After crowing about how great the squad was, and how easy the chalkboards had become, this one became far more of a challenge.
As per the discussion with ODM’s young chum Josh on this week’s show [button color=”orange” link=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/hotspurshalfhour/HHH171013.mp3″ target=”http://traffic.libsyn.com/hotspurshalfhour/HHH171013.mp3″]PLAY THIS WEEK’S SHOW: Smashie & Nicey Uncut [/button]the crucial element to grasp here were the distinct similarities between this game against Aston Villa and the last one against West Ham.
Benteke, at time of writing is still subject to late medical. My suspicion is that he may start on the bench at the very least.
Looking at the rest of the Aston Villa squad, none of their more attacking minded players really stand out, in terms of form. If there is a discernible worry, it’s we get bogged down in a packed midfield again and risk getting hit on the break.
The Villa players in strong form are characters like Fabian Delph, Ciaran Clark and Ron Vlaar.
Vlaar could walk into just about any top flight Premier League side, Delph’s stats for this season place him alongside the likes of Carrick and Lampard. Clark’s “Duels Won” figure is 77%. Okay, that’s only 2 points more that Jan, but Dawson, Bonzo et al are over 20 points off the pace here. This trio are a genuine obstacle.
So that’s the puzzle. Navigating this and avoiding an utterly depressing scoreline Obviously we need to examine the wreckage of the Hammers game. It could well hold some answers.
Awesome Dawson has lots of huff and lots of puff, but he’s run out of steam.
“Having a dig” at a player who clearly carries so much emotional investment for some, will cause problems. But you don’t a pick side based upon sentiment. Unless of course you really don’t care if we win or lose.
The other one that needs to be pulled is Michael Dawson Lite™, aka Kyle Naughton. Read the next bit slowly…
The “being played out of position” line isn’t an excuse. It’s just “some words.” He’s yet to have a game that was consistently average and this is nobody’s fault but his own.
Last time out, Paulinho had close to a stinker, by his standards, as did Siggy. I’ve opted for Sandro and whilst I like Holtby coming off the bench, it’s ridiculous to ignore how he’s improved and stereotype him into being “that guy.”
Shunting about defenders and midfielder isn’t the answer to solving this one. We need creativity to guide us through this. Thankfully we have the resources.
Soldado, Eriksen and Lamela, all fed by everyone else. Lamela cost too much money to keep on being fobbed of with 15 minute cameos.
I never want to see Defoe start for us in a Premier League game again.
The team on the board is who I’d pick. I appreciate that Kaboom! might not make it.
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