Defoe and Crouch.

You could do with a goalscoring forward, Pav has skills, Crouch us useful, but Defoe can;t be your first choice goalscoring forward.

Could Spurs afford Llorente?

Good option IMO

Think this sums up our problem with VDV, it affects the strikers imo

Watching Tottenham Hotspur last season, there were moments when you could see that accommodating Rafael Van der Vaart in the side had consequences. His desire to be on the ball and involved at all times was at odds with his advanced role in the team, sitting just off Peter Crouch. He would often, frustratingly, be seen in between the centre backs, picking the ball off their toes and playing a long ball out to the wings. This constant dropping off was unnecessary. Luka Modric and Tom Huddlestone were more than capable of starting Tottenham ’s moves and Van der Vaart’s constant movement was at times more confusing than it was advantageous.

So, after a season, does Rafael Van der Vaart fit in Tottenham’s midfield? Can both Luka Modric’s and Van der Vaart’s creative styles work together? I think the answer is yes, if only Van der Vaart plays with slightly more positional discipline.

In the current starting eleven both players fit well, Modric controls possession and tempo in the centre of the pitch whilst Van der Vaart drops to link with him and flood central midfield but also pushes on to feed on Crouch’s knockdowns. The only time it doesn’t work is when Van der Vaart feels starved of the ball. Allowed a free reign by Redknapp, Van der Vaart upsets the balance when he gets impatient and starts attempting to do everything on his own. Whilst Modric plays the patient, percentage, possession game, Van der Vaart likes to move the ball forward quickly. It may be a contrast of styles but it is not a conflict, the two players compliment each other well and their respective styles are well balanced.

VDV will not play every game, nor would Crouch and Defoe even if VDV was not there - the game consists of more games than any player can play

I kinda get the point you are making though - but on the basis it looks unlikely that we will be signing a new striker then best we look at the positives

Are people getting excited? Or is it the case that the lack of any success in the transfer market has forced people to look for the positives in the existing striking options?

What if Modric goes?

Could VDV move to CM?

I still think he should get Llorente.

It gives up options; we can play with Llorente and VDV behind him, or go with two up front with Defoe/Crouch/Pav.

Its funny because I remember a similar situation in 08/09 where Modric was initially used as a CAM in 4-5-1 and it did not work for us. He managed to be incorporated into the MF so maybe the same can happen for VDV? Highly highly doubt it though.

By the way, do you Spurs rate Pavluychenko?

npe-


i rate that he has it in him to be a player.

but he just don't seem bothered most of the time,he lacks the heart and work ethic that 99% of top players have.

took his goal well defoe,but what was up with his shorts?!

WAY too tight and WAY to small!!!