5 A-side Team of the Season

With the season drawing to an exhilarating close, and with Leicester City and Spurs taking the title race down to the wire. I take a look at the players who I’d want playing in my team.

(1-1-2-1)  
Lloris (Tottenham)

 

The Spurs shotstopper has certainly had a season to remember. Tottenham have the best
defensive record in the league, with the consistent form of their captain playing a major role. Bodes well for France with Euro 2016 on the horizon.

 

 

Kanté (Leicester City)

The 25 year old frenchman tops the charts for tackles and interceptions with an eye for passing too. Calm head on young shoulders, has been vital to Leicester’s title challenge. Has broken up attacking threats from opponents all season long.

Payet (West Ham United)

Remember watching West Ham Vs Man City at the back end of Jan on Sky. Payet was unbelievable in that game, he embarrassed a majority of the Manchester City  midfield with his skill and trickery. It’s a pity he got injured during the season. But when he has played he’s gone from strength to strength. West Ham will hope they can hang on to him in the summer. Boy his free kicks aren’t half bad either.

Mahrez (Leicester City)

Arguably the star player of the season, Mahrez has enthralled the King Power Stadium with some stellar performances with his mazy runs, assists & goals. Leicester will be hoping he signs a contract extension ASAP. Otherwise Europe’s elite will be sniffing around.

 

Harry Kane (Tottenham)

Is he the best finisher in the league? Statistics would suggest he is after bagging his 22nd league goal against Liverpool on Saturday evening. I’d still put him behind Augero, but he’s definitely England’s best forward at this moment in time. Instinctive finisher

 

Subs:

Morgan (Leicester City)

This time last season, Leicester City were bottom of the league. Now they look odds on to do the unthinkable. The 1-0 win over Saints whereMorgan scored too, helped to establish a 7 point gap between themselves and Spurs. Morgan has been ever-present this season in the league for Leicester. A rock at the back and is crucial to Leicester’s success.

Dier (Tottenham)

For me, he has to start for England in the summer. An inspired decision from Pochettino to move Dier from CB to Defensive Mid. Looks at ease with the ball at his feet.

Alli (Tottenham)

Surely another candidate to go straight into Roy’s starting XI in the summer after his performances for Spurs this season. Some question his temperament, but he is an unbelievable prospect.

 

How would your team of the season look?

Thanks for reading,

Tom

 

 

Pochettino: England’s Secret Weapon

When Pochettino arrived to these shores back in January 2013, few would have known the credentials of the Argentinian who didn’t speak a word of English. Some might have remembered him, as the Centre Back who upended Michael Owen during the 2002 World Cup.

To begin with, his time in England was not easy. Pochettino’s appointment had become a concern for the league itself, another foreign manager replacing a British manager. Being a Saints fan myself, I can recall the opinion of Pochettino and the board who had been so quick to sack Nigel Adkins. Adkins was a real fans favourite, why wouldn’t he be? He’d taken Southampton back to the promised land with back to back promotions and a mid table position in the Premier League.

Adkins didn’t represent a manager who deserved to be sacked, in fact his last game was a 2-2 draw away at Stamford Bridge. Hardly relegation form. Pochettino knew he would have to hit the ground running when he arrived.

Of course as we all know now the change in management proved to be a success story, and Southampton became a very formidable opponent over the course of the next 18 months. Their success was built on being worked non stop during training sessions. Mauricio by all accounts would get so engrossed in training sessions, that players would have to bring portable clocks out with them so that he could be reminded of running overtime.

In a nutshell, Pochettino prides himself on his teams being fitter than opponents. He instructs his players to continually keep opposing players under pressure as much as possible. Pressure the opposition into making a mistake, and then be physically fit enough to be able to use the ball correctly when it comes to attacking.

Okay, thats enough looking into the history and tactics of the man. Let’s get back on track about what this is really about – his contribution to the current English national side.

After one of the most exciting England performances in recent times on Saturday night against the World Champions in Berlin. It could be very easy to level all the credit to Roy Hodgson and forget about input from anyone else. But a pattern of players names began to consist all across the pitch during the 90 minutes, made it impossible to do so. The same players kept cropping up either via commentators or pundits praising individuals.

The likes of Rose, Dier, Alli and of course Kane all impressed in the win against Germany, and will be hoping to secure their position in the starting 11 over the up and coming friendlies.

For me, Danny Rose particularly stepped up. An abundance of stamina alongside a defensively strong mindset, meant Rose could defend primarily but also be a key member to pushing further into the opponents half; just how Pochettino likes his players to function.

If we take a moment away from the resilient England performance itself on Saturday evening and look at some of the players the Tottenham Head Coach has worked with during his time in England;

From Tottenham: Alli, Dier, Rose, Kane, Mason, Walker, Townsend,

From Southampton: Ward – Prowse, Lambert, Lallana, Shaw, Rodriquez, Chambers

Yes, I’ve seen it levelled at other writers who have tried to discuss this subject, that these were already key established players at Southampton. Or that these two clubs in particular have always produced talented footballers. Even if that is the case, Mauricio Pochettino has certainly helped to develop a platform for players to be able to express themselves on the pitch whilst also still remembering their pressing responsibilities.

The once Espanyol manager is even attracting praise from one of the most respected managers ever to have graced the game. With Sir Alex Ferguson suggesting that, Pochettino is now the best manager in the top English division.

I believe that the primarily reason England fans should be appreciative towards Pochettino, is that not only has he identified young english talent such as Dier & Alli. He’s also allowed it to succeed at a First Team level. It would have been very easy for Dier to have been dropped at the beginning of his Spurs career, when he was labelled to immobile to play at Centre Half. Fast forward several months on, Dier has blossomed looking at ease playing as a Defensive midfielder against some of Europe’s elite.

Players need time and trust from their manager to be able to succeed especially young players, they may be fearless but could be prone to becoming unconfident if costly mistakes take place. Another example is Harry Kane, after his purple patch last season, it took Kane several games to get going this season. Did he get dropped? No Mauricio stuck by his man, and now both Tottenham and England are gaining from that decision.

The fact Spurs have resisted the urge to go and sign more experienced bigger known ‘superstars’ is a testament to Pochettino and his approach to help develop club talent instead. Especially in a time where money is no object to clubs such as Spurs who currently sit 2nd in the Premier League.

If we want to have real success at International level like Spain & Germany have had in recent times, Mauricio’s approach of incorporating english talent should become a must for other clubs too.

It was evident that the core of players who performed well in Saturday nights victory were mainly Tottenham players. Why? They’re used to playing with one another over an extend string of games and have taken that forward to International level too.

 

Dele Alli has had a remarkable season, playing with complete freedom. His link up play with Kane has been a particular highlight. But could you imagine Alli being given the same amount of first team game time if he’d of signed for Man City or Arsenal? I can’t. Undoubtedly that would have impacted his chances with the national side. So a player who definitely needs to start at the European Championships in the summer, would have been lucky to have made the squad!

The FA need to take note!

Thanks for reading!

Tom

England’s Euro Prep: Let’s get it right

Last Thursday saw Roy Hodgson announce his 24 man squad for the two friendlies against Germany and with the Netherlands to follow. Which is sure to see players giving their all to try to impress with the European Championships now under 80 days away.

With how the Premier League has surprised all this season, Leicester City on fire at the top of the league & Manchester City fighting hard to gain a Champions League spot. You could have expected to see an array of players called up to the England Squad for the first time, richly deserved in my opinion.

Players such as; Noble, Creswell, Simpson, Albrighton & Deeney can count themselves unlucky not to be given an opportunity in The Three Lions shirt.

The majority of Roy’s latest squad selection I would suggest is well-chosen, but there are certain players who have made the squad on purely reputation alone. Prime example Theo Walcott. It would appear Theo has been picked to play in a Forward capacity. Does 8 goals in 34 appearances this season really justify a place in the squad over Watford’s captain Deeney?

Two contributing factors to West Ham challenging for a Champions League spot this season are down to the form of their captain Mark Noble and the ever impressive Aaron Creswell.

I’ll start with the latter first, after the retirement of arguably the greatest Left Back England has ever produced in Ashley Cole. Supporters may have been worried about who would fill the huge void left by Cole, they needn’t be. Over the last 12 months we have seen an abundance of English Talent at Left Back show promise. With all players fully fit, I would suggest that Shaw remains the favourite to start, but that won’t be the case later this summer due to a horrific double leg break.

Bertrand is an adaptable defender who’s blossomed under Ronald Koeman, he’s deputised well as a ball playing Centre Back at times too this season when needed. Danny Rose has had a cracking season enjoying life under Pochettino and has significantly improved especially with defensive responsibilities and become a key figure for Spurs.

But so has Creswell, the 26 year old full back is known for his attacking bursts down the left side. Which is how Roy likes to play – Counter Attacking Football. Manchester City & Chelsea have both been rumoured to bidding of up to £25m for securing his services. Indeed there is a pecking order, but on player form this season it would suggest that Creswell deserves a shot as much as Bertrand & Rose do.

Mark Noble is in a similar situation to his club team-mate. As Danny Murphy suggested recently on TalkSPORT, that he can understand why Noble hasn’t been picked for the squad. ‘Roy will know how he’s going to play in that midfield, so he’ll choose the players who can fill the roles he has in mind’.

Murphy goes on to talk about other midfielders in the squad, suggesting that Henderson can play both attacking and defensive, whereas Alli has the attributes to play all across the midfield.

You would have to suggest that players such as Henderson & Milner who haven’t performed consistently this league campaign like Noble has, have been picked for their past tournament experience and are players Hodgson knows he can rely on.

On a different note, Danny Drinkwater has been superb this season and throughly deserves his call up.

Why hasn’t Albrighton been rewarded for his contribution to Leicester City’s title challenge for a call up for the injured Raheem Sterling?

Potential England Line Ups for Friendlies:

I have taken into consideration with recent injuries to Hart & Sterling into account and used the 2 most familiar England formations in recent times.

In my opinion, this is the current England squads strongest line up. Stones and Smalling are the future for England, especially Stones. The defence should be built around him. I’ve been impressed with Walker recently, MOTD 2 portrayed him in a great light last Sunday evening with a stellar performance against Bournemouth (Defensively strong and attacking with direct positivity).

What a find Eric Dier is turning out to be for Mauricio Pochettino at Tottenham. Let’s hope he can continue his fine form in an England shirt too. Drinkwater is an ever improving player, having the season of his life and fully deserves his opportunity at International level.

The only change which I’ve been enforced to make is to play Walcott on the wing instead of my preferred option of Raheem Sterling. Although Walcott’s conversion rate is poor, his speed can’t be ignored and would give all international full backs a scare if in a 1 V 1 situation.

Dele Alli has to start in the summer in my opinion, many question his temperament but he’s the golden boy of english football at the moment. I see him as a package deal alongside Harry Kane. Harry might score the goals at Spurs, but Alli is the one pulling the strings. It’s a partnership which has a lot of potential to be a success at a world football stage.

For two players who haven’t even played a whole season with one another yet, the partnership they have formed at Spurs would appear telepathic.

Vardy to rotate with Kane, deserves an opportunity to play through the middle for a full 90 minutes.

Is it a surprise that the spine of the team is made up of Tottenham players? (Walker, Dier, Alli & Kane) Tottenham are playing some great counter attacking football at the moment whilst keeping it tight at the back too. Something Roy could look to implement.

Alternative formation:

This formation explores the theory that ‘Attacking is the best form of defence’ approach. Vardy is known for his ability to close down defenders and put pressure on the opposition for the full 90. Kane & Sturridge would need to follow suit for this formation to work.

It also allows for more stability in midfield with Alli sitting more than in the 4-2-3-1. Henderson / Milner brings a wealth of experience to the team too.

Conclusion:

In recent times, the core England players have come from the ‘big 4 teams’ in my opinion we should be looking at Tottenham as a major asset to the English National Team. They consistently play with an English core and it’s paying off so far for them this season. Let’s take advantage of it at an International stage.

With this in mind, we do have key players to come back such as Hart, Sterling and of course our captain Rooney. Good luck Roy!

Thanks for reading,

Tom