VDV....how best should we utilise him?

[michaelden]

Freidel​

Walker Kaboul King BAE​

Parker Sandro​

Modric VDV Bale​

Adebayor​

Simples. Modric, VDV and Bale can all interchange positions and be flexible with their movement.​

VDV on the right side of midfield doesn't work, it compromises our shape and discipline too much. 4-2-3-1 is the future for us, there's no two ways about it. Our players just fit into that shape so well.​

The only issue is Modric, how will he fare on the right of the 3?​

Impact subs: Lennon and Defoe? Not bad. Not bad at all.​

In January we could do with upgrading Pav for someone who can challenge Adebayor for the lone striker role, or step in if/when he gets injured.​

:clap: Yip agreed

In the hole behind Ade, with Bale and Modric also getting forward more (like the first half against Wigan).

We struggled at times against a poor Arsenal team because Modric and Parker were outnumbered, and Ade and Defoe were both isolated. Rafa could solve both problems if we stop trying to accomodate Defoe.

and agreed

 

[ethanedwards]

Looked pretty good on high crosses yesterday, perhaps a role as goal keeping coach, might give Gomez a few tips on how to catch the ball:wink:

 

[wooderz]

VDV did well tracking back in yesterdays match up until he felt his thigh iirc

Did he pull his thigh in the 45th minute? Their goal was solely down to him in my eyes, if he had tracked back and stopped the cross rather than just jogged and watched, then we could have had a clean sheet there!

 

[Spurs1960]

Did he pull his thigh in the 45th minute? Their goal was solely down to him in my eyes, if he had tracked back and stopped the cross rather than just jogged and watched, then we could have had a clean sheet there!

Or if Kaboul had not been behind their man instead of where he should have been, between him and the goal.

 

[Adam456]

The answer is, absolutely, that it depends who we're playing. Also that it's not a headache at all as long as he is professional and realises we've stepped up a notch (even from when we signed him) and he's not going to play every game.

He needs to be vying with Defoe for the 'off Adebayor' role when we play 442 at home and against weaker sides. And away from home and against tougher sides we can play the 4231 which is just a 451/ fluid 433 with Modric a little further forward than Parker and Sandro in the midfield triangle. Bale and Lennon (and hopefully GDS) on the wings to hit on the break and disrupt the forward play of their fullbacks. VDV then an impact sub

If VDV can't handle that then we might need to consider good offers IF we have a top quality replacement in mind

 

[Bus-Conductor]

VDV is possibly now the most important permanent (ie Adebayor is on loan) member of our team in terms of our development as a side.

He combines footballing intelligence with composure under pressure in the box and work rate.

There's no enigma about him. He'll score/assist 20+ goals a season and average 35-50 passes a game. That is as good as it gets, especially for a team like us. There's only a couple of players in this league that can do what he can do better.

You do not do that by being inherently lazy. He generally covers shitloads of ground and sees more ball than some cm's no matter where you play him, but playing him right to make way for Defoe is stupid. He will score more than Defoe, create more than Defoe and see more ball than Defoe.

Get him back where he belongs, stop doing the silly shit that cost us CL football last year and with Adebayor to play off, Bale and Modric either side of the "3" in a 4231 we have one of the best attacking combo's in the EPL.

 

[Yid-ol]

VDV needs to play off a striker, but not in every game, i dont think at times he should start and we should play 2 up top which means he gets dropped. Also i dont think at times he is fit enough to last a full game, he seems to always get slower during games and dont think he can last a full 90 just now.

 

[CosmicHotspur]

Perhaps Harry should instruct him to run about a bit.

He's much better at it than Pav... :grin:

 

[$hoguN]

VDV is possibly now the most important permanent (ie Adebayor is on loan) member of our team in terms of our development as a side.

He combines footballing intelligence with composure under pressure in the box and work rate.

There's no enigma about him. He'll score/assist 20+ goals a season and average 35-50 passes a game. That is as good as it gets, especially for a team like us. There's only a couple of players in this league that can do what he can do better.

You do not do that by being inherently lazy. He generally covers shitloads of ground and sees more ball than some cm's no matter where you play him, but playing him right to make way for Defoe is stupid. He will score more than Defoe, create more than Defoe and see more ball than Defoe.

Get him back where he belongs, stop doing the silly shit that cost us CL football last year and with Adebayor to play off, Bale and Modric either side of the "3" in a 4231 we have one of the best attacking combo's in the EPL.

Oh ffs, I can't believe i'm saying this for the second time today but BC is 100% correct again.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

VDV is possibly now the most important permanent (ie Adebayor is on loan) member of our team in terms of our development as a side.

He combines footballing intelligence with composure under pressure in the box and work rate.

There's no enigma about him. He'll score/assist 20+ goals a season and average 35-50 passes a game. That is as good as it gets, especially for a team like us. There's only a couple of players in this league that can do what he can do better.

You do not do that by being inherently lazy. He generally covers shitloads of ground and sees more ball than some cm's no matter where you play him, but playing him right to make way for Defoe is stupid. He will score more than Defoe, create more than Defoe and see more ball than Defoe.

Get him back where he belongs, stop doing the silly shit that cost us CL football last year and with Adebayor to play off, Bale and Modric either side of the "3" in a 4231 we have one of the best attacking combo's in the EPL.

Great post. Only thing is that vdV usually hits 60-80 passes in 70 mins, so would often reach 100 in a full match. Compare this to Defoe who rarely hits 15 in 90 mins.

 

[$hoguN]

Great post. Only thing is that vdV usually hits 60-80 passes in 70 mins, so would often reach 100 in a full match. Compare this to Defoe who rarely hits 15 in 90 mins.

How about you set aside the huge bias you have against Defoe when making a post. Yes, VDV gives more to the team in terms of assists and goals, but that doesn't mean you need to take the opportunity to have another snide dig at Defoe.

 

[tototoner]

not on the right side of midfield - ditto for Modric

 

[tototoner]

The biggest issue with VdV is his lack of fitness, you can't build your style of play around a player who can only last 60 minutes. Also I disagree with those who advocate a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3 to accommodate him, in both of those systems the front 4 or 3 need to have 2 essential qualities I think he lacks 1) pace and 2) a willingness to press the opposition's defence. Look at any of the teams who play those systems and you'll see my point - Barca, Madrid, Manure, Citeh, Chelski. Name me one player from those teams' front 3 or 4 who is as slow as VdV and is as lax with respect to pressing.

I love watching VdV but I struggle to see how we accommodate in any formation that will see us move to the next level.

There is nothing wrong with his general fitness , just his dodgy knee.

Same issue as King

 

[Yid-ol]

Great post. Only thing is that vdV usually hits 60-80 passes in 70 mins, so would often reach 100 in a full match. Compare this to Defoe who rarely hits 15 in 90 mins.

but in a full match our keeper will make alot more saves compaired to VDV

 

[west indie]

agree with bc

 

[dvdhopeful]

People seem to think it needs to be either or, 4-4-2 or 4-2-3-1 - there is a middle ground. 4-4-2 against Liverpool and we destroyed them, no need for 4-2-3-1. In other games 4-4-2 isn't going to work as well, then go 4-2-3-1. Is there really a need for two holding players against Norwich at WHL?

VDV's best position is wherever he can influence the game most, has responsibility for closing down and working hard but not for covering specific areas of the pitch and leaving someone else exposed. Against teams with weaker left sides, I see no issue with a 4-4-2, letting Rafa roam and leaving Walker without 100% cover. In tougher games, I'd prefer Rafa much nearer Ade.

Either way, Rafa must play, even if you get 60-70 minutes maximum, the guy will always deliver.

The biggest issue of:

Parker----Sandro
VDV----Luka----Bale
-------Ade-----

Is where the goals come from. Ade, VDV, Bale will score, but if you play like that, you need double digit contributions from those four, plus 5-6 from Parker, Sandro. Will we get that? I'm not sure about Luka, he is capable but there is no evidence he will start scoring more. Will Parker and Sandro chip in enough?

Moving Luka out of the middle also worries me, he is most dangerous with the ball, retaining possession and distributing, push him further up the field and we lose that.

 

[TwoSaintsComeMarching]

Our squad is perfect for this:

Friedel

Kaboul ............... King

Walker .................................................... Bale
Sandro

Parker .................... Modric
VDV

Defoe ....... Adebayor​

 

[millsie]

Expect to get some abuse, but here goes anyway. Get rid of him for as much as possible. Good player, but just wont fit into the team, which requires everyone else to be mucked around to accomodate HRH. I also think Mod and him cant play in the same team.

 

[ethanedwards]

Our squad is perfect for this:

Friedel

Kaboul ............... King

Walker .................................................... Bale
Sandro

Parker .................... Modric
VDV

Defoe ....... Adebayor​

Cannot drop BAE to accomodate Defoe, sorry.

 

[Black]

Sell VDV lol, funny people