There’s no question that Spurs have one of the best starting line-ups in the Premiership, with quality in all areas of the pitch, highlighted by their position in the league table and noticeable improvement from last season.
It’s not difficult to see why they are in contention for the title at this stage of the campaign, when you look at some of the results they have achieved and the way in which Harry Redknapp has got them playing. But with tough fixtures coming in the next few weeks, now is the time when Tottenham have to dig deep to prove their credentials, and need the full force of the squad at their disposal.
Aaron Lennon is one of Spurs’ impact players that can make the difference in any game, whether it be in 90 minutes or a 15 minute spell. Although his side could only manage a goalless draw against League One opposition Stevenage last weekend, Lennon’s introduction instigated a marked improvement in Tottenham’s ability to put the home side under pressure and keep them on the back foot. The point of having a pacey and threatening winger like Lennon on the pitch, who takes opportunities to run at full-backs, is maybe lost against lower league opposition because it was to be expected that Spurs would rally in the final 10 minutes to avoid a replay. However, the use of width and attacking flair down the flanks is a key feature that Harry Redknapp should be looking to use to his side’s advantage whenever possible.
In a couple of games recently, including the lacklustre display at Stevenage, Gareth Bale has been used in-field behind the strikers or striker. This has, on occasion, left Spurs unable to penetrate down the channels, leaving them short of options in the final third. The uninspiring goalless draw with Liverpool was another good example of this. The play gets squashed into the middle and isolates the front-men, making for a scrappy game which doesn’t favour Tottenham’s style.
The two strikers, primarily now being Saha and Adebayor, appear to have a reasonable connection, but this often relies on one of the two (seemingly Adebayor) dropping deep. Against Newcastle, the big Togolese forward ran the show at times and had a major impact, negating Newcastle’s defensive midfield and masking the need for width.
However, in the coming weeks, Tottenham will need another dimension to their game. There is a tendency for teams to play deep-lying midfielders in big games, at least for parts of the 90 minutes when they feel vulnerable. This leaves it difficult for players like Adebayor or Bale in his new role to occupy the space in-field in the attacking third, hence why you often get commentators moaning on about needing to find more width and getting the wingers in the game. Lennon has proven himself to be that extra force down the right. Giving him the freedom down that side also should open up the formation and mean that Bale can occupy the same role on the left. When Lennon runs at the wing-backs, he tends to mix up his direction each time and keep the opponent guessing as to whether he will go down the line or cut inside, sometimes ending up in a goalscoring opportunity and a twisted up left-back lying on the ground.
Not only does Lennon get the team moving forward at pace, enabling counter-attacks and forward thinking moves into the opposing box, he also brings the strikers into play more. Adebayor and Saha are both good at finding space in the penalty area and getting on the end of balls into the box. They are both pretty technically gifted as well, and have proven they can bring the ball down and link up with one-another in attacking situations. This makes it even more effective when Lennon runs at wing-backs as it not only gives them a headache, but it often drags at least one of the centre-backs around and away from the strikers. In essence, if Tottenham can get Aaron Lennon fit and playing, he can improve the attacking shape of the Tottenham team and get his team mates into goalscoring situations against the top sides.
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“The two strikers, primarily now being Saha and Adebayor”
They’ve played together once and I’m willing to bet that VDV starts at the weekend! Rightly so in my opinion
Yeh they played together for the first time against Newcastle, but I can see that becoming the first choice partnership for the near future considering how well they worked in the 5-0. Against Arsenal it may depend on the fitness of VDV and Adebayor, but after that I think Harry will rely more on 442, at least for sections of games when they need a goal, partly because its unlikely VDV will make 90minutes or necessarily start every game.
I agree with you in the fact that VDV should be in the eleven though if he’s fit. It’s tricky to accommodate everyone when they have a full squad.
I like Lennon, I do, but the argument in flawed in principle, you cannot play the same 11 against every team. Lennon can be effective, but is most effective when going away from home. The opposition will be forced to attack from their own supporters, and this creates gaps in play, between midfield and left back. Step up Lennon. No one can catch him for pace, delivery isn’t always great, but he will get in something more often than not. The deliveries will create chances and you need two strikers up front to support these attacks.
Otherwise, you assume the opposition will try to soak up the pressure and defend in packs. Step up Nico and VDV who will prize something out of nothing.
Disco
VDV can arrive late to the box to help out, for cut-backs from the by-line say, but I hear what you’re saying. It’s a bit of a catch-22 situation. Unless they adapt the formation in-game, or use VDV as a sub.