Tottenham Hotspur Other observations:
Not a lot of options on the bench, with no striker on the bench. This means that they can’t do much to change the system, more like for like in substitutions. They can however, change the dynamics of the team, like changing Naughton to play more offensive and higher up the field, allowing Bale to play in a more central or free role, or bringing Sigurdsson on for a central midfielder to play with 1 holding player and Sigurdsson in-between lines or to bring him on for Lennon, moving Bale to the right and using Sigurdsson on the left to come inside to allow Naughton to overlap. This will also mean that both Sigurdsson and Bale will have to be shown on the outside as when the come inside and shoot they can be deadly.
The team is going though a very good run of results and are highly motivated, but will have to get used to the different dynamic that Parker will bring to the midfield as Sandro who usually starts there got injured for the rest of the season in the last game. * They will also be highly motivated, after lifting the mental block they have had over not beating and not winning in good wining positions against Manchester United in years.
Sandro & Kaboul are out, Gallas will have a late fitness test and Adebayor is away on international duty.
Tottenham Hotspur Player observations:
[dropcap]25.[/dropcap] Lloris – left foot – Very positive sweeper ‘keeper. Good with ball at feet and extremely quick and rushing out and closing down player on ball. At corners he isn’t used to come out for crosses, instead they will have a line of 4 players in front of him. If he does come, due to the amount of players competing for the ball he is likely to only get a weak punch on the ball, meaning that if we can be aggressive and win the second ball there will be a good opportunity to score.
[dropcap]28.[/dropcap] Walker – right foot – Extremely good athletic and physically right back. Always the fullback to get forward early and has a very good and powerful shot. Can get exposed due to how high and early he gets up the field and can be kept out wide when attacking, leaving a big gap between him and the centre back.
[dropcap]20.[/dropcap] Dawson – right foot – Leader of the team, communicates and organises the defence. A defender that is brave and won’t pull out of a tackle, but lacks mobility and technical ability on the ball. Decent passer of the ball and will always go long when not under pressure. Very dominant in air in box boxes with aggressive runs to attack the ball.
[dropcap]5.[/dropcap] Vertonghen – left foot -Very goof technical defender, with a good amount of pace and ability to bring the ball out of defence. Extremely composed and calm when on the ball and in defending. Won’t rush or panic, waits for the moment to take the ball.
[dropcap]16. [/dropcap]Naughton – right foot -A right back playing left back, so expect inside moment behaviours and crosses off his right foot when he receives the ball in forward positions. He is used to support play and give defensive balance, but can be exposed as Bale doesn’t always get back, meaning that Dembele has to cover him.
[dropcap]7.[/dropcap] Lennon – right foot -Pure wing player, holds the ball narrow to create the space on the wing for Walker to run into or for him to exploit himself. Extreme mobility and acceleration over the first few yards, crosses on the byline (usually with floated crosses to the second post or low 1st post crosses) but rarely comes inside on is left foot. Always looks to take player on, with quick feet and very good control.
[dropcap]8.[/dropcap] Parker – right foot – A player with leadership, Parker looks to use his mobility to organise deep or to support play. He has very good passing ability, capable of vertical penetration, as well as a good ability to read the game to intercept passes. He also works very hard on the pitch and gives his all.
[dropcap]19.[/dropcap] Dembele – left foot – Extremely good physical attributes with good mobility. He also has excellent technical abilities and can easily beat players in 1 on 1 situations. He is also very good a reading the game and positions himself to take the ball by using his body to get in between the ball and opposition player. Also quite creative in his runs with ball and movement.
[dropcap]11.[/dropcap] Bale – left foot – Top quality player. Immense physical attributes, with amazing mobility, technical ability, crossing, finishing, free kick and heading ability. His movement off the ball into depth is also exceptional. He will always look to play direct and quick, with 1 – 2 combinations with the strikers to go down the wing or big inside movements to run into depth behind the centre backs. He is also the reference point with the diagonal balls from the centre backs and 1st post runs at corners as he gets great height on his jump to win the flick on. He often leaves the left wing position, looking to get into depth more centrally. He is also very dangerous when he receives the ball deep on the wing with lots of space behind the fullback to exploit. Important to control the space around him to limit his effect on the game as much as possible.
[dropcap]2. [/dropcap]Dempsey – right foot – Good technical player, will always come very deep to receive the ball, acting as the teams 10. Well timed runs and movements in the box, unlike Defoe’s explosive movements. Very good finisher with both feet and head, he can also link play or join Defoe as a striker.His mobility means that he can come deep, support or run into depth. Very good with both feet and will try and pick ball up deep, run at defenders and then look to play 1 – 2’s to get around defence.
[dropcap]22.[/dropcap] Sigurdsson – right foot – Very good technical player that looks to play between lines, has ability to play ball into depth or to hit incredible long shots, with precise direction, curve and power. Also very good at arriving in the box to finish off the move. He will most likely come on as a sub, either on the left coming inside or playing in the ’10’ role.
[dropcap]18.[/dropcap] Defoe – right foot – Extremely mobile poacher. Will always shoot if give the opportunity with very good finishing ability and powerful long shots. Looks to come deep to receive the ball at feet then lay off and spin into depth. He will also go wide to allow other players to move in the middle. Also capable of instinctive 1 touch finishes and quick, aggressive and explosive movements in the box.
Goals [top 5]:
- Defoe – 10
- Bale – 9
- Dempsey – 4
- Lennon – 3
- Caulker – 2
- =Adebayor – 2
Assists [top 5]:
- Lennon – 5
- Dempsey – 3
- =Dembele – 3
- =Huddlestone – 3
- =Sigurdsson – 3
Cards [top 5]:
- Bale – 4 yellow
- =Sandro – 4 yellow
- =Defoe – 4 yellow
- Walker – 3 yellow
- =Dembele – 3 yellow
All of the stats from this article have been taken from the Opta Stats Centre at EPLIndex.com – Subscribe Now (Includes author privileges!) Check out our new Top Stats feature on the Stats Centre which allows you to compare all players in the league & read about new additions to the stats centre.
Tottenham Hotspur Tactical Analysis – Quick Navigation
Team Dynamics | Defensive Organisation | Attacking & Defensive TransitionsÂ
Corner Set Plays | Free Kicks | Pattern and Combination Play | Other/Player Observations
