DJS
A hoonter must hoont
- Dec 9, 2006
- 31,273
- 21,771
A lot of people may disagree but felt I need to stick this in a thread so apologies for how long this post is!
I don't understand a lot of this recent posting by people suggesting changing around the team playing players to experiment for next season.
I don't think Keano will be happy having been joint top scorer for us in the league and generally playing well all season to be dropped to the bench just so Bent (who doesn't really deserve to start over either of our front 2 at the mo) can get a chance to impress? I don't think that sends out the right message to our squad and if I was Keano looking to top my scoring record on the league I certainly wouldn't be too happy! I also wouldn't think Jenas would be happy to sit any games out for O'Hara, Boateng, etc to be given a run as he is still playing to impress Capello for his England place.
I reckon if you started dropping 1st team regulars just to accomodate fringe players to give them some experience, you're going down a very dangerous road in terms of peeing off players who have played well, just to be dropped for an inexperienced player to give them a run?
As I said above re: Jenas we still have players who would want to impress as playing for their place in their respective national team or a squad place.
I feel we should play a settled team as much as possible as the players need continuity, to learn how each makes runs and to build up confidence / relationships within the team. A big problem we have had in the past is our team sometimes playing like a bunch of strangers - they need play-time together as much as possible to plan towards a much better league position next season IMO. Otherwise I'd fear that we'd mess around with the team now and when it comes to picking a 1st choice team at the start of next season we'd lose all continuity of play (again!).
Most of the top teams have had a consitent team for at least a couple of seasons which helps their play (hate to say it, but even in the case of Ar5ena1 who to some have a team of less individual star players then a few years back, still play well because a lot of the players have been together a while and are a gelled unit and know exactly where to play the ball to each other).
Goalkeeper
Think Robbo needs to play every game (bar him dropping a major clanger) as he has been improving and will need to use these games as a chance to prove whether he has a future next term. He also will be wanting to get back into the England squad and possibly reclaim his no.1 spot.
Defence
Right-back - Hutton should play as he will be our 1st choice for next season (looks increasingly like Chimbonda is out). Again, he needs games as has his Scotland place to play for.
Left-back - Bale will probably be long-term left back but otherwise this postion may be open to chopping and changing as either Lee can play (although was poor in last game so maybe not?). Gunter could get a run as has played well when called upon or Gilberto might settle in (although I wouldn't mind seeing him more advanced).
Centre-back - Depends on Ledder's situation. If it would be better for him to write off this season then Dawson or Kaboul (whoever in form) should play alongside Woody. If King is better off getting so matches in then naturally he should play when available.
Midfield
This is an area prone to chopping and changing.
Central-midfield - Feel Jenas should play if fit as been excellent since Ramos came in. Who partner's him? Ain't got a clue to be honest as they all tend to blow hot and cold so could be either Hudd, Zokora, TT or O'Hara.
Or if Jenas is inured I'd like Steeeeed to be given a chance there. That's not experimenting as such, just allowing him to play in his (probably) best position if Jenas isn't available.
Right-wing - Lennon 1st choice at this point but Steed could also be given a go there if felt that maybe a more left-footed option is required on the left and he was playing better than Lennon and deserved less to be dropped.
Left-wing - Now I would be tempted to perhaps try alternate options here. Steed has been good but still doesn't give us that balance and perhaps it would be nice to see Rose coming off the bench (as Lennon originally did) or Gilberto given a start here. Depends on who's available / in-form.
Up Front
Keano and Berba for me - playing well all season and may want to go for top scorer for Spurs and see how far they can get up Prem scoring charts as all forwards would want.
I'm sure they'd be really unhappy if Bent is suddenly played over one of them just to give him some games or even worse Taarabt is played as an experiment there! Keano also has a new international manager in Trapatoni (sp?) so would be eager to impress him.
I don't understand a lot of this recent posting by people suggesting changing around the team playing players to experiment for next season.
I don't think Keano will be happy having been joint top scorer for us in the league and generally playing well all season to be dropped to the bench just so Bent (who doesn't really deserve to start over either of our front 2 at the mo) can get a chance to impress? I don't think that sends out the right message to our squad and if I was Keano looking to top my scoring record on the league I certainly wouldn't be too happy! I also wouldn't think Jenas would be happy to sit any games out for O'Hara, Boateng, etc to be given a run as he is still playing to impress Capello for his England place.
I reckon if you started dropping 1st team regulars just to accomodate fringe players to give them some experience, you're going down a very dangerous road in terms of peeing off players who have played well, just to be dropped for an inexperienced player to give them a run?
As I said above re: Jenas we still have players who would want to impress as playing for their place in their respective national team or a squad place.
I feel we should play a settled team as much as possible as the players need continuity, to learn how each makes runs and to build up confidence / relationships within the team. A big problem we have had in the past is our team sometimes playing like a bunch of strangers - they need play-time together as much as possible to plan towards a much better league position next season IMO. Otherwise I'd fear that we'd mess around with the team now and when it comes to picking a 1st choice team at the start of next season we'd lose all continuity of play (again!).
Most of the top teams have had a consitent team for at least a couple of seasons which helps their play (hate to say it, but even in the case of Ar5ena1 who to some have a team of less individual star players then a few years back, still play well because a lot of the players have been together a while and are a gelled unit and know exactly where to play the ball to each other).
Goalkeeper
Think Robbo needs to play every game (bar him dropping a major clanger) as he has been improving and will need to use these games as a chance to prove whether he has a future next term. He also will be wanting to get back into the England squad and possibly reclaim his no.1 spot.
Defence
Right-back - Hutton should play as he will be our 1st choice for next season (looks increasingly like Chimbonda is out). Again, he needs games as has his Scotland place to play for.
Left-back - Bale will probably be long-term left back but otherwise this postion may be open to chopping and changing as either Lee can play (although was poor in last game so maybe not?). Gunter could get a run as has played well when called upon or Gilberto might settle in (although I wouldn't mind seeing him more advanced).
Centre-back - Depends on Ledder's situation. If it would be better for him to write off this season then Dawson or Kaboul (whoever in form) should play alongside Woody. If King is better off getting so matches in then naturally he should play when available.
Midfield
This is an area prone to chopping and changing.
Central-midfield - Feel Jenas should play if fit as been excellent since Ramos came in. Who partner's him? Ain't got a clue to be honest as they all tend to blow hot and cold so could be either Hudd, Zokora, TT or O'Hara.
Or if Jenas is inured I'd like Steeeeed to be given a chance there. That's not experimenting as such, just allowing him to play in his (probably) best position if Jenas isn't available.
Right-wing - Lennon 1st choice at this point but Steed could also be given a go there if felt that maybe a more left-footed option is required on the left and he was playing better than Lennon and deserved less to be dropped.
Left-wing - Now I would be tempted to perhaps try alternate options here. Steed has been good but still doesn't give us that balance and perhaps it would be nice to see Rose coming off the bench (as Lennon originally did) or Gilberto given a start here. Depends on who's available / in-form.
Up Front
Keano and Berba for me - playing well all season and may want to go for top scorer for Spurs and see how far they can get up Prem scoring charts as all forwards would want.
I'm sure they'd be really unhappy if Bent is suddenly played over one of them just to give him some games or even worse Taarabt is played as an experiment there! Keano also has a new international manager in Trapatoni (sp?) so would be eager to impress him.
