Tottenham: Who Is Best Suited to Play as an Emergency Striker?

At the start of this campaign, there would have been a niggling doubt in the mind of all Spurs fans. By having just two senior strikers on the books in Jermaine Defoe and Emmanuel Adebayor, there was a potential that they might be short in that area.  

Unfortunately for Spurs, that has been the case in recent weeks. Having failed to address the issue in January, they might have to look for an emergency striking option within the squad.

When fit, Jermaine Defoe has been excellent this season. But he could well be out of action for another month after the injury he picked up at West Brom. Coupled with Emmanuel Adebayor’s erratic form and unpredictable temperament, there be times ahead when Spurs are going to have to shuffle the pack.

Gareth Bale is dragging Spurs to results at the moment, but even he will have games when things don’t go his way. That’s when your strikers have to step up. Even make-shift ones.

So out of the current Spurs playing staff, who would do the best job in that particular role? Who can sniff out goals? Who can be the make-shift trademark No. 9?

I’ve singled out three contenders. Lets have a look at 'em...

Clint Dempsey

Clint Dempsey has been the man filling that role in recent games. Defoe aside, the American is probably the most natural goal scorer in the Spurs squad. He has a knack for being in the right place at the right time, which is so valuable in players. Particularly forwards. 

For that reason, many see him as a good candidate to lead the line. 

Dempsey played this role to great effect in his time at Fulham. It is certainly not unfamiliar to him. His movement and work-rate meant that he was a prolific goal scorer in his time at the Cottagers. Is there any reason he can’t do the same at Spurs surrounded by better players who will provide better service? You would certainly think so.

Unfortunately for Dempsey, he doesn’t have the ability to hold the ball up as well as Defoe or Adebayor, a trait which is key in the way Tottenham play. With Bale devastating on the counter attack, it is key for the centre-forward to hold up the ball, and let Bale and Aaron Lennon to run beyond them.

Adebayor does it with his physical presence, Defoe negotiates space with his clever movement and good touch. Dempsey, unfortunately can sometimes be found wanting in that area.

For all of the positives Dempsey possesses, that might be his one flaw when operating as the target man.

Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale used to be classed primarily as a left-sided player. Now. he is certainly more of a forward player. 

He drifts all over the front line for Spurs. The license to roam that he has been granted by Andre Villas-Boas has meant that he has been effective on the left, on the right and in the hole behind the striker. It begs the question as to whether Bale could fill a potential void as a centre-forward.

Well he certainly has all the attributes.

His pace in behind could be devastating given the right service. Whilst a return of 15 goals this season is a testament to his composure in front of goal, his meagre total of one assist would suggest that he is more of a goal scorer than a creator. Moved into the most advanced area of the pitch, just imagine what a goal threat he would be. 

The only worry for Spurs would be if by moving Bale right up-top, you lose a lot of what he can offer you out wide. 

The Welshman is at his best when driving into space. Space that is either created in wide areas by over-ambitious opposition full-backs, or just in front of the defence. Defenders just do not know whether to engage Bale early, or back off. 

In a striker’s role, Bale would not be able to exploit that space as often. As the focal point of the attack, you will automatically find it harder to negotiate space in comparison to other players. You’ll always be picked up by a defender. 

Spurs do not want Bale getting the ball into his feet, back to goal and 25 yards out. As a striker, especially as a lone striker in the system that Spurs play, this is a big part of that role.

Bale is developing into one of the best wide forwards in the world. It would be a huge surprise if we were to see a major change in his role. He is playing far too well to do so at the moment.

Gylfi Sigurðsson

The final option is a player that has not seen much game-time since his move to Spurs. Gylfi Sigurðsson moved from Hoffenheim to London this summer after impressing on load at Swansea. 

During his last spell in the Premier League, Sigurðsson operated in a variety of different roles, all of which worked well for Swansea. On occasions, he played at the centre of a front-three. A sort-of "false 9," if you will.

This system could well be a viable option for Spurs as they have the personnel for which the "false 9" way of playing requires, especially in wide areas. Sigurðsson could operate as a withdrawn forward, with Lewis Holtby and Moussa Dembele offering support centrally. With Bale and Lennon coming in off the wings, that midfield trio would have enough quality to find them in dangerous positions, exploiting the spaces left by the withdrawn forward.

Another plus point in favour of Sigurðsson is that his selection would allow the rest of the players to remain in their favored positions. Striker problems aside, the team is starting to look better and better under the stewardship of Villas-Boas. The Portuguese will be hesitant to make any major tactical switches with his team playing so well.

Sigurðsson has featured the least out of any of the three players mentioned. As a result, if Villas-Boas was looking for continuity (allowing the likes of Dempsey and particularly Bale to continue their impressive form in familiar roles), then the Icelandic international could well be best choice to temporarily plug the gap.

After all, even he knows where the back of the net is, with an impressive strike-rate during his time at former English clubs Swansea and Reading. Given the opportunity at Tottenham, I'm sure he would do the same.

Who do you think is the best emergency striker option for Spurs? Could Gareth Bale prove to be even more effective in that role? Let me know in the comments section or on Twitter @MattJFootball