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AVB: This Is The Formation For Glory, But Lack Of Competition For Places Worrying

by Mark Wilson
13 September 2013 5 Comments

The new look Spurs line up is great for keeping possession and counter attacks but with limited players in reserve, a few injuries and we'd be in trouble...

Spurs’ Formation Has No Cover, No Symmetry But A Great Style

Champions League dreams can no longer be satisfied by a standard 4-4-2 formation.  The best teams prefer 4-1-3-2 or 4-1-4-1, for example, to give their defence an extra shield.  The importance of players such as Claude Makelele, Daniele de Rossi and Nigel de Jong to their teams can’t be emphasised enough.  Spurs have struggled in that position in the past but now have the personnel to do the job they hoped Tom Huddlestone could do.

Spurs have been fielding asymmetrical midfields since we benefitted from Luka Modric and Rafael Van der Vaart in the same line-up.  The challenge was always to do so with a defensive anchor that didn’t leave a gaping hole between himself and the attacking midfielders, who often piled forward in a wave of four; Modric, Van der Vaart, Bale and Lennon all pushing Defoe higher and higher up the pitch.  As exciting as that was to watch, none of them were the best when it came to defensive responsibilities and that led to unexpected defeats.

Some important squad players have left over the past 12 months which means that they are more and more reliant on the first XI staying fit.  Whilst other clubs have suffered with long-term injuries (Van Persie at Arsenal, Essien at Chelsea, Vidic at Manchester United), aside from Ledley King, Spurs have managed their knocks pretty well.

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Sandro was out for a while but Scott Parker could cover capably well. Younes Kaboul missed all but one game last season but William Gallas was an excellent and reliable replacement – okay, perhaps that’s an exaggeration; he was a replacement.  Tottenham’s fringe players have been farmed out and whilst the starting team looks stronger for the investment, long campaigns in Europe and domestically could reopen old wounds.

Lloris
Walker  - Kaboul - Vertonghen (c) - Rose
Capoue
Lennon - Paulinho - Lamela - Chadli
Soldado

Starting at the back, Hugo Lloris has established himself as one of the best of a new wave of potentially great Premier League goalkeepers, alongside Simon Mignolet and Michel Vorm.  They may not be up there with the older generation (Schmeichel or Given, for example) but if they can go the distance, they might be considered in the same bracket.

Rose has impressed me – as has Andros Townsend – after successful loan spells and, without any cover at left-back, the position picks itself.  Perhaps, in January, Villas-Boas will need cover here. Vertonghen can play at left-back but he is such an effective centre-back it would be churlish to move him wide.  His ability to play the ball like a midfielder is crucial to breaking up attacks and building a counter. Kaboul is a battering ram of a man and it’s great to partner a physical, enthusiastic and intimidating player alongside one with more craft and nuance. Chiriches has arrived at just the right time to bolster the centre-backs and how he fits in will become evident when he has a chance to play.

He has his flaws but at right-back, Kyle Walker has an opportunity to establish himself at Spurs but also at England.  Glen Johnson divides opinion (personally, I think he is one of the best all-round full-backs in the league) but is pushed for a place by Andre Wisdom and Martin Kelly.  With no real replacement for Walker, he can bed in.  That could mean he loses focus without the fear of a teammate competing for his place but there’s little to be done about that.

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In Spurs’ traditionally weakest position, Capoue, from a handful of games, looks like a superb improvement. Whilst Sandro is a beast in the tackle and Paulinho is an all-energy intercepting machine, Capoue marries the two together.  The one thing Spurs have in excess is players who can play a neat, threaded pass.  By pushing Paulinho further forward, Spurs can intercept the ball in the opponent’s defensive half more and counter-attacking faster over a shorter distance; a sure-fire way of increasing the pressure and the chances to score.  Erik Lamela, as a record-signing, must be worth a start, on his price tag and reputation alone.  With Christian Eriksen, Siggurdsson, Dembele and Holtby on the bench, the midfield is very competitive, although critics will suggest a Bale-shaped lack of spontaneity.

Lennon has earned his place on the wing with Townsend contesting his spot.  The good thing about two carbon-copy, rapid wingers like them is that one can expend a burst of energy over 45 minutes, drawing fouls, firing in crosses, before being replaced by the other.  Fresh legs at 60 or 70 minutes can bring about even more chances to get goals during a vital phase of the match.  Chadli seems to have the pace but it’s his physicality that provides an exciting contrast but he needs to play a little deeper than Lennon.  Rose needs to learn not to be too cavalier and by forcing him to play into Chadli he will be compelled to release the ball sooner.  The Belgian, who has played in a deeper role before, can shield the more inexperienced full-back and hopefully build a strong partnership. Again, there appears to be little competition for his starting place.

As Soldado finds the runs and turns that will enable him to create more chances from the talented supply line behind him, he will score more frequently. His footwork in the box and his finish is reminiscent of Robbie Fowler or Ian Wright when they were at their best.  The pecking order behind him is short; Defoe needs games to get his rhythm but may not find them easy to come by. Adebayor is unwanted but offers a different dimension so could find himself on the bench once in a while.

For Spurs then, that imbalanced midfield can help them patiently build up possession and launch rapid counter-attacks.  The challenge will be how they adapt with limited back-up players in all four wide positions. If injury strikes, can they win with a narrow 4-2-3-1 line-up? Time will tell.

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Sean 5:37 pm, 13-Sep-2013

"The best teams prefer 4-1-3-2 or 4-1-4-1" What top teams prefer this formation? Munich(last season), Dortmund Chelsea, Real, City and even Arsenal use a 4-2-3-1. Juventus use a 3-5-2 while Barca use 4-3-3. I genuinely can't think of any team that plays the formations you mention. You say that capoue is an interception machine, yet before his injury last season Sandro had intercerpted more balls than any other player in the top five European leagues, so I miss your point there. Also disagree about Lennon and Townsend being carbon copies seen as Townsend is a far more narrow winger due to his left footedness. As for lack of depth I'd say that right now the only position Spurs are weak in is fullback. This is my breakdown of the team. GK- Lloris, Freidel(still very competant) and Gomes if it comes down to it. CB- Vertoghen, Dawson, Kaboul, Chiriches RB- Walker, Naughton LB- Rose (Naughton and Vertoghen can play here, but I'm listing natural players just now) DM- Sandro, Capoue Box to box midfielder- Paulinho, Dembele, Holtby, Siggy Deep lying playmaker- Holtby Attacking mid- Eriksen, Holtby, Lamela, Siggy RW- Lamela, Lennon, Townsend LW- Chadli, Townsend, Lamela CF- Soldado, Defoe, adebayor False 9- Eriksen This doesn't cover the versatility of the players, with Kaboul able to play RB, Capoue CB, Paulinho DM and the AM's all able to play on either wing as well. Not only is the team better stocked for depth than it was last season but it's also a massive improvement on quality. Capoue and Paulinho are a huge upgrade on the outgoing Parker, Livermore and Huddlestone but the new players versatility allow a far greater tactical flexibility than before. I doubt we'll see Spurs use a false 9 this season or a deep lying playmaker but the option is there. What formation is best is personal opinion, but to claim the squad is somehow thinner than it has been in seasons past is simply not true.

D 7:26 pm, 13-Sep-2013

He ain't got a clue

King Glenn 9:29 pm, 13-Sep-2013

Totally agree, Sean. This article makes no sense. We have more quality strength in depth than at any time in the last ten or fifteen years. As you say, full back looks weakest, but Zeki Fryers deserves a mention as back up to Danny Rose. Any more mistakes from Kyle Walker and Naughton will be first choice on the right hand side. COYS

Mark Wilson 7:28 am, 14-Sep-2013

Porto often used a 4-1-3-2 under AVB, Sporting Lisbon, Manchester City and Arsenal have also lined up that way. With more attacking midfielders in the squad, it makes sense to use them. I would say that the box-to-box midfielders in your list can sit deeper in a 4-2-3-1 when called for. I agree that the current squad is absolutely more versatile and, on paper, a higher standard than recent seasons but in terms of sheer numbers, the squad is thinner. Full-back is a worry and, as I mentioned, if Soldado gets injured has Defoe still got it on him to score frequently enough? As for the wide positions, we're relying on players who are as yet unproven in the Premier League.

rospur 9:28 am, 14-Sep-2013

AVB has already mentioned developing Fryers at left back . The big gap for me is at striker especially with AVB clearly wanting rid of Ade. If he felt that way I can't believe he didn't bring someone in during the window. Apart from that I think we're more than adequately covered. By the way Naughton is twice the player when used on the right rather than the left so shouldn't be underestimated.

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