Huddlestone as Centre Back

[dshandler]

I thought Huddlestone was terrific cover at Centre back today, first of all he won all the challenges he needed to and didn't look out of place. Considering we need cover for that position as badly as any other, and considering he would be happy just to be in the starting 11, I think we may of found a solution until Dawson, Woody and King are all back fully fit, so we don't have to risk any further injury...thoughts? PS I thought Kranjcar was absolutely fantastic today!

[Antilokhos]

I didn't get to see enough of the game to get a real feel for how well he played back there. I know he got his start back there so sliding into the spot shouldn't be too foreign. My concern is that Huddlestone lacks both pace and any sort of bite in his tackling. I think he is a better last ditch option there than Corluka, but the lack of pace will kill him against that sort of striker.

Unfortunately I reckon Huddlestone will be the odd man out for Spurs this year. Certainly excellent depth to add, and improving his versatility will only help the club, he just doesn't have anywhere to slot in. Then again, I'm an unabashed Jenas fan so I'm sure others will disagree. I think our current weakness at CB shows the lack of foresight that led us to rely so much on two guys with a horrible injury record.

[Gino Ginelli]

Well it looks like Daws is back to match fitness, so we won't have to worry about that too much now, but I agree that he's probably the best option back there as far as the bench goes. He did start life in that position at Derby, mostly due to his size, but then got pushed forwards due to his passing ability.

I wouldn't count on Woody and King being available much this season, or indeed from here on in at all. I think we're going to need new experienced CB's this January.

[olly27]

Well it looks like Daws is back to match fitness, so we won't have to worry about that too much now, but I agree that he's probably the best option back there as far as the bench goes. He did start life in that position at Derby, mostly due to his size, but then got pushed forwards due to his passing ability.

I wouldn't count on Woody and King being available much this season, or indeed from here on in at all. I think we're going to need new experienced CB's this January.

I see we are being linked with Upson again this morning and Gary Cahill. The latter would cost a small fortune though - although I would be very happy with either of them but Cahill would offer us a much more long term solution.

[Antilokhos]

I see we are being linked with Upson again this morning and Gary Cahill. The latter would cost a small fortune though - although I would be very happy with either of them but Cahill would offer us a much more long term solution.

The Spurs future at CB being Cahill and Bassong? It could certainly prove to be a pretty nice setup. Both strong and athletic.

[deadleyledley]

thought that hudd was outstanding today espcially as he is not a normal CB. he won nearly all challenges, but he did a 2 scary moment. one with palacios and one with corluka. now that daws is back he will move back into midfield and provide a dilemma for harry against bolton. jj and palcios were very good in CM and kranjcar had a decent game.

[olly27]

thought that hudd was outstanding today espcially as he is not a normal CB. he won nearly all challenges, but he did a 2 scary moment. one with palacios and one with corluka. now that daws is back he will move back into midfield and provide a dilemma for harry against bolton. jj and palcios were very good in CM and kranjcar had a decent game.

Hudd was good yesterday. One iffy moment but his ability to bring the ball out like that and distribute it from the back so well is a huge asset. Against better forwards though it will be a behind the sofa job though.

I expect Dawson will start with Bassong next week after he gains some more fitness this week. I would be hugley surprised if Harry doesn't go with Jenas against Bolton, not only for a good performance yesterday but his legs, energy and covering of ground will get him the nod I suspect.

I really do hope Gomes is recalled. My team for next week:

Gomes

Corluka
Dawson (Hudd)
Bassong
Ekotto

Lennon
Palacios
Jenas
kranjcar

Keane
Defoe (Crouch)

If those two dont make it. Bale could also come off the bench to have a say in this one, just have a feeling!!

[TURKISH]

I see we are being linked with Upson again this morning and Gary Cahill. The latter would cost a small fortune though - although I would be very happy with either of them but Cahill would offer us a much more long term solution.

Gary Cahill? You read my mind yesterday pal, I think he is an excellent cb who has the potential to really become one of the best in the league. But can we have five top draw cb's and keep them all happy? Once Dawson and Woody are fit we will have a dilemma, but then again Woody is just as bad as king when it comes to relying on him and Bassong is off to the african cup of nations.

Hudd was majestic yesterday, I prefer him cb than midfield but we have to remember its against Burnley. This is why I'm not praising JJ to much because it was against Burnley, but hudd's versatility can be a great weapon at times against the lower teams.

[olly27]

Gary Cahill? You read my mind yesterday pal, I think he is an excellent cb who has the potential to really become one of the best in the league. But can we have five top draw cb's and keep them all happy? Once Dawson and Woody are fit we will have a dilemma, but then again Woody is just as bad as king when it comes to relying on him and Bassong is off to the african cup of nations.

Hudd was majestic yesterday, I prefer him cb than midfield but we have to remember its against Burnley. This is why I'm not praising JJ to much because it was against Burnley, but hudd's versatility can be a great weapon at times against the lower teams.

The thing is King wont play week in week out like we were all hoping for. Even once a week is just too much for him, unfortunately. Not training means he will be more prone to picking up more groin and calf strains, hamstring tears..whatever really. I have a feeling that Woodgate will be on the treatment table quite a lot from here on in. We need a long term replacement for these guys. Gary Cahill could be the man. I think Levy would rather pay 15 mil for a 24 year old, who has huge talent, as oppossed to 8 mil for Upson aged 30.

I agree with you...those lot all fit would provide a new set of problems but Harry has to think about a settled side and what options he feels we need.

[TURKISH]

The thing is King wont play week in week out like we were all hoping for. Even once a week is just too much for him, unfortunately. Not training means he will be more prone to picking up more groin and calf strains, hamstring tears..whatever really. I have a feeling that Woodgate will be on the treatment table quite a lot from here on in. We need a long term replacement for these guys. Gary Cahill could be the man. I think Levy would rather pay 15 mil for a 24 year old, who has huge talent, as oppossed to 8 mil for Upson aged 30.

I agree with you...those lot all fit would provide a new set of problems but Harry has to think about a settled side and what options he feels we need.

I believe King can play everyweek if he doesn't pick up a groin strain ect. Playing every week will enable him to keep his fitness up, plus he played 31 games last year so he still has alot to offer. But I agree with you we can't place all our bets on one horse, we need cover but I just have a horrible feeling if we had five centre backs they will all be injury free.

Dawson and Bassong are the future for me with hopefully a gary cahill to follow, I felt Dawson really come of age last season and sometimes players need to go through hard times to character build. King made plenty of mistakes at Daws age when he played with Doherty, Gardner, Richards and Perry.

Just our luck aye? A world class centre back on our books and the poor lad is a crock.:thumbdown: Look how good he is and he was never able to reach his peak and improve through them prime years.

[choda]

I've always said that Hudd is a more natural centre back than central midfielder. His build is not made for midfield and it leads to all sorts of problems if he doesn't have centre back type space to play in (so he can get the ball out of his feet and shift it) and you only get that against poor teams when you are very dominant and teams are hanging on or trying to keep the score down.

Now, there are times when he can be suspect at the back as well. It's always a worry that one f*ck up can mean that he can't recover like say Bassong would be able to.

But I have to say every time I've seen him at centre back he has a level of reading the play and assuredness that means he rarely gets into bother and he mops up pretty well. He's a big lad and does better than many give him credit for going for aerial balls as well. And of course his distribution is terrific when he has the space you get at the back.

When it's on he can also step out with the ball ala Beckanbeur because he can get up a head of steam in a straight line and his touch, passing and shooting can do some damage further up as well.

Someone like Wilson can be under instructions to slot in at the back temporarily if he does that.

I remember one game at Old trafford when Hudd played at the back and he was outstanding. I've never seen him play that well in midfield against a big team, actually even near that well, so I'd definitely say his future is brighter in a deeper role.

Sweeper is probably his best position.