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This Sunday could prove to be a tough afternoon for Tottenham as they go up against Chelsea.
In recent times, it has become evident that some Spurs fans have voiced their dissatisfaction with Ange Postecoglou following the Bournemouth match on Thursday, reflecting their current feelings.
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That said, I remain unsure about what his ideal lineup would entail or what sort of performance to anticipate from them.
Indeed, Postecoglou has been battling multiple injuries, especially in his defense line. Key players such as Cristian Romero, Micky van de Ven, and goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario are already sidelined.
Nonetheless, they put in a notable performance against Manchester City, although their showings against Crystal Palace, Ipswich, and Bournemouth have not been promising.
Now, they are also facing an injury crisis with Ben Davies out.
Tottenham is far from having a settled squad, and even when the team is at full strength, predicting the lineup remains a challenge.
This situation leaves them open to vulnerabilities in defense, and with Archie Gray possibly partnering Radu Dragusin, I wouldn’t feel particularly confident, especially considering that their full-backs often push forward, exposing those two in the back.
While Archie is a talented young player, putting him in a center-back role against a strong Chelsea team will be a substantial undertaking.
If I were in Postecoglou’s position, I’d lean towards a more defensively organized setup.
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My strategy wouldn’t be one of aggressive offense; the timing isn’t right for such an approach.
Prioritizing a resilient midfield while perhaps sacrificing some attacking aspects to enhance defensive security in front of that back pairing is crucial.
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This might involve deploying five in midfield, with Dominic Solanke serving as the lone striker. Postecoglou needs to ensure the team isn’t too exposed.
Full-backs must be instructed to refrain from pushing forward recklessly and instead focus on maintaining a solid defensive shape.
Remaining patient and staying in the match will be essential. They may need to take advantage of chances as they present themselves — if indeed any arise.
I understand how deeply significant this rivalry is for both teams’ fans. However, if Tottenham supporters turn up the pressure on the players, it could beneficially shift momentum towards Chelsea.
The Blues will be eager to capitalize on any early momentum after observing events from Thursday night.
Chelsea enters the match as the favorite, bringing a sense of confidence and momentum after a shaky start to the season, during which their prospects seemed uncertain.
A challenge may arise if too many players start believing they deserve more game time, which can lead to a tense locker room atmosphere.
However, it seems they’ve addressed these issues and are now performing strongly. The manager is doing an admirable job, and suddenly significant success seems attainable.
Their recent display scoring five goals in a match against Southampton illustrates that the team is pulling together towards shared goals.
Cole Palmer is being recognized as a crucial player. He’s beginning to shine, and Enzo Fernandez is also stepping up his performances, finally showing his value as a World Cup winner.
Likewise, Moises Caicedo is demonstrating his quality, enhancing their midfield strength.
Looking at Nicolas Jackson, I was initially skeptical of his suitability upon joining, thinking he might not be the right fit. He nearly transferred to Bournemouth for £20 million, but that deal fell through due to an injury, which made me think Bournemouth lost out.
However, Jackson is now proving to be quite valuable. The credit goes to the manager for instilling confidence in him, which has led to strong performances.
If Chelsea maintains this level of play, they will firmly insert themselves into the title conversation.
D-DAY FOR GARY AND JULEN
Both managers are in for a stressful night at the London Stadium on Monday.
While it may be a bit early for drastic changes, both West Ham and Wolves are currently in a tough spot.
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I have a lot of respect for Gary O’Neil; he has done well under the challenges of injuries and losing key players.
His time at Bournemouth was impressive, but he needs to secure a win or two at Wolves soon.
Having watched many games, it feels like they’ve been quite unlucky at times. Their fans turned against him for the first time during the recent match with Everton, which can increase the pressure on a manager — and the players are aware of it.
I strongly believe that Gary is capable and intelligent.
His accomplishments at Bournemouth have been noteworthy, and last season at Wanderers was impressive, but a bit of luck could change his current struggle.
Julen Lopetegui’s scenario at West Ham feels similar. Much depends on recruitment. I thought their summer acquisitions were solid, but striker Niclas Fullkrug has hardly seen the field due to injury — although he did contribute a late goal against Leicester.
I think both managers would welcome a draw, as it would help them retain their jobs and provide some breathing space. However, losing would certainly increase scrutiny.
If Wolves can keep their fans subdued and the crowd becomes anxious, it could create problems for the hosts.
GUNNERS ARE SET TO WIN
THERE have been many voices eager to criticize Arsenal due to their dependence on set-pieces for goals.
Dimitar Berbatov even remarked that they resemble a modern-day version of Stoke after their encounter with Manchester United.
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Ultimately, their success is driven by players who eagerly look to attack the ball with keen movement and alertness.
Their center-backs, Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba, have the size and desire to make an impact on the scoreboard.
Instead of detracting from them, the focus should be on effectively assigning the best markers to neutralize their top attacking threats.
Frequently, I observe set-pieces where attackers are matched against defenders, which is a poor strategy since forwards generally are not well-equipped for defensive duties and can thus be outmaneuvered easily. It is critical that the center-backs assume their rightful responsibilities.
A proper arrangement should feature a solid header at the near post, coverage at the back post, and perhaps allow an extra player to roam based on the ball’s path.
During my time at West Ham, I had Julian Dicks, an excellent header of the ball, whom I would strategically leave unmarked at the start and have time his run to redirect the ball.
If I were to face this Arsenal squad, I would lean on Sol Campbell and Sylvain Distin, both of whom played for me at Portsmouth, to form a central defensive partnership.
Sol was an intimidating presence; if he was your marker, winning a header against him was virtually impossible. Sylvain was also quite athletic.
With Arsenal, constant vigilance is necessary as they can strike from numerous positions.
Bukayo Saka and Martin Odegaard are key players. Odegaard directs the game’s flow, while Bukayo presents a persistent danger. This is precisely why I believe Arsenal will put up a strong fight against Liverpool.
They are certainly more than just an efficient set-piece team; they are a skilled side that excels in converting such situations.
When those delivery opportunities arise, they have a squad keen on scoring. Fulham must be at their absolute best when the Gunners come to visit.
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