What is our strongest XI?

[the dza]

I know it could potentially differ depending on the opponent, form etc.

But let's say it's just a generic opposition and let's assume the form of the players is pretty even. Making those assumptions, what do you think our best team is?

I suspect we'd all choose the same goalkeeper -- Lloris

4231 has served us well under Poch and our players are suited to it. So the back four picks itself; Walker, Toby, Vert, Rose.

The 2 in midfield: I would say Wanyama and Dembele. From what I have seen, I think Wanyama is the best defensive midfielder we have and Dembele is the only midfielder of his type we have to make a partnership.

The 3: We need goals, pace and guile. I'd play Eriksen on the right, Alli at number 10 and Son on the left. I think that's the best balance/blend of players, I'd like those 3 to be given a good run of games together. I do feel though, that Son should play from the left, he is more of a goal threat from that position. Eriksen could play his game from the right, and I think he'd link well with Walker.

Upfront - Kane. Enough said.

-----------------lloris
walker----toby-----vert-----rose
---------wanyama---dembele
--eriksen------alli-------son
--------------kane

I'm pretty sure Poch hasn't been able to pick this team yet. It will be interesting, when all players are fit, who Poch decides his "go to" XI are.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I know it could potentially differ depending on the opponent, form etc.

But let's say it's just a generic opposition and let's assume the form of the players is pretty even. Making those assumptions, what do you think our best team is?

I suspect we'd all choose the same goalkeeper -- Lloris

4231 has served us well under Poch and our players are suited to it. So the back four picks itself; Walker, Toby, Vert, Rose.

The 2 in midfield: I would say Wanyama and Dembele. From what I have seen, I think Wanyama is the best defensive midfielder we have and Dembele is the only midfielder of his type we have to make a partnership.

The 3: We need goals, pace and guile. I'd play Eriksen on the right, Alli at number 10 and Son on the left. I think that's the best balance/blend of players, I'd like those 3 to be given a good run of games together. I do feel though, that Son should play from the left, he is more of a goal threat from that position. Eriksen could play his game from the right, and I think he'd link well with Walker.

Upfront - Kane. Enough said.

-----------------lloris
walker----toby-----vert-----rose
---------wanyama---dembele
--eriksen------alli-------son
--------------kane

I'm pretty sure Poch hasn't been able to pick this team yet. It will be interesting, when all players are fit, who Poch decides his "go to" XI are.

I don't think we need 2 holding players at home vs most of this league

Today I thought Dembele was great and I thought we could have got away without Wanyama but we didn't have an obvious I option on the bench

Id agree with the team you have suggested though for tougher games but why was son played in the right today?

 

[the dza]

I don't think we need 2 holding players at home vs most of this league

Today I thought Dembele was great and I thought we could have got away without Wanyama but we didn't have an obvious I option on the bench

Id agree with the team you have suggested though for tougher games but why was son played in the right today?

What team would you go with if you could only pick one XI though? I know it's a silly hypothetical situation, I'm just curious what people think is our best XI, the team that you'd go to to get the job done in a cup final or whatever. The best XI.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

What team would you go with if you could only pick one XI though? I know it's a silly hypothetical situation, I'm just curious what people think is our best XI, the team that you'd go to to get the job done in a cup final or whatever. The best XI.

Right now...

It would be same defence as you

I'd have wanyama

Then lamella, Alli, son and eriksen behind kane

But is seriously consider playing Kane in those 4 and losing one of those with Jansenn up front

 

[milo]

On current form I would pick

-----------------lloris
walker----toby-----vert-----rose
---------wanyama---dembele
--lamela----alli-------son
--------------kane

 

[milo]

I don't think we need 2 holding players at home vs most of this league

The problem with that is that the fullbacks don't get forward as much when we only play one at the base of midfield. I think that have two there but the overlap out wide makes us more of a threat.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

The problem with that is that the fullbacks don't get forward as much when we only play one at the base of midfield. I think that have two there but the overlap out wide makes us more of a threat.

Yeah that makes sense but as good as they are there balls into the box aren't great

I think my set up means we have goal scorers and creators in the right area

 

[milo]

Yeah that makes sense but as good as they are there balls into the box aren't great

I think my set up means we have goal scorers and creators in the right area

It's not just about balls into the box (crosses have a low return), it is about stretching play and allowing our wide forwards to cut inside and support the striker.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

It's not just about balls into the box (crosses have a low return), it is about stretching play and allowing our wide forwards to cut inside and support the striker.

We don't stretch play IMO

We cut back too much as we dont attack the box

We always try to shoot from range

And we don't support the striker... It's A Massive issue

 

[milo]

We don't stretch play IMO

We cut back too much as we dont attack the box

We always try to shoot from range

And we don't support the striker... It's A Massive issue

Having two players in advanced positions does stretch play, it forces the fullback to make a decision about who to track.

What you are describing is our play whilst Kane has been out, during which, most of the time, we have played your preferred formation.

 

[lurker of old]

We cut back too much as we dont attack the box
Often today it seemed that Wanyama passed backwards every single time he got the ball. We would have free kicks and pass the ball back to the keeper. Our play is so deliberate and slow. Back on the thread: Dyer to keep his midfield place at Wanyama's expense. It served us very well last season as I recall....

 

[milo]

We cut back too much as we dont attack the box
Often today it seemed that Wanyama passed backwards every single time he got the ball. We would have free kicks and pass the ball back to the keeper. Our play is so deliberate and slow. Back on the thread: Dyer to keep his midfield place at Wanyama's expense. It served us very well last season as I recall....

I think that Poch has been a little more conservative in his tactics whilst Kane has been out. I think that the move to 4-1-4-1 and the fullbacks playing deeper has been trying to get the best out of what he has but with the emphasis on not getting beaten. Hopefully, that will change this week.

 

[milo]

I think that Poch has been a little more conservative in his tactics whilst Kane has been out. I think that the move to 4-1-4-1 and the fullbacks playing deeper has been trying to get the best out of what he has but with the emphasis on not getting beaten. Hopefully, that will change this week.

On reflection, Dembele being out was probably the bigger reason for the change. Let's hope he regains his form soon

 

[glorygloryeze]

I think that Poch has been a little more conservative in his tactics whilst Kane has been out. I think that the move to 4-1-4-1 and the fullbacks playing deeper has been trying to get the best out of what he has but with the emphasis on not getting beaten. Hopefully, that will change this week.

Hmmm...interesting point...

 

[the dza]

It's not just about balls into the box (crosses have a low return), it is about stretching play and allowing our wide forwards to cut inside and support the striker.

People often say this, and quote a simplistic stat that shows a low percentage of goals scored directly from a cross. But then how many goals are scored from a hurried clearance that came from a dangerous cross? I've not seen the stats for that, but when you watch games it happens all the time.

 

[milo]

People often say this, and quote a simplistic stat that shows a low percentage of goals scored directly from a cross. But then how many goals are scored from a hurried clearance that came from a dangerous cross? I've not seen the stats for that, but when you watch games it happens all the time.

I'm not quoting stats here and not saying that there is no value in crosses. It is a low return tactic but it is worth mixing it up. The reason that we are a high pressing side is that turnovers high up the pitch create a lot of goal scoring chances, if some of those come from crosses, then all the better.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

On reflection, Dembele being out was probably the bigger reason for the change. Let's hope he regains his form soon

And maybe his return has caused the problem

We attacked better before he came back

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Against Arse next week I'd play Demebele and Wanyama in the middle (possibly Dier instead of victor if his card count is looking bad) and I'd actually play Nkodou, alli

 

[glorygloryeze]

Against Arse next week I'd play Demebele and Wanyama in the middle (possibly Dier instead of victor if his card count is looking bad) and I'd actually play Nkodou, alli and son

Nkodus pace will scare them and they kiwi Alli and son are goal threats

I'd save NKoudou for later. I think he is our only wild card and a game away at the Emirates might be too soon or him ti make a PL start. We'll need Lamela's tenacity behind the striker. Dropping Eriksen could be the real kick up the backside he needs and atm i'd be all for it, but only i we play Lamela

 

[milo]

And maybe his return has caused the problem

We attacked better before he came back

He is only just back, so it is not surprising if it takes him a while to find his form. The other (more worrying) option is that last season was an outlier and that pre-Poch Dembele is the true player.

 

[milo]

I'd save NKoudou for later. I think he is our only wild card and a game away at the Emirates might be too soon or him ti make a PL start. We'll need Lamela's tenacity behind the striker. Dropping Eriksen could be the real kick up the backside he needs and atm i'd be all for it, but only i we play Lamela

On form, I think that Lamela, Alli and Son are the three that deserve to start.

 

[Bullet]

Poch needs to scare "the three" into scoring or assisting in every game, or be dropped regardless. At present they fanny around and dilly dally.

In the last 5 minutes we go for broke but what about the rest of the game? Suddenly yesterday we had Dier right wing and Verts in the box heading against the bar. Real purpose. But only at the end.

I've watched/ stre.amed/ listened to/ followed every Spurs game for over 30 years but yesterday I was at a party and decided not to come home and watch us struggle with near AVB levels of "penetration"

We need to sign Cialis Viagra