Lloris is no question our No.1 keeper through and through, putting in some fantastic game saving performances, so that’s put to bed rather early.
In defence I feel that although Walker has made some howlers he is still essentially our starting right back. Benni is really our only true left back so that’s an easy one too. In the centre things get a little more difficult. Dawson/ Vertonghen would be the obvious choice, however if you look at offensive set pieces Vertonghen is scoring and Caulker is posing a huge threat! Vertonghen has made some unneccessary mistakes at the back, but not as many as Caulker, so although I like Caulker (he is still learning) so Vertonghen gets my nod along with the consistent Dawson.
Next up is not so difficult and depending on your formation the team pick's itself. Lennon and Bale will start ahead of anyone, but Bale for me is now inside at the centre of the game and Lennon out on the right, so this can only leave Sigurdsson on the left! His performances have been almost faultless and he is beginning to make the left spot his own after Bale was moved inside. You cannot leave Dembele out of the midfield so he will also move into the middle. Here comes the most difficult part...
Do you take the steel of Parker out of midfield (with some notable mistakes and tiresome performances) or do you leave his experience in the side? In my opinion it may be time to pass the torch on whilst Sandro is out. Parker has not looked anywhere near the player of last year and he has failed to score for the club still. Up steps the new generation of Carroll and Holtby. Holtby gets the nod due to his experience, but it was a close call. Holtby can sit dead in the centre and we have all seen his tireless performances, but yet to see that for a full game (importantly the guy has goals and assists in him). This means that Dembele would need to sit a little deeper, but the man is impossible to push off the ball, can win a ball and most importantly can connect the whole team together with his great range of passing!
So the final position is the tip of the spear. If both strikers were fully fit you would have no question to put JD straight in, but the facts are plain and right in front of you... he's not!! JD has not been the same player since his injury at the end of last year and it’s been easy to see. His shooting is off and he is looking desperate to score. So the whole team are suffering as JD refuses to lay the ball off. Problem with not putting JD in is that it leaves us with having to put Ade up front. The guy did not have a great start to his full time career at the Lane. AVB didn't want him and kept him back once he was fully recovered. The guy’s confidence was shot, but seems to be improving. Then the fans got on his back as they expected an instant goal scoring threat, but instead saw this shadow of a man that has less confidence than a spotty teenage boy waiting for his voice to break. So do you go with an injured striker and hope he isn't injured further or an unconfident striker that everyone has turned their back on? My view is that we should not and cannot risk a player that is injured. This is why JD has struggled! I think if given a rest of a couple more games (Swansea and Basle) it would be enough time to fully recoup and it gives Ade the opportunity to get that confidence back.
Yes I know how much of a risk you all think that may be, but would you rather lose JD for the remainder of the season?
So my team is as follows;
Lloris
Walker Dawson Vertonghen Benni
Dembele
Hotbly
Lennon Bale Siggy
Ade
I think the team pretty much picks itself and upon Kaboul, Sandro and Defoe's return we will have the team that could challenge for great things, but there is always room for improvement and as it stands its up front!
Another mention on our competition in conjunction with ICONS.com. With Bale playing so well this prize is not only something to hang on your wall but it’s also an investment. We have had hundreds of entrances and the competition will be running until 29th March so make sure that if you haven't entered that you do below;
Bale Competition Entrance click HERE.
COYS!!!!!
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