First XI

[coysjod]

Sandro will find his way in somehow, otherwise I agree. Dawson in for Kaboul, Daws is the glue.

I love Awesome Dawson as much as anyone but so far he has been more the lube that gives the opposition the possibility to slip balls through or defence.

 

[Nine while nine]

What exactly is Lennon bringing to the table that Townsend isn't?!

1. Cool Eyebrows
2. Jazz Hands
3. Cigars for all in the dressing room

Based on that, he'd be in my first XI

 

[Kiedis]

1962 called, he wants his thread back.

It's a squad game now, and with the squad we have now, the best 11 will vary from opponent to opponent.

 

[Kiedis]

What exactly is Lennon bringing to the table that Townsend isn't?!

He's more disiplined and can be relied on defensively. He also isn't completely f**ked after 60 minutes. He's a lot better at making runs into space.
This is not saying he's necessarily a better player, but he brings things to the table that makes him a very valuable member of the squad and will be a more fitting player when we face certain opponents.

 

[jezz]

Against bigger teams

loris
walker or chiriches dawson or kabs verts rose
capoue AND sandro here
paul or dembele
lamela, eric, holby two of three here
solado

Rest of the teams we play, AVB can choose as long as we win

 

[felmani26]

He's more disiplined and can be relied on defensively. He also isn't completely f**ked after 60 minutes. He's a lot better at making runs into space.
This is not saying he's necessarily a better player, but he brings things to the table that makes him a very valuable member of the squad and will be a more fitting player when we face certain opponents.

But Lennon's main strength was running at pace at the full back down the wing in a 442 where he had space ahead of him to operate in.

Now in a 4231, he needs to be smarter with the ball and make better decisions. What you inevitably find is both him and Walker operating the same space and them treading on each others toes - where Townsend is more effective is that he's playing like a raw youngster with everything to prove coupled with the fact that he can take the ball inside and be a threat cutting in and taking pop shots.

The narrative you use about finding space applies more aptly to Lamela so I do have genuine fears of where Lennon fits in in our side or certainly for a player of his ilk as quite rightly, he'll still want to be playing first team football, week in week - that just simply isn't going happen now.

 

[dagraham]

He's more disiplined and can be relied on defensively. He also isn't completely f**ked after 60 minutes. He's a lot better at making runs into space.
This is not saying he's necessarily a better player, but he brings things to the table that makes him a very valuable member of the squad and will be a more fitting player when we face certain opponents.

He's also far more devastating on the counter attack and teams are scared of him, which often causes them to back off 10 yards or sometimes double marking him, thereby freeing up space for others.

I like Townsend, he's improved massively in the last year or so but Lennon is still ahead of him imo.

Good news is there is now serious competition out wide and although I think Lennon and Lemala are our best two wide players, all three of Townsend, Lemala and Lennon could play on either flank in any combination. Gives us great options.

 

[felmani26]

He's also far more devastating on the counter attack and teams are scared of him, which often causes them to back off 10 yards or sometimes double marking him, thereby freeing up space for others.

I like Townsend, he's improved massively in the last year or so but Lennon is still ahead of him imo.

Good news is there is now serious competition out wide and although I think Lennon and Lemala are our best two wide players, all three of Townsend, Lemala and Lennon could play on either flank in any combination. Gives us great options.

You are thinking of Lennon of a couple of seasons ago in a 442 - not how we will play now.

In any case, I can't fathom how you can say he can be any more 'devastating' or threatening on the break than Townsend has shown all season.

 

[Blake Griffin]

i don't see the formation we're playing now as being all that different to what we've played for the past five years.

 

[dagraham]

You are thinking of Lennon of a couple of seasons ago in a 442 - not how we will play now.

In any case, I can't fathom how you can say he can be any more 'devastating' or threatening on the break than Townsend has shown all season.

I actually think Lennon can prosper on the left with Lemala on the right. He's scored a few goals cutting in from the left.

 

[Mr Pink]

Yeah I to think Lennon will be more useful than some think. I still see him very much having a role to play of some degree.

 

[Spunkmonkey]

The days of a first X1 have long gone I'm afraid. I see it that we have 17/18 players who can step in at any time, and give a performance worthy of a top 4 side in the premier league.

 

[E17yid]

It's all about form IMO. That's the best thing about this squad we're putting together. It's fiercely competitive with lots of players who are at a similar level and age.

Gylfi is a good example. Not in most people's starting 11 but when in form, like he is now, he gets his spot.

Fuck knows what Andre does if all out players are fit and all of them are in top form but i'll be happy.

 

[parklane1]

What exactly is Lennon bringing to the table that Townsend isn't?!

You can not see what?

 

[panoma]

Cant believe so many have Lennon or Holtby ahead of Townsend.

Andros always look so dangerous, and he improves so fast. Holtby and Lennon are great players, but unless Andros picks up an injury or loses form he dont deserve getting dropped.

Agree with the OP that a trio consisting of Townsend/Eriksen/Lamela behind the striker is our best line up, atleast will be as the season progress. Eriksen to supply the creativity, Townsend the direct style and pace and Lamela to add flair and a little of everything since he will be our best player.

All 3 so young and hungry for success to.

 

[Tottenham_God]

Dawson is certainly not 'the glue', he's a relatively weak link in a strong team. But to say that we can kiss title chances away if he plays most games is silly. There isn't a single team that looks infallible in defence, and we've done fucking well so far with Dawson in the side. The reason we're not top of the league now is due to not scoring enough goals, not defence errors.

I disagree in a sense, but no need to Dawson bash I like him, I just don't think he is good enough.

 

[Tottenham_God]

Still don't see it. Why people think Kaboul, who can't play 90 minutes without injuring himself (as evidenced at least three times this very season), is a better option. Dawson might make some mistakes, but he's a terrific leader, a clean tackler and drives the team forward out of defence.

So you think it's acceptable to continue to play Dawson for the remainder of the season and in our most important games, hoping and praying one of these mistakes you speak of don't cost us the game?

His long hoof out to the left wing is ever so annoying aswel.

Hopefully Vlad can kick on and De thrown him.

 

[robp135]

Get over having a 1st XI. Each team should be selected depending on the opposition and the formation we want to play. Thats how all the top sides in Europe do it.

 

[Davo99]

The fact hardly anyone has Sandro in the team is lol

 

[Twizzle]

I would find it pretty hard to leave Siggy out on current goal scoring form.

He'd be on the left for mine and is a better prospect than Chadli imo.