How Good is This Team ?

[hughy]

My team in my sig is better

I think we'd be found defensively wanting with Bale taking up the whole left side. BAE is an extremely sound defender, with the ability to attack as well, so he's in there all day long for me. The team in BC's OP with VDV and Modric switching is a winner.

 

[felmani26]

For those of you suggesting swapping Modric and VDV I did say that that is an option in the OP, You don't have to keep pointing it out. Try not to get too hung up on who's playing exactly where as those three attacking midfielders can effectively start anywhere along that grid and move around during the game as well.

Too often people are hung up on rigidity with left sided players on the left and right sided on the right - modern day football requires players to be fluid and to disrupt the opposition with movement and that was one of the main reasons I opposed the 442 with Bale and Lennon out wide.

Clever footballers like Modric and VdV should be given licence to roam and if I was the opposing manager having to work out a system to nullify these two in particular then it would certainly leave me with a headache!

 

[Mr Pink]

For those of you suggesting swapping Modric and VDV I did say that that is an option in the OP, You don't have to keep pointing it out. Try not to get too hung up on who's playing exactly where as those three attacking midfielders can effectively start anywhere along that grid and move around during the game as well.

Exactly, in any case I wouldn't swap the original starting positions anyway....Modric is playing on the right, but not like a winger who is hugging the touchline.

VDV and Modric would interchange and that is exactly how I would select the side...and yes its an amazing looking side.

 

[leffe186]

Too often people are hung up on rigidity with left sided players on the left and right sided on the right - modern day football requires players to be fluid and to disrupt the opposition with movement and that was one of the main reasons I opposed the 442 with Bale and Lennon out wide.

Clever footballers like Modric and VdV should be given licence to roam and if I was the opposing manager having to work out a system to nullify these two in particular then it would certainly leave me with a headache!

Modric and VDV are certainly clever, but that's no guarantee that they would dovetail effectively.

I agree with the OP in that that is potentially a very exciting team, but we need to see it in action first. My glass is always half-full, but the questions are:

• If Adebayor drops deep, will one or two of the other three push on?
• Will Modric, VDV and Bale end up treading on each other's toes?
• Will M/V/B track back when we're under pressure?
• Will Sandro and Parker build an effective partnership?

Can't wait to see 'arry give it a go though.

 

[Mr Pink]

Although I think there is an argument for having:

Lennon
VDV
Modric

Adebayor

I'm still unconvinced by Bale at the moment and personally think Lennon, on his day, is more threatening - in the League anyway.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

My fear is that two of those attacking players would spend more of there time moving backwards towards the centre circle and not in that 'attacking grid' as you call it, whilst the other one would hug the touchline, leaving Ade (who himself likes to drop deep) isolated.

If you watch great sides, they have a fluidity. This is only possible when it is married to a suitable work ethic. But as long as you have both the movement you say you are worrying about is what excites me the most. Think Holland in the 70's, or Barca now, Arsenal 6 years ago or ManU at various times.

The opposition can't cope with players that appear to not have a set area of operation. The trick is of course getting the blend and balance right, the work rate as standard and coaching/tactics to mesh with the ethos. But we now have, as far as I'm concerned the players and the balance all over the team.

The following posts make good points too:

Too often people are hung up on rigidity with left sided players on the left and right sided on the right - modern day football requires players to be fluid and to disrupt the opposition with movement and that was one of the main reasons I opposed the 442 with Bale and Lennon out wide.

Clever footballers like Modric and VdV should be given licence to roam and if I was the opposing manager having to work out a system to nullify these two in particular then it would certainly leave me with a headache!

Exactly, in any case I wouldn't swap the original starting positions anyway....Modric is playing on the right, but not like a winger who is hugging the touchline.

VDV and Modric would interchange and that is exactly how I would select the side...and yes its an amazing looking side.

 

[Spurrific]

Really like the look of the team in the first post, first time I've felt like we have a strong player in each position. Also, I'd like to see us play a 4-3-3 one day, I think we have better players for it than Chelsea and they try it anyway, only thing is, in a 4-3-3 I wouldn't have both Sandro and Parker. I'd have a midfield 3 of Sandro/Parker, Modric and van der Vaart with Ade being supported by Lennon and Bale beside him, not sure whether they could play that forward though, but think we certainly have the midfield options for it

 

[shaqTHFC]

Modric and VDV are certainly clever, but that's no guarantee that they would dovetail effectively.

I agree with the OP in that that is potentially a very exciting team, but we need to see it in action first. My glass is always half-full, but the questions are:

• If Adebayor drops deep, will one or two of the other three push on?
• Will Modric, VDV and Bale end up treading on each other's toes?
• Will M/V/B track back when we're under pressure?
• Will Sandro and Parker build an effective partnership?

Can't wait to see 'arry give it a go though.

Adebayor could probably just stay upfront, whilst the other 3 move. What was he like at Arsenal, did he stay up top or drop a lot?

 

[AW?]

That's pretty much the exact side i've had in my mind since the Liverpool game. People are mentioning the swap between Luka and Rafa but you've already mentioned that anyway. Walkers pace overlapping Rafa could be a wonderful thing. If Lennon hits a bit of form like we know he can i'd drop one of Parker or Sandro and push Luka back.

All in all i think this formation is perfect for away games with Ade up front on his own. At home i'd still like to see Jermaine getting a few games and there's real potential in a decent striking partnership there i'd say.

 

[Stavrogin]

As I put in the team vs Wigan thread, great team on paper, not as sure that it would be as good in reality.

yeah, you'd need to see because there's plenty that could go wrong.

ie. With Modric, presumably, away from the centre, VdV may well start picking the ball up from the defence as he's wont to do, and 'blunting' the formation.

We've also not seen what happens when Adebayor plays up front alone. He's done great work through dropping off but now he'd have to lead the line... If VdV and Modric do get into a mess, he may be isolated and less effective.

It may even turn out to be inoptimal to play both Sandro and Parker. etc. etc.

Ultimately it's still a growing team. So many possible permutations - we may see a surprise. Perhaps the team will prove to be better with Defoe than without (if he scores a lot of goals and keeps his place, he may play into good form)

 

[stemark44]

We are easily the 4th best team in this league and I will be devastated if we don't make a Champions League spot this year.

 

[stemark44]

For me and probably 70% of Spurs fans,there is no doubt that team picks itself.
We all want to see the partnership of Sandro and Parker who will hunt and kill anything with a heartbeat!
Add that to the technique of VDV,the power of Bale,the untouchable Modric and the all round ability of Adebayor................we are talking serious shit here.

 

[ultimateloner]

Its a team capable of sexy football but until we win/achieve something noteworthy its a 1-season team.

 

[MrShibby]

or Ade get's injured and we're back to no cutting edge

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I said after the window slammed shut that I was actually very happy with what we had. The first XI as has been pointed out is the best XI I can remember and there are other options in the squad which are also interesting. I think we'll be surprised that we are still very competitive even if Adebayor is missing because I can honestly see our midfield dominating almost every opposition they come up against.

 

[lifeof...]

Personally i think whilst it would be creative, give us lots of possession, But I dont see alot of goals in it.

My team in my sig is better
Friedel
Walker Gallas King(c) Bale
Sandro Parker
Lennon VanDerVaart Modric
Adebayor

I'm closer to this, but i don't think Lennon is a good answer. he has more bad days than good days imo and only 1 up front, is not the answer for me.

I actually think this would be our best System and this the 11 to then play it.


Friedel
Walker Gallas King(c) Bale
Sandro Parker Modric
VanDerVaart
Adebayor Defoe

Can swap Sandros and Parker around, as i am not sure who would best to cover RB duties, when walkers on the attack.

Time and Time again, has proven that having 2 striker types up front, = more Spurs wins. (what also got us our 4th spot) Apart from the exception to the rule (lampard) attacking midfielders do not get you a wealth of goals, VDV or Modric are not second strikers,

It's good, but how can anyone drop BAE?!

I have as well, which i think points to the OP original point, in we have a very good squad. BAE is a very good LB, But unfortunately we can only play 11 players, then it just comes down to who in our own opinion is best to play in the team, by the system you wish to play.


BAE as LB and VDV as nominal RW / free role.. is also strong, but of course the concern is the right side, which is why i changed RB to Corluka

Friedel
Corluka Gallas King(c) BAE
Sandros Modric Bale
VanDerVaart
Adebayor Defoe


For me the best system is about having 2 striker types upfront. Ade is clearly a must, plus 1, imo the only available player worth having at the moment is Defoe.. Then its really a case of molding a team to support that, that also must include Bale, VDV, Modric, and Sandros. Having such an attacking side, plus the LB and RB supporting the attack down the flanks does also mean the defense need more help. Hence the then must, for a second strong midfielder, So for my system Parker now also becomes a must.

With out question Gallas and King are the best 2 CB we have, So that means we have 9 outfield players we must play (because of the chosen system). BAE is not an option for RB, in the "best team" So it means, for me, he would not make the best team, in what i feel is the best system to play. which is where it should really all start (the system)

 

[whitelightwhiteheat]

On paper it's excellent, and the good thing is we can be fairly flexible within that framework too. If we found ourselves in trouble somehow then we could switch to a 4-4-2, or a 4-4-1-1 easily.

If we need a bit of pace we can slot Modric back as part of the two central midfielders and bring on Lennon.

With Lennon to come off the bench as an impact sub late on? Defenders tiring - "go on Aaron, fill your boots son!"

Although on current form he'd just fill his boots with poo, but never mind. He'll hopefully improve now his place in the team isn't guaranteed.

Can't wait to see it firing on all cylinders! Some poor bastards are gonna take an absolute pasting!

 

[lifeof...]

I said after the window slammed shut that I was actually very happy with what we had. The first XI as has been pointed out is the best XI I can remember and there are other options in the squad which are also interesting. I think we'll be surprised that we are still very competitive even if Adebayor is missing because I can honestly see our midfield dominating almost every opposition they come up against.

I dont disagree that we may dominate, remember over the last 2 seasons we have dominated games, and cam away with a....draw.......

We really do need another front line, leader of the line striker

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

I dont disagree that we may dominate, remember over the last 2 seasons we have dominated games, and cam away with a....draw.......

We really do need another front line, leader of the line striker

Yes, but Crouch played every game and we relied on the same style of playing. Even without Adebayor I feel confident enough in our ability to dominate the midfield and Defoe scoring than I ever did last year. We won't be completely toothless.

 

[Super Tottenham]

I dont disagree that we may dominate, remember over the last 2 seasons we have dominated games, and cam away with a....draw.......

We really do need another front line, leader of the line striker

Totally agree.