Huddlestone

[OmarsComing]

I don't particularly dislike Huddlestone, he has decent technique and is neat and tidy on the eye. However, due to this, people mistake him for being a lot more than he actually is. His goal/assist return since he's been with us is so-so and very, very rarely will dictate a game the way many Spurs fans will claim he does.

His weaknesses outwiegh his positives in my book. Decent squad option for some home games v lower league teams where he gets the freedom of The Lane, but shouldn't be anywhere near first choice 11 in most other occasions.

Good midfields will bypass him. They always have, they always will.

/thread

 

[OmarsComing]

and his best position is LB in the changing room.

 

[not_tenth-again]

No one is going to be able to convince me otherwise. Tom huddlestone is still an untapped talent. IMO he was on the path to becoming an England player before the injuries got him. For anyone who doubts him, watch the young boys game again. Big stage, big pressure and he silenced their rampant team within minutes of coming on. He hasn't been fit since then. Don't sell, 6 month loan I can appreciate but don't sell.

 

[steve]

I absolutely hate this line that gets trotted out - as if people who rate him are somehow lacking insight, and don't factor in his shortcomings and therefore have a totally deluded opinion of him.

No you're overplaying it Pinky - no one thinks you're totally deluded...

 

[Mr Pink]

No you're overplaying it Pinky - no one thinks you're totally deluded...

If you read the rest of thread Steve you'll see I'm not overplaying it

 

[steve]

If you read the rest of thread Steve you'll see I'm not overplaying it

I have. This thread is a broken record of many others before.

I don't see what the argument is. Hudd's not shit and no one's said he is. He's a good player with some plus points (technique, composure, 2 footed and experienced) and some minus ones (mobility, agility, pace). He's no longer a first team shoe same as Palacios or Jenas are not - we've moved on as has the league.

As a squad player and as part of a 3 then he has his uses as a back up to Parker, Sandro and Moutinho (if he comes as we hope) but if AVB playes a 3 I think one of them will be Sigurdsson or VDV which leaves Hudd 4th choice (at best) for 2 positions. And we've also got Livermore and Jenas - that's 6 players for 2 positions or if we include Sig and VDV that's 8 players for 3.

If (and I don't think he will) AVB lets Hudd go but retains the others do you inevitably question his credentials as manager?

 

[Mr Pink]

I have. This thread is a broken record of many others before.

I don't see what the argument is. Hudd's not shit and no one's said he is. He's a good player with some plus points (technique, composure, 2 footed and experienced) and some minus ones (mobility, agility, pace). He's no longer a first team shoe same as Palacios or Jenas are not - we've moved on as has the league.

As a squad player and as part of a 3 then he has his uses as a back up to Parker, Sandro and Moutinho (if he comes as we hope) but if AVB playes a 3 I think one of them will be Sigurdsson or VDV which leaves Hudd 4th choice (at best) for 2 positions. And we've also got Livermore and Jenas - that's 6 players for 2 positions or if we include Sig and VDV that's 8 players for 3.

If (and I don't think he will) AVB lets Hudd go but retains the others do you inevitably question his credentials as manager?

Absolutely not. I was really referring to the 09/10 season in which I thought he did weill. A lot has changed since then, the way we play, his injuries and a new manager who has different ideas etc

 

[Khilari]

Hudd operates best as a quarterback; a deep lying midfielder who can spread and direct play and can play the killer ball. Modric offered us something far more attacking but last season would pick up the ball quite deep and would find gaps in midfield superbly to dribble into more forward positions or take the ball on himself.

There were occasions at WHL last season when we perhaps faltered a little where I'd see Luka deep but then as he got forwards more his and Rafa's roles would almost get in the way of each other. With no Luka and the prospect of Hudd finding a spot in the team once again, we may see Hudd prosper next to the likes of Sigurdson and Sandro/Parker whilst Rafa could then keep dropping a little deeper without stepping on someone like Modric's toes.

Hudd's always been touted as having massive potential and glimpses of that have shone through but he's not quite moved on to the next step to become the player we'd hoped he'd become. This season may be his last to prove his worth; I'm sure a Sunderland / Everton type team would consider signing him if we didn't see him fitting in.

 

[sim0n]

I'd like to see him as part of a back 3 ahead of the 2 central defenders. 343 style. It's the future!

or is that "Back to the Future?" -- 70s Dutch National team formation for total football... Cruyff, Neeskens, Krol, etc

3-4-3 was effective for them, maybe a bit better conditioning would've provided more success

 

[lillywhites61]

I would be sad to see him go, I think he is has a lot of quality, he has been so unlucky with injury and is a great squad player, when he is fit he can play well as a holding midfielder in that carrick mould.

Would sicken me to see him in the spam jersey if that rumour is true. Far to good and classy for them

 

[thfc1989]

The fact that he did not clarify his tweet last night suggests that it was almost certainly about AVB. I think its the end of the road for the Hud at spurs. Good player on his day, but all to often failed to really impose himself on games. For a player of his stature this is not good enough.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I absolutely hate this line that gets trotted out - as if people who rate him are somehow lacking insight, and don't factor in his shortcomings and therefore have a totally deluded opinion of him.

I think it's actually a very fair accusation. Maybe you don't do this of late, but how many posts do we read that say "he's the best passer at the club" "he controls games" "he's our metronome" "he has great positional awareness" "he's a visionary passer".

All comments that show a lack of actual insight.

Being the most stylistic or aesthetically pleasing passer isn't the same as being the best or most efficient. The best passer at the club isn't the one who gives the ball away the most - and I don't care if he's giving it way because he's trying longer more difficult passes - because he's failing with them. Being able, with time and space to hit 1 out of 4 long diagonal's attempted isn't particularly visionary. His inability to pass accurately under pressure, particularly when in the final third isn't very visionary either. He invariably gets controlled by opponents midfield's - i.e. get up him and he's useless, his passing goes to pish. And the rest of his game is sub standard for a modern CM. Positional awareness isn't being motionless.

People keep tagging criticism of Huddlestone "old" or say "give it a rest we know how you feel BC" but every time his name is mentioned, for every one comment I might make, there's about 10 "he's the best passer" "he's vital" or the favourite "he was vital to our CL qualification in 09-10". All of which demonstrate "old thinking" and a distinct lack of insight. Dawson and Bassong played 20 odd games each that season too, and I don't want either of them in our first team. Palacios was more vital and I actually don't want him back either. Hudd played so many games that season by default, because Modric and Jenas were both injured and he was lucky enough to have the best busy **** we'd had in about four decades next to him.

We effectively repeated that 09-10 feat last season, playing much better football at times as well, completely without Huddelstone. We were better without Huddelstone. It's time to accept this.

 

[Huddlebone]

Tom is a world class player. And it seems to me that he have lost some wight as well. And the only issue with our Huddi is that in previous seasons have been a bit overwight. But when i look at the pree season pictures i look like his as fit as he can be. And i think he is ready to make the best year so far.

 

[YiddoJames]

Tom is a world class player. And it seems to me that he have lost some wight as well. And the only issue with our Huddi is that in previous seasons have been a bit overwight. But when i look at the pree season pictures i look like his as fit as he can be. And i think he is ready to make the best year so far.

I'm a big fan of Huddlestone and think he could work very effectively in a 4-3-3

 

[Huddlebone]

I'm a big fan of Huddlestone and think he could work very effectively in a 4-3-3

Just hope that AVB sees that as well....

 

[YiddoJames]

No one is going to be able to convince me otherwise. Tom huddlestone is still an untapped talent. IMO he was on the path to becoming an England player before the injuries got him. For anyone who doubts him, watch the young boys game again. Big stage, big pressure and he silenced their rampant team within minutes of coming on. He hasn't been fit since then. Don't sell, 6 month loan I can appreciate but don't sell.

exactly. Excellent point

 

[YiddoJames]

Understandably everyone raves about modric as a CM.

What people forget is when he started playing well it was on the left and didn't play in the middle for a long time. He only got moved to the middle when Palacios got suspended in the run in when we got 4th the first time.

And who did he prosper playing alongside?

Yes, Tom Huddlestone.

They were an excellent combo. Both played well in that crucial run in, both contributed heavily. Shouldn't be forgotten.

 

[Black]

I'm going to bump this thread at the end of the season, I want to see some apologies.

 

[Mr Pink]

I think it's actually a very fair accusation. Maybe you don't do this of late, but how many posts do we read that say "he's the best passer at the club" "he controls games" "he's our metronome" "he has great positional awareness" "he's a visionary passer".

All comments that show a lack of actual insight.

Being the most stylistic or aesthetically pleasing passer isn't the same as being the best or most efficient. The best passer at the club isn't the one who gives the ball away the most - and I don't care if he's giving it way because he's trying longer more difficult passes - because he's failing with them. Being able, with time and space to hit 1 out of 4 long diagonal's attempted isn't particularly visionary. His inability to pass accurately under pressure, particularly when in the final third isn't very visionary either. He invariably gets controlled by opponents midfield's - i.e. get up him and he's useless, his passing goes to pish. And the rest of his game is sub standard for a modern CM. Positional awareness isn't being motionless.

People keep tagging criticism of Huddlestone "old" or say "give it a rest we know how you feel BC" but every time his name is mentioned, for every one comment I might make, there's about 10 "he's the best passer" "he's vital" or the favourite "he was vital to our CL qualification in 09-10". All of which demonstrate "old thinking" and a distinct lack of insight. Dawson and Bassong played 20 odd games each that season too, and I don't want either of them in our first team. Palacios was more vital and I actually don't want him back either. Hudd played so many games that season by default, because Modric and Jenas were both injured and he was lucky enough to have the best busy **** we'd had in about four decades next to him.

We effectively repeated that 09-10 feat last season, playing much better football at times as well, completely without Huddelstone. We were better without Huddelstone. It's time to accept this.

I'm not talking necessarily about the future though, I was referring specifically to that season, and I will not accept the point of view that he was somehow the weak link in our side that season - its horseshit, no matter what way you try to present it, I'm not swallowing it because I'm confident enough of my own opinion and lets be honest, its not like I'm in a minority here.

The line Hudd played so many games by default because Modric and Jenas were injured is quite a remarkable comment, even for you BC , given the praise Huddlestone was receiving from most quarters, particularly Harry. Modric and Palacios may have been first choice but Jenas was never getting in the side ahead of Huddlestone that season - unbelievable, seriously.

Huddlestone and Palacios worked well that season, it was a good balance and they were able to control games. Instead of looking at individual stats all the time, why not take a step back and look at how the side functioned at the time.

As for those superlatives in your first paragraph, I've never really used any of them , although I know some do on here - if that's what you meant.

Huddlestone may not have a future with us, particularly if AVB doesn't fancy him or he can't overcome his injury problems. I'm hoping he can and can play part in this squad but that's another discussion.

 

[mpickard2087]

Tom is a world class player. And it seems to me that he have lost some wight as well. And the only issue with our Huddi is that in previous seasons have been a bit overwight. But when i look at the pree season pictures i look like his as fit as he can be. And i think he is ready to make the best year so far.

Lolwut?