With Jenas being the vice captain this season, I dont see Zakora starting ahead of him.
gian angelo gallace
· 1 year ago
Agreed. Also, the team is still a work in progress as of today. It's not necessarily likely that Berba will still be around, and the club seems close to signing Corluka from City to fill in for Hutton and King. And Arshavin may be coming as well.
Karthik Balasubramanian
· 1 year ago
Spurs have never played as a sum of their parts. If Modric picks up an injury a very real danger in the prem league for someone of his stature, out goes Ramos's plan.
I would like to see Lennon operating in a hole behind 2 strikers. He cuts in from the wing anyways. It might not be the most ideal formation but it would be a good way to change it up between games to make the spurs unpredictable.
Jenas and Huddlestone are expendable. bringing in someone like Veloso for their money and making Boateng and Taarabt deputise for him over there would be a good move too. Something to think about for the January Market??
dimi Berbatov
· 1 year ago
here is the team
RB Hutton CB Woodgate CB King (c) LB Bale
RM Bentley CM Modric CM Jenas LM Lennon
CAM Dos Santos
ST Bent
this is contingent on the sale of berbatov. If he is sold, I think the chances of buying Arshevan increase and he would take the role of Dos Santos as CAM/support striker. The back four is really fluid and relatively thin due to fitness worries for all four players. The midfield is deep. Huddlestone, O'Hara, Zokora, and Taarabt all provide something different from the subs bench. The sale of Berba might finance several moves which should push at least one player to the bench and add depth at the back were a quality CB cover is needed (Corluka, Cuellar??). I don't think Dawson can cut it without the guidance of a great CB and after him Huddlestone and Zokora have been called in to play over Kaboul who is clearly unwanted by the manager. Overall I think six is fair but Ramos has the quality of the squad on the up.
dimi Berbatov
· 1 year ago
Gomes in goal of course
Michael
· 1 year ago
Boobie and dimi, Zokora played basically every game he was available for last season; he missed games because of the ACN but otherwise was a regular for Spurs. Also, because he's better defensively, I think he'll start ahead of Jenas based on the fact that the rest of the midfielders are clearly attack-minded.
rhino
· 1 year ago
zokora is shit our worst regular player by far i think he's a CUNT
US yid
· 1 year ago
Michael, Jenas was the top performer in an appaling season last year, and as someone previously stated he is now the new vice-captain, which with ledley means he is the new regular captain! Zokora will be ramos' utility player this year covering centre mid and defense when injuries occur and JJ is the first name on the team sheet. Also Jol hated leaving a 442 unless there was 10 minutes left and we were down, Ramos is the more fluid manager. The team have been playing 4-2-3-1 throughout pre-season, and played 3 at the back many times during last season, so i dont know where you got this 'rigis ramos' from.
US yid
· 1 year ago
rigid ramos*
SamSpur
· 1 year ago
I predict this lineup for our first match at Boro:
GK Gomes RB Corluka CB Woodgate CB King LB Assou-Ekotto CM Jenas CM Modric RM Bentley LM Bale AM Arshavin FW Berbatov
with Bent replacing Arshavin if he isn't signed yet. I have Corluka at RB cause Hutton will be out for a bit, and Bale at midfield; he hasn't played LB at all during preseason, if Ramos rated him there, he would be playing there.
Michael
· 1 year ago
Spurs have played 4-4-2 as well this preseason, trust me. Bent has scored 10 goals in five games, do you really think he's not going to get a chance to start?
Also, I don't mean rigid as in Ramos won't change formations when necessary, I mean rigid as in the players by and large don't interchange positions when they're out there; he likes to keep a sturdy shape. That may change a little bit this year with Dos Santos and Modric, though.
I've said Jenas will get plenty of chances because Ramos will use a 4-2-3-1 at times. I just think that if everyone's healthy and Spurs are using one central midfielder other than Modric, it's going to be Zokora because those two compliment each other very nicely, and Zokora provides some help to a back line that's rather weak.
Michael
· 1 year ago
SamSpur, you really don't think Dos Santos is going to start? Come on.
The good thing about Bale is he can play both left back and left midfield, but because Spurs have so many wide midfield options already and Bale is too good to sit on the bench, I think he'll play more at left back.
US yid
· 1 year ago
ok fair enough. But i think ramos would much rather play 1 up front, and as the season goes on i believe he will. As far as Jenas goes i think you will find he will be in ramos' first 11 everytime, he was one of the most effective players last year, and our stats without him were obvious to see. There is no point in publicly naming a player to take the arm band from ledley if he doesnt even think hes good enough to start in his team. If everyone is fit it will be modric and jj in the centre, zokora just simply isn't a good enough football player.
SamSpur
· 1 year ago
Michael, I agree I'd rather put in Dos Santos and move Bale back to LB, but he really hasn't been played there by Ramos.
Weston
· 1 year ago
True, all of our other midfielders are attack-minded, but Zokora had a horrible run of form at the end of last season - specifically his defensive tackling started to get reckless (see: Drogba's goal in the Carling Cup final). If his defensive ability starts to slide, then he has nothing left to offer since we all know he couldnt bury the ball in an open net if his life depended on it (again, see: Carling Cup final).
I agree with the lineup you proposed, but would sub Jenas for Zokora. Also, look for Benoit Assou-Ekotto to get some quality time.
Either way, it should be a very exciting season for Spurs and im looking forward to the game next saturday.
dimi Berbatov
· 1 year ago
Zokora is the utility defensive player at present (DM, CB, LB, RB). If Spurs picked up Corluka or Veloso, Zokora would not feature for Ramos. Jenas played whenever fit for Ramos and was named vice-captain as previously stated. There is no way that Ramos would play Zokora over a fit Jenas. Also I would add that I think you are wrong about the riginess of Ramos. He is all about versatility as has been noted by some of the players and his willingness to play people out of their first choice position. I actually believe that Modric will play a deeper more defensive role than he prefers because Ramos wants him to pull the strings with incisive passes starting the counter-attack rather than score himself
spurs muaythai
· 1 year ago
imo.
gomez
hutton woody king bale
hud (dm) mod (cm) bently (rw) dos santos (lw)
asharvin bent
berbatov is gone lets face it, we need asharvin. we can sell kpb i dont think hes up to the pace of prem. im sure ramos will play jenas instead of hud in midfield but i think hel get caught forward to much with mod!
lennon is a valuable sub as he can ad lightening pace to up the game when needed as is zacora and other english kid whos name ive forgotten are use full as they are flexible players.
tarabat and kpb if good money is offered should get the boot!
kkfla737
· 1 year ago
Wow Spurs must be loaded if Gio doesn't start.
I'm glad Michael you learned your lesson from last year NOT to EVER pick Spurs ahead of Arsenal. Personally I prefer Spurs to the Gunners but know the N. London hierarchy.
Also if Gio is unable to start for a Premier League side, what does that say about the state of football in North America? Gio along with Vela are possibly the two best players in this region. A few years back Jared Borgetti couldn't hold down a spot at Bolton. Mexico is the dominant footballing power in CONCACAF and the fact that their players have such a hard time playing the honest British game, not the dishonest game you see in parts of the continent worries me greatly.
Chirpy
· 1 year ago
Forget O'Hara at our peril. His pre-season performances as "scavenger" in front of the back four mark him out as a future England king pin. His passes never go astray, loose balls are consumed with ease, and his energy levels are boundless. Every great team needs a destroyer and ours is about to be unleashed on the PL. Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U beware...
NYSursFan
· 1 year ago
My prediction (assuming no new signings and Berbatov is gone):
GK Gomes RB Zokora (although I don't think this is a good idea. I'd prefer O'Hara or Gunther here) CB Woodgate CB Dawson (saving King for other matches) LB Bale (Benny is going out on loan to a team in France, I believe) DM Huddlestone (or O'Hara. Maybe start O'Hara and bring Hudd in as a defensive substitute) CM Jenas LM Modric RM Bentley "FW" Gio FW Bent
I'm envisioning a Christmas tree formation, with Hudd (or O'Hara) at the apex in front of the back four. Jenas will slide back and forth between Hudd and the attack. Gio free to roam around feeding balls to Bent.
The real conumdrum arises if Berbatov stays. I don't think a Berbatov-Bent partnership will work.
Ice
· 1 year ago
$100m net spend? How'd you figure that one out? Correct that we've spent approximately $100m (which is being generous) - but we've recouped nearly all of that through the sales of players like Keane, the Sunderland trio and Robinson plus forthcoming sales of Gardner and Kaboul - which totals around $90m. Total net spend - $10m.
Michael
· 1 year ago
Ice, I'm including the transfers last January of Hutton, Woodgate, Gunter, and Gilberto, and Bostock in May.
Robinson only was worth $7 million, Keane $40 million, fair enough, and the Sunderland trio was no more than $30 million.
I don't count Gardner and Kaboul because they haven't officially been sold yet.
I should've clarified what I said -- Spurs have spent a net $100 million since last summer, also including Jol's acquisitions (Bent, Kaboul, Bale, Boateng). I made it seem like Ramos has spent that much, which is incorrect. Apologies for the confusion.
Weston
· 1 year ago
Wow, the yid army is coming out in force for this article! You can tell that all the off-season activity is getting people excited.
Too bad the Spurs v Roma friendly isnt on tv tomorrow , dammit!
Matt
· 1 year ago
I'm curious what makes you think Zokora will start at Jenas' expense? Especially when Jenas has just been named the new Vice-Captain. This is more significant at Spurs than most clubs considering Ledley King only captains the squad for about 30% of the games if we're lucky. Robbie Keane was essentially our captain last year and Jenas will be this year; meaning: he plays.
If Spurs go into the season with the squad they currently have, I could see them lining up with this formation:
Spurs started the Norwich game in a similar formation. Jenas and Huddlestone played at d-mid with Modric at center-mid. O'Hara and dos Santos played wide while Bent played up top. I can almost guarantee you that Spurs will not play a 4-4-2 this season. At least, not in the traditional sense. Dos Santos or Arshavin, if he's brought in, will play the left midfield role tucked in slightly, allowing Gareth Bale to roam up and down the side line while Hutton at right back stays at home. More than Bale, anyway. It's a dedicated defensive midfielder that I want for the club, though. Zokora's not good enough, Huddlestone's not fast enough, and O'Hara's young and unproven. I'm crossing my fingers for one of Corluka, Albelda, or Veloso.
Michael
· 1 year ago
Matt, what I'm saying is if it's a 4-4-2, I believe Zokora should start over Jenas to balance the formation out, because the other three midfielders are definitely attack-minded and Zokora is better defensively than Jenas.
If it's a 4-2-3-1, than both Jenas and Zokora should start.
I don't know how many times I can say it.
Ev
· 1 year ago
I have to agree with the comment about ignoring O'hara at our own peril. I don't think I can add any more about him that hasn't already been said (tireless, strong passer, unafraid of getting stuck in). My one worry about him is that he gets upset when he does make a mistake and usually follows up with a booking.
Also, Gunter. Maybe he isn't ready to fill in for Hutton completely, but I think he's got the talent to do the job on a temporary basis. I think if they play him in the games that Ledley plays - until Hutton gets back - Ledders' leadership will really help him.
Someone also mentioned Lennon in a more central role. IMO, he'd do a great job in a free role position, darting in behind the lines and starting quick counters, but I think he's probably going to be a change of pace for Gio or Bentley. Who knows, maybe he'll turn into a super-sub a la Ole Solskjaer.
I also have a soft spot for Dawson, who I think, gets more stick than he deserves. Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe that he has the heart and the talent to do the business.
eplmatches
· 1 year ago
Hi, Please make the site somemore user friendly... After submitting comment it goes to thank you page and stucks there.
please add a recent posts widget in the sidebar too.. please
brewster
· 1 year ago
agree with a lot of what's been said here. there is no way we would leave Jenas out of a first choice side. Ramos loves him - and, Bent aside, he's been the best player of pre-season, driving the team forward from midfield.
Michael, I know what you're saying re Zokora, but he has really been awful in midfield, and his surging pointless runs hardly protect the back four.
But without the addition of a quality defensive midfielder - and like everyone else here, I hope we sign one - the formation helps the problem. In a 442, having a holding player is paramount. But if we line up with three quite central midfielders who are all strong and can tackle (ie Jenas, Bentley) it's less of a problem.
So, for this reason, and assuming Berbatov leaves for Man U before the start of the season, here's my first choice starting line-up. It'll be a 433, in the style Chelsea used to play, with two attackers supporting a lone striker (they used to have Duff and Robben doing this), three central midfielders, one sitting just to the right and left, and the full backs getting forward to provide width.
GK: Gomes
RB: Hutton CB: King CB: Woodgate LB: Bale
LCM: Jenas DM: Huddlestone RCM: Bentley
AMLC: Dos Santos AMRC: Modric
ST: Bent
The Gaffer
· 1 year ago
EPL Matches,
A 'Recent Posts' widget has now been added to the lower right corner. Good idea.
Not sure what you mean by the problem with posting comments and being stuck on the thank you page. Works OK for me. If it happens again, please send a screenshot to me at thegaffer[at]epltalk[dot]com
Thanks for the feedback.
Cheers, The Gaffer
Matt
· 1 year ago
Michael, you can say it as many times as you want, you'll still be wrong. This is supposed to be a preview of what to expect from these teams in the upcoming season, not a venue for you to express what you think they should do. Jenas will start over Zokora every time the question is asked. You say that Zokora should start over Jenas in a 4-4-2 to balance the midfield. Fine, but the problem is that Spurs aren't playing a 4-4-2 anymore. If Zokora starts it will be alongside Jenas, not at his expense.
All Comments
I would like to see Lennon operating in a hole behind 2 strikers. He cuts in from the wing anyways. It might not be the most ideal formation but it would be a good way to change it up between games to make the spurs unpredictable.
Jenas and Huddlestone are expendable. bringing in someone like Veloso for their money and making Boateng and Taarabt deputise for him over there would be a good move too. Something to think about for the January Market??
RB Hutton
CB Woodgate
CB King (c)
LB Bale
RM Bentley
CM Modric
CM Jenas
LM Lennon
CAM Dos Santos
ST Bent
this is contingent on the sale of berbatov. If he is sold, I think the chances of buying Arshevan increase and he would take the role of Dos Santos as CAM/support striker. The back four is really fluid and relatively thin due to fitness worries for all four players. The midfield is deep. Huddlestone, O'Hara, Zokora, and Taarabt all provide something different from the subs bench. The sale of Berba might finance several moves which should push at least one player to the bench and add depth at the back were a quality CB cover is needed (Corluka, Cuellar??). I don't think Dawson can cut it without the guidance of a great CB and after him Huddlestone and Zokora have been called in to play over Kaboul who is clearly unwanted by the manager. Overall I think six is fair but Ramos has the quality of the squad on the up.
GK Gomes
RB Corluka
CB Woodgate
CB King
LB Assou-Ekotto
CM Jenas
CM Modric
RM Bentley
LM Bale
AM Arshavin
FW Berbatov
with Bent replacing Arshavin if he isn't signed yet. I have Corluka at RB cause Hutton will be out for a bit, and Bale at midfield; he hasn't played LB at all during preseason, if Ramos rated him there, he would be playing there.
Also, I don't mean rigid as in Ramos won't change formations when necessary, I mean rigid as in the players by and large don't interchange positions when they're out there; he likes to keep a sturdy shape. That may change a little bit this year with Dos Santos and Modric, though.
I've said Jenas will get plenty of chances because Ramos will use a 4-2-3-1 at times. I just think that if everyone's healthy and Spurs are using one central midfielder other than Modric, it's going to be Zokora because those two compliment each other very nicely, and Zokora provides some help to a back line that's rather weak.
The good thing about Bale is he can play both left back and left midfield, but because Spurs have so many wide midfield options already and Bale is too good to sit on the bench, I think he'll play more at left back.
I agree with the lineup you proposed, but would sub Jenas for Zokora. Also, look for Benoit Assou-Ekotto to get some quality time.
Either way, it should be a very exciting season for Spurs and im looking forward to the game next saturday.
gomez
hutton
woody
king
bale
hud (dm)
mod (cm)
bently (rw)
dos santos (lw)
asharvin
bent
berbatov is gone lets face it, we need asharvin. we can sell kpb i dont think hes up to the pace of prem. im sure ramos will play jenas instead of hud in midfield but i think hel get caught forward to much with mod!
lennon is a valuable sub as he can ad lightening pace to up the game when needed as is zacora and other english kid whos name ive forgotten are use full as they are flexible players.
tarabat and kpb if good money is offered should get the boot!
I'm glad Michael you learned your lesson from last year NOT to EVER pick Spurs ahead of Arsenal. Personally I prefer Spurs to the Gunners but know the N. London hierarchy.
Also if Gio is unable to start for a Premier League side, what does that say about the state of football in North America? Gio along with Vela are possibly the two best players in this region. A few years back Jared Borgetti couldn't hold down a spot at Bolton. Mexico is the dominant footballing power in CONCACAF and the fact that their players have such a hard time playing the honest British game, not the dishonest game you see in parts of the continent worries me greatly.
back four mark him out as a future England king pin. His passes never go astray, loose balls are
consumed with ease, and his energy levels are boundless. Every great team needs a destroyer and ours is about to be unleashed on the PL. Arsenal, Chelsea, Man U beware...
GK Gomes
RB Zokora (although I don't think this is a good idea. I'd prefer O'Hara or Gunther here)
CB Woodgate
CB Dawson (saving King for other matches)
LB Bale (Benny is going out on loan to a team in France, I believe)
DM Huddlestone (or O'Hara. Maybe start O'Hara and bring Hudd in as a defensive substitute)
CM Jenas
LM Modric
RM Bentley
"FW" Gio
FW Bent
I'm envisioning a Christmas tree formation, with Hudd (or O'Hara) at the apex in front of the back four. Jenas will slide back and forth between Hudd and the attack. Gio free to roam around feeding balls to Bent.
The real conumdrum arises if Berbatov stays. I don't think a Berbatov-Bent partnership will work.
Robinson only was worth $7 million, Keane $40 million, fair enough, and the Sunderland trio was no more than $30 million.
I don't count Gardner and Kaboul because they haven't officially been sold yet.
I should've clarified what I said -- Spurs have spent a net $100 million since last summer, also including Jol's acquisitions (Bent, Kaboul, Bale, Boateng). I made it seem like Ramos has spent that much, which is incorrect. Apologies for the confusion.
Too bad the Spurs v Roma friendly isnt on tv tomorrow , dammit!
If Spurs go into the season with the squad they currently have, I could see them lining up with this formation:
GK: Gomes
RB: Hutton
CB: King
CB: Woodgate
LB: Bale
DM: O'Hara/Zokora/Hudds
DM: Jenas
CM: Modric
RM: Bentley
LM: dos Santos
CF: Berbatov
--------X
--X--X--X--X--
---------X------
------X---------
---------X------
--X----------X--
--------X--------
Spurs started the Norwich game in a similar formation. Jenas and Huddlestone played at d-mid with Modric at center-mid. O'Hara and dos Santos played wide while Bent played up top. I can almost guarantee you that Spurs will not play a 4-4-2 this season. At least, not in the traditional sense. Dos Santos or Arshavin, if he's brought in, will play the left midfield role tucked in slightly, allowing Gareth Bale to roam up and down the side line while Hutton at right back stays at home. More than Bale, anyway. It's a dedicated defensive midfielder that I want for the club, though. Zokora's not good enough, Huddlestone's not fast enough, and O'Hara's young and unproven. I'm crossing my fingers for one of Corluka, Albelda, or Veloso.
If it's a 4-2-3-1, than both Jenas and Zokora should start.
I don't know how many times I can say it.
Also, Gunter. Maybe he isn't ready to fill in for Hutton completely, but I think he's got the talent to do the job on a temporary basis. I think if they play him in the games that Ledley plays - until Hutton gets back - Ledders' leadership will really help him.
Someone also mentioned Lennon in a more central role. IMO, he'd do a great job in a free role position, darting in behind the lines and starting quick counters, but I think he's probably going to be a change of pace for Gio or Bentley. Who knows, maybe he'll turn into a super-sub a la Ole Solskjaer.
I also have a soft spot for Dawson, who I think, gets more stick than he deserves. Maybe I'm wrong, but I believe that he has the heart and the talent to do the business.
Please make the site somemore user friendly...
After submitting comment it goes to thank you page and stucks there.
please add a recent posts widget in the sidebar too.. please
Michael, I know what you're saying re Zokora, but he has really been awful in midfield, and his surging pointless runs hardly protect the back four.
But without the addition of a quality defensive midfielder - and like everyone else here, I hope we sign one - the formation helps the problem. In a 442, having a holding player is paramount. But if we line up with three quite central midfielders who are all strong and can tackle (ie Jenas, Bentley) it's less of a problem.
So, for this reason, and assuming Berbatov leaves for Man U before the start of the season, here's my first choice starting line-up. It'll be a 433, in the style Chelsea used to play, with two attackers supporting a lone striker (they used to have Duff and Robben doing this), three central midfielders, one sitting just to the right and left, and the full backs getting forward to provide width.
GK: Gomes
RB: Hutton
CB: King
CB: Woodgate
LB: Bale
LCM: Jenas
DM: Huddlestone
RCM: Bentley
AMLC: Dos Santos
AMRC: Modric
ST: Bent
A 'Recent Posts' widget has now been added to the lower right corner. Good idea.
Not sure what you mean by the problem with posting comments and being stuck on the thank you page. Works OK for me. If it happens again, please send a screenshot to me at thegaffer[at]epltalk[dot]com
Thanks for the feedback.
Cheers,
The Gaffer