Defence

[Tottenham_God]

I was wondering what people thought of our defensive line.. where we could improve and what areas we really need to work on.

We have Loris, I think its safe to say we couldn't get a better keeper at spurs if we tried.

So the back four of Rose Verts Kaboul Walker

Seems to be favoured by most as our starting backline for next season with the exception on possibly Benny or a new left back down the left.

Caulker Dawson cb back up

naughton/smith and benny fb back up

Does this lot look like a Champions League/title competing backline? and if it does what areas of our defending do we need to sharpen up?

Myself personally I think Vertonghen is slightly over rated by our fans as far as his actual defending goes, but I have faith after a season in the league will be even better next season, exquisite footballer imo.

Big question mark over Kaboul.

So Central defense may need to be looked at.

Walker, not many names spring to mind as potential upgrades. Naughton should be sold.

Now left back... I think we should invest in a young keen late teen early 20s lefty to compete.

What are your opinions?

 

[DEFchenkOE]

If Benny stays then him and Rose should be enough at lb but if not then I prefer we get someone experienced to compete with Rose. No point having 2 young and inexperienced left backs imo.

And no matter who is in as a team we need towork on defending set pieces, talk about achilles heal.

 

[HotspurFC1950]

I was wondering what people thought of our defensive line.. where we could improve and what areas we really need to work on.

We have Loris, I think its safe to say we couldn't get a better keeper at spurs if we tried.

So the back four of Rose Verts Kaboul Walker

Seems to be favoured by most as our starting backline for next season with the exception on possibly Benny or a new left back down the left.

Caulker Dawson cb back up

naughton/smith and benny fb back up

Does this lot look like a Champions League/title competing backline? and if it does what areas of our defending do we need to sharpen up?

Myself personally I think Vertonghen is slightly over rated by our fans as far as his actual defending goes, but I have faith after a season in the league will be even better next season, exquisite footballer imo.

Big question mark over Kaboul.

So Central defense may need to be looked at.

Walker, not many names spring to mind as potential upgrades. Naughton should be sold.

Now left back... I think we should invest in a young keen late teen early 20s lefty to compete.

What are your opinions?

Defo question mark over Kaboul and we won't find out til too late if he can make it back or not.

 

[HotspurFC1950]

If Benny stays then him and Rose should be enough at lb but if not then I prefer we get someone experienced to compete with Rose. No point having 2 young and inexperienced left backs imo.

And no matter who is in as a team we need towork on defending set pieces, talk about achilles heal.

Sunderland a totally different kettle of fish to where we are at and want to go re Rose.

 

[N17Jack]

People have short memories, Kaboul is pure class, its Danny Rose who should have a million question marks hanging over him.

 

[Tottenham_God]

People have short memories, Kaboul is pure class, its Danny Rose who should have a million question marks hanging over him.

I think no one is questioning his footballing ability, its just he has had a whole year out of the game and having a knackered knee means he may be our new King.

 

[benjani]

Left back is our weakest position in defence but I can't think of any better available alternatives.

 

[dontcallme]

I think it's important for us to develop our players as much as we can and not rely on the transfer market too much.

Happy with Walker, Rose and BAE as our full backs and willing to give Naughton a season to show what he can do but it has to be as a right back.

Dawson and Caulker are very good back ups.

The only question mark for is if Kaboul can come back to full fitness and at the same level he was last season.

If yes, then I wouldn't change a thing in our defence.

 

[ajspurs]

Vetonghen may be overrated by some but you can also say some are guilty of similar feelings when they're putting Rose straight into our suggested back 4 next season. Not a dig as I agree that I don't think Vertonghen is the complete full package as far as a centre back goes but on the ball he's great and I don't know any other centre backs in the league who make better interceptions and stretching tackles than him.

Ekotto I think is fine if he's given a solid run of games but when he's in and out of the team as much as he was last season I really don't think that helps. If AVB doesn't trust him then the position needs to be addressed.

 

[Nocando]

I think Loris, Walker and Verts are good enough and to a lesser extent BAE and Dawson. However in an ideal world we would upgrade on both BAE and Dawson (by that I mean try to find a better alternative rather than selling first).

We'll just have to wait and see regarding Kaboul, but again in an ideal world we'd prob sign a new CB and left back which would dislodge BAE and Dawson (If Kaboul doesn't).

Jury's out on Rose, but we'll just have to reserve judgement and see how he performs, if he gets chance.

Naughton's a reasonable reserve to either flank and as AVB likes to rotate would probably get a fair amount of game time.

Defence is probably not our number one priority but I think it could do with a bit of attention if we have enough money to spend.

 

[Riandor]

I think defence is going to be a case of see who is available towards the latter half of the window, with priority being on Strikers and creative midfield/wing options.

I think if... IF that gets tied up early we might have a look at a defender (just my onions)

 

[Tottenham_God]

I think Loris, Walker and Verts are good enough and to a lesser extent BAE and Dawson. However in an ideal world we would upgrade on both BAE and Dawson (by that I mean try to find a better alternative rather than selling first).

We'll just have to wait and see regarding Kaboul, but again in an ideal world we'd prob sign a new CB and left back which would dislodge BAE and Dawson (If Kaboul doesn't).

Jury's out on Rose, but we'll just have to reserve judgement and see how he performs, if he gets chance.

Naughton's a reasonable reserve to either flank and as AVB likes to rotate would probably get a fair amount of game time.

Defence is probably not our number one priority but I think it could do with a bit of attention if we have enough money to spend.

Should be interesting to see what we do with Caulker and Adam Smith...

That south african bloke kumolo or whatever his name is has to go

 

[TigerRawr]

What we need:
- Kaboul to be back
- new LB
- good back-up for Walker.

 

[Tottenham_God]

What we need:
- Kaboul to be back
- new LB
- good back-up for Walker.

Watch any Millwall? smith any good?

 

[davidmatzdorf]

I don't think our defensive failings are related to personnel. They are about coaching, tactics and collective concentration.

For the first three quarters of the season, despite frequent changes in the back 5, we looked solid and reliable and we conceded 43 goals in 41 games at a rate of 1.05 goals/game.

In the last quarter of the season, starting with the Liverpool match, we conceded 21 goals in 13 games at a rate of 1.62 goals/game. The defence looked just as solid, but would reliably concede one or two very soft goals, usually from set pieces, in every game.

New players won't address that. Gallas will leave or retire and Assou-Ekotto may be replaced by Rose. I don't expect many other changes. We should have Kaboul returning. There is not a lot wrong with our defensive squad that some changes to the coaching and training won't solve.

 

[freeeki]

We need a new LB, we need Kaboul to come back on top of his game and we need Kyle Walker to grow up by two years in the space of two months.

Then we be fierce.

 

[clipboard]

As many have said, Walker was good defensively second half of the season, needs to upgrade his attacking game, Kaboul was good now its wait and see, Verts great stylish CH for me needs to concentrate defensively, Benny i would be willing to give him another season based on previous good years not on last year, Rose could possibly do the job.

 

[TigerRawr]

Watch any Millwall? smith any good?

Are you sure he won't be loaned out again? But i forgot about Kaboul as RB, so in reality we just need Kaboul to be fit and LB.

 

[Mikegold]

No one here has mentioned Sandro. The high line means if given time on the ball, midfielders can pick out through balls and be in 1 on 1 etc but with Sandro he gives them less time to do that. The high line and general tactics requires everyone to be focussed in a unit rather than individuals.

 

[Snarfalicious]

No one here has mentioned Sandro. The high line means if given time on the ball, midfielders can pick out through balls and be in 1 on 1 etc but with Sandro he gives them less time to do that. The high line and general tactics requires everyone to be focussed in a unit rather than individuals.

I totally agree.

The defense is just as reliant on a destroyer in midfield as they are the men next to them.

Sandro back will make a huge difference. As will Kaboul. The biggest question mark will continue to be what it was all season: LB.
There's some options in-house and in the transfer market. I won't speculate on the transfer targets as I have done so multiple times already elsewhere.

I'd prefer to see an "open competition" between Rose and BAE. The winner obviously takes the starting role, the other sold (I don't see BAE or Rose being keen on being a backup) and then bringing on a younger guy with upside to backup the preferred LB or bringing on a solid/cheap veteran.

But, Sandro being back will make a huge difference. It's also why I think we should go for Morgan Schneiderlin of Southampton. VERY similar playing style to Sandro and we simply can't rely on Parker to do a job anymore. We need to have a backup plan in the event Sandro needs more time or, God forbid, has a setback on the pitch or in his recovery.