Tottenham Vs West Ham: Match Thread

[easley91]

And this is the lovely problem we now have in the squad strength and depth. Those not starting in the league making claims and deserve their chance. Defoe is on fire in goal scoring form and has earned this start. Soldado has done everything but score in terms of linking up play. However, we need to start scoring goals to get a bigger goal difference as that could be the decider come May. Defoe is the striker scoring goals, so it's right to start him. I sense goals today.

Those complaining either way about team selections from this season onwards need to remember that it is a squad game and there will be players who fight their way into selection for the league. We have a strong squad, why not utilize each player when they're on form? Only thing stopping Holtby from starting is Eriksen. Unfortunate, but that is like Mata not starting at Chelsea. Oscar has also played well meaning he deserves to start too. So, what do you do if you're the manager?

Not everyone can start. Not everyone can be on the bench. And the crucial thing is whoever IS on the pitch needs our support regardless.

COME ON YOU SPURS!

 

[felmani26]

Depending how the game is going, I'd be looking mainly at getting Holtby, Lamela and Soldado on.

Sandro being the back up option if somehow we're under the cosh and need to add some steel to our midfield.

That was definitely applicable last week and he didn't get a look in!

Townsend off is generally on the cards but I wouldn't put it past AVB to bring on Chadli instead of Lamela or Holtby.

 

[EnfieldYiddo]

That was definitely applicable last week and he didn't get a look in!

Townsend off is generally on the cards but I wouldn't put it past AVB to bring on Chadli instead of Lamela or Holtby.

I like Chadli but I feel there are other players ahead of him in the line for game time whether it be on merit or lack of confidence.

 

[elDiablo]

Just seen the bench. Thats without capoue, lennon, ade and kaboul. Wow. The average age would be about 23 if friedel wasn't there.

 

[gp13tot]

With wet spam likely to park the bus I think sigurdsson and Townsend in the same side could be a mistake, we need someone as well as Eriksen to pick the lock. Particularly with J.D. starting rather than the better link up of soldado. I would have holtby or lamela starting for siggy or Townsend. Don't have a prob with J.D if he is in form but slightly concerned this front three could be contained by fat Sam's boys

 

[felmani26]

Don't like Naughton at LB, AVB system requires a fast LB who can go wide and provide decent crosses, but should be good enough again West Ham.

I don't think there's anyone on this site that would say otherwise but as it stands, it is unfortunately our best option.

 

[wiggo24]

I don't really care how good our bench is, as half of the players on it should be starting today. Can see a disaster here, dunno why.

 

[THSPURS]

COYS! let's smash the pikey's!! I hate them.

 

[Blake Griffin]

What's going to be tedious (again) are the so called 'supporters' being critical of their scapegoats.

yep, when defoe and soldado put in exactly the same performance you know that one of them will get a 5 and the other a 7.

 

[Mr Pink]

Can understand AVB rewarding Defoe with a start - and he loves scoring against this lot.

Was hoping Soldado would get up and running today, but perhaps he'll get a chance late on.

Our options are incredible at the moment though.

 

[TH1239]

People want to discuss form? Well, let's talk about the league form of Defoe in the year 2013.

Jermaine Defoe has played in 16 EPL games in 2013 and has 1 goal and 1 assist on 33 shots! He has had several clear cut chances as a sub (against Palace and Chelsea) and duffed both chances. Using his form against terrible competition to justify this selection is completely wrong.

AVB better hope we beat West Ham today, because a draw will hurt us badly, as the top teams all won comfortably, and the standard has been raised majorly this season (we'll potentially need 70 points just to reach top 6, 75-80 for top 4).

 

[Macspur261]

Love to see our bench v theirs in a 7 a side lol.

 

[elDiablo]

from Steve Wilson on the beeb:

"Every one of the other 159 teams in the top seven divisions in England scored more away goals than West Ham last season. Do you need me to tell you that the Hammers' running total for away goals this season stands at nil?"

Well that's jinxed that one Stevie!!!

 

[Mr Pink]

Remember Paulinho is fresh and rested - expect him to be majorily involved today, fancy him to score actually.

 

[carpediem991]

let's start, can't wait anymore.

 

[felmani26]

I like Chadli but I feel there are other players ahead of him in the line for game time whether it be on merit or lack of confidence.

Oh I agree but after iffy decisions in the Chelsea game, I think the subs we'd like to see don't tend to materialise.

I would like to see a bit more flexibility such as switching Townsend left on occasions should the inevitable closing ranks on our right hand side materialise but lets just see what pans out first.

This should be a match that we can win with those 11 players starting first and foremost.

 

[The Spurs Lad]

The problem with Defoe starting is it suggests to me that AVB views the lack of goals from Soldado stemming directly from him and not from anything else which is wrong. Defoe scoring against abysmal opposition, of which, in his only opportunity vs, Soldado did the same, shouldn't get him starting ahead of Soldado in the league, doing so at league level, or at any level Soldado is also competing on, should justify him starting. We have seen enough of Defoe to know what he's like, him scoring vs the teams he has should mean very little given our extended knowledge of his career, he has always done that to poor sides.

It's also particularly bad man management of Soldado, who needs to be gaining confidence and not dropped from Spain and Spurs in the same week, this is a proven goal scorer who is needing game time to settle.

Most importantly, and rather annoyingly, AVB is showing that he doesn't understand the true problems in attack in that we have little to no actual support for Soldado, we have in reality one player who can thread a through ball and slip him in, we have bought a poacher and put him in a team more suited to a complete forward like Benteke, Soldado needs players like Lamela, Holtby, Eriksen behind him, not greedy, slow minded or limited creative players like Chadli, Sigurdsson, Townsend and Dembele.

It's rather worrying in fact that AVB, instead of adding to our creativity with the obvious inclusion of Lamela wide right or moving Eriksen left with Holtby central or even Holtby in for Dembele, has decided that the problem was actually Soldado and that Defoe is now more suited. It's wrong on so many levels, did he even know what type of player and support he required when signing Soldado? If we are going to continue with this lack of quick interchange, quick thinking attacking players, or even out and winger wingers(Lennon, or Townsend on left side) then we may as well have forked out the extra for Benteke so he could hold it up and bring others into play whilst creating his own chances.

Very poor by AVB overall here. However I am aware that is still something we are not allowed to say out loud so mark this post for the end of the season.

 

[DiamondLites]

Looking at that starting XI there are a few too many 'meh' players for me - 3/4 of our back line, 3/4 of or front line as well if I'm brutally honest. Really hope we can get the 3 points over the line today, Wham will park the bus and it we need to punch a hole though. Get an early goal to open the game up

 

[elDiablo]

The situation is if the squad players play well they have to be given starts as this will make them feel selection os picked on merit plus it will also give the first team players a kick up the arse

Exactly. May do Soldado a favour to come off the bench against tired Spam defence.

 

[chrissivad]

Remember Paulinho is fresh and rested - expect him to be majorily involved today, fancy him to score actually.

So is Sigy?

and Townsend while traveled had the night off