Spurs 2012/2013 - Lineups, formations, tactics, etc

SuprSi

A thread to discuss how we expect the new season to unfold in terms of tactics, formations and everything in between.

Ormus

Quote from Leinstersqspur on transfer gossip thread: "He always plays 4-3-3

A back four with two flying fullbacks, no need to explain who these will be although if Dawson comes back on form Vertz could push BAE out of the team at left back.

The centre three will be a circular flowing three that allows each midfileder to compensate for either of the other two that are found out of position. Sandro/Parker will be the holder and either of Sig, Luka, Livermore will be further forward.

The front three consists of one striker (ade) and two attacking wingers such as Bale or Lennon (although we could se Sig or Vdv take up the right hand side position as AVB usually has this position tucked in Hulk style).

It totaalvoetbal baby, no player is fixed in position, I think Vertonghen and Sandro will be key for us this season pressing a highline."



That sounds pretty much spot on, although I think the idea of the flying full backs is that they provide all the width needed and therefore there is no need for specialist wingers. With that in mind, I don't see how Lennon will fit in. Bale could possibly adapt as a winger/striker or else take over from Benny at full back.

It will be very interesting to see what roles AVB has in mind for our players.

SuprSi

Very true, and I wonder if he'll tinker during the pre-season games or whether he'll play his intended lineup and just stick the players he thinks are best suited to certain positions in there.

Mr. Guappa

The back four looks to pick itself as things stand now:

Walker - Kaboul - Verthongen - BAE

We also have good depth here with Naughton, Smith, Dawson, Caulker, Gallas, Rose and possibly Fryers to come in. I'd like to see Adam Smith get a loan spell in the Premier League this season. Lloris has also been linked so our GK situation is up in the air at the moment.

Hopefully the Modric situation gets sorted one way or another soon, but with the Moutinho link it looks like we'll have a similar replacement anyway. For the sake of this I'll also assume that VDV stays put. Adebayor will obviously be first choice striker but it would be great to add another quality option up top.

We'll go with a midfield three of Sandro, Modric/Moutinho and Sigurdsson with Parker able to join Sandro in front of the back 4 for tougher games and VDV able to come in as a more attacking option behind Ade. Then you'd have Lennon or VDV on the right, with Bale on the left.

So something like this in tougher games:

---

Sandro - Modric - Parker

---

Lennon/VDV

---

Adebayor

---

Bale

and something like this in other games:

---

Sandro/Parker - Modric

---

Lennon/VDV

---

Sigurdsson/VDV

---

Bale

---

Adebayor

---

The likes of Huddlestone and Livermore provide great depth at CM, but we probably need to add someone else in the final third.

oregano

Mr. Guappa wrote: »

The back four looks to pick itself as things stand now:

Walker - Kaboul - Verthongen - BAE

We also have good depth here with Naughton, Smith, Dawson, Caulker, Gallas, Rose and possibly Fryers to come in. I'd like to see Adam Smith get a loan spell in the Premier League this season. Lloris has also been linked so our GK situation is up in the air at the moment.

Hopefully the Modric situation gets sorted one way or another soon, but with the Moutinho link it looks like we'll have a similar replacement anyway. For the sake of this I'll also assume that VDV stays put. Adebayor will obviously be first choice striker but it would be great to add another quality option up top.

We'll go with a midfield three of Sandro, Modric/Moutinho and Sigurdsson with Parker able to join Sandro in front of the back 4 for tougher games and VDV able to come in as a more attacking option behind Ade. Then you'd have Lennon or VDV on the right, with Bale on the left.

So something like this in tougher games:

---

Sandro - Modric - Parker

---

Lennon/VDV

---

Adebayor

---

Bale

and something like this in other games:

---

Sandro/Parker - Modric

---

Lennon/VDV

---

Sigurdsson/VDV

---

Bale

---

Adebayor

---

The likes of Huddlestone and Livermore provide great depth at CM, but we probably need to add someone else in the final third.

I understand and agree with the logic avb plays 433 etc, but he has inherited a team that was guaranteed third place before Devon lock ... Surely a slight tinker to what ain't broke is more sensible than a brand new system? He proved at Chelsea you can't bite the elephant in one gulp, and that was also an excellent team he inherited.

So my point is I think he will hopefully try to improve on what was 90 % right last season, we know he has the players.

What most excites me about avb is that he hasn't the Harry bull of "look at us, playing real Madrid," or "of course we won't win the league"

It was enjoyable bull while it lasted though !

DubPerryman

Leinstersqspur wrote: »

if Dawson comes back on form Vertz could push BAE out of the team at left back.

I don't see Dawson pushing Vertonghen out. He was bought for his pace. AVB plays a high defensive line, so will need two pacey centre backs (ideally Kaboul and Vertonghen). I'd see Caulker being the most likely to push these two for a starting place. Dawson may have to be happy with League Cup/Europa Cup.

Leinstersqspur

DubPerryman wrote: »

I don't see Dawson pushing Vertonghen out. He was bought for his pace. AVB plays a high defensive line, so will need two pacey centre backs (ideally Kaboul and Vertonghen). I'd see Caulker being the most likely to push these two for a starting place. Dawson may have to be happy with League Cup/Europa Cup.

I agree with you, it wasn't that I saw Dawson coming in as much but that AVB might see BAE as a weakness and try to push Vertz out there as he's pretty versatile.... I too am hoping Caulker pushes his way into the team as he appears ready!

On another note, to quote Oregano, "biting the elephant with one gulp!" It's a new one on me but I love it!:D

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

The great thing about this season as opposed to seasons past is that we have 4 very capable CBs (Kaboul, Vert, Daws & Caulker) and we also have Gallas, who probably won't be able to play many consecutive games due to his age and muscular problems, but who can most definitely do a job for us at some stage in the season. My only worry would be RB, because if Walker gets injured there's only Naughton in reserve, and he could very well be going out on loan again. It did him the world of good last season but he's still far from the finished article.

Ormus

THFC wrote: »

The great thing about this season as opposed to seasons past is that we have 4 very capable CBs (Kaboul, Vert, Daws & Caulker) and we also have Gallas, who probably won't be able to play many consecutive games due to his age and muscular problems, but who can most definitely do a job for us at some stage in the season. My only worry would be RB, because if Walker gets injured there's only Naughton in reserve, and he could very well be going out on loan again. It did him the world of good last season but he's still far from the finished article.

Kaboul is able to do a job at right back, as is Livermore.

I think we're better covered at right back this year than we were at left back last year. Danny Rose is muck.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Ormus wrote: »

Kaboul is able to do a job at right back, as is Livermore.

I think we're better covered at right back this year than we were at left back last year. Danny Rose is muck.

Yea but we can't be taking Kaboul out of the middle, he was colossal for us last season, our best defender by a bit. With all his shortcomings I'd rather see Corluka there, provided Kaboul is in the middle, than any of the above mentioned.

Ormus

THFC wrote: »

Yea but we can't be taking Kaboul out of the middle, he was colossal for us last season, our best defender by a bit. With all his shortcomings I'd rather see Corluka there, provided Kaboul is in the middle, than any of the above mentioned.

Agreed, but its still good to know he can play there in an emergency, seeing as we have better cover for centre half.

Corluka is gone to Lokomotiv Moscow.

Big Pussy Bonpensiero

Ormus wrote: »

Agreed, but its still good to know he can play there in an emergency, seeing as we have better cover for centre half.

Corluka is gone to Lokomotiv Moscow.

I'd rather see Daws there than Kaboul. I know exactly where Charlie has gone, see my first post on this matter.

MrKingsley

On paper our best back 4 has to be

Walker-Kaboul-Vertongen-BAE

Its the paciest 4 efenders we have for the high line that AVB favours.

However what I will say is those 4 dont scream leadership to me.

I no that vertz was captain at Ajax but hell need to be given time to adapt. If he doesnt get off to a flyer then I can see Dawson playing a huge role for us this season. To me hes a top quality centre half and quite a bit quicker than he is given credit for. To me hes also the most natural 'leader' of a back 4 for us as hell lead by example.

In a nutshell I think it would be naive to just use him for League cup/europa League and run the risk of him wanting to leave for first team football at christmas. All it takes then is 1 injury and were left with Gallas maybe being required to play 5/6 games on the trot for the run in which I wouldnt want to see

Ormus

THFC wrote: »

I'd rather see Daws there than Kaboul. I know exactly where Charlie has gone, see my first post on this matter.

Daws at right back? Not gonna happen trust me.

DubPerryman

MrKingsley wrote: »

In a nutshell I think it would be naive to just use him for League cup/europa League and run the risk of him wanting to leave for first team football at christmas.

I agree with this. Trust me it wasn't easy to say Dawson will just be playing Europa/League Cup games. I have the greatest respect for him. He's been very loyal to Tottenham and puts 100% in in every game. Though, I was looking at it from a realistic point of view and I just think AVB will favour Kaboul and Vertonghen for their pace.

MrKingsley

DubPerryman wrote: »

I agree with this. Trust me it wasn't easy to say Dawson will just be playing Europa/League Cup games. I have the greatest respect for him. He's been very loyal to Tottenham and puts 100% in in every game. Though, I was looking at it from a realistic point of view and I just think AVB will favour Kaboul and Vertonghen for their pace.

The annoying thing is that I completely agree with your post too.

I suppose itll be up to AVB to man manage him and other players in the same position ie. Parker/sandro and lennon(if a replacement/back up is signed).

Ultimately thats where he failed at chelsea. Im not saying for a second that weve the same egos but if he cant get the whole squad pulling together then players will be asking to leave come christmas

2nd Row Donkey

Surely AVB has more strings to his bow than just this 4-4-3 formation. If not, then we are in big trouble.

Playing a high line is fine if we have the players for it and i think we do. Elsewhere we can still play a starting XI similar to last season but with more pressing and industry.

I think there will be 1 major casuality from HR's time. Could be VDV, could be defoe or lennon, maybe its Dawson but that can only mean someone else will profit .. Like GDS or Hudds or maybe the new guy.

I will be watchn preseason with interest!