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Who should be left (back) on the bench?

One of the most satisfying things (which received one of the loudest cheers) at the Lane on Saturday last was the the return of Benoit Assou-Ekotto from long term injury.

Benny slotted straight back in to his position and suddenly Spurs looked more balanced. Attacking runs down the left no longer always ended with a break towards the middle. Kyle Naughton (playing right back) looked enormously more comfortable as well. OK, it was League 1 opposition and once we were 3:0 up we took our feet off the gas, but we looked the most balanced we have all season, IMHO.

So, the question is, who should start at LB? To me, its a no-brainer - Benny. Naughton is effective competition for Walker at RB, Vertonghen can play in his preferred CB slot and Bale can link up with Benny - some of his most electric play has come on overlaps with the Cameroonian.! We can develop Fryers for the future and Danny Rose can stay on loan at Sunderland. All we need is a striker to cover for Adebayor at the ACN …..

Written by ThrapstonYid

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Writer: ThrapstonYid

Date:Tuesday January 8 2013

Time: 1:37PM

Your Comments

BAE is our LB!! Fryers is the future tho!

TornadoYid

Benny has to be #1 LB...that may change for next year but not now.

shedboy2

No question that BAE is first choice and Verts can move back to CB. Naughton has proved himself to be good cover. Walker's return at RB must depend on his fitness (AVB knows best), but until then BAE...Verts...Caulker/ Dawson...Naughton. Can't wait for Kaboul to get back too! COYS

ParkLane67

Benni, no question. Delighted he's back.

spursgirl_4_life

Benny all day long! Spurs legend!

gothic spur

One refreshing thing i have seen with AVB is reluctance to push an injured player back and long may that continue. The last thing we want is for a long term injured player to be rushed back and then breaking down again. Its good to see Parker/Dembele eased back after their respective injuries so i expect Bennie to be in n out for next 3-4 games before he resumes as our first choice LB COYMFS!!!

JattYid

BAE at left back without question. I would prefer to see Naughton at right back in place of Walker for now. Walker hasn't quite been at it this season and the realisation that he isn't first choice right back will get him to focus on his game.

SpuriousLife

We have without doubt the best defensive squad options in the PL. Ensuring that the most effective combinations develop into solid team performances will surely end once and for all any argument about AVB's coaching credentials. I'm really looking forward to seeing how Benni, Jan and Gareth exploit our left side potential.

Love totty

Benny has to start at left-back for me. His forward runs are great and he works well together with Bale. I'd like to see Naughton at right-back, Walker has been inconsistent this season, and I think needs some time on the bench. Naughton looks like a more intelligent player. Hopefully he can play some great through passes to Lennon.

Fanman

For me, Kyle Walker has to be dropped, Naughton has been playing well, and Walker has been terribly inconsistent. Walker could do with a bit of time on the sidelines, it won't hurt him to get his head down in training and find his form. BAE is a nailed on starter, it's not even up for debate, he is absolute quality and I want to have his children.

liamyid

If BAE is fit he has to play, there are few better LBs in the PL. On the bench we should have Naughton, unless he is preferred to Walker, Caulker to cover at CB so that if required Vertonghen can cover for Benny, or even lets have Zeki Fryers who can play LB or CB, so would be good cover. To be honest I'm more concerned who partners Defoe up front, or what formation change AVB makes to ensure we score and win @ QPR. If we lost to HR I' have to switch the telly of for at least a week couldn't bear his crowing.

Frank

Fryers has just come off after 66mins for the development squad. We're beating a Charlton XI 4-0 Obika(2), Livermore & Townsend

Spurs Allday

Frank, I don't think that AVB has many options to choose from? I think we'll line-up 4-2-3-1, with Defoe up top on his own and Dempsey in support. I wouldn't be surprised if AVB left BAE on the bench, because he's just returning from injury.

Fanman

The only discussion is who should start RB for spurs.We all agree with the back 4 of BAE verts daws/caulker naughton/walker since Kaboom isnt returning anytime early!

SilwalYid

It's pretty straight forward. If BAE is deemed ready, he plays. If he needs a few cameo appearances to get up to speed then that's what AVB will do with him.

Spurs Allday

Benny for LB & I'd rest Walker & replace him with Naughton, let's see what the lad can do on his preferred side for a few games. Sadly Walker needs a bit of a kick up the backside in order to regain his form. He's a bit hit & miss ATM.

Spuds-U-Like

AVB is possibly 2 players short of his total defensive squad unit. I have no issues at the moment with Lloris, Walker, Naughton, Caulker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Ekotto and Fryers. I'm 100% decided that I would not want Friedel, Gallas and Dawson in the team for a long stint if we had injuries. I still think Walker will come good though and am genuinely exited about Smith as well. I'm still slightly on the fence about Rose and still wonder whether Khumalo can resurrect his Spurs career. My best back 5 is Llloris, Walker (just), Kaboul, Vertonghen and Ekotto but think Caulker can push the 2 in the middle very hard. It will be interesting to see whether we go for Toby Alderweireld in the summer.

muttley

I'd sell Rose if the money Sunderland are rumored to be offering is true. Looks good in an awful side & now we've got Fryers who'll be a far happier understudy why not just cash in & open up a squad place? I think Khumalo has an option to buy written into his loan deal but I'm not 100% sure.

Spurs Allday

I don't know if he likes the position but kaboul played very well at RB and would oust walker for me on his current form. with caulker and vertonghen in the centre, benny at LB and lloris in goal all of whom protected by parker and sandro then ***** me thats one hell of a defence to break through

Guernman

Thats a good shout Spurs Allday, especially as Rose was fed up bench warming at Spurs & wants to play week in, week out like he is at Sunderland. He seems to want to stay with O'Neil, so cash in now I say.

Spuds-U-Like

Dawson should start on Saturday. I think that he's good, but when it comes to dealing with players with pace. Or balls played through the defence, he struggles for pace. Yes, pace is an issue for him. Taarabt will do him everytime in a one on one, but Dawson will deal comfortably with ball played over the top. Or when their keeper kicks it out. One thing we'll miss is Walker's pace at right-back if Naughton comes in.

Fanman

When I say "Dawson should start" I mean that he probably will.

Fanman

Spuds-U-Like yeah that's my feeling on him. He's not good enough to displace BAE, he'll moan if he's bench warming, Sunderland are offering us a good price & we've got young cover & even stop gap types like Naughton & Vertonghen when desperate. IMO the cash & squad space is of better use to us than a squad player who doesn't want the role.

Spurs Allday

Spurs Allday,/b>, a tip top, top post mate.

BTW, anyone else get a bet365 page launching when clicking on an article from the home page?

Spuds-U-Like

Sorry boys, it seems I've struck again! I just know Ox will ban me now. I think my luck's run out!

Spuds-U-Like

In my eye's i have massive respect for him, one of, if not the only footballer i can remember who has openly said ''I play at spurs for the money'' not the crap some come out with ''oh it's a big club, massive support'' yeah we all know that. Will BAE start against QPR, that depends how his come of the coventry game, don't over cook him, his one of the best left backs in the prem, Cole, Baines, BAE, Evra, not in any order, just listed. Lloris; Walker; Kaboul, Vertonghen; BAE, That is some back four, Walker know's his not had the best end of 2012, but he gives everything, Dawson, Caulker, Naughton, for back up, all bring something to the table, Gallas always puts in 110% but the years are catching up, he knows that. BAE every time for me, but slowly, slowly the last thing we need is for him to breakdown.

spu 4 life

Spuds-U-Like, agreed. Bring BAE back slowly is the best way to do it. Naughton has done very well at left-back and he should be able to cope against QPR, I'm hoping BAE starts though.

Fanman

Sell Rose, Sell Hudd, Sell Livermore, Sell Bentley, allow Gomes to leave, and pray Jenas never wears a spurs shirt again, add that lot all together + the so called 15m or even 20m, cough it up Levy and get LEANDRO, when he stands on the white hart lane pitch announced to the crowd, LEVY YOU WILL BE A HERO, just listen to that reception.

spu 4 life

I've been impressed with Naughton's quiet dependability. But yes, Benny is the right man in that position. It'll be interesting to watch the battle for the right back slot between the two Kyles. Walker is quicker but has become a bit error prone. Naughton is more stable.

Shannon

Sorry but the more I see Dawson this season the more im Glad we have Vertonghen Caulker & Kaboul. You cant knock the guys passion and love the club, but he seriously lacks in concentration. He’s great in the air but positionaly is a liability. Same with Gallas these days, he needs to realise he hasn’t got the pace he had 5 years ago

Anyone got aymore Gossip on the Damiao saga? Read somewhere (quite possibly on here) that he was with his medical staff in Brazil? I think this is gonna be another case of everyone getting their hopes up only for us to recall Kane…..or bostock…

hudderspur

Do wonder whether this Belhanda talk is their club president bringing our name into it just to get Fenebache to pay up

Spurs Allday

Absolutely Hudderspur, he is a lovely lad, committed to us, and would bleed for Spurs, but he is too slow, his concentration wanders, and his positional sense is non existent, and the less said about his distribution the better. If we played Stoke every week, so that he could battle and scrap, he would be OK, but when you want finesse, and footballing ability, I'm afraid he just ain't up to it.

Frank

As things stand Yeah I agree we need Benny to start there, because there is no ther viable option but just because he is the best we have doesn't mean I still say we don't need to upgrade on him. I think he will be found seriously wanting against world class wingers etc. because he will need to deal with them if we are to go where we want to go. Unless of course he can up his game and concentration levels, start to play with passion and be prepared to lay his body on the line for the club which he isn't prepared to do at the moment. I really do hope that AVB can make the sort of improvements with Benny as he has with Azzer, then I think he could be right up there with the best in the world, That would be absolutely awesome, cz I think he is a great guy and could be a huge asset for us. Again In my personal opinion Benny is massive potential, he is also totally upfront and honest, which is a rare thing in pro sport these days, so, I think see if it has happened by the end of the season and if not then cash in and upgrade.

chrishove123

Off topic, I'm not happy Nelsen will still be available for QPR at the weekend, the guy will defo be up for it. Last game, something to prove to his previous club etc. The omens are ominous

Spuds-U-Like

bae is the man but no rushing him

rovinella62spurs

If we REALLY wanted to pi$$ all over SAF's fireworks and upset him, we should put in a cheeky bid for Lampard. LOL. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/9786454/Manchester-United-considering-move-for-Chelsea-midfielder-Frank-Lampard-in-summer-transfer-window.html

chrishove123

If we nail Damiao it will be the signing of the season.I'm confident our defence and midfield are good enough for this season ,but the Brazilian will guarantee us 4th place and seriously worry the top 3 clubs,because the guy is world class with a high work rate,great physical presence and sublime finishing.£15 mill. won't do it tho'.Try doubling that Daniel and you might get him!

Greavesaboveall

BAE with Naughton RB

thfan

liamyid, if you have BAE's children, I'll start pressuring DL to sign them to our academy.

Total knobhead

Greavesaboveall it might be signing of the season but I am starting to think the logic doesn't work. We're all now thinking that as Ade has gone we NEED a replacement quick. But realistically if he came tomorrow would he be in the QPR squad, would AVB play him against utd if Defoe was injured or just go with Dempsey up top....I'm thinking anyone we get will be a long term buy.

BAE left back, walker v naughton RB.

T.H.F.Chris

Lampard to just annoy fergie. No F ing way.

Back on topic, Naughton Rb, Caulker/Kaboul/Verts CB Bae Lb

Tottenham Hotcore

Another interesting challenge for AVB. I would suggest Verts at CB, BAE left back & probably Naughton RB at the moment.

Windlespur

Did BAE play 90 minutes against Coventry? If so, with a weeks rest, I think it's safe to assume he'll start against QPR.

Sebthespur

I am looking forward to the Manure game: Lloris, Walker, Caulker/Dawson, Vertonghen, Benny: Bale, Sandro, Parker, Dembele, Lenny: Defoe. mmmmmm we should win midfield then and keep van pussy quiet and could get 3 pts. Benny for me is our LB and even this early for fitness must play on Saturday and every weekend he is available. Makes a difference both in defence and going forward.

COYS R US

Sale of players NOW would be.... Rose, Livermore (surplus now we have Holtby next season) and Gallas anywhere on a free. I would keep Dawson and Thudd as both have proved superb in squad rotation for cup and EL and can step in seamlessly if required as proven v Coventry. Damiaio is the only other business we need to do. Unless we can have Sneider on the cheap (like the VDV deal).

COYS R US

Spuds-U-Like, Nelsen would have justed jetted back from Toronto landing Thursday so may be knackered. Same with ADE from Ghana, but we don't need to play him if necessary, QPR do. Harry is singing Nelsen praises as rock solid etc and he started for us maybe twice. If he was that good (to be fair he didn't let us down) he surely would have played more. Our pace should be good enough cos he does have a large turning circle. He states he has glass knees and ankles at his age. I am more worried with Taarabt who will want to prove a point, but again Harry the HYPOCRITE says he is worldclass and didn't play him for us. EVER.

COYS R US

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