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"It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low. And we of Spurs have set our sights very high, so high in fact that even failure will have in it an echo of glory." Bill Nicholson. SPURS

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Tuesday, September 19, 2006

Time to change formation.

The lack of any width at Spurs is currently worrying and that lack of width through the midfield is one of the reasons for the lack of goals this season. With Malbranque out for 2 months and Lennon for 6 weeks this is going to be an ongoing problem and it needs addressing now so when our creative players do return we are at the right end of the table.

With the current personnel available we are just too narrow. Jenas spent far too much time drifting into the middle against Fulham and Tainio has been stuck out on the wing while that useless piece of crap Murphy took his proper place in the middle on Sunday. This leaves any attacking width to the full backs who can be pushed back by opposition wingers and are not always covered when they do go forward.

I think Jol needs consider a wing back system until the more creative players return. I am no fan of wing backs but it suits the players we currently have. Huddlestone could be drafted into the team to slot into a back three with King and Dawson. This leaves Chimbonda and Benoit to push on up the wings. A midfield three of Jenas, Zokora and Tainio are all able to play in their preferred postion. They can support full backs on either side, attack from the middle and drop into space if the full backs loose possession. It would make us more solid at the back and allow us to support whoever is playing up front.

Another idea is to put Keane on the left in a 4-4-2. Keane will drift and go deep for sure but it will still allow creativity in the middle of the park and leave two strikers forward instead of an isolated one.

Oh, and one more thing - Stop rotating Defoe and Keane - pick one and stick with him so whoever it is gains some sort of rhythm to his game!

COYS!

46 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

not a bad shout - if huddlestone plays as a 3rd centre back, he can soon revert to centre midfield as a 4 4 2. but, at the end of the day its still 11 against 11. just needs the team who is picked to perform to their ability. wether they go wide, inside, wherever, just show some interest and create some chances.
defoe needs a run of game with the ball played into his feet, or into space where he can run onto it.
i dont think it will take much to put our season back on track. dare i say it, we need a bit of luck too - the ball going the right side of the post / crossbar for a change !!!

COYS

10:44 PM, September 19, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

How about our version of the 4-1-2-2-1 that was so successful for Chelsea last season? For example:

Robinson
Chimbonda Dawson King Assou-Ekotto
Zokora
Jenas Huddlestone
Defoe Keane
Berbatov

10:51 PM, September 19, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Bad idea....i was at charlton when we played with 3 centre backs under hoddle. we still didn't have any width and got done through the middle twice. Stick with the back four and look to alternate between 442 and 433. I think defoe should be given a go at wide right, he can run with the ball and beat players. Otherwise, 442 should include Hudders at defensive midfield with zakattack as attacking midfield. Sack murphy and start using ghali. Let's see ziegler also on the left and maybe even Lee........options are there, it's up to Jol to use them until we get lennon back.

10:54 PM, September 19, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

robbo
chimbonda dawson king benny
ghaly zokora huddlestone ziegler
defoe berbatov

how about charlie o'hara? meant to be one of the best reserve midfielders

10:59 PM, September 19, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

jamie o'hara even !!!

11:00 PM, September 19, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Robbo

Chimo Dawson King Benoit


Zokora

<-----Jenas Tainio------->

| Keane Defoe |
| |
v Berbatov v

11:37 PM, September 19, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

It has to be Danny Murphy slotted into the back three, with Defoe in the midfield holding position.

And I've said it before and I'll say it again, that young Mr. Huddlestone ... phooor, wouldn't mind his slippers under my bed. I'd show him a thing or two about going in hard!

11:54 PM, September 19, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Correction Paxton Rd -- Lennon is out 6 Weeks not 6 months.

Why not try Lee (who is right footed) on the right wing. He'd also offer cover when Chimbo surges forward. I suspect, as a Korean website suggests, he's incurring Jol's wrath for poo-pooing a transfer to Italy for "religious reasons" prior to the deadline. Perhaps if he'd gone, the cash could've been used for Steed allowing Routledge to remain? Just a thought.

I suspect also Jol refuses to leave the enigmatic Jenas out for even a single game, even though it may do him (and the team) some good.

11:59 PM, September 19, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

11:54 - Gooner are you looking for a new boy-toy now that Sol's gone?

12:01 AM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Funny really, because the rest of the league think you are in the right half of the table, just a little too high. Hey but LFC on Sat, should help that situation

1:49 AM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Yeah funny goon - cuz you & Liverpool are sooo much better than us so far with that huge game in hand that is so vital in September! Give me a break, goof.

6:12 AM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I had the exact same formation and team in mind the other day. Jol needs to pick a first 11 and stick with it for at least 5 games

7:02 AM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

guys am i missing something about Malbranque I am 100% sure he is not a wide man, yet another middle man who could be forced to stand on the left side at kick off before moving in within the next 30 seconds...Routledge was a wide man with pace that went the other way minus the hernia...strange..

yes we are missing something right now..Lennon is a miss but we were missing something before he was injured.

8:11 AM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Most of you will disagree but needs a little imigination.
4 4 2 works well. No width, next best solution, play Lee on the right in place of Lennon. Not as quick as Lennon but can take players on either side. Is good with his crosses. Can tackle. Don't judge him as a left back but was not bad on the right before Chimpoda joined us. Has Jol got guts or intellegent to come up with a solution.

9:31 AM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

like the sounds of lee on the right and keano on the left, could do a job 4 us. jenas needs dropped r rested r shot all would be a good idea with zakora and taiano in the middle

9:40 AM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Robinson

Chimbonda - King - Dawson - Ekottu

Jenas - Zakora - Huddlestone - Keane

Berbatov - Defoe

Bench - Mido, Davenport, Dawson, Ziegler, Cerny


Keane starting on the left would provide flexibility and some flair. Could leave Ekoto exposed but the Hudd can cover

10:24 AM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

We should implement the 433 system, which chelsea were so successful with over the past couple of seasons (Note - not there present formation)

--------------Robinson----------
Chimbonda - King - Dawson - Benoit
----Zokora - Hudd - Malbranque----
Lennon--------------------------Keane
-------------Berbatov---------------


This will provide us with a very solid back four. It should ensure that we do not get overrun in central midfield. We use Lennon as a counterattack option on the right, he isn't the best player defensively so this role doesn't restrict him. Keane can drift, drop into the hole and cause havoc.

Huddlestone sits deeper than the other two players, and dictates our play. Zokora is the box to box player, with Malbranque offering a touch of creativity and an incisive pass. Jenas and Tainio can both play any of the central midield positions, and will make solid back ups - so we utilise our abundance of central midfielders.


If we are losing and need to go all out attack, we can drop one of the central midfielders and push defoe up front with Berbatov. If berbatov is injured, Defoe can play up front alone . He can play that lone role, so long as we don't play bloody long ball tactics (since our 3 front men are all quite small) (Dawson & Robinson are both guilty of this)

11:57 AM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

zokora is improving game by game and i think huddlestone suits hid style of play, which an only suit us. if lee was added 2 the right side iit would gve us better atacking options and defensive cover, then we could play jenas on the bench. i think his best position !! and maybe the 2 big guys up front?

12:24 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I still feel our current best line up (with lennon out) has gotta be

robbo
chimbo daws king benny
hudders
zokora tanio
defoe keane
berbatov

This will give us pace width strength height and allows two of GB's best strikers to drop back into midfield where required (under attack) play on the same pitch and still have mido on the bench. Also like the idea of having jenas shot as he is absolute crap!

12:44 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The reason we are doing poorly this season is because we are not getting the ball from midfield to attack effectively enough. This is down to:

1) Lennon's missing wingplay
2) Carrick's incisive passing

Many fans and commentators are ignoring or missing the fact that MC had such vision and skill, and that he was able to thread the ball through to the attack without bangning it skyward. Ignore his 'holding midfielder' role as cobblers, as his contribution to defence was ok rather than great; The side looks far stronger in defence this season, without him or a recognised 'holding midfielder' (I HATE that term!)

Let us move away from the talk of wingers. Wingers are a luxury as they rarely have any defensive ability (Hence Robben and SWP not playing week in/out).

I would use Huddlestone in midfield with Zokora and Jenas alongside. He has the ability to pass well, to get forward, and to be back helping out when required. He has the potential to replace Carrick, but with more attacking prowess.

Keane should be played as a link man between the two main strikers of Defoe and Berbatov. If you think of the fantastic way Keane played 1st half against Sheff Utd, he was in that type of role. He also has good defensive capability, often being back helping out when I'm screaming for him to be up the other end!

In Summrary:
Robbo
Chimbonda, Dawson, King, Ekkottu
Jenas, Huddlestone, Zokora
Keane
Defoe, Berbatov

12:50 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Blogger stevenqoz said...

Interesting Shelf
'wrote something very similar on the 18th:)
Spurs fans seem to have an aversion to real change. The system needs to suit the players you have, not the other way around. If we have decided that bog standard 4 4 2 is not the go then line them up to play to their strengths!. Play King with Dawson and Huddlestone at the back. Two markers and someone spare. Play Benoitt and Chimbonda as wing backs they both can get up and back. Three of Zokorra, Jenas TT / Murphy in the centre actually gives Bolton type numerical dominance. Any two of JD/ Keano and Mido / Berbi will do up front. A side lined up like this actually has natural width. Your spare player is not alaweys the LB or RB starting off down near the corner flag. In all of this there is no room for Davids who is the one of major reasons for our poor start. Nothing good results from his play because he is wasteful with the ball and undermines the rest of the side.
stevenqoz

2:03 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

no no no...3 center backs does not work in the premiership. you need the third center back to be roy keane/paul ince/patrick viera....even steffen freund. 2 center backs with the defensive midfielder is the only way to play in the frantic premiership. I watched hoddle's doomed fantasy for too long.

2:26 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

how about a 4,3,3
robbo

chimbonda king dawson assou-ekotto

jenas zokora ziegler

keane berbatov defoe

it solves the problem up front (mido seems to turns into samson, lose his hair, lose all strength!), davids and murphy get sacked, and you've got ghaly for ziegler, huddlestone for zokora and tainio for jenas if we need to change the midfield. use this until lennon and malbranque come back, then we would have an idea who to put up front with berbatov, and give keane and defoe 45mins each, to keep both happy

3:55 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Having Keano on the left could be a good thing as this will keep the oppositions defenders back a la El Haji Diouf.

However I agree with most saying that we should stick with the same formation for an extended period of time. Changing team and formation per match is part o the problem.

Don't worry lads we'll be on track very soon!

4:01 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

bad idea changing the formation around. hasn't worked too well in the past.

4:05 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The Pead, Pead, Pead is back he,s a gooner as matter of fact, makes money from his shit Spurs site, meet you at the Paxton if you can find the way

7:05 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

3.55
put that team in your championship manager game and see what happens!
no strength in midfield, no balance.
and play defoe / keane for 45 mins each? nutter.

7:39 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Blogger Paxton Road said...

you sad little man 7:05pm. So brave to post as annonymous all the time. Be careful, I have your IP address....

I'll be in the Paxton next Thursday, twat, in my usual season ticket seat. See you there Mr Brave?

9:08 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

DEFOE SHOULD ALWAYS START. MIDO IS SHIT. KEANE HAS LOST IT COMPLETELY.

OUR FORMATION SHUD BE:


DEFOE BERBATOV

DAVIDS TAINIO ZOKORA JENAS

ASSOU-EKOTO DAWSON KING CHIMBONDA

ROBINSON

9:10 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

The reason for our bad start to the season is that the midfielsd is shite, pure and simple!

There is no doubt that our back four and up front are better than last season (Nb Robinson must cut out letting in long range shots- prehaps should be dropped for Cerny from time to time to shake him up a bit. But, we need better balance in midfield.

We should use Huddlestone, along side Zokora. Left wing should be Tainio, backed up by Ziegler. Tainio should not play two games in a row through clear fitness problems. Beggars cannot be chosers with the right wing position (Jenas, backed up by Ghaly), through blatant stupidity to loan Routledge to Fulham (Lennon's only real back up player).

But unless our midfield improves, I cannot see us winning any games in the near future. If we do not win any of the next 5 games we will be in the relegation zone, and Jol will definetly be sacked!!!

In addition, whoever made the decision to loan Routledge to Fulham, should have the pay severly docked and thrown out of our club!!!!

9:31 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

My mate who is chesterfield fan said that Jamie Ohara was quality last season on loan, and he played left midfield a lot of the time, and scored a few goals.. Has anyone seen him play this season ?

10:59 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Be sensible, Jamie O'hara can only be used when we are winning 3-0 with only 10mins left. To use him otherwise is a bridge too far, and will only speed things up with Jol being sacked!!!

It is highly unlikely that we can acheive 3-0 with only 10mins left with our current midfield line up!!!

11:06 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

jamie ohara - if you're good enough, you're old enough. where do you think any class players start from? everyone needs a debut.
think back a few years ago - the likes of darren caskey? always quality but never given a chance.
can ohara be any worse than our current left midfielder? who is it these days by the way ?!

COYS

11:25 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

I recall that Darren Caskey was never good enough, and was clearly a lower league journeyman player.

We need to climb the table, and to call upon Jamie O'Hara at this stage of his career is lunacy, and if it went wrong could scar him mentally for life!! Careful use and management of him is required.

11:45 PM, September 20, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Is anyone here forgetting Mido???
Everyone seems to be putting Berbatov in their team when Mido is twice as good!!

8:25 AM, September 21, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Mido is twice as good at putting on weight. Berbatov is tiwce as good as being injured constantly.

Decisions decisions

Definitely 8-10 goals this season between them

8:38 AM, September 21, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

OK you name where

11:50 AM, September 21, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

paxton & anon = 2 fick chav thugs.

5:02 PM, September 21, 2006

 
Blogger Paxton Road said...

I'm neither, just responding to being called a peadophile.

Still so brave Mr Annonymous!

5:39 PM, September 21, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

If you,re not either how can you be in the Paxton in your seat next week, touched a raw nerve have we. Still not said where and when ?

6:06 PM, September 21, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

strength in depth, 2 players for every position etc. how about this for a team? just for fun!

cerny
ifil davenport gardner lee
ghaly huddlestone tainio ziegler
defoe barnard

just a thought......

10:39 PM, September 21, 2006

 
Blogger Paxton Road said...

That would be an interesting team - They may even "step up to the plate" and put in a strong performance over the short term anyway.

I am neither a chav or a thug, unlike you.

As usual I will be in my seat in Block 19 - where I have been for the last 8 seasons.

11:00 PM, September 21, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Think we should play berbotov and mido up front cos they are great in the air.

keane and defoe wide

zakora and taino middle

chimboda dawsom king and ekotto
drop robinson for cerny cos rob keeps dropping the ball

Must win at liverpool and against portmouth or we will be in real shit,

Think we will win the euro cup cos the comp is full of shit clubs

love to play hammers in a final and give em a spanking.

Jol is good but not as good as last season

11:46 PM, September 21, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

responding to being called a peedo is as juvanile as calling someone a peedo. what the fuck are you two like.

1:28 AM, September 22, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

AT LAST...... SOMETHING WORTH READING ON THIS SITE...

WHAT A LAUGH

10:41 PM, September 22, 2006

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

Back 5 are heavyweights.

All the rest are middle to light.

Lots of flibbertyjibberty talent and lots of 'hardworkers' but no game changers. No make it happen players. No Gazza, Linneker, Waddle, Mackay, Archibald, Crooks, Hoddle, Ossie, or Klinsman.

Davids, Murphy, Tainio, Ghaly and Jenas are makeweights. Keane & Defoe buzz around like little flies with no finish and Mido lumps about with no balance or finess. Most are nearly men and it's never been more obvious. We didn't play badly but weren't quite good enough. Howmany time will we say that this season? How many times will we say that THIS season?

It's tiring supporting Spurs. Really fucking tiring.

Someone be positive and pick me the fuck up. Please.

3:26 PM, September 23, 2006

 

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