I am sure Harry would have played a different midfield if there was anybody else to pick from. I would have even preferred Jenas in CM today ahead of Krancjar though.

Barfly, I would have thought Livermore would have been a better option given his performances so far this season.. Hudd also at least adds some muscle and control...

5s and welcome on board

The notable omission being being Rafa VDV. A driving force on his day but there are very few of them. We are seeing a side which has rarely played well since his arrival...

Couldnt agree more.

on your team selection. I am of the same opinion as you. Two up front. a strong DM and leave Vdv out. The problem is that many fans wont want a team like that but its the way to go.

I get the feeling that Harry is trying to build towards that some of team but for some reason there seems to be a dfiiference of opinion regarding transfers.

Good news being reported is that Parker will probably join in the next 24 hrs.

Reading your notes Ginola we looked better when VDV went of injured,I thought the only week link today was a striker,i was wrong,

Hi Messiah... cheers.. Shame my first post was after such a gloomy performance...

Don't get me wrong I do like VDV, He did work hard today... When I've seen him in the past he's looked quite zippy and bright.. perhaps it's the lack of movement in front of him which is the issue!

I've also watched Harry's sides down the years and they normally fade after a bright couple of years. He was a breath of fresh air when he first arrived and we needed him and we need him to get us back to winning ways again. I've only ever rated him as above average though. Never a Bobby Robson or a Brian Clough etc. He has a side about him which I don't like and I would soon approach Ancelotti. By soon I mean next season.

Excuse spelling errors... have a beer in one hand and typing with another.

Don't get me wrong I do like VDV, He did work hard today... When I've seen him in the past he's looked quite zippy and bright.. perhaps it's the lack of movement in front of him which is the issue!

It aint mate, its his constant dropping into between defence and midfield to pick up the ball. All well and good if hes playing CM but not where we play him. No matter what striker we bring in it will leave him completely isolated.

We all used to go crazy at Robbie Keane for doing exactly what VDV is doing.

Parker would have made a difference today, and Livermore is still inexperienced but would have done better than Niko (who isnt a CM player).

Hudd in my opinion isnt fully fit and isnt mobile or quick enough against quick passing and moving players like Manufactured City have.

U6930 - I think when you look at champions of years gone by they've all had (or had the option) to play 2 DM's.. You look at Arsenal's best years with Petit and Viera.. UTD can always call on Fletcher, Anderson and in the past Keane.. City now have Barry and Toure/De Jong... Our defence is made to look worse than it is by the lack of cover in Midfield..

Good news about parker

"We all used to go crazy at Robbie Keane for doing exactly what VDV is doing."

Very good point Messiah!!

At least goons are one down.. that could open the flood gates..

Totally understand where you're coming from. But in my opinon, we've been incorperating VDV in a 4-5-1 when our '1' has been Crouch.

Crouch isn't the man to lead the line and although I would agree 4-4-2 is the team we should have gone with up until now - I think now that Ade is here, the 4-5-1 will prove to be a better option.

Doctor...

I agree to an extent... I do somehow think this is last chance saloon for him.. It didn't work with Defoe, Pav or Crouch who are all very different. Adebayor on his day does posses it all... if his attitude his right he's a good addition.

Ginola,

Obviously the jury's out until we see how they link up... but like we saw today, Crouch is simply not enough of a footballer to add anything to our team. Ade is a different kettle of fish. A proper number 9. A target man, a goalscorer and a clever footballer. We've lacked that and it has never been more obvious than today. I think he's going to be massive for us I really do. The problem is, what happens when/if he's injured or can't play. I would hope that then we go to a 4-4-2 - I never want to see Crouch up front alone again.

Doc,

I can't defend crouch at all.. I saw him in a friendly against Leyton Orient in a pre-season friendly - he somehow looks even worse when watching in real life... All he can do is just it, turn his back on goal and lay it off.. His lack of pace allows teams to push right up on us (even at home) as we can't get in behind them at the back.. we don't look threatening at all. Defoe is no world beater but he is a goal threat... I actually think he looks very sharp this year.

Defoe does look very sharp but he doesnt work in a 4-5-1 either.

Not many do, if its 4-4-1-1 then he'd have a chance tho. Back to basics for Spurs 4-4-2

Will be interesting to see how injured VDV is. Am I the only one has a little suspicion he just didnt fancy it when we were being beaten so badly?

Maybe im being a bit hard on him today?

Defoe did look sharp... and although he got some shots away, I can't help but think that a player who lifts his head when he gets the ball would have made better decisions than Defoe today.

4-4-2, although better for us at the moment with the strikers we have (bar Ade) is not what I want to see us play with... simply because I just don't think we have the players in either Pav, Defoe or Crouch to even have a decent two up top.

He's not used to losing so heavily Messiah so he didn't fancy it.

GD

I think Defoe and Ade have the makings of a good partnership. Defoe is a natural goal scorer but the 4-5-1 has destroyed his confidence. But the 4-4-2 will only work with 2 quality DM'S. Lets get Parker in, Sandro fit and then watch us.

Messiah, Doc...

If VDV is on the sidelines for while I guess we'll get a glimpse into what influence he has - granted it wont be against Man U/ City..

I would love to see some stats on our games won when Modric plays CM..

I don't think VDV did go off as if was fed up.. A definite over-stretch for a ball.. I thought his work rate was good. Just another one of those players who doesn't seem to have a position. Reminds me a little of Joe Cole

I can't think of a single time in JD's career he's ever formed a decent partnership. I like him as a player... but he's not for us anymore I think.

Ade and VDV in a 4-5-1 is much more attractive to me.

Doc Thats where I would differ from you man, I'd prefer 2 up front with Ade and Defoe. I've always liked Defoe tho so maybe im biased but I think he looks good this season.

With Ade up front those 2 would get us goals.

I like him as a player... but he's not for us anymore I think.
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I don't know about that GD. I feel that Defoe still has goals in him but needs the supply. I'm a bit off VDV for the moment-great player but i think that we are playing our system to suit him rather than the team.

We're going to have to agree to disagree then lads

Defoe has goals in him, but I can't help but think that if you've got players of Bale, VDV and Modric's quality in midfield you should be matching your frontline in terms of ability and guile. For me he's too straight forward a player; Get ball... look for goal, shoot as hard as you can.

Ultimately I'd love Berbatov back. Ade and Berb is a partnership I'd like to see (dreaming here obviously) but for me I just don't see enough ingenuity in Defoe's play.

Plus, if you have two players with the ability to play in a partnership but also as lone front men - then you've got a real options. At the moment with Defoe - if he plays - we have to play to a system that suits him... and we lose out in letting our truly great players VDV, Modric play with the freedom to get the very best out of them.