Steven Pienaar, Not Aaron Lennon, Should Start Against Manchester City
by Kevin McCauley on Jan 20, 2012 3:12 PM GMT
in Tottenham Hotspur Analysis
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The title of this post was probably a bit jarring to a lot of Tottenham Hotspur supporters. After all, we haven't seen much of Steven Pienaar at all lately, much less in huge games with massive trophy implications. He has been slightly disappointing since arriving from Everton, mostly because he can't stay healthy. On Sunday, Tottenham play Manchester City. Their left midfielder is the best playmaker in the world who does not play for Barcelona. Spurs' right midfielder and right back are poor defenders.
Spurs are also without Sandro, and will play two in the center of midfield -- Scott Parker and Luka Modric. Both are solid defensively, but there are only two of them and they are both forward-thinking players. There will not be an excess of bodies in the midfield, nor will there be a true defensive midfielder. There will not be a lot of help on David Silva coming from the middle.
This means that the job to contain him will be left largely to Kyle Walker and, if he starts (and he will), Aaron Lennon. Anyone else have a problem with this?
Emmanuel Adebayor and Rafael Van der Vaart are almost certainly the two worst defenders in Tottenham's first choice XI, but the right sided players are the next two on that list. Walker and Lennon are fantastic athletes who provide a lot going forward with their pace, while Walker's incredible athleticism allows him to mask a number of his defensive deficiencies. There's no reason to believe that a 21-year-old who has improved gradually in each of his seasons as a professional will not become a very solid defender, but that's not going to help Spurs on Sunday.
All that matters is what Walker can do against Silva right now, and that is very little. Lennon does literally nothing tracking back, which is not that much of a knock on him. It simply isn't his game, and it's something he is not asked to do very often for good reason.
The fact that there's ever a debate about who City's best player is boggles my mind, but with Yaya Toure and Vincent Kompany both out, there's no question. David Silva is the focal point of this team, with no disrespect intended to the world class Sergio Aguero. Everything revolves around his play. When he is not in the team, City struggles. He is the best player in the world that does not play for Real Madrid or Barcelona. Playing Walker and Lennon against him with no true defensive midfielder to keep an eye out for him cutting inside is an absolute disaster.
And this is where Steven Pienaar comes in. He's not anywhere near the attacking threat of Lennon, but he is one of the Premier League's best defensive wingers. Six months of injury troubles and poor form does not change that. He's gotten a couple of run-outs and it's save to assume that he is currently fit. If he's currently fit, he should play because Spurs need to do something to counter the best player on the pitch. If Sandro was available, then Sandro's added presence to help on Silva might be enough.
But he's not. And because he is not available, Rafael Van der Vaart is a lock to start. Luka Modric will distribute from the center while Gareth Bale will provide width. Unless you have two world class two-way wingers like Bale in your team, sacrifices have to be made somewhere. With Bale, Modric, Van der Vaart and a to be determined striker in the team, that sacrifice should be on the right wing.
There are, of course, solutions other than Pienaar. Playing Lennon in front of Vedran Corluka isn't a terrible idea. I don't love the idea of Kyle Walker at right midfield ahead of Charlie, but I'll accept it. In any event, a right side of Walker and Lennon plus a midfield of Modric and Parker is simply asking to get toasted by Silva in this game. If the lineups come out and Spurs line up as expected, with two central midfielders, Walker and Lennon, throw down a tenner on Silva for man of the match.
Here's to hoping I'm wrong and Kyle Walker has the game of his life this Sunday.
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My gut disputes some of your findings
I think Lennon is better at tracking back than he’s given credit for. And I don’t know where this myth of Pienaar the defensive winger comes from, but I haven’t seen it in action. And even if he is, whatever he brings in defensive ability is offset by the fact that he’s a liability in possession.
But yeah, Walker’s toasted. Walker’s only good defensive move is the LeBron chasedown block. I vote Charlie as well. Or maybe Kaboul, if King is healthy.
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by Lennon's Eyebrow on Jan 20, 2012 3:29 PM GMT reply actions
Walker will end up like Bale
Bale was a left back and was moved up to left wing, I think the same will happen with Walker.
by Scott Parker's Hairline on Jan 20, 2012 3:37 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
Not sure about this.
Bale’s technically superior to Walker in almost every aspect of his game. Better dribbler, passer, crosser, and finisher. Walker’s got a lot to do before he gets to be anything like Bale. If you’re just saying he could play right wing, then, sure, I guess that’s possible. But he’s got a lot of work to do before he’s ready to make that move.
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by Lennon's Eyebrow on Jan 20, 2012 3:42 PM GMT up reply actions
I asked this question several weeks ago on WDR
I believe the consensus was: it’s possible, but unlikely, due to Walker’s lack of crossing ability. Also, in a ways he’s a bigger threat as a WB than he would be as a winger.
His pace is his biggest asset, but after watching him I’m not sure he’s ready to make that leap quite yet. Maybe if Bale ever goes…
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I never said Walker would be anywhere near as good as Bale, but I think he could the start as a winger. I doubt he would get the chance in the Man City game. Walker is our version of Dani Alves, you see him more up the field then defending.
by Scott Parker's Hairline on Jan 20, 2012 4:56 PM GMT via mobile up reply actions
I agree with everything you just wrote there.
I’m well noted for being a Pienaar apologist. Though he hasn’t played well lately, I still like him and think he’s a great squad player to have on the team. Situationally, he’d be the best bet to help counteract Silva on the right side.
That said, there’s exactly zero percent chance that, barring injury, we’ll see a lineup that does not include both Walker and Lennon on the right.
‘Arry bein’ ’Arry.
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Actually,
would ‘arry go the AC Milan route? Y can’t we start VDV on the bench and let Defoe n Addy start up top with Pienaar on the left n Bale on the right? Would that allow for a way to take advantage of the ball being on the Man City’s right most of the time?
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by Tottenham Makes Me Cry on Jan 20, 2012 3:35 PM GMT reply actions
Adebayor cannot play in this match because he is on loan from City.
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by Bryan Ashlock on Jan 20, 2012 3:39 PM GMT via iPhone app up reply actions
Is that actually in the contract or is that a gentleman's agreement?
That never made sense to me but if it is to be then JD and Pav up top
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by Tottenham Makes Me Cry on Jan 20, 2012 3:59 PM GMT up reply actions
Contract
It’s almost always contracted when loans are made. We even contracted for the right to block Naughton and Caulker from competing in the FA Cup so they wouldn’t be cup tied just in case. Loans are weird.
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by Lennon's Eyebrow on Jan 20, 2012 4:02 PM GMT up reply actions
I think it used to vary from loan to loan
which it still does in Spain. This was the EPL’s way of creating some uniformity to the process. Also, I believe it prevents something like, say, Caulker deliberately letting goals in against his parent club.
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Le sigh
Since Addy hasn’t played in a Man City shirt in how long, would we be that worried that he wouldn’t put in a good shift given the chance? This is all theoretically if he were to be able to play.
Tottenham Hotspurs, Penn State, and Winthrop are the only things that made me cry in my adult life.
by Tottenham Makes Me Cry on Jan 20, 2012 4:14 PM GMT up reply actions
That's not really a concern
Man City just don’t want the player they own playing against them and doing well. I think that’s kind of bullshit that clubs can do that, but them’s the rules.
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by Lennon's Eyebrow on Jan 20, 2012 4:29 PM GMT up reply actions
More WWI Heroics
I sort of expect Parker to be told to stick in Silva’s pocket. I’m not sure if it’ll work but it seems likely that that’s what Harry will do
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I guess, he doesn’t even have a connection to the WWW.
by CrestOfAWave on Jan 20, 2012 4:01 PM GMT up reply actions
Sure he does
How else is he going to play internet poker and wire money to secret accounts all over the world?
by ChadUESSpurs on Jan 20, 2012 4:28 PM GMT up reply actions
I agree with Lennon's Eyebrow up top
I think you’re giving Lennon the short end of the stick. The dude does track back. He’s obviously not winning many tackles but the guy will hound you. As for the lineup, maybe going more 4-3-3 style and playing Livermore/Parker/Luka in the middle with Bale/Defoe/VDV up top. It will at least clog the middle and force Silva to wide positions, though he seems to drift anyway. I don’t know, I’m scared shitless for this match.
Lennon all the way.
For the sake of argument I’ll grant that Pienaar is better defensively than Lennon, though I think Lennon does a pretty good job of tracking back. Even so, Pienaar has played only 15 minutes in the Premier League this season. From what I’ve seen of him in the Europa League, he’s been absolutely awful with ball at his feet, misplacing passes left and right. And while I think he looked a lot better in his cameo against Everton, it’s still too risky to start him against what might be the best team in the country.
More importantly, starting Pienaar is completely contrary to this Spurs side’s ethos. We’re much more about attacking, putting the other side under pressure with our skill players than we are about trying to contain the opponents. Starting Pienaar sends the wrong message to our players, a message that we should be afraid of City. Starting Lennon sends a different message: City should be afraid of us.
You have a point here.
Putting in Pienaar does limit the offense, and Harry has stated that he plans to go right at City this weekend. The problem with playing two attack-minded right side players with sketchy defense is that not only can Silva torch any weakness on that side, but it also leaves us wide open to the counter, especially if we play balls-to-the-wall attacking football.
Then again, if we have Bale and VDV in their Fuckin’ Run Around A Bit roles, maybe the lack of movement on the right will be negated in favor of defensive acumen? I dunno.
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by Lennon's Eyebrow on Jan 20, 2012 4:03 PM GMT up reply actions
Totally agree with this
Pienaar on his best days in years past might have fit with what you’re saying, at a push, but we can’t risk playing someone who’s had next to no league practice this season, not to mention someone who offers little by way of penetration on his best days, against the league leaders. That’s tantamount to madness.
Plus, as Lennon’s Eyebrow mentioned before, Lennon does not get enough credit for his tracking back. I’m of the opinion that he does better and more consistent defensive work than Bale, a supposed all round ‘left-sider’.
by Edward_Francis on Jan 20, 2012 4:21 PM GMT up reply actions
Agreed that Pienaar is too rusty
Maybe against Wigan you can start him, but this is Man City with title aspirations at stake. Lennon has to play.
by ChadUESSpurs on Jan 20, 2012 4:29 PM GMT up reply actions
Peinaar? Really?
First, since when is Pienaar one of the best defensive wingers in the league? I agree that Pienaar is a versatile player that can play RM, LM, and CAM but he is not a defensive minded player. He is a playmaker that is just not very good at what he does or has been extremely affected by his lack of confidence since joining tottenham.
I have read in a few comments above that Lennon is not getting enough credit for his tracking back and I completely agree with that. Besides Bale, who obviously is our best defensive winger (only when he decides to track back), Lennon is our best defensive winger. He tracks back regularly and has great awareness of where Walker is and if he needs cover or not.
As for Corluka replacing Walker, I would love to see this happen but only if Corluka had been playing in games recently. He is obviously vastly superior than Walker at defensive duties but I fear he will be far to rusty to face such a fast paced side like City.
In conclusion, I would go with Lennon and Walker but Harry must tell Lennon that if Walker makes a run all the way forward he must cover for the counter attack. This may limit Lennons offensive aggresiveness but it will provide the much needed cover to tame David Silva.
Harry never rotates the squad. He’s just not going to give Pienaar a start in this game when he’s played 15 minutes all season no matter if it might be the correct way to look at it. Maybe since it’s a big game Lennon might get sick in the tunnel but other than that I don’t see it.
…or maybe because it’s a big game he’ll make a 30-yard run and cross for the winner.
by Mike Cunniff on Jan 20, 2012 4:57 PM GMT up reply actions
Lennon is better defensively
than you give him credit for. Although I will conceed that Pienaar is a better defender. However, Silva doesn’t really play on the left for Man City, he plays through the middle, in the hole behind the striker. (Most of the time) Obviously there is a lot of interchanging between the front three, but when I’ve seen him at his most influential he’s been more central. I think Parker is going to be the one tasked with shutting him down, and if his performance against Spain for England when he shut down Xavi/Iniesta is any indication, he is more than capable of doing so.
Our Best XI has vaulted this team to a third place spot
To take a “more defensive” approach takes away from the fluid unpredictability of Spurs this season. Lennon & Bale’s switching the flanks. BAE & Walker being further up the pitch than Modric or Parker. VDV playing in “front” of the striker to poach goals.
The Spurs this season are like the Phoenix Suns when Steve Nash was winning MVPs. They’re not going to beat elite teams by playing defense. If anything I’d rather see Charlie in for Walker because his crossing, passing & decision making are more developed than Walker at the moment.
I hope Harry does ratchet up the offense and take it to Man City. They’re good. Really good. But they’re not Barcelona.
Just a thougt,
but how about the 3-5-2? (2nd half formation against Stoke)
Napoli did this against City in the CL and it worked pretty well…
……………………Friedel
………Dawson…King… Kaboul
..Walker……………………………..Bale
……………Parker……….Modric
……………………….VDV
…………………….Defoe
or something like that
Playing with 10 players? That’s bold. I like our team, but you might be getting a little cocky there.
HAHA
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Reinventing the wheel
I know its fun and all…but there’s a reason Spurs are in third place. Besides even if something really different was the best way to go, Harry would never do it.
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THAT YE MAY FEAR THE SPUR
We are Spurs. We Run. We Pass. We Score (Occasionally). We Kick You in the Mouth (When Necessary)
I do not like the idea of us changing that. Are we facing this year’s juggernauts? Yes. Did we lose to them 5-1 earlier this year due to shambolic defending? Absolutely. And what should our response be?
WE ARE SPURS, WE RUN, WE KICK YOU IN THE MOUTH. We can not try to become a tactical team all of a sudden. The only thing more dangerous than our wide open style of play on the right, is a defensive style we are unsuited to. We will play our game and we will clown these so-called “league leaders”. Or we will play our game and be competitive even if we lose. But we will NOT meekly submit with weak football
In O'Ventbrel We Trust
ALL GLORY TO THFC
VICK-VICK-VICKADELPHIA
I believe in MAGIC
Sold my Soul to the Devils
by NJoverNY on Jan 20, 2012 8:59 PM GMT reply actions 1 recs
I thought Silva played nominally on the right?
So wouldn’t he predominantly come up against Bale and BAE?
Clichy v Lennon
I like that match up though.
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