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| Spurs get their man |
Lewis Holtby came to Tottenham with big expectations. He was referred to as both a younger Rafael Van der Vaart & younger Luka Modric. He came on against Norwich and his high energy, quick passing game was evident from the get go. He was almost instantly a fan favourite, as the stands started singing his name for the entire 2nd half against West Brom. It seemed to be a natural fit; high intensity, positional versatility and a touch of flair/charisma but most importantly, love for his new club. His constant praise & "man-crush" on Gareth Bale is funny to observe as a fan but who wouldn't be in awe of Gazza's recent goalscoring exploits? Lewis celebrates all of our goals as if they were his own and its nice to see that a player has legitimate love for the club and in general, the beautiful game.
Once Holtby became the starter, it became clear that he is most effective in the centre of the pitch to create for others and put his mark on the game. As Bale has increased his tendency to take up positions behind the striker, Gylfi has proven to be an easier, more effective interchange on the left wing than Holtby but that doesn't mean he doesn't have a role to play.
In AVB's preferred system (for now a 4-2-3-1), Holtby has been played in the #10 spot behind the striker or less effectively in the left side of the midfield but he has not been given a chance in the 2 deeper midfield positions that I believe he would excel at aside Mousa Dembele. He has the defensive desire, composure and vision that is needed for a deep playmaker. Playmaking in the middle of the park has been lacking and that is the exact deficiency that Lewis was brought in to address.
Scott Parker has never regained his form from last season and Livermore - I don't need to say anything about him since my views are known - have not filled Sandro's shoes sufficiently. Sandro wasn't a playmaker but proved to be one of the best holding midfielders and shields in front of the defence in the EPL. With no player on the roster that has the ability to be a "like for like" replacement for Sandro, it would be judicious to field 2 interchangeable players that are versatile, can defend and break up play but also get forward.
Tom Carroll has shown the potential to make an impact but still is not ready to be the solution to the problem. He has shown tremendous flashes of potential but I don't think he is ready to be thrown into a top 4 race with games against Everton, Chelsea & Man City on the horizon. Holtby would relish and thrive in these games as he has in the Bundesliga & Champions League with Schalke. He has big game experience and stands out as a leader on the field.
When we eventually make the transition to AVB's ultimate formation (4-3-3), Lewis will be able to play any of the 3 midfield positions and fill in as a winger. For now, he should be given the chance to start as a deeper midfielder and shore up the position that has never truly been solid since Sandro's injury.
We have 8 massive fixtures on the way & with "Lucky" Lewis up AVB's sleeve, we may have the wild card to push us forward and fend off competition from Arsenal, Everton & Chelsea for a top 4 finish.
"His name is Lewis Holtby He's number 23, I just cant get enough I just cant get enough ---He signed for Tottenham Hotspur from a team in Germany I just cant get enough I just cant get enough --He scores a goal and the Yids go wild and I just cant seem to get enough of--Da da da da da da da da da da da ..... LEWIS HOLTBY"
**Follow Marc on Twitter @marcaron22**
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really confused why we buy Holtby and then bench him?
ReplyDeleteAnyone think he may be used more next season?
ReplyDeletegreat article would like to hear your views on our defence and the options we have
ReplyDeleteI think our defense has been severely inconsistent. Vertonghen has been the most effective but he has worn out his welcome at left back. He just doesn't come naturally for him out there and the West Ham goal scored by Joe Cole exposed his lack of instinct at left back. I was very high on Caulker to start out the season but he has made some questionable decisions that have cost us but he seems to be very well suited to a high line & his aerial ability is fantastic. Dawson is strong & sure back there but his durability and lack of high end mobility scares me. He seems to be the perfect foil for Vertonghen though. Gallas is out ASAP and Kaboul needs to win a spot back. Our fullbacks are an area of need, Kyle Walker has to improve his consistency and he can be a top 5 fullback if he does. Benny hasn't found his footing under AVB & Naughton isn't anything special. Interested in seeing how/if Rose fits in next year and if Zeki Fryers can develop into a dependable LB.
DeleteOf course he will be used but he needs to be taught the Tottenham way. Do folk not think Scotty has been one of our better performers of late? I thought we were excellent against Poll and Inter at home. Not sure about AVB's choice of team on sat and his subs, he really fucked up. We need to play Siggy, bale, Lennon up front with Holtby in behind moussa and Scotty DM's, or Move Bale out left again and play Ade up fornt
ReplyDeleteI like Holtby and share your opinion on others mentioned. But this is where we differ Tom Huddlestone seems to have gone of fans lips i for one have not given up because what takes us six passes to gain space he can still do it in one. I played to a high standard and went to Lila shall years ago sadly a spine disease scuppered my chances. I have watched football and Spurs 50 years seen some great players and bad ones come and go . The last time i seen a players stroke a ball like Huddlestone was yes Hoddle. If you have played Snooker or Golf you will no what i mean about striking the ball at the bottom to stun the ball so when it arrives it stops dead. This happens when he hit 50 yard passes over the top of defenses to Bale and Lennon or killer through balls to Defoe and others. Our best scoring states in the past include Tom and Modric playing with Lennon and Bale. I no he has been out 14 months just like the missing Kaboul and we don't no if the two operations have fixed this giant mans ankle for good. My argument is this if he was on the bench at Liverpool he should have come on for our free Kick at 6ft3 notthe 5ft8 Carrol. I don't understand AVB he says one thing and later does the opposite like he has done with Holtby to me a better option than 32 year old Parker who runs and then loses the ball. So why has big Tom aged 26 years of experiance two footed with a thunder shot sat growing his hair till he scores overlooked for Livermore and inexperience Carrol. When they both played against Coventry they sprayed the ball to all corners then AVB sent them back to the bench and in Toms case at home Martin Jol would i know had him in his team in a flash but AVB thinks we will create with Parker and Livermore in the middle shocked me and getting beat by Liverpool by mistakes only papered over his bad selectionsand the results have now started showing how is starting eleven cant create enough killer passes. I want big Tom Carrol and Holtby to play a part in our run in or we will fail to stay in the top four or win the Ufa. The latest rumour is AVB to Madrid this would be just another form of tapping but if you wanted Bale and Utd where sniffing getting AVB head turned would make our defeat to Fulham with a mind numing team selection make sense. This would us letting AVB go to Madrid a lot cheaper and easier. Todays papers sees Mata stating AVB would be a good mamager to take over Madrid does Levey ignore this and hope like Harry its rumors and trust Avb to steady our ship and get us top four. Or does he react and sack him now before we crash on the rocks. I like most of our fans trust in AVB but with every headline its getting harder now a very nice lad is telling a disgusted fan to fuck off something i thought i would never hear him say even though i think the fan is wrong.
ReplyDeleteHuddlestone isn't mobile enough for top level football anymore, in my opinion. He's a couple steps too slow and while he can pick out a pass, thats not really the attack that AVB is trying to build. He is about quick build up, ball on the ground and clever runs rather than aerial passes from deep (whether accurate or not). Huddlestone would fit extremely well at a team like Stoke where they count on long passes, knock downs etc but its like fitting a circle into a square hole at Spurs for T Hudd.
DeleteLewis is special, you can see he loves the club. Lewis needs to play central because his quick passing is what is lacking from midfield, the guy always looks forward. attack is the best form of defence. COYS
ReplyDeleteDid you not watch the West Ham game... he was awful and showed that he does not have the stamina to last a premiership game yet... his sale was rushed through in the january window (partly due to injury to Sandro), but really he was earmarked as one for next season, when he's got a whole pre-season to get used to the team and the league.
ReplyDeleteAgain, the West Ham game had him playing a lot on the left wing. One of the main points that I made in this blog is that he has to play through the center of the pitch.
DeleteI agree with the stamina, he has only been able to go about 60-65 minutes thus far but he will continue to improve that.
It doesnt matter how good Hoddlestone passes, he stinks at all other aspects of the game these days and would be a weak play. He's screwed up games earlier in the season. What makes the most sense to me is to play Vertonghen as the DM. I think he would play this better than he does LB and has experience in the position. Especially the way AVB uses the DM to drop back into a CB type role. Vertonghen is also a lot better than Parker going forward which is why I believe he would be the perfect fill in. At this point Parker is no more than a late game D replacement. Play Vertonghen at DM, Dembele or Carroll ahead of him, then Holtby, Siggy or Dempsy depending on matchup. We miss Sandro soooo much.
ReplyDeleteAnd if AVB goes to RM I have a terrible feeling Bale would go with him. That would pretty much ruin our team and put us back in the middle of the table, or maybe top 7 or so. But you can forget about top 4 if we lose these 2.
ReplyDeleteYou don't buy a player and automatically play them. You buy to add to your squad so you can cover all eventualities. At this stage of the season it would be crazy to gamble by removing Scott Parker and playing him there, simply won't happen. Holtby has to adjust to the faster pace and greater physicality of the Premier League, that can take time. His last few cameos have shown he is not there yet.
ReplyDeleteThere are certainly some crazy suggestions on here, play veronghen as DM, nuts.
Umm CraZY? Vertonghen has played many games at DM in his career international and otherwise I believe.
ReplyDelete