James Maddison

[Sweech]

It appears that many on SC now lump together all the attacking positions at Spurs as one big "lump" (and at times even the CF postion as well but not in this example) as if Poch's formation is a kind of half-haphazardly anarchy when it comes to selecting the attacking players.
Maddision is clearly a CMF. Yes, he not WF.
Son, Chadli, Oduwa and, particularly Njie are WF. Yes, as Poch even has stated several times, Son and Chadli can be used as CF (an idea that many on SC are totally against and refuse to believe ) And, yes, in emergency they can play in the "hole" but that's not their strong position.
I am pretty sure - without ever having spoken to Poch about it (no, I have actually never spoken to him) - that Poch wants his players to settle in a few positions where they are best utilized; and as far as possible not play players out of position.
PS! The "lump" statement was a general statement as I've seen many on SC lump in players in postions they hardly play, or even never have played, when talking about formations and positions.

It isn't without precedence that people "lump" players into those positions though. Several times we've seen the likes of Mason, Carroll, and Onomah (everytime so far actually) playing WF or the advanced midfield position, when they're all actually CMFers.

 

[Dharmabum]

If our academy players are ready to give their heart and soul for the club then there's no reason they'd feel disgruntled at others young players coming in, it should by and large have the reverse affect as it means that they need to work hard to get into the team and the fact that the club have a policy of buying young and playing young should mean that it's enough to keep these players interested if it doesn't then I question that players mentality and whether he is right for Tottenham.

I need to re-iterate this because I feel people are over looking the fact that we haven't just gone out and bought a Paulinho or a Capoue which would have effectively sent out a message that the management didn't trust our youngsters regardless of how they played or how good they were. I was totally against us looking to buy Witsel because that would represent that very thing and essentially it would be a pointless appointment but I've always said that if there are young players with serious potential then we should be snapping them up.

It depends. There is limits to how much they can motivate themselves if the club doesn't show enough faith and trust in them and keep on brining in marginally better prospects. Present academy players have publically expressed how good they feel by seeing all the young players been given a chance at Spurs. Not seen any such comments made by Gooner, Chelksi, NanU or ManC player...
Look at, say, Chelski and ManC: they've brought - and bought (expensively so) - in the "cream" you youth players from around the world....yet how many have become regular 1st teamers? None. And no-one's even close at this time.
I am sure if some of those players knew they had a better chance - by been given the opportunities - of making the 1st team regularly it would have inspired them to put more into their desire to develop as players. And they would have become better players.
There is a good reason why Barca develop so many of their academy players in to stars, and starters, while Real M. doesn't. And both clubs have access to the best of Spanish, as well as non-Spanish, talent.

 

[Dharmabum]

It isn't without precedence that people "lump" players into those positions though. Several times we've seen the likes of Mason, Carroll, and Onomah (everytime so far actually) playing WF or the advanced midfield position, when they're all actually CMFers.

Advanced midfield position is still midfield and still central midfield. I can't remember seeing Mason nor Carroll deployed as WF; although they may have ventured out there for a period of time during a game.
Onomah is clearly played out of position, so he can get some playing time and "learn" the game.

 

[CJMurray]

This kid really reminds me of Niko Kranjcar. He's got that velvety touch.

 

[MattPhilpott]

Even if we are a little bloated in that position, what harm is there having him on our books?

Hate to use this as an example, but look at Chelsea. They've bought players like Lukaku, De Bruyne etc, given them a couple of good loans, and then made a load of profit on them.

Say we hypothetically sign Maddison for £4m-£5m, give him back on loan for the rest of the season, then maybe look at giving him a seasons loan to a promoted PL side next year. If he becomes the next Dele Alli, winner, we can either keep him in the first team here and build the squad, or sell him on for £10m+

It sounds like a dick move I know, but all I'm saying, wouldn't hurt to have him on our books, better us than someone else. Shouldn't pass up on talent because we have a few kicking around already

 

[bceej]

This kid really reminds me of Niko Kranjcar. He's got that velvety touch.

Loved Niko.

 

[Shadydan]

It depends. There is limits to how much they can motivate themselves if the club doesn't show enough faith and trust in them and keep on brining in marginally better prospects. Present academy players have publically expressed how good they feel by seeing all the young players been given a chance at Spurs. Not seen any such comments made by Gooner, Chelksi, NanU or ManC player...
Look at, say, Chelski and ManC: they've brought - and bought (expensively so) - in the "cream" you youth players from around the world....yet how many have become regular 1st teamers? None. And no-one's even close at this time.
I am sure if some of those players knew they had a better chance - by been given the opportunities - of making the 1st team regularly it would have inspired them to put more into their desire to develop as players. And they would have become better players.
There is a good reason why Barca develop so many of their academy players in to stars, and starters, while Real M. doesn't. And both clubs have access to the best of Spanish, as well as non-Spanish, talent.

Chelsea, Real Madrid and Man City are bad examples, the reason why these youngsters cannot get into the first teams is because they are being blocked by world class players, we are unique to them as in we have a legitimate pipeline from the reserves to the first team and the message is clear you work hard enough and you will be rewarded.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Loved Niko.

Me too mate. Yeah he was a bit on the slow side, but what a technically gifted player. Broke my heart to see him constantly ignored by that manager for his last 6 or so months with us. Same with Corluka, too. Not at all blessed with pace, but him & Lennon were a bloody good combination on our right.

Ironic that Kranjcar & Corluka were mainstays in the team that actually finished 4th & got us into the CL, and were then left out in the cold by that manager

 

[allpaths]

Loved Niko.

For being a Reknapp favourite followering each other around, he was underused here, i miss the Croatian contingency in general, but the belgians are better

 

[Hotspur_Hero]

Kid has got a great constitution, though I guess that's open to endless reinterpretation. If we sign him, hopefully the Lane doesn't burn down like his last White House ... I'll take my clearly not red coat and leave now.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

For being a Reknapp favourite followering each other around, he was underused here, i miss the Croatian contingency in general, but the belgians are better

Wouldn't it be bloody brilliant to see those Danes & Croats in the same team though.

Wonder how we'd line up if we did still have them? Though I guess only Modric would be any of use to Poch's pressing etc.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Even if we are a little bloated in that position, what harm is there having him on our books?

Hate to use this as an example, but look at Chelsea. They've bought players like Lukaku, De Bruyne etc, given them a couple of good loans, and then made a load of profit on them.

Say we hypothetically sign Maddison for £4m-£5m, give him back on loan for the rest of the season, then maybe look at giving him a seasons loan to a promoted PL side next year. If he becomes the next Dele Alli, winner, we can either keep him in the first team here and build the squad, or sell him on for £10m+

It sounds like a dick move I know, but all I'm saying, wouldn't hurt to have him on our books, better us than someone else. Shouldn't pass up on talent because we have a few kicking around already

Carroll are Mason try hard and have some qualities but they're limited players. Whereas Alli has bundles of raw talent and a higher threshold. If Maddison is in the same category as Alli then we'd be mad not to try and sign him. Alli's massively overachieved this season and if Maddison can have a similar impact we could have potentially picked up 2 very young, quality midfielders for peanuts.

 

[spurs9]

It appears that many on SC now lump together all the attacking positions at Spurs as one big "lump" (and at times even the CF postion as well but not in this example) as if Poch's formation is a kind of half-haphazardly anarchy when it comes to selecting the attacking players.
Maddision is clearly a CMF. Yes, he not WF.
Son, Chadli, Oduwa and, particularly Njie are WF. Yes, as Poch even has stated several times, Son and Chadli can be used as CF (an idea that many on SC are totally against and refuse to believe ) And, yes, in emergency they can play in the "hole" but that's not their strong position.
I am pretty sure - without ever having spoken to Poch about it (no, I have actually never spoken to him) - that Poch wants his players to settle in a few positions where they are best utilized; and as far as possible not play players out of position.
PS! The "lump" statement was a general statement as I've seen many on SC lump in players in postions they hardly play, or even never have played, when talking about formations and positions.

No, Maddison is clearly a AM (#10) not a CM (I believe he has never played there at senior level) and Maddison has actually played LW for Coventry. Son and Chadli have both played AMC for us, and Oduwa has played there for the U21s, so Njie is the only wide player not to play central. Eriksen, Onomah & Pritchard are all AMCs that have played wide for us. I'm surprised that any Spurs fan would think that any of the 3 behind the striker aren't used in any of the 3 positions and are just settled in the one.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

He looks like a talented boy but we have talented midfielders and attacking midfielders coming our of our arses. Pritchard, Oduwa and Winks have yet to have any game time, Onomah's had a few minutes, we have Mason and Bentaleb not playing right now as well as Alli, Carroll and Dembele and Dier.

As I aid with Alli, I'd much rather we are investing in this type of signing - £3-5m kids with potential to develop into something special - than spending 5-15m on Chriches's, Fazio's, Stambouli's and Dempsey's but surely we have some very talented kids here already that play in his position(s)?

 

[newbie]

He looks like a talented boy but we have talented midfielders and attacking midfielders coming our of our arses. Pritchard, Oduwa and Winks have yet to have any game time, Onomah's had a few minutes, we have Mason and Bentaleb not playing right now as well as Carroll and Dembele and Dier.

As I aid with Alli, I'd much rather we are investing in this type of signing - £3-5m kids with potential to develop into something special - than spending 5-15m on Chriches's, Fazio's, Stambouli's and Dempsey's but surely we have some very talented kids here already that play in his position(s)?

I think oduwa a side it will be a while before we see anyone from the academy challenge (in his position), we have a lot of talent coming though but we have gaps in the academy in certain age groups.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

He looks like a talented boy but we have talented midfielders and attacking midfielders coming our of our arses. Pritchard, Oduwa and Winks have yet to have any game time, Onomah's had a few minutes, we have Mason and Bentaleb not playing right now as well as Carroll and Dembele and Dier.

As I aid with Alli, I'd much rather we are investing in this type of signing - £3-5m kids with potential to develop into something special - than spending 5-15m on Chriches's, Fazio's, Stambouli's and Dempsey's but surely we have some very talented kids here already that play in his position(s)?

You can never have enough high-potential youngsters. That's why I'd never be against the signing of 18/19 year-olds.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I think oduwa a side it will be a while before we see anyone from the academy challenge (in his position), we have a lot of talent coming though but we have gaps in the academy in certain age groups.

I confess I have never seen Maddison play, have no idea where he plays, I was just going on what's been said in here about him being an attacking midfielder.

We've not got many gaps there have we ?

 

[Bus-Conductor]

You can never have enough high-potential youngsters. That's why I'd never be against the signing of 18/19 year-olds.

As I said above, I'd rather we profiled this type of signing, always have, but as far as attacking midfielders/players go we are pretty full to brimming aren't we. We have young players already in Alli, Onomah, Pritchard, NjIe, Oduwa, Winks and we have players like Son and Chadli who can't get games and Eriksen, Lamela, Dembele & Carroll who all play there too.

I'm fully on board in principle but we've already got a log jam of young attacking midfielders haven't we ?

 

[danielneeds]

As I said above, I'd rather we profiled this type of signing, always have, but as far as attacking midfielders/players go we are pretty full to brimming aren't we. We have young players already in Alli, Onomah, Pritchard, NjIe, Oduwa, Winks and we have players like Son and Chadli who can't get games and Eriksen, Lamela, Dembele & Carroll who all play there too.

I'm fully on board in principle but we've already got a log jam of young attacking midfielders haven't we ?

Just looking at the clips, and the way this kid receives the ball on the half turn in tight areas, and likes to spread the ball wide, he could in theory be more of a deep lying playmaker type, that we've been missing. Who knows though? Never a mistake to add talent, as they say in Hollywood.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

I confess I have never seen Maddison play, have no idea where he plays, I was just going on what's been said in here about him being an attacking midfielder.

We've not got many gaps there have we ?

As I said above, I'd rather we profiled this type of signing, always have, but as far as attacking midfielders/players go we are pretty full to brimming aren't we. We have young players already in Alli, Onomah, Pritchard, NjIe, Oduwa, Winks and we have players like Son and Chadli who can't get games and Eriksen, Lamela, Dembele & Carroll who all play there too.

I'm fully on board in principle but we've already got a log jam of young attacking midfielders haven't we ?

Looks like he can play LW, Second Striker and CF as well:

http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/james-maddison/leistungsdaten/spieler/294057/plus/0?saison=2014