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Player watch: Toby Alderweireld

0-Tibsy-0

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2012
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Kristof Terreur ‏@HLNinEngeland 1m1 minute agoUnited Kingdom
Marc Wilmots on the first name on his teamsheet: "Toby Alderweireld. He has progressed a lot, he's versatile & very consistent" #THFC



He really has been excellent so far. Perhaps an areal weakness between him and Jan, but other than that, reliable, reads the game so very well, technical ability, passing, and a great partnership. Very good purchase thus far.
 

0-Tibsy-0

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2012
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43,789
Jamie Redknapp has called him 'the best defender in the league this season'

Toby was an established International when he came to us, had played in the BBVA and had a full season in the Premiership. A player that many would say had reached his potential in regards ability.

That Pochettino can improve players of that experience on the training field enough for it to be noticeable by his National manager is quite amazing in my opinion. Not only does it show the managers ability, it is a testament to how he has moulded a group of players and got them to buy into his ideas. Goes without saying credit must go the player too.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,385
Think he is benefitting hugely from playing behind Dier in MF whose first priority is defence. Would be interesting to see how he would have done behind the Mason/Bentaleb partnership from last season which offered very little cover to the CBs.
 

Misfit

President of The Niles Crane Fanclub
May 7, 2006
21,014
34,213
He'd have been fine. Maybe a couple more individual errors but he's a class CB. Athletic, quick enough and reads the game well.

I mean, come on people, this was obvious stuff before we signed him. Keep up! :shifty:

Keep giving Poch this calibre of signing going forward, and we're going to need a fuckload of tissues.
 

Hazelton

Unknown Member
Jul 11, 2011
5,527
19,287
It feels odd to have an established centerback pairing. We've had some good CBs in the past, but it seems we never really had them at the same time or, when we did, they were plagued by injuries, i.e. King and Woodgate. Long may it continue.
 

Syn_13

Fly On, Little Wing
Jul 17, 2008
14,851
20,659
Wonder if Wilmots will play at cb now or still RB

I have a feeling he'll shove them both out wide again. Silly if he does because their form together in the centre has been great.

Edit: Actually looking at the squad he's picked two right backs in Meunier and Cavanda, but the rest are all centre backs so I guess we'll see Verts shoved out on the left for them.

If I had no real quality full backs but a host of good centre halfs I'd try out a formation with 3 at the back. Verts, Kompany and Toby would be immense.
 

Mullers

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Jan 4, 2006
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The only thing I'd like to see is him taken out of his comfort zone, meaning his partnership with Verts. In any other Partnership he will be the senior player, I want to see how he handles himself over an extended period of time.
 

THFCSPURS19

The Speaker of the Transfer Rumours Forum
Jan 6, 2013
37,886
130,485
The only thing I'd like to see is him taken out of his comfort zone, meaning his partnership with Verts. In any other Partnership he will be the senior player, I want to see how he handles himself over an extended period of time.
Why?
 

Kiedis

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2013
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The only thing I'd like to see is him taken out of his comfort zone, meaning his partnership with Verts. In any other Partnership he will be the senior player, I want to see how he handles himself over an extended period of time.

Isn't he already the leader of the two? I've always thought Vertonghens best games were when he played with a vocal dude and weren't expeceted to be the leader. Vertonghen has played well with Gallas and Dawson, while his partnerships with Caulker and Dier were pretty horrible.
 

Mullers

Unknown member
Jan 4, 2006
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Because I want to see how his form translates to other partnerships, if it will continue to be of a high standard and if he is able to adapt quickly.
Isn't he already the leader of the two? I've always thought Vertonghens best games were when he played with a vocal dude and weren't expeceted to be the leader. Vertonghen has played well with Gallas and Dawson, while his partnerships with Caulker and Dier were pretty horrible.
Verts has more experience, I think they both lead each other in different ways, they kind of set an example and standard for each other and it really helps that they are good friends and respect each other.
You don't have to be great buddies with the person you are working with but it certainly makes the work more enjoyable when you do.
 
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