Suarez Got More Goals Than Bale on Derby

Liverpool host Tottenham this Sunday in a potential cracker of a game, with both sides fighting for European football. Ahead of this mouth watering clash between the two sides, TheHardTackle brings to you another edition of Rival Rendezvous, with Tottenham expert and resident author Joseph George (JG) locking horns with lifelong Liverpool fan Aditya Sharma (AS).

AS : Tottenham are currently third in the Premier League and just five points away from second placed Manchester City. Considering what happened last season, how confident are Spurs of holding onto the third place this time around?

JG : Last season there was a big distraction for Harry Redknapp in the form of England, it cost Spurs 3rd place and more importantly a Champions League position. The Arsenal game was the turning point last season and from their onwards the Lillywhites lost their plot and Harry Redknapp was not in a position to overturn the change of fortunes. Primarily a man manager, Redknapp depended on his inspirational and motivational abilities to prepare the team for the challenges ahead. Once the players lost their trust in the gaffer, it was difficult to control the tide and Spurs were blown away in the wind.Villas Boas has changed things around after a difficult start, he is more of a tactician than Redknapp and that can be attributed to Spurs defensive strength after a horrible start. Villas Boas prepares the teams based on opposition and the players are well equipped to meet the challenges on the pitch. Teamwork is at an all time best and the training stints are helping the players to make better decisions on the pitch. In terms of fixtures this is one of the tough paths in this campaign and Spurs are past the half way without any trouble so far.Spurs are confident of holding on to the 3rd spot and hopefully we will challenge Manchester City for the second spot and we can make it our own with Manchester City yet to visit White Hart Lane.

AS : Gareth Bale has been the talk of the town lately. Do you think it is too early to compare him with someone like Ronaldo who has performed at this level for such a long period of time? And most importantly – how long can Spurs hold onto Bale?

JG : Gareth Bale has been performing admirably in the last few months and the way he is performing he deserves to be compared with the finest players including Ronaldo. If you compare Ronaldo’s performances for Manchester United in his last season and performances by Bale this season, both are almost at the same level. Ronaldo had won some trophies and performed at top level for 2 or 3 seasons and that’s the only difference when he was 23. Gareth Bale has been nothing short of a sensation for Spurs this season and under AVB his all-round game has developed by leaps and bounds. AVB’s coaching techniques and training sessions deserve credit for Bale’s development across the pitch. The way the Welshman celebrated the winner against West Ham says he is happy and will remain at White Hart Lane. Doing business with Daniel Levy isn’t easy and it wont be a tough job for Levy to hold on to the level headed player.

AS : What has been the main difference between the way Harry Redknapp managed at the club and the way AVB has managed it this season? Also – on paper which Tottenham side had the stronger squad – the one managed by Redknapp or the one AVB has assembled this season?

JG : Harry Redknapp’s team had more squad strength as there was a number of utility players to fill in. But they were criminally underused, and the first eleven ran out of steam towards the end of the season. AVB possess a much thinner squad, but he utilizes his players and rotates them in a good manner keeping the players fit and happy. Redknapp sends his best XI out instructing them to go out and give their best, most of the times it worked but in terms of player development they remained at the same level. Spurs hit a stumbling block whenever their plan A was blocked with bodies defending deep in the opposition half. In AVB’s reign things have changed, players are well versed to meet the demands. Spurs have learned to grind out results apart from playing beautiful football. When you look at the contribution of an Aaron Lennon or a Michael Dawson, you can spot the difference. Their all round game has improved and training has got the best out of players’ decision making. High intensity tactical training helped the players to get used to the match scenarios and on the pitch the decision making has improved by leaps and bounds delivering results big time. AVB’s side might not be at the same level as Redknapp’s team in terms of personal, but as a team this is the best side in the Premier League era for Spurs.

AS : Spurs have taken a giant stride towards qualification into the next round of the Europa League with their 3-0 victory over Inter. How do you rate your team’s chances of going all the way this time around? Will this run in the Europa league act as a distraction? If it comes down to a choice – would you rather see your team finish third and qualify for the Champions League or would you prefer winning the Europa league even if Spurs falter in the Premier League due to it?

JG : Definitely the first priority should be Champions League qualification. When Europa League is within our grabs I do not want to sacrifice on that front to achieve Champions League spot. Spurs are capable of maintaining the challenge on both fronts and it will help in preparing the team to face the Champions League and Premier League challenge next season. Spurs have got two opponents of Champions League magnitude and the team has responded well on both occasions, Europa title is within our range if perform to the expectations and the winning feeling in the dressing room will be a huge motivational factor in other pursuits as well. If AVB can rotate his midfield little more Spurs will be able to maintain their twin challenge and will achieve the results. After all, teams are fighting for trophies and adding one more to the cabinet is always a good thing to do.

AS : Considering his form this season – do you think Adebayor still has a future at the club? And although Defoe and Adebayor haven’t been available for selection at the same time for most of the season due to injuries, do you think they can AVB can play them together without changing his tactics drastically? Also, if Younes kaboul is fit and available, what is Spurs’ best back four at the moment?

JG : Adebayor hasn’t been the same player after rejoining the club and the lack of a good pre-season has affected him big time. He does not possess the hunger or he is not putting the efforts on the pitch to stake claims for a regular spot in the long run. Defoe has been snatching at chances lately, still he looks more threatening and well suited to Spurs with Gareth Bale occupying the other central role. I think the return leg against Inter will give us a more clear picture about pairing Ade and JD togther, tactics need to be changed to accommodate the two upfront and there is no one better than AVB to do that job. Younes Kaboul has been a big miss this season. By far he was the best defender for Spurs last season and when you lose a player of his magnitude its a huge blow to any team. For Spurs the other central halves has stepped up admirably well. Vertonghen has adopted to the Premier League with ease while Dawson has been a pillar of strength after re-establishing himself. Caulker is developing nicely while age is catching up with Gallas. It is going to be a huge headache for Spurs and AVB, but a good one to have. When Kaboul is fit and raring to go I feel it will be toss up between Vertonghen and Dawson to partner him at the heart of the defence.

AS : Who do you think is more important to his team – Luis Suarez or Gareth Bale?

JG : With due respect to Luis Suarez, there is no one like Gareth Bale in the Premier League. As a team Spurs have stepped up against the challenges and all players have contributed to the teams cause. AVB has designed his team in such a way to get the best out of Bale and with the kind of performances he is producing week in and week out without any doubt we can say that Gareth Bale is the best in the league. Without any doubt the best player in the league is more important to his team – Gareth Frank Bale.

Joseph seems to have been in the hot seat long enough so its time for Aditya to be in the line of fire.

JG : A win against Tottenham can be a huge morale booster for Liverpool’s Champions League hopes. Are you hopeful of halting Tottenham’s unbeaten run?

AS : Tottenham have always been a tough team to beat, even before their recent purple patch under AVB. As of now, they are having a spectacular run of games; after all, they did just beat Inter Milan a few days ago. That being said, Liverpool aren’t exactly looking shabby themselves. Their passing and movement has been as good as (if not better) than any of the Champion’s League spot contenders, and their Achilles’ heel of finishing has been fortified with the new found sync Sturridge and Suarez have formed. Couple that with the volatile Coutinho and Steven ‘they-don’t-make-them-like-him-anymore’ Gerrard in midfield, there’s an attacking line-up any manager with half a brain would fear. Dawson, Verthongen and co. will have a tough night dealing with the Reds’ attack at it’s full intensity, and if Rodgers figures out how to stifle Gareth Bale, Liverpool are sure to clinch this one.

JG : A team of Liverpool’s caliber found it tough to qualify for the Champions League in the past seasons. The team’s prestige and history puts them in a good position when it comes to the transfer market and young talents are willing to join the clubs ranks. Then what is the crucial factor which prevents them from achieving the targets?

AS : Just look at what happened over at Tottenham this season: a tactically sound manager coupled with excellent signings in the transfer window has done wonders for the club. This sums up why Liverpool have been through such a rough patch of late. After the Gillett and Hicks fiasco ended, the club has either had the wrong kind of manager (I’ll refrain from judging Hodgson’s and Dalglish’s abilities, rather let’s just say they weren’t the right men for the club at the time) or borderline incompetent conduct in the transfer market (the Andy Carroll money splurge, the incessent insistence on signing English ‘talents’, and the case of simply not singing anyone last summer despite having only Suarez and Borini as possible strinking options).
The situation is vastly improved now, with Brendon Rodgers having clearly shown his pedigree for building a strong attacking team, and much smarter work this transfer season with the signing of Sturridge and Coutinho. Rodgers’ labors are finally bearing fruit, and Spurs are just the perfect team to bury and prove that the Reds are ready to rejoin the big league.

JG : Brendon Rodgers is finally getting the results. Do you think he can lead the Kopites back to the top? Are you satisfied with his appointment in the first place? AVB and Rodgers were appointed at the same time and both the managers finally found their home now. Who is a better tactician and why?

AS : Rodgers has been a fabulous appointment, and just what the team needed. When the club was lost and had hit its low point, Rodgers’ philosophy has helped the followers retain faith even when results weren’t always in our favor. He has built a fresh-look team with a very different style of play than a few years ago, and the results have constantly been improving. The difference between AVB and Rodgers is parallel to the difference between a Mourinho at Chelsea and a Guardiola at Barcelona. AVB, like his erstwhile mentor, has used the resources at hand (not money like Mourinho, rather the Spurs’ transfer team’s ability to grab a bargain) to build a strong team. Rodgers, however, has created a whole new philosophy and culture of play, similar to Guardiola at Barca. While AVB’s way may be paying more dividends right now, I’m glad that Rodgers is the one on our corner, building a foundation for the future as well as the present.

JG : Jordan Henderson is finally justifying his price tag and the hype surrounding the player. We have seen him playing across the midfield and helping the team in it’s cause. Which is his most suitable position in your point of view and do you think Rodgers played a big role in rejuvenating the player?

AS : Henderson is a quintessential rising-English-talent. Initially over-hyped, and subsequently criticized for not matching up to the same imaginary benchmark, through absolutely no fault of his own. He has always gone out onto the pitch and played in whatever position he was asked to, all with minimal fuss. When he hit a patch of indifferent (borderline poor) form, Rodgers stepped in. Being the excellent man-manager he is, he publicly made a show of being unsure of Henderson’s abilities. and then left him out for a few matches. As per plan, this was all the motivation the boy needed and he’s been putting in such strong performances that Joe Allen has lost his first team spot to him time and again.

JG : Luiz Suarez is in fine form for Liverpool, so is Gareth Bale for Spurs. Who is the best player in the Premier League and why? Are they on the same level as the world’s finest players?

AS : You can’t read the sports page without either of these names popping up. Be it goals or assists, both these players are hands down 2 of the best players in Europe right now. Stating that one is clearly better than the other is about as smart as getting into a Ronaldo v/s Messi argument on a YouTube comment thread; it’s eventually going to degenerate into a who-can-think-of-more-creative-curse-words competition. So, while I hate using stats as measure of quality, Suarez does have more goals than Bale. And more assists. More dribbles. Better passing in the final third. Let’s just leave it at that for now.

JG : Liverpool have found it tough against Spurs in recent years and they haven’s tasted a victory against Spurs in last 5 outings. on the other hand Liverpool are in fine form recently, last 3 outings were big wins with 12 goals scored against Wigan, Zenit and Swansea, Do you think the attacking firepower will help the Kop to get past a stubborn Villas Boas side?

AS : Liverpool may have been unable to beat Tottenham in the last 5 face-offs, but statistics mean next to nothing in football. Over years of play, patterns are bound to emerge, but there is absolutely no reason why these patterns would repeat in the future. When Spurs played the last 5 times, Liverpool didn’t had such a strong attacking line-up. Suarez and Sturridge weren’t communicating telepathically and ripping defenses to shreds as they are now. Gerrard wasn’t pulling the strings from his new deeper midfield role the way he is now. The competition for the midfield spots wasn’t nearly as intense with the likes of Henderson, Downing, Sterling, Coutinho, Suso, Shelvey and Allen fighting for 2 or 3 spots in the team. If the Reds go in with the right temperament, Lloris will be spending a lot of time pulling the ball out of his net.