Asier Illarramendi (to Real Sociedad)

[yanno]

Forgive this emperors new suit type question, but is he really a better central midfielder than Bentaleb is or certainly could be with some good coaching ?

I've seen bits and bobs of Illarramendi and he is a good footballer no question, but I've not seen what he can do that Bentaleb didn't do for us last year, or what I believe Bentaleb is capable of with good tuition and experience.

As I wrote early in this thread, Illarra is more of a Spanish Carrick. The hope would be that Poch can improve his defensive side as per Schneiderlin's interview last summer, by coaching Illarra's defensive positioning to block passes and limit opposition options etc.

At his best, such as when playing for the victorious Spanish U21 side which led to his big money move to Real, Illarra was the hub of the team with much of the play going through him. This was never going to be the case at Real, and it may take some time to get back his confidence and willingness to play early, forward, quick passes.

Bentaleb is a much better athlete than Illarra will ever be. Based on some of his Academy games, I'm not convinced we've seen all that Nabil has to offer. He's been used by both Sherwood and Poch in a disciplined CM role, filling the gap when other players go forward etc. My sense is that Bentaleb could develop over the next couple of seasons into a physically dominant CM, capable of bossing the centre of the field and occasionally bursting forward to great effect. Illarra will never develop into that sort of player.

Of course Bentaleb has to get his confidence back first, get into the groove of passing to his teammates, pressing wtih energy and doing a job for the team.

 

[HappySpur]

Spanish Carrick.........that's about the equivalent of a Brazilian Bale. Sign him the fuck up. Pronto!

 

[TEESSIDE1]

I would love for us to go 442. I would love english football to go back to 442. When we were by far the most exciting league to watch in the world.
I hate wenger and barcelona for what they have done to english football.

Yes, let's sign 2 players capable of playing as striker or wide forward and then make them play as old fashioned wingers lol

 

[Lilbaz]

Yes, let's sign 2 players capable of playing as striker or wide forward and then make them play as old fashioned wingers lol

Did i say we would? No i said i would love us to play 442 again. We would have to get players to suit that formation but i don't see why njie and berahino couldn't play on the wings.

Do you honestly think that the football at the lane since harry left has been exciting? Do you enjoy the tippy tappy football. Having loads of possession but lucky to have 3 shots a game? It's fucking boring.

 

[yankspurs]

Did i say we would? No i said i would love us to play 442 again. We would have to get players to suit that formation but i don't see why njie and berahino couldn't play on the wings.

Do you honestly think that the football at the lane since harry left has been exciting? Do you enjoy the tippy tappy football. Having loads of possession but lucky to have 3 shots a game? It's fucking boring.

In which Lilbaz goes full on prawny

First off, 442 doesnt automatically mean entertaining. Even under Harry, sometimes we looked dire out there. Secondly, Harry played with 1 up top at times. Thirdly, football adapts and changes. 2 strikers with 2 out and out wingers in 442 is no longer a universally preferred system and is no longer considered the best way to play. Lastly, playing with a 433 or 4231 does not automatically equate to tiki taka and the formation can actually be very entertaining depending on the manager. Don't judge the formation based on the shit AVB played or the shit Poch plays. Arsenal was probably one of the most entertaining teams in the league last year and they didnt use a 442.

 

[yankspur]

4-4-3 if we can get away with it is easily the best formation.

I like it as it gives us that extra player in the midfield!

 

[yankspurs]

I like it as it gives us that extra layer in the midfield!

Holy crap this is weird

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Did i say we would? No i said i would love us to play 442 again. We would have to get players to suit that formation but i don't see why njie and berahino couldn't play on the wings.

Do you honestly think that the football at the lane since harry left has been exciting? Do you enjoy the tippy tappy football. Having loads of possession but lucky to have 3 shots a game? It's fucking boring.

Have you ever heard of sarcasm? Nope, didn't think so

 

[Lilbaz]

In which Lilbaz goes full on prawny

First off, 442 doesnt automatically mean entertaining. Even under Harry, sometimes we looked dire out there. Secondly, Harry played with 1 up top at times. Thirdly, football adapts and changes. 2 strikers with 2 out and out wingers in 442 is no longer a universally preferred system and is no longer considered the best way to play. Lastly, playing with a 433 or 4231 does not automatically equate to tiki taka and the formation can actually be very entertaining depending on the manager. Don't judge the formation based on the shit AVB played or the shit Poch plays. Arsenal was probably one of the most entertaining teams in the league last year and they didnt use a 442.

I know the formation isn't all. The tactics are also a massive part.

The most exciting Arsenal sides played 442 with wingers.

 

[yanno]

The most exciting Arsenal sides played 442 with wingers.

This is a Spurs forum on a Friday night, so that's an oxymoron.

 

[ItsBoris]

Illara -------- Bentaleb
-------- Eriksen --------
N'Jie --- Kane -- Berahino

That sounds quite good to me.

Looks good, I would prefer the 1 DM pivot though, I think it would work well with Illaramendi at the base, and then Alli and Bentaleb or Mason with more freedom in midfield.

 

[Matrix]

As I wrote early in this thread, Illarra is more of a Spanish Carrick. The hope would be that Poch can improve his defensive side as per Schneiderlin's interview last summer, by coaching Illarra's defensive positioning to block passes and limit opposition options etc.

At his best, such as when playing for the victorious Spanish U21 side which led to his big money move to Real, Illarra was the hub of the team with much of the play going through him. This was never going to be the case at Real, and it may take some time to get back his confidence and willingness to play early, forward, quick passes.

Bentaleb is a much better athlete than Illarra will ever be. Based on some of his Academy games, I'm not convinced we've seen all that Nabil has to offer. He's been used by both Sherwood and Poch in a disciplined CM role, filling the gap when other players go forward etc. My sense is that Bentaleb could develop over the next couple of seasons into a physically dominant CM, capable of bossing the centre of the field and occasionally bursting forward to great effect. Illarra will never develop into that sort of player.

Of course Bentaleb has to get his confidence back first, get into the groove of passing to his teammates, pressing wtih energy and doing a job for the team.

Not sure if I've ever seen Nabil press with energy. Tbh his defensive side has a left a lot to be desired.
I know people want him to be our Pogba, but he is miles away from that. Maybe having him in the centre with Asier will do him a work of good. It's all about learning and he hasn't had anyone good enough to learn from yet IMO.

 

[Matrix]

Mason - Illramendi

Ali/eriksen

Bera - Kane - N'Jie

 

[Nocando]

Holy crap this is weird

All we need now is a THFCSPURS20, a ticket inspector and a Brainfart and we'd enter some sort of parallel universe. Actually that sounds quite intriguing.

 

[ButchCassidy]

Mason - Illramendi

Ali/eriksen

Bera - Kane - N'Jie

Not alli's position - put Pritch there instead and I like it.

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

Spanish Carrick.........that's about the equivalent of a Brazilian Bale. Sign him the fuck up. Pronto!

I'd be really wary when people say the next Carrick. To do the Carrick role, being able to read the game in the PL and distribute as well as he does is amazingly rare. I put Carrick on the same level as Alonso and Xavi.

Where as with what ive seen of illra.... nowhere near that good (yet).... potential, but if we do sign him he will be someone who could take years to develop and adjust to the PL. I would say yes but I would also be looking for someone experienced as well who can slot in while he settles.

I heard Barry Glendenning say Spurs need some steel and I could not agree more. illramendi is not steel.

 

[rocklink]

I'd be really wary when people say the next Carrick. To do the Carrick role, being able to read the game in the PL and distribute as well as he does is amazingly rare. I put Carrick on the same level as Alonso and Xavi..

I stopped reading when you compare carrick with xavi or alonso.,,.remember how carrick fares in front of xavi in the ucl final of 2009 or 2011... Just for example the cross that xavi put on messi's head , carrick just doesnt have that ability...you can compare scholes with xavi or alonso but not carrick...carrick is good in that sense schneiderlin is good but they are not as gifted or technically efficient like scholes , xavi or alonso...

 

[double0]

I hear what your saying Carrick is in the style of Xavi and Alonso but clearly not on their level.

 

[spursfan77]

I thought something had happened with his transfer as the thread had moved along, but no, it's people talking about fucking formations!

 

[Metalhead]

I thought something had happened with his transfer as the thread had moved along, but no, it's people talking about fucking formations!

Isn't that like most of the threads in the rumours section?