Comments on CROATIAN SOCCER REPORT: CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE XXIV

Part of the problem for Spurs is that they play wi...

2010-02-13T20:19:52.275-08:00

Part of the problem for Spurs is that they play with two CM's who can't create and who are inneffective offensively- they rely upon Modric or Kranjcar to drift infield from the left to supply creativity. Sides have figured this out and have effectively stifled Spurs attack. The middle of the park ends up congested and- without Lennon- Spurs resort to sending hopeful crosses into the box from closer to the halfway line than the byline. That said, I can't for the life of me understand Redknapps refusal to play Pavluchenko.

i think they should try kranjcar in the middle. He...

2010-02-12T12:29:59.658-08:00

i think they should try kranjcar in the middle. Hes a very strong player but of coarse he would need to hustle more and play more defense. I just feel he doesn't get the ball enough. Where did he play with Portsmouth?

With respect to Luka playing central mid - i think...

2010-02-12T00:32:48.871-08:00

With respect to Luka playing central mid - i think that's an avenue Spurs have not tried just yet.. He played there with Jenas under Juande Ramos, but Jenas and Modric are the same type and not strong defensively so that's why it failed then. However if he played alongside a physically strong guy like Palacios or Huddlestone it might be a different story. I think Modric alongside Palacios could possibly work. Though Modric will have to get used to getting in there where the boots are flying. But yes that's something they could try.

and kranjcar should be taking free kicks and corne...

2010-02-11T14:55:34.742-08:00

and kranjcar should be taking free kicks and corners not bentley

naaaahhh. kranjcar is the best option on the left....

2010-02-11T14:54:19.584-08:00

naaaahhh. kranjcar is the best option on the left. and Luka in the middle. The mid field is weak without luka. kranjcar is nastay on the left when he cuts in and curves those shots in. and modric is better than those other bums in the middle. and you can still put bentley at right mid.

Yes, the Gudjohnsen signing was stupid. They (Tott...

2010-02-11T13:56:57.592-08:00

Yes, the Gudjohnsen signing was stupid. They (Tottenham) really need a great young striker, or maybe play Pav more or they need to change their tactics of relying too much on headers from Crouch and take their offence to the ground level and not the air. Yes, I understand Crouch is tall but I've seen too many misses from his head. It seems Redknapp's only tactic lately is to lob a shot for Crouch to head in. Too many misses lately that lead to costly turnovers. Corluka should quarterback the ball more and Modric should set it up for the strikers. Both are excellent passers/playmakers. Back to Kranjcar-Tottenham are a better team when he's on the field. That's the bottom line. I closely watched Bentley play and Kranjcar is way better. The team has so much potential but it's wasted. Wolves, Hull, etc are all gong show matches.

I have watched a video not so long ago where Niko ...

2010-02-11T13:09:21.273-08:00

I have watched a video not so long ago where Niko Kranjcar himself says no coach has ever said they got the best out of him on right midfield. You need to remember - this is England, not Croatia. Yes Kranjcar is rated in England, but no way will Spurs ever play him ahead of Lennon. The only change Spurs could possibly make is take out one of Huddlestone or Palacios and put Modric in central mid. I understand perfectly why Bentley is in the team - its to supply width. Kranjcar never tries to hit the by line and cross. It works on the left as Bale or Essou Ekoto raid down the line behind him and are excellant crosses of the ball - but can you see Vedran Corluka doing the same. If Niko and Luka played in the same side on the flanks the game would become very narrow. That type of game does not suit Peter Crouch who need crosses from wide position. Against Wolves Kranjcar had a key chance and didn't take it. I think there was nothing wrong with Redknapps decision - though he perhaps should have started Luka over Niko. His mistake was in selecting Eidur Gudjohnsen who is sadly at the Ricky Hatton Stage.

I agree 100% with Chris and TGC, Kranjcar and Modr...

2010-02-11T10:26:46.355-08:00

I agree 100% with Chris and TGC, Kranjcar and Modric should be starting together. Bentley did nothing at all when he started. I can make better corner kicks than him. Kranjcar is a better playmaker and dead-ball kicker. He also makes more great shots on net. I guess Redknapp doesn't give a damn about making that 4th spot. Why is he making such strange moves now? Tottenham have been playing like shit lately.

Neither Luka Modric or Niko kranjcar can play righ...

2010-02-11T09:31:54.151-08:00

Neither Luka Modric or Niko kranjcar can play right midfeild in EPL. Both were tried out there recently and brought negative results as they have no pace and the game is stifled from that position. Bentley has been doing okay.. Niko had a good chance last night against Wolves and didn't take it. Modric i'm sure would be playing but they are easing him back gently. I'm not keen to see Kranjcar on the bench, but at the end of the day there is competition in Spurs squad - English fans would says its harsh that Jenas is benched, Russia fans would say Pav is unlucky to be benched and look at Bassong he's been benched as well recently. Niko has to accept it. Bentley for a start will head out the team once Lennon returns. Right midfield is Lennon position so even if Niko went over there it'd only be temporary.

The bad decision was selecting Gudjohnsen who in my opinion is past it. Spurs shouldn't be taking 31 year olds who can't score in the French league. With Gudjohnsen at Spurs its like when Redknapp took Suker to West Ham in his 30's. Yes just like Suker, Gudjohnsen was a great player, but that was ages ago. He's been warming the bench ever since he left Chelsea.

@ chris i completely agree. what they are doing n...

2010-02-10T18:03:34.307-08:00

@ chris

i completely agree. what they are doing now is obviously not working. Redknapp should realize why Bentley was on the bench for so long before.

modric and kranjcar should be playing together. th...

2010-02-10T17:26:52.541-08:00

modric and kranjcar should be playing together. they know eachother soo well. and have extreeme abilities of opening up the midfield and creating scoring oppritunites

I think Bolton realised now that a lot rests on Kl...

2010-02-09T23:52:50.084-08:00

I think Bolton realised now that a lot rests on Klasnic. Davies and Elmander clearly don't have the goals in them. Klasnic seems to have need a break. Coyle wants a different squad of players, but from what he has Klasnic is critical.

Klasnic won't be at Bolton - i think both sides have been suggesting its just a year. I think Klasnic will do enough by June to attract a decent Bundesliga side.

Remember, Pranjic was brought in with Bayern expec...

2010-02-09T15:48:11.387-08:00

Remember, Pranjic was brought in with Bayern expecting Ribery to leave. That and the surprise development of Muller has pushed Pranjic to the bench. I assume that LvG has a use for him since he kept him while sending Braatheid and others away. His solid performances in the CL probably handed him a lifeline.
Once again, Bolton couldn't score (tues v Man city), so whatever reservations Coyle has about Klasnic will likely be put aside. Still, I doubt he'll stay at Bolton. If he can finish the season with at least 10 league goals he'll be in good stead for a transfer to a decent club.
Lovren was basically solid at LB even though he was obviously dis-oriented playing there. At this point, Puel will be less concerned with Lovrens excessive fouling than with the rest of his game. After watching him these last few matches, I've no doubt he'll come good.

@ Lyon Kit Designer Those are the nastiest away k...

2010-02-09T10:26:16.259-08:00

@ Lyon Kit Designer

Those are the nastiest away kits I have ever seen! What were you thinking?! If anyone should kill themselves, well....

It kills me to see Kranjcar on the bench for Totte...

2010-02-08T17:38:12.735-08:00

It kills me to see Kranjcar on the bench for Tottenham. I think he is a much more versatile player than smoto Bentley. Bentley is put in the game for his "great crossing ability and set play delivery" which hasn't been that great at all. I believe Niko not only could carry that load, but he also seems to just open up the field more. They need to figure something out there.

And I know you're not hating on Petric, but saying that "it wasn't a great free kick"...do you want him to chance hitting the top corner everytime. I mean straight down the pipe is usually a good option because statistically the keeper is usually aiming for one of the sides. Poor guy hasn't scored twice in a game for awhile, give him so love. haha (just giving you guys a hard time)

I just want to see the international team play again, I'm very interested to see what the staff and talent do.

@ DinamoFan - Kalinic, as well as the Blackburn te...

2010-02-08T12:36:19.191-08:00

@ DinamoFan - Kalinic, as well as the Blackburn team as a whole should first try and hit the target. I checked the game casts for the past 2 matches and it looks as if not one shot has hit the target in 2 straight games. That is pretty damn pathetic.

@ Michael - Couldn't agree more. Pranjic isnt in t...

2010-02-08T12:33:16.028-08:00

@ Michael - Couldn't agree more. Pranjic isnt in the dog house, he just hasnt settled, combined with the fact that Bayern are now rolling. Why would Louis want to mess up a winning formula? Holger Badstuber as well as Thomas Muller have been revelations this year for Bayern. Pranjic is in the same boat as Anatoliy Tymoshchuk. The Bayern team has been rolling ever since they switched Lahm to right back. With Robben and Lahm running up and down the right wing, defenses cant guard that. Once Ribery comes back to starting on the left wing, Bayern can make a serious run in the Champions League. Pranjic will have to keep his head up and make the most of an opportunity that comes his way. He may be sitting on the bench for allot longer.

No reason to play Pranjic while Bayern keeps winni...

2010-02-08T07:09:00.276-08:00

No reason to play Pranjic while Bayern keeps winning games.

Pranjic is not in the dog house at Bayern. Holger...

2010-02-08T05:54:29.829-08:00

Pranjic is not in the dog house at Bayern.

Holger Badstuber is a defender developed through the Bayern academy. When Demechelis was injured, he covered for him. However, when he returned, Van Gaal shifted him to LB.

He's a highly rated player in that academy. Put it this way.........Bayern cut some dead wood this winter x-fer window......Pranjic is still safe.

Mate Bilic and Nikola Kalinic need a goal sooner r...

2010-02-08T01:06:28.455-08:00

Mate Bilic and Nikola Kalinic need a goal sooner rather than later. Klasnic is injured by the way. He has a ankle injury. Coyle says he's not sure when he will be back could be few weeks, but feels he will be fresh after the break. I think Bolton really need him back as Davies and Elmander aren't scoring.

Getting bored of seeing Budan on bench. He prob should have go out on loan at another Serie A club.

Comments on CROATIAN SOCCER REPORT: CROATIANS AROUND EUROPE *XXIV*