No-one does fickle quite like we do at Tottenham, yet despite this, the reaction to last week’s defeat has by and large retained a sense of perspective. 12 points from 5 games still represents a ruddy good start to proceedings, and with forthcoming fixtures involving Burnley, Bolton, Portsmouth and Stoke we ought to be chugging along nicely by the time the clocks go back.Before all that it’s Chelski away today, where the conundrum for us, as ever, is how to replace Modric on the left. ‘Arry has generally made all the right moves since taking over at the Lane, but his selection of Robbie Keane in left midfield against Man Utd was about as close as we’ve seen so far to an unmitigated disaster. The smart money is on Keane returning to attack, giving the option of dropping back to midfield to cast his beady eye over things when the going gets tough.
Contenders for Left Midfield
The other main contender for the left-midfield role is Niko Kranjcar, supposedly bought in first place as a replacement for Modric. A brief cameo against Man Utd did not reveal much, so a lot will presumably hinge on the impact made at Spurs Lodge these last seven days. An outside shout for the role is David Bentley, possibly alternating wings with Lennon – but ‘Arry has his favourites, and it therefore seems far likelier that Bentley, along with Pav, will disappear quietly into the background of the substitutes’ bench once proceedings begin this afternoon.
Anyone fancying a punt on a dark horse for the role could do worse than sticking a monkey on Gareth Bale (boom boom). The lad put in a 90-minute shift in a midweek friendly, so is presumably primed and ready for action. What better place for him to extend his record of never appearing in a winning League game for Spurs than away to Chelski, where we haven’t won since short shorts were cool?
So a big game for Spurs, and a massive game for whomever is selected on left midfield – a decent showing today could do wonders for the long-term future at the Lane of one of the aforementioned.
A Big Game For Hudd. Again…
Elsewhere Gomes may come in for Cudicini, but the rest of the team ought to pick itself. Mouth-watering stuff in prospect.
5 replies on “Chelsea – Spurs Preview: And The Left Midfield Spot Goes To…”
1st!
I really hope Harry slots Keano back into the forward position. We have a sustainable attack when he’s up front and aiding the midfield. I want to see us take it to Chelsea today, even if we do walk away with no points.
COYS!!!!!!!
Gomes
Charley King Bassong A&E
Lennon Sgt Wilson Jenas Giovanni
Keane
Defoe
Give Giovanni a chance please anyone know how long till woodgate is back.
Giovanni’s pace with lennons will scare the chelsea full backs and leave chelsea with no width as anco relys on full backs to give him width in midfield.
Would dearly love to see:
GOMES
CORLUKA KING BASSONG BAE
LENNON PALACIOS JENAS GIO
CROUCH DEFOE
Keane and Defoe are excellent together at home/away at poor sides but we need someone to hold the ball up against Chavski. Ditto the Hudd. We can’t seem to play Crouch without the rest of them losing all self-control and just hoofing it up to him, I personally rate Pav very highly but ‘Arry disagrees. Whatever happens today I hope we play with two proper wingers and have a real go at them, genuine width is the way to hurt them, bypassing their unbelievable central midfielders. COYS!
Gee, I’d go for Bale … and let him take the free kicks too!