Luka Modric

[Pogue Mahone]

You dont think he can play in the middle, and Bale was in great form as a LW option.

You're not fecking listening, are you?

Bale was in great form as a LW option but 'Arry chose to drop him back to full-back and play Palacios in the centre with Modric out wide. He's the Spurs manager, by the way, the bloke who works with all these players on a daily basis.

This proves two things.

One, Modric was not played on the left because they had no decent alternative for that postion.

Two, Modric's own manager thought Palacios was a better option in central midfield.

How difficult is that to grasp?

 

[Scholesy]

Why?

Because Spurs have not had a decent left winger since he has arrived.

Pogue says, well why didn't Redknapp play him on Saturday when they had Bale. Even I would have probably done what Harry done, because away to a top four side, you are better with Palacios and Huddlestone.

Modric has played around 10 games since Kranjcar has arrived, who is a left midfield option, in a 2 man midfield, and has done well.

Would he be able to play for us alongside Carrick/Fletcher/Hargreaves against lower table opposition in a two man midfield? Yes. This is all that matters, since Fergie will play a 3 man midfield against the rest of the teams. This position is made for Modric.

 

[Scholesy]

You're not fecking listening, are you?

Bale was in great form as a LW option but 'Arry chose to drop him back to full-back and play Palacios in the centre with Modric out wide. He's the Spurs manager, by the way, the bloke who works with all these players on a daily basis.

This proves two things.

One, Modric was not played on the left because they had no decent alternative for that postion.

Two, Modric's own manager thought Palacios was a better option in central midfield.

How difficult is that to grasp?

Because against a big side, away from home, it is rare to play a 2 man midfield, which includes 1 playmaker.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Ok, now you're making sense. Which has unnerved me.

Not a lot I can disagree with in those last couple of posts.

 

[Drainy]

Because Spurs have not had a decent left winger since he has arrived.

It was a bit of a Scholes for England job, stick the best man for the job out there.

Modric has proven that he can play in centre midfield over the 2 games against Arsenal and Chelsea.
I see no reason why he wouldn't be a good signing for us, if he did join (other than the money)

 

[Scholesy]

Redknapp clearly has doubts about his ability to hack it in central midfield against the best teams in the country. .

Maybe after Modric's performances against Arsenal and Chelsea, he doesn't have doubts.

 

[Scholesy]

It was a bit of a Scholes for England job, stick the best man for the job out there.

Modric has proven that he can play in centre midfield over the 2 games against Arsenal and Chelsea.
I see no reason why he wouldn't be a good signing for us, if he did join (other than the money)

Yes.

 

[Ekeke]

You're not fecking listening, are you?

Bale was in great form as a LW option but 'Arry chose to drop him back to full-back and play Palacios in the centre with Modric out wide. He's the Spurs manager, by the way, the bloke who works with all these players on a daily basis.

This proves two things.

One, Modric was not played on the left because they had no decent alternative for that postion.

Two, Modric's own manager thought Palacios was a better option in central midfield.

How difficult is that to grasp?

You're forgetting the part where Spurs were having trouble at right back and needed to move the normal left back, Assou Ekotto to the right. That meant Bale at left back and meant Modric on the left, Palacios in the middle.

Had Spurs not have had injury problems we have no idea what he would have done. But given he played the same team successfully against Arsenal and then Chelsea in the same week, he'd probably have gone with it again against us.

 

[davisjw]

You're not fecking listening, are you?

Bale was in great form as a LW option but 'Arry chose to drop him back to full-back and play Palacios in the centre with Modric out wide. He's the Spurs manager, by the way, the bloke who works with all these players on a daily basis.

This proves two things.

One, Modric was not played on the left because they had no decent alternative for that postion.

Two, Modric's own manager thought Palacios was a better option in central midfield.

How difficult is that to grasp?

Obvious comment of the week: Against our midfield, it's no wonder he didn't want little Modric against us. They chose a bruiser and a big man in the middle to try and contain us.

'Arry was going for trickery on the wings, hoping to expose Rafael through Modric's creative play coming inside. Didn't work as planned but that's the same as saying Scholes is crap because we don't play him against certain teams or Nani... Etc, etc.

A good manager plays to the stronger opponent, United at home is invincible, he tried to reverse that by muscling out the middle and playing through the wings.

No wonder they looked twice as damaging when Bale was moved up, Lennon was put on and Modric started playing through the middle.

Daft comments there Pogue, throughout the thread.

He may not be a central midfielder in the mold of Carrick who can control the tempo through simple passes because he's an attacking midfielder who opens up games. There are multiple central positions in the midfield, his best comes from pushing further up.

If anything, being able to play on the wing or through the middle is an added bonus.

 

[GlastonSpur]

... Bale was in great form as a LW option but 'Arry chose to drop him back to full-back and play Palacios in the centre with Modric out wide. He's the Spurs manager, by the way, the bloke who works with all these players on a daily basis.

This proves two things.

One, Modric was not played on the left because they had no decent alternative for that postion.
...

Ordinarily that would be correct (because, as you say, Bale provides that decent left-sided alternative). But in the game in question (the game against Man. Utd) it is not correct, because it ignores the fact that Bale was needed (or so Harry thought) at LB because Ekotto was chosen to play at RB.

.... Two, Modric's own manager thought Palacios was a better option in central midfield.
...

Not necessarily correct, for the reason I've given above (i.e. because of the injury to Corluka, Harry chose Ekotto to play RB instead of Kaboul or Walker, and so Bale was needed to play LB, and so Modric was seen as the best remaining alternative for the left of midfield).

Has Corluka been available, I think Harry would have continued with the left-sided Ekotto/Bale combo that worked well against Chelsea and Arsenal, and would have continued with Modric and either Huddlestone or Palacios in CM.

In hindsight, Harry should have played Kaboul at RB and continued with Bale in LW and Modric in CM. But then hindsight is a great thing.

 

[Brophs]

Didn't work as planned but that's the same as saying Scholes is crap because we don't play him against certain teams or Nani... Etc, etc.

Well, since the comparison's been made, if we had a 24 year old Scholes (that's Modric's age, I think) he'd play in midfield every week, whether we were playing a two or a three, unless he was being rested. Regardless of weaknesses elsewhere, midfield is where games are won and lost, and Modric isn't being picked there when others are fit.

Modric still has a lot to prove if he's going to replace someone of Paul Scholes' ability.

 

[crappycraperson]

Well, since the comparison's been made, if we had a 24 year old Scholes (that's Modric's age, I think) he'd play in midfield every week, whether we were playing a two or a three, unless he was being rested. Regardless of weaknesses elsewhere, midfield is where games are won and lost, and Modric isn't being picked there when others are fit.

Modric still has a lot to prove if he's going to replace someone of Paul Scholes' ability.

Scholes was 24 during treble season and there were plenty of games during that season when Butt started instead of Scholes alongside Keano.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

You're not fecking listening, are you?

Bale was in great form as a LW option but 'Arry chose to drop him back to full-back and play Palacios in the centre with Modric out wide. He's the Spurs manager, by the way, the bloke who works with all these players on a daily basis.

This proves two things.

One, Modric was not played on the left because they had no decent alternative for that postion.

Two, Modric's own manager thought Palacios was a better option in central midfield.

How difficult is that to grasp?

Wrong on all counts.

1. Redknapp himself said he moved Bale to left back so that he could move Akouto across to deal with Nani's threat down the left. Which left him with no choice but 2 play Modric wide. Since the other alternative on the bench, namely Lennon was not match fit enough to start

2. Palacios being brought in was to plug the hole created by shifting Modric wide.

 

[Shimo]

I thought Modric was very good against us. The pick out from the the right side with the outside of his boot was brilliant.

The quick turn that left Vidic floored only was let down with a poor final shot.

More than once he instantly controlled the ball and was able to use it well. He'd cost way a lot but, certainly think he would be be very good for us in a central position.

 

[Red_Aaron]

he started quite lively then faded into anonimity, like all spurs players do at OT every year

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Wrong on all counts.

1. Redknapp himself said he moved Bale to left back so that he could move Akouto across to deal with Nani's threat down the left. Which left him with no choice but 2 play Modric wide. Since the other alternative on the bench, namely Lennon was not match fit enough to start

2. Palacios being brought in was to plug the hole created by shifting Modric wide.

Well, 1. is obviously bollox. Mainly because Ekouta isn't very good at defending but also because Redknapp wouldn't perceive Nani on the left as a greater threat than Malouda.

The only reason Spurs put out a different team against us compared to the Chelsea/Arsenal games was because Palacios (who starts every game, when available) was back from suspension.

 

[Allforone]

Theres a key difference between Nani and Malouda your missing....Nanis right footed and looks to cut inside from the left much more so than Malouda, who is a left footed player who will largely look to go on the outside of the full back onto his stronger left peg much more so than Nani, who naturally cuts inside onto his stronger right......Redknapp clearly felt Ekotto would be able to deal with Nani cutting inside onto what is Ekottos stronger side.....fortunatly for us Ekotto is just shit.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Nah, Harry just wanted to play Palacios. As he usually does, whenever he's available.

 

[Logan!]

I think Redknapp explains it well Pogue.

BBC Sport - Football - Manchester United 3-1 Tottenham

Basically, Kaboul was unhappy playing right back the week before, so he moved Ekotto to right back and then in turn had to move Bale to left back and Modric back to left wing(where he's played most of the season).

Quite simple really. Nothing to do with Palacios.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Nothing to do with accomodating a player who would start this fixture every time. All about keeping a player happy who ended up sitting on the bench.

Obvious really.

 

[fishfingers15]

I think Redknapp explains it well Pogue.

BBC Sport - Football - Manchester United 3-1 Tottenham

Basically, Kaboul was unhappy playing right back the week before, so he moved Ekotto to right back and then in turn had to move Bale to left back and Modric back to left wing(where he's played most of the season).

Quite simple really. Nothing to do with Palacios.

Naaah, it has everything to do with Palacios. Pogue Mahone said so, and unfortunately, that's how it's going to be.

 

[fishfingers15]

Nothing to do with accomodating a player who would start this fixture every time. All about keeping a player happy who ended up sitting on the bench.

Obvious really.

So we should take your view over the team's manager?

 

[Logan!]

Naaah, it has everything to do with Palacios. Pogue Mahone said so, and unfortunately, that's how it's going to be.

That pretty much sums it up. Harry Redknapp is wrong and so is everyone else in the thread except Pogue.

 

[Top]

It's obviously a combination of things, but I'm fairly certain Palacios would have started no matter what.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

It's obviously a combination of things, but I'm fairly certain Palacios would have started no matter what.

Bingo. A concept our resident Ihni binni dimi diniwiny anitaime are struggling with.

I'll exclude Scholesy from that statement because he made the very reasonable point that they might have set up differently if the game wasn't at Old Trafford. Which makes sense.

Be interesting to see what side he picks for their next game. It will say a lot about how highly he rates modric in the middle.

 

[Logan!]

So anyone that disagrees with Pogue is a Ihni binni dimi diniwiny anitaime, including Harry Redknapp; the manager of the team in question.

The man himself admits he had to move Bale, then in turn Modric due to the right back situation. It then becomes common sense to bring in another midfielder to cover the gap left by Modric.

I won't even go into the sillyness of changing a system that worked so well against Arsenal and Chelsea. The manager of the team explained the situation. That should be enough to end the debate, but in the world of Pogue it's grounds for yet more personal insults.

 

[RedSky]

So anyone that disagrees with Pogue is a Ihni binni dimi diniwiny anitaime, including Harry Redknapp; the manager of the team in question.

Thought everyone on this forum knew this? He is the fountain of all football knowledge and therefore your opinion on this matter Mr.Logan is worth Jack. Now move along and get back to the sandpit with the rest of us.

 

[Top]

I won't even go into the sillyness of changing a system that worked so well against Arsenal and Chelsea. The manager of the team explained the situation. That should be enough to end the debate.

I don't know. Palacios has started pretty much every single match he's been available, and at Old Trafford it's quite risky to play with a 2-man midfield that includes Modric.

They did that a couple weeks ago against Sunderland away (Palacios and Modric in the centre) and Sunderland were having a field-day, just waltzing through the middle.

Tottenham away is a whole other bottle of fish than Tottenham at home, so even though they did brilliantly against Chelsea and Arsenal at home, Harry would have probably been more cautious against United at Old Trafford. And if he hadn't, and decided to go with the same team as against Sudnerland, then they would in all likelihood have lost by more than 2.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

I wonder if the resident Ihni binni dimi diniwiny anitaime even listened to the full Redknapp interview?

"He (Ekotto) was the only one out of position. Everybody else was fine. Modric played back where he'd played all season."

Doesn't really fit with all this shite about him being forced to play Modric on the left wing, to keep Kaboul happy, does it?

 

[vuc]

Palacios was dog shit - 'Arry should have just kept Modric in the middle but its understandable he would want a little more 'bite' in the midfield away at Old Trafford. Though his reasoning of wanting Ekotto at RB to combat Nani also is plausible.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Palacios was dog shit - 'Arry should have just kept Modric in the middle but its understandable he would want a little more 'bite' in the midfield away at Old Trafford. Though his reasoning of wanting Ekotto at RB to combat Nani also is plausible.

You're dead right, Palacios was terrible. Also both Spurs's full-backs had a nightmare, so 'Arry's tinkering came back to bite him on the arse, big-time. Thank feck.

I'm actually really looking forward to the game against City. I hope Spurs revert to the team that played Chelsea and have a real go at them. Could be a cracking game and I would love it (love it) if City got their arses handed to them by their biggest rivals for fourth place.

 

[GlastonSpur]

I wonder if the resident Ihni binni dimi diniwiny anitaime even listened to the full Redknapp interview?

"He (Ekotto) was the only one out of position. Everybody else was fine. Modric played back where he'd played all season."

Doesn't really fit with all this shite about him being forced to play Modric on the left wing, to keep Kaboul happy, does it?

Yes, Modric has mainly played in a (nominal) LM position this season so far. But this is irrelevant to the discussion of Modric in relation to the Man. Utd game.

The facts are:

1) Modric played in CM (with Huddlestone) against Arsenal and Chelsea and did well. Bale played in LW in thse games and was outstanding.

2) For whatever reason, Harry chose Ekotto to play RB against Man. Utd.

3) Item 2 above meant that Bale had to play at LB, which in turn meant that Modric more or less had to play in LM.

4) Item 3 above means that the availibility of Palacios was NOT the reason that Modric played in LM against Man. Utd.

It's obvious to anyone with half a brain that Harry would now prefer to play Ekotto at LB with Bale ahead of him in LW (two left-footed players down the left-flank) - especially after their performances against Chelsea and Arsenal.

This means, perforce, that Harry would prefer to play Modric in CM - partly to accomodate Bale in LW, partly because it's a position that offers Modric more chances to influence and dictate games, and partly because he had just put in two great performances in CM against Chelsea and Arsenal.

The above may represent somewhat recent "ideal preferences" on Harry's part - if only because it's only fairly recently that Bale has had a regular run of games in LW and shown how outstanding he can be in that position. But it's clearly his preference now.

In other words, if Ekotto had not been picked for RB, then either Huddlestone or Palacios (probably the latter) would have been dropped for the Man. Utd game and Modric would have played in CM.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Damn, you're boring. I lost the will to live half way through reading that.

Let's wait and see what team 'Arry picks at the weekend, eh? Chances are he'll drop Palacios for being completely useless at Old Trafford but I wouldn't be surprised at all if he decides to continue to play Modric in the position in which he's preferred to play him for most of the season, irrespective of injuries/suspensions/shit full-backs etc. Out on the left wing.

 

[Boss]

Scholes with pace.

 

[Scholesy]

Be interesting to see what side he picks for their next game. It will say a lot about how highly he rates modric in the middle.

Modric in the middle. Palacios on the bench.

 

[Red Indian Chief Torn Rubber]

Well, 1. is obviously bollox. Mainly because Ekouta isn't very good at defending but also because Redknapp wouldn't perceive Nani on the left as a greater threat than Malouda.

So know you think you know more than Redknapp as to what he constitutes a threat to his team?

The only reason Spurs put out a different team against us compared to the Chelsea/Arsenal games was because Palacios (who starts every game, when available) was back from suspension.

Sorry, but I'm inclined to believe what Redknapp said about his team just before the match started than your take on events.

 

[Pogue Mahone]

Modric in the middle. Palacios on the bench.

There you have it. Play like shite, get dropped to the bench. Seems fair enough.

How's he solved the terrible full-back conundrum which you cnuts seem to think dictates his team selection in midfield?

 

[vuc]

Modric in the middle. Palacios on the bench.

 

[Doevle]

huh?

 

[GlastonSpur]

There you have it. Play like shite, get dropped to the bench. Seems fair enough.

It's been explained to you why Modric wasn't played in CM at OT - all for solid reasons revolving around the decision to play Ekotto at RB ... reasons which you refused to accept.

But eventually you resorted to to saying: "Let's wait and see what team 'Arry picks at the weekend, eh? ... I wouldn't be surprised at all if he decides to continue to play Modric in the position in which he's preferred to play him for most of the season, irrespective of injuries/suspensions/shit full-backs etc. Out on the left wing."

Well, the game has come and gone, and guess what ... Modric was played in CM.