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Ade and Rafa - the start of a beautiful friendship

BringBack_leGin

Well-Known Member
Jul 28, 2004
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I don't think there's much basis at the moment to remove either Defoe or Niko from the side after one scored last week and the other was key in two goals. Vdv, who might still no be 100%, is a first choice ordinarily, but I'd see him on the bench tomorrow and ease him back in by bringing him on and starting him v Stoke. If he stays fit, and outshines Defoe and Niko, let him start against Wigan.
 

tobi

Clear Eyes, Full Hearts, Can't Lose
Jun 10, 2003
17,446
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I'm looking forward to this partnership, hopefully having Adebayor as a lone forward will encourage Luka to get into more/better shooting positions.
 

Dan Ashcroft

Manstack vs The Gay Chimney
Jan 6, 2008
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Harry wont start vdv

This thread was meant to be less about tomorrow anyway, more a general one looking forward to the exciting prospect of this new partnership for the rest of the season (and hopefully beyond).

Two fantastic players of real pedigree, just hitting their peak. The 3 years of goal drought and link-up starvation - the Defrouchenko years - are finally over.
 

sloth

Well-Known Member
Mar 7, 2005
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6,900
We are all aware of your oft-quoted views of Defoe.

I suspect that Harry will play Ade/Defoe up front with VdV replacing Kranjcar and Bale switching back to the left. I, for one, would not be unhappy with this formation.

Unfortunately we do not have the players to make 4-2-3-1 work as I don't believe either Lennon or Bale fit easily into that formation. When Sandro is fit, I think we will be seeing a lot of Ade/VdV up front but don't think it will happen tomorrow.

Against many clubs I wouldn't be unhappy with that formation.

Against Liverpool I would be. That's because with Enrique and Downing playing down their left and Walker and VdV on our right I'm afraid we'll be horribly exposed to the counter attack.
 

Dan Yeats

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2011
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I reckon we'll see it for about 58 minutes, before VdV pulls up with his hamstring because he was rushed back before he was fully fit.

I'm suspicious about just how 'injured' VDV was tbh, given that he's been throwing the odd little strop recently.
 

stemark44

Well-Known Member
Mar 17, 2005
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I'm suspicious about just how 'injured' VDV was tbh, given that he's been throwing the odd little strop recently.

Didn't some Dutch physio say recently that VDV was the hardest working player at getting back from injury asap, he had ever met.
 

Shep

Well-Known Member
Nov 5, 2005
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940
Regardless of fitness I really fear Redknapp would play VDV on the right in play of Lennon with Defoe & Ade up top
 

Dan Yeats

Well-Known Member
Jul 12, 2011
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Didn't some Dutch physio say recently that VDV was the hardest working player at getting back from injury asap, he had ever met.

That may be true. It just seemed a bit suss that he stormed off down the tunnel, threw a minor hissy about not playing in the Europa, and was 'unavailable' due to injury (maybe not in that order). Maybe just coincidence, but it made me raise an eyebrow.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,776
99,340
If VDV starts tomorrow it has to be off Ade. On the right is asking for trouble.

Niko did well last week anyway so I would keep him in.
 

AngerManagement

Well-Known Member
May 15, 2004
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I really hope their understanding/partnership hits the ground running, if we can keep them both fit and in form they could be up there with the best strike force in the league.

Whether it be Ade alone with VDV in the hole or a combination of Bale/VDV/Modric behind Ade supported by a defensive midfield pairing of Sandro and Parker we have the makings of a very strong side, if with less depth than we have been used to.

Liverpool game is massive now, with our bad start and post poned game we were instantly playing catching, win tomorrow and the gap is closed and we go clear of Arsenal...lose and we are back to having had a miserable opening to the new campaign.
 

Dan Ashcroft

Manstack vs The Gay Chimney
Jan 6, 2008
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Looking :hump:

Not just the goal either.

In fact I'm loving just how fluid our whole front 4 are in this match - it's what we've been lacking for so long. Great to see :grin:
 

GDG

Old China Hand
Staff
Aug 25, 2004
23,903
27
@DA: I haven't seen you acknowledge anywhere that others were right and you were wrong last week - Defoe started and VDV came on as sub, nothing to say about it? Oh, and Defoe scored a cracker of a goal too.
 

Dan Ashcroft

Manstack vs The Gay Chimney
Jan 6, 2008
6,404
1,147
@DA: I haven't seen you acknowledge anywhere that others were right and you were wrong last week - Defoe started and VDV came on as sub, nothing to say about it? Oh, and Defoe scored a cracker of a goal too.

It was Rafa's first game back after injury. There'll be no looking back now :hump:

Defoe was still largely anonymous against Liverpool (and Stoke). Our whole offensive play looks so much quicker and intuitive without him being in the wrong place or slowing everything down.
 

chrissivad

Staff
May 20, 2005
51,646
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thought they looked poor. A couple of good bits bit, but Adebayor was better in his other matches than he was today
 

werty

Well-Known Member
Aug 8, 2005
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26,310
The only link up play between the two was for the goal. Other than that they were bad as a combination and not much better individually, especially the second half when neither looked interested.
 

Dan Ashcroft

Manstack vs The Gay Chimney
Jan 6, 2008
6,404
1,147
thought they looked poor. A couple of good bits bit, but Adebayor was better in his other matches than he was today

Thought they were great first half - lots of really fantastic link-up play with each other and the midfield. It was like the halcyon days of Berbs-Keane again.

Second half vdV seemed to struggle with fitness/was protecting his hamstring and Ade did nothing after injuring his eye. More a reminder that we need more strength in depth up top than anything.
 
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