I think it's fair to say within the last three managers to grace the poisoned chalice that is Tottenham's manager only one has found a certain amount of success
Mr Tim Sherwood , now I know there will be a backlash to my wonderfully positive article (note the sarcasm) but stick with me.
Since the days of AVB we've been left with this tactic of inverted wingers and midfielders come wide men (Siggy, Eriksen)
Backtrack to the day's of Harry, we had Bale, Lennon playing in positions where it was simple, quick 1-2's, direct approach to running the channels and working the full backs, Crouch in the middle, with VDV working off the knockdowns and tap in's,
Fast forward to today, we have Lamela: A left footed winger playing right side, we have Eriksen - A right footed midfielder player on the right wing, both look to come inside, much like AVB instructed his wide men to a certain degree, I'm not saying we should stick a lump in the box but Saturday showed how much a team like Palace, who were organised in defense with two solid players in front (Ledley, Jedinak) easily stopped our tippy tappy esq passing.
Not suggesting it's a long term fix, but players like Lennon, Townsend on their natural flanks, looking to run full backs on the outside, we need to stop being so predictable, Crouch for all his frustrations was an excellent option to go to when we were under pressure and needed that other option.
I'll end it here otherwise I'll ramble on, thoughts pals?
The Direct Approach
posted on 10/12/14
Nani rated an unnecessary trick so much that he never ran at pace
posted on 10/12/14
Loved a step over the boy, but Lamela makes him look Gareth Bale direct
posted on 10/12/14
in sherwoods first game he went lennon right, townsend left, 442, and west ham beat us again at the lane.
I prefer the wonky.
posted on 10/12/14
comment by Thudd!! (U1029)
posted 31 minutes ago
Sherwood was old school in his approach and like Harry just spoke how he felt, there was no beating around the bush and like the Chelsea defeat ripped into players attitudes.
I just can't see this continuance of players being in positions which are comfortable to them, get Lamela in on the left, make him draw a player down the line, same with Chadli, switch wings during games, we're so stagnated in our approach to games, unless we actually come out in the Everton game and actually press, attack and play open it's very undirect and "tappy"
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Sherwood was more 'no school' than 'old school'. He complained there was no fight in our team and yet he set up teams with one of the softest spines in the league. No DM or Combative midfielder in many of his formations...forget Sherwood.
posted on 10/12/14
Sir Alex Ferguson couldn't win a trophy with this lot.
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I never thought I'd say it, but fair point RC
RDBD
Tika taka dogma or no, the 4231 formation with inside wingers can, and has worked at the highest levels of the game. Our players can't it seems.. so yes, realistically we need to hoof it down the line and hope our 2 in the middle can hold on long enough..
It may be more exciting but I doubt I'd return better results over a season, for the simple reason it's so easy - and common - for teams to stick another man in the middle and control possession.
Then we'd all start crying about how weak the midfield is etc. The squad isn't top 4 quality, probably not even top 6 really.
posted on 10/12/14
it'd^^
posted on 10/12/14
Yeah formations are odd, one mans 433 can be another mans 423
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There are only really two formations 2 up front or 3 up front the rest are all much of a muchness
posted on 10/12/14
The back four will never work. Because Danny Rose.
posted on 10/12/14
442 doesn't automatically mean we'll play well all of a sudden. There are plenty of teams who can use 4231 or 433 properly.
posted on 11/12/14
Chronic
in sherwoods first game he went lennon right, townsend left, 442, and west ham beat us again at the lane.
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"they beat us" doesn't really tell the full story though does it? We absolutely bossed that game for 80-85 minutes but were undone by a couple of hoofs.
A loss is a loss but dont try to make out that because it ended in defeat the system didnt work.