How much did we miss Huddlestone and Dawson?

[Krafty]

We missed both - if Dawson was fit Ledley wouldn't have been risked with that knock he picked up, Kaboul wouldn't have been missed as much when he was out for a couple of weeks.

If Huddlestone was around it might have been hard to get him on the pitch - Livermore would not have played anywhere near as much - but apart from Paul Scholes I don't think there is a player in the Premiership who is as good at playing long balls as Tommy. His passing can up the tempo as we quickly switch from one wing to another, the wingers are more likely to be one on one with an opponent because the opposition hasnt had time to shift across the pitch, and his shooting, which he should practice and use more, can be a threat to teams sitting deep.

 

[StartingPrice]

I love the way some of you forget how valueable hudd is. We would not even have played CL football if he didn't not come on at half time with an injury.

No one in our team can pass like him.

Can't wait for next season

Sandro/Parker

Hudd----luka

 

[WhiteHart4Ever]

We missed both - if Dawson was fit Ledley wouldn't have been risked with that knock he picked up, Kaboul wouldn't have been missed as much when he was out for a couple of weeks.

If Huddlestone was around it might have been hard to get him on the pitch - Livermore would not have played anywhere near as much - but apart from Paul Scholes I don't think there is a player in the Premiership who is as good at playing long balls as Tommy. His passing can up the tempo as we quickly switch from one wing to another, the wingers are more likely to be one on one with an opponent because the opposition hasnt had time to shift across the pitch, and his shooting, which he should practice and use more, can be a threat to teams sitting deep.

Both have been among our best performers in recent seasons, so they were clearly missed in my opinion. Dawson would've played a lot in the last half of the season and would've done better than King (for the record: he was excellent in the first half), maybe also Gallas. Huddlestone is a tricky one with Sandro, Modric and Parker. I rate him, but don't think I would've put him in ahead of any of those. Still think we've missed his passing at home though, as he compliments Modric's (short, quick, accurate) passing very nicely, unlikely all the other alternatives, incl. Livermore, that can't do a long pass at all. VDV's just about the only other one we've got and he's used it to great effect on occasion. I'm not sure, mind you, if he's here for the long run, as what we really need now is a driving force goal threat kinda box-t0-box player, and that's never gonna be the Hudd. So competing with Parker and Sandro for holding and Modric for creating he'll lose out...

 

[DJS]

Huddlestone is far too hot and cold performance-wise for my liking, plus his lack of mobility has always been a concern as in the centre of the park I like to see mobile all-action type players who can match the opposition for both skill and fight (Hudd lacking the latter as for a big man he's a bit of a pussy).

I'd imagine in a midfield like this:

Lennon Sandro (or Parker) Huddlestone Modric

He'd be okay.

But then it would mean Modric having to play wide left (if he's still here) and Bale at left-back, which may or not work (as at least it would keep him disciplined to stay on the left!!!).

He's a good squad option alongside a Parker or Sandro but not sure I would play him alongside Modric in the centre anymore (I know it worked for a bit but still a bit dodgy).

Ultimately I think we can do better but this summer we need to look at bringing in Vertonghen, some right wing cover and improving our striking department, plus quite possibly a new goalkeeper (although would be nice to see Button given the opportunity).

Central midfield can wait until the following summer, giving Huddlestone a chance to re-establish himself, before deciding to ship him out and bring in some new blood in that area.

 

[matjcole]

Livermore would not have played if Hudd had been fit. I think Livermore has added more to our midfield than Hudd. Too often I think the game just passes him by.

 

[NickHSpurs]

We've definitely missed the option of having Huddlestone, he offers us something completely different to all of our other midfielders, without a doubt the best passer at the club.

Harry really likes him, he would have played a part for sure he played almost every game when we finished 4th before. I rate Hudd a lot, he does have his limitations in terms of pace, but at home and games where we have a lot of possession he is very affective. At least now we have other options when we know he won't be seeing as much of the ball.

Dawson would have also played part as well, with the injuries we've had of course he would have played.

It's simplistic to say we'd have finished third with them though.

 

[ShelfSide18]

We've definitely missed the option of having Huddlestone, he offers us something completely different to all of our other midfielders

The only one of them who offers us the turning circle of the QE2 in harbour option? Spose you're right.

Don't think we've missed them other than for decent bench/rotation options. Neither of them are good enough to be first team starters now.

 

[talkshowhost86]

The only one of them who offers us the turning circle of the QE2 in harbour option? Spose you're right.

Don't think we've missed them other than for decent bench/rotation options. Neither of them are good enough to be first team starters now.

Although his lack of speed is an issue, it's not the be-all and end-all. Carrick was always pretty slow but he was 10 times the player Hudd has been for us for the following reasons:

1. He had a much better footballing brain than Hudd. He very rarely got caught in possession despite not being very quick.
2. His defensive positoning was much better than Hudd's therefore he was much more effective as a defensive midfielder.
3. His passing was much more incisive than Hudd's. Whereas Hudd can obviously spray balls about left right and centre, Carrick was brilliant at getting quick balls into the feet of strikers and wingers alike whereas Hudd very rarely gets it through the midfield and into the striker's feet.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. If you built a team around Hudd he'd probably be excellent. But we have better players than him now so we can't build a team around him.

 

[theShiznit]

probably stopped more unrest in the changing room?

With Redknapp's legen...dary use of rotation there could have been more issues, and would hate to have seen how sparingly Sandro may have been used if Hudd had been fit too.

Daws doesn't seem the type to kick us a fuss though?

 

[3Dnata]

If we had either for a considerable part of the season I'm sure we could have got at least the very minimum of the 2 extra points that would have got us 3rd.
I know other sides say the same about injuries but if they had stayed fit I'm sure they would have made the difference.
Unless that is someone would see having a fit Hudd as an excuse not to play Sandro.

 

[Bulletspur]

When doing a poll, make sure that all options or scenarios are covered. I would have voted that "We would have been in a worse position if both had played" if we had that option.

 

[Mr Pink]

Of course we would of been better off recently had they been fit, our benches have looked incredibly weak recently and in games where we've been struggling to break sides down without offering much threat we could of used a different option from the bench etc to mix it up a little. Hudd coming on, for instance, could of been useful in switching the play faster and releasing our wingers quicker.

 

[Yid-ol]

We missed both of them! not for first team but squad rotation, we were struggling in defence and played king, Kaboul, and Gallas when all had injuries and didnt play to 100% Dawson could have eased the problems there.

Hudd could have come in and done a job in CM when Parker needed a rest and Sandro was injured, we did have Livermoor and as well as he has done (and i think he did very well for his first season) he isnt as good as Hudd