Here is how I would line up tomrorow
----------------------------Lloris---------------------------------
Walker-------Kaboul---------Chiriches-------------Vertonghen
------------------------SANDRO---------------------------
Lamela ----------Paulinho------------Dembele------------------Siggy
-------------------------Defoe----------------------------------
Team v Sunderland
------------------------------Lloris-----------------------------
Walker----------Dawson---------Chiriches---------------Verts
------------------Sandro--------------Capoue
Lennon--------------------Siggy--------------------Townsend
----------------------Soldado------------------------
this is how I would think about lining up. Obviously if defoe score a hatrick v Fulham for example, he keeps his place, likewise if lamela plays a blinder.
I think that the above teams are good because craven cottage is a small pitch where clever players like siggy and lamela will be needed to find space and pass and move. Also I expect us to dominate the ball completely against Fulham.
sunderland, is a big pitch, and I think playing counter attack will benefit us, hence lennon and townsend. I also think that because of sunderlands recent win v city, they will be confident and come at us hard, so while I expect us to have more of the ball, I think we could come under a lot of pressure in that game, so have more opportunity to break quickly.
that is also the reasoning behind playing capoue alongside sandro, although I will say that I think capoue is good on the ball and can distribute it forwards quickly and accurately.
Dawson dropped for Fulham, berbatov will eat him for breakfast, but his warrior instincts will serve us well up at sunderland.
any thoughts? Agree? disagree?
My Teams v Fulham and Sunderland
posted on 4/12/13
Chronic
Fergie barely played the same team two games in a row.
AVB aint no Fergie, when he has won 40 odd trophies, then he can have the luxury of changing teams every game. Fergie always played his strongest team, and very rarely changed in the best and early days of his immense success. Only when he knew he had complete control over most opposition, did he then start to change teams for cup games.
posted on 4/12/13
What are you on about sandy. Stop making things up. Ferguson barely played the same team twice in a row in the league as well as cups. You are making It sound like he played the same team every league game and made a few changes for the cup games - which just isn't true
I agree he had lots of success but that supports my argument not yours - he rotated his team - horses for courses and got lots of success. Which is what I am advocating.
For me. The defence needs to be the most settled part of a team. Attacking wise you play players to suit the opposition or who is in form. Unless you have a standout player who needs to play every week like bale was.
posted on 4/12/13
Chronic
What are you on about sandy. Stop making things up.
I am not making things up, when United were absolutely at their peak, you did not see him rotating Scholes, Giggs, Beckham, Cole, etc, in the prem they all played if fit, and the defence picked itself.
Fergie only really rotated for cup games.
posted on 4/12/13
ツ Heиgy - Thread Owner
Would like to see holtby get the nod over paulinho but like your line up chronic
Holtby is a squad player at best. No way is AVB going to put him in place of Paulinho. He may improve, but Paulinho is a nunber one pick in any best Spurs first XI at the present time.
posted on 4/12/13
Holtby is a fantastic player sandy and a different player totally to paulinho... On a small pitch you need cleaver players like holtby to open up defences
posted on 4/12/13
Holtby offers very little unfortunately
posted on 4/12/13
I don't rate Holtby either.
posted on 4/12/13
Very much disagree here lads... As soon as he came on last Thursday we looked much more effective going forward and his pass that led up to Dembele goal is exactly what we've missed this season!!
I'd have holtby playing ahead of Lamela any day of the week
===== Sandro Dembele =====
Lennon === Holtby === siggs
That's what I'd play today
posted on 4/12/13
Holtby is a very promising young player. Not everyone is going to instantly become a star. I think we can bide our time with him, we got him for next to nothing as well. Good squad player always ready to inject energy with a lot of potential
we have a lot of players that fit that profile tbh, so moderate rotation is the way to go. Only Lloris, Walker, Vert, Sandro are my personal starters for each game
posted on 4/12/13
I like Holtby a lot personally, however I think he struggles with a bit or an inconsistency issue due to a lack of composure on his part. I think this is because against some teams he tries too hard and runs so much that by the time he gets the ball he is out of breath and not very focused.
The more I think about it, dembele has to play against Fulham as there will be no doubt that he will put in a performance