THE BIG MATCH: Success in Switzerland – A Question of Formation?

With the big match approaching fast, Tom O'Neill looks at how we may overcome the Swiss side.

Here I discuss various formations and line-ups that AVB could select in wake of our must-win second leg in Basel.

The pendulum is swinging and the cuckoo is ready to spring, Spurs’ trip to Switzerland draws ever closer. Whether it be a short stay, euthanizing us from our European misery, or a glorious performance more shiny than a bank vault full of Nazi gold, progression likely hinges on fine margins.

Conquering the famously neutral territory won’t be an easy feat and it may well depend on the formation that AVB opts for. The most pressing issue for the manager to address is that of absences; barring an incident with the large hadron collider that shifts the game into a parallel universe where Lale and Bennon never got injured, we will have to do without our only two senior wide men.

In Favour of 4-3-3:

AVB’s go-to formation at Porto was utilised against Everton at the weekend. While the crisis-mongering media will put the draw down to a certain ‘lack of Bale’, I actually believed the players (with a few arguable exceptions) performed admirably in the absence of our wide men and that the formation was at least partly responsible for this:

Friedel

Walker - Dawson - Vertonghen - BAE

Parker

Carroll - Dembele

Sigurdsson - Holtby

Adebayor

The defence is fairly self-explanatory – given the one and a half week fitness break before the next premier league game and kaboul’s injury, this is perhaps the strongest back four possible (certainly in an attacking sense) that we possess. Walker was brilliant against Everton and provided the width we desperately needed. Although Holtby was very accomplished in central midfield position, winning and recycling the ball quickly and efficiently, I am forced to move him onto the left wing as I simply do not trust Dempsey anymore; his speculative long shots at the weekend were awry and he lost the ball perhaps more than anyone else on the pitch. However, this does make way for Carroll who continued to impress with his cameo against Everton, thus earning him a position in the central midfield slots.

Alternative 4-2-3-1:

However, Everton lacked the width and penetration of Basel at the lane, and so maybe our usual formation might provide more cover. Here it is, with a twist:

Friedel

Walker - Dawson - Vertonghen - BAE

Huddlestone - Carroll

Sigurdsson - Dembele - Holtby

Adebayor

Perhaps the greatest surprise here is the lack of Scotty P. While Parker’s defensive work is important, this is a game in which we simply must outscore the opponent within 90+ minutes of playing time. Huddlestone’s cameo performance against Everton was exemplary; he played the Pirlo-role brilliantly, not just spraying out long, aerial passes up field but doing it all under the weight of the Huddlefro can be no lean feat. Huddlestone would speed up our attacks with his directness; though it would be a risk, I believe it would be one worth taking. In addition, this would also push Dembele further up the pitch, something fans have been crying out for. He would slot into the attacking midfield/number 10 role as he did at Fulham as his trickery and shooting ability could be vital.

Radical Change:

However, if AVB really wants to mix it up, he could go all Italian on the Swiss with 3 at the back:

Friedel

Caulker (Kaboul) - Dawson - Vertonghen

Walker - Huddlestone - Dembele - BAE

Sigurdsson - Holtby (Dempsey)

Adebayor

While this formation didn’t seem to work so well against Fulham, that was perhaps more down to player lethargy than shape. Basel’s biggest threat in the first-leg was the front three - they picked more holes in our back 4 than a Swiss cheese, particularly with the Frei and Stocker coming off the wings. This
could be nullified by the two more mobile centre-backs either side of Dawson who is left to deal with the more physical Streller. This 3 on 3 situation would gift Walker more freedom, allowing him to pose more threat on the counter and to show the blistering form he did against Everton on Sunday.

On a side note, wouldn’t it be nice if we could include a certain player, currently on loan at QPR, in any of these formations. Opta stats recorded 14 successful dribbles past a defender by Andros Townsend in the R’s 10 man draw with Wigan – more than any other player on record in a single Premier League game. Food for thought…

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