Don’t forget player improvement

[danielneeds]

Actually think the opposite for this season. Players don't just improve on an upward curve infinitely. They have dips in form and condition. Mental tiredness.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Kane and Eriksen in particular have dips this season. You can keep playing so many games for club and country without a toll being taken.

Adding to this half our squad will have no pre season so they'll never be properly fit and rested, I think quite a few of our established players will suffer this season.

We suffered with the England players after Euro 16 - Poch admited in his book, it was hard to pick them off the floor.

I expect the opposite this year. Providing we get the fitness programme right, bringing them back after their holidays, they are going to be full of confidence, and buzzing. It was similar to how Lineker and Gazza came back after Italia 90 - both were on top of their game.

 

[thebenjamin]

We suffered with the England players after Euro 16 - Poch admited in his book, it was hard to pick them off the floor.

I expect the opposite this year. Providing we get the fitness programme right, bringing them back after their holidays, they are going to be full of confidence, and buzzing. It was similar to how Lineker and Gazza came back after Italia 90 - both were on top of their game.

They started that season well but Gascoigne then missed 3 or 4 months with an abdominal injury and Lineker got dropped for the first time in his spurs career and went on holiday in the middle of the season to recharge due to burn out.

 

[danielneeds]

They started that season well but Gascoigne then missed 3 or 4 months with an abdominal injury and Lineker got dropped for the first time in his spurs career and went on holiday in the middle of the season to recharge due to burn out.

That’s why I added the caveat of managing the reintroduction. There will be plenty of stages in the season where we can send the World Cup boys on a holiday too.

 

[thebenjamin]

That’s why I added the caveat of managing the reintroduction. There will be plenty of stages in the season where we can send the World Cup boys on a holiday too.

I agree with that. But I just think the premise of the op is wrong for this particular season. The fitness of the squad is shaping up to be a major problem this season, half the squad having no pre season at all is a recipe for disaster. Wanyama looks like he's injured his bad knee again which doesn't help. Son going to the Asian games after which he'll need a rest after 2 consecutive tournaments. In fact I can't actually think of any member of our actual first choice 11 who will be starting the season in good shape.

Given how much our game is based on physical intensity its a giant problem, which makes it even more baffling how lethargic and complacent we are being in the transfer market. If ever we needed bona fide reinforcements, it's now.

 

[JimmyG2]

Actually think the opposite for this season. Players don't just improve on an upward curve infinitely. They have dips in form and condition. Mental tiredness.

I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Kane and Eriksen in particular have dips this season. You can keep playing so many games for club and country without a toll being taken.

Adding to this half our squad will have no pre season so they'll never be properly fit and rested, I think quite a few of our established players will suffer this season.

'Doomed!
We're all doomed I tell you'

Is this a new post
or a copy of something that you and others
posted last year.

Still ahead of the curve
and expecting team improvement
despite individual fluctuations in form.
Dele due a better season this year for a start.
Moura stepping up. Lamela back
Amos Skipp and others hovering on the fringe.

 

[RichieS]

Is this what it has come down to now. We can't even sigh championship players, so the last straw we are clutching at is imaginative improvements in the present squad.

Here is the thing, we need CM reinforcements, we have needed CM reinforcements for 12 months, and we are not getting CM reinforcements, and whatever fictive improvement in the 5th choice AM won't make up for the fact that we are neglecting a vital part of the starting 11.

In what sense do you (and many others) believe this to be the case? Because I think Poch sees at least:
Dier
Wanyama
Winks
Sissoko
Dembélé
and feels that he has sufficient numbers for 2 positions.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

In what sense do you (and many others) believe this to be the case? Because I think Poch sees at least:
Dier
Wanyama
Winks
Sissoko
Dembélé
and feels that he has sufficient numbers for 2 positions.

1) It's not about numbers. If it was only about numbers, every club could by 40 players from league two and call it good.
2) Several of those players are not CMs.
3) One of them is not even a footballer.

 

[RichieS]

1) It's not about numbers. If it was only about numbers, every club could by 40 players from league two and call it good.
2) Several of those players are not CMs.
3) One of them is not even a footballer.

I assume you're talking about Dier and Sissoko? Poch plays them in CM regularly, so clearly he disagrees.

What do you think we need in CM?

 

[Yid-ol]

I assume you're talking about Dier and Sissoko? Poch plays them in CM regularly, so clearly he disagrees.

What do you think we need in CM?

Think Sissoko played CM when we had no other options to play there IMO, he really isn't a CM player and needs improved on.

 

[thefierycamel]

We need better players though. The teams around us have gone and gotten better CMs that are all very progressive with the ball. Fred, jorginho, de Bruyne a couple of years ago. Liverpool got Keita. We need a player like that. Dembele is great but lacks that killer instinct. The others are either too defensive for that role, injured, not given match time or just generally shit. If we only bought in this area then I think we'd be fine. Eriksen could play there but it will reduce his goal threat. Same with Alli. Everywhere else is fine unless we punt off Toby and rose, etc.

 

[paulcumpstone]

Clutching at straws

 

[Hakkz]

GKN will be like a new signing this season!!