Is a back up/rotation striker now our only real priority for January?

[Matrix]

If we had a pure DM (like Sandro for example) we'd find that we had too many at the back waiting for the counter-attack, so a pure dm is wasted playing against a team that sits back.

What Dier gives us is a player with great DM skills but who is also good at passing such that if teams are sitting back he can contribute to our attacking play by acting almost like a deep lying playmaker. So I'd disagree with your statement, but if you had written 'Dier' rather than 'defensive midfielder' in the highlighted sentence, I'd agree.

You are correct that Veljkovic would bring the same skills (albeit a limited amount of experience balanced out by the Spurs Academy 'I'll play my heart out) which is why I'd love the club/player to find the right compromise for him to stay.

But I cannot see us buying a 'Dier' look alike in the TW as such players are like gold-dust - and whilst the likes of Bentaleb do not have the same DM skills I think he's got enough that with a bit of Poch coaching he'd be fine, not as good as Dier with defensive skills but a cm pairing with Mason or Alli and I think we'd be ok or DEmbele as an alternative. So whilst I'd prefer to have Dier as an option, we're not sunk if he's not.

BTW Winks is a good allround midfielder - he can play as a number 10 but usually to be found as a cm, and in the last 12 months has often assumed the DM role alongside someone like Onomah. So he's certainly another option who Poch could develop

The only person I'd have him paired with if Dier is out or playing in defense is Alli. Too flimsy with Mason and Dembele is doing really well further up the field so you would not want to stick him in DM. Alli also loves to put a good tackle in and is becoming quite intimidating so would in theory work best with Bentaleb out of what would be available.

Either way a Striker and possibly another German based midfielder! someone Son knows quite well maybe?!

 

[Spursidol]

The only person I'd have him paired with if Dier is out or playing in defense is Alli. Too flimsy with Mason and Dembele is doing really well further up the field so you would not want to stick him in DM. Alli also loves to put a good tackle in and is becoming quite intimidating so would in theory work best with Bentaleb out of what would be available.

Last season many of the PL CM's couldn't live with a Mason/Bentaleb CM pairing - for example at Wembley last year we dominated Chelsea with that pairing, they couldn't get near us.

Think the pairings could depend on the opposition, Mason brings better transitional passing, Alli more power

 

[Trix]

Don't think so, seems it's the same situation as Ceballos last season - he's not in contention as he won't sign a new deal. Disappointing for sure, but it's the player and his agent's decision causing the issue.

It seems there is another new offer on the table aswell. Deal done elsewhere imo, because i'm convinced he'd be getting game time in the same way as Onomah if he would put pen to paper.

 

[alexis]

Bingo

thank fk

 

[thinktank]

It seems there is another new offer on the table aswell. Deal done elsewhere imo, because i'm convinced he'd be getting game time in the same way as Onomah if he would put pen to paper.

So what's the deal? Does he think he should be a starter? Surely he can see what's happening here and how much poch has advanced our young players and gives everyone a decent crack?

Does he think there's too much competition?

The world cup win gone to his head?

Likely to be a mix of the above, I'm sure. I just hope he isn't letting himself be pushed by his agent too much.

 

[mpickard2087]

So what's the deal? Does he think he should be a starter? Surely he can see what's happening here and how much poch has advanced our young players and gives everyone a decent crack?

Does he think there's too much competition?

The world cup win gone to his head?

Likely to be a mix of the above, I'm sure. I just hope he isn't letting himself be pushed by his agent too much.

Or he's a young player who's been stuck playing U21 football for about 4 years now, stagnating for two of them, and he's got a bit fed up and ran out of patience and would like a change?

 

[thinktank]

Or he's a young player who's been stuck playing U21 football for about 4 years now, stagnating for two of them, and he's got a bit fed up and ran out of patience and would like a change?

But isn't/hasn't he been the one compounding this by not signing?

 

[Sweech]

i would add andre gray and moussa dembele to the list

Watched a bunch of Brentford games last year to see Pritchard and wasn't too impressed with Andre, always seemed too wasteful and limited (totally reliant on others to create chances) even though he'd score a good amount.

 

[mpickard2087]

But isn't/hasn't he been the one compounding this by not signing?

Well that depends on how you look at things... After last season being a complete write off for him I'd imagine he's a bit frustrated and is eager for progression now. As I say, he's been stuck playing U21 football for years now and in my opinion he was more ready than Bentaleb was for first team opportunities at the back end of 2013, he's been learning nothing playing U21 football for the last couple of seasons. If this summer, with his contract winding down, he's been offered a new one and has been told that he's in Poch's thoughts and there could/should be opportunities for him at some point then yes that might sound good and there is an argument I agree that he should wait it out... However alongside these potential opportunities (which, despite the good things being done, may be limited or not come about) if the bulk of the season is again spent playing U21 football or another loan then I can see why certain players reach breaking point if they've bided their time in the reserves for quite a while. Especially if other clubs are keen on the player. He's clearly lost faith and sees a better pathway, with more opportunities, available in the New Year... Even if that means waiting a few months in limbo as he is doing now it seems.

I still hope the situation can be resolved, but looks unlikely now.

 

[Japhet]

It is nothing to do with Poch!!!!!!!!!!!

I was talking about Capoue and Stambouli actually.

 

[bceej]

Would Sandro Ramirez be a welcomed addition? Versed in pressing, on the fringe of Barcelona, needing to prove a point?