Should Redknapp be starting Defoe over Van der Vaart?

On the 25^th of November, Harry Redknapp stated in a press conference that he would not be selling Jermain Defoe in the January transfer window as he is such a good player. Right on cue, Rafael Van der Vaart got injured and Defoe was bought into the team, subsequently hitting the back of the net on his return to the side in the 3-1 win over West Bromwich Albion.

He kept his place in the starting XI for the following game and again, alongside Emmanuel Adebayor, struck in the 3-0 win over Bolton Wanderers. Now that Van der Vaart is fit again, I don’t see Redknapp not starting with the 28-year-old as he has an aura about him leaving fans wondering what trick the Dutch magician is going to pull out of his hat next. So where does this leave Defoe?

To an extent I understand Redknapp’s motives, he wants to finish in the top four and even fight for the Premier League title, thus craving an in-depth squad knowing full well that the England hit-man will be dangerous from the bench.

 However, compatriot Redknapp should realise that he is not helping Defoe’s chances of going to the European Championships next year if he is not playing regularly and arguably, this is a perfect chance for Defoe, or any English striker in retrospect, to stake a claim for themselves while Rooney is suspended.

There is also an element of ‘we don’t want to play him but we don’t want anyone else to have him’ from the Spurs manager, which again is not going to be the best for Defoe. Obviously, I don’t personally know Defoe so he might me happy sitting on the bench, but I would like to think that he isn’t and he could really make a difference to a team and score some goals.

After all, an English scoring striker is in urgent demand at the moment. What is clear is that there is no way that Van der Vaart, Defoe and Adebayor can all play successfully in the team together, or can they?

Now that Spurs also look to be out of the Europa League, there is one less competition for Redknapp to rotate his squad in. I believe that Redknapp should let Defoe go out on loan in January because to be honest, unless there are injuries, the Spurs starting XI look like they can beat anyone at the moment and with Van der Vaart once again approaching full-fitness; chances are the 29-year-old would be sacrificed at the expense of the former Real Madrid ace.

Claire Needham

Football Friends Football Blogs bring you the latest football news and opinion from football fans around the world. FootballFriendsonline.com.

Comments

[oliver]

No.

[ilovespurs]

No! What happens when an inevitable injury happens? The Euros is next year, can we concentrate on finishing high enough in the Premier League as that is the most important thing!

[David]

No. VdV gets another injury and we are stuck again.

Awful thought process.

[Dutch Tone]

So we loan him out in Jan and then a week later VDV or Ade get crocked and we are left with PAV and Kane?

PAV will go out on loan in Jan or be sold.

We cannot possibly afford to risk loaning JD out if we want to finish 4th or higher.

My opinion is JD should start Home games and VDV Away. VDV is a betterlink/posession player and can drop into midfield and make a 5. JD is more of an out and out striker who will always get into positions when we create more which is at home.

He missed a few chances against Bolton but was in the right place. Not sure VDV would have been in those positions, then again I think VDV would have netted.

Arry said he couldn't drop VDV when he kept scoring. JD has scored in last 2 games so should keep his spot. However as I already said I think VDV is better away from home to start and JD makes an impact when the game has opened up.

[Guy]

You a Spurs fan or a Defoe fan?! Or maybe just on crack?

[rebrov]

Defoe not fit to lace vdv boots

[davspurs]

I cant believe any fan who questions should Defoe play or not the simple answer is yes he has scored six goals in nine games and not all where from the start. When we play Van we struggle too control games and hang on for a narrow 2-1 win when Defoe plays two things happen Ady scores and our goals increase and we dominate the game more. The problem is Van scores and that's his lot he protects his he protects his hamstring and leaves Aby on his own. Just like he did with Crouch ,we either play the two or play 442 or rest Ekotto and put Bale back for a bit and play this team. Friedel Walker King Kaboul Bale Lennon Van Parker Modric Defoe Ady with Walker and Bale wing backs Ekotto is very good but missing Defoe or Van would be a bigger loss.

[bob]

How do you spell Moron? Did I get it right. Defoe can score goals but how many sitters does he miss - a lot!!
Van de Vaart is so far in front- but the suggestion that because he is not first choice he should be loaned out is simply moronic. Maybe, if we bring in a few fabulous strikers in the window then we could sell him, but loaning him out - I give that odds of 1000:1. Moron

[bob]

Also -Van can only play 70mins at the most-in most games. Moron!

[Andy]

Agree with another poster, VdV should be starting away. If you play with 2 out and out strikers away from home you get slaughtered, remember what happened to Liverpool at the lane when they went 442 - they lost 4 nil. If VdV is fit VdV plays, an he should definately start on Sunday. Defoe will be a great subto bring on in the 2nd half

[Colin SC]

I like the fact with having both we have options. Selling Defoe would be insane, Pav will probably go in the next window, we cant afford Ades wages so he is not a long term prospect. In effect you are suggesting loaning out what might be our only striker? VDV is a great player for games we need to slow down a big midfield. When we dont have him in the team and have Defoe and Ade up front it opens the attack up.. We win by more, with a greater range of scorers Bale, Walker, Modders, Ade and Defoe all score. VDV is often the only scorer when he starts and we grind out great wins with him too.
Hopefully as we get more players both VDV and Defoe on the bench and employ different tactics for the range of teams we play. We need a squad that other teams have to change how they play to have a chance against us. We shouid never worry about two systems/players that are working, lets only worry about the systems/players that dont work?

[Colin SC]

Oh, and to answer the initial question my option would usually be to start Defoe and Ade in a 4-4-2 with VDV on the bench and later in the game take off Defoe and have a fresh VDV doing his thing with a tiring opposition. But as I said sometimes (but not as often as it has been) VDV would be a better starting.