many getting all upset because AVB is taking a strong squad to play Anzi in the Europa League tonight.
I think he is right to do so for the following reasons:
We have to decide whether we are committed to taking the Europa seriously or not. We are AVB loves it and we should too, especially if we can make a final, we'd all love it!
So we have decided we are committed....next thing is getting the strategy right for getting through the group games with minimum fuss.
Best way to do that is get points on the board.
In the past Harry has put out the youth team in early matches and we ended up with the first team on the pitch in the later games trying and failing to get out of the group! Utterly pointless. Not untypical poor long term strategy from Redknapp.
10 points will get you through. 3 wins, 1 draw. We should do better but if we can achieve this in 4 games then we can as good as relax for the last 2. in fact if we can P3 W3 then we can relax a bit for the last 3 games.
Anzi, are crap right now. Bottom of the league, up shitcreek. They are there for the taking. So lets blow them away.
Much like our overall strategy for the group, we should start the match with a strongish team, get the job done and then look to make changes.
If you look at our fixtures in Nov/Dec, the last 2 group games come at a time when we have 9 games from 28 Nov to 28 Dec.
I would rather have qualification all sorted by then so we can truly rest and rotate in that very buy time, rather than having to have to get results in those games
It is too easy to pick the Rose injury and, with 20:20 hindsight, question what AVB whats thinking. Injury can occur to any player at anytime. Rose is a fit, young player, well capable of getting lots of game time. He needs to spend as much time as possible playing alongside that Vertonghen. His selection raised no eyebrows until he got injured.
Well done AVB Lets do what it takes to get qualified ASAP, then look to rest and rotate. A very sound strategy IMHO.
AVB right to take a strong squad to Russia
posted on 3/10/13
Not sure why EPL sides like Spurs think you are above the Europa League, its not like you have such a strong pedigree in the CL that you can look down on it. This is your level.
When did you last win European honours? Or even a trophy of any kind? The chances are you are going to fall short of top four again because there are four team in the league who are as good or better than you. Why not at least try and win European footballs second highest honour?
But we all know its down to money, you don’t earn much out it so you don’t want to win it, modern football at its worst.
And if you cant cope with fielding a strong team against lesser teams in this competition and still challenge for a top four finish, how can you think you would have any shot of doing if you actually qualify for the CL again?
AVB has the right of it and any Spurs fan who thinks you should be playing kids should wizen up, IF you want to be a real top four club then you are going to have to get used to your players playing two big games a week no matter how strong your squad is.
If Barca managed to win the CL and La Liga (they played in every possible game that season) with squad which in reality consisted of about 16 players coming off a WC year (that a good portion of the squad won) then im sure yours can cope or learn to.
posted on 3/10/13
Injury stats will probably show that will never be possible all season (a certain number will always be unavailable) . Which gives opportunities for Academy players.
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More than likely we'll have a maximum of 5 unavailable of the outfield 22 at any one time. That means 7 changes available for the 10 positions.
Doubt we'll see many kids, more a smattering of current 1st choice players to fill the other three positions.
posted on 3/10/13
And if you cant cope with fielding a strong team against lesser teams in this competition and still challenge for a top four finish, how can you think you would have any shot of doing if you actually qualify for the CL again?
AVB has the right of it and any Spurs fan who thinks you should be playing kids should wizen up, IF you want to be a real top four club then you are going to have to get used to your players playing two big games a week no matter how strong your squad is.
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We have a strong 25 this season, all of who have designs on the first XI (outfield players anyway).
I don't think any same person is saying play kids!
Changing our XI from our probable Sunday side.....
Is Brad Friedel a kid?
Kaboul?
Chiriches?
Naughton?
Sandro?
Holtby?
Lamela?
Chadli?
Defoe or Soldado?
The only ones are Fryers, who was playing 1st team football at Liege and cost us £3m and AVB has put trust in as our reserve LB this season, and possibly Kane.
This sort of side won 4-0 at Villa
posted on 3/10/13
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 3/10/13
comment by Don_tottenham (U3372)
posted 1 hour, 56 minutes ago
We have the best squad we have ever had in my opinion so can afford to take strong teams into Europe. We would be doing exactly the same thing if this was CL so what's the problem? Players like holtby and Sandro are to quality to not get games at all but they will get their chance in Europe and the cups to impress and give Avb a selection dilemma for the league
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I think don has missed the point.
I would start sandro and holtby in this game.
I just wouldn't have taken eriksen, lloris, and a few others
posted on 3/10/13
comment by Trojan21 (U13278)
posted 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
Not sure why EPL sides like Spurs think you are above the Europa League, its not like you have such a strong pedigree in the CL that you can look down on it. This is your level.
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another idiot misses the point
posted on 3/10/13
"More than likely we'll have a maximum of 5 unavailable of the outfield 22 at any one time."
Think we have had worse than that more often.
Wonder if there are season long stats on the injury tolls (weekly rolling etc) . This season would be a good opportunity to kill a lot of the folklore, given the squad as it is.
posted on 3/10/13
If we qualify for the champions league next season then we will have to field our strongest eleven on a Tuesday Wednesday night anyway.
If we cant cope fielding strong teams in the Europa then weve got no chance in the champions league.
Besides, Most players would rather play games than train anyway.
Spurs need to win trophies its been to long !
posted on 3/10/13
The team has just been announced for tonight. Exactly the team i predicted.
posted on 3/10/13
where's the match thread.....!?