spurs4life93
New Member
- Sep 1, 2010
- 12
- 0
The name on every Spurs fan’s lips is Rafael Van der Vaart – a Dutch international with an excellent European pedigree. There does, though, remain some doubt over how Harry Redknapp will use the former Hamburg man, who is not necessarily guaranteed a starting place in the team – exactly the reason for why he left Real Madrid.
Redknapp will want to continue his favoured four four two formation, however with the arrival of Van der Vaart the Englishman may have to re-think his tactics in order to field the best of Tottenham’s talent.
Currently the preferred set up is Tom Huddlestone and Luka Modric controlling the midfield whilst Garerth Bale and Aaron Lennon torment the full-backs, leaving Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe to create the options up top, yet, in Modrics’ absence the team lacks creativity as a midfield of Palacios and Huddlestone is destructive rather than divisive.
Van der Vaart eradicates that problem as he can slot in alongside Huddlestone instead of Palacios to provide the spark needed to break down teams, but the real problem lies when Modric is fit as the 27 year-old would miss out on a place in the starting XI.
A possible solution is to change the formation to four five one which would result in Modric keeping his place in central midfield with Huddlestone, and therefore allow Van der Vaart to play ‘in the hole’ behind a lone striker – his preferred position. However, despite keeping Bale and Lennon on the flanks this type of formation may be deemed negative for particular games, especially those at home where teams implement the ‘park the bus’ tactic.
On the other hand, the formation may prove extremely effective away from home in the Champions League because with games away at the San Siro and Werder Stadion the team will need to be compact and have the ability to frustrate both the opposition and home crowd by maintaining long spells of possession throughout the game which can be achieved with bodies in midfield.
At White Hart Lane though, the fan’s have grown accustomed to Redknapp’s attacking style which has proven successful for the club, with the media, and rival fans alike. The four five one therefore may undo the positive progress made tactically and could result in poor performances - something that lead to Rafael Benitez’s downfall at Liverpool.
The former Portsmouth manager will most probably pursue the four four two system, but in order to include the best players in the squad he will have to firstly put Gareth Bale to left-back – a move that could curb his attacking influence on the game. With the Welshman in defence, Modric will then take up the left midfield berth as his hard-working attitude and previous experience in the role means he is the perfect foil for Bale. Meanwhile, Van der Vaart will provide the creativity through the centre for the front two whilst Huddlestone anchors the midfield.
Redknapp certainly has a problem on his hands, but what a lovely problem it is.
Redknapp will want to continue his favoured four four two formation, however with the arrival of Van der Vaart the Englishman may have to re-think his tactics in order to field the best of Tottenham’s talent.
Currently the preferred set up is Tom Huddlestone and Luka Modric controlling the midfield whilst Garerth Bale and Aaron Lennon torment the full-backs, leaving Peter Crouch and Jermain Defoe to create the options up top, yet, in Modrics’ absence the team lacks creativity as a midfield of Palacios and Huddlestone is destructive rather than divisive.
Van der Vaart eradicates that problem as he can slot in alongside Huddlestone instead of Palacios to provide the spark needed to break down teams, but the real problem lies when Modric is fit as the 27 year-old would miss out on a place in the starting XI.
A possible solution is to change the formation to four five one which would result in Modric keeping his place in central midfield with Huddlestone, and therefore allow Van der Vaart to play ‘in the hole’ behind a lone striker – his preferred position. However, despite keeping Bale and Lennon on the flanks this type of formation may be deemed negative for particular games, especially those at home where teams implement the ‘park the bus’ tactic.
On the other hand, the formation may prove extremely effective away from home in the Champions League because with games away at the San Siro and Werder Stadion the team will need to be compact and have the ability to frustrate both the opposition and home crowd by maintaining long spells of possession throughout the game which can be achieved with bodies in midfield.
At White Hart Lane though, the fan’s have grown accustomed to Redknapp’s attacking style which has proven successful for the club, with the media, and rival fans alike. The four five one therefore may undo the positive progress made tactically and could result in poor performances - something that lead to Rafael Benitez’s downfall at Liverpool.
The former Portsmouth manager will most probably pursue the four four two system, but in order to include the best players in the squad he will have to firstly put Gareth Bale to left-back – a move that could curb his attacking influence on the game. With the Welshman in defence, Modric will then take up the left midfield berth as his hard-working attitude and previous experience in the role means he is the perfect foil for Bale. Meanwhile, Van der Vaart will provide the creativity through the centre for the front two whilst Huddlestone anchors the midfield.
Redknapp certainly has a problem on his hands, but what a lovely problem it is.
