In the grand scheme of things, Tom Huddlestone will probably be disappointed with how things went for him last season. He may well have captained his side to a memorable 3-1 victory over Inter Milan at the San Siro, but injuries kept him out of facing further and arguably more important Champion’s League opponents. His being sidelined also must have had an affect on Tottenham’s Premier League campaign, with him hardly featuring as a goalscorer on http://www.footballscores.com. Had he been more available Spurs may have been able to carry the fight for longer and may well have secured a Champion’s League slot for next season.
Tom Huddlestone adds something to Tottenham that the likes of Luka Modric, Jermaine Jenas and Rafael Van Der Vaart just can’t offer. At an impressively stocky 6’3, Huddlestone’s sheer physicality, strength and competitive nature makes him a wonderful addition to the Spurs midfield. Of course, it’s important not to underplay the other aspects of Thudd’s game. He is also a passer of great vision and ability and, as we all know, he has a real firecracker of a shot.
The prospect of Huddlestone playing alongside Luka Modric next season may well have fans salivating. The mixture of grit, determination and vision is sure to strike a chord in the centre of Tottenham’s midfield and may well propel them to success of one sort or another. But that raises another question. Would a fully fit Tom Huddlestone earn a starting birth in this Spurs side? What’s more, surely he’s too good to be a mere squad player?
The problem for Tottenham is that Sandro has made it nigh on impossible for Harry to drop him, given a number of impressive displays against top opponents. Sandro is another Tottenham player who seems to have it all: he’s strong in defence and attack and this versatility only increases his worth. Then there’s Luka Modric, who after last season simply won’t be bumped out of the centre of Tottenham’s midfield. Such was the form of Modric and Sandro that ex-Real Madrid man Rafael van der Vaart found himself pushed out onto the wings, despite an impressive showing of his own last season. If Van der Vaart is struggling to get game time in his favoured position it’s pretty likely that Huddlestone will suffer in the same regard. The crowded nature of Tottenham’s midfield makes Spurs’ reported interest in Scott Parker even more bemusing. Whilst it’s always useful to have squad players that are talented and capable, having too much competition for places can often breed malcontent and lead to players not receiving a fair amount of game time. For this reason I hope that Harry Redknapp doesn’t sign Scott Parker. He may be a good player, but I rate Tom Huddlestone higher and want to see him receive his fair share of games next season. Follow @ThePerfectPass on Twitter for details on all the latest updates and various football-related musings. ThisisFutbol.com are seeking new writers to join the team! If you’re passionate about football, drop us a line at “thisisfutbol.com@snack-media.com” to learn more. To have a peak at the top SEVEN available FREE TRANSFERS this summer, click here. Or to have a look at 10 ways a football lover can spend this summer, click here!
Wake up, we beat inter at White Hart Lane, not the San Siro. Get that wrong and how do you expect us to believe anythin else you say.
You lost most of your readers in the first paragraph. We we’re beaten by Inter Milan 4-3 at the San Siro. The one game we did win at the famous Italian ground was against AC and Thudd played no part. What a non article.
Parker would be the replacement for Jenas + Palacios. Sandro & Huddlestone in a 4-2-3-1 is the way to gw now.
For me, there is a need to look at the system. Hudd and Sandro are not an either / or and I believe they can play together effectively. This would suggest playing two holding midfielders ahead of the defense, with four attacking players. Whilst for some this may be rather defensive, but it would give a licence to the full backs to bomb forward and provide width.
As such, my 11 would be:
Gomes
Ekotto
Daws
Gallas
Walker
Hudd
Sandro
Bale
Modric
VDV
Crouch
Ideally, we would buy a new frontman to lead the line.
The likely man to drop out in this formation is Lennon, but given the nature of the three players playing off the frontman, there is plenty of scope to chop and change
Drop Modric for being a Judas who wants to leave for the glorified Fulham!
We simply dont need Parker, Redknapp wants him because he is a family friend, we dont need him and he wouldnt even make our bench as he is much worse than Modric and isnt big enough to play the holding role unlike Hudd and Sandro.
One of the 3 will get injured and thats when the problem will be solved about who to play, for now unfortunately if Hudd, Sandro and Modders are fit then Hudd is on the bench, I truelly believe we have the strongest midfield in the league, when you include Rafeal Van Der Vaart, Gareth Bale and Aaron Lennon into it
Cuddles ‘competitive nature?’ What utter drivel this is. I think any spurs fan would say that if he had any aggression at all, it could make him an incredible player. As he doesnt ever show that side of the game, he will be replaced by Sandro
yes,drop modric,get good cash money for him and put hudd and sandro together,if modric wants to relly leave let him leave,no one should stay by force or else we dont get the 100/cent from him and with his cash money buy a good striker.
Wow, there is some balls written in the comments.
A good artical with a basic early error is always gona get slated but it is an interesting question.
My opinion is Harry will always look to start VDV and Modric in the middle (VDV FW/ATT MID) leaving just one spot for a CM alonside Modric. We all saw that when VDV plays on the wing he drifts inside and leaves the FB exposed, so thats a no go.
I think that Hudd and Sandro will swap depending on who we are playing, if we need to stop the other team Sandro will play and if we need someone to spray the ball about against teams we need to take the game to Hudd will play. If we are 2 goals up Hudd off Sandro on and Vice versa if we are down.
forgot to add: Parker can swap with any of the midfield 3 (Sandro, Hudd and Modric) to much greater effect than Jenas or Palcios.