With the international break at its midway stage, Martin Jol must be training with his squad, wondering who he will pick for Tottenham’s next game; a tricky away tie against Newcastle on Monday.
Though he does not have the luxury of picking players from a full and fit squad, the question remains: if he did have, who should he pick as the best starting eleven?
Goal
In goal, Paul Robinson has been having a torrid time of it lately, but a couple of good performances against Estonia and particularly Russia will do him the world of good, and hopefully he’ll have cut out the mistakes by the time Tottenham’s game against Newcastle comes about. I don’t think it’s time yet to start thinking about dropping him for Radek Cerny.
Defence
The right-back position picks itself with Pascal Chimbonda as the only real candidate, and with him in talks to sign a new deal, we need not worry about this department.
Centre back is a bit more difficult. Ledley King would be a definite starter, but his partner is difficult to choose. Anthony Gardener and Ricardo Rocha are squad players, with Michael Dawson and Younes Kaboul the real contenders. Based on Kaboul’s performances for Tottenham this season, his strong physical presence and his eye for the odd goal, I would have to go for him in front of Dawson.
Left-back is a position where I still feel we need to strengthen, but out of the players we have, and with Gareth Bale too dangerous to leave in defence, I would pick Lee Young-Pyo.
Midfield
For me, this is our problem and will be until we sacrifice individuals for what will make our team work well. In many ways, the problem is like what England’s was, until Lampard was injured and continued to be left out even when fit. We must have not necessarily the best eleven on the pitch, but the best team.
At right-midfield Aaron Lennon should start as he can beat men, has lots of pace, and though his delivery is not his greatest asset, he has too much potential not to play.
The centre of midfield poses the most problems, but as long as a formation and system is sorted, it is just a question of playing the right players. Personally, I think we should play a diamond formation, with one defensive and one attacking central midfielder. I would pick Teemu Tainio as the defensive midfielder, as he has the ability to tackle well, hold his position in front of the defence without moving too far upfield, and pass the ball accurately. He also gives 100% not matter where he is asked to play, and if he is picked to play here, you can bet opposition defences will have trouble getting by him.
Didier Zokora attacks from deep when he plays as a defensive midfielder, and though his forward runs are dangerous, there is no end product from him. Jermaine Jenas does not pass the ball as well Tainio, and he loses it far too often, as well as performing extremely inconsistently.
At attacking central midfield, I think Tom Huddlestone should be given a chance. His passing is fantastic from deep, and if this were to be utilised further up the field, Huddo could thread some great balls through to our strikers and wide midfielders.
Jermaine Jenas scores more goals than Huddlestone, granted, but the former Derby man has a great shot from outside the box, has netted a few for us himself, and if he were to move further upfield, he could surely score more when supporting the strikers. Didier Zokora is yet to score for us, and still has trouble finding that killer pass.
At left midfield, Gareth Bale is a fantastic choice for us; his great ability to cross, take free-kicks and corners, as well as score a fair share already in his first season for Tottenham and at the age of 18 speaks volumes.
Players such as Steed Malbranque and Adel Taraabt would have to be used as substitutes, but they would do well then something needed to be created for the strikers.
Forwards
As with last year, the best combination is Dimitar Berbatov and Robbie Keane. Tottenham’s summer acquisition Darren Bent is unfortunately a bench-warmer in this scenario, and indeed, this is happening right now. However, the understanding Jol’s favoured two have built up from last year – the Liverpool game evidence of this – means that they should get the nod in front of Bent and fourth-choice Defoe.
Keane needs to play off the shoulder of the last defender, and not drop deep into attacking midfield as Tom Huddlestone will cover this area. Keane’s two goals against Liverpool showed how well him and Berbatov can combine when they link up in and around the box. In terms of consistency, these two would also be the best choice, and so, the final team sheet would read:
GK Robinson
RB Chimbonda
CB King
CB Kaboul
LB Lee
RM Lennon
DM Tainio
AM Huddlestone
LM Bale
CF Berbatov
CF Keane
What would be your first eleven for Tottenham if everyone was fit?
Gk Robbo
RWB Chimbonda
LWB Bale
CD Dawson
CD Kaboul
Holding King
DCM Huddlestone
DCM Zokora
ACM Keane
ST Berbatov
ST Bent
Subs:Cerny;Gardner;Jenas;Lennon;Defoe
Gk Robbo
CD Dawson
CD Kaboul
Holding King
DCM Huddlestone
DCM Zokora
RM Chimbonda
LM Bale
ACM Keane
ST Berbatov
ST Bent
Subs:Cerny;Gardner;Jenas;Lennon;Defoe
This is tricky cos as any manager will tell you all, it all depends on who your playing. For example: I would personally say that our BEST starting 11 are (taking current injuries into account):
GK – Robinson
RB – Chimbonda
LB – Lee
CB – Dawson
CB – Kaboul
DM – Huddlestone
RM/W – Lennon
LM/W – Bale
AM – Jenas
ST – Keane
ST – Berbatov
The only problem with this is that playing a team like Arsenal for example where they have an attacking midfielder like Fabragas who has pace, Huddlestone will be ineffective unless playign for fouls which he runs the risk of being sent off, much like the way we use Lennon on full backs, get them to foul him nad eventually get carded and maybe sent off. In these situations we need a DM/CM who can keep up and tackle the oppositions player and the only people i would suggest here are Malbranque or Zokora, however there are problems with those as well in that Malbranque is an attacker, always has been, even at Fulham and Zokora is very good at getting forward, not much of a DM but has no final ball and needs to pass but doesnt always see the best option for a pass. Thats not to say that they are bad players but the system we have its not really suited. With a team like Arsenals for example we need to battle youth with youth and if i had my way i would have gone with Boateng in the centre sat in front of the defense to battle speed and trickery with speed and trickery and have Taarabt on the bench to possibly take over on the left wing should we need to take Lee off and have a more attacking left side, something that has been done and worked very well for us. Keane and Berbatov are a match made in Heaven and should be first choice every time, Defoe and Bent will have their chances im sure and will get plenty of goals as well. As for the defence, King is still a ,long way off playing time and being at his best and at the moment, Dawson and Kaboul are starting to form a pretty formidable partnership, one that with time and understanding of each other will flourish.
Robinson (should try to buy craig gordon thou)
Chimbonda
King
Dawson
BAE
Lennon
Kaboul (is the holding player we desperatey need)
KPB (as i hate all are other midfielders and we need to sign van der vaart in the january)
Bale
Berbatov
Keane
GK -: Stephen Hawkins
RB -: Micky Mouse
CB -: Donald Duck
CB -: Yogi Bear
LB -: Boo Boo
RM -: Huey
CM -: Luey
LM -: Duey
RF -: Scooby Doo
CF -: Kermit
LF -: Mutley
This is the team no questions its whats needed………..what do you think
GK ROBINSON
RB CHIMBONDA CB KING CB Dawson LB LEE
DM Zokora
RW LENNON LW BALE
AMC KEANE
CF KEANE CF BERBATOV
zed
huddlestone is to slow for the premier league and only plays well agains lesser opposition … he cant perform against any of the good teams …. zokora is pacy works hard tackles well and never stops running, i cant deny tht huddlestone has a good touch but he’s not gd enough
Tanio and Jenas are the worst players to wear Tottenham shirts.
Tanio is a poor passer and not strong enough in the tackle and Jenas takes awful free kicks and bottles it when clean through.
GK – Cerny
RB – Stalteri
LB – Assou-Ekotto
CB – Rocha
CB – Gardner
CM – Tainio
CM – Ghaly
RM – Routledge
LM – Taarabt
ST – Defoe
ST – Bent
Pace, youth, Power, Height, stabilty, agility and no underperforming big names – maybe i would rotate keano
GK: Cerny – Robbo has lost his hands
RB: Chimbonda – Sign away
CB: Dawson – Header and footer
CB: King – Please get better Ledley
LB: Lee – Runs like a dervish
RM: Lennon – Waving his arms in the air
CM: Jenas – Used to be a geordie
CM: Hudd – Thudd
LM: Bale – He’s the only OK one in the village
RF: Berbatov – Bulgarian beast
LF: Bent – Give the boy a chance then get Keane on
GK: Robinson
LB: Bale
CB: King
CB: Kaboul
RB: Chimbonda
LM: Taarabt
CM: Zokora
CM: Malbranque
RM: Lennon
F: Berbatov
F: Keane
Subs:
Cerny, Dawson, Jenas, Defoe, Huddlestone
Robbo
Chimbonda
King
Dawson
Lee
Lennon
Jenas
Zokora
Bale
Berby
Keane
For me Huddlestone will always shine against weaker oppossition, ultimatley where he has the time and space to do what he does best..spray the ball about and thread balls through…his lack of mobility only compounds this. Its all about getting the best side…and think the 11 I picked balances the side and produces a team..not just what looks good on paper…actually that was the side that played against Liverpool(bar Kaboul for King) What is the obsession with Boateng! hasn’t even played a prem match yet…and he’s in people’s best eleven!
Kaboul looks good but has a massive amount to learn.
G Robinson
RB Chimbonda
CB Dawson
CB Kaboul
LB Bale
RM Lennon
CM King
CM Huddlestone
LM Taarabt
F Berbatov
F Keane
Why not use King in CM role(when and if healthy)? With squad as it is at the moment, we then get our best players on the field and possibly solve CM problem until we can buy quality, then move King back to CD.
robbo
chimbonda
kaboul
king
lee
lennon
jenas
huddlestone
bale
berbatov
defoe
robbo (makes some mistakes, but the best one in squad)
chimbonda (agressive)
dawson (solid, but soon kaboul will take his spot)
king (one of the best EPL defender)
lee (classic; everything good except he should work on his cross)
lennon
jenas
huddlestone
bale (impressive and will only get better)
berbatov (top scorer last year)
keane (better than bent and defoe)
MY GRANNY IN GOAL
CHIMBONDA
DAWSON
KING
BALE
LENNON
KABOUL
JENAS
ADEL TARAABT
DEFOE
KEANE
FOR SALE: BERBATOV £30 MILLION & ROBINSON 30p
GK Cerny – Cant keep using Robinson with his current form
RB Chimbonda – Great player, best right back at spurs since
Carr had his days of glory.
CB Kaboul – This guy has impressed me so far this season,
seems to be a very robust player. I prefer
him against Daws, as i feel Dawson is a bit
clumsy.
CB King – No explanation needed, pure class when fit.
LB Lee – He is a decent left-back, but his crossing is
awful.
RW Lennon – His pace is great, but he needs to work on
his delivery.
ACM Keane – I feel Keane could be doing a lots of good
from this position, as he is a player who
likes to roam around the pitch.
DCM Huddlestone – This guy really has potential, his physical presence is enormous, and I feel his distribution of the ball is underrated.
LM Bale – A wonderkid who only will keep getting
better.
ST Berbatov – World class
ST Defoe – I really believe this guy could score heaps of goals when given the chance to shine on a regular basis.
GK- Cerny – he’s played well the games he has been involved in and none of the goals he has conceded have been his fault
CB- King
CB- Kaboul
CB- Dawson
CM- Huddlestone
CM- Zokora
RM- Lennon
LM- Bale
AMC- Taraabt
ST- Defoe
ST- Berbatov
Robinson
Bale,King,Dawson,Chimbonda
Malbranque, Jenas,Zokora,Lennon
Berbatov,Keane
This is my Spurs first 11 (players of all time)
3-4-3
GK – Robinson
CB – Woodgate
LCB – King
RCB – Dawson
RCM – Carrick
LCM – Zokora
RM – Davies
LM – Bale
CF – Keane
LS – Berbatov
RS – Defoe