Tottenham Hotspur’s Midfield Maelstrom

As our 2010/2011 season comes to a close (not withstanding two certain away trips to Eastlands and Anfield), Harry Redknapp has faced numerous problems regarding team selection, one of those problems encountered by Redknapp has been with our midfield.

Redknapp is often inclined to pick either Tom Huddlestone or Sandro to partner Luka Modric. Sandro is more inclined to tackle and cover more grass with gusto and energy. Huddlestone does like to break forward so that his quality passing and shooting is more effective, however his lack of mobility and pace often leaves gaps in our final third. Redknapp rarely picks both Sandro and Huddlestone together.

I guess who to partner Modric in central midfield from here on in will of course, depend on the opposition, but it’d be nice to have a settled duo in the middle of the park come next season. In addition, Wilson Palacios still has something to offer alongside either Sandro or Modric. Should Redknapp pick the same midfield combination regardless of the opposition?.

Out wide, Aaron Lennon has a tendency to ‘hide’ when we aren’t monopolising the ball. I wish the Lennon of two seasons ago would return, he was near enough unplayable. On our left side Gareth Bale is now often man marked by up to three players. That’s what happens when you’re a marked man. We must think of a way to combat such a tactic when next season begins.

Rafael Van der vaart is one player apart from Modric whose happy to receive the ball in the tightest of spots and is keen to pass the ball with quality. Van der vaart on the right hand side has also been experimented with, with various results.

One thing that would help, is if our starting midfielders were to chip in with a few more goals. Also, When possible Redknapp has to field a consistent midfield as it will aid team cohesion and we all know that’s in midfield where football games are won and lost.