Jan being injured has opened a surprise door for AVB (IMHO).
I feel that now is the time to change formation to 3-5-2.
Lloris
Kaboul Chiriches Capoue
Walker Naughton
Dembele
Lennon Townsend
Lamela Defoe
So the first thing on my mind is that with no recognised left back why make the whole team struggle. By putting 3 CB's at the heart of our defence with Walker and Naughton suppoting on the wings we would not need an out and out DM. It will give the wing backs the ability to join the attacks a lot more than usual. Also with Naughton struggling to cope at LB at times it would help to boost his confidence. The reason for my inclusion of Capoue at CB is simple, he was the best defender against Sunderland, so why take him out?
Dembele is key to place at the heart of the team and hopefully with four outlets (two on both wings) he should be able to pass off and move into position rather than take 3 or 4 players on and lose the ball. However, if we were playing against a team with more power in midfield I would drop him for Sandro. With Lennon showing that we have missed his pace why take him out. Townsend being the natural left footer we must slot him in there. We cannot keep playing Sigurdsson in this position as he throws the balance out by pulling inside constantly. Chadli as I have made clear before is simply not ready for a starting role in the team (YET).
Now my reasoning behind having Lamela and Defoe linking up together is simple. Lamela can drop behind Defoe and support him or play alongside him. Placing him up front gives him the opportunity to score more goals (which will boost his confidence to no end). Also by playing with someone like Defoe he can learn a lot. Defoe is our final piece to the puzzle and being our top scorer and most confident player he fits right in.
For me the team and formation picks itself, what other choice do we have? Against someone like Liverpool this formation would work well, it has pace, compact in certain area's, width in others, what more could you ask for? Most importantly it has 2 wingers that can’t both be double or triple marked and then leave the likes of Defoe and Lamela unmarked.
Let me know what you think. Maybe you think a 4-4-2 would suit us better, or a 4-1-4-1, maybe go festive with a 3-1-4-1-1 Christmas Tree formation.
COYS!!!!!
We all know how influential a player Gerrard is, but he has been ruled out for a minimum of six weeks! Jordan Henderson is also likely to miss the game leaving Anfield in a protective boot at the weekend.
I realise that Spurs will go up against the most potent goal scorer in the league (he is the best in Europe looking at minutes per goal beating Ronaldo, Aguero, Bale and Messi!), but if you mark him well and stop his supply, then how do you expect him to score?
Liverpool are now likely to have to field a youngster if both Gerrard and Henderson are out, but it again highlights why AVB must avoid throwing players into a position they cannot cope in, or that does not suit the team overall.
It was bad news to hear that Vertonghen is likely to be out until the New Year, but this is a real gift if Gerrard and Henderson both join Sturridge on the treatment table (you would expect it to tire Suarez no end). AVB must now push his players to get their true potential out and quick, it would be a chance to play catch up (bringing us on level points with Liverpool).
COYS!!!!!
Email me on hogggatspursmad@hotmail.com or follow me on www.facebook.com/TottenhamMad and twitter https://twitter.com/THSpursMad