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Squad Assessment 2011/2012 - The Midfield

Rob

The Boss
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Jun 8, 2003
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Having already looked at our defence and concluded that things should be quite straightforward, it’s time to look at the midfield.

Unfortunately, the midfield is a lot more complicated so to simplify it I’ll start off by doing what Arry’s failed to do so far, ship out the deadwood. Bentley and Jenas are gone. To whom and more importantly to Levy, for how much, is an issue that needs to be addressed soon as it’s dragged on for far too long.

The next difficulty with the midfield is that we are on the verge of signing Diarra but it’s not yet completed. For the purposes of this article I’m going to assume that he won't sign but if he does, Palacios is also sold.

Finally, I believe that a 5-man midfield is the way we’ll play and with that taken into consideration, the selection of the midfield is not that difficult

Modric and Sandro are a great pairing in the centre and if we manage to keep both I’m confident that over the next few seasons they could truly develop into a world-class partnership. Bale and Lennon for the flanks is the obvious choice and the one I think Arry will go with but I’ll go on record here saying that I don’t think Lennon’s progressed anywhere near as much as he should have. Whether that’s down to our awful strikers or his own fault I‘m not sure and I feel that’s the only reason we haven’t shipped him out yet. If we get a decent target man in the box and Lennon still fails to fulfil his potential then I’m afraid that should be the end of him. Having said that, for now he’s what we have and makes the team.

That just leaves Van der Vaart to play in the advanced floating role. If he was more comfortable on the right, I’d immediately play him there over Lennon but I feel he’s more comfortable in the centre where he can link play more effectively.

With the first choice picked, it’s maybe worth making a few comments on the remaining players. I’m a big Kranjcar fan. I would absolutely love it if we could find a permanent role for him in the team and feel that the way that Arry’s treated him has been criminal. When you look at most of our teams over the last 10 years, Kranjcar would have been our star player, on a par in terms of ability with Ginola or Teddy. If he was a bit stronger and a bit faster I’d even consider playing him up front (I almost suggested playing Bale up front given the truly awful form of our so-called strikers). His ability to play right across the middle could have Kranjcar acting as cover for VDV, Modric, Bale or Lennon but he deserves first team football and we just can’t offer him that. If we could loan Kranjcar out to give him the chance he wants then that would suit everybody involved...

In complete contrast, Steven Pienaar. He’s done absolutely nothing to impress since his arrival from Everton and if we could I’d happily add him to the deadwood category and ship him out, favouring the likes of Livermore or Townsend if it comes to it. Unfortunately Arry seems to see something we don’t and I expect him to continue to act as the versatile midfield substitute, rather than Kranjcar who we should have in that role.

Having gone from the sublime in Kranjcar to the ridiculous in Pienaar, we’re left somewhere in between with Huddlestone. His great technical ability and vision compensate for a frightening lack of pace and positional sense. With 3 or 4 better players in front of him, I can only see Tom playing a bit-part this season, even more so if we complete the signing of Diarra. Personally I’d sell him while his stock is relatively high and while clubs like Liverpool appear to have money to burn and are willing to pay highly for the English premium.

Again, with no major signings made we're much the same as last season with:

Code:
                          VDV

Bale           Modric          Sandro         Lennon
Whilst an extremely talented line-up, personally I'd rather see this which I feel would fair much better against the more physical teams that we failed to press effectively last season:

Code:
Bale                                                VDV
         Modric         Diarra       Sandro


Unfortunately for now, we have what we and until it changes this is what I'd do with it:

Aaron Lennon
Gareth Bale
Rafael Van der Vaart
Sandro
Luka Modric
Niko Kranjcar
Tom Huddlestone (sold for the right money)
Steven Pienaar (sold if we promote some of the young players)
Jake Livermore
Andros Townsend

David Bentley
Jermaine Jenas
Wilson Palacios


(first choice, sub/Euro games, loaned out/given chances in Europe, surplus to requirements)
 

Rob

The Boss
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whys harry failed to shift the deadwood?i thought that was levys job.please explain

Fair point, they're both to blame. Has Arry always let his chairman do the deals for him and dictate who can stay or who has to go? If Arry said, "I don't rate Keane/Bentley/Jenas, sell him for whatever you can as I have no intention of playing him" do you reckon Levy would still mess around?
 

drnbean

Member
Aug 12, 2004
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In a similar role as Modric, but with different attributes and style, Hudd can control the tempo of the team and make the midfield tick. When Modric is out of the team due to injury or rested or the post Modric era (in a year ot two?), Hudd's contribution will be important. I would like to see him score a few more goals, but Modric has also been promising to improve in this department for the last couple of seasons to no avail. You might have commented on Rose and Walker's possible roles on the wings?
 

JimmyG2

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Dec 7, 2006
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Palacios, at one time the greatest thing since the invention of the wheel, should be kept until Sandro recovers and sold at Xmas.

I like Kranjcar but would sell him before Huddlestone.
Actually I would keep them both.
Agree about Piennar.

None of our 'targets', Diarra for example are remotely within our wage structure.

Lennon would benefit greatly from forwards who attack the near post or the six yard box. He is a real threat and with Bale stretches the opposition back line.
He has consistently set up chances,
spurned by Kranjcar against Bilbao, numerous times by Modrich and consistently by our forwards.
 

Chedozie

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May 19, 2005
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Why would you want to sell Huddlestone? He is getting better and better.
 

Rob

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Why would you want to sell Huddlestone? He is getting better and better.

Is he really though? He's not good enough to play passes at the Modric/VDV pace and any opposition midfield runs rings around him.

He's very talented and can hit the hollywood pass but his pace and positional sense is very poor. Like I said, I'd cash in whilst people are paying a high premium for English players, especially if we sign Diarra who'd definitely start ahead of him.
 

double0

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Aug 29, 2006
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I don't agree with your views on Huddlestone and Lennon. Personally we're a better team with Huddlestone, amusingly as it may sounds I believe a quicker team. It shouldn't be a surprise Lennons at his best when Huddlestone in middle his range of passing gets us playing more expansively, season 2009/2010 when we finished 4Th was Huddlestone's first true season as first choice he was outstanding.

Palacios really does not need to be sold and we really don't need Diarra if that's the case before buying a main intelligent striker who can be the epicentre, focus of our attacks.
 

ethanedwards

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Nov 24, 2006
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Is he really though? He's not good enough to play passes at the Modric/VDV pace and any opposition midfield runs rings around him.

He's very talented and can hit the hollywood pass but his pace and positional sense is very poor. Like I said, I'd cash in whilst people are paying a high premium for English players, especially if we sign Diarra who'd definitely start ahead of him.
Agree Rob, I would sell him at a reasonable price, haven't seen any major improvement either.
 

Legacy

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Mar 29, 2007
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Is he really though? He's not good enough to play passes at the Modric/VDV pace and any opposition midfield runs rings around him.

He's very talented and can hit the hollywood pass but his pace and positional sense is very poor. Like I said, I'd cash in whilst people are paying a high premium for English players, especially if we sign Diarra who'd definitely start ahead of him.
I agree. I'm not happy about it, as I've been following his career since he was a teenager at Derby. Always thought he'd go on to be one of the country's great players.

He's developed into a good player and in the right system, maybe in a different country, he could be fantastic in a team. But for Spurs, and in the Premier League, he just doesn't have the reflexes and quick movement to complement his passing ability. Nor does he have the positioning and tackling skills to be a great defensive midfielder. And for all the praise he receives for his ability to hit a sweet shot, he scores nowhere near enough goals, or even hit the target regularly enough.

I was delighted a couple of seasons ago when he'd pushed himself into the first team and seemed to be improving after every game, but he's very much hit the ceiling for us, I feel. I'd be very saddened to see him go, but I'd completely understand if we did cash in on him.
 

hibberni

New Member
Aug 11, 2011
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I have to agree with your views on Huddlestone. For me he disappoints on too many occasions. I watched him wandering around in no-mans land against Bilbao ball watching and unaware of opposition players' movements.
If he remains in the squad I would prefer to see him played in a more forward position, even perhaps as a VDV substitute. At least there if he gives away a free kick it won't be just in front of our box!
 

Chedozie

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May 19, 2005
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Is he really though? He's not good enough to play passes at the Modric/VDV pace and any opposition midfield runs rings around him.

He's very talented and can hit the hollywood pass but his pace and positional sense is very poor. Like I said, I'd cash in whilst people are paying a high premium for English players, especially if we sign Diarra who'd definitely start ahead of him.


Whilst there is no denying that Diarra might start ahead of him, that for me is no reason to sell him, Diarra might get injured as Modric did.

Huddlestone is still only 24, look at him now compared to the player he was three seasons ago, where might he be in 3 years time and still aged 27.

Pace isn't a vital ingredient for central midfield, Poyet, Fabregas, Lampard are/were no faster than Huddlestone.

If your reading Tom and we know you do, you have a place in my squad/team.
 

Rob

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Whilst there is no denying that Diarra might start ahead of him, that for me is no reason to sell him, Diarra might get injured as Modric did.

Huddlestone is still only 24, look at him now compared to the player he was three seasons ago, where might he be in 3 years time and still aged 27.

Pace isn't a vital ingredient for central midfield, Poyet, Fabregas, Lampard are/were no faster than Huddlestone.

If your reading Tom and we know you do, you have a place in my squad/team.

Whilst I agree pace isn't necessary it needs to be compensated for with either aggression, positioning, awareness, etc and Huddlestone is poor in all of these areas. If we played Huddlestone alongside Sandro and Diarra then it might work but I just don't think Hudd has the quickness of thought that the likes of Modric have to make us tick.
 

Rob

The Boss
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Jun 8, 2003
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So a post stating the Obvious. Thanks

Don't be a nob. I posted some thoughts on our current squad, not all of them "obvious" as I'm championing Kranjcar more than most and suggesting that Huddlestone and Lennon should be moved on if we can.

Even if it was just stating the obvious, it's the type of post that is meant to stimulate some discussion (which it seems to be doing successfully).
 

postigol

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Aug 4, 2003
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Pardon the comparison (or perhaps welcome it) but our best attacking 6 bears more than a passing resemblance to Ars*nal's double-winning lineup from 1998:

Parlour(Lennon) Vierra(Sandro/Diarra) Petit(Modric) Overmars(Bale)
Bergkamp(VdV)

Anelka(newFrontMan)
 
Sep 22, 2003
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I agree with most except with moving Huddlestone on (I think Chedozie is spot on Huddlestone's improvements are there to see in a way that wasn't there before 'Arry) I think he was massively underated for us last season. I know he wasn't at his best before he got injured and certainly nowhere near it after but he is usually on the pitch when we play our best. His passing range with both feet is too vital.

When he partnered Modric, Modders played much higher up the pitch and was much more influential. I for one think Modric to Chelsea is a done deal (to the point that Gaffer and Boss may be at loggerheads but 'Arry will win any argument saying how much disruption keeping will cause us).

I think our central midfield four will be Diarra (or failing him Parker), Sandro, Huddlestone, and VdV. Playing VdV there will allow two strikers which 'Arry has always preferred.

With wide men being Bale, Lennon, Krancjar and Pienaar. With two of them being able to get some more games this season by filling in in the centre too.
 
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