Team for City

[chrissivad]

Over a shorter distance i would go with Defoe, and a longer distance with Ade.

Neither have pace like Lennon or Bale, but at the same time they can move when they want to.
Nike had Defoe in their advertising campaign for one of their new boots back in 2008 and along with Lennon and Bentley (shame we never saw this pace...) showed their speed with and with out the ball

The sprint parade top 10, commissioned by Nike and put together by Opta Sportsdata, is as follows (the first figure is to the ball, the second with it):
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd): 20.9mph -- 20.8mph
2. Andrew Johnson (Everton): 20.6 -- 20.7
3. Fernando Torres (Liverpool): 20.5 -- 20.6
4. Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland): 20.7 -- 20.2
5. Ashley Young (Aston Villa): 20.4 -- 20.3
6. Aaron Lennon (Tottenham): 20.6 -- 19.6
7. Cameron Jerome (Birmingham): 20.3 -- 20.1
8. Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea): 18.9 -- 21.2
9. Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth): 20.4 -- 19.2
10. David Bentley (Blackburn): 20.0 -- 19.8

 

[playboypaul]

Instead of worrying what City are doing, its important that we pick our best 11 to win the game and make them worry about us.

This.

 

[playboypaul]

Over a shorter distance i would go with Defoe, and a longer distance with Ade.

Neither have pace like Lennon or Bale, but at the same time they can move when they want to.
Nike had Defoe in their advertising campaign for one of their new boots back in 2008 and along with Lennon and Bentley (shame we never saw this pace...) showed their speed with and with out the ball

The sprint parade top 10, commissioned by Nike and put together by Opta Sportsdata, is as follows (the first figure is to the ball, the second with it):
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd): 20.9mph -- 20.8mph
2. Andrew Johnson (Everton): 20.6 -- 20.7
3. Fernando Torres (Liverpool): 20.5 -- 20.6
4. Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland): 20.7 -- 20.2
5. Ashley Young (Aston Villa): 20.4 -- 20.3
6. Aaron Lennon (Tottenham): 20.6 -- 19.6
7. Cameron Jerome (Birmingham): 20.3 -- 20.1
8. Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea): 18.9 -- 21.2
9. Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth): 20.4 -- 19.2
10. David Bentley (Blackburn): 20.0 -- 19.8

Really surprised to see SWP as the slowest without the ball, even behind Bentley. That's a weird one. Then with the ball, he is the fastest. ??!!

 

[bubble07]

how on earth can someone be quicker with the ball then without the ball?!!

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Over a shorter distance i would go with Defoe, and a longer distance with Ade.

Neither have pace like Lennon or Bale, but at the same time they can move when they want to.
Nike had Defoe in their advertising campaign for one of their new boots back in 2008 and along with Lennon and Bentley (shame we never saw this pace...) showed their speed with and with out the ball

The sprint parade top 10, commissioned by Nike and put together by Opta Sportsdata, is as follows (the first figure is to the ball, the second with it):
1. Cristiano Ronaldo (Man Utd): 20.9mph -- 20.8mph
2. Andrew Johnson (Everton): 20.6 -- 20.7
3. Fernando Torres (Liverpool): 20.5 -- 20.6
4. Kenwyne Jones (Sunderland): 20.7 -- 20.2
5. Ashley Young (Aston Villa): 20.4 -- 20.3
6. Aaron Lennon (Tottenham): 20.6 -- 19.6
7. Cameron Jerome (Birmingham): 20.3 -- 20.1
8. Shaun Wright-Phillips (Chelsea): 18.9 -- 21.2
9. Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth): 20.4 -- 19.2
10. David Bentley (Blackburn): 20.0 -- 19.8

To be fair, those stats got laughed at first time they were published, and for good reason too mate.

Bentley quicker with the ball than Lennon? Not for me.

 

[lennon4england]

Really surprised to see SWP as the slowest without the ball, even behind Bentley. That's a weird one. Then with the ball, he is the fastest. ??!!

The guy with the stop watch was definitely late in clicking when he reached the ball, making his first split slow but his second split superhuman.

His combined time is around the same as the likes of Cameron Jerome which makes sense.

 

[ThorntonSpur]

bale, lennon and kaboul at best on the bench I think unless AVB throws in a spoiler to thew run up aND BALE APPEARS As starting 20 mins before kick off.

expect to see.

Loris

walker dawson caulker verts

parker dembele

Dempsey holtby siggy

ade

would like to see

loris
walker dawson verts BAE

carroll parker dembele

lennon bale siggy

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Exaggeration.

Defoe has never been blistering, but he's always been able to beat a player with the ball at his feet and when we first signed him he did this with some regularity. That suggests at least some pace. The fact that in the last couple of years he does it with less regularity suggests that his pace has decreased, meaning that he had some to lose in the first place. See his goal this season at home v West Ham, or in 2004 at home v Arsenal, those goals are quite literally impossible to score without having some pace. Yes, he's not the best at reaching a through ball, and yes, once he gets going Adebayor is probably quicker, but to say that Defoe's pace is a myth is hugely exaggerative.

I have to say, if I only knew Defoe from what I read on SC, and had never seen him play, I'd be at a loss to explain how this weak, slow, devoid of technique midget who can't place a shot has ever managed to make it up to being one of our highest ever goalscorers.

He's not a top class striker and we should be looking to upgrade him, but the level of damnation the guy gets is ridiculous. But then again, Lennon, Parker, Dawson, Jenas, Huddlestone, Walker, Robinson, Keane, Bent, and many others who ranged between decent and excellent for us have always been judged far more for their flaws than their qualities. There is a genuine fear of the home grown on this site (not aimed at you Bear, just a general rant which my tangent turned into).

I think I agree with you in the ball control stakes, Defoe does have good close control, certainly better than Adebayor. But for me his pace has always been a bit of a myth, I'm referring to his pace almost without the ball more, as I don't really think he beats players with pace, it's more his footwork. Both goals you have quoted were great goals no doubt, but I think they were more to do with his control and power of shot than pace. Just my opinion like.

I don't think Adebayor is grease lightening, but he can shift when he wants to, I guess what I took exception to was "I would have Defoe in for his pace", as I don't really see how that would benefit us.

 

[ThorntonSpur]

question is,
if both fit would you choose defoe or adebayor for the remaining games or alternate?

 

[Cavehillspur]

question is,
if both fit would you choose defoe or adebayor for the remaining games or alternate?

I would always pick Ade but dont know anymore, they've both been absolutely hopeless this year. I think we'll be relying on goals from elsewhere until the end of the season.

After the City game I could see AVB maybe starting both at home to freshen things up.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

question is,
if both fit would you choose defoe or adebayor for the remaining games or alternate?

Adebayor. If he wasn't fit I'd pick Coulthirst.

Defoe is in that mode where because he hasn't scored since Boxing Day, he's even more selfish than he usually is. A Defoe not on form is not someone you really want playing for your team. Neither is Adebayor obviously, but he at least may shin one to a teammate who can then score.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Adebayor. If he wasn't fit I'd pick Coulthirst.

Defoe is in that mode where because he hasn't scored since Boxing Day, he's even more selfish than he usually is. A Defoe not on form is not someone you really want playing for your team. Neither is Adebayor obviously, but he at least may shin one to a teammate who can then score.

This is absolutely spot on. The guy only thinks in terms of his own personal goal tally and if he is on a barren run then he is even greedier than usual. It would be alright if that meant he went on to score a load more goals between now and the end of the season but we all know that will never happen.

 

[spursfan77]

Just seen the training pics on Facebook from today. No bale or Lennon out there. Really not looking good for Sunday at this rate.

 

[Don_Felipe]

I've not seen this done much - so there's probably a good reason for it...

But.... If I can have Bale and Lennon on the bench, I would - then try and keep it really tight, scrappy and nasty for the first hour - hope that one bounces in off Ade's arse or something.

Then after City have been worn down a bit by the 60 minute mark, bring on the fresh-as-a-pair-of-daisies Bale and Lennon and tear them many new ones....

Probably loads of reasons why that's a bad idea, but I like it...

 

[Syn_13]

question is,
if both fit would you choose defoe or adebayor for the remaining games or alternate?

It's like asking if you want a poke in the eye or a kick in the shins. I'd take the poke in the eye, which I believe translates for Adebayor.

 

[E17yid]

Just seen the training pics on Facebook from today. No bale or Lennon out there. Really not looking good for Sunday at this rate.

Plenty of time left yet mate. They ain't going to be rushed.

 

[balalasaurus]

not really sure what to expect with the back four but i think we'll look something like

lloris​

walker dawson caulker verts​

holtby parker​

dembele dempsey sigurdsson​

adebayor​

​

subs: friedel, huddlestone, carroll, livermore, coulthirst, BAE, naughton

​

not happy about it but i think that's the team we'll show on game day. i think this is the kind of game that AVB will really use to show his tactical nous as city pretty much have better players in every position. we'll need to really do our best to contain silva, nasri and yaya so im thinking it'll be a game of few opportunities for us as we focus on cutting the supply to the front and striking on the counter​

 

[ajspurs]

not really sure what to expect with the back four but i think we'll look something like

lloris​

walker dawson caulker verts​

holtby parker​

dembele dempsey sigurdsson​

adebayor​

​

subs: friedel, huddlestone, carroll, livermore, coulthirst, BAE, naughton

​

not happy about it but i think that's the team we'll show on game day. i think this is the kind of game that AVB will really use to show his tactical nous as city pretty much have better players in every position. we'll need to really do our best to contain silva, nasri and yaya so im thinking it'll be a game of few opportunities for us as we focus on cutting the supply to the front and striking on the counter​

That would be horrible, we would not win with that team, a draw at best. All in my opinion of course.

 

[balalasaurus]

That would be horrible, we would not win with that team, a draw at best. All in my opinion of course.

Fair enough. Like I said its the team I expect to see not the team I would choose myself. I didn't see any pics of azza or gazza on the training pitch today so I doubt we'll see them on the weekend.

 

[E17yid]

Fair enough. Like I said its the team I expect to see not the team I would choose myself. I didn't see any pics of azza or gazza on the training pitch today so I doubt we'll see them on the weekend.

Wasn't it the first day back training today? I wouldn't rule them out yet