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"Playing in the Champions League is a massive achievement and everyone gets a buzz out of being in it. But I can't deny it brings headaches. We have a strong and competitive squad but unlike last season when you would try to play your best 11 in every league game, we have to change things around. So if we can finish in the top four this season it will be a greater achievement than last time."
Harry Redknapp's musings about the challenges presented by playing in both the Premier and Champions League are largely correct, except perhaps in one respect. The "strong and competitive squad" have been tested against both a below-strength Arsenal team in the Carling Cup and bottom club West Ham at the weekend, and have been found wanting in each case.
There are, of course, the ongoing injury problems, evident on Saturday in the center of defence in particular, where Corluka and Bassong struggled against West Ham's Piquionne and Obinna. Although the prospects for Jonathan Woodgate are not encouraging - with the possibility of surgery followed by another year out of football - the team will be boosted at the back once Gallas, Dawson and King are fit again. Or, in King's case, as fit as he ever is. The more worrying problem currently is up front, with Spurs managing just six goals in six games against mostly modest opposition. Defoe is clearly missed, and Crouch worked hard enough against the Hammers without much service or success. With the side trailing 1-0 Redknapp boldly threw on Keane, Giovani and Pavlyuchenko, and it would be a toss-up to decide who was the most ineffective of the three. Spurs' best efforts on goal were from Van der Vaart and Modric, and only these two plus Cudicini can look back on this game with any sense of satisfaction.
What Spurs required when they fell behind was some fight and leadership, but they were never going to get either from their captain for the day. To put it kindly, Tom Huddlestone has never relished the physical side of the game and it's hard to imagine a less inspiring figure in the Spurs line-up when the chips are down. He capped another in and out display by missing Spurs' best chance of the afternoon, when put clean through by Alan Hutton.
Before the game, West Ham propped up the table with a single point from their first five games. Spurs, by contrast, were in the lofty position of fifth. The clubs are now separated by just four points, but significantly West Ham have already played Chelsea, Man. Utd. and Villa. Unless Spurs can start to pick up their league form, involvement in the group stages of the Champions League may prove to be a mixed blessing. Harry has said that "we want to be successful in both". Let's hope that Spurs don't end up being successful in neither.
 
Comments
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Posted by Herman on 09/28/2010
Jenas was crap, not good defensively, more often than not lose possession, always slow down the attack.
Harry, just sell him!
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Posted by Mark on 09/28/2010
Good article Colin. I don't always agree with what you say, but stop on mate!
I don't always like to get caught up in the hype, be it good or bad. But certainly this season has not started well. It is sad that the opposition keepers tend to have blinder days against Spurs, but does that say more about the team (Whereas ManU would have scored).
I'm still a fan of Keane's and would like to see him start a few more games, but true he is a shadow of the Keane that left WHL for pastures RED. Pav too is short on confidence, and Couch is no 20 goal a season player (lets be honest). So the fact we didnt buy a world class striker in the window, may yet haunt Spurs!
Mind you a win on Wed and again on Sat, we'll be again talking of winning that all coveted 4th.
We need to score and score big on Wed... I believe we just need a kick start to the season!!
COYS!! Bring 'um Holland lads down!
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Posted by Peter Wright on 09/28/2010
I agree, I thinl in the last two seasons Spurs have been more focused, particularly last year where they didn't have the distraction of European football at all. I can't really understand why Palacios isn't in the side. Usually when Spurs struggle its because they lose the midfiled battle.
Neither Van de Bart nor Modric are natural ball winners and Palacios was a key figure in steering them to safety two years ago.
Has a long time Spurs fan I'm delighted that we're in the top flight. I think Harry will have to make a choice as to what the priority really is, and probably quite soon.
If they lose tonight against FC Twente, it might make him think more about who he picks or Saturday's games in the Premier League.
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Posted by Ringo on 09/28/2010
We need a striker. Badly. I do not understand these Spurs fans who think Pav is a good striker - he is nothing of the sort. He isn't strong enough to maintain possession, he's not a good goal poacher because he always puts it wide, and he doesn't create plays. He does nothing except for the occassional finish that almost any striker could make, and then coughs up the ball as bad as Jenas the rest of the game. Pav apologists will point to his goal against Young Boys - an anomaly in his tenure with Spurs, to say the least. Pav needs to go and so does Keane if he doesn't start producing. We need another striker (or two) beyond Defoe and Crouch, someone who can finish the dazzling moves of Bale, Modric, Van der Vaart, and Lennon. I'd like to see a bid for Suarez in January.
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Posted by James on 09/28/2010
I am worried. Worried that we are putting too much into the champions league. I don't think any spurs fan would be disappointed if we got knocked out in the group stages of the CL but finished 4th in the premiership again.
However, getting past the group stages and finishing is 5-8th is what may possibly happen.
We've done our job by making the CL, lets make sure we do it next year, and not by winning the cup either.
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Posted by PAtrick on 09/28/2010
Last season Spurs' bread and butter was the 4-4-2. In that formation it makes total sense to have Bale and Lennon bombing down the flanks and sending in cross after cross into the box, and it worked quite nicely. Playing with a 5 man midfield, as they do now, there is not enough space or room, not to mention striking options, to play the same type of tactic. In a 4-5-1 there needs to be more passing triangles and quicker one touch football in order to unlock the defense. Until Spurs become acclimated with that formation I think they will continue to create chances. Also, I loathe Crouch as a solo striker. Perhaps a 4-1-4-1 or a 4-2-3-1 or hell even a 4-3-3 (a la barcelona a few years ago) would be worth a shot. Just thinking out loud here.
Injuries have depleted the back line to be certain and that has been incredibly unfortunate. Why then loan out Caulker, Livermore and Walker? I also don't think Keane nor Gio had the playing time nor the service to make an impact against West Ham
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Posted by NYCHotspur on 09/29/2010
Agree that we don't look at all comfortable in the 4-5-1. Modric, Hud and VdV trade some lovely passes, but can't involve either wingers or striker, and eventually Jenas darts desperately forward directly into a defender. Repeat for 90+ mins.
Also agree that Pav is probably the most wasteful player on the pitch. Can't pass. Can't hold up play. Can't beat a defender on the dribble. So what's left? Countless shots from distance that never hit the target.
Pains me to say that Lennon hasn't been the same since coming back from injury. Until he regains form, why not use him as an impact sub like in the Wolves match? Send him on in the 70th minute to shred the fullback's tired legs and force the other side to change formation mid-match to try and cope.
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Posted by Mike In USA on 09/29/2010
As someone above stated, wheres Palacios. Well, to be honest, he hasnt started the season well a long with several others. Jenas, who had been playing well, looked lost against West ham. Maybe time to look to Sandro. He looked confident in the carling cup tie. Could really use O'Hara healthy again.
Once BAE is back, push Bale back up and maybe push Modric or VdV to the other side. We need those 3 pushing hard at goal - esp since our strikers arent very strong, we need the MF to test the keeper.
As for tomorrow, heres to hoping our back line survives.
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Posted by sulaiman akanni on 09/29/2010
Harry is doing a nice job. However, he needs to borrow a leaf from the diamond formation of Chelsea; 4-3-3. The support of three strikers being unleashed on the opponents' defense is awsome while the defensive ability of all the other midfielders will be of great value to the original defense lineup. Spurs will come out victorious today (2:0)against twente f.c.
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Posted by Shapiro on 09/29/2010
whoever wants to see Palacios in action must not be paying attention when he has played.
But does anyone else get this inkling that we could use a lot of what Jamie O'Hara has to offer about now - namely Heart... what's the kid's prognosis?
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Posted by jim luscutoff on 09/29/2010
Spurs clearly have been having a difficult time making the transition from the 442. No flow to the movement of the ball in the 451. They haven't got much time left to get their act together, though, if they are to end the season in the top four. COYS.
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Posted by PhillyHotspur on 09/30/2010
I'm in complete agreement w/ Colin and the rest of the posts....
Huddlestone had his worse game as a Spur ......why get cute when you get clear of the keeper ?
Pavs does little.....Same w/ Keane.......It was pretty obvious that are midfield has played exceptional w/ the finishing lacking. Just as predicted.....I expect a big move in January. Especially is the Spurs advance to the KO round w/ additional revenue.
Lastly......I know A&E was hurt, but it makes little sense to play Bale at LB. He is clearly so much stronger at LW and you can see it in the game vs West Ham. Just keep him at his best position please..
And Jenas is terrible.....enough of him, his poor paces, him slowing the attack to do nothing & his general lack of anything positive. Im sorry - he needs to go.
VDV looks like a straight up theft.......Big arrival.
3 points at the Lane vs AV is a must. lets do this.
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Posted by Herman on 09/30/2010
Spurs' Defenders Analysis
We have King, Dawson, Gallas, Kaboul, Corluka, Hutton, Assou Ekotto & Bassong. (Forget Woodgate, too injury prone).
I rate King, Dawson & Gallas as 1st class CB while Kaboul (not so good positionally) , Corluka (quite slow) & Bassong (sometime shaky) as 2nd class CB.
If we can field:
1st/1st class CB pairing, that is good.
1st/2nd class CB pairing, that is OK.
If none of the 1st class CB is available, I think we should play with a 3 CBs to add more stability to the defence.
I think Spurs should never play with 2nd/2nd class CB pairing, looked what happened at West Ham, Corluka and Bassong looked nervy.
If we field 3 CBs, 2 will do man marking, 1 will be sweeper, put 1 defensive midfielder (palacios or huddlestone) at the center, and ask the 2 wing backs (bale at left side, hutton or even Sandro at right) to support the remaining 4 forward players in attack (preferably Modric, Van Der Vaart, Krajncar as 3 attacking midfielders plus Defoe or any other striker).
Finally, use Lennon or Dos Santos as impact substitute to replace any of the attacking midfielders.
In my opinion, that's how we should play at home or away, if all King, Dawson and Gallas is out injured.
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Posted by Happy Sinng on 09/30/2010
spurs were having difficult time agaisnt west ham. and i also think that its time harry gives chances for his younger players. kyle naughton has no experiece bu if he does not play then he will never have on either. this weekend they are up against a new aston villan transformed under houllier. i expect bale to be torturing the defense again but its time the whole team start easing the burden on the strikers which will reduce the pressure they get. moreover its about time spurs played attacking football with their charming and attractive passing game. dos santos clearly needs more games and so does lennon too. most of our current crop of international players are lacking their clinical finishings and their match sharpness. its time they concerntrate for the good of all. spurs really need to bounce back on in the league if they are to stay in the top four.
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Posted by Esperans on 09/30/2010
'What Spurs required when they fell behind was some fight and leadership, but they were never going to get either from their captain for the day. To put it kindly, Tom Huddlestone has never relished the physical side of the game and it's hard to imagine a less inspiring figure in the Spurs line-up when the chips are down.'
I couldn't have put it any better.. the centre of the park desperately needs some energy, pace and verve.. I'm afraid for all his beautiful passing, Huddlestone is none of the above.. yet he starts every game.. and ahead of Palacios too.. and has even been given the captain's armband!
With the team's back against the wall, he didn't even come close with that easy one on one clear cut chance against the Hammers, and in doing so displayed the lack of composure and confidence that has always been evident in his play.. he has improved and there will be games where his languid approach will be perfectly suited.. but c'mon Harry, he's not good enough to play every match
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Posted by Mike in USA on 09/30/2010
@Herman. Agreed about the CBs. Before the window closed i would have liked a move for Kjaer or Subotic to give us more stability at the back in case our injury proned starters all got hur... yea, who didnt see this coming? As for the Kaboul, i almost want to keep him out right since Corlukas started slow and Hutton has had one good game in a few years
As for a 5-4-1, its an interesting idea. Would like to see more of Kranjcar. Or what about this:
(ideally)
Gomes
LWB: Bale
CB: Dawson
CB: King
CB: Gallas
RWB: Kaboul
CM: Huddlestone
CM: Sandro (the kid looks good and O'Haras still out)
LAM: Modric
RAM: Van der Vaart
CF: Defoe
-Krancjar, DosSantos, and Crouch as offensive subs, Palacios to stabilize the middle if we get a lead. As for CBs, whoevers not injured
2 box MFs supporting Modric and VDV who have all the room in the world. 2 WB to support them if they cut in and our only striker who can finish.
Old school formations, gotta love 'em
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Posted by Harry Bose on 10/01/2010
We seem to be inconsisent losing games whc we should win. Cannot see being 4th. this year.The half line seems good but the defence is suspect and the strikers are not scoring.
I wish for a turnaround and good luck to the team.
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Posted by Anonymous on 10/01/2010
@Mike
At RWB, Kaboul over Corluka & Hutton is a good choice if you opt for pace. Corluka is solid but quite slow while Hutton is direct but not so solid defensively.
At CM, i would choose Krajncar over Huddlestone.
But if Kaboul is unavailable, i would love to see Sandro as the RWB, with krajncar and palacios as our 2 CMs to give us that att/def combination.
With Sandro at RWB, he will give our wing play a little bit of South American flair. He can defend well, he's got pace, he can put in some good crosses and diagonal through balls to our forward players (modric, van der vaart and defoe). If he can be half as good as Maicon or Dani Alves at RWB, i'll take it!
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Posted by NYCHotspur on 10/06/2010
The half-shouts for O'Hara here are a bit confusing.
Last I checked, he offered a lot of heart... er, for Portsmouth, that is. Meanwhile the only times he's not caught in possession is when he passes back to defenders. At least Jenas has pace and shows a bit of attacking intent.
Anyway it's now clear there's a new kid in town with heart, and his initials are VDV. The story of this season will be which Spurs can raise their game another notch to his level. Should be fun to watch.
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