Vertonghen LB?

[spurs-r-us]

We have the squad to go hard at all 4 trophies.

The 4 CB will rotate throughout the season. No point playing JV at LB to fit Dawson in.

 

[HotspurFC1950]

Need a left back. Don't fancy Benny and Rose.

 

[Geronimo897]

Please no. He was defensively and positionally poor at LB last season.

I have to agree.

 

[nidge]

Why weaken ourselves by playing our best CB from last season at LB?

 

[michaelden]

The rumours of Benny being shifted out originated in january when he had just came back to fitness. There is nothing to suggest we are in for a LB either, not from the media or ITK. Its been perpetuated by fans for months now with no genuine basis. Benny was getting high praises from everyone 2 seasons ago while Rose was touted as one of the best last season. I honestly dont understand why some feel that position is such a pressing concern.

I think there is a really good analysis on the front page (you'll have to go back a month or so to find it) which says that defensively we were consistently weaker on our left flank than centre or right. I agree it's not a no.1 priority so I am happy to chill with BAE, Rose & Fryers (who seems weakest by some way but defo needs game time)

 

[michaelden]

Why weaken ourselves by playing our best CB from last season at LB?

cos the league is just too easy!

 

[nicdic]

Lets play Kaboul at right back too....

He's a centre back that can fill in at ,eft back when needed, but isn't a left back. As others have said he's poor positionally at full back. I still think BAE is more than good enough, he had a tough year with injuries and a new manager and players around him when he came back. Remember how good he was the season before.

 

[ClintEastwould]

I think there is a really good analysis on the front page (you'll have to go back a month or so to find it) which says that defensively we were consistently weaker on our left flank than centre or right. I agree it's not a no.1 priority so I am happy to chill with BAE, Rose & Fryers (who seems weakest by some way but defo needs game time)

i remember that but you have to take into account that we had 3 players at LB last season and even 4 if you include walker who did so once or twice and not a single one got any consistent game time. also its a bit unfair in comparison because lennon and walker is arguably the best right side in the league defensively.

Im confident that if either Rose or Benny is given consistent playing time they'll do great

 

[Yid-ol]

i remember that but you have to take into account that we had 3 players at LB last season and even 4 if you include walker who did so once or twice and not a single one got any consistent game time. also its a bit unfair in comparison because lennon and walker is arguably the best right side in the league defensively.

Im confident that if either Rose or Benny is given consistent playing time they'll do great

I think that we didn't have a steady LB, or LM this didn't help with that side. IMO if we can get BAE and a LM who will play most games (and not a CM thrown on the wing) it will be better.

 

[Rocksuperstar]

I know Kaboom has come on a lot in the last couple of years, but i can't understand why anyone would have him start over Dawson - he was told he was going to be sold, that he was fourth choice, so he did what very, very few players do and dug in his heels, worked hard and earned his spot back in the team, then went on to put in displays that gladiators would've been pretty proud of. Sure, he's not infallible, but neither is Kaboul, who may be a brick wall and a hard worker but is also clumsy on occasion and doesn't have half the influence on the back line that

Dawson & Vertonghen is, for me, our starting pair for the league, Kaboul to step in for European & cup games.

 

[nicdic]

I know Kaboom has come on a lot in the last couple of years, but i can't understand why anyone would have him start over Dawson - he was told he was going to be sold, that he was fourth choice, so he did what very, very few players do and dug in his heels, worked hard and earned his spot back in the team, then went on to put in displays that gladiators would've been pretty proud of. Sure, he's not infallible, but neither is Kaboul, who may be a brick wall and a hard worker but is also clumsy on occasion and doesn't have half the influence on the back line that

Dawson & Vertonghen is, for me, our starting pair for the league, Kaboul to step in for European & cup games.

It's because Dawson isn't as good as Kaboul, at least pre injury Kaboul. The season before last there was probably only Kompany who was better than Kaboul. Dawson is never going to get to that kind of level. I love Dawson, and his attitude last year was great, but no way would I regularly start him ahead of Kaboul or Verthonghen. That said we know André Villas-Boas likes to rotate his backs four depending on opponents, they'll all get game time, just expect Kaboul and Jan will be no 1 and rightly so.

 

[mattdefoe]

no, he gets twisted in side out as a full back. He does put in excellent crosses but he is a potent thread coming out of defence with the ball. Bales goal v swansea and his goal v swansea is a prime example of this.

 

[parklane1]

Why weaken ourselves by playing our best CB from last season at LB?

Indeed.

 

[Sarsipius]

Sorry but I have to pick up on a few points.

People are excusing BAE last season for not having regular playing time or regular partners yet with one single comment dismiss Vertonghen's ability at left back when the very same could be argued in his defence too.

The facts are though, you don't get to play for your national side in a position that you're not good at and it's well known that Verts is an accomplished left back as well as CB, so to tarnish him as "positionally poor" on the basis of the few games he played there I can't agree with. In my opinion he looked good there and offered a lot more going forward than BAE ever did.

On that point I don't think anyone is doubting BAE's ability as a defender. He's obviously proven to be highly capable, which coupled to his radical 'I always tell ze truf' attitude, is why he's such a fan favourite. What he hasn't proven, ever, is an ability to offer consistent attacking threat which is what we'll demand of our full backs in a 4-3-3 without out 'n out wingers.

For example, Walker has provided more assists in two seasons than Benny has in eight.

I'll be interested to see who AVB favours at the start of the season and whether Rose or Fryers have made a big enough impression on him.

 

[D-Man]

He's a cultured central defender who can play LB, but i'd far prefer he wasn't deployed at LB as I feel it disrupts the rhythm of the side. I want us to go out and find a new quality LB so Vert's can stay and for a solid central defensive partnership with Kaboom.

 

[passenger58]

I think it's fair to say that LB was our weak point last season and I reckon AVB would like to address the situation this summer. Whether he ends up with the cash to do it remains to be seen.

Having said that CB is probably the most important area for consistency, and I'd prefer to avoid disrupting this too much by moving JV from CB to LB and back again.

Benny/Rose can do the job for now IMO.

 

[EastLondonYid]

I know Kaboom has come on a lot in the last couple of years, but i can't understand why anyone would have him start over Dawson - he was told he was going to be sold, that he was fourth choice, so he did what very, very few players do and dug in his heels, worked hard and earned his spot back in the team, then went on to put in displays that gladiators would've been pretty proud of. Sure, he's not infallible, but neither is Kaboul, who may be a brick wall and a hard worker but is also clumsy on occasion and doesn't have half the influence on the back line that

Dawson & Vertonghen is, for me, our starting pair for the league, Kaboul to step in for European & cup games.

 

[thinktank]

Madness isn't it.

 

[EastLondonYid]

Madness isn't it.

it really is .

 

[EastLondonYid]

Dawson would win by a country mile as my favourite person at the club, and i do believe he will still play a vital role this season, but to put him above a fit Kaboul... is like wanting Townsend above Bale IMO.