Alex Pritchard - Brentford

[DaSpurs]

Yes, and it's worsened by the fact we let Oduwa go out on loan. Truley baffeling.

Absolutely. That's the icing on the shitcake right there. Makes entirely no sense whatsoever.

What's the plan if Chadli goes down for an extended stretch? Playing Dembele at CAM and Eriksen at LW? And then if we have an important midweek game, such as in Europe? We're asking Eriksen to play back-to-back games at winger in a high intensity full press system, and then Dembele again or the incredibly poorly pigeonholed at AM Paulinho? I get Eriksen's run some incredible average distances this season so far, that's still a whole different level of physical demands, especially when you factor in jet lag effect on hormonal axes when traveling to play in Europe.

My hope is that it means Poch plans to integrate Onomah far more intensively. And of course, another perk to Oduwa departing is the possibility of Azzaoui being promoted to the U-21's. I think he's fearless enough that he could at least put in a shift.

 

[Lilbaz]

For the attacking 3 we have. Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela, Townsend, Dembelle, Paulinho, Onomah. We can even use Kane and have Ade or Soldado up front. Even Ade could play as the lwf.

Let Pritchard develop. He's doing well where he is and needs games.

 

[Lilbaz]

Oh I forgot Cebellos.

 

[spurs9]

For the attacking 3 we have. Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela, Townsend, Dembelle, Paulinho, Onomah. We can even use Kane and have Ade or Soldado up front. Even Ade could play as the lwf.

Let Pritchard develop. He's doing well where he is and needs games.

I disagree about Ade being able to play LWF, he doesn't have the work rate and our LB would be screwed. There is also a big difference between starting out left and being a striker drifting out to the wing.

Out of the 7 players you named, only 4 (Chadli, Lamela, Townsend and Eriksen) can play out wide and 1 of those (Eriksen) is debatable.

 

[spurs9]

Oh I forgot Cebellos.

We wont even play him for the U21s (contract dispute), so there is no chance we will play him in the 1st team.

 

[spurs9]

Absolutely. That's the icing on the shitcake right there. Makes entirely no sense whatsoever.

What's the plan if Chadli goes down for an extended stretch? Playing Dembele at CAM and Eriksen at LW? And then if we have an important midweek game, such as in Europe? We're asking Eriksen to play back-to-back games at winger in a high intensity full press system, and then Dembele again or the incredibly poorly pigeonholed at AM Paulinho? I get Eriksen's run some incredible average distances this season so far, that's still a whole different level of physical demands, especially when you factor in jet lag effect on hormonal axes when traveling to play in Europe.

My hope is that it means Poch plans to integrate Onomah far more intensively. And of course, another perk to Oduwa departing is the possibility of Azzaoui being promoted to the U-21's. I think he's fearless enough that he could at least put in a shift.

In Feb (and 1st of March), we have 2 important games in 4 days and then 4 important games in 11 days. Our season could be over 2nd of March due to tiredness.

 

[Lilbaz]

In Feb (and 1st of March), we have 2 important games in 4 days and then 4 important games in 11 days. Our season could be over 2nd of March due to tiredness.

And Pritchard would be the difference?

 

[spurs9]

And Pritchard would be the difference?

He could well be. He would mean that we could play a different 3 midweek than on the weekend, giving sufficient rest to the important players and meaning we aren't fatigued.

 

[Lilbaz]

He could well be. He would mean that we could play a different 3 midweek than on the weekend, giving sufficient rest to the important players and meaning we aren't fatigued.

We'll never know.

 

[spurs9]

We'll never know.

We could well know if we needed another player to ease the burden and could know in 1 months time..

 

[yanno]

Watched the rest of the Brentford V Boro game tonight. Pritchard was the outstanding player. He buzzes around everywhere getting on the ball, started as the ACM, but was left right, deep. The first thing he does as soon as he receives the ball, even in tight spaces, is to turn and face forward, get his head up and look for what's on. He only hangs on to it when there are no good progressive options, but when he does he can dribble with excellent technique, but his head is constantly coming up to see what's on offer.

Brentford were the better side by a long way and were really unlucky to lose, Pritchard at the hub of a lot of what they do.
56 passes, 7 key passes.

Watched most of it too. Agree about Pritchard getting his head up and constantly looking to pass forward. Which, reading the Schneiderlin interview, is exactly what Poch looks for in midfield and AM players. He also works hard, looking to close down, and isn't afraid to receive the ball in tight spaces.

Mentally he looked strong, and had plenty of determination. He'd also be our number one corner and wide free kick taker if he came back. How can Eriksen be so fantastic shooting at goal from free kicks and so poor taking corners?

I'd really like to see what Pritchard could do in a team with technically better and more intelligent footballers (eg Kane, Eriksen).

Now he's staying at Brentford until the summer, pre-season back at Spurs will be huge for him. We've already seen that Poch used his first pre-season to make initial judgements on players: eg Mason stayed as a squad then first team player whilst Carroll was loaned out. Pritchard will have to convince Poch in training, fitness work and pre-season games that he's worth a chance.

 

[Krafty]

I can see the arguments for and against. I definitely want to see Pritchard get a look in next season, but right now we have Chadli, Townsend, Lamela as our established wingers and with the games we have coming up, I can't see Pritchard getting ahead of them unless there is injury/suspension to at least two of them.

Even then, Pochettino is more likely to change system to play Paulinho, Dembele or Soldado, with Eriksen or Kane filling the LW position before Pritchard is selected, at least for the next month or so.

Kane pushed his way into the first choice XI through the Europa League, Mason via the league cup, unfortunately we do not have any competition that we can play weakened teams (at least not yet) so I think it is better Pritchard plays week in week out at Brentford for the rest of the season.

 

[spurs9]

I can see the arguments for and against. I definitely want to see Pritchard get a look in next season, but right now we have Chadli, Townsend, Lamela as our established wingers and with the games we have coming up, I can't see Pritchard getting ahead of them unless there is injury/suspension to at least two of them.

Even then, Pochettino is more likely to change system to play Paulinho, Dembele or Soldado, with Eriksen or Kane filling the LW position before Pritchard is selected, at least for the next month or so.

Kane pushed his way into the first choice XI through the Europa League, Mason via the league cup, unfortunately we do not have any competition that we can play weakened teams (at least not yet) so I think it is better Pritchard plays week in week out at Brentford for the rest of the season.

Personally, I don't see playing Pritchard instead of Paulinho or Soldado (to move Eriksen & Kane) as weakening the team.

 

[Gbspurs]

I'd rather he stay where he is playing weekly football at a good level and enjoying himself. Kane stepped up well after his Millwall loan so hopefully this will be a similar thing.

 

[eddiebailey]

I'd rather he stay where he is playing weekly football at a good level and enjoying himself. Kane stepped up well after his Millwall loan so hopefully this will be a similar thing.

Actually Harry trod water for a season and a half after his Millwall loan, injured and benched at Norwich, an unsuccesful loan at Leicester, and half a season barely playing back at Spurs. What we do next with Pritchard is key to his development. I would like to see him back at Spurs next season, but that depends on ins and outs.

 

[Krafty]

Personally, I don't see playing Pritchard instead of Paulinho or Soldado (to move Eriksen & Kane) as weakening the team.

Probably not, but Poch has lots of things to balance other than that (sadly). We've seen how hard it can be to offload unwanted players, and by completely ostracising them you give any buyers all the negotiating power, as well as causing disharmony in the squad.

Poch appears to be quite careful on who and when he cuts people out - he makes sure the majority of the squad are behind him, and we don't see who puts in the effort in training either.

Next season its a different story, we have a lot more time to find unwanted players a new home, we can use pre-season to improve team cohesion. I think there are only so many changes you can make at any one time.

 

[JamieSpursCommunityUser]

Absolutely. That's the icing on the shitcake right there. Makes entirely no sense whatsoever.

What's the plan if Chadli goes down for an extended stretch? Playing Dembele at CAM and Eriksen at LW? And then if we have an important midweek game, such as in Europe? We're asking Eriksen to play back-to-back games at winger in a high intensity full press system, and then Dembele again or the incredibly poorly pigeonholed at AM Paulinho? I get Eriksen's run some incredible average distances this season so far, that's still a whole different level of physical demands, especially when you factor in jet lag effect on hormonal axes when traveling to play in Europe.

My hope is that it means Poch plans to integrate Onomah far more intensively. And of course, another perk to Oduwa departing is the possibility of Azzaoui being promoted to the U-21's. I think he's fearless enough that he could at least put in a shift.

I wouldn't have loaned out Oduwa myself, as he's perfect to add some pace to the LWF role.

But we know Poch had no qualms throwing Mason in for his PL debut in the last North London derby.

So I doubt this decision was about being over cautious.

I guess MP didn't think Oduwa mentally ready for first team exposure.

Though it is strange Pritchard wasn't recalled in this case, as he DOES look mentally ready now.

Hopefully Onomah is the reason.

 

[DaSpurs]

I wouldn't have loaned out Oduwa myself, as he's perfect to add some pace to the LWF role.

But we know Poch had no qualms throwing Mason in for his PL debut in the last North London derby.

So I doubt this decision was about being over cautious.

I guess MP didn't think Oduwa mentally ready for first team exposure.

Though it is strange Pritchard wasn't recalled in this case, as he DOES look mentally ready now.

Hopefully Onomah is the reason.

Yeah that was my assumption as well, that Poch didn't think Oduwa ready and hence why we've not seen him on the first team bench to date and of course was ultimately sent out on loan to play against grown men. But I agree, it's a bit confusing we went with that route and brought in no replacement and/or no Pritch recall. I think it's left us entirely too thin.

And I very much agree with hoping it may mean more time for Onomah.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Scored.

The Sky Sports guy just said he's been the best player on the pitch

 

[DEFchenkOE]

Brentford still 1 up, would be a good win and great for Pritch if is goal is what sealed the 3 points