Colchester 0-0 Spurs

The thing is he was hardly firing at the end of last season, he didn't convince me that he was back at all. Friday only confirmed my suspicions.

Friendly or no he should stand out against a Col U midfield. I hope we get 5m for him and Carroll gets more game time.

The passing wasn't his best last season, but he was still comfortably our best passer. If passing is your major gripe from Friday then it has to go down to a bad day.

Grab yourself the FourFourTwo app and look for yourself for the games at the end of the season - short passes, long passes, passes in the opposition half. Not just 3yd ones. Chances created was very high too.

I don't just make it up, it's what I see and is backed up by the data. I know how frustrating that is when you think otherwise, but I don't know what to say

That's fair enough HRH, I believe you and will check out the app later.

My issue with Thudd isn't particularly his passing, although it was poor Friday, more his mobility. However good you are on the ball in the PL you have to be able to win it back.

I just don't see how he fits in an "AVB team", that doesn't necessarily mean I think he's rubbish, just that he's not right for us. He'd improve virtually every side in the bottom half of the table.

Rumours surfacing from our resident ITK that McCarthy (sp?) of Wigan is on his way too.. so many centre mids!

McCarthy makes complete sense to me if Hudd and Parker (and likely Livermore) leave. As I said to you before, I think it would leave us light if we sell without another coming in, and a PL settled player is ideal really.

If McCarthy does come, it is 99% certain we will go all-out 433 next season:

CM options: Dembele, Sandro, Holtby, McCarthy, (and Carroll)

Adavanced CM options: Paulinho, Siggy

That's six senior options for the three positions. I suspect Paulinho will take time to settle as I said before, but that gives us ample leeway.

Personally I'd like Hudd to stay until January at least, and send Carroll out on loan until then, but I'd be far more comfortable if we sell him if we get McCarthy in. I still think it leaves is a little short on the disciplined defensive side, but not in numbers.

I'd have liked a proper goal scoring #10 really, so we can change it up and go with a 4411 when required but that's just me.

Had a little YT peek on Chadli - don't really remember him in the CL game to be honest.

He's left-winger which everyone is aware of, but he is very right-footed. That gives us a nice balance with the wide players - two lefties and two righties.

I suppose we could still go 4411 with Siggy, possibly even Paulinho - just got to wait and see how he is really

I remember his free kick against us, thinking Bale should be doing that.. didn't realise he's 6'2" - should cope with the rigours of the PL.

I'm fascinated to see how we line up, the formation seemed pretty fluid last season, can't remember Sky getting it right.. but yea, the squad we've got now screams 433.

The only thing confusing people at the moment is where Bale fits in, I think we're going to see him start on the right and go wherever he wants. Not convinced he should be a striker at all, we need that big name in.

Definitely right in a 433, or left in a traditional 4-man midfield in my opinion for Bale. Not central I hope.

Should be interesting though - it looks as if AVB is being backed. Big season for him and us, if he gets a striker he likes we should be aiming for upper 70s in terms of points.

I was smashed for the 2-2 and remember nothing . Chadli scored in the WHL game too apparently but don't remember that one either.

"The only thing confusing people at the moment is where Bale fits in"

In a 4-3-3, the roaming role alongside the 2 strikers.
Other formations, he becomes a bit of a hindrance to other MF players (Lennon etc) .

RDBD

Sounds like a good way to avoid the Bale effect

Hopefully we're aiming to win a trophy HRH!

"Sounds like a good way to avoid the Bale effect"

It worked very well for the U21s.
Ceballos plays that role alongside the strikers.
All over the pitch, linking with MF and LB/RB.
Scoring quite a few goals but not affecting the striker opportunities.