Team vs. Arsenal(H)

[bigpalacios]

The team will be:

4-4-1-1

Friedel
-
Walker
Kaboul
King (c)
Ekotto
-
Modric
Sandro
Parker
Bale
-
Van Der Vaart
-
Adebayor

COYS

That has got to be the strongest Tottenham team I,ve seen since supporting Spurs (1990)

 

[Mr Pink]

With the 4-2-3-1 I just worry about that right side. It looks very weak defensively I'm very concerned that Gibbs and Gervinho (if fit which seems unlikely) will torment a very exposed walker.

It allows us to have our best players on the pitch in a formation that permits our the midfield and forward line to influence the game. This is why perhaps we need a proper wide forward rather than an attacking mid there. Having said all of that VDV is a great player and so it is worth it to have him in the starting 11.

Harry said yet again today about the importance of having Sandro back so I very strongly suspect that it will be the 4-2-3-1 because he seems to believe that building on the defensive solidity and athleticism, not to mention excellent use of the ball, of Sandro and Parker will give us the platform to take on the better teams.

I agree, but I hope that he is flexible enough to change formations as and when it is appropriate.

I can't bloody wait for the game. Those bloody heathens down the road actually beleive that if they had everybody fit they would be favourites. Bring back Nasri and Fabregas and we would still be the better side at whl. Interestingly, they have won just one of the last 6 league games against us!

Is the tide turning? I think so, but a win on sunday would certainly emphasise the point!

COYS

With Parker and Sandro starting he'll have good protection.

 

[AW?]

It's a tricky one this isn't it? I think we need to go with Defoe and Ade up front though. If we bang in a couple and then they come back into it we could then take him off and put in Sandro. Luka in the middle and VdV on the right, the rest of the team picks itself right now. I'd still go with Walker at RB.

 

[walworthyid]

With Parker and Sandro starting he'll have good protection.

As I've said before, when we have the ball he may get Sandro to just shuffle over 5 or 10 yards to allow VDV to wander inside and provide some cover for walker.

I actually think that Sandro is a very useful attacking player as well so he can use his pace to open the pitch up on the right or even allow walker to go past him kind of making us look like this in attack.

---Kaboul------King----------

-----------Parker--------------

----Sandro----------------BAE

Walker-----Modric--------Bale

--------VDV-------Ade----------

Then getting back into a proper shape when we are defending. That just looks absolutely devastating. Not a single weak player with the ball and loads of pace, guile and creativity.

 

[walworthyid]

The only thing I will say is that unlike what appeared to happen at wigan, he MUST start with VDV right and not Modric. The other way of strengthening that right side and keeping both Modric and VDV in their strongest positions would be to put modric left, VDV in behind Ade and Bale on the right. Although there is the issue of losing the width that Bale provides.

Very tough one for Harry........

 

[Manwhore]

I think you have to go with Defoe and Ade upfront, They have 5 goals in 2 games playing together.

They have a good understanding already and Liverpool just couldn't cope with it, even when we were 11 vs 11.

When Barca plays a decent side, do they change their side and put an extra defensive player in to cope? No they play to their strengths and we need to do the same.

 

[walworthyid]

I think you have to go with Defoe and Ade upfront, They have 5 goals in 2 games playing together.

They have a good understanding already and Liverpool just couldn't cope with it, even when we were 11 vs 11.

When Barca plays a decent side, do they change their side and put an extra defensive player in to cope? No they play to their strengths and we need to do the same.

The problem is that Sandro, Modric and Parker as a 3 are MUCH stronger than Ramsey, Arteta and Frimpong, Parker/Sandro and Modric as a 2 are not and we know for certain that that is how they will line up.

Having Defoe and Ade is fantastic I agree and they have looked very good together, but we need to dominate the ball for them to be effective, I fear that with a 2 against their 3 we just won't see enough of the ball to fully utilise having 2 up front.

 

[stormfly]

Hellboy

King

Lennon---Modric....Sandro....Parker.....Gio.....Bale

Defoe.......Ade....Pav

King is as good as four defenders so this is the team we should go for. If King is having a real blinder, we can take hellboy off at half time for another striker.

 

[ThorntonSpur]

friedel

walker kaboul king rose

sandro parker

vdv modric bale

adebayor

subs gomes bae bassong lennon defoe pav livermore

 

[ShelfSide18]

I think you have to go with Defoe and Ade upfront, They have 5 goals in 2 games playing together.

They have a good understanding already and Liverpool just couldn't cope with it, even when we were 11 vs 11.

When Barca plays a decent side, do they change their side and put an extra defensive player in to cope? No they play to their strengths and we need to do the same.

Barca absolutely do change their tactics, formation, personnel etc to suit the occasion. Just because a certain system wins one week doesn't mean it will work the next.

 

[wallyjakeman]

lennon played yesterday

I know, but i read that he was subbed because of a tight groin?

 

[beats1]

The problem is that Sandro, Modric and Parker as a 3 are MUCH stronger than Ramsey, Arteta and Frimpong, Parker/Sandro and Modric as a 2 are not and we know for certain that that is how they will line up.

Having Defoe and Ade is fantastic I agree and they have looked very good together, but we need to dominate the ball for them to be effective, I fear that with a 2 against their 3 we just won't see enough of the ball to fully utilise having 2 up front.

Yes it may be stronger but that midfield didn't struggle against liverpool, in fact they dominated against them in the first 15 mins and then when you consider that vdv plays more of AM and likes to drop deep alot, it is more of a midfield three rather, it wasn't that long ago when we were dominating chelsea with a midfield of Hudd and modric as well as man utd,

Parker + Modric + VDV > frimpong + Arteta + Ramsey

 

[mdharris]

friedel

walker kaboul king rose

sandro parker

vdv modric bale

adebayor

subs gomes bae bassong lennon defoe pav livermore

Interesting- bae on bench? How many mins did rose play on thurs? And isn't he returning from an injury?

 

[sim0n]

------------friedel

corluka--kaboul--king--BAE

-------sandro--parker

---vdv---modric------bale

-----------adebayor

subs gomes walker bassong lennon defoe pav livermore

looks about right with the start, but then can bring on defoe for sandro and go at them more in the second half. I think that the other thread regarding "embarrassing" arsenal is quite a bit premature. the derby is the derby, so take nothing for granted - COYS!!!! :clap:

 

[lifeof...]

------------friedel

corluka--kaboul--king--BAE

-------sandro--parker

---vdv---modric------bale

-----------adebayor

subs gomes walker bassong lennon defoe pav livermore

looks about right with the start, but then can bring on defoe for sandro and go at them more in the second half. I think that the other thread regarding "embarrassing" arsenal is quite a bit premature. the derby is the derby, so take nothing for granted - COYS!!!! :clap:

Its a tough one call, on what Harry will choose, But by looking on who played Thursday....I think this is the most likely....

Though i think i would go for

--friedel

Walker--kaboul--king--BAE

VDV-----Modric--parker------Bale


Defoe------adebayor

I have gone for Parker over Sandro, purely based on match fitness...VDV nominal rw, bu free to roam.

I appreciate it is a very attacking selection, that gives a defensively weak right side...But if the back 4 Keep a type shape, and Parker and Modric put in a high energy performance...I think we would win, with a comfortable score line...4-1

With the more defensive minded line up and 1 up front, it will be close game to call. Still think we can win though, 1-0 or 2-1

every time i think its better to play to win, rather than play not to lose....Which is possible why I am not an FM :razz:

 

[bubble07]

Sandro needs to play this one. He is tailor made for a derby

 

[keenu]

Well the team picks itself. Its just a toss up between Sandro or Defoe for me. Seeing as though we are at home and they have defensive weaknesses I would go for Defoe. We can bring on Sandro when we have a lead to hold onto.

Friedel

Walker - Kaboul - King - BAE

VDV - Parker - Modric - Bale

Defoe - Ade

Subs: Cudicini, Bassong, Corluka, Sandro, Lennon, Gio, Pav.

 

[Black]

Lennon for Townsend and harry would 100% agree with you :clap:

 

[Jay The Yid]

I would go for the same side that beat Wigan. Loved seeing Parker and sandro in the centre. Looked so strong. With them two I would hope we would win the midfield battle and the team that does that more often that not goes on to win the game. With VDV, Modric, Bale, and Adebayor we will create chances.

Besides you can always bring Defoe off the bench if we need a goal!

 

[sloth]

It's a tricky one this isn't it? I think we need to go with Defoe and Ade up front though. If we bang in a couple and then they come back into it we could then take him off and put in Sandro. Luka in the middle and VdV on the right, the rest of the team picks itself right now. I'd still go with Walker at RB.

Well the team picks itself. Its just a toss up between Sandro or Defoe for me. Seeing as though we are at home and they have defensive weaknesses I would go for Defoe. We can bring on Sandro when we have a lead to hold onto.

Friedel

Walker - Kaboul - King - BAE

VDV - Parker - Modric - Bale

Defoe - Ade

Subs: Cudicini, Bassong, Corluka, Sandro, Lennon, Gio, Pav.

Its a tough one call, on what Harry will choose, But by looking on who played Thursday....I think this is the most likely....

Though i think i would go for

--friedel

Walker--kaboul--king--BAE

VDV-----Modric--parker------Bale


Defoe------adebayor

I have gone for Parker over Sandro, purely based on match fitness...VDV nominal rw, bu free to roam.

I appreciate it is a very attacking selection, that gives a defensively weak right side...But if the back 4 Keep a type shape, and Parker and Modric put in a high energy performance...I think we would win, with a comfortable score line...4-1

With the more defensive minded line up and 1 up front, it will be close game to call. Still think we can win though, 1-0 or 2-1

every time i think its better to play to win, rather than play not to lose....Which is possible why I am not an FM :razz:

Yes it's attacking, but significantly less attacking than the 4-2-3-1 formations suggested elsewhere in this thread.

So not only is your line-up likely to yield fewer goals, it would also be more likely to concede them. That's a rubbish equation in anyone's books

Yes it may be stronger but that midfield didn't struggle against liverpool, in fact they dominated against them in the first 15 mins and then when you consider that vdv plays more of AM and likes to drop deep alot, it is more of a midfield three rather, it wasn't that long ago when we were dominating chelsea with a midfield of Hudd and modric as well as man utd,

Parker + Modric + VDV > frimpong + Arteta + Ramsey

And my Gran smoked till she was 80 and never had a days illness in her life :up:.

By which I mean - in case you didn't know - that you can't pick a side based on the result from a single game, but rather make decisions on probable outcomes. The evidence you provide does not offer you the proof you want it to.

The formation most likely to achieve victory is the one which offers the greatest chance of us scoring (4-2-3-1, imo) and the least chance of conceding (again 4-2-3-1).