- Jun 8, 2004
- 8,667
- 16,851
100% true in my opinion, there are other issues, some of which can be rectified with a better mentality but others Poch has to take blame for. Adebayor starting was a mistake, personally Dier doesn't look at all comfortable as a right back, partially due to needing a different set of skills defending out wide than you do down the centre but most likely due to confidence and fatigue.
We lack width down the right as Dier does not commit as much and as quickly as a full back should along with Lamela not utilising the right hand space (I do not think he should be played on the right, more of a 2nd striker to me).
Rose looks a threat down the left and has improved considerably but crossing is not his forte.
Capoue's protection of the back four has been inadequate as there is too much space between the defensive minded player and the last line of defence.
Chadli like Lamela is not a winger, a second striker type player too who seeks the ball within the width of the 18 yard box; with Rose bombing on that is not much of a problem but he, like Lamela is predictable.
Mason has been a superb addition to the starting 11 however some of his decisions haven't been the best I will put that down to experience for now, but like many have said he has talent.
Eriksen for me should play closer to Mason, allowing for an inverted scalene triangle (with Capoue as the anchor/ ball sprayer) which should be the basis of our attacks. When we reach the final third the triangle should be focused around Mason, Eriksen and the striker, which would be Soldado for me, where Lamela and Chadli attempt to either create space down the wings by moving from out to in, or by going wide spreading the defensive shape of the opposition, creating inward alleyways for others to exploit.
Lamela, well what can we say about this player, someone who has an abundance of potential which for Spurs has not been realised yet. He does not have any positional sense out wide, he can get into good positions down the centre but those positions are usually congested due to him (and others) narrowing the playable pitch. For me play him as a secondary striker (of kinds).
[He reminds me of Silva in a way, against West Ham was completely inaffective out wide, when he gets central just behind Aguero he was able to dictate the play around the 18 yard box, if Aguero was on the form he was against us, it would have been a win for City without a doubt.]
All in all I would go for a line-up that defends (Non counter attacks) like this:
(4-3-3)And attacks like this:
Lloris
Chiriches* Fazio Vertonghen Rose
Capoue Mason
Eriksen
Lamela-------------------Chadli
Soldado
But hey, that essay is just my belief.
Lloris
Fazio -------------Vertonghen
Capoue
Chiriches*--------------------------------------------Rose
Mason -----------Eriksen
Lamela
Soldado
* - Until Naughton/ Walker is fit
Chiriches is shocking...