Harry doesn’t make many mistakes at Spurs…but this is a glaring one
Football FanCast guest columnist Dan Simpson wished that Harry Redknapp would stop experimenting with 4-3-3, especially when it only seems to be used to accommodate Robbie Keane.
Harry Redknapp claimed in his post match conference that he didn’t know why we played so poorly yesterday. I have to admit my managerial experience only stems to Football Manager, but I will take a stab in the dark that it was perhaps the ludicrous decision to attempt to play a 4-3-3 system, with players who clearly aren’t suited to playing in such of style. While a part of me believes that Harry chose to adopt such a system, because he feels we can replicate what the likes of the scum are producing with a similar line-up, the larger part of me suggests that he is attempting to find a way to accommodate Robbie Keane.
I don’t know what the problem is with Harry and Keane. Whether captaincy dictates selection I don’t know, but if Redknapp fancies playing Crouch then he has to have the bottle to drop Keane, as the three have proven that they cannot play together. I know Keane was disappointed in getting substituted, but was it just coincidence that the team suddenly look better reverting a 4-4-2? I was amazed that it took Redknapp so long to wake up and realise he needed to make a change, but substitutions has never really been his forte.
I don’t want people to read this and feel I’m pinpointing Robbie Keane as the problem here, because I am not, but more that the team cannot and mustn’t be dictated to by his selection. I have no problem with Keane alongside Defoe, as they have proven they can link up, but if Harry wants to play Crouch then Harry has to be bold enough to drop Keane to the bench, not look to incorporate the three. It isn’t the first time it has happened and watching yesterday reminded me of the disjointed performance that we witnessed against United, earlier in the season.
Hopefully the differing (if only slight) in performance in the last 30mins yesterday will tell Harry that his current personnel is best suited to a 4-4-2 and that it is time to stop experimenting with formations, regardless of who needs to be left out to accommodate.
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I agree we shouldnt be using the 433 system, but common chaps – playing crouch has changed the way we attack most times…. always seacrhing for him as opposed to playing of the ground, quick passing game. look at the number of errors crouch makes vs keane… do your stats… crouch out …. defoe and keane
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i agree totally kranjar made such a difference when he was introduced ther was an immediate lift in the whole team performance We have to play the team that is going to blend well and 4-3-3 not a good choice on the day Good news though Modric returning soon Kranjar Modric Polacios and Lennon with Crouch and Defoe up front and at the Back i would play Corluka Huddlestone Bassong and Mr reliable on the Left MR e
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This is exactly how I saw it. We were not balanced for the first hour yesterday. It was the same against Arsenal. He has a gifted, left sided player in Kranjar. He must play him, especially for a home game. When he came on jenas pushed out to the right where he can play and Wilson who is probably our most important player in terms of controlling a game knew where to position himself to retain possession. The Hud seemed to come alive too. Maybe it is a space in the middle thing. We were so narrow. If Keane had been better than he is then maybe it could have worked. Harry is showing weakness by his refusal to drop a senior player. Shame.
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I agree with BSBSBSBS – a load of nonsense, the writer summed himself up when he said about Football Manager! Without the little fella pulling the strings, we have been limited, and if I may add BSBS, I think he’s had to play narrower because of Lennons absence (little fella no2). I didnt realise how much we missed him, especially at the Emirates. What worried me more, whatever formation is played, was the stray passing, we gave it away so many times, perhaps it was just a bad day.
Thank you
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he makes too many for me. Any manager would have looked at the Sunderland sheet and realised that to play 433 against 451 was complete suicide. Also being “all round good guy” and putting your arm round players and being dad is all very well but there are times when a swift toe up the rosie has more effect. A lot of the Spurs players cannot be bothered and stroll around the park giving the ball away. Prime example total lack of interest against the Arse, Stoke etc. Teams of alledgedly lesser skill play their heart out till the last second, our guys can’t be bothered, and why should they for a poultry 60 grand pw??
Hairdryer springs to mind
Regards Baggyshorts
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For once an article that actually makes sense. Robbie Keane should be sold to the highest bidder in the Jan window. His return to the club was a mistake.
HR need s to man up and drop the “big” names when required. Our performances since Modric’s injury are down to poor team selection and not the fact that Modric is out injured. Krancjar is more than capable of filling in on the left. Dawson and Bassong should now become our two CH’s with Woody and Ledley becoming squad players. Fergusson puled a master stroke signing Michael Ownen knowing he would only play him in certain games. This is exactly what Harry should be doing with these two….
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