Modric + Huddlestone = always

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

Since Modric returned from injury in December 2009 him and Huddlestone have started together in midfield only 9 times. 9 times! You'd think it was more games but it isn't. Modric mainly played in left of midfield last season. It wasn't until very late in the season he was moved into midfield with Huddlestone. This season Mods and Hudd have both had minor injuries, they've also had to play other positions, Hudd in defence and Modric covering for VDV.

Let's take a look at the results with those 2 in midfield:

09/10

Tottenham 2 - 0 Portsmouth
Totteham 2 - 1 Arsenal
Tottenham 2 - 1 Chelsea
Tottenham 1 - 0 Bolton
Man City 0 - 1 Tottenham
Burnley 4 - 2 Tottenham

10/11

Tottenham 0 - 0 Man City
Tottenham 4 - 1 Twente
Tottenham 3 - 1 Inter

W: 7 D: 1 L: 1

7 wins from 9 is impressive but some fans might say 9 games is too little to mean anything. I disagree. If you look at these matches closer.

The only loss was against Burnley in the last game of last season. We had already qualifed for CL by finishing fourth and we were 2-0 up when we decided to simply not care and give the game away.

The draw was agains Man City and it's fair to say we played them off the park in that game. First half in that game, some of the best football we've played all season. City only walked away with a point because of Joe Hart.

What we are left with are 7 wins but 4 of those games were huge victories.

Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Inter.

The 3 games from this season are probably the 3 best games we've played this season.

I'm not trying to say there haven't been good results without them and Palacios, Jenas & Sandro are all good players. But we should always play Modric and Huddlestone together when we can in my opinion. They are the best passers in the team and work wonderfully together. We simply keep more possession with those 2 in midfield and the results should speak volumes.

 

[TwoSaintsComeMarching]

Are those the only games they've played together? wow...

 

[danielneeds]

And just for when BC gets here and starts spouting his rubbish. Hudd had an 88% pass completion rate tonight against the European Champions.

They are an unlikely pairing, but who knows what we can achieve if their partnership keeps growing?

 

[bubble07]

I love this pairing although the haters will say 7 out of the 9 games were at home

 

[Chris12345]

I was about to start a thread along a very similar theme... Modric dropping deep then moving it forward has been an absolute revelation. Since Modric has been here it's been obvious he's a world class talent, but without that extra bit in front of goal... in a deep creative midfielder, I think we've found his position... Mod and Thudd are currently playing the exact reverse to how I imagine they should be... but it seems to be working!


/end kneejerk

 

[inclineyid]

they started together v inter away

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

they started together v inter away

Not as the two central midfielders, which the thread is about.

Modric was playing infront of JJ and Huddlestone vs Inter away.

 

[EmperorKabir]

interesting stuff. it's not all about bale it seems. Loving our team atm.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

I thought it was more than that, but even so, I've been banging on for a while that they are by far our best central pairing and we have a great win ratio when they start together. I can't think of a better central midfield pairing while I've been a Spurs fan.

 

[septicsac]

Excellent partnership and our best midfield duo

 

[Mr Pink]

they started together v inter away

Hold your horses there...Modric was playing off Crouch.

I have argued long and hard on here, with BC mainly, that Modric and Huddlestone are and will continue to be our first choice midfield partnership - and the best choice we have to pick from. Tonight totally supports that assertion and nothing is going to change that unless one of them or both of them go off the boil big time.

Again it was the importance of retaining possession and yet we still had the energy to close down and press - thats the benefit of holding the ball well, you have more energy to apply when you dont have it because you havn't been running around chasing shadows because you cant hold the ball well.

Modric's performance was more eye catching but there was a period in the second half that Huddlestone was absolutely key...picking the right pass to relieve the pressure ie a man in space who wasn't marked.

Wouldn't you know, Hudd and Modric back in the middle and we are back to winning ways - oh yeah against the Champions of Europe.

 

[kaz Hirai]

They work well but id like to see how they do away from home, bolton being a good test

 

[Mr Pink]

I thought it was more than that, but even so, I've been banging on for a while that they are by far our best central pairing and we have a great win ratio when they start together. I can't think of a better central midfield pairing while I've been a Spurs fan.

I know you were arguing the same points I was really, and you were certainly advocating the Modd/Hudd combo like I was.

 

[deselina]

i don't think anyone is disagreeing with the fact that huddlestone + modric is your best cm pairing, or that both vdv and bale need to stay for years to come. :grin:

jenas has too many risks to his game and often loses possession for trying to search for the perfect ball forward.

 

[danielneeds]

Interestingly I thought Jenas played really well in the hole, in place of VDV tonight. Stretched their defence quite a few times, should have been played in at least twice, and looked to get on the end of Crouch's flicks.

 

[Mr Pink]

i don't think anyone is disagreeing with the fact that huddlestone + modric is your best cm pairing, or that both vdv and bale need to stay for years to come. :grin:

jenas has too many risks to his game and often loses possession for trying to search for the perfect ball forward.

Have you been on here in the last few weeks!??!! It was a massive debate which rumbled on and on.

 

[AW?]

Not sure why everybody is so suprised about Modric playing so well a little deeper. I seem to remember him doing that plenty for his country. He was one of the players of the Euros 3 years ago playing as deep as i've ever seen him.

 

[THOWIG]

It has the perfect balance for me. Bale and Van Der Vaart will take the headlines, but Modric and Huddlestone were at the centre of everything tonight. The best central midfield we've had in years.

 

[Mr Pink]

It has the perfect balance for me. Bale and Van Der Vaart will take the headlines, but Modric and Huddlestone were at the centre of everything tonight. The best central midfield we've had in years.

Totally agree mate.

 

[deselina]

Have you been on here in the last few weeks!??!! It was a massive debate which rumbled on and on.

it's because everyone has their favourites, but deep down inside they know huddlestone + modric is the best cm pairing. :grin: