Modric in the middle

[Coyboy]

I don't get a few things;
why people think Modric is 'lightweight' when he patently isn't.
why it is not obvious that we should play a vastly talented central midfielder in his best position.
why we cannot play Jenas in an inside wide position as we did in his first season where he can do the same job as he does centrally.

It would never, nor should be, two wingers and two central midfielders. We should look to be more adaptable. Play three in the middle with Modric advanced and supported by Jenas and Palacios with Lennon providing width on either side. This rotation happened to an extent last night, neither Modric or Lennon hugged the touchline but they need to be involved especially Modric. Jenas is great at what he does but a lot of other players can do his job because it is quite simple. Modric is more unique and has all the attributes to be a top player if he is not sacrificed to fill a hole.

 

[DC_Boy]

I don't think Modric has proved he's our best player (as far as the prem goes) -

HR has ben wise in the last two games to have JJ & WP in the middle - it's worked wel and I expect that will be the typical formation - so it won't be chopping and changing cos LM won't be playing CM much in a 4-4-2 is my prediction

fitness/suspension etc permitting of course

 

[VancouverSpurs]

that is because you are assuming that both gio and jenas are defensively weak, which they are not. they are not the best tacklers but can certainly track well a do decent defensive jobs, especially on such a day, and offensively , potentially, very, very good combination, with more pace from a left flank combo than we've seen for a very long time.

Gio has played in two competitive games under Harry so I don't really know what you're basing that assessment on. Jenas, as evidenced by the ongoing debate on this site, is not a very strong tackler. I would concede that he could do a job at LB in an emergency situation but my main point still remains. In a cup final we cannot trot out such an experimental squad.

Coyboy- Why is it patently clear that Modric is not lightweight? I'm just wondering what information you're basing that on, because from what I've seen of him he does disappear for stretches of games (part of which I'd attribute to his inability to physically handle the sort of defensive attention he receives). I'd agree that he's not a feather and certainly can hold people off the ball, but I just don't have that faith in his abilities that you seem to have.

 

[theShiznit]

It was clear to see that we lacked control in CM last night (1st half especially) and when under little pressure both JJ and palacios were guilty of just booting the ball, in several instances when they were in space.

this was part of the reason that we played no football in the first half against an average Hull midfield, it was crying out for Luka to add some composure and creativity.

and whilst Modric may not be our best player this season, there can be no doubt that he is technically our best player? and also the most intelligent with and without the ball.

I am encouraged that Redknapp is accomodating him (which means he thinks highly of him) but not long ago he said he was going to build the team around Luka a Palacios, we have yet to see any evidence of this though...

 

[Adam]

In the last 2 league games, Palacios has absolutely carried Jenas-he has been a complete non-entity offering nothing going forward and little protection for the defence. Last night, we got done a few times down our left as Modric didnt track their left back because he doesnt have a winger's mentality when it comes to getting back in and defend. Therefore, the simple solution is to swap them-Jenas is moved out of the business area of the pitch and use his few good attributes of pace and stamina to fill in on the left and Modric can pull the strings in the middle and link up with Keane to a greater effect.

 

[Spurs_Q8]

sadly, Keane was also average last night, he wasn't playing his free rule as he was in the past, i was always appreciate and like him when he is droping a create chances, he was harldy doing that yesterday.

I think if he used as left second striker, with Modric on left, it is a bit of 4-3-3 with Modric can join Palacios and JJ as third man in the middle and get out the best of him. Might be smilar rule to his Croatia national team but i've not used to watch them that often. But I'm sure little by little we will improve, and might be JJ on right, Lennon on left and Luka in CM could work at home, but in away games ? It would be questionable :think:

 

[gibbs131]

Haha. Modric would have been DESTROYED if he was in the middle of the park last night.

Even Palacious was getting bullied by their destroyer. Zayatte was a maniac.

 

[ravo]

Haha. Modric would have been DESTROYED if he was in the middle of the park last night.

Even Palacious was getting bullied by their destroyer. Zayatte was a maniac.

Agreed. I thought he was very good and potentially man of the match had Hull got a point.

 

[Kendall]

Agree and people want to believe Modric isn't lightweight, what because he can take a tackle like Lennon? his tacking is poor.

 

[DHMadboy]

i thought jenas with palacios didn't work, jenas kept going right back to the defenders to collect the ball, and he should have been pushing forward, palacios should be the furthest midfielder back, sometimes jenas was leaving the ball to palacios and he thought jenas would take it.

i think palacios plays better in a set role position so he knows the responsibility is all his, rather than 50 50 where it wasnt working, if you had palacios and modric in the middle, modric could stay forward and palacios could be the holding midfielder, with bentley and lennon on the wings. i know this puts a lot of pressure on palacios but he seems to thrive on it, as he did with arsenal.

 

[Coyboy]

Agree and people want to believe Modric isn't lightweight, what because he can take a tackle like Lennon? his tacking is poor.

That doesn't mean to say he is lightweight. Is Scholes too lightweight to have played as a centre midfielder, is Beckham? Tackling is a skill some have and some do not, Modric doesn't have it in abundance but he wasn't signed for it. Being 'lightweight' means, if I were to deconstruct a football cliche, too weak physically to affect the game; to do what one is good at.

In Modric's case it means can he still pass the ball with the attention of fierce midfielders? Yes. Can he still weave in and out of such players? Yes. Can he still shoot and cross with the same skill and techinque? Yes. I am sure he had to adapt upon coming here, every player has but to fog him off as lightweight is just wrong and misses the most important reasons for his perhaps not setting the league alight; played outwide, getting used to new league/country/team-mates, not having an abundance of forward options.

I would say that Stoke are more physical than Hull or at least equal and Modric played a blinder agains them. It is a crying shame if players of his calibre cannot play well against players of 1/100th of his skill who happen to be well built. Luckily it isn't true but it is a pity people seem to want to sacrifice and wrap in cotton wool our biggest talent, or one thereof, which in turn limits him and limits the team.

 

[Leigh]

From left to right:

Jenas - Palacios - Modric - Lennon

There, that was easy.

 

[ripley]

I'm thinking that the way to get the best 11 players we have on the field at the same time is to play a 4 - 3 - 3 which could easily change to 4 - 4 -2 or 4 - 5 -1 during the game:

Gomes
Chimbonda Dawson Woodgate BAE
Palacios Corluka Jenas
Modric Pav Keane

King would come in to replace Dawson when fit.
Modric and Keane would have license to roam amd could play out wide or as number 10's.
Corluka could easily move to RB and Zokora would slip in as DM for those that prefer that, but I'd think Corluka's skill set sitting in front of the back four is better than Zokora's.
Palacios and Jenas would be the tenacious harriers in front of the DM and would push forward when able.
Modric could slip into the RM spot and Jenas goes to LM to suit a 4 - 4 - 2.
Lennon would come on to replace the DM if we're chasing a game.
​

 

[gibbs131]

That doesn't mean to say he is lightweight. Is Scholes too lightweight to have played as a centre midfielder, is Beckham? Tackling is a skill some have and some do not, Modric doesn't have it in abundance but he wasn't signed for it. Being 'lightweight' means, if I were to deconstruct a football cliche, too weak physically to affect the game; to do what one is good at.

In Modric's case it means can he still pass the ball with the attention of fierce midfielders? Yes. Can he still weave in and out of such players? Yes. Can he still shoot and cross with the same skill and techinque? Yes. I am sure he had to adapt upon coming here, every player has but to fog him off as lightweight is just wrong and misses the most important reasons for his perhaps not setting the league alight; played outwide, getting used to new league/country/team-mates, not having an abundance of forward options.

I would say that Stoke are more physical than Hull or at least equal and Modric played a blinder agains them. It is a crying shame if players of his calibre cannot play well against players of 1/100th of his skill who happen to be well built. Luckily it isn't true but it is a pity people seem to want to sacrifice and wrap in cotton wool our biggest talent, or one thereof, which in turn limits him and limits the team.

But. Modric IS LIGHTWEIGHT.

We tried him in every choice position already and the end result was we were BOTTOM of the Prem.

It is best to put him in our problem area IMO. Almost like Arry is putting him there to keep him out of trouble. And building up his confidence by giving him every set piece. It worked, he got another assist. And even though he spent a lot of time on the floor, and missing tackles, he DID show us that he is capable of creating.

You can not possibly think that breaking up Pal and JJ partnership to put in Modric is a good idea on his complete utter lack of presense.

 

[DHMadboy]

I'm thinking that the way to get the best 11 players we have on the field at the same time is to play a 4 - 3 - 3 which could easily change to 4 - 4 -2 or 4 - 5 -1 during the game:

Gomes
Chimbonda Dawson Woodgate BAE
Palacios Corluka Jenas
Modric Pav Keane

King would come in to replace Dawson when fit.
Modric and Keane would have license to roam amd could play out wide or as number 10's.
Corluka could easily move to RB and Zokora would slip in as DM for those that prefer that, but I'd think Corluka's skill set sitting in front of the back four is better than Zokora's.
Palacios and Jenas would be the tenacious harriers in front of the DM and would push forward when able.
Modric could slip into the RM spot and Jenas goes to LM to suit a 4 - 4 - 2.
Lennon would come on to replace the DM if we're chasing a game.
​

what have you been smoking, lennon, our best player would be put on IF we were chasing the game?????????

:duh:

 

[gibbs131]

I don't get a few things;
why people think Modric is 'lightweight' when he patently isn't.
why it is not obvious that we should play a vastly talented central midfielder in his best position.
why we cannot play Jenas in an inside wide position as we did in his first season where he can do the same job as he does centrally.

It would never, nor should be, two wingers and two central midfielders. We should look to be more adaptable. Play three in the middle with Modric advanced and supported by Jenas and Palacios with Lennon providing width on either side. This rotation happened to an extent last night, neither Modric or Lennon hugged the touchline but they need to be involved especially Modric. Jenas is great at what he does but a lot of other players can do his job because it is quite simple. Modric is more unique and has all the attributes to be a top player if he is not sacrificed to fill a hole.

Did you miss the entire season>? We gave Modric the KEYS TO THE PITCH. Even when Harry came he said he would build the team around him.

He has been given every op until we simply can't take the caluculated risks anymore.

Put him on the left, and feel sorry for BAE as he has no protection.

 

[ripley]

what have you been smoking, lennon, our best player would be put on IF we were chasing the game?????????

:duh:

Sorry but i don't think he's been our best player. He's been very good in spots but has been as equally frustrating and invisible.
It's all about opinions.
I'd rather have a more solid central midfield than a winger for a relegation fight and if I had to choose between finding a spot for Modric or Lennon, I'd go with Modric every time.

 

[Coyboy]

But. Modric IS LIGHTWEIGHT.

We tried him in every choice position already and the end result was we were BOTTOM of the Prem.

It is best to put him in our problem area IMO. Almost like Arry is putting him there to keep him out of trouble. And building up his confidence by giving him every set piece. It worked, he got another assist. And even though he spent a lot of time on the floor, and missing tackles, he DID show us that he is capable of creating.

You can not possibly think that breaking up Pal and JJ partnership to put in Modric is a good idea on his complete utter lack of presense.

Why is he lightweight, because he lacks presence? Can you be less vague?

It is not best to put him in our problem area because he is not suited to it. He isn't quick, he is best with his right foot and he cannot influence play there has he has done excellently in the centre against Stoke, Newcastle, West Ham and Wigan in the cup from recent memory.

Why does banishing Modric to the left have to break up any central partnership? You seem to assume that teams set out across a flat back four in midfield. They don't. We can have Jenas marshalling the left side but still putting the same work rate and simple passing that he does elsewhere. Alternatively he can do that on the right as he did in our most successful league season and we can have Lennon on the left.

I agree that making Modric take the set pieces is a good idea. Why? Not to build up his confidence, he doesn't need Rednapp to do that but because he is our most techinically gifted and cleverest player and you don't put such players out of position to keep them out of trouble.

If you think that we were bottom because we played Modric in the middle then you don't understand football or just plain logic. But I sense you are being provocative in such a facile statement.

 

[ultimateloner]

Modric is strong enough on the ball to create but doesn't spend enough time putting himself around anticipating passes/tackling. Unlike Palacios, who is bought to add bite/drive into the center of the pitch, Modric isn't a complete midfielder. He is still our best player regardless.

My main concern with Modric is not his light-weightness - it is his lack of goals - he isn't scoring enough to be worth the sort of money we paid.

Putting him on the left works against weaker teams because we have better delivery and our strikers would be good enough to take those balls. Against stronger teams we would need more options in the box and that means playing Modric/Jenas in the middle. I reckon Jenas is probably the better option because he covers more ground. This means Modric on the left is the prudent thing to do (despite the obvious drawbacks).

 

[ohwhenthespurs]

I'd like us to play this:
------------------Pavlyuchenko-----------
---Keane--------------------------------------Lennon
------------Modric-----Palacios---------Jenas
Ekotto--------King-----------Woodgate--------Corluka