The Premier League is a division where a defensive, deep-lying, midfielders performance is often measured by how many stud marks they Warren Moon Jersey have left on opposition players. The stereotypical defensive midfielder will be a muscular, imposing figure that is famed for his tackling ability Nigel De Jong, Cheick Tiot, Karl Henry are just a few examples that fit into this mould. In England a crunching tackle is appreciated like nowhere else. Yet, away from the Premier League defensive midfielders generally are expected to perform in a different manner. They are expected to be the pa ser of the team, a creative outlet that creates space and finds a simple pa s, or at least a pa s that they have the ability to make look simple. Xabi Nick Bellore Jersey Alonso and Sergio Busquets are perfect examples in La Liga, Sami Khedira and Bastian Schweinsteiger perfected it for Germany. In England these players are rarely publicised, tactical experts regularly argue the case of for Manchester United, a player who supposedly offers very little.Whilst Gareth Bale has regularly received plaudits for his role in Tottenhams recent succe s, and justifiably so, and Rafael Van Der Vaart makes the 8 million Harry Redknapp paid for him look like a steal, further adding to the case of Redknapps wheeler dealer ability, Luka Modri, at the heart of Tottenhams midfield, has gone relatively un-noticed. Converted from an attacking midfielder to play as a deep-lying one by Redknapp, Modris talents have been showcased in his new position.Modri cuts a rather unremarkable figure; scrawny and with scruffy hair he breaks the mould of a conventional defensive midfielder. Yet, there can be no doubting his tenacity. Against Chelsea he made 9 tackles, the second highest amount on the pitch only Bale made more and three more than his midfield partner Wilson Palacios, whos tackling ability NFL Seattle Seahawks Jersey is held in high regard. When Modri joined Tottenham this particular skill wasnt widely known; a good technical player and supremely creative, not many would have predicted that the slender Croatian, who is only 5ft 8inches, would have adapted to the deep-lying midfield role with consummate ease.The former Dinamo Zagreb midfielders best a set is, arguably, his pa sing range and this ability has come to the forefront in his new position too. Modri completed 51 pa ses against Newcastle, in one of Spurs most recent games, and made an a sist although the goal relied much on the brilliance of Gareth Bale. This was a considerably higher total than any other player on the pitch. A stat further backed up by his performance against Manchester United,in Tottenhamslatest game, whereModri attempted77 pa ses, completing Jason Myers Jersey 64 of them over 20 more than anybody else on the pitch.He also played an integral part in Tottenhams first goal against Aston Villa, where Spurs went on to win 2-0, spreading a 50 yard pa s magnificently into the feet of Lennon and taking numerous Villa players out of the game in the proce s. Tottenham are a side that have always been credited for playing an attractive pa sing game but rarely has it been this effective, this is certainly Spurs best period in recent times. Van Der Vaart has gone on record to credit the football that Tottenham play I think everyone likes Tottenham and the way we play. It is like the Dutch style and itis certainly entertaining. At the helm of this is Luka Modri, he is the heartbeat of the team,and it is no surprise to see him getting acclaim from many inside the game. Slavan Bilic, his former national team manager, has Duane Brown Jersey stated that he is the best player in Europe and Redknapp is also generous in his praise saying that Modri could play for any team in the world.Spurs season, and year for that matter, has been a brilliant one so far. They have a good chance of maintaining Champions League football again next season L.J. Collier Jersey and it is likely that Gareth Bale and Rafael Van Der Vaart will be largely credited with any succe s Tottenham have. Both have been in scintillating form this season and deserve the praise. Yet, Modris role deserves to be heralded equally. Breaking the mould he goes about his busine s quietly but with ruthle s efficiency. But the un-sung protagonist, it seems, would want it no other way.