@Shadydan not really an issue...Hamstring FC...
TEAM NEWS: @daosanchez26 (hamstring) - hopeful of a return before the end of the calendar year after scans confirmed a hamstring strain.
And to think people don't want to add another CB should he leave...So Sanchez drops out and Vertonghen steps back in. This is why you need depth.
You mean if Toby leaves? Absolutely, we must replace Toby if he leaves because for me we really need 4 recognised centre backs.And to think people don't want to add another CB should he leave...
You mean if Toby leaves? Absolutely, we must replace Toby if he leaves because for me we really need 4 recognised centre backs.
@Shadydan not really an issue...
«Ya see the problem with Spurs is that they have a good first 11, but no depth.»
-Every pundit
We should hire City’s witch doctor. Guy turns 4 month injuries into 1 month injuries
They must have paid off the laws of biology and bought the entire planet’s midi-chlorians. Surely FIFA must investigate.We should hire City’s witch doctor. Guy turns 4 month injuries into 1 month injuries
«Ya see the problem with Spurs is that they have a good first 11, but no depth.»
-Every pundit
I would argue we dont have another Eriksen but other than that we have at least 2 players in every role.
Keepers - Lloris, Gazzaniga
Right back - Aurier, Trippier, KWP
Left back - Rose, Davies
Ballplaying centre back - Vertonghen, Foyth
Physical centre back - Alderweireld, Sanchez
Physical central midfielder - Dier, Wanyama, Sissoko
Ballplaying central midfielder - Winks, Dembele
Pacey/Tricky Wing forward - Moura, Son
Central attacking midfielder - Alli, Lamela
Playmaker - Eriksen
Centre forward - Kane, Llorente
It helps a lot to have similar players to cover when players are injured or need a rest. We have that balance this season (and last).
The main concerns are the players that get injured too often (Dembele, Wanyama, Rose) which feels like we often have 1 less in that position too much. The contract situation with Toby to solve in the summer (and Eriksen becoming a worry next season if he doesn't sign). Finally the lack of quality from Llorente compared to the quality cover in other positions.
That for me is the work needed in the summer. Another playmaker would be my main priority after losing out on Grealish and Barkley because I dont feel we have like for like cover for Eriksen.
You mean when they’re in their sixties with the financial ability to buy a doctor’s surgery? I’m sure they’ll be okBut to what cost to the players bodies as they get older ?
The trouble is what can we afford? A replacement for Dembele would cost a fortune if we're talking an upgrade on Winks. I think for ballplayer midfielders in that part of the pitch we can dip into the academy. Winks is already a quality player who will only get better, and we have Skipp and Onomah coming through (most likely Skipp will make it).Winks does not replace Demeble in my view I think we need a replacement deep play-maker to dictate the game feed the attacking mids keep the ball think Dembele Modric Moutino Kroos etc... and we also need another creative midfielder to unlock defenses and create chances as competition for Eriksen
Yet earlier in the season, just after Poch had been publicly negative about the lack of summer signings and loads of our key players were injured, a pundit was saying "Pochettino has chosen to rotate his squad significantly, which just goes to show that they aren't lacking depth."«Ya see the problem with Spurs is that they have a good first 11, but no depth.»
-Every pundit
The trouble is what can we afford? A replacement for Dembele would cost a fortune if we're talking an upgrade on Winks. I think for ballplayer midfielders in that part of the pitch we can dip into the academy. Winks is already a quality player who will only get better, and we have Skipp and Onomah coming through (most likely Skipp will make it).
My concern is money available given the stadium build. It's going to be difficult upgrading this squad with limited funds. I also worry we're not going to get a lot for Rose, Wanyama and Dembele given their injury history. Also Llorente and Vorm aren't going to fetch much if anything. So replacing them on a limited budget will be tough.
This is the big challenge for Daniel Levy. It's alright people saying we need to upgrade on these players, but considering the cost of replacements versus return on sale, it's not that simple. We are going to have to be selective on signings and dip into the academy. Maybe convert KWP to left back (like Ashley Young was) or sell a right back to fund a top left back. Maybe get an all action centre midfielder to replace Wanyama with someone more versatile. Or possibly Foyth to cover for Dier as well as playing centre back (just as Dier covers at the back).
In a fantasy world getting a Rose, Wanyama and Dembele of 2 years ago would be amazing. In reality it's unlikely and we have to be more creative instead.