Fulham vs Spurs Tactical Preview
Tottenham and Fulham have shared a lot in recent years, including the likes of Scott Parker and Mousa Dembele, however neither will be keen to share any points in this fixture. Fulham have lost the last 5 consecutive league games and as a result have sacked former Spurs manager Martin Jol, replacing him with Rene Meulensteen. Both managers have something to prove; AVB will be eager to keep close to the competition in the league, consecutive fixtures against Fulham and Sunderland can help him achieve this. Meulensteen will be hoping to spring Fulham out of the relegation zone and into a more respectable position. Nothing quite like a London derby to get things started, eh?
Fulham’s last league fixture was another London derby, against West Ham, and they did not fair too well offensively. 9 of their 10 shots were outside the area with all 10 being off target. Perhaps a sign that with Bryan Ruiz and Dimitar Berbatov, clear chances are even harder to come by. If neither of these two start against Tottenham, expect a very easy day for Michael Dawson and co.
On the other side, West Ham really exploited the Fulham full backs. West Ham sent in 38 crosses, excluding corners, and Stewart Downing looked particularly impressive. The former Liverpool player attempted 14 crosses in 90 minutes; fellow winger Matt Jarvis attempted 8 as well. With AVB recently, against Manchester clubs, fielding Aaron Lennon on the right as opposed to the left we could see Lennon continue his more traditional winger role and put pressure on Kieran Richardson, the Fulham left back. We can see from the chances created from passes, many occurred on West Ham’s right flank, and the channel between Richardson and the left centre-back.
Fulham have had Elsad Zverotic fill in as right full back during Sascha Riether’s suspension. Zverotic was the target of West Ham as well, as you can see below, Downing successfully switched the play to target Fulham’s right side on 3 occasions; in contrast no attempts to switch the play from West Ham’s left to right were attempted. West Ham left full back George McCartney attempted 6 crosses in the game, highlighting the quantity of opportunities when attacking Fulham’s right back. The switch of play from right to left would sometimes suit the Tottenham style as well. With Jan Vertonghen expected to start at left back, with one of Nacer Chadli or Gylfi Sigurdsson in front of him, there will be guaranteed height for our left hand side; which can be used to successfully bring down and control switch passes.
More opportunities came from attacking and pressing Zverotic, in turn leading to two goals. For the first goal, West Ham were able to put significant pressure on Zverotic and former Spur Scott Parker on the right hand side. From a successful challenge the Hammers were able open the scoring and they attempted to win the ball back, via tackles, many times on Fulham’s right side. Through the dribbling brilliance of Ravel Morrison, something we unfortunately witnessed, they were again able to find the net; at the expense of Fulham’s right side.
Below is a full graphic of all the crosses that West Ham attempted in the match, excluding corners. Many were met with by a West Ham player when the balls were delivered from the right.
For Fulham vs Tottenham it may be unlikely that Zverotic will start; given Riether’s return from suspension. However, Manchester Utd gave Riether an equally hard time when he last stepped foot on the pitch. I highlighted above how the West Ham full back was able to find joy further up the field through crosses, and the same applies with United full back Patrice Evra; more via possession as Manchester United, excluding the direct Antonio Valencia don’t often cross the ball.
It is evident from his heat map and the locations in which Evra plays his passes fairly high up the field. This sustained pressure allowed Adan Januzaj to create a goal for Robin Van Persie, whilst also attempted 2 shots himself. This also occurs from Fulham attempting more attacking plays from their right as opposed to their left. Around 25% of their created chances have come from their right hand side; more than double what they create from their left. It is the case that the right full back is often caught out of position and this is capitalised on by other teams; very true considering Riether’s speed and willingness to attack.
In conclusion, I believe that if Spurs target the Fulham full backs then opportunities to score will arise. If Sigurdsson starts, I would also suggest placing a cheeky bet on the Icelander to score first. With Fulham’s lack of creativity, coupled with the fact that Tottenham have only conceded 2 goals in the previous 3 games at Craven Cottage, we could also expect another clean sheet for Hugo Lloris’ back line. Hopefully this fixture doesn’t turn out to be more complicated than it should, we would all like to see a win.
[author name=”Jai B” avatar=”https://si0.twimg.com/profile_images/1659352356/IMAG0018.jpg” twitter=”Jai_B[/linequote]
All views and opinions expressed in this article are the views and opinions of the writer and do not necessarily represent the views of The Fighting Cock. We offer a platform for fans to commit their views to text and voice their thoughts. Football is a passionate game and as long as the views stay within the parameters of what is acceptable, we encourage people to write, get involved and share their thoughts on the mighty Tottenham Hotspur.
17 Comments
Would you like to write for The Fighting Cock?
Get out of jail card.....
05/12/2013 @ 7:45 am
The “project manager” would have walked last night but for two long range strikes. Fulham had lost five on the spin, Berba says he wants to go and what does our clown do……he goes defensive! Stupid them selection (did we really need Sandro AND Capoue) and stupid defensive tactics. Outplayed for 70 mintues, it took a Fulham goal to make us realise that we are allowed to attack. ok, so a couple of cracking goals get All Very Boring off the hook but he is being found out every week now. Get rid.
Dave in Toronto
06/12/2013 @ 1:26 am
Found your website via Guardian article about 1882. Spurs fans even exist in Defoe’s future hometown. I’d say the game was more complicated because the Fulham crew played to impress the new boss. Sunnderland will be another tough match with players looking to impress the slightly new boss to make sure they are still around in January.
youtube converter mp4
17/01/2014 @ 4:28 am
After I originally left a comment I appear to have clicked the -Notify me
when new comments are added- checkbox and now every time a comment is added I recieve four emails
with the same comment. There has to be a way you are able to remove
me from that service? Thanks a lot!
www.youtube.com
01/02/2014 @ 5:47 pm
Admiring the commitment you put into your site and in
depth information you provide. It’s awesome to come across a blog every
once in a while that isn’t the same unwanted rehashed information.
Great read! I’ve saved your site and I’m adding your RSS feeds to
my Google account.
www.youtube.com
01/02/2014 @ 6:23 pm
Just desire to say your article is as surprising.
The clearness on your publish is simply great
and that i could think you’re knowledgeable on this subject.
Fine with your permission allow me to seize your RSS feed to keep updated with coming near near post.
Thanks a million and please carry on the rewarding work.
Clark
02/02/2014 @ 8:22 pm
An attraction on the newer techniques is they can fit into your schedule.
They can essentially be practiced over the
lunch hour. Internet research and aid from family and
friends can be sought for this.
Dentist Albany OR
04/02/2014 @ 10:40 am
I have three wonderful boys, one of these has ADHD.
Of course continue brushing, flossing and ultizing mouthwash on the daily basis.
Consultants for dentist marketing can help a dentist grow their practice or even a new dentist can make
usage of a fantastic marketing plan.
analysis
13/02/2014 @ 10:06 am
It is performed by sculpting the interior structure the nose, from the cartilage
and the bones, to make it more proportionate and fitting towards the face.
About 2 days after surgery, all surgical packing will likely
be removed in the inside in the nose, but you still
will probably be bruised and swollen for about 10
to 14 days. Cartilage will must be rebuilt to bring back a much more natural-looking nasal tip.
Royce
28/02/2014 @ 12:30 pm
Although most guiides will inform you strategies of
choosing up girls and they say that you are not ready to be
successful all the time but when you invite ten giurls you may possibly succeed with two or 3.
Maybe I will be too ideal, or too accomplished, or too boring i
always don’t think We’re. One of the most important methods is to
learn how to understand which often category a lady belongs
to.
adank
05/03/2014 @ 8:52 pm
A person actually help for making substantially articles I would point out. That is the brand new I actually went to your web website and therefore far? My spouse and i stunned with the investigation you made to build this kind of distribute awesome. Spectacular course of action!
medical staffing and hr
05/03/2014 @ 9:25 pm
Great things once and for all, you only accumulated a different viewer. What could an individual suggest in regards to the set up that you developed a week back? Any kind of guaranteed?
prc
05/03/2014 @ 9:44 pm
It is strongly suggested that any patients should cross check out the professional portfolio in the
surgeons. Choosing the proper surgeon could also make certain you do not need to
go in for revision surgery and end up paying a lot more than
you have to. Most folks that undergo the surgery are
delighted with the results and have a tremendous boost with their self-image.
county
07/03/2014 @ 1:16 am
A camera is employed to “capture” a picture on top of the laptop or
computer screen, as well as the pc is then useful to simulate the effects of surgery by drawing
modifications towards the patient image. Rhinoplasty can be performed to be able
to correct defects of the nose that existed since birth that means it is hard for the person to breath.
For the top, examine tip projection, rotation,
support, alar and columellar retraction, over-aggressive alar base reduction,
minimizing lateral crural characteristics such as
over-resection, cephalically oriented or bossa formation.
Portland rhinoplasty
12/03/2014 @ 3:09 am
The nose itself has cultural, ethnic, emotional and psychological significance.
Improved Facial Appearance and Improved Self Esteem.
The bump disturbs the harmony between your cool features
with the face.
Quinton
21/03/2014 @ 2:04 pm
Heya i am for the primary time here. I came across this board and I to find It truly helpful & it helped me out
a lot. I hope to provide one thing again and aid others like you aided me.
Ned
14/04/2014 @ 1:34 pm
Hi there very cool web site!! Man .. Excellent ..
Amazing .. I’ll bookmark your website and take the feeds additionally?
I’m satisfied to find a lot of useful info here in the post, we want work out extra strategies on this
regard, thank you for sharing. . . . . .
community
15/06/2014 @ 4:23 pm
Apart from restructuring the nose, rhinoplasty can also help in eliminating liver
spots and moles from the nose thus developing a smooth look.
At this aspect, it’s worth remembering that each patient experience is different.
The inconvenience is minimal just like along side it effects.