Confidence, maturity or the right manager – what is behind Alli’s rise?

[yidogra]

I always pay attention when JJ says something, I rate him as a pundit

Read the full article at BBC Sport

 

[Gazza2K2]

Embarrassing that Jenas is comparing himself to Alli. Jenas was massively overated and average at best. Alli looks the real deal, absolutely class player.

 

[wakefieldyid]

Embarrassing that Jenas is comparing himself to Alli. Jenas was massively overated and average at best. Alli looks the real deal, absolutely class player.

No it's not an embarrassing comparison. By the time Jenas came to Spurs, aged 23, he had already passed his peak, but in his earlier career at Forest and Newcastle he was very highly rated indeed, not unlike Alli is now.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Nah, Newcastle thought of Jenas the same way we did. Jack of all trades, master of none.

 

[Gazza2K2]

No it's not an embarrassing comparison. By the time Jenas came to Spurs, aged 23, he had already passed his peak, but in his earlier career at Forest and Newcastle he was very highly rated indeed, not unlike Alli is now.

Past his peak at 23?? Are you fucking joking me???

 

[davidmatzdorf]

Jenas was the coming star in his late teens and early 20s. He just never developed his talent past a certain point. A lot of the annoyance he provoked amongst supporters was because of the disparity between promise and realisation.

 

[guate]

Let's just hope that Delli continuous to improve and not sit back on his laurels as Jermaine did

 

[wakefieldyid]

Past his peak at 23?? Are you fucking joking me???

No. Look at his career.
In fairness, he and Carrick were the beating heart of our midfield during the infamous Lasagnagate season in 2005-6, and his form earned him a call up to the England WC squad in 2006, aged 23. It all went downhill for JJ after that, but he had been a decent player.

 

[wakefieldyid]

Let's just hope that Delli continuous to improve and not sit back on his laurels as Jermaine did

I'll drink to that, though the biggest challenge will be how he copes with injuries. So many very good young English players (and Jack Wilshere) don't seem to be able to recover fitness and form after a long lay off.

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

I'd have 2 JJ's for every Capoue, Stambouli etc etc etc.

Loved playing for spurs and worked hard.
He wasn't a Modric or a VDV on the ball but he genuinely wanted to play for spurs and was a part of some decent squads during his time at the club.

 

[worcestersauce]

People are missing the point completely, its not about Alli or Jenas it's about Pochottino has a process of bringing in the new young players, he doesn't just do it to cover absentees he does it as part of a production line renewing refreshing and rebuilding as we go along.
He has now started the process with Onomah and he won't be the last this season.

 

[bigspurs]

Jenas was the coming star in his late teens and early 20s. He just never developed his talent past a certain point. A lot of the annoyance he provoked amongst supporters was because of the disparity between promise and realisation.

A similar story for Lennon too! Its a phenomenon that affects certain players when they sign for Spurs

 

[bigspurs]

I'll drink to that, though the biggest challenge will be how he copes with injuries., but the crucial issue is avoiding serious injury. So many very good young English players (and Jack Wilshere) don't seem to be able to recover fitness and form after a long lay off.

Its more than difficult to predict whether a player will get a serious injury or not. A lot of it is just down to luck, or whether you're playing in a game against a prick like Charlie Adam! Playing three games in a week doesn't exactly better the odds, that's for sure!

 

[Gazza2K2]

No. Look at his career.
In fairness, he and Carrick were the beating heart of our midfield during the infamous Lasagnagate season in 2005-6, and his form earned him a call up to the England WC squad in 2006, aged 23. It all went downhill for JJ after that, but he had been a decent player.

If any player peaks at 23 then that is an absolute disgrace.

 

[rupsmith]

Jenas was the coming star in his late teens and early 20s. He just never developed his talent past a certain point. A lot of the annoyance he provoked amongst supporters was because of the disparity between promise and realisation.

For him to have won the PFA Young Player of the Year in 2003 shows that it's not just Jenas blowing his trumpet. He fellow professionals rated him highly as well - a midfielder in the Steven Gerard mould. His limited development was apparently due to a lack of mental focus and drive. Also I remember an interview in which he said that losing the working relationship with Robson impacted him significantly due to the close father-son type relationship they had.

http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footbal...90572.html#$$nxeh61&&lyFtqISdEeWifhL/9wgFGw$$

He apparently then developed a somewhat cynical outlook to the game which impacted the focus that he would have needed to constantly improve and reach the top. Shame really.

But good pundit - intelligent lad with good articulation and analysis. In my view, up there with Gary Neville and Danny Murphy.

 

[jurgen1966]

I was joking with my daughter last night , if you squinted at the telly, Alli looked liked JJ ? Had same poise... Bizarre...

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

If any player peaks at 23 then that is an absolute disgrace.

Different players peak at different times for all sorts of reasons.
If a player has been 1st choice since they were 17 playing 2-3 games a week then by 23 they'd have played 6 years of regular football. That takes it's toll. Some body types are more ligaments and bone than muscle and they end up more injury prone, especially if they play too much before physically developing.
It's not hard to believe some players peak at a younger age. If Messi stopped developing at 23 you wouldn't complain, he'd still be immense.

 

[Gaz_Gammon]

Was disappointed by him last night.

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

Was disappointed by him last night.

The whole team looked flat to be fair.

 

[Chris_D]

Jenas was the coming star in his late teens and early 20s. He just never developed his talent past a certain point. A lot of the annoyance he provoked amongst supporters was because of the disparity between promise and realisation.

Jenas really did look like he could be the next big thing when he arrived. He could run, dribble, shoot, pass and head. Doesn't sound much but we haven't had many midfielders who could do all that. Sad thing is, he played alongside Carrick who kept improving while Jenas went backwards and Carrick moved on. I hope Alli will keep improving and spend his best years with us.