harry

It'd be impossible to argue that new signing Rafael van der Vaart has flopped since his arrival from La Liga. In fact, the truth of the matter is, he's been our best player.

He covers so much ground, doing his defensive duties one minute, but then the next minute he's the furthest up the park. His invention and link up play is certain to make the opposition fear him, and his goals tally so far makes him our most potent threat. He has all the ingredients of a perfect number 10. So what is Harry's problem?

His comments to Sky Sports worried me if I'm honest: 'He's good for us,' said Redknapp. 'But I can't lie, it makes balancing the team difficult. 'He's never going to stay wide when you play him there. In the end he only comes inside and plays where he wants to play. 'He wants to be involved so he is never going to stay out wide.' Is he so unbelievably fond of the traditional 4-4-2 formation, so attached to it that he would complicate such a simple decision?

Van der Vaart will not stay out wide, he's absolutely right about that, because, simply, he's not a winger, he's a supporting striker, very central, very direct. He linked up well with Crouch and obviously netted a brace, so what`s the problem?

Ironically, Robbie Keane plays in a very similar way to VDV, dropping deep to receive the ball, linking up play etc, and yet Harry didn't think twice about playing him. Is it because Keane is widely considered a striker whereas VDV is considered a midfielder? I have no idea!

vdv needs that role off a loan striker.

yep just like where gio should of been playin.

i like our attacking options. pav up top, vdv on his shoulder, modic and wilson behind, bale and lennon wide, this is exciting stuff without even mentioning defoe crouch and huddlestone.

its so sad whoevers doing it. trying to make it look like me. to think people used to blame burger for this.