Tottenham Hotspur vs Wigan (Official Match Thread)

[woody]

Friedel

Walker Kaboul King(c) Assou-Ekotto

Lennon Modric Parker Bale

Defoe Adebayor

Subs:

Cudicini, Dawson, Bassong, Livermore, van der Vaart, Pienaar, Pavlyuchenko

Predicted score: 1-0 Spurs (Bale)

Won't be an easy game, Wigan will make it tight for us and we have to step up our game after a poor few weeks if we're honest. Defoe in for van der Vaart (he has been out of sorts) which may give us more of a killer instinct with a fruitful Adebayor-Defoe partnership. Ledley could come in although I suspect he'll be saved for Newcastle.

We need maximum points over the next 2 games and especially with this court case if we come out of February in good shape I'll be extremely happy. Hopefully after the game we'll have Samba and Hoilett added to our ranks.

[GTGio]

Another massive game, we need to set the record straight with this one. 3 points is a must to stabilise ourselves in the league and going into anfield next weekend. Wigan wont sit back, far from it and we should press them high up the pitch and not invite them onto us. 4-3-3 for me and azza and bale playing slightly more advanced pressing up the pitch seing as vdv drops so god damn deep. I often feel like we are going nowhere in attack when he drops deep and just making short nothing passes as there is an almighty gap between ade and eveyone else on the park. Go for the 4-3-3

Walker---Kaboul--King--Benny
------------Parker-----------
-------VDV------Modric------
Lennon-------------------Bale
-------------Ade-------------

[StripiestPilot]

If Lennon is unavailable, I would go for:

Friedel
Walker Dawson Kaboul BAE
Pienaar Livermore Modric Bale
VDV
Adebayor

Livermore deserves a start, he has been excellent recently and Pienaar has looked tidy in recent cameos. We have to start using the squad or we will fizzle out like we did last season.

[AnthonyFroom]

Strongest side possible again I think we need.

Fitness permitting...

Friedel
Walker Kaboul King Disco
Lennon Parker/Sandro Modric Bale
VDV
Ade

Have there been any more updates on Bale's knock?

Cant wait to get back in The Lane, Wolves game seems ages ago, hopefully a better result and more ruthless performance!

[StripiestPilot]

Strongest side possible again I think we need.

I don't see why we need to play our absolute best XI at home to the bottom team. A squad is only strong is everybody gets minutes on the pitch, we need to start using our squad players. Harry said that a few weeks ago.

[spursman18]

I don't see why we need to play our absolute best XI at home to the bottom team. A squad is only strong is everybody gets minutes on the pitch, we need to start using our squad players. Harry said that a few weeks ago.

Look at what happened last season......

we lost to this lot at home.

Best XI available need to play to ensure we get all 3 points.

Harry hasnt used the squad at all like people have suggested, dont see why he'd start doing it now.

[jamesbale]

What's the latest on the Injury front ?

[Burt Snipes]

I've noticed some people saying VDV isn't looking good lately, but I think he's looked the part. Maybe I have some tinted specs on or something (as I've been enamored with him since he's been here), but I think he has been passing and running the show better than even Modric (not to bash Modric either, no need for anymore Modric bashing IMO). I hope that VDV can start putting some goals in the league again, especially with such big games coming up. Defoe makes quite a case for himself recently though, and IMO he is great sub for VDV after 60-70 minutes. Defoe is a real "live wire", but I think VDV conducts the play and makes more movement in the midfield, which is more essential. I reckon VDV will increase his goal tally at least by another two against Arsenal (but that is a conversation for another time ). Regardless, as many of you have said, the Defoe vs VDV problem is a great problem to have!!

Hope we seal the game early and then worry about giving people rest after that. BUT we are Spurs and putting away a game early is almost an impossibility, look at what we did against Watford. Here's to hoping, though! COYS!!!

[spursman18]

I've noticed some people saying VDV isn't looking good lately, but I think he's looked the part. Maybe I have some tinted specs on or something (as I've been enamored with him since he's been here), but I think he has been passing and running the show better than even Modric (not to bash Modric either, no need for anymore Modric bashing IMO). I hope that VDV can start putting some goals in the league again, especially with such big games coming up. Defoe makes quite a case for himself recently though, and IMO he is great sub for VDV after 60-70 minutes. Defoe is a real "live wire", but I think VDV conducts the play and makes more movement in the midfield, which is more essential. I reckon VDV will increase his goal tally at least by another two against Arsenal (but that is a conversation for another time ). Regardless, as many of you have said, the Defoe vs VDV problem is a great problem to have!!

You've more or less hit the nail on the head, and I agree.

The biggest thing about VDV this season is that his role has changed from last season. He doesnt play as high up on a regular basis this season compared to last and thats due to how certain teams have set out to play us and how we set out to play. The influence he has on the team has changed because quite frankly as you said in some games he's ran the show.

You can easily compare this situation to Modric. He too has been a bit quiet in certain games but thats because he has Parker next to him which has made things easier for him in a way where we are not so dependent on him to start our attacks for us. He's still a big part to the team but our midfield has improved from last season so things will obviously change with better players.

People have this sort of way of thinking in terms of who should play whether its VDV or Defoe. To me, they look just solely on who is going to score and thats who should start (obvious an important aspect of the game). However, it doesnt really work that way in terms of how we (as a team) play our football. With the players we've got in our midfield we should be able to create enough chances through the 5 of them to get goals. Both players have roles to play in our team but VDV's is much more important in my eyes with what he does ie. movement, passing ability, defending, work rate, getting other players involved etc.

[Burt Snipes]

You've more or less hit the nail on the head, and I agree.

The biggest thing about VDV this season is that his role has changed from last season. He doesnt play as high up on a regular basis this season compared to last and thats due to how certain teams have set out to play us and how we set out to play. The influence he has on the team has changed because quite frankly as you said in some games he's ran the show.

You can easily compare this situation to Modric. He too has been a bit quiet in certain games but thats because he has Parker next to him which has made things easier for him in a way where we are not so dependent on him to start our attacks for us. He's still a big part to the team but our midfield has improved from last season so things will obviously change with better players. Bale's strength also comes from drawing multiple defenders out wide with him to deal with his threat.

People have this sort of way of thinking in terms of who should play whether its VDV or Defoe. To me, they look just solely on who is going to score and thats who should start. It doesnt really work that way in terms of how we (as a team) play our football. Both players have roles to play in our team but VDV's is much more important in my eyes with what he does ie. movement, passing ability, defending, work rate, getting other players involved etc.

Yeah, I think Modric has still been playing great this season. Maybe not the most integral part of our system because Parker has alleviated some of the pressure on him. That being said I still think he has room to improve, and I hope we see that soon. Although this summer I was rather disappointed with him, I think he has responded well for us and done exactly what I would have asked for. Getting us back to the CL and showing that we can win things here.

VDV's work rate has improved a lot this season, for whatever reason, and it makes him a much more integral part of our team. I do think that Defoe works hard, most of the time, and tries to defend in attacking positions, which is something I've always liked about him. However, you don't see Defoe picking the ball up off the back line and starting the attack or switching the play of attack, etc. (but Defoe, as a forward you wouldn't expect him too but that's exactly my point!).

Honestly, I think some of our problems are coming from Bale not staying out wide. He is a great player and I believe last year his problem was not being versatile enough to keep defenders guessing. After he started lighting the left side up they just stuffed him with sticking two defenders on him (kind of like Chelsea did when we played them at WHL). However, this year i think the problem is that he is being "too versatile". By this I mean. He is playing too far inside, which is clogging up the space in the middle for VDV and Modric. I hope that we see him playing with more width, regardless of which side he plays on.

[spursman18]

VDV's work rate has improved this season because he's been able to get a full preseason under his belt and he's not had to deal with injuries too often. Last season he never had a chance to really reach a high fitness level due to the reoccurring injuries he had.

I agree about your points regarding Bale. I think in certain games he's trying to change things too much and should stick to what he's good at, getting down the line and taking his man on.

[Eighteen82]

Can always trust Spurs to save you from relegation, or batter you 9-1!

Hopefully the latter again!

[Chorazin]

Parker hasnt looked fit, Lennon and Modric last game i hear looked soso fitness wise as well, King seems always to be at about 75% so for me its a question of players who are going to be firing on all cylinders, id rather have a 100% Livermore(hes looked pretty good when given the opportunity) than an 80% Parker.

Modric is a tough call, who comes in to replace him if hes still not 100%? Kranjcar hasnt had much match time, i guess VDV could drop back into midfield and run Ade/Defoe up front, the trouble then is if Spurs start losing their grip on the midfield battle with just 2 players in there against a possible 3, Defoe then becomes a 5th wheel.

It's like the walking wounded around WHL, Bale(hip/thigh), Kaboul(groin), Gallas(calf), Parker(knee), Lennon(groin), King(no knees left), Modric(flu), Adebayor(hamstring + arm), Corluka(?), Huddlestone(ankle), Sandro(calf)

who is actually fit ......?? Walker, BAE, Pienaar, Kranjcar, Livermore, Dawson, VDV, Bassong, Defoe, Pavlyuchenko??

[gremo]

https://twitter.com/#!/SpursOfficial

Joe reported this morning that both Aaron Lennon and Jermain Defoe are doubtful with hamstring injuries.
Joe: "They will not train with the rest of the squad today and we'll see how they are tomorrow."

['Nixspur]

That makes things difficult; I don't want to see a repeat of a team without wingers.

As it is, I'd play:

------------------Friedel--------------
Walker------Kaboul------King-------Assou-Ekotto
Pienaar--Modric/Livermore--Parker/Sandro--Bale--
-----------------Van der Vaart----------------
------------------Adebayor--------------------

Should still be more than enough, but I guess someone other than Defoe is going to have to step up and get the five in the inevitable 9-1 victory.