Jenas is the key

[Bus-Conductor]

I've had an eureka moment. I don't know why this hasn't been tried but I am beginning to think that the answer to our midfield might be to make Jenas the "holder". Give him the "Viera" type roll. He is the nearest I've seen to Viera, maybe the answer is to give him the responsibility. He has a fucking great engine, he tackles all day long. If we were to do this we could perhaps put a more creative player next to him (like malbranque when Bale is fit and can play LM). You could even put the Hudd in and allow him to do the distributing and get further forward (less responsibility) or for tougher games Zokora (who could apply his forward running without hindrence) This wouldn't mean Jenas would be shackled as long as he was covered when moving forward (as any intelligent, well coached midfield partner would do).

 

[joey55]

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=8221

 

[SpurSince57]

Isn't that rather what Poyet was hinting at the other day?

 

[Juande_Ramos]

He certainly is not the answer for the attacking side of things. Not sure if he could make a good holding midfielder though.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=8221

I've just read through that thread (just to make sure I didn't completely **** you off for suggesting it - and I didn't although suggested that we actually try a 451 - something else I think we have agreed on, before getting a bit bogged down with the Zokora/Dawson debate etc).


But I am now of the opinion that we will never play a proper 451 and completely concur with your suggestion in february that Jenas is the answer to the holding role and his partner could be alternated to fit but malbranque would seem to have the best credentials to be in pole position. He is creative and works his nuts off and does tackle.

Really hope Ramos or Poyet see it the same and give it a go soon.

 

[Bill_Oddie]

I love JJ, but his one poor game in 3/4 makes this a high risk strategy unless we can find the type of experienced player you describe. I'd also be concerned that while Jenas has definitely dominated sides and bossed games, I don't remember him doing it against any top side or in any big games. (Hopefully 'yet').

What do you reckon to Kevin Nolan? I'd think he was a step up in terms of experience and commitment from any other player in our squad. Maybe Nolan-Jenas would be a partnership that could work better than our other options. :shrug:

 

[Black]

Zokora >>> Jenas

Im still confused how Jenas gets into the first team, we don't need a holding player we need an attacking midfielder some one who will receive the ball of Zokora and go at teams not pass it back to Dawson or Kaboul so they can try there long passes.

 

[Babylon22]

jenas's forward passing isn't good enough to be a holding midfielder. midfield destroyer possibly. but he is still too weak and an average tackler.

 

[SpurSince57]

Zokora >>> Jenas

Im still confused how Jenas gets into the first team, we don't need a holding player we need an attacking midfielder some one who will receive the ball of Zokora and go at teams not pass it back to Dawson or Kaboul so they can try there long passes.

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Presumably, because Jol and now Ramos rate him far more highly than some on here do. But what the fuck do they know, eh?

No wonder you're confused. You keep snivelling on about a show pony who's been hauled off in his last three reserve games because he's been shite (and whose name you can't even spell), yet slag off Jenas, who's made more assists and created more goal attempts than anyone except Berbatov, scored three goals from six on-target attempts, made two goal-line clearances (one vital), several crucial tackles and interceptions, and probably covered more ground than anyone else in the team.

If ignorance really were bliss, some people would be in a state of permanent orgasm.

 

[TrueYid]

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Presumably, because Jol and now Ramos rate him far more highly than some on here do. But what the fuck do they know, eh?

No wonder you're confused. You keep snivelling on about a show pony who's been hauled off in his last three reserve games because he's been shite (and whose name you can't even spell), yet slag off Jenas, who's made more assists and created more goal attempts than anyone except Berbatov, scored three goals from six on-target attempts, made two goal-line clearances (one vital), several crucial tackles and interceptions, and probably covered more ground than anyone else in the team.

If ignorance really were bliss, some people would be in a state of permanent orgasm.

I don't give out rep ever (don't see the point in it), but you my freind have just got some for what its worth

 

[whatsappnin]

He certainly is not the answer for the attacking side of things. Not sure if he could make a good holding midfielder though.

if he had bottle he would go forward. he lacks it though to make the runs through the middle unless it's the likes of derby !

when he does make the runs he does somehow glide through and gets into great positions. I say give him a line!

 

[thfcsteff]

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Presumably, because Jol and now Ramos rate him far more highly than some on here do. But what the fuck do they know, eh?

No wonder you're confused. You keep snivelling on about a show pony who's been hauled off in his last three reserve games because he's been shite (and whose name you can't even spell), yet slag off Jenas, who's made more assists and created more goal attempts than anyone except Berbatov, scored three goals from six on-target attempts, made two goal-line clearances (one vital), several crucial tackles and interceptions, and probably covered more ground than anyone else in the team.

If ignorance really were bliss, some people would be in a state of permanent orgasm.

On the money...
:grin:

 

[donny1013]

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Presumably, because Jol and now Ramos rate him far more highly than some on here do. But what the fuck do they know, eh?

No wonder you're confused. You keep snivelling on about a show pony who's been hauled off in his last three reserve games because he's been shite (and whose name you can't even spell), yet slag off Jenas, who's made more assists and created more goal attempts than anyone except Berbatov, scored three goals from six on-target attempts, made two goal-line clearances (one vital), several crucial tackles and interceptions, and probably covered more ground than anyone else in the team.

If ignorance really were bliss, some people would be in a state of permanent orgasm.

:clap: great post. Some spurs fans however will never rate him.

 

[TaoistMonkey]

its a depressing thought that jenas and malbs are the future of our midfield. no offence to either but surely there is better out there?

 

[stemark44]

its a depressing thought that jenas and malbs are the future of our midfield. no offence to either but surely there is better out there?

There may well be but they are also probably playing in the Champions league every year and we are not.

 

[stemark44]

:rofl::rofl::rofl:

Presumably, because Jol and now Ramos rate him far more highly than some on here do. But what the fuck do they know, eh?

No wonder you're confused. You keep snivelling on about a show pony who's been hauled off in his last three reserve games because he's been shite (and whose name you can't even spell), yet slag off Jenas, who's made more assists and created more goal attempts than anyone except Berbatov, scored three goals from six on-target attempts, made two goal-line clearances (one vital), several crucial tackles and interceptions, and probably covered more ground than anyone else in the team.

If ignorance really were bliss, some people would be in a state of permanent orgasm.

Why do our fans not see this are they that stupid?It really is unbelievable to me,they must all have been upper class twats at school who never kicked a ball in their entire lives!

 

[Krafty]

Jenas should be good. In fact he should be great. Sod this holding midfielder/attacking midfielder rubbish. He should be a classic box to box midfielder. He should be aiming to be Roy Keane in his prime, or Bryan Robson.

When he does get forward things happen. He has surprising pace, he might even be quicker over a 50 metres than Lennon, he has a good leap, he makes good runs and he can 'glide' past players when he has the balls to do it.

The problem is that he doesnt. Part of that is that the team doesnt yet have the confidence against decent sides to commit men forward in case we get caught at the back. But part of it is Jenas. Too often, and this goes all the way back to when he first started playing with Carrick, he will sit just inside the opponents half, next to the supposed holding midfielder, knocking the ball from left to right, or back to the centre halfs, while their defence is pinned on the edge of their box. There's nothing wrong with using this as a starting point but he needs to pass and then move. With Berbs and Keane dropping off their man its a great opportunity for Jenas to burst past the strikers, and we he does we create openings.

What he, and arguabale any central midfielder we have, could do with is an experienced (or plain confident) partner in centre mid who tells them to move forward, to commit themselves, to get them going. That area lacks real leadership, someone who makes an order and its followed.

I think to make Jenas either attacking or defensive will reduce his effectiveness. He has ability, he just neesds to use it more often and not be afraid of making a mistake once in a while

 

[TaoistMonkey]

There may well be but they are also probably playing in the Champions league every year and we are not.

nice one, you just made my point :up:

 

[DC_Boy]

JJ is our best CM - of course he can improve - let's hope he does - if we can find better great - but please let's not compare him Keane or bryan robson - these were truly great players and it's unfair on JJ to compare him to them

JJ does a good job for us and I'm very grateful we have him at our club - indeed had he played v Brum I think we'd still be unbeaten under Ramos

 

[tRiKS]

To my mind the point is reasonably mute. To imporve on Jenas in either of the CM roles is nigh on impossible with any player is who definately better (not sure the Nolans and Parkers and Bartons of this world are DEFIANTELY better) when all are playing for CL clubs.

It's all to often ignored (easily done with the very high percentage of chances created agaisnt us converted at the moment) but Jenas and Zokora and Steed have been virtual ever presents in a midfeild which is still in the top 3 passes attempted and completed (only behind goons and UTD) still top 4 goal scored and in all but 2 games this season our midfield has contributed to us creating, by some fair distance in most games, far more than the opposition.

Aside from Everton at home and Barcodes away, we've created enough chances in every game we've played to justifably say we could have won and in lots of cases should have won. In the specific cases of both the Brimingham teams and Fulham - our shots, shots on target and corners stats was unreal...I'm talking ripley's believe it or not unreal. Totally bemusing, despite our defensive mistakes, that we didn't score 8 or 9 let alone just win those games.

I find it very difficult to be too damming of our CM when we boss nearly every game, all the other midfields we get compared i'll favourably to don't create and pass and boss the game offensively and territorially anyway near the consisent degree. Pomey, villa and Evertons stats in creating and possesion aren't as good (thier conversion rates are better though) AND they play with one extra man in the Middle than us. The much fabled blackburn have shown recently thier weaknesses!!! why on earth would i want Dunne or Savage over Jenas??? or MGP over Steed?