Favoured Starting XI

[Yakflange]

Due to the continuing "debate" about Keane's position/inclusion in the starting XI, I thought I'd canvas opinion everyone's favoured starting XI (assuming everyone is fit). Sorry if I've missed an obvious option.

 

[coldasice199]

For me, Defoe and Crouch know each others games and play very well together. Thought they were class up front for most of the season

 

[whitelightwhiteheat]

I like a big man, little man combo, though I don't want to see us resort to aimless route 1 attacking to Crouch in the air. I think Crouchy is good enough on the floor too to avoid this. His link up play, as witnessed by Lennon's goal against Wigan can be very, very good.

On the left I'd prefer a left winger. I thought we were much more balanced with Kranjcar on the left yesterday.

My preferred XI would look a bit like this when everyone's fit:

Gomes

Corluka King Woodgate BAE

Lennon Hudd Palacios Modric

Crouch Defoe

It kind of picks itself I think. With what we've got I think this is the best to go forward with, though maybe long term it will need tweaking here and there (Can King/Woody do it week in, week out without injuries? Can Hudd step up consistently and prove he's a top drawer central midfielder? for example...)

It's a decent XI though fair play, with the likes of Keane, Bassong, Jenas, Kranky, Hutton, Bale as back ups. Good strength in depth.

 

[WesTheWalrus]

My preferred XI would look a bit like this when everyone's fit:

Gomes

Corluka King Woodgate BAE

Lennon Hudd Palacios Modric

Crouch Defoe

:clap::clap::clap::clap::clap::clap:

 

[sak11]

what does everyone think of this midfield and forward line?

hudd palacios

lennon modric Kranjcar

defoe

 

[striebs]

what does everyone think of this midfield and forward line?

hudd palacios

lennon modric Kranjcar

defoe

Not keen on one upfront and think Defoe would be isolated without a strike partner .

There are arguments over whether 4-4-2 is the most effective formation but it is the one I think is best to watch .

 

[billnick]

You missed off "Depends on the opposition"

 

[striebs]

One option seems to be missing , perhaps it could be added ? :-
"Any pair from Defoe , Keane and Crouch but not all 3 at site time" ?


The other options are either divisive or rely on one player playing out of position (3 upfront) when they all do their best work in the box .


I don't think Kranjar was up to speed with the rest of the squad before coming on as a sub against Sunderland . Now he is so we should use him .

 

[tottenham28]

Gomes
Corluka Dawson Woodgate B.A.E
Lennon Huddlestone Palacios Modric
Defoe Crouch
For me the best we have, we showed yesterday you don't have to keep lumping it up to Crouch, he is more than capable on the floor.
King and Bassong as back up to Daws and Woody.
Kranjcar as back up for Modric or Lennon.
And Keane'o or Pav for the front boys.
Need a back up keeper badly though!!!

 

[maccoys]

Gomes
Corluka Dawson Woodgate B.A.E
Lennon Huddlestone Palacios Modric
Defoe Crouch
For me the best we have, we showed yesterday you don't have to keep lumping it up to Crouch, he is more than capable on the floor.
King and Bassong as back up to Daws and Woody.
Kranjcar as back up for Modric or Lennon.
And Keane'o or Pav for the front boys.
Need a back up keeper badly though!!!

King as backup? :duh:

 

[karennina]

Modric played well as a trequartista when harry first arrived - we had an awesome run of results during that period. Whether it's his best position, I don't claim to know, but the following team....

Gomes
Charlie Woody King BAE
Lennon Palacios Thudd Krancjar
Modric
Defoe

allows us to play Krancjar instead of Keane or Crouch, which is such a step up in terms of creativity, technique, presence of mind and intelligence that, I feel, it could take us to a whole new level beyond what we saw at the start of the season.

And, to return to my 1st point, we already know Luka can play well as a trequartista.

And, we even improve our midget ratio a bit, three instead of the whole front four.

 

[JuanRebelde]

Crouch can be fairly effective against teams that don't press us like Wigan. However, teams like Stoke who do make us go very long and predictable when Crouch starts. When we don't have the high ball option we retain possession better.

 

[tottenham28]

King as backup? :duh:

:bang:
I am simply saying give my selected two a run in the side now that they are fit and maybe with a reliable back four we can stop leaking goals every now and then.
We cannot do this with King in the side because of the one week in one week out problem.
I think many teams have proved the longer a back four play together the more understanding of each others game they gain and as a unit perform better.

 

[THE.FIEND!]

Good thread. Its about time it was proved that those calling for keane's exclusion are now a vast majority.

 

[adwanhussein]

Fiendi could have a point in his reference to Keane,but maybe i have to agree sometimes with DM when this Keane issue comes to the surface .Keane had a scorcher in Ireland's last outing against France ,and he is definetly a major asset for Spurs.His credentials will be more visible with the return of of the demolishing squad of Spurs from injury or red cards exculsion;Defoe ,Lennon and Mordic.And we have another revelation in MR K ,who bossed the midfield and scored a great goal for Spurs.Harry is a great collector of the right players to reach the acmes of the EPL.It is the depth of the squad that we are lamenting about now.could be the year to reach the CL status.

 

[doom]

harry will play who he considers will be best on the day. My thoughts are that after such an emphatic win we are in danger of over confidence against Villa. I would play Keane in this match alongside Defoe.

 

[Shepspurs]

This poll will only prove the adage that "you are as good as your last game."

Its the same with the Player of the Season award when a number of voters have short memories. If it was up to me, I would have a monthly vote with the total number of votes over the season taken into account.

Went off topic a bit, sorry

 

[adwanhussein]

Harry is the one who brought Defoe from the cold,brought him to Portsmouth and silverware.Brought him back to WHL and he is the most lethal scorer in Football.His choice of players is definetly mind boggling.He is definetly an icon for decent followers of Spurs and will always have my support.An example for decency in his family life and a credit for all Brits.

 

[Mogga321]

Gomes
Hutton King Woody BAE (for now, Bale long-term)
Lennon Jenas Wilson Modric
Defoe Keane

Beyond me how Hudd is rated so highly - NEVER EVER DONE IT AGAINST A TOP FOUR TEAM - NEVER - FACT.....The reason for this is that he is too slow, to imobile & simply cannot run a midfield....The likes of Essian, Lampard, Gerrard & even Darren Fletcher eat him from breakfast.....Palacios for me hasn't been at his best this year...why? Because he has to do a Hudd's running for him! Jenas on the other hand has his best games against the top sides & for me he has to play - we always look a better & more dynamic side with Jenas in the team

I will concede Hudd played quite well Saturday, but with the time & space Wigan gave him I think I could have had a good game!

As for Crouch - Good plan B but no more...we are too predictable when he plays......Lennon & Defoe were brilliant Saturday, throw the guile & movement of Modric & Keane into the mix as well & not many teams will live with us going forward

 

[not_tenth-again]

what does everyone think of this midfield and forward line?

hudd palacios

lennon modric Kranjcar

defoe

It's something we need to think about away from home against the top 4. Modric can quite easily ghost between the font and midfield and between him and Defoe their speed and movement should open up holes for Lennon and Kranjcar. Wouldn't want to take your eye off them when the counter attack is on....