Ramos and Redknapp: A Tactical Analysis

 

And so nearly a month has passed since Harry Redknapp took over the reigns of a struggling, disheartened Tottenham Hotspur side. Since his arrival, Tottenham have steadily rose up the table and, despite still languishing perilously close to the relegation places, the storm clouds seem to have been lifted from White Hart Lane.

In this piece, I will try to identify the differences (tactical and mental) between Juande Ramos, the slick disciplinarian, and Harry Redknapp, the lovable Cockney geezer. The differences aren’t always obvious, but they certainly make an impact…

JUANDE RAMOS: THE MAN

 Schooled in the art of management by his former Elche manger, Juan De La Cruz Ramos Cano, better known as Juande Ramos, quickly achieved a reputation as a hard taskmaster. He announced his arrival at Tottenham with an intensive double-training session and then promptly instructed all of the players to follow his strict diet. He reportedly complained to the board that the players were ‘fat’ and overweight (perhaps they were sharing former manger Martin Jol’s diet?!) and ordered all of the players to eat less and train more. Some voiced discontent, but most conferred and results quickly improved.

 

HARRY REDKNAPP: THE MAN

Quite simply, ‘Arry Redknapp is the polar opposite of Juande Ramos. A football stalwart, Harry has made his name from taking over struggling clubs and leading them up the table. He joined Pompey when they were in (the then) Division One. When he left they were the F.A. Cup winners and an established top-flight club. He spent 7 years at West Ham, rapidly becoming a fan’s favourite but one thing still eluded him. He had never been in charge of a really big club, never managed a Man Utd or a Newcastle or, indeed, a Spurs.

 

JUANDE RAMOS: TACTICS

Juande Ramos was a great lover of the tactics board. He regally changed formations at Seville but found out quickly that the English players at Tottenham weren’t used to switching tactics every game. Therefore he adapted to the 4-4-2 formation but then found, at the start of this season, injuries permitted us from fielding players in their strongest positions. Just take a look at this line-up in Ramos’ last game- against Stoke:

Gomes

 

Hutton Woodgate Corluka Zokora

 

Jenas Modric

 

Bentley Lennon Bale

 

Bent

 

Despite a left back being on the field, Ramos decided to play Zokora at left back, opting for Bale in Attacking midfield. Lennon was forced to play in the middle, freeing up Bentley on the right, with Darren Bent up front alone. Meanwhile, our best attacking mid-fielder of the last two seasons: Jermaine Jenas, was played in defensive mid-field, alongside Luka Modric, a player who had spent all of his Dinamo Zagreb and Croatian international career playing in attacking mid-field! Ramos left new-signing Roman Pavlyuchenko on the bench, bringing him on only after Stoke had gone 2-1 up. Surely Ramos should have learnt after nearly a year managing him, that Bent simply can’t play up-front on his own. Sure he has pace, but he doesn’t have the accuracy to execute snap-shots (like Rooney). Nor does he have the crossing ability to run into the corner and swing a cross into Bentley or Lennon (like Gabby Agbonlahor for Villa).

Corluka played at centre-back (with Dawson on the bench), perfectly highlighting Ramos’ biggest fault, in my opinion. Ramos didn’t seem to ever want to play the younger, or reserve team players. Perfectly competent players like Steed Malbranque, Pascal Chimbonda and Jermain Defoe had been allowed to leave in the summer, leaving the Spurs squad woefully thin on the ground. It was almost as if Ramos had his favourite 15-odd players and didn’t intend to play anyone else. Why couldn’t Corluka have been left on the bench, Dawson his replacement, or why couldn’t a mid-fielder have been sacrificed, like Bentley. Here’s the squad I (and possibly Harry) would have played that day:

 

Gomes

 

Hutton Woodgate Dawson Bale

 

Zokora

 

Bentley Jenas

 

Modric

 

Pavlyuchenko Bent

 

The defence boasts players playing in their actual positions, Zokora would feel at home in the defensive midfield position and Modric would be more comfortable in attack. Bent would have a strike partner and the midfield could flex when in attack (as shown below):

Gomes

 

Hutton Woodgate Dawson Bale

 

Zokora

  

Bentley Jenas Modric

 

Pavlyuchenko Bent

 

 

HARRY REDKNAPP: TACTICS

 

Take a look at Harry Redknapp’s squad that recently beat Blackburn, 1-0.

Gomes

 

Corluka Woodgate King Assou-Ekotto

 

Bentley Jenas Huddlestone Lennon

 

Pavlyuchenko Bent

 

As you can see, Harry fielded a straight forward 4-4-2. The only player out of position was Aaron Lennon, however you could argue he was in position, as he played left-wing for Leeds. Bent was partnered with Pavlyuchenko, a partnership that has blossomed under Harry. So much for Juande Ramos’ statement: “Roman and Bent cannot play together effectively.”

 

TARGETS

Much has changed since Redknapp’s arrival. Harry’s made the limited ammount of players work together and, finally, Tottenham are starting to look like a team. Since his arrival, Harry’s been linked with a number of players and we know that, unlikely Ramos, Redknapp won’t be afraid to sniff around and pick up some bargains. Here are some of the targets and how they could fit in:

#1. FERNANDO CAVENAGHI

The bustling Argentine striker would provide ideal striking cover. He could either fill Pavlyuchenko’s role as the team’s target man or team up with Pavlyuchenko, which would probably make us the most dangerous team in the league from set plays. However he wouldn’t come cheap, £12mil minimum.

#2. STEWART DOWNING.

The English left-winger has long been a target of Tottenham. Both Santini and Jol courted the winger, but Ramos didn’t express any intrest in the ‘Boro player. However Redknapp has long been a fan and, now at Spurs, could finally have the spending power to buy the player. Downing would give Spurs more width, and would provide fantastic delivery’s for Pavlyuchenko and, possibly, Cavenaghi.

#3. Mathais Jorgensen.

The young defender has already turned down an offer from Arsenal, and could be holding out for a move to either Valencia or Tottenham, as his agent has links at both clubs. If we did snatch him, he would probably be sent out on loan as he’s still only a teenager. One for the future.

COME JANUARY- OUR TEAM?

Gomes

Hutton Woodgate King Bale

Bentley Jenas Huddlestone Downing

Cavenaghi Pavlyuchenko

 

 

 ROUND-UP

There is a visible difference between the Ramos ere and the Redknapp era. Ramos focused on the technical, scientific approach to football where as Harry is a straight forward gaffer. Of course, success will ultimately be determined on silverware and league position but I know what I’d rather.

Bugger the Carling Cup, give me the days of 5th place finishes every day…