That wasn’t very convincing, was it?
The problem for Andre Villas-Boas at the moment, is that he’s managing a squad which is very much in flux. The press, to satiate their need to whip Villas-Boas, will take great delight in picking apart Spurs’ performance today – but there’s not an awful lot to judge at the moment.
This side is neither one thing nor the other at the moment – it’s in a purgatory between the ideologies of Villas-Boas and Harry Redknapp. Most likely, by this time next week – once the transfer window has closed – we’ll have a better idea of what this side’s long term future will be.
One area which has to be strengthened is the midfield. Looking at today’s combination of Sandro, Jake Livermore, and Rafael Van der Vaart, there was an imbalance to it. Spurs lack the link player who can knit the offensive and defensive halves of the team together. Or, more precisely, Luka Modric. People who haven’t watched Modric over ninety minutes always bracket him as an attacking-midfielder, but that’s a misnomer – he made more of a complete contribution than that tag suggests. Tottenham need to replace that set of attributes.
Regular readers of this site will know that Jake Livermore isn’t our favourite player, and that’s because he doesn’t contribute enough in the right directions. Sandro is comfortably a better ball-winner than Livermore, and offers far more athletic presence in the centre of the pitch. Livermore can’t play further forward, because his skill-set doesn’t suit the assignment, and playing him alongside the Brazilian makes Tottenham negative, two-dimensional and easier to defend against.
Look at today’s game, how often did Spurs create anything through the middle? Barely at all. It’s not that Jake Livermore is a bad player, it’s just that he doesn’t have the specific qualities needed in that area – he’s not particularly comfortable on the ball, he hasn’t got the best technique, and he hasn’t yet learned how to dictate the temperament of a game. He’s an alternative to Sandro, not a complement to him.
Tottenham need a metronome, a Joao Moutinho – someone who is genuinely continental-class in possession, and who can stage-manage the side’s ebbs and flows in momentum.
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I can’t see why we can’t play Sandro/Livermore (though I’d pick Sandro or Parker once fit) with Siggy as the man to link the defence/attack with VDV in the attacking position? No need to 2 defensive midfielders as long as the more attacking of the two gets back as well. Much as I love JD as well in the system AVB is using I’d have to plump for Ade every time. I think Defoe’s time at spurs is coming to a close.
spurs were lucky not to have lost. West Brom had far better chances and flattened us in the second half. We really missed a physical presence like kaboul at the back. I blame levy for not getting a replacement for modric. He is obviously the link within the team. By levy squabbling over a couple of million means we have not really done any better than starting last season. Thats why we are not in the CL this season.
no midfield link a valid point.there are 2 other problems.vdv cannot play 90 minutes.defoe if he doesnt score is a potential passenger.ade who may not be match fit was brought on too late.we now have 1 point from 2 games.this is not top 4 form.
I agree completely Glenn. Plain and simple, Jenas needs to go. He is not capable and will only hinder our progression. The fact of the matter is that he is 29 and has done little to prove himself during his time at N17. Every time I see him on the pitch, I simply cringe. I have a LOT of faith in AVB, but I have not been able to decipher his logic of including Jenas in his plans.
Mountinho is a must buy if we losese modric?
i agree totally with the story but not with kingglenn. what is OK? we will not finish 4th if we play just OK. we need 2 midfielder, livermore not ready yet and looking at the bench, it not good. JJ came on and did what NOTHING. where was he when the goal went in. on the missing list. he should have been the first 1 out the door. if Mr Lvey doesn’t buy 2 mid + 1 20 goal + player, it’s going to be a long season.
Nice football Spurs,but once again the bridesmaid. Same as last year but minus Modric!
Ade a little underdone, Jake L not a creative player a robotic performance,Rafael V slow but class, Sandro a hard working provider, I feel Defoe should have finished the game.
Desperate need for striker, goal keeper and solid midfielder that can hold and control the ball. Disappointing – as the better team didn’t win!
Leonardo D.
Agree up to a point, but think the criticism of Jake Livermore is a little harsh.
Thought he played ok, as well as Sandro, but the problem was the way in which both sat far too deep at the same time.
This led to a predictable “6 back, 4 up” which West Brom sat back and coped with.
With a little more ambition and bravery we could and should have been out of sight by half time.
VDV remains a source of frustration – way too slow and tactically indisciplined and as for Jenas, I really hoped he’d played his last game in a Spurs shirt. With any luck he now has.