Defensive Woes

[Bizarro Spur]

Obviously we're all concerned about the recent performance in the back.

I think most of us probably agree that we really need a Dmid, and that center two in the back need organizing.

The question is, how would you all like to see the back four lineup for the rest of this season? Next season?

In my mind I still see King and Gardener being our future in the center, with Mabizela possibly fitting into the mix. If we can keep Carr he'll be on the right, but who is going to play on the left.

IMHO Taricco is crap. I've been pleasantly surprised by Jackson, but I'm not sure he's the answer.

I've said it before, but I'd love to see Carr, King, Gardener and Mabizela on the field together. The problem is we have three central defenders and no one to play left. Did I imagine it, or did I read here or elsewhere that Gardener used to play left back?

-Biz

[Danners9]

Dean Richards is cursed i tell thee.

Kevin Hofland is linked, £5m from PSV. Very nice.

[comme]

King used to play left back, and Gardner can polay there as well. Jackson looks good to me, but if sign Konch then all our worried will fade away.

[comme]

Sorry about that last post, I seem to have become dyslexic.

[DigitalTron]

Great post Biz! I agree completely with your assessment of the problem. I think the solution needs to be viewed from two angles: short term and long term.

In the short term I'm really puzzled how to proceed. I'm not sure King and Gardner can operate together yet, as neither is an organizer. Richards is in a slump, and Doherty just isn't there yet, and I'm not sure he ever will be, IMHO. It would be nice to see how Mabizela does somewhere, but that's more curiosity than plan.

I'm not satisfied with Jacko at left back, but really, the choice now is between him and Mabizela I'd think, because Taricco just isn't getting it done. Gardner, obviously, should play left center back, and that should help us out a LOT at the moment. I'm inclined to stick with Richards as his partner in the short term. I'd go with King there, but there really isn't anyone wo can play Dmid. So, here are my short term selections, of which I'm entirely unconfident.

Dalmat-------Brown-------Redknapp--------Davies
King---------Gardner------Richards----------Carr

That's a difficult situation, and it takes King out of the center, but I'm not sure how else to shore up the back line.

In the long term the solution is pretty clear. Bring in a new Dmid, organizing central defender, and left back. Or, at least 2 of the 3.

Ricketts------------Redknapp--------------Davies
------------------Van Bommel-------------------
Konchesky-----Gardner-----Hofland/King------Carr

The actual players brought in may not be Van Bommel, Hofland and Konchesky, but the roles would be the same hopefully. I list King as the sub simply because he cannot organize and he's always injured. I don't think the team can build around an oft-injured player.

-Digital

[comme]

Richards should be flogged to death.

[Bizarro Spur]

I'm with Comme! As I said on the Leicester post, Pleat needs to re-introduce Richards to the bench, he's a total head case right now.

"Mr. Richards this is the bench."

"Mr. Bench, feel free to place as many splinters as you like in Mr. Richards' arse..."

[Bizarro Spur]

Not to try and take us off in a completely different direction, but is PSV a breeding ground for Uber-talent or what?

Seems like a lot of huge names have come through PSV and then moved on to larger clubs in recent history.

Where/how do they get all the talent?

-Biz

[sendorange]

Because PSV are one of the biggest 3 clubs in Holland, so they are able to hoover up the talent from the other smaller dutch clubs. Van Bommel and Van Nistelrooy for example both started their careers at other smaller clubs, but were signed by PSV relatively cheaply when they emerged as professionals. It's similar to how Chelsea took Parker away from Charlton.

It also helps that the Dutch are superb at producing talented young individual players. They start them on organised training right from the earliest junior school ages, that's one of the main reasons. No waiting around until they're 16 or so.

[Bizarro Spur]

Can the dutch clubs not afford to keep the talent they produce? It seems like one of the big three in Holland should be able to challenge for the CL each year. I know Ajax has one several in the past, but it seems that lately the talent migrates elsewhere.

Anyway, I hope at least some of that talent moves to Spurs in the summer. Come on Van Bommel...

-Biz

[soccernutter]

Originally posted by Bizarro Spur
Can the dutch clubs not afford to keep the talent they produce? It seems like one of the big three in Holland should be able to challenge for the CL each year. I know Ajax has one several in the past, but it seems that lately the talent migrates elsewhere.

Anyway, I hope at least some of that talent moves to Spurs in the summer. Come on Van Bommel...

-Biz

they don't have the financial resources to keep the players, or even turn down transfer offers.

[Danners9]

Just look at the Chelsea link up and the Robben deal, PSV signed him 2 years ago and are now selling him off.

There's almost a conveyer belt of talent, they build them up and sell them on for a mark up to a better league.

The Dutch league is almost a feeder league for England and Spain.

[sendorange]

It's getting quite difficult for PSV and Ajax because you've got clubs from other richer leagues also now looking to snap up the promising players at the other smaller dutch teams. Like Collins John of Twente being signed by Fulham this season.

They do a great job though of keeping the young talent coming through.

The downside of the Robben deal for us, or other clubs, is that this surely now gives PSV the financial muscle to keep hold of all their other players under contract this summer unless they get a super-sized offer.