Our run of games against teams in the top third continues on Sunday at the unlikely time of ten past four as Manchester United come to White Hart Lane.
It’s been awhile since we took all three points in this fixture, a Man City supporting mate of mine is desperate for us to do so this time but at the risk of stating the bleeding obvious, it’ll take a considerable improvement on last Sunday for that to happen. Players are generally a resilient bunch and will get the weekend’s performance out of their systems quicker than the fans but some have questions to answer, Assou-Ekotto and Ledley for instance, and should view this game as the perfect opportunity to give their response.
It’s not just those players who’ll need to put in a shift though, this is yet another positive, determined and well organised Man Utd team and our big players, the likes of Bale, Modric and Adebayor will need to be at their best. With Parker suspended and Walker and Van der Vaart perhaps missing Harry has some decisions to make. Sandro or Livermore in midfield, or both with just one up front? There is certainly a case for toughening up a soft centre that was outnumbered and often outfought (amongst other things) at the new library. Who at right back? Almost certainly not Smith despite his recall from Leeds. Livermore or Kaboul maybe? If fit Lennon must surely play. Without him we rarely look right.
Who goes up front with Adebayor is anyone’s guess until Redknapp decides how attacking a formation he wants to put out. Personally I’d be tempted by a very safety first approach at the start with the promise of some expansion later once we’re certain we’ve got their measure. One thing we don’t want to see is anything at all gutless or half-hearted. One collapse a week is enough thanks and a spiritless showing would be extremely disheartening as we approach the business end of the season.
At least we’ve avoided Webb or Clattenburg, Martin Atkinson is in charge.
I didn’t see their game last weekend but apparently Norwich gave as good as they got. Given that we gave a passing master class at Carrow Rd only two short months ago, by playground logic we should walk this one. COYS.
By MF
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