the wide-forward position. Lamela would be a good bet on the right but not sure about the left. Chadli has played there naturally for Twente but we then might lack natural width unless the full backs are willing to provide it. Townsend is always looking to be a goal threat and could do damage on the left side where he can use his natural foot a lot more so that might be an option.

I do worry that if we try playing the 4-3-3 our wide-forwards won't press up and support the striker enough, something we've had a problem with recently under AVB, and it ends up falling back into that turgid 4-5-1 where all our midfielders are bunched together and the striker is isolated. It's difficult, because you've got to get the right balance of making sure the wide-forwards are supporting the striker whilst the full backs aren't left too exposed.

 

[Legend10]

It's nice and I know City currently play in a similar manner but you're missing one glaring issue which has been at the heart of Spurs problems since Modric left; we have no passing at all from deep central midfield.

Actually I think Moussa, Capoue & Pauly can definitely pass well enough for this system, Sandro may be slightly less so but his other attributes are so strong. I think the problem is not their ability to pass but they have been playing to instructions of possession is everything and look for safe and ultimately negative passes. They Have the ability to play faster and of course they will have more options in front of them.

Secondly with Vlad & Verts behind them you also have 2 CB's who are very good passers.

Thirdly and seeing as you mentioned City, both Toure and Fernandinho are very good players with many strengths, but they don't pass a ball like Modric either, they just get it and give it quickly and that's all we would want.

 

[idontgetit]

I'd agree in preferring the 4-3-3. I think we shouldn't be afraid to play our more creative flair players and play a 3 of Sandro, Holtby and Eriksen. I think they provide a good blend of what is required in a midfield 3. The problem is the 3 men up front. Obviously one of our strikers as the point man but we don't have many players suited to the wide-forward position. Lamela would be a good bet on the right but not sure about the left. Chadli has played there naturally for Twente but we then might lack natural width unless the full backs are willing to provide it. Townsend is always looking to be a goal threat and could do damage on the left side where he can use his natural foot a lot more so that might be an option.

I do worry that if we try playing the 4-3-3 our wide-forwards won't press up and support the striker enough, something we've had a problem with recently under AVB, and it ends up falling back into that turgid 4-5-1 where all our midfielders are bunched together and the striker is isolated. It's difficult, because you've got to get the right balance of making sure the wide-forwards are supporting the striker whilst the full backs aren't left too exposed.

Lamela and Townsend are perfectly suited! You're so right about the probems with them playing too deep though. I've been saying it again and again and again this season and AVB just hasn't been listening to me lol. I think more in terms of being too deep on the ball though, the wide forwards this season have spent way too much time coming short, picking up the ball and running at the defence. They should be making runs behind the defence and trusting on the players behind them to pick them out, something they actually could trust if it's Holtby and Erikson there behind them as you suggested

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I would go with this team. Injuries and suspensions taken into account.

4-3-3

LLORIS

WALKER
CHIRICHES
KABOUL
ROSE

CAPOUE
DEMBELE
HOLTBY

LAMELA
SOLDADO
ERIKSEN

If Kaboul is not available than play Walker CB and bring in Naughton at RB.

 

[Wardy]

4-3-3

LLORIS

WALKER
CHIRICHES
KABOUL
ROSE

CAPOUE
DEMBELE
HOLTBY

LAMELA
SOLDADO
ERIKSEN

Exactly who i'd pick

 

[hodsgod]

Really?
Ive seen him play and he looks the best option on the right, thats my logic.
Lamela gave a virtuoso performance against Sherriff.
Lennon got subbed because he went missing in the second half.

Really against Sheriff, so Defoe is our best striker? He has scored nine goals this season and Soldado has scored five from open play.

Seriously you are going to say he is in the best eleven because he played one good game against shit opposition? Lennons performance against Man U, Lamela against city they don't count? Lennons seven years of service is turned over for one game against Sherriff? What about all the games he couldn't pass to his own players?

I am hoping Lamela is going to be a top player, but to say he is in our best eleven just doesn't make sense. It's based on desire not on reality.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Fine so in an ideal world with everybody fit and available how and who would you play?

Without going to much in the machinations this is the formation and team I would play

4-3-3

LLORIS

WALKER
CHRICHES
VERTONGHEN
ROSE

SANDRO
PAULINHO
HOLTBY

LAMELA
SOLDADO
ERIKSEN

Any coach who is able to get this team function as a fluid attacking unit wouldn't be going far wrong IMO.

 

[jezz]

Really against Sheriff, so Defoe is our best striker? He has scored nine goals this season and Soldado has scored five from open play.

Seriously you are going to say he is in the best eleven because he played one good game against shit opposition? Lennons performance against Man U, Lamela against city they don't count? Lennons seven years of service is turned over for one game against Sherriff? What about all the games he couldn't pass to his own players?

I am hoping Lamela is going to be a top player, but to say he is in our best eleven just doesn't make sense. It's based on desire not on reality.

Lennon also played against City, and as much as it was a shit performance for all, Lamela still managed to put Paul and Ade in for good chances.
Lennon played well for the first half and vanished the second half he got subbed remember.
Lennon still dosent have a goal or an assist this year.
Its based on current form, remember Sunday and Lennon, yeah played a blinder.
Didnt lennon play against Sherrif away?
Yeah he looked great against them aswell.
And who would you pick then?

 

[hodsgod]

Lennon also played against City, and as much as it was a shit performance for all, Lamela still managed to put Paul and Ade in for good chances.
Lennon played well for the first half and vanished the second half he got subbed remember.
Lennon still dosent have a goal or an assist this year.
Its based on current form, remember Sunday and Lennon, yeah played a blinder.
Didnt lennon play against Sherrif away?
Yeah he looked great against them aswell.
And who would you pick then?

I haven't ever put a team forward since the close season, I have no idea about a lot of the players. There has been so much chopping and changing, not many players have had a really good run, I am baffled as to what is our best team.

I am disappointed with Lamela and Soldado so far. More so with Soldado because he has had plenty of starts, and because the last few games he looks to be totally pissed off.

I think the back would be Rose,Vlad,Jan,Walker
Sandro holding.

The rest is a real lottery. Sig isn't bad scores a few, but not convinced he is taking us anywhere long term
Chadli, slow a bit meh
Paulinho, gets into nice positions some reservations though
Holtby, lots of energy I am not sure how good he is, not convinced he is CL quality at all.
Lennon has always been good and bad, would really like to see an upgrade
Townsend, he could be one for the future, young and a lot to learn.
Eriksen, hoping he is the new Modric, still not settled in I feel
Lamela has had one good game a nd a few poor, mis managed by AVB.
Three strikers and I am not convinced yet by any of them

I am sure I missed a couple, anyway I do not have a clue as to who the best eleven are, my indifference to the forward players is backed up by the lack of goals. If someone was showing form maybe we wouldn't have a minus goal difference.

 

[jezz]

I haven't ever put a team forward since the close season, I have no idea about a lot of the players. There has been so much chopping and changing, not many players have had a really good run, I am baffled as to what is our best team.

I am disappointed with Lamela and Soldado so far. More so with Soldado because he has had plenty of starts, and because the last few games he looks to be totally pissed off.

I think the back would be Rose,Vlad,Jan,Walker
Sandro holding.

The rest is a real lottery. Sig isn't bad scores a few, but not convinced he is taking us anywhere long term
Chadli, slow a bit meh
Paulinho, gets into nice positions some reservations though
Holtby, lots of energy I am not sure how good he is, not convinced he is CL quality at all.
Lennon has always been good and bad, would really like to see an upgrade
Townsend, he could be one for the future, young and a lot to learn.
Eriksen, hoping he is the new Modric, still not settled in I feel
Lamela has had one good game a nd a few poor, mis managed by AVB.
Three strikers and I am not convinced yet by any of them

I am sure I missed a couple, anyway I do not have a clue as to who the best eleven are, my indifference to the forward players is backed up by the lack of goals. If someone was showing form maybe we wouldn't have a minus goal difference.

Getting walloped 6, 5 ,and 3 nil hasnt helped our goal difference.

 

[DHMadboy]

Lloris/Friedel
Walker/Naughton Chiriches/Kaboul Vertongen/Dawson Rose/BAE
Lamela/Lennon Paulinho/Dembele Sandro/Capoue Townsend/Chadli
Erikson/Holtby
Soldado/Defoe

 

[hodsgod]

Getting walloped 6, 5 ,and 3 nil hasnt helped our goal difference.

regardless of goal difference our goals scored column is bloody awful. When you consider the number of points we have accrued, the goals scored are a bloody miracle.