When Spurs beat Bolton on Tuesday night Louis Saha scored the third goal, and his fourth goal in a Spurs shirt. This has lead to the question, who should start as the front two for the remainder of the season?
Adebayor has been, in my opinion our player of the season. He has contributed eleven goals and twelve assists this season, the only player in the Premiership to have double figures for both already. While he doesn't always have the best control, he is strong in the air and fast. However his most impressive quality has been his passing and link up play. In my life i have not seen a Spurs forward who offers so much all match, every match. It is this link up play that makes him a perfect strike partner for one of the other three forwards. This was seen against Newcastle when Ade and Saha took the Toon defence apart bit by bit, both getting on the score sheet in the process.
Defoe has been at Spurs for many years now, and has become a legend in his own right. He has not had many starting oportunities this season, with Redknapp preferring Rafa or Saha over the England forward. Defoe has still bagged himself fourteen goals this season and has looked in top form when he is given the chance. He works well with Ade, in a big man, little man set up, thriving from the knock downs that the target man sends his way. Although Defoe is starting to get annoyed at his lack of first team chances, he has been very loyal to Spurs, and is tenth in the all time scoring list. I am sure he would want to catch Keano in ninth at the very least.
Saha has been a revelation since he signed in January. It wasn't a popular signing at first, and i must admit i was not too impressed to hear that he would be replacing the outgoing Pav. But he has proved me and the other doubters wrong by scoring goals and contributing well in matches.
Rafa Van der Vaart has been one of our most important players over the last two seasons contributing goals and assists from all over the pitch. Rafa plays just behind the front man and therefore adds more depth to the midfield too. He lacks some of the pace of Defoe and Saha but his range of passing and effort makes up for this.
Personally i would play Rafa just behind Ade in the FA Cup matches, and possibly in away matches, as in these we will need more strength in the midfield and this can release Bale and Lennon on the wings as well. For "easier" home games i would opt for two up front, with Defoe partnering Ade. Nothing against Saha, he has performed really well since signing, but i think the loyalty of Defoe should be rewarded.
Who would you start up front?
