I haven't previously commented since this deal went through, so whoo, f%#* yeah, awesome, I was happy all day, I was dreading bad news but was incredible when the clearance came through. You can't see me jumping around fist pumping in the background can you and thank you Daniel Levy, I hope you season ticket holders, thank him in song for this one. Anyways....not sure if anyone said it but I think he will get number 11, as 23 is taken by Cuidicini. 7 goals and 7 assists in only 18 starts lasts season for Madrid, I am sure he could emulate that if not better it, there will be tremendous pressure on him, but he should be use to it after playing for Madrid in the pressure cooker.
VDV is an attacking mid use him at his best position, attacking mid, I don't think playing him as a striker is the way to go, if it is a really tough away game in CL, a 4-5-1 with him behind the lone striker would work but the only mid, that I would play up front is Dos Santos who is a winger and plays up front for Mexico. VDV is versatile but lets play to his strengths, and not put extra pressure on him by playing him out of position. Playing behind the strikers, is a great spot for him, there would be less defensive pressure on him than if he played upfront, when fit I believe Harry will stick with Crouch and Defoe upfront, VDV behind them would make a great triangle, and provide creativity for them, and take some heat of the strikers as he is a goal scoring threat and open it up a little more so than Modric, as Modders the little maestro lacked the killer shot at times.
I think Biggs has it pretty much right, and that Harry will go with this formation, and its one formation I suggested before the transfer even went through, so I like his thinking there ha ha, my only qualm is Bale is our most potent attacking weapon, at LB does he have the freedom to run like he does at LM, the dilemma is RVD is true quality so we must accommodate him, as well as Modric, and Bale.
The only other thing here is Lennon, Modric, and Van Der Vaart, are all smaller in stature, RVDV being the more built one out of the 3, Modders can get stuck in and make a tackle, but playing them all together this formation defensively may be a little weaker, with Hudd being by far the most competent in defence out of the four but is that enough to break teams down in the middle? It may well be, so I am eager to find out. Yes we played Modders with Hudd in the middle last season, but we also played Bale with them, who is quite decent defensively so It wasn't a problem.
For away tough away games I think Biggs has it spot on again, the only thing is I don't expect Sandro to start already alongside Hudd, and despite his recent form he Harry will rather play Palacios along side Hudd. But eventually if Sandro impresses enough in training and proves his work ethic to Harry much like Pav, Dos Santos, Bale, who haven't walked into the team because of their talents, and had to show Harry they will work hard on the pitch also.
I believe Sandro will eventually take Palacios's position there, but in due time, it will be very interesting to see how long before Harry gives him a chance, he is one of Harry's signings, well while he was in charge anyway so maybe he will feature sooner than later (is more Levy's signing again, as he setup the partnership with Nacional a while back, and brokered the deal).
And one final thing, yes, yes, yes! Rafael Van Der Vaart, had to say his name.