Huddlestone

[gregga]

Amazing then that Modric has outscored Huddelstone every one of the last three years.




Because this is nonsense. Huddlestone was awful against Arsenal and Chelsea - in the two games you are referring to - giving the ball away 36% of a meagre 42 attempts against Arsenal and 34% of an even more meagre 32 attempts against chelsea. He was virtually anonymous in both games, they were possibly the worst 2 performances by a central midfielder for spurs all season.

Agreed that Hudd was dreadful in some games at the back end of last season. The Arsenal game in particular was a disgrace, depsite the cracking goal.

Last season was generally a write-off for him though as injuries prevented him from building up any sort of momentum.

He will certainly have an important part to play next season, especially if Modric leaves.

Personally I can see him thriving next to Sandro as he did when he played alongside Wilson.

 

[Stavrogin]

Amazing then that Modric has outscored Huddelstone every one of the last three years.




Because this is nonsense. Huddlestone was awful against Arsenal and Chelsea - in the two games you are referring to - giving the ball away 36% of a meagre 42 attempts against Arsenal and 34% of an even more meagre 32 attempts against chelsea. He was virtually anonymous in both games, they were possibly the worst 2 performances by a central midfielder for spurs all season.

I know you're not serious but the joke wasn't really funny in the first place...

Although I do like the 'worst 2 performances by a central midfielder for spurs all season' - but no one bite :razz:

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Agreed that Hudd was dreadful in some games at the back end of last season. The Arsenal game in particular was a disgrace, depsite the cracking goal.

Last season was generally a write-off for him though as injuries prevented him from building up any sort of momentum.

He will certainly have an important part to play next season, especially if Modric leaves.

Personally I can see him thriving next to Sandro as he did when he played alongside Wilson.

Huddelstone will thrive next to anyone who has the capability to do two peoples work.

 

[kaz Hirai]

huddlestone is way too slow and lacks the dribbling attributes to play next to another holding midfield for me

 

[THOWIG]

huddlestone is way too slow and lacks the dribbling attributes to play next to another holding midfield for me

He doesn't need to dribble. He needs to find space and pass the ball.

If Modric is sold I do think he needs replacing. Although we are all forgetting a certain Mr Pienaar who could easily work alongside Sandro/Palacios in the centre of midfield.

There are Modric replacements out there.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

He doesn't need to dribble. He needs to find space and pass the ball.

If Modric is sold I do think he needs replacing. Although we are all forgetting a certain Mr Pienaar who could easily work alongside Sandro/Palacios in the centre of midfield.

There are Modric replacements out there.

I thought this was why we bought Pienaar to be honest, as an alternative box to box player to Jenas and I wouldn't mind seeing him given the odd game there.

With regards to dribbling, Huddlestone doesn't need to be Ginola, but being able to step away from a pressing opponent is a minimum requirement for any footballer, let alone a CM. Huddelstone struggles to do this and is easily pressed out of passing accurately, which contributes to his poor pass completion record, rendering him the worst of all of our CM options for ball retention. And his off the ball movement isn't great either - some days better than others, and in some sections of games (usually first half) it's better than others.

 

[alex3]

real madrid midfield is:

di maria alonso khedira ronaldo

ozil

 

[THOWIG]

I thought this was why we bought Pienaar to be honest, as an alternative box to box player to Jenas and I wouldn't mind seeing him given the odd game there.

With regards to dribbling, Huddlestone doesn't need to be Ginola, but being able to step away from a pressing opponent is a minimum requirement for any footballer, let alone a CM. Huddelstone struggles to do this and is easily pressed out of passing accurately, which contributes to his poor pass completion record, rendering him the worst of all of our CM options for ball retention. And his off the ball movement isn't great either - some days better than others, and in some sections of games (usually first half) it's better than others.

I'm more of a fan than you are BC, but I have to admit its time to deliver for Huddlestone this season.

Sandro Pienaar

Van der Vaart

Could be a strong midfield three.

 

[Viva la Tottenham]

Hudd is a good player who had a difficult season last year. His size does hinder him though as anytime he gets an injury or can't train hard he packs the pounds on and looks real sluggish. Last season when he came back from the long injury he looked way out of shape. Hudd in top condition though is a very valuable asset. Because of his size Hudd can't ever really let up on fitness and has to keep himself on a strict diet which I don't think the ketchup man does because his weight fluctuates so much. Next season will be huge for him as with Modric acting a twat, Hudd has the ability to control games for us and playing along side Sandro he could be great. Hudd sitting with Sandro hunting has the makings of a top partnership.

 

[thetallaghttiger]

If Hudd became more mobile with a bit of agility and speed he would be outstanding. Still, one of the best passers of the ball in the league imo, and he keeps possession for us very well. Plus he is still young and can improve.

Certainly better than the likes of Adam and Henderson imo.

I agree that Hudd is a great player, but sadly to say he's better than Adam or Henderson might not be true.

Henderson is a player who will improve greatly IMO now that he has moved from Sunderland.

In the case of Charlie Adam, he will score goals for whoever he plays for and score enough to make a big difference in a team's season - similar to that of VDV and Bale.

The Hudd has yet to do this for us in his time in the first team, and I expect that to continue with his form only producing 2-3 goals a season.

 

[YiddoJames]

This is what I don't get. How can you say such things when Huddlestone's best games (and the team's in general) were against the toughest opposition?

I don't think there's a player who's so misunderstood. He didn't have trouble getting into the team last year etc. etc.

It's as if everything he does or every improvement he makes is instantly forgotten. Some people have an agenda against him, them I can understand, but the rest of you?

Is there like a Huddlestone hemisphere of the brain, if its connection becomes severed do you lose the ability to perceive him?

I agree with you

 

[YiddoJames]

The most natural striker of a Football at the club, when on form his range of passing is excellent.

One of my fave Spurs players. I still think he'd make an excellent Desailly like Centre back.

I've wondered how he'd do as the 'floating' or sweeper type player in a 3 man central defence playing 3-5-2.

He can step up and play his superb long passes to the wings and has done generally very well as CB when called upon even in a 4-4-2

 

[sloth]

After reading alot of thoughts on the modric situation and future transfers, I am shocked to find how unappreciated he has become, I personally feel he has been one of our underrated players over the last two year

Last year in the matches we played I thought missed him, more than our other long term absentees(bar King), and a stat I shocked learn to that in the PL matches where he completed at least 30 mins in, we won 6 drew 5 and only lost 2, and those losses we against west ham and wigan where our strikers fluffed more chances than Carlton Cole

I think him and modric are very close in ability in terms of passing but modric's agility and change of speed allow to get more involved, I also think modric plays better when hudd is in the team and get each other to play to each other strengths

For me Hudd is a starter and a midfield trio of Modric or VDV, Hudd and Sandro would be great next year if only we could get that striker we need

This is what I don't get. How can you say such things when Huddlestone's best games (and the team's in general) were against the toughest opposition?

I don't think there's a player who's so misunderstood. He didn't have trouble getting into the team last year etc. etc.

It's as if everything he does or every improvement he makes is instantly forgotten. Some people have an agenda against him, them I can understand, but the rest of you?

Is there like a Huddlestone hemisphere of the brain, if its connection becomes severed do you lose the ability to perceive him?

Huddlestone is quite good, but he flatters to deceive.

Here's a question, if we put him on the market what level of teams would snap him up?

But I guess the answer to that only tells us what other people think of him, maybe they haven't watched him enough right?

Anyway, Huddlestone strikes a ball sweetly, he's probably the cleanest striker of a football in the Premier League, he makes it look effortless and occasionally it can result in a moment of pure genius.

That's it for his strong points I'm afraid.

His weak points are a top heavy centre of gravity, he's the opposite of a Messi or Modric in that. Feint to go past him one way, go the other and he's on his arse. So he doesn't close down but stands off to give himself adequate recovery time. No pressure from midfield when we haven't got the ball means the good teams stick us under pressure.

Poor decision making. Here's a vid from the Young Boys games:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6_yhtEJp8oc

It was meant to show him dominating a game, I think it shows the opposite. In it we watch him ping sweet pass after sweet pass backwards or sideways to no purpose. You also several times see him eschew the easier pass to a man in space and capable of doing damage for the more difficult one which doesn't come off.

He's got good vision but his decision making is poor.

A reasonable player then but nothing like as good as some people in this thread seem to imagine. I'll be amazed if in the next couple of years we start regularly qualifying for CL and we don't get shot of Hudd to someone like Fulham or maybe Everton.

 

[sim0n]

Hudd is a good player who had a difficult season last year. His size does hinder him though as anytime he gets an injury or can't train hard he packs the pounds on and looks real sluggish. Last season when he came back from the long injury he looked way out of shape. Hudd in top condition though is a very valuable asset. Because of his size Hudd can't ever really let up on fitness and has to keep himself on a strict diet which I don't think the ketchup man does because his weight fluctuates so much. Next season will be huge for him as with Modric acting a twat, Hudd has the ability to control games for us and playing along side Sandro he could be great. Hudd sitting with Sandro hunting has the makings of a top partnership.

Last time THudd played the entire season (33 apps), Spurs finished 4th. Last season Thudd made 9 appearances and Spurs finished 5th...

This is not the single, causal factor. But, there is proof in the pudding that footie is not just about the fastest athlete or the best dribbler. He's a winner. THudd and Sandro make a great pairing. They just need pacey wingers to play the ball out to when Modric leaves. Lennon and Bale are fine, but there are no wingers available behind them - Spurs need wing cover.

BTW - Palacios only played in 7 games last season and played whist he was injured. He got slated last season just after he was highly regarded as the "steel" in midfield Spurs needed. Modric's inevitable departure may not be that big of a deal as long as Spurs get 40+ mil for him.

 

[markie]

Its all about the shaktar pass at 1:47

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypV7sAZLsN8

 

[roshambo]

Huddlestone? Good player, but not mobile enough nor imposing enough, in my opinion.

Don't buy this rubbish about what a wonderful passer of the ball he is. Sure, he can smack the odd Hollywood pass 100,000 yards and land it on the players nutsack, but too often his passing of 10/15/20 yards don't end up where they should.

He's not a bad player by any stretch of the imagination, but if we were to rely on him, it would be every bit the indication of our step back as a potential Modric sale.

 

[kaz Hirai]

bit of desperation looking to huddlestone who is inferior to vdv, modric and sandro and possibly palacious, i rank him more on the JJ level. i feel its better to just look for and buy another creative midfielder or another holding midfield to play along side sandro

 

[Mr Pink]

We'll need Huddlestone in midfield alongside Sandro, particularly if Modric goes.

I think they'll be an excellent pairing and will offer good balance to the team.

If a Diarra/Parker comes in, the three of them can be rotated dependent on home/away and which one is likely to be playing in Europe in any given week etc....plenty of game time for all of them and we can use them in a way which sees them fresh for most games.

Hudd and Sandro/Diarra at home more often than not, Sandro and Diarra away from home more often that not.

This is all on the assumption that Modric goes or is sitting in the stands :wink:

 

[markie]

Its all about the shaktar pass at 1:47

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ypV7sAZLsN8

[yt]ypV7sAZLsN8[/yt]

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I like Huddlestone, I really do. He has AMAZING passing ability but I think there is one thing that is lacking to go with it, a brain.

Very rarely does Tom pick out passes that other players can't see. He hits long passes and short passes with accuracy and precision but they are never really the incisive passes that his ability promises.