Dazza86
Well-Known Member
- Apr 28, 2011
- 336
- 613
First major post, normally lurking as everytime I see a comment I want to comment on, someone else has hit the nail on the head a few comments later. So I'll just stick my first all under one roof.
Transitional Season
I think last season may have been transitional. We seem to have one every season, but I think the signing of Van Der Vaart forced the change on us. It looks like a 4-2-3-1 formation will be the preferred option next year and last season we lacked two integral parts of this formation. A striker to play on his own, and a right attacking forward who can contribute goals (which explains our inability to kill off teams). I expect us to look something like this next year:
Gomes
Walker - Dawson - Gallas - Ekotto
Sandro - Modric
________ - Van Der Vaart - Bale
_________
We couldn't line up like this this year because Lennon doesn't score enough and is better hugging the line, and we didn't have a striker who can play up top on his own. So we chose the less of two evils, and played to Lennon and Van Der Vaart's strengths in 4-4-1-1.
I also expect us to keep Lennon, at least for a season, for two reasons.
1) We could buy a right forward who isn't as effective as we'd hoped.
2) Lennon would be a great switch to formation back to 4-4-1-1 if we needed it (and we will).
Some people would suggest playing Modric on the left, with Bale switching to left back. I think that doesn't suit the strengths of those players or where they are most comfortable. Bale said last year that he was being groomed to play a more attacking support role, which he preferred. He can score goals and would link well with Van Der Vaart and Modric in a 3 on the left. He also has defensive skills, making up for the defensive cover (or lack of) Modric would provide.
Modric isn't a goal scorer. His shot is as tame as Lennon, and won't ever get more than 5 a season on a regular basis. IMO much more suited to controlling the game from deep, demanding the ball from the defense, and playing it through the opposition - the Tottenham way.
The deep midfielders will be key and the main point of pre match switching. If we want to go defensive, we could have Sandro and Parker (Although Diarra > Parker) - or attacking (at home against weaker opposition where we sucked this year) we could have Huddlestone and Modric.
Signings
If the two blanks aren't big name "marquee" signings, we risk losing and demotivating our best players. A lot of names have been plastered around, and we all know what league those names fit in.
Up top we need someone like Falcao, Drogba, Higuain (yeah yeah, I know), Rossi, Aguero, Eto....Berbatov or Adebayor. I'm not sold on Llorente personally, as I think he is mentally fragile and would end up being a Dzeko, but I guess you can add him to that list. With Leandro as lone striker backup and either Defoe, Pav or Crouch as 4-4-2 backup.
On the right we need someone who can run with the ball, and score 10 - 15 a season. Hulk, Rossi, Lavezzi, Hazard etc. This player should also have some defensive qualities, but isn't as essential as the left because Sandro will be covering behind.
If we were to get two big name signings in these positions, I think it would bring out the ambition in Bale, Van Der Vaart and Modric, each determined to be part of a world class team. If we fail to do this, and sign "decent" players, like Osvaldo, Gameiro, etc we would only get 80% of our current top players and not the 110% that we could. They'll respond in the same way we will.
I also imagine signing Beckham would have a similar knock on effect to the other players and would be worth pursuing. Leadership by reputation.
Of course, all wishful thinking as Friedel looks like our first signing and will completely underwhelm us and the current squad. Some think he'll push Gomes, but Gomes is at his worse under pressure and will likely make more mistakes. If Gomes is to be replaced, I'd want Lloris. A statement of intent or keep Gomes and not sign Friedel.
Thoughts?? Be gentle.
Transitional Season
I think last season may have been transitional. We seem to have one every season, but I think the signing of Van Der Vaart forced the change on us. It looks like a 4-2-3-1 formation will be the preferred option next year and last season we lacked two integral parts of this formation. A striker to play on his own, and a right attacking forward who can contribute goals (which explains our inability to kill off teams). I expect us to look something like this next year:
Gomes
Walker - Dawson - Gallas - Ekotto
Sandro - Modric
________ - Van Der Vaart - Bale
_________
We couldn't line up like this this year because Lennon doesn't score enough and is better hugging the line, and we didn't have a striker who can play up top on his own. So we chose the less of two evils, and played to Lennon and Van Der Vaart's strengths in 4-4-1-1.
I also expect us to keep Lennon, at least for a season, for two reasons.
1) We could buy a right forward who isn't as effective as we'd hoped.
2) Lennon would be a great switch to formation back to 4-4-1-1 if we needed it (and we will).
Some people would suggest playing Modric on the left, with Bale switching to left back. I think that doesn't suit the strengths of those players or where they are most comfortable. Bale said last year that he was being groomed to play a more attacking support role, which he preferred. He can score goals and would link well with Van Der Vaart and Modric in a 3 on the left. He also has defensive skills, making up for the defensive cover (or lack of) Modric would provide.
Modric isn't a goal scorer. His shot is as tame as Lennon, and won't ever get more than 5 a season on a regular basis. IMO much more suited to controlling the game from deep, demanding the ball from the defense, and playing it through the opposition - the Tottenham way.
The deep midfielders will be key and the main point of pre match switching. If we want to go defensive, we could have Sandro and Parker (Although Diarra > Parker) - or attacking (at home against weaker opposition where we sucked this year) we could have Huddlestone and Modric.
Signings
If the two blanks aren't big name "marquee" signings, we risk losing and demotivating our best players. A lot of names have been plastered around, and we all know what league those names fit in.
Up top we need someone like Falcao, Drogba, Higuain (yeah yeah, I know), Rossi, Aguero, Eto....Berbatov or Adebayor. I'm not sold on Llorente personally, as I think he is mentally fragile and would end up being a Dzeko, but I guess you can add him to that list. With Leandro as lone striker backup and either Defoe, Pav or Crouch as 4-4-2 backup.
On the right we need someone who can run with the ball, and score 10 - 15 a season. Hulk, Rossi, Lavezzi, Hazard etc. This player should also have some defensive qualities, but isn't as essential as the left because Sandro will be covering behind.
If we were to get two big name signings in these positions, I think it would bring out the ambition in Bale, Van Der Vaart and Modric, each determined to be part of a world class team. If we fail to do this, and sign "decent" players, like Osvaldo, Gameiro, etc we would only get 80% of our current top players and not the 110% that we could. They'll respond in the same way we will.
I also imagine signing Beckham would have a similar knock on effect to the other players and would be worth pursuing. Leadership by reputation.
Of course, all wishful thinking as Friedel looks like our first signing and will completely underwhelm us and the current squad. Some think he'll push Gomes, but Gomes is at his worse under pressure and will likely make more mistakes. If Gomes is to be replaced, I'd want Lloris. A statement of intent or keep Gomes and not sign Friedel.
Thoughts?? Be gentle.
