I’m struggling to remember a time I was quite so confident about playing this lot. By confident, I don’t mean in an ‘expect to win by 2 or 3 sort of way’ rather in a ‘we’ve never been so strong sort of way.’
Tottingham Hotspurs go into this with just one goal conceded in 5 Premier League games.
No goals conceded in 3 UEFA League games.
We know what we have now, in simple terms, a squad that affords us the opportunity to field a first team and a bench with intent, not just one with leftovers sitting on it.
We’re playing Chelsea and so an eye to tactics will do us no harm. The last thing you do against this lot is introduce players who won’t make an impact. Perhaps this is never more so pertinent given it’s an early fixture.We need a bench with the likes of Defoe, Holtby and Townsend on it.
Townsend and Defoe are the ‘unthinking’ fans favourites, but we’ll need more than pot shots today. Andros’ shooting accuracy is 20% worse than Siggy. Defoe has been on fire; against pub teams.
History has taught us that these games never get off to a flyer and this may suit Jose. He’s served up some some seriously attritional stuff this season. And so we might consider his strategy.
Unless the “Special One” is about to do a tactical 360° and include Mata in a more creatively dynamic line up, then the battle will be in midfield and the threats will be a breaking Oscar and maybe Hazard. Eto’o may be 32 but he’s lost little or no pace. Our back four will need their collective wits about them. I’m calling it now, by the way: they will be alert to the chance of getting a penalty today. Someone tell Dawson and Bonzo, ‘We’re not at home to Mr Cockup.”
Soldado isn’t a worry; not supplying him is the worry. All eyes on Eriksen, Moussa and Paulinho to find him. I hope Lamela starts. Again, he’s a far better choice than Sir Shootalot to beat Ashley Cole.
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Stat-tastico
- As we approach a match many have touted as the master vs the apprentice, both Andre Villas Boas will be desperate to set down a marker for the rest of the season. A late goal from Paulinho ensure Tottenham left Cardiff with all three points after a game they had largely dominated but been repeatedly denied by an inspired performance by opposing stopper David Marshall.
- Andros Townsend continues to impress this season, grabbing the chance to shine for this new-look Tottenham side under AVB. According to the EA SPORTS Player Performances Index he is joint first in the league for on-target attempts on goal with 8.
- At the weekend, however, Brazilian Paulinho proved to be the main goal threat for AVB’s men. The central midfielder took 5 shots against Cardiff, more than any of his teammates.
- Fellow central midfielder Moussa Dembele was also proving his offensive worth on Saturday. He completed 5 dribbles against Cardiff, the second most in the league.
- Neither of these players, however, managed to match defender Kyle Walker in their total number of attacking contributions (based on shots, crosses, dribbles and passes) this season. The former Sheffield United man has made a total of 203, more than any of his teammates.
- This is, in part, due to the number of passes that Walker has made in the opposition half this season. The England international has passed the ball 189 times in the opposition half, which is more than any other defender. Leighton Baines is Walker’s closest rival, passing the ball 160 times in the opposition half.
- Mourinho’s start to the season in his second coming hasn’t lived up to the success of his first spell, with a particular point of contention being his decision to name Oscar as his number 10. Oscar, however, is repaying the faith shown in him by Mourinho, completing a pass in the opposition half every 2.3 minutes. - Another Chelsea player who has impressed with his passing is midfielder John Obi Mikel.
- Many criticize the Nigerian for his lack of creativity, but,the EA SPORTS Player Performance Index shows that he completed 42 passes in the Fulham’s half last Saturday.
- Fellow defensive midfielder Ramires has also been showcasing his passing ability. The Brazilian has completed 169 passes in the opposition half this year, only Hazard has completed more in the Chelsea ranks.
- Branislav Ivanovic is a fantasy football player’s dream due to his propensity to hit the back of the net. He’s taken 9 shots so far this season, which is more than any defender.