After today’s match I philosophized (if that is a correct English verb) about our midfield, thinking of possible formations with different players. Our midfield has been subject to much change and much inconsistency, especially and understandably now with a new manager in charge. What would be your ideal and realistic answer for our midfield? ‘In short’, I myself came to the following conclusion:
I think the key to better results and, almost as important, better football is Eriksen. I say Eriksen and not for example Holtby because i think he is destined for bigger things than him, and not our wingers because they are dependent on the creativity of our midfield. We should not burden him with defensive tasks like today playing him in a two-man midfield (with Holtby ffs). The way to go with our midfield in my opinion, looking at our current set of midfielders and to let Eriksen, our (potentially) best midfielder, excel is to use him and construct our midfield like Ajax did and still does.
One 'defensive' (or 'constructive', as Cruyff and de Boer don't like that word) midfielder whose task should be to boss the opponents' attacking midfielder and as soon as he has the ball should pass it to one of the two other midfielders, preferably the more creative one. The second midfielder should be our, nowadays hot term, box-to-box midfielder, whose task should be to defend ánd attack, possessing technique, stamina, power and the ability to score a goal. The third and final midfielder is the most important one of the three and should, in an ideal situation, be your best player. Eriksen should be this player, in a free roll, free of any tasks. De Boer recognized his class and talent at Ajax and gave him this role, Eriksen in turn paid him back with smart passes, through balls, goals, assists, vision etc.
I know this is a different league and different football is played here, but I think considering Spurs strive for attacking football, our midfield options and most importantly Eriksen’s qualities, a midfield three sketched as above could well be the answer to our midfield inconsistency and lack of creativity.
What do you guys think about our midfield? Should we go with three in the middle (and thus three up top, classic 4-3-3) or not? What do you guys think is our best option formation wise, and who should play? Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
I think the key to better results and, almost as important, better football is Eriksen. I say Eriksen and not for example Holtby because i think he is destined for bigger things than him, and not our wingers because they are dependent on the creativity of our midfield. We should not burden him with defensive tasks like today playing him in a two-man midfield (with Holtby ffs). The way to go with our midfield in my opinion, looking at our current set of midfielders and to let Eriksen, our (potentially) best midfielder, excel is to use him and construct our midfield like Ajax did and still does.
One 'defensive' (or 'constructive', as Cruyff and de Boer don't like that word) midfielder whose task should be to boss the opponents' attacking midfielder and as soon as he has the ball should pass it to one of the two other midfielders, preferably the more creative one. The second midfielder should be our, nowadays hot term, box-to-box midfielder, whose task should be to defend ánd attack, possessing technique, stamina, power and the ability to score a goal. The third and final midfielder is the most important one of the three and should, in an ideal situation, be your best player. Eriksen should be this player, in a free roll, free of any tasks. De Boer recognized his class and talent at Ajax and gave him this role, Eriksen in turn paid him back with smart passes, through balls, goals, assists, vision etc.
I know this is a different league and different football is played here, but I think considering Spurs strive for attacking football, our midfield options and most importantly Eriksen’s qualities, a midfield three sketched as above could well be the answer to our midfield inconsistency and lack of creativity.
What do you guys think about our midfield? Should we go with three in the middle (and thus three up top, classic 4-3-3) or not? What do you guys think is our best option formation wise, and who should play? Would love to hear your thoughts and ideas.
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