Mauricio Pochettino and Arsene Wenger consider rotating up front. Eddie Howe heaps praise on Bournemouth’s midfielders, Gerard Deulofeu discusses his link-up play with Romelu Lukaku, whilst Big Sam and Ronald Koeman talk tactics.
Pochettino Considers Resting Kane
Given that Harry Kane’s the only natural frontman at Spurs, it’s imperative they keep him healthy throughout the course of the campaign. To that end, Mauricio Pochettino chose to afford the Walthamstow native his first rest in all competitions, benching him for the Lilywhites’ 4-1 victory over Monaco. Ahead of the Christmas fixture pile-up, Pochettino suggested that Kane – who has now blanked in three successive Gameweeks – could be handed another rest to avoid burn-out:
“We have a strong squad. Against Monaco we won the game so it was the right decision to keep Harry Kane fresh for the game against Newcastle. Maybe we will have to rest him during the Christmas games. We assess and analyse and take the best decision for the team, always with the objective of winning every game.”
Wenger Hints at Rotation Up top
Since reclaiming Arsenal’s lone striker berth back in Gameweek 10, Olivier Giroud has notched five goals in seven league starts. By virtue of Alexis Sanchez’s absence, Theo Walcott has naturally slotted into a wide berth since his return from injury, but the former’s imminent comeback will render Giroud a rotation risk once again. As the schedule starts to pick up pace, Arsene Wenger reiterated his desire to rotate up top depending on the Gunners’ opponents:
“He (Giroud) is not exhausted in December because a striker is a bit of a more demanding job and he had a breather and came in and out. I think I will have to do that again because it is so demanding now and he has a game that demands a lot of energy, that sometimes you need a breather in that squad. They can play together well, what I did on Wednesday night, so in some games I will play them together. It depends on the global balance of the team, it is a bit more different when Alexis is there as well.”
Wenger Reckons Wide Role Has Improved Ramsey
Operating on the right flank in the first quarter of the campaign, Aaron Ramey bagged one goal in nine match-ups before being forced onto the sidelines through injury. Since his switch to the double pivot – a move necessitated by Santi Cazorla’s knee complaint – the Wales international has recorded two goals, one assist and six bonus points in two appearances, backing up the midfielder’s assertion that he’s more suited to a central role. Discussing the Welshman’s recent showings, Arsene Wenger suggested that Ramsey’s overall play has benefitted from a stint on the flanks:
“He had an outstanding performance today. I think of course he is naturally more of a central midfielder and I pushed him out wide for a while because I believe we have seen many times that when players are pushed against the line they need to shorten their technique. When they come back into the middle again, they are better players.”
Deulofeu Lauds Lukaku Link Up
Gerard Deulofeu was criticised for a lack of end product in his previous loan stint with Everton, but the Barcelona graduate has more than addressed that shortcoming this time around, amassing eight assists since Gameweek 7 – only Mesut Ozil (13) boasts more. The Spain international’s blossoming relationship with Romelu Lukaku has been key to the Toffees’ success on the attacking front: no player has assisted more goals (six) for another team-mate than he has for the Belgian. Deulofeu recently spoke on what makes them such a good pairing:
“When you play with other good players, it so much easier. Whenever I get the ball, I look for Rom. Sometimes we will work on it in training, but it is natural. For me, he is the perfect striker. He is a big striker. When I put in the crosses he is very good with his head. I tell him ‘go to the first [near] post’, because when I put in a cross between the defence and the keeper in the middle, it is perfect for him.”
Koeman explains change of tactics
Ronald Koeman adjusted Southampton’s formation for their trip to Selhurst Park, dropping Dusan Tadic to facilitate the deployment of a three-man defence. Saints centre-back partnership, Virgil van Dijk and Jose Fonte, were joined by Maya Yoshida, while Cedric Soares and Ryan Bertrand served as the wing-backs. Koeman explained the reasoning behind his switch as he unsuccessfully tried to improve upon a run that had seen his side score just three times in four prior to the 1-0 loss at Selhurst Park:
“We know we can play different systems. We have the experience with this system also from last season. We played last season here against Crystal Palace in the same system and they are very offensive, with wing players and two boys in front. That’s a little bit more control, and also the wind was very difficult and it was a good choice to change the system.”
Big Sam expects more tinkering
Since Sam Allardyce took hold of the reins at Sunderland, they’ve employed a plethora of set-ups. Steven Fletcher has been the only mainstay among the Black Cats’ forward contingent, with the likes of Jermain Defoe, Duncan Watmore and Fabio Borini all being called upon at various points in the last couple of months. Prior to the home clash with Watford – where he hauled off DeAndre Yedlin for Jack Rodwell and moved from three to four at the back within 20 minutes – Allardyce maintained that he’ll continue to tweak their tactical approach depending on the strengths and weaknesses of their adversaries:
“It (the tactical changes) won’t stop. We’ll tweak the system on Saturday to play against Watford because they play differently to Arsenal, who play differently to Crystal Palace. What we set out (to do) is to expose their weaknesses first, particularly when we’re playing at home, and then nullify their strengths. The way we played at Arsenal wasn’t really the way we played against Stoke. We played two forwards tucked in, with one down the middle which was Steven Fletcher, and that worked extremely well from an attacking point of view, and a defensive point of view really. We’d have to continue to play a back three if we’re going to play Jermain (Defoe) and Steven together – or who knows maybe Jermain and Duncan (Watmore)? Or Fabio (Borini)? Or whatever that combination is.”
Bilic Looking for Antonio Impact
With Dimitri Payet, Manuel Lanzini, Diafra Sakho and Victor Moses consigned to the treatment room, Michail Antonio was afforded his maiden league start at home to Stoke City. Despite failing to score, the English winger – who accrued 14 goals in his final season with Nottingham Forest – had an effective game against the Potters, ranking joint-second among all midfielders for attempts (five) and shots inside the box (three). Slaven Bilic lauded Antonio’s performance last weekend and praised the winger’s work ethic whilst he waited for a first-team opportunity:
“I spoke to Antonio, he hasn’t had many chances. I told him that he has to wait for his chance and players in front of him were playing well. I tried to motivate him and to be fair he has worked hard. His chance has come now and the way he behaves and trains and the way he played for Forest I expect a lot from him. I don’t want him to burnout now. When a player wants to show in 90 or 15 minutes what he has when he hasn’t had a chance for two months, we need to prepare him for a normal game… Michail did really well. He worked hard and has been waiting for his chance. Now he has got it and he used it really well. Sometimes it is hard for a player to come in and take their chance when they get it.”
Howe Praises Pacey King and Stanislas
In the wake of back-to-back 5-1 defeats at the hands of Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur, Eddie Howe adapted Bournemouth’s approach, switching to a 4-1-4-1 set-up with Andrew Surman acting as the holding midfielder, Joshua King leading the line and Junior Stanislas furnishing them with pace on the left flank. The latter two have been particularly impressive, underlining their budget potential with five goals between them in the last four Gameweeks. Howe was keen to reaffirm the importance of speed and team pressure in the top flight of English football:
“Pace is so important in any league but even more so in the Premier League. King and Stanislas have had a huge impact. We also changed the balance of the team. The three in midfield, they’ve been outstanding. Everyone is contributing. The big thing was the way we played without the ball, the work ethic versus Manchester United and Chelsea is crucial because you know you won’t have much of the ball.”
Tomkins settling into right-back role
In West Ham’s previous two league clashes, James Tomkins has been preferred to Carl Jenkinson at the right-back berth. This tactical alteration coincided with back-to-back clean sheets for the Irons, encouraging Slaven Bilic to retain a similar line-up for their upcoming trip to Swansea City. A centre-back by trade, Tomkins is not accustomed to marauding down the wing, but he’s confident that he’ll improve that facet of his game in time:
“It is very new to me and I am still trying to learn the position, but I am really enjoying it. I am just trying to do the best I can defensively and I know I can do a job there. Going forward is always more difficult, but hopefully I am getting there. Defensively, he knows I can do a job, but you have to strike the balance. Hopefully I am getting used to when to go forward and when to stay back. The gaffer has put his faith in me and defensively we look quite solid as a back four and we have got clean sheets from that.”
Brunt discusses set-pieces
Set pieces form a key part of West Brom’s attacking repertoire, as evidenced by the fact that they rank joint-third for attempts from direct free-kicks (12) this term. Chris Brunt assumes responsibility for the bulk of the Baggies’ dead-ball duties and was rewarded for his efforts when Jonas Olsson nodded home his whipped corner at Anfield last weekend, thus earning the Northern Ireland international his fourth assist in nine appearances. Brunt reckons that the bevy of aerially dominant players within West Brom’s camp makes his job easier:
“It’s a big part of our game and we work hard on them. You can take a bit of pride in your delivery. I was a bit annoyed with a couple I hit before that, but the one for Jonas’s goal was great, I was delighted to see it go in. The likes of Jonny (Evans) and Salomon (Rondon), then obviously Daws (Craig Dawson) as well, we’ve got big strong lads who want to go and head the ball. It makes my job a lot easier when you’re taking them.”
Mitrovic determined to nail starting role
Having failed to grace the pitch for Newcastle’s previous two match-ups, Aleksandar Mitrovic emerged from the bench at White Hart Lane and restored parity for the visitors in the 74th minute with a close-range prod – marking his third goal in seven outings. Having also teed up Ayoze Perez for a late winner, the Serbian hitman hopes his poaching instincts against Spurs will convince Steve McClaren to reinstate him ahead of the Magpies’ home tie against Aston Villa:
“I was angry because I spent two games on the bench and I wanted to show that I deserved to play. Okay, I didn’t say anything because I respect Papiss Cisse. He played really well in the previous two weeks and he scored against Crystal Palace. I respect the coach, so I didn’t say anything and I waited for my moment, and it came. It is hard for anyone to be on the bench but I worked hard and waited for my moment. I have been waiting for my moment and it came. Every game I want to prove myself and I was concentrating on trying to score goals. I scored against Man City and against Norwich and it is the best feeling when you score and when you win in the last minute.”
Deeney Enjoying Greater Freedom Up Front
Unquestionably, Odion Ighalo and Troy Deeney have been the league’s most impressive strike partnership so far this term, racking up 15 goals and 10 assists between them. Since Gameweek 5, Arsenal and Palace are the only teams that have been able to prevent both men delivering any attacking returns. Deeney believes that he and Ighalo have enjoyed more space in recent ties as a result of the burgeoning hype surrounding them:
“We’re really confident. But I think because it’s getting more publicity the other team have got that little element of doubt in their mind. They’re thinking ‘we don’t want to go too tight with these’ and we’re getting a bit more space. Now they’re taking a step back because we’re both strong boys. You can’t physically dominate us. It’s going well and we’ll enjoy the plaudits but there’s going to be a time when it stops.”
