The euphoria of the win against Man City has slowly ebbed away to be replaced with that usual touch of apprehension. Spurs travel to Wigan on Saturday a team who has become accustomed to wrecking dreams. The DW Stadium has laid many a title challenge and push for safety to bed, Spurs need to be […]
Wigan v Spurs: AVB’s Conundrums
The euphoria of the win against Man City has slowly ebbed away to be replaced with that usual touch of apprehension. Spurs travel to Wigan on Saturday a team who has become accustomed to wrecking dreams. The DW Stadium has laid many a title challenge and push for safety to bed, Spurs need to be at their best if they wish to avoid a similar fate.
Back in November I commented that Wigan Athletic, the team that no one really dislikes, has had a habit of defining us. These words came back to haunt me as Spurs then suffered a 1-0 defeat at White Hart Lane. The most memorable thing from that torrid experience was the free curry samples being served in the East Stand.
[linequote]We are on course for a top four finish and our destiny is in our hands, once again we face Wigan at a crucial time, not just for us, but for them[/linequote]
Thankfully since that fixture Spurs have avoided repeating such ineptitude. This season, a few set backs apart, has largely gone to plan. We are on course for a top four finish and our destiny is in our hands, once again we face Wigan at a crucial time, not just for us, but for them.
The last few seasons have taught us that when the weather warms up Wigan move up the table, but this years protracted winter means Spurs face a Latics team backed into a corner. Both teams can not afford to lose this game, it all points to a fascinating fixture.
Due to our failings from the penalty spot in Switzerland, Andre Villas-Boas has been able to give the squad a couple of days off. I may have wanted a glorious cup run to Amsterdam, but I am thankful for the respite our exit has offered us. Gareth Bale has had another six days of rest and Aaron Lennon according to reports, looks set to feature. The all important balance the diminutive winger gives us, should be back.
[linequote]I may have wanted a glorious cup run to Amsterdam, but I am thankful for the respite our exit has offered us.[/linequote]
The return of Lennon brings with it a host of conundrums for AVB to ponder before Saturday’s kick off, the first is who plays up front?
Against not only City but a whole host of opponents this season, Emmanuel Adebayor has been ineffective. The movement, touch, understanding and finishing that made him such an asset last year have disappeared. He is a phantom of his former self, Jermain Defoe meanwhile, despite being sidelined through injury has seen a meteoric rise in his stock.
The England man before Sunday hadn’t scored a goal for Spurs in 4 four months, yet his return was seen as the second coming. Defoe remains a limited striker, but compared to Adebayor’s recent form, he is the love child of Gerd Muller and Paolo Rossi.
Regardless of Adebayor’s lack of form though, I would start him on Saturday against Wigan. It may be blind hope, but over 60 minutes he may tire the Wigan defence, then with the game hopefully stretched in our favour Defoe can be introduced. The former Pompey striker as he proved against City, is an impressive impact sub
The return of Lennon also means that one of Clint Dempsey or Glyfi Sigurðsson will miss out. Do we opt for the man who does nothing but score tap-ins, or someone who is gradually coming to terms with a place in a top tier Premier League team?
[linequote]The American is a footballing Rubik Cube, he has had me in delirium at certain points, but totally bamboozled as to his worth at others[/linequote]
On Sunday as I watched Spurs fail to breach a resolute City for the best part of an hour, it was with Dempsey that most of my frustrations lay. The American is a footballing Rubik Cube, he has had me in delirium at certain points, but totally bamboozled as to his worth at others. Dempsey contributes very little to the team and its style of play, he is the most un-luxurious of luxury players.
Siggy meanwhile is without doubt the better all round player, but he lacks the self-confidence of “The Duece.” It is on this basis therefore I would opt for the American, with the season coming to its crescendo, you need players who believe 100% in their ability, regardless of how limited it is.
The last real conundrum for AVB is who to partner Mousa Dembele? Does he opt for the more mobile but limited in possession Scott Parker, or the occasional statuesque brilliance of Tom Huddlestone? Personally I would opt for the same Adebayor/Defoe formula. Start Parker and as the tempo of the game subsides, introduce Hudd and his masterful long passing game.
[linequote]Three points on Saturday, would put the pressure right back on Arsenal who face the champions Man United on Sunday[/linequote]
It is comforting to know that AVB has positive selection issues to ponder pre- game, but if we learnt one thing on Sunday, it’s that it’s even nicer to know we have a manager who can make the big decisions during a game. With players such as Lewis Holtby and Tom Carroll on the bench, we have game changers and a manager unafraid to use them.
Three points on Saturday, would put the pressure right back on on Arsenal who face the champions Man United on Sunday.
No team has done the double over Spurs this season; we need to ensure that Wigan isn’t the most unlikely of firsts.
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26/04/2013 @ 4:22 pm
Why do you assume that the tempo will slow down. Yes it is normally the case as the players tire. But this game is crucial for both teams and adrenalin can do wonders. Won’t be surprised that the tempo and intensity won’t decrease as much as they should. If you are worried that Thud is not mobile enough to start, why must you assume that Parker is the man to do the early hard running ? Can’t we start with Holtby instead if AVB does not want to risk starting with a 433 formation ? Bring on Thud like last time plus the other Tom for Holtby if Holtby is too tired to continue doing the leg work. Personally I hope AVB starts with a 433 formation from the start with the same players that finished the game against City. Have Carrol to come in later. Maybe Caulker too and push Vertoghen upfield. Whatever he wants to do I hope AVB would drop Parker for the last 5 games ( probably wishful thinking on my part ).
26/04/2013 @ 9:51 pm
You wait 33 games, THIRTY THREE, to tell me we have a manager who can make the big decisions in games. Yes, the subs were the correct ones for once (was it really that difficult to bring on two players who can actually pass and a striker that can actually shoot?) but let’s be honest he was due a good one or three as his previous substitutions have been absolutely dreadful. We beat a City side who had nothing to play for and are saving themselves for the Cup Final but outplayed us for an hour+ with ease. Have you considered why that was? It was because AVB picked the wrong players in the wrong positions with the wrong tactics and then failed to change it for far too long. In a nutshell, yes it was very exciting to score three goals in a matter of mintues but we got lucky, very lucky. Go on, tell me it was all part a grand master plan……I think not! So, off we go to Wigan and the question is whether AVB will learn from Sunday’s mistakes (Dempsey in midfield is a liability, Benny anywhere on the pitch is a liability, Bale standing next to a centre half looking up at balls dropping out of the sky is a waste of his talent etc etc). I expect you will accuse me of not being a proper fan just because of my refusal to watch the game through rose-tinted glasses. I love my team but know that had we had a more adventurous manager we would have achieved so much more this season.
27/04/2013 @ 4:12 pm
AVB goes to Wigan and fills midfield with a ball winning midfield with Hudd to hopefully open up Wigan,but tinkers with the Yank playing in the proverbial hole.Lennon cannot be fit as our best football comes from width,and Gareth Bale might occasionally be suited to his left wing exploits,so can we raise our game against Chelsea etc well this will go down to the final day again,but please United Dont be on the beach just yet !!!
27/04/2013 @ 8:01 pm
Good to start with the Hudd but why pick Parker too? Poor. Good to start with Defoe but why on his own? Poor. Dempsey and Debele as wingers? Very poor. Naughton? Just poor. But you know the drill by now folks, pick the wrong players in the wrong positions, play poorly, be a goal behind after an hour and then the “manager who can make the big decisions during play” will rise and play his joker. So, 2-1 down and 28 mintues to go and all is going to plan as AVB gets to his feet, here we go with the game changer…..come on AVB I knew you’d do your stuff……will it be 3 at the back with Carroll (afterall, we have a manager “unafraid to use him”) picking the passes or maybe 3 up front…….this is it and CL football is ours, the board goes up and……………no, there must be an error, surely not, what, Benny for Naughton!! (maybe a little too like-for-like again?). Oh well, we sored three goals in moments last week and we will do so again this week and next and at Chelsea so that’s ok then. AVB “a manager who can make the big decisions during play”. Brilliant.
28/04/2013 @ 11:22 pm
Nice article . I would agree w/ most of it.
Too bad he didn’t opt to sit Parker in favor of Holtby. Parker is extremely ineffective vs that parked bus.