What is the better midfield

[Maske2g]

2 up front with...

Bale Sandro Modric Krankjar



or

Modric
Bale Sandro Livermore Defoe


That obvious choice is the first one yet Redknapp, who saw Parker was injured, decided to bring on Defoe anyway who played almost at right back.

Once again, it is clear, that 2 defensive midfielders does not work, and once again it is clear that we never have a plan B when things aren't going well or we get an injury.

This is the sole reason we won't finish above the manchester clubs. We have the players, we just don't know what to do with them.

How he can bring on Defoe when we have an injured player, and then bring on the hapless Livermore on instead of Krankjar and Pienaar is beyond even the most strict Harry fan.

 

[Blake Griffin]

i don't agree that two defensive midfielders doesn't work, however i would've brought on pienaar or kranjcar for parker, not livermore. would've left vdv on too.

 

[disciple]

442 works at home

451 has worked very well away.

SIMPLE REALLY

 

[Lilbaz]

When's Lennon back?

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Don't play 2 upfront - it leaves us far too susceptible to being overrun in midfield.

Defoe should only ever come off the bench if we are chasing the game, not protecting a lead.

 

[Phil_2.0]

Don't play 2 upfront - it leaves us far too susceptible to being overrun in midfield.

Defoe should only ever come off the bench if we are chasing the game, not protecting a lead.

Defoe didn't play up front he played on the right

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

What I've gathered is that whatever subs he brings on or players he brings off is always wrong. It doesn't matter who it is or even if they score or set up a goal. Theres always a better alternative. for me we didn't play well enough with the ball today. lost possession cheaply at times and lacked zip long before the subs. Very poor goalkeeping for the goal. looked like he was trying to anticipate one of our defenders getting a touch on goal. Just shout and come and claim it. Swansea played well but to be honest didn't look that threatening really. four points from two away is decent but can't help but feel disappointed after some of the results today.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Defoe didn't play up front he played on the right

Was madness with a player with so little all round game.

 

[AngerManagement]

Very surprised Niko never came on today, would have thought his skill and passing range would have help us retain the ball and hold on to the lead

Still hindsight makes things very easy to call

 

[OmarsComing]

u need stood to do a proper job on RVP

too much red

 

[mattwilson]

I thought it was insane to overlook Kranjcar today, we were far from having the game sewn up and he, like Modric, has the ability to pick the lock in situations like this. He's a v creative midfielder and would have been fantastic to launch an offensive in the final third of the game.

I'd have brought him on for Scotty P, kept VdV on for a bit longer and continued to play how we were.

 

[Mr Pink]

Very surprised Niko never came on today, would have thought his skill and passing range would have help us retain the ball and hold on to the lead

Still hindsight makes things very easy to call

I agree, but the thing is I've lost count the amount of times I've said this regarding Niko...just not sure why Harry is so reluctant to use him, particularly today when some looked dead on their feet.

Kranjcar would of helped us retain the ball, at the end of the day that's why we beat Norwich so comfortably...ball retention, its the best form of defence...and, ironically, why Swansea have conceded so few themselves.

 

[stevenqoz]

Today we saw the possible downside of playing a flattish 4 5 1. Parker playing on one leg is not very mobile and we lacked depth in the midfield made worse by us setting up too deep. Again VDV was poor compromise rightside rarely getting close enough to Ade. Livermore should gone rm immediately Defoe floundered there. In truth we looked leggy today only Sandro, Kaboul and Ade having energy.

 

[Maske2g]

Pienaar and Krankjar are good players, this festive period was the ideal chance to give them the minutes they need.

 

[mpickard2087]

I was only paying half attention to the match yesterday but I was also surprised with the subs, Defoe coming on and playing not quite in the centre and not quite on the right? Strange. Kranjcar would have been the better sub.

 

[Arazi440]

Bale..........Modric......Parker........ Lennon