Team vs. Arsenal

[Donki]

Id go for...

-----------Lloris

Walker Daws Verts BAE

----Parker ---- Moussa

Lennon --- Bale- -- Siggy

------------Ade

With Lennon Siggy and Bale interchanging from time to time, the shotting range of Siggy and Bale are a diffinite threat, I'd throw Dempsey on with 15-20mins to go if its still tight. You can say what u want about Dempsey, un attractive footballer, seems out of form, wooden etc etc but the guy knows where the net is. He came on against Lyon and within 10mins he had 2 or 3 good chances on goal.

 

[Mr Pink]

Again...depends how you dress that up mate. More ability = fancy flicks? Whatever he's done he's been completely ineffective, Dempsey may be gash but he's reasonably effective gash. If you were asking me who I wanted to see more of for the majority of the season I would hands down say Holtby. If you're talking about the NLD, all blood and guts and a goal potentially scored off someone's thigh, then I'm going for Dempo.

Sigurdsson was very bright when he came on last night, but we've seen that before. For me, Dempo plays 60 mins, tries to get one in off his foreskin, and then Sigurdsson or Holtby comes on.

Yeah agreed mate. Dempsey ain't pretty on the eye at all but there is some substance there. I could see him causing them some problems in their box for sure.

 

[theShiznit]

I think it's safe to say Bale is now set for the behind the striker role.

It's just a case of who best to play left side; Holtby, Siggy or Dempsey. And who's got the intelligence to move into the space that Bale vacates when he drifts around the pitch.

 

[felmani26]

Again...depends how you dress that up mate. More ability = fancy flicks? Whatever he's done he's been completely ineffective, Dempsey may be gash but he's reasonably effective gash. If you were asking me who I wanted to see more of for the majority of the season I would hands down say Holtby. If you're talking about the NLD, all blood and guts and a goal potentially scored off someone's thigh, then I'm going for Dempo.

Sigurdsson was very bright when he came on last night, but we've seen that before. For me, Dempo plays 60 mins, tries to get one in off his foreskin, and then Sigurdsson or Holtby comes on.

Surely though we aspire for better things than hoping Demspey skanks one in off his arse, regardless of how ineffective he is in our build up play?!

I think the NLD of all games generally promotes players with a modicum of technique and poise and whilst i'm being critical of Holtby of late, he has displayed great mentality and tenacity which should be a key attribute in a game against Arsenal.

 

[Blake Griffin]

Lennon on the counter for me here. He'll probably be up against Jenikson as well, no brainer.

only if azza's playing on the left.

 

[bubble07]

wont happen but i wish we could go with

Lloris
Walker Dawson Caulker Assou-Ekotto
Holtby Dembele
Lennon Bale Sigurdsson
Defoe

Subs: Friedel Gallas Vertonghen Parker Carroll Dempsey Adebayor (Livermore Naughton)

 

[Spurs1960]

Ade is strengthening Defoe's position in the team with every game but at leat we know he will try in this one.

This game gives a selection problem which rather depends upon where Walcott plays. If he is central Dawson and Verts are not the quickest so Caulker might be needed, if he is wide then Daws and Verts get the nod. Tough choice.

Lloris
Walker, Dawson, Vertonghen, BAE
Parker
Lennon, Holtby, Dembele, Bale
Adebayor

 

[Spurs_Bear]

Surely though we aspire for better things than hoping Demspey skanks one in off his arse, regardless of how ineffective he is in our build up play?!

I think the NLD of all games generally promotes players with a modicum of technique and poise and whilst i'm being critical of Holtby of late, he has displayed great mentality and tenacity which should be a key attribute in a game against Arsenal.

Well yeah of course we do, it was said tongue in cheek.

But we know Dempsey can get involved in the big games. We've struggled for years to score against United, we've got someone who did it home and away this year by being in the right place at the right time. I'll have that again if there's a chance.

 

[keenu]

Would play Siggy in this one as I think he played well when he came on

Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen BAE
Lennon Parker Dembele Bale
Siggy
Adebayor

 

[idontgetit]

Walcott really bothers me for this one. He'll get loads of space on the left and seems to finish like fucking Messi against us. If they're smart they'll also try and get Carzola trying to pull Walker out of position and work balls through that channel like Mata did for Chelsea. They're probably not that smart though. Hopefully. Probably. Dembele needs to strap a pair on for this game if he's going to start. I'd rather see Holtby take his spot and Thor take the role behind the striker but I doubt AVB will mess about with the midfield. At the back Verts and Dawson should be the pairing with BAE back at LB to deal with Walcott. Let's hope we get a big (and full) game from Ade

 

[brasil_spur]

I thought that Lennon was a bit shit yesterday, it's not really his fault but with Bale's new role he just doesn't seem to know how to fit in the team now.

Personally i think we should mix it up a little bit in midfield and given Arsenal something to think about. Lennon is pretty easy to mark at the moment, so i would propose:

​

--- Lloris ---​

--- Walker --- Caulker --- Verts --- Ekotto ---​

--- Parker ---​

--- Holtby --- Dembele --- Siggy ---​

--- Bale ---​

--- Ade ---​

 

[felmani26]

Well yeah of course we do, it was said tongue in cheek.

But we know Dempsey can get involved in the big games. We've struggled for years to score against United, we've got someone who did it home and away this year by being in the right place at the right time. I'll have that again if there's a chance.

I appreciate where you're coming from with Dempsey and his knack of scoring crucial goals but his con's far outweigh his pro's and does not warrant a place in the first 11.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

I appreciate where you're coming from with Dempsey and his knack of scoring crucial goals but his con's far outweigh his pro's and does not warrant a place in the first 11.

Which I'm not disagreeing with if we had VdV to come in. But we don't. I wouldn't shit myself if Sigurdsson started, but Holtby has as of yet offered nothing and ended up being hooked at 60 odd mins anyway.

 

[mark87]

There any chance Defoe might be able to make the bench for this one or is it too soon?

 

[Deleted member 22380]

I don't want Adebayor to start given what happened last time and also the fact he is horribly out of form. This is a bold move but I would start Siguardsson upfront in the 'Spain false 9' role. I think the tap in goal has boosted his confidence and I think he is due for a big game.

My team:

---------------Lloris---------------
Walker-Gallas-Vertonghen-Assou-Ekotto
---------Parker-Dembele--------
Lennon-----Holtby----------Bale
------------Siguardsson-----------

Bench: Friedal, Naughton, Dawson, Livermore, Carroll, Dempsey (if fit), Adebayor

 

[felmani26]

Which I'm not disagreeing with if we had VdV to come in. But we don't. I wouldn't shit myself if Sigurdsson started, but Holtby has as of yet offered nothing and ended up being hooked at 60 odd mins anyway.

I just think the whole side from an attacking sense don't click until well into the second half where the opposition tire of restricting the space between the midfield and defence and generally the game is then stretched which suits us. I think Holtby would be good in this sense coming off the bench to take advantage of tired legs but there does seem to be a starting position in this team that no one is really claiming as their own.

It goes without saying though, we need to start finding goals from other players not named Gareth Bale.

 

[Spurs_Bear]

I just think the whole side from an attacking sense don't click until well into the second half where the opposition tire of restricting the space between the midfield and defence and generally the game is then stretched which suits us. I think Holtby would be good in this sense coming off the bench to take advantage of tired legs but there does seem to be a starting position in this team that no one is really claiming as their own.

It goes without saying though, we need to start finding goals from other players not named Gareth Bale.

Absolutely. It's why I'm not necessarily a massive fan of Bale having this total 'free role' to do as he pleases. I want him nominally starting on the left, then destroying teams when the game becomes stretched as you mentioned. Ronaldo has a nominal starting position, Bale needs to have one too in my opinion, otherwise it descends quickly into playground football.

 

[Syn_13]

I thought that Lennon was a bit shit yesterday, it's not really his fault but with Bale's new role he just doesn't seem to know how to fit in the team now.

Personally i think we should mix it up a little bit in midfield and given Arsenal something to think about. Lennon is pretty easy to mark at the moment, so i would propose:

​

--- Lloris ---​

--- Walker --- Caulker --- Verts --- Ekotto ---​

--- Parker ---​

--- Holtby --- Dembele --- Siggy ---​

--- Bale ---​

--- Ade ---​

This is actually a pretty good point. First half of the season I thought Lennon was one of our best players, but since Bale's been on his run Lennon seems a bit lost. We aren't really playing with traditional wingers now (which seems to be part of the AVB philosophy) and Lennon will struggle as he's very much a traditional winger.

It's almost like we're now playing with 3 attacking midfielders that freely roam than 2 wingers and an attacking mid (similar to Chelsea's Mata/Oscar/Hazard combination). I like Lennon a lot and I think he certainly has a place within the squad but with the way we're currently set up perhaps Sigurdsson or Dempsey would be a better option.

Having said that it all depends on who Arsenal have at left back. I've not seen Monreal play, I don't know he's a good tackler or how quick he is. If he's sluggish or if Vermaelen plays there then Lennon should try and exploit him. If he plays as an inverse winger I could see him causing Sagna problems as Sagna's form has been dire since returning from injury. So I wouldn't count him out yet.

 

[robin09]

I'd play the same team as last night. The only change I'd have to think about is whether to start Holtby or Siggy.

I like Holtby's intensity, and it would probably be welcome in a NLD, but Siggy seems a bit more dangerous in the final 3rd.

 

[felmani26]

Absolutely. It's why I'm not necessarily a massive fan of Bale having this total 'free role' to do as he pleases. I want him nominally starting on the left, then destroying teams when the game becomes stretched as you mentioned. Ronaldo has a nominal starting position, Bale needs to have one too in my opinion, otherwise it descends quickly into playground football.

I'm with you totally on this one as otherwise our left flank is basically Vertonghen or BAE and totally congests the middle of the park.