Fair point. Realistically though with our squad the way it is, January a bad time to do any business and Dembele coming into form in November I think any decision now will be based on how the rest of the season goes
Why is Dembele being frozen out?
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Fair point. Realistically though with our squad the way it is, January a bad time to do any business and Dembele coming into form in November I think any decision now will be based on how the rest of the season goes
millsey
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Why did he play in the team last March and then not again till the end of the season though?
davidmatzdorf
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You've comprehensively missed my point. If he stays un-injured, there's no reason not to assume that this level of performance will continue.
His game is not dependent upon sprinting at pace, so there's not the same propensity to niggling muscular injuries as with someone like Lennon. Dembélé had one long-term injury and kept trying to play through it.
I'd hope that Dembélé is the sort of player who ought to be able to play at a high level well into his 30s.
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Sevens
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Because Poch doesn't/didn't rate him. One thing I have been very impressed with about Poch is that if a player seizes their chance he'll continue play them.
davidmatzdorf
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There's evidence that there was more to it than just the nagging injury. Dembélé was semi-misquoted a few weeks ago, referring to the length of time it had taken him (and his teammates) to get to grips with Pochettino's approach to football - the much-mocked "philosophy".
Basically, he was saying that it had "clicked" for him during last summer's training. There's an attitude change that was required from everyone, not just physical training, but I'd venture that it's a hell of a lot easier to "click" with a style of football that requires extreme stamina and fitness when you aren't carrying a hip injury.
TheAmerican
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His goal made ESPN Top 10 here in the states. That rarely, rarely happens for football.
TheAmerican
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I think his form is more down to being given more freedom to roam. He's playing in a similar fashion to his Fulham days.
PhantoM47
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Whenever people complain about him, I always bring up when Fulham played Man U. Think it was right before we signed him. He absolutely dominated the match.
davidmatzdorf
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And then he did the same against Man Utd again after he joined us. He was a real asset up until he got hurt, but we didn't hear about the injury for some time, because he was still playing.
Agree that January is a bad time to do business, I'm just saying if his injury is a problem and we have the opportunity to sell we should sell.
There is a reason to assume that this level of performance won't continue, it's because he's has a history of inconsistency but every time he plays badly people make excuses, they say his hip is the reason he hasn't played well and they don't bring forth any evidence to prove it or that he's not playing in the right position. He played great against Liverpool and people were saying he can be a DM for us, the next game against Anderlecht he was shit, then it's 'oh it's not his rightful position'.
People need to show some evidence that his hip stopped him from playing well, if they can't they need to quit using it has an excuse.
heelspurs
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I can't believe no one has mentioned this. He looks 5-10kgs lighter and much, much fitter. I assume this was mandated by Poch in order to fit into his style of play. I have always supported him and feel that he is our best all-around player. The goals are welcomed but they don't really affect my perception of his ability, contribution and importance to our squad.
Spurger King
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He does look a lot fitter.
I rate Dembele very highly. It was difficult to keep the faith because even his biggest supporters can't deny how inconsistent he's been over the last couple of seasons, but he offers something that none of our other player do - the ability to create space.
It's the famous (but justified) cliché of the Premier League - you never get time on the ball. It's played at such a fast pace that any uncertainty is punished. Dembele has incredible ability in close proximity, which means he can create space and time on te ball. His physical strength means he can hold the ball up and create time for himself.
The problem has always been his lack of incisiveness and general decision-making. He'll create space, but doesn't really have enough of an inventive brain to do anything with it. That's why I like seeing him further up the field because the simple pass in the final third can be devastating.
I think the competition in the midfield has certainly helped motivate him as well. Dier, Mason, Alli, Bentaleb in the centre, and obviously Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela, Son, and N'Jie further up. He can't afford to coast through games if he wants to stay in the team.
matthew.absurdum
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Only Stephen Curry performing better than dembele in the sports' world at this moment
DaSpurs
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And when it does, it's often a Man U, Barca, Madrid, or Bayern player. That's actually very impressive that Dembele's goal made it. I've no doubt it was "bettered" but a rather routine but flashy dunk or alley-oop, but still, good for him nonetheless.
ohtottenham!
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Great post! I think he is inventive however, but he's such an anomaly that he becomes more creative when he's out of his comfort zone and has less time to think! In an attacking position, he's forced to act quickly, like using his physicality to burst past the Villa right back and get a goal from nothing, or shoot from range against Anderlecht. His current health, fitness and confidence are obviously positive factors in this and I think Poch should take great coaching credit for a couple of things relevant to Dembele and others in the squad. First, the fitness regimen has helped all, and Poch also seems to have the knack of pushing players to fully utilize their talents and believe in their own versatility. Dembele and Dier are great examples of that versatility.
ohtottenham!
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You expecting a slew of MRIs and Xrays as a rebuttal, Mullers? Can only go on what one sees. He was laboured in his movement, couldn't turn or get past his man, or even hold off players with his bulk. When he was like that, he was always holding his hip with a grimace. He's had poor games where health wasn't an issue, granted, and been frustrating in his lack of positive use of the football...but he's showing he has a huge upside and that he can actually change his game to help us.
Some quotes from Poch or the club will do. He's been through Poch's hard training sessions for a season, he's passed fit to play yet people with no information say he's not fit to play and I'm supposed to accept that?
There is no doubt for me if he keeps his form going and realises his potential, he will be the best CM we have and one of the best players at the club, it will be of huge benefit to us, so it's not a case of me not rating the guy.
I remember after he scored a great goal to win the tie against Lyon and he said he said himself that he needs to take more shots on goal, so he's known for a while what he needed to do to improve.
ohtottenham!
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I don't doubt your support for Dembele. Players get passed fit for games all the time, depending on the club, physios, coaching staff and obviously the player for a variety of reasons. Kaboul and Parker, knee and achilles, were never the same after injuries, yet passed fit. Townsend has definitely lost pace after his. Just think in general, you can see if a player's fully functioning and moving around like he's been able to in the past.
Parker has had lots of injures during his career, he was getting on in footballing years and we definitely needed a new player in that position. Kaboul had a good brief patch but he's a player we should not have brought back to the club again once we got rid of him the first time around. On the whole he just wasn't good enough. Townsend has good qualities but he needs help with his decision making. In short I'm saying injuries are not to blame why these players did not perform.
In Dembele's case if his hip stopped him from taking more shots on goal, I really would have expected to hear something by now. A quote from Poch at the very least.
spurs-r-us
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In a rich vein of form and we should be taking full advantage of it. Never mind what happens when that finishes.
