My Strongest Spurs XI

Article by e-Spurs Correspondent Chris Mecoy

Now, I’m not naive enough to think that my articles are world famous, but I’d like to think that I have become known for my rather upbeat articles. I try to look at the positives of each Tottenham performance, each Tottenham situation, and dare I say each Tottenham crisis.

Now, that hasn’t really changed, I still feel pretty happy about where Spurs stand in the grand scheme of things, especially after the win last night, but for the first time in his admittedly short tenure, Tim Sherwood finds himself being closely scrutinised by both the media (‘Dim Tim’) and Spurs fans alike.

Now, two extremely poor performances (Dnipro away & Norwich) don’t turn him into a bad manager, but what concerns me slightly is his team selection.

I’m hoping to go through the current squad right now, and establish what is the best formation, and the best starting eleven.

Now, I know that a lot of you embraced the 4-4-2 formation that Tim utilised upon his confirmation as manager, but I’m still fond of the 4-5-1, or more to the point, the 4-2-3-1 that has served us pretty well in the past.

GOALKEEPER

Now this one is a no-brainer. I’m absolutely delighted that we can boast such a great goalkeeper as Brad Friedel as our second choice keeper, but when it comes to the man between the sticks, we have one of the finest in the world. So Hugo, don’t worry, your position is safe.

Unfortunately, that’s about as easy as this team selection gets!

DEFENCE

I truly believe, that up in Tottenham heaven, there is a seat at Bill Nicholson’s feet reserved for Michael Dawson. He has been a stalwart for the club for the last 9 years, always wears his heart on his sleeve, and truly does love Spurs. That’s what makes this next bit difficult. Michael is now our fourth best centre back in my opinion, and, whilst being one Hell of a good fourth choicer, he is not up to the same standard of the other three right now.

Kyle Walker is an obvious shoe-in for the right back role, as his namesake Mr. Naughton quite simply isn’t at the same level. Don’t get me wrong, Kyle Naughton does have a good game or two in him, but on his best day, he isn’t as good as Walker on an off day.

As for left back, I’m going to stump for Danny Rose. In all honesty, I believe that Jan Vertonghen is our best LB, but he always makes it public how he doesn’t like to play there. Now, if reported quotes from SuperJan this week are to be believed, we really don’t want to be p**sing him off right now.

So that guarantees Vertonghen one of the CB roles. The question is who to play alongside him? Kaboul or Chiriches?

As this article is based on what I believe to be the best starting eleven for Spurs, I’m going to pick Kaboul. He has more experience and speed, and despite suffering from a clear case of AndertonKingitis, he is still a great footballer. If his injury problems persist, then Vlad Chiriches is a perfect man to step in.

 

Lloris

 

Walker Kaboul Vertonghen Rose

CENTRAL MIDFIELD PAIRING

This is where we have an abundance of talent. Just think of the list of current or future internationals who can lay claim to a starting berth: Sandro, Dembele, Bentaleb, Paulinho, Holtby, Carroll and Capoue, and it becomes obvious that we are blessed when it comes to CM’s.

I think that Bentaleb can become a really great player, BUT I’m not so sure he is ready to be a regular starter just now. A loan to a Norwich, Swansea or Villa would seem like the best way to help him gain experience and improve his abilities without making mistakes that will cost us in the long run.

Myself, I would go for the Brazilian pairing right now. Sandro and Paulinho between them boast a wonderful mix of aggression, skill, pace and finishing. They also get on extremely well off the pitch, which can only benefit us on it.

Lloris

Walker Kaboul Vertonghen Rose

Paulinho Sandro

WINGERS

Right, AVB didn’t get it, and now Tim Sherwood’s not getting it, so I’ll spell it out.....GYLFI SIGURDSSON IS NOT A WINGER!! Nor is Dembele or Paulinho for that matter. We have, in all honesty, four wingers: Townsend, Chadli, Lamela and Lennon. Erik Lamela has obviously not quite hit the ground running, but given time, I’m sure he’ll be an absolute Superstar for us. Also, he has admitted that his preferred position is on the right of an attacking three. Having said that, right now, I still think I’d pick Lennon over him. Aaron is the ‘Marmite’ of the Spurs side, either you love him or you hate him, but I truly worship this man. Against Norwich, he seemed to be the only midfielder actually doing a job, and that is made all the more remarkable when you consider the fact that he was doing at least two other jobs as well.

As far as the left wing is concerned, I still think I’d plump for Andros. He hasn’t been the same player as he was before his injury, but I think that with these two wingers shooting down the lines, the attacking threat offered could be immense.

ATTACKING MIDFIELDER

Now, this is a position that is reserved for a no. 10 type of player. Personally, I believe we only have two. These two are Gylfi Sigurdsson and Christian Eriksen. Honestly, I do like Gylfi, but in Eriksen we have one of the most exciting young players on the entire continent, and Christian in this position, injuries permitting, should be an absolute GIVEN!!

Lloris

Walker Kaboul Vertonghen Rose

Paulinho Sandro

 

Lennon Eriksen Townsend

STRIKER

You know that old football adage? ‘Form is temporary, class is permanent’? Well that could have been written about Roberto Soldado. Bobby WILL come good, I have absolutely no doubt whatsoever about that, but at the moment, he is struggling. Emmanuel Adebayor is not. Whether he is just playing for a new contract, or whether he has turned a corner in terms of his attitude, we have been reaping the benefits for the last couple of months, so Ade gets the nod for me. Jermain is off to Toronto after the Dnipro second leg and Harry Kane, whilst very promising, isn’t ready to lead the line for a European chasing side right now.

Lloris

Walker Kaboul Vertonghen Rose

Paulinho Sandro

Lennon Eriksen Townsend

 

Adebayor

 

So there you have it, this is what I feel is Spurs’ best side, but more importantly than all of that, this is the formation WE MUST PLAY. We can’t go to a side like Norwich and play 4 CM’s. It leaves our striker suffocated up on his own, and totally bereft of anything to play off of.

 

Lastly, and probably most importantly, Christian Eriksen has to start. In the words of Rafa ‘The Fat Waiter’ Benitez, this is a fact!

COME ON YOU SPURS!!

What do you think of my selection? Am I on the right lines or just talking complete nonsense?

Leave your comments below, and as always let us know your opinions on our Twitter page @e_spurs or through our Facebook group e-spurs (Tottenham Forever).

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