Tottenham Hotspur haven’t had a clear starting eleven all season, and with Liverpool at the weekend (a win against which could see spurs soar up the table) – the team selection is more important than ever. The real question on many Spurs’ fans lips however is – who will be leading the strike force?
Andre Villas Boas admitted today he is still yet to decide who will play up front on Sunday – there doesn’t appear to be a clear cut choice. Although Soldado has been criticized in the media in recent times for his goal drought, a statistic that may surprise many is that both strikers have scored the same amount of goals this season – with Soldado playing 2 games less than Defoe; one of Spurs’ current longest serving players.
It’s possible that with the combination of Soldado coming into form and Defoe rumoured to be unsettled at Spurs; there’s speculation he is due for loan moves come January, that AVB will take the opportunity to embed Soldado in the team as the first choice striker come Sunday. Soldado has a lot to prove this season; he has struggled to score goals in open play and has the added pressure of a 26 million pound price tag around his neck. His hat trick yesterday however was a huge turning point for the Spanish striker and it couldn’t have come sooner with Spurs having the chance to rise to forth in the table and a Champions League spot this weekend.
Before last nights’ 4-1 win many Spurs supporters would have backed a Defoe start on Sunday, he’s a fan favourite and has been in good form this season scoring 7 goals in the Europa League. Defoe has stated his love for the club in recent times, furthermore he is fully aware how important the match against Liverpool is, having been part of the team who cruelly missed out on Champions League qualification in 2011.
Undoubtedly, Andre Villas Boas has a tough decision to make concerning striker selection come the weekend. On top of that decision however, AVB also has the pressure of devising a plan to stop an in form Suarez – I don’t particularly envy making that call.
Source: DSG
