The defensive highline.

[YiddoBirdy]

Does playing a high line really help Bale and Lennon though? Bale does his best work when he's running from deep and going past players. Lennon is also better with a bit of space in front of him. They will now receive the ball further up the pitch in more dangerous areas but I don't think it is there game.

There both much more effective on the counter with plenty of space in front of them that's the case for most pacey players.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Does playing a high line really help Bale and Lennon though? Bale does his best work when he's running from deep and going past players. Lennon is also better with a bit of space in front of him. They will now receive the ball further up the pitch in more dangerous areas but I don't think it is there game.

In general though we need to transform from an on the break, to a possession, side.

Relying on Bale or Lennon to nick us something against the run of play is hardly a recipe for success.

 

[stormfly]

In general though we need to transform from an on the break, to a possession, side.

Relying on Bale or Lennon to nick us something against the run of play is hardly a recipe for success.

I agree but as we can't buy anyone till Jan is it sensible for AVB to employ this tactic when he doesn't have the right players? Isn't it better for Bale and Lennon to play to their strengths? We don't look a threat in attack at the moment.

 

[Mr Pink]

I really think AVB is quite a bit short in terms of the players he needs to pull off this style of play. As others have said we don't press well enough and we seem to lack intelligence offensively and defensively. Having more possession and penning the opponent back is great in theory but we struggle to break teams down in these situations, we don't have enough nous with this current group of players, we've seen it time and time again and its why AVB wanted the Moutinho's and Willian's so badly. Add to that, they just can't be carrying out a lot of his instructions.

The question for me is, should he be implementing this game plan now given we arn't really suited to it at the moment via the players we have, and to compound that he doesn't even pick better choices he has at his disposal at the moment.

Are we really playing to our strengths at the moment?

 

[we_all_loved_freund]

Somebody needs to explain the principle to Walker. He has gone from being a fantastic fullback to a complete liability; I don't think the new system and his loss of form is a coincidence. He clearly does not understand the concept well enough and the blame has to lie with AVB and the coaching team.

 

[Mr Pink]

whats the answer in the short term? go back to what the players know, issue instructions they can follow and get the team playing some attacking football even if we look a little open, it beats the shit out of watching paint dry, and we've done pretty well in the last few seasons albeit we've now lost two massive players, but ironically with Dembele in beside Sandro we wouldn't be as open anyway...this will steady the ship, get the fans right behind the management and the positivity will transmit to the pitch from the stands.

whats the answer in the medium to long term? AVB gets the players in he needs to pull off this style of play properly, and and dramatic change occurs more gradually.

fuck who knows

 

[thinktank]

It's our best mode of defence until Boomboom and Disco are back. Would still use it then as well as was highly effective.

See what I did there...well...did ya....huh....

 

[stormfly]

Somebody needs to explain the principle to Walker. He has gone from being a fantastic fullback to a complete liability; I don't think the new system and his loss of form is a coincidence. He clearly does not understand the concept well enough and the blame has to lie with AVB and the coaching team.

Walker was used to giving the ball to Lennon by the half way line and then bombing forward and overlapping with Lennon pushed further up the pitch, Walker can't do this so much now. Also with less space for our team to work in our decision making needs to be quick and our passing needs to be accurate. A few players are starting to be found out in our team now as their first touch and decision making is pretty shocking sometimes. Everytime we were camped in the opposition's half last season, we really struggled to break teams down and that was with Modric and VDV!

 

[mano-obe]

The supposed high line will create more chances further up the field, by applying more pressure. I forget how many shots we had against Lazio.

It'll only work if the defenders trust one another and our team works as a team. I don't really see any of that at the moment

 

[danielneeds]

It's a slightly chicken and egg scenario, you play a high line when your players aren't pressing efficiently as a team, and you leave yourself wide open to quality players picking out the space behind. Yet, it's much harder for a team to press efficiently if your defence is sitting deep and there is lots of gaps between your players.

 

[kcmei]

I really think AVB is quite a bit short in terms of the players he needs to pull off this style of play. As others have said we don't press well enough and we seem to lack intelligence offensively and defensively. Having more possession and penning the opponent back is great in theory but we struggle to break teams down in these situations, we don't have enough nous with this current group of players, we've seen it time and time again and its why AVB wanted the Moutinho's and Willian's so badly. Add to that, they just can't be carrying out a lot of his instructions.

The question for me is, should he be implementing this game plan now given we arn't really suited to it at the moment via the players we have, and to compound that he doesn't even pick better choices he has at his disposal at the moment.

Are we really playing to our strengths at the moment?

avb's notebook has the answer

 

[guy]

A high line doesn't affect walkers ability to pass a football though. Not sure where and when he lost that, but its definitely disappeared!

 

[teok]

The game plan is sound but as with every thing (zonal marking and all the other stuff people complain about) it's all in the execution.

We also had some shocking individual displays last night that left us wide open. With key player back fit, I'm all for it.

 

[danielneeds]

A high line doesn't affect walkers ability to pass a football though. Not sure where and when he lost that, but its definitely disappeared!

It's a confidence thing. It's a classic sophomore slump, teams have targeted his weaknesses for the first time, and that has taken confidence away from the the strong parts of his game, getting forward. From his interviews, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders, and if he keeps working hard he'll get through it.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I really think AVB is quite a bit short in terms of the players he needs to pull off this style of play. As others have said we don't press well enough and we seem to lack intelligence offensively and defensively. Having more possession and penning the opponent back is great in theory but we struggle to break teams down in these situations, we don't have enough nous with this current group of players, we've seen it time and time again and its why AVB wanted the Moutinho's and Willian's so badly. Add to that, they just can't be carrying out a lot of his instructions.

The question for me is, should he be implementing this game plan now given we arn't really suited to it at the moment via the players we have, and to compound that he doesn't even pick better choices he has at his disposal at the moment.

Are we really playing to our strengths at the moment?

This is true, without the likes of VdV and Modric (hate to keep going on about these two but nevermind) we don't have the guile to break teams down through a possession game. When was the last time we made 3 or 4 passes close to the opposition penalty area? Or even just a 1-2 in and around the box? I think at the moment there is too big a confusion with the way avb wants to and envisions us playing, and how the current players can actually play.

Our game is still reliant on getting it wide to Bale or Lennon and hoping something happens, and when these guys have off games (which can be often) we really don't look like scoring. Those 2 guys are very much take on the man on the outside and put a cross in type of wingers, not inverted wide players comfortable coming inside and playing triangles.

As it stands I think the only way for us to play is to sit deep and try and counter, even at home. Won't be pretty and the fans won't like it but I don't see no other option and till we can get in some players to suit the system.

Right now i'd say we're a confused team with no identity.

 

[brasil_spur]

Looks like AVB has decided on the high line now. What do you guys think of it? Lloris needs to be our keeper if we stick with this surely? It is giving me a few heart in mouth moments when people keep looking like they are through one on one. Also, I don't know if I can trust the linesmen to constantly call offside if it's close sometimes. Thoughts?

It's the way to go, but you need the right players for it to work, that includes your squad players who come in to cover injuries.

I think Walker has had to adapt to it this season and seems to be getting the hang of it a bit better now. Verts can play it well despite his cock up yesterday which we'll put down to not having been rested so far this season.

But yes with Lloris in goal as an effective sweeper keeper and a consistent back 4 we'll be fine.

The major difference though with this is that when a player gets through the defence it is glaringly obvious and as such comes in for much more criticism than playing without the high line.

So expect the media and the less football-educated fans to get critical about it far quicker.

 

[miles_64]

It needs the rest of the team to put pressure on the oppo right the way up the pitch to work. Problem is when you have lazy wankers like Defoe, Lennon, Bale, Huddlestone etc it doesn't work. Adebayor tonight strolled around and didn't press. Either AVB isn't telling them (which I don't believe) or they're just doing what they want despite instruction.

Including Lennon amongst a group of Spurs players you term 'lazy wankers' is downright offensive. Actually makes me quite angry. One of his qualities that I really appreciate is his willingness to track back and help out his RB who has definitely needed that support this season.

 

[mendesstormer]

Genuine question: What's the difference between the high line we're playing and the (widely discredited) man in a raincoat style offside trap? Because I can't see much difference at the moment.

 

[ravo]

A high line doesn't affect walkers ability to pass a football though. Not sure where and when he lost that, but its definitely disappeared!

So has his footballing brain. He just seems a bit clueless ATM.

 

[Paq]

We need to keep hold of the ball a lot better than we have in recent games. Add some collective pressure further up the pitch and the high line can work. If we continue to give the ball away seconds after receiving it we'll get undone and suffer more heart in mouth moments as the opposition pick a long pass over our defence...