Analysing the Opposition

Tottenham arrive at the DW Stadium in two days time on the back of two very impressive displays following a slightly shaky start to the season. Harry Redknapp’s side appear to have been revitalised by the signings of Scott Parker and Emmanuel Adebayor. Redknapp’s failure to enter the market earlier on in the transfer window had left a few die-hard Spurs fans somewhat disgruntled. However, their fears were allayed with the acquisitions of these two proven Premier League performers on Deadline Day. Parker and Adebayor are like for like replacements for Wilson Palacios and Peter Crouch, both of whom departed for Stoke, with several pundits commenting that these changes have allowed Tottenham to improve.

Significantly, since the introduction of Parker and Adebayor, Tottenham have recorded back to back victories over Wolves and Liverpool. Redknapp’s side comfortably overcame what seemed a tricky trip to Molineux, winning 0-2, before easily dispatching 9-man Liverpool last Sunday. Parker has quickly developed an effective partnership with Luka Modric in the centre of midfield in Redknapp’s favoured 4-4-2, whilst Adebayor already has three goals to his name in just two Premier League appearances. Should the form of their new additions continue, Spurs fans will be entitled to expect another three points this coming Saturday against a Wigan side depleted by injuries to key men such as Emmerson Boyce, Antolin Alcaraz, Mohammed Diame and Hugo Rodallega.

One contentious debate that currently exists amongst Spurs fans is just where Dutch maestro Rafael Van der Vaart will fit into the team once he has fully recovered from injury. In Tottenham’s last two Premier League games, the emerging partnership of Adebayor and Defoe in a 4-4-2 system has provided the basis for their success. Whether Redknapp will revert to last season’s 4-4-1-1 in order to accommodate Van der Vaart remains to be seen, with the Dutchman expected to be fully fit to take on Wigan this coming weekend.  Should he choose to do so, it is likely that Jermaine Defoe would be the man to drop out. Alternatively, Redknapp could choose to play Van der Vaart out wide on the right instead of Niko Kranjcar, although he is less effective in this role. Whatever formation Redknapp ultimately opts for, Wigan will need to be at their best in order to avoid defeat against a resurgent Spurs outfit.