Spurs - Burnley Preview: Will Keane Play Left Mid? Is Dawson A Jedi Yet?
Two consecutive defeats it may be, but even the most pessimistic amongst us have struggled to make a convincing case for this being a crisis. Man Utd and Chelski are the best two teams in the country, and amongst the best handful in Europe. Losing to them is not exactly to be welcomed, but neither is it a cause for alarm. That we have lost two games on the bounce says more about the quirks of the fixture-list than any catastrophe at N17.
Losing at home to Burnley would be a slightly different kettle of fish however. For a team with aspirations of the top six and possibly more, home games against the newly-promoted ought to represent three points. A defeat here really would undo much of the good work of August, shunting us further towards mid-table and giving a signal to the doleful chap at the back to start ringing the alarm bells.
However, I do not really see this worst-case scenario transpiring. Any suggestion that the consecutive defeats had caused a crisis of confidence was quickly dispelled with the midweek mauling of Preston. In attack in particular, the impression is of a bunch of top-quality players chomping at the bit.
Square Building-Blocks, Triangle-Shaped Holes
On which topic, ‘Arry has a selection dilemma upfront today. Defoe presumably is first-choice, and the beanpole’s hat-trick deserves recognition, but our glorious leader is famously loath to drop Keane. I type this with a philosophical shrug of resignation, but I would not be surprised to see Keane back on the left of midfield. My one year-old nephew was the esteemed guest at AANP Towers last week, and I noted him at one point attempting unsuccessfully to force a luridly-coloured square building-block into a triangle-shaped hole on a larger toy (cue much pointing and shouting). Symbolic, eh? I would rather welcome the chance to see what Kranjcar can do on the left (or Giovani, although I presume he is unfit), but the air of foreboding remains that Keane will be accommodated by hook or by crook. ‘Arry might even go for a 4-3-3 variant, with BAE given responsibility for all left-flank attacking duties. Incidentally, not to put any pressure on the lad, but I also last week ascertained that my nephew is left-footed.
Time For Dawson To Prove Himself A True Jedi
Selction dilemma also in goal, with Gomes showing us his best and worst on his return on Wednesday. Central defence is a bit of a worry though. Dawson is back, thank goodness, but in the absence of Ledley – or indeed Woodgate – playing Obi Wan Kenobi to his Luke Skywalker I am a little worried as to how he will cope with the burden of being organiser-in-chief at the back. Daws often looks a colossus alongside Ledely, but has some history of headlessness without him. His partner today could be Corluka, but I suspect Hudd will be preferred, with the usual full-backs in place. I imagine there are three-legged tortoises that would fancy their chances of getting behind a defence comprising Hudd and Corluka, but for all this I suspect we’ll muddle through, simply by virtue of having such a potent attack. Three points please chaps.
Your memories are still welcomed here on Ossie Ardiles and Ricky Villa, the latest to be featured in forthcoming book Spurs’ Cult Heroes. Feel free to contribute your memories – or browse those of others - on Jimmy Greaves here, Clive Allen here, Jurgen Klinsmann here, Gary Mabbutt here Graham Roberts here
Tags: 'Arry Redknapp, Assou-Ek, Burnley, Corluka, Dawson, Defoe, giovanni dos santos, Gomes, Huddlestone, Ledley, Luke Skywalker, Niko Kranjcar, Obi Wan Kenobi, Peter Crouch, Robbie Keane, Spurs news, Spurs rants, Woodgate
September 26th, 2009 at 10:47 am
Chuck Jenas out. Bring in Kranjcar on the left. Start with Keane and Defoe up front. Crouch in second half if needed.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:51 am
I like Harry but when he comes out and says Carlo Cuddles has don’t anything wrong and plays him ahead of Gomes, then it worries me.
To a degree I understand the Keeno fascination because he must have him on there as a leader and his chosen captian but surely by now he can see a partnership with Defoe and Crouch is best.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:51 am
Would also personally opt for Keane and Defoe to start up top, with Crouch as impact sub.
Suspect Jenas will play centre mid if Hudd drops back to defence.
September 26th, 2009 at 10:52 am
I remember being in the upper stand behind the goal where Ricky Villa weaved his way past Tommy Caton (twice) before burying the ball and wheeling away. The upper standing terraces at Wembley in those days were very steep with each step about three or four foot deep and a what seemed to be about two foot high (the exact dimensions would be of interest).
Each time Villa dropped his shoulder the crowd surged forward and it was necessary to jump off the step where you started and keep your balance as the surge went on. By the time the ball hit the back of the net it seemd we have all moved down so far that we were almost pitch side.
More than twenty five years later I can still remeber that sensation more clearly than any other experience watching Spurs.
Without doubt my greatest “I was there” moment!
September 26th, 2009 at 11:48 am
bassong should be fit so surely he will play
September 26th, 2009 at 12:08 pm
Gomes
Charlie, Dawson, Bassong (if fit), BAE
Lennon, Sgt. W, Thudd, Kranjcar
Defoe, Keano
Crouchie at half time, If Dawson looks tired, Bring on Jenas and drop Huddlestone back. By this time we should hopefully be 1 or 2 up and Crouchie will allow us to play a longer more stretched attack without ruffling the shape as much.
September 26th, 2009 at 12:47 pm
Play Crouch and Defoe up front! Bring back big Dawson for sure.