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Huddlestone

joey55

Well-Known Member
May 20, 2005
9,675
3,092
I actually thought he was pretty good today to be fair to him. I think I'm now firmly of the belief that if it's a choice between Zokora and Huddlestone then it would be Zokora every time.

It's a shame we're having to debate between such poor players though.

I thought he did pretty well today also, until the last 30 mins, when we really needed something from our midfield and they both went missing. I flew back from the US on Wednesday and during the flight I did actually think that Zokora could be useful to us, if we were to move Steed into CM. I'd then play Bale on the left and JJ on the right. Essentially we'd play as a 4312. I just think we can't play Steed on the left or right as he is so wasted there. He is a really talented player, but is only really effective in the middle. He has a good game, like he did today, every now and again, but in general I don't like him in wide positions. However, if he is to play in the middle, then i don't think we can afford to have Lennon in the same team. When Lennon plays on the right we almost play as a 433, so if we had Steed as an attacking CM, we'd be very exposed.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
I thought he did pretty well today also, until the last 30 mins, when we really needed something from our midfield and they both went missing. I flew back from the US on Wednesday and during the flight I did actually think that Zokora could be useful to us, if we were to move Steed into CM. I'd then play Bale on the left and JJ on the right. Essentially we'd play as a 4312. I just think we can't play Steed on the left or right as he is so wasted there. He is a really talented player, but is only really effective in the middle. He has a good game, like he did today, every now and again, but in general I don't like him in wide positions. However, if he is to play in the middle, then i don't think we can afford to have Lennon in the same team. When Lennon plays on the right we almost play as a 433, so if we had Steed as an attacking CM, we'd be very exposed.

I totally agree about Malbranque and I think this could work...

Lennon Zokora Malbranque Bale

I actually think Malbranque's tackling back makes him perfect for central midfield, particularly if Zokora actually plays as a defensive midfielder like he did today (particularly in the first half).

Not sure what we do whilst Bale is out though. Our squad really is poor.
 

arthurgrimsdell

Well-Known Member
Feb 16, 2004
843
826
Don't be surprised if Ramos builds the team around Huddlestone. He took fearful stick from supposed supporters today but showed his character by continually probing forwards. He was often played into trouble by receiving passes at varying heights and at varying pace, but more often than not often played himself out of trouble, by his skill and agility, which of course went quite unnoticed by his critics, who feel he has neither. A lot of his passing didn't come off, but some of it was quite superb, two or three delicious through balls and a glorious centre from the right begging to be finished by two on rushing forwards who both missed it, come to mind. Others of his passes were cut out at full stretch by defenders just managing to stop him putting strikers clear and of course when this happened he was criticised. In fact on any number of occasions he was being loudly criticised when closed down, when lo and behold he came away with the ball. It was noticeable to me, that when he became less involved towards the end, after Malbranque had been replaced by Bent, and the team resorted to nothing other than long hoofs forward, whether by Cerny or the back four, cutting out the midfield, this was the time when we lost our momentum. But I recognise I am in a minority of one and saw a different game to the rest of you.
So be it.
 

Flatters

Racist Troll
May 4, 2005
27,001
50
he was very strong on the ball. Granted his passing was overly ambitous at times but he did at least hold the ball fairly well. I am a huge huddlestone fan and have seen him play much better than this but he was not the worst player for us today.

That's what I'm saying. :)
 

Flatters

Racist Troll
May 4, 2005
27,001
50
Don't be surprised if Ramos builds the team around Huddlestone. He took fearful stick from supposed supporters today but showed his character by continually probing forwards. He was often played into trouble by receiving passes at varying heights and at varying pace, but more often than not often played himself out of trouble, by his skill and agility, which of course went quite unnoticed by his critics, who feel he has neither. A lot of his passing didn't come off, but some of it was quite superb, two or three delicious through balls and a glorious centre from the right begging to be finished by two on rushing forwards who both missed it, come to mind. Others of his passes were cut out at full stretch by defenders just managing to stop him putting strikers clear and of course when this happened he was criticised. In fact on any number of occasions he was being loudly criticised when closed down, when lo and behold he came away with the ball. It was noticeable to me, that when he became less involved towards the end, after Malbranque had been replaced by Bent, and the team resorted to nothing other than long hoofs forward, whether by Cerny or the back four, cutting out the midfield, this was the time when we lost our momentum. But I recognise I am in a minority of one and saw a different game to the rest of you.
So be it.

:bowdown:
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
Don't be surprised if Ramos builds the team around Huddlestone. He took fearful stick from supposed supporters today but showed his character by continually probing forwards. He was often played into trouble by receiving passes at varying heights and at varying pace, but more often than not often played himself out of trouble, by his skill and agility, which of course went quite unnoticed by his critics, who feel he has neither. A lot of his passing didn't come off, but some of it was quite superb, two or three delicious through balls and a glorious centre from the right begging to be finished by two on rushing forwards who both missed it, come to mind. Others of his passes were cut out at full stretch by defenders just managing to stop him putting strikers clear and of course when this happened he was criticised. In fact on any number of occasions he was being loudly criticised when closed down, when lo and behold he came away with the ball. It was noticeable to me, that when he became less involved towards the end, after Malbranque had been replaced by Bent, and the team resorted to nothing other than long hoofs forward, whether by Cerny or the back four, cutting out the midfield, this was the time when we lost our momentum. But I recognise I am in a minority of one and saw a different game to the rest of you.
So be it.

I don't think his passing ability is in question particularly. It's clear that he can pass brilliantly at times and he does have an eye for a good pass (although today his passing was woeful).

My problem is that defensively he's an absolute liability. He takes so long on the ball that he constantly gets closed down, and although he does occasionally get himself out of that pressure the odds are that it doesn't happen every time and that leaves us in massive trouble far too often. And you have to add to that problem the fact that he can't get back and cover because whichever way you spin it he's ridiculously slow.

He has ability and in a five man midfield he may be more effective. But we won't be using that any time soon. He may learn to use his skills more effectively in the future, but as I said earlier I don't want Spurs to suffer whilst he's learning. At the moment we are.
 

sidford

Well-Known Member
Oct 20, 2003
11,324
29,605
hudd was shocking today his complete lack of mobility is really showing. he cant / wont tackle so the only thing he offers is a range of passing which today he made more passes to samba then to any of the spurs players
 

SpurSince57

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2006
45,213
8,229
Funny, we had a Blackeye fan on here last week saying they'd love the Hudd to replace Tugay when he finally hangs up his Zimmer frame.

It's experience. Or lack of, in the Hudd's case.

He's very promising, but not a bona fide prodigy/genius in the way that Fabregas is.
 

AnotherSpursFan

Well-Known Member
Dec 4, 2006
1,799
1,778
I thought he did pretty well today also, until the last 30 mins, when we really needed something from our midfield and they both went missing. I flew back from the US on Wednesday and during the flight I did actually think that Zokora could be useful to us, if we were to move Steed into CM. I'd then play Bale on the left and JJ on the right. Essentially we'd play as a 4312. I just think we can't play Steed on the left or right as he is so wasted there. He is a really talented player, but is only really effective in the middle. He has a good game, like he did today, every now and again, but in general I don't like him in wide positions. However, if he is to play in the middle, then i don't think we can afford to have Lennon in the same team. When Lennon plays on the right we almost play as a 433, so if we had Steed as an attacking CM, we'd be very exposed.

Get STeed in CM already!
He's the only CM with vision.
And I think Lennon and Steed can play on the same pitch. Its up to Ramos to figure how, look at Tevez and Rooney, not many pundits had given that partnership a chance.
 

double0

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2006
14,423
12,258
I am a great admirer of Tom Huddlestone but against Blackburn it was quite evident many of the players played without confidence and fear. When BB equalized our heads were on the fall, the outcome was predictable.

One thing i admire about Huddlestone, his willingness to receive the ball and try a pass but against Blackburn some didn't come off. I personally believe Huddlestone would be an ideal player in the system Chelski play in midfield.
 

davros

Well-Known Member
Jul 16, 2005
2,887
586
Zokora and Steed in the middle for me on Wednesday.
I'd like to see that too. Steed can be very effective for us. Would be great to see him played in the middle. Maybe a youngster on the left on Wednesday rather than Tainio. Who knows what the new man will do. Maybe something really crazy to send a message to our underperforming stars.
 

yiddotilidie

Well-Known Member
Mar 23, 2005
4,002
60
Cant believe some people think that any part of The Hudds game was even average!! He was a disgrace and has hopefully played his last game for us. He is simply not good enough for us if we seriously want to break into the elite.

And the same applies for Zokora.
 

muffwah

Active Member
Feb 8, 2007
585
215
I just got back from the game, and I've heard many fans talking about how awful he was this afternoon, and I agree that his passing was very poor most of the time, but everything else about his game was fantastic. I've never seen him win the ball as much as he did today. He used his strength brilliantly, and kept the ball brilliantly as well. Just a shame his passing was so poor, but I think Huddlestone showed so much promise in today's game. We all know how good his passing can be, and if he implements that with the rest of the way he played today, he could become the midfielder we've been lacking for so long.

Oh, and Malbranque was fucking awesome for us today as well.

You weren't watching a replay of another match were you because this wasn't the game I watched. he was a passenger for 90 mins, he will NEVER be a good enough player because he is not athletic enough and he doesn't work hard enough
 

Andy

Staff
Mar 21, 2005
7,833
418
TSH you say you want Steed and Zokora in central midfield the only problem is the lack of height to win any headers(Zokora's worst part of his game is actually heading the ball) and Steed is good going forward but has tendencies to go missing for long parts of games and i couldn't even start to imagine Steed tackling back by the edge of our area,
He chases alot but how anyone can say he was fucking awesome against a poor Blackburn side need there head sorting
He put in a good performance on sunday a few were average to good at most,
An awesome one would be scoring and setting up at least one more after that not running around chasing people all game.
 

Rovers

New Member
May 6, 2007
70
0
if you wont have huddlestone blackburn will...for many blackburn fans we see him as the like for like replacement for tugay..
for a lad so young huddlestone has good qualities, im sure if blackburn signed him we would get the best out of him aswell..
 

BoringOldFan

It's better to burn out than to fade away...
Sep 20, 2005
9,955
2,498
Don't be surprised if Ramos builds the team around Huddlestone.

I wouldn't be surprised - I be f**king gobsmacked.

From all I've read about him, Ramos likes fit, fast, mobile, energetic players who can run for 90 minutes. Perhaps if they chop Hudd in half they can make two of those, but in his current state I'd say he's on Wendy's "Most Likely To Get a Bicycle At Christmas" list.

Lennon would be more his type of player. And Kevin Phipps-Bong may finally see some first-team light.
 

double0

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2006
14,423
12,258
Huddlestones a class player and will benefit more when the team gets more confidence.
 

joey55

Well-Known Member
May 20, 2005
9,675
3,092
if you wont have huddlestone blackburn will...for many blackburn fans we see him as the like for like replacement for tugay..
for a lad so young huddlestone has good qualities, im sure if blackburn signed him we would get the best out of him aswell..

I think Huddlestone would be the perfect replacement for Tugay. The problem for the Hudd is obvioulsy his mobility. People call him unfit and over weight etc but it isn't true. He's just naturally big, in the same way Crouch is naturally skinny. I really don't believe that he has been a pro footballer since he was 16 and that none of his fitness coaches have put him on a diet! There is far more to it than that. I think sports scientists would describe him as an endomorph:

Endomorphic body type is characterized by an increased amount of fat storage, due to having a larger number of fat cells than the average person, as well as higher proportion of digestive tissue. They have a wide waist and a large bone structure. (Wikipedia)

Less than 1% of footballers will be endomorphs as naturally given their body type it makes it very difficult for them to be as mobile or athletic as the other players. However, the Hudd is fantastically talented, much more so than many of our fans realise, so he is one of the few people of his body type who can actually make it at the highest level. He is just going to take much longer to develop than the average player. By the age of 20 most of the time we can tell how far a player is reallistically going to go in the game. But with the Hudd we are going to have to wait a couple more years at least, as the key for his development is to learn to read the game as well as someone like Tugay or Carrick. Until he is able to read situations and gain that extra yard in his head, his lack of mobility will be exposed. Obviously this isn't something that will happen over night and will only come through experience and time.

If he can get his positonal game and reading of the game right, then he could be one of the best in the world in his role. People will think this is an outrageous statement, but anyone who watched him in the Toulon Tournament a couple of years ago, will know what i mean. Against U20 opposition he was able to find time on the ball and he was sensational. At Prem level Tugay uses his experience to find time on the ball despite his lack of pace and if the Hudd can do likewise he'll become a special player. Even yesterday, when he was truely awful, there was still something about him that suggested he could become a top player.
 
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