What formation should Spurs play?

AVB has some crucial decisions to make this week about which eleven players will make it into our starting line up. But this depends on our formation – which could be a number of different strategies. For this article, I am going to assume (hopefully correctly, Mr Levy….) that we sign a striker to lead the line – even if it’s just Adebayor.

The ‘Spurs’: 4-5-1

Last season’s formation took us to 4th place in the EPL. But will it work again this year under AVB? I think not. His favoured high line doesn’t really fit in with what we did last season because it only accommodated one defensive-minded midfielder – yet AVB seems keen for two, possibly Sandro and M’Vila. Playing a midfield of Bale-Sigi-Sandro-VdV-Lennon with the lone striker doesn’t seem like a realistic option if they set up the same way as last year….but if we transform it into this next option then it might work better:

The ‘AVB’: 4-3-3

Playing Bale-Striker-Lennon, or Bale-Striker-VdV would fit into AVB’s favoured system as it allows him to have two defensive-minded midfielders behind those three, along with say Sigi, and so looks like the most likely option. Having a three of Sandro-Sigi-M’Vila (if we sign him, the Hudd if not) gives us incredible stability and supports our high defensive line – whilst Sandro and M’Vila can also be creative (we know that Sigi can). However, this relies on how much faith AVB has in our right-winger’s crossing and finishing ability – Lennon and VdV may not be quite up to scratch. I still think though that this is our most likely formation for the season.

The ‘Spain’: 4-6-0

A very similar system to the one above, but with an attacking midfielder, say Sigi or VdV, in the striker’s role. This will (very hopefully) be only used as a last resort if (heaven forbid) we fail to land a striker – but if AVB really doesn’t trust Kane or JD then it could well happen against Newcastle. But this system has risks – like being incapable of scoring goals – and so I think it will be avoided by AVB.

The ‘Two Striker’: 3-5-2

There are so many problems with this formation that I don’t even know why I am bothering to write about it. Firstly, fan favourite and youngster with huge potential, Kyle Walker, doesn’t have a place in the system and also we don’t even have two strikers who I would be happy putting in our team! It is a hugely risky strategy when playing a high line and doesn’t include full backs to support in both defence and attack. So this can hopefully be quickly discounted by AVB.

All these systems have both negatives and positives (except maybe the last one) and so AVB could pick any of them. But which one do the fans think should be chosen?

By Alex Beck

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