Team selection was never really an issue when we were banging them in left, right and centre and the side picked itself, but times are a-changing. While annus horribilis is probably a bit strong, our form since the turn of the year has been worrying, reflected not only by poor results and sloppy performances but now scrutiny of the line-up.Corluka or Hutton
The name “Aaron Lennon” ought also to be factored in here, for many a left-back has been confounded by the Lennon-Corluka combo. In Lennon’s absence, Hutton offers a darned sight more pace on the right than the lumbering Croat – but as he is something of a liability defensively, Charlie is likelier to get the nod tonight.
B.A.L.E or B.A.E.
With suggestions in some quarters that Assou-Ekotto might be back, ‘Arry’s selection here will be interesting. Bale has been one of our better players in recent weeks, offering more attacking thrust than BAE and generally doing about as much as could be expected of him during his four-game opportunity. That said, the braided one is the more solid defender. We at AANP Towers like a bit of gung-ho sprinkled into our daily porridge, so would prefer Bale, but ‘Arry ‘as his favourites, and I would expect BAE to waltz straight back in if fit.
Wingers
The lawyers are being readied at AANP Towers, for the use of the term “Wingers” might be queried under the Trade Descriptions Act, but Lennon is still injured (curses) so unless ‘Arry goes clinically insane and starts with Rose and Bentley I presume Modders and Kranjcar will get the nod.
Centre-Mid
The source of much consternation in recent weeks, our centre midfield has shown all the aggression and feistiness of a heavily sedated kitten settling down for its afternoon nap. The possible return from injury of Hudd will suit us perfectly if we find ourselves a couple of goals ahead at some point, but otherwise I rather fret. When Jermaine Jenas played for England against Brazil a few months ago the universe almost collapsed under the weight of absurdity, but if Hudd remains injured JJ will again be our midfield fulcrum. I’d rather find that sleepy kitten and kit it out in lilywhite. Sergeant Wilson needs to discover his A-game, and pronto.
Up-Front
It looks like the delicate issue of whether Pav’s Saturday night cameo merits a shake-up of our attack can neatly be swept under the carpet. He’s strained a groinski apparently, so Defoe will be partnered by Crouch or Keane, while penalty-taking duties are apparently being shoved towards Hudd or Kranjcar.
Easy to forget that it’s only one defeat in six League games, and that we are still fourth, but this feels an awful lot more important.
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11 replies on “Spurs – Fulham Preview: The Team That No Longer Picks Itself”
I fear if the thudd don’t make it we will be treated to Arrys crouch and defoe show with the goats sorry croats on the middle sorry wing so it looks like a fulham 2-0 win for me as we are sh*t without Lennon but maybe the great Keane(Arrys words not mine ) will come to rescue us.
Has Harry Redknapp not got the brains to put gareth bale in the left winger position with BAE as left back? that way bale can attack and defend in midfield. But Arry won’t do that, he’s too stubborn and will stick to playing right footed players on the left wing like modric, keane and kranjcar. He is a tactically inept, selfish manager who is creating a clique at our club, brown nose him or your out. Pav, Bentley and Dos Santos are all international class, but are not part of his clique. Please Mr Levy, get him out before his tenureship turns into more mediocraty in our clubs history.
I’m shocked Corluka and Hutton is a consideration for people. Hutton is such a defensive liability.
How about playing some wide players in the wide positions. Is Bentley crocked at the moment?
I’m still pissed with Bale giving Leeds the ball with 30 seconds on the clock and forcing Dawson into the position of having to put a tackle in for their penalty. Even Pav knew the thing to do was to take it to the corner (if you watch what he was doing when Bale made the run). Sadly Bale took that as a reason to cut inside.
Still, better to learn that in the FA than the league.
I’d start with Mod and Bentley on the wings and Pav and Crouch up front. Ok, maybe not.
Yeah Spang… the penalty against Leeds was Bale’s fault… Not the fact that Beckford was left in absolute acres of space and that Dawson felt the need to lunge like he did… As for tonight, we all know deep down that we’ll see the same old team again and that Schwarzer will make a case for “Goalkeeper of the week”. Having said that, Arry’s come out and said Defoe “might not be our penalty taker” from now on, maybe he does know a thing or two about tactics.
😉
I thought Bale carried the ball into the Leeds penalty area and came close to setting up a goal? Why is he being blamed – isnt that the general idea?
If we dont get 3 points tonight we have Brum and Villa next – neither easy – so I wish Harry would shut up aboiut how well we’re doing till after those.
Agree with Bornastheking, in principle, though I’d swap BAE and Bale. I’d play BAE up front as I think his crosses are much more clinical whereas Bale’s long passes are just behind those of Huddlestone. Either way I believe the left-sided issue could be sorted with these two. They both have pace and with Bale’s progression I really feel they could give Corluka and Lennon a run for their money and would greatly increase the width on our squad. And Sprang, Bale was not the only player to touch the ball in extra time. It’s a team game and this team dropped the ball. It’s fundamental. You’re winning, you don’t need to score, waste time, hold onto the ball. Where’s the blame for the coaching staff in all of this? COYS
I agree with Spang. Bale showed poor judgment in going for goal in the 95th minute rather than going to the corner or dropping it back to run out the clock. Still I like what he can do. In games that we have a lead in the 75th minute or later take Bale out unless he learns how to help keep a lead.
not just blaming bale – and I think he’s a great player (or could become one), but it was poor judgement. He had the choice of going with pav by the corner or threading a pass to keane, and he made the wrong call. He’s not to blame for the whole thing, sure but these goalscome about because of many small bad decisions being made. Quite how that long ball let Dawson in a one on one was also because of some bad decisions which left our defence/midfield out of place.
Ike I said, I’d rather he learned this stuff in a cup game, anyway.
I cant understand my own fans anymore we have bean beat by mediocre Teams and not only that weakened ones Stoke missing center half Hull missing Turner sold Altidore and a few more .Liverpool a weaker side than Reading beat Wolves beaten by Wigan the team we beat 9-1 never won away Leeds missing Naylor List goes on .So how can you can you pull our team apart yet not ask yourselves is the 36 year old opposite our player better is there goalkeeper world class week in and week out if so why are they bottom , why is Birmingham on a 15 game unbeaten run with a poor Squad .David Sullivan said its because of 424 well we suffer from teams playing 5 in the middle if you looked at the Spurs team and you had cast off from the team you are playing and the Bench where better than the players you had on the field how would you win or draw .That is what i found out and it staggered me but every time i tell my fans the call me a man of 57 a twat or worse well the truth hurts but it should not come from my own fans and my excuse is more believable Than some of the things said about our team Studdy players you have seen playing for our club and look how quick they move and for how long and look at there faces caunt and red just Two to look for Kanjelski and Murphy oh sorry three Duff and you will think they are 22 again thats the secret bundles of Energy.
See, I said starting Bentley was the way to go … 😉
Good win tonight but we need to strengthen the team in this window for the games ahead. If we can’t make the CL this season from the position we are now in then I doubt we ever will. Time to invest Spurs – qualification for the Europa League would be a poor return on such a promising season.