All three vs Bolton?

[gbspur72]

Has anyone got a clue how we are gonna start the season against Bolton.
Will we play Berbie,Defoe and Keane in the same 11 or does everyone think we need to play a more solid 4-4-2 in away games?

[Welsh Spur]

Doubtful as Keane is injured and not included in Ireland squad versus Holland.
So Defoe and Berbatov, probably.

[country cock]

Cant see us playing with 3 strikers in many games this season, unless we are behind in a game, like Charlton last season (great management). As Welsh Spur said Keane appears to be carrying a knock so i would go along with Berbatov and Defoe.

[TomMcLaren]

Keane's withdrawl from the Ireland squad was subtitled "may be available for Saturday". Even if he is, I would suspect we would go 4-4-2, Berbs and Defoe up front. Bolton is not really the place to start 4-3-3 IMO.

[Welsh Spur]

And form states that Defoe and Berbatov should start. If Defoe doesn't it would be a blow to his morale and thats not what we want, surely after the effort and performances he's put in he'll be expecting to start, and justifiably so.

[choda]

Pre-season performances don't matter that much.

[Welsh Spur]

Perhaps, but pre-season friendlies are there for you to show the manager what you can do and that you deserve to play. Personally I think Defoe has shown a brilliant attitude and determination to do well, this season he and Berbatov should score a hatful. He seems happy again and he looks like ripping opponents to bits this season.

But we can't forget Keano, he's the most skilful of the three and so important to this Spurs side, in terms of creativity and inspiration. He is such a dangerous all-round player, whereas Defoe, on song, is a dangerous finisher.

For me, Keane and King are the talismen of this Tottenham team.

[choda]

Yea, I agree with that. But I'm just saying we shouldn't automatically assume things from pre-season. Defoe could still struggle big time in the prem. People know that if you give him a sight of goal he'll destroy you. They know what he can and can't do.

He does look full of beans though and that is good. A few times last year when he came back in with a point to prove he was full of beans and did have some good movement (but then it would go again next game). That adds another dimension his and to our play that are there as a rule when Keane plays. I still fear that he'll be too static this year when he plays.

[spurs61]

I can't believe everyone has forgotten Robbie's outstanding contibution last season. After King he should be the first name on the team sheet. He is the talisman of the side and the team just lacks a bit of devil and inspiration when he is missing.

[highlander]

it'll definately be berbie & defoe, partly due to keane's injury and also because of defoe's excellent pre-season. i think defoe has prepared a lot for this season, i think he's sharp, fit and on form. berbie is an obvious starter though

[suBerb]

Given that (1) Defoe was so good in the friendlies, (2) Berby is the only tall forward and highly talented, and (3) Keane is arguably the leader (in offensive aspect), it will be very hard to choose the starting line-up. I think that Berby will start with certainty. So the question is whether to play both with Defoe and Keano. And if not - who should start the game?

If Defoe and Keano are in the first 11, then there are roughly 2 possibilities:

either Davids or Jenas will be on the bench.

So

__________Robbo

Lee---Davenport---Daws----Ekotto

-----------Zokora----Davids

Lennon-------------------Keane
-----------Defoe
-------------------Berby

or

__________Robbo

Lee---Davenport---Daws----Ekotto

-----------Zokora----Jenas/Tainio

Lennon-------------------Keane
-----------Defoe
-------------------Berby

I forget Tainio, he can play with Zokora, so he is the 3 alternative.

[choda]

I can't believe everyone has forgotten Robbie's outstanding contibution last season. After King he should be the first name on the team sheet. He is the talisman of the side and the team just lacks a bit of devil and inspiration when he is missing.

Not me buddy. I just couldn't leave him out, or play him out of position for that matter.

[Welsh Spur]

Keane was our best player last season. During the second half of the season when we needed someone to stand up and be counted, Keane was the man who stood head and shoulders above the rest. I feel King and Dawson were rock solid too, but it's always the attackers that get noticed aint it?