KEVIN WIMMER

[only1waddle]

If this is true I would imagine Vlads or another players agent must be working on something with another club, can't see Levy tying up an early deal with such a large number of bodies to shift this summer.

 

[Sweech]

If this is true I would imagine Vlads or another players agent must be working on something with another club, can't see Levy tying up an early deal with such a large number of bodies to shift this summer.

We needed a backup to Vertonghen now plus Wimmer isn't costing much fee wise or wage wise. So there's not quite the same need for an outgoing as normal.

That being said there's probably a move for Chiriches and/or Kaboul already advanced in the works.

 

[only1waddle]

We needed a backup to Vertonghen now plus Wimmer isn't costing much fee wise or wage wise. So there's not quite the same need for an ongoing as normal.

That being said there's porbably a move for Chiriches and/or Kaboul already advanced in the works.

We still have a big surplus of players though don't we?
I would have thought the club will be aware of 1/2 players going early in the window.

 

[gilzeantheking]

Jasper on SO

There is truth for whatever it is worth.

 

[Bofbro]

Jasper on SO

There is truth for whatever it is worth.

Read the papers?

 

[npearl4spurs]

we can't handle the truth.

 

[ilikeost]

Jasper on SO

There is truth for whatever it is worth.

Hah... I could have told you that!

 

[ilikeost]

The issue I have with this signing is that it means that we won't go for Hector Moreno, which is a real shame, because he, unlike Wimmer, would immediately step in and be the #1 CB at the club. Moreno is hitting top form now that he is healthy for Espanyol and he only has 1 year left on his contract. Would've been a perfect fit considering his history with Pochettino, but probably would've commanded a larger wage than Wimmer and transfer fee.

Pochettino obviously doesn't fancy Chiriches, Kaboul and to a lesser extent Fazio. More than one space could open up at CB for us in the summer because I wouldn't be surprised if two of them (Vlad and Kaboul) gets sold.

 

[Japhet]

Pochettino obviously doesn't fancy Chiriches, Kaboul and to a lesser extent Fazio. More than one space could open up at CB for us in the summer because I wouldn't be surprised if two of them (Vlad and Kaboul) gets sold.

Why do you say he doesn't like Fazio? I thought Faz was ill for a short while, Dier came in and did quite well and has hung onto the shirt.

 

[DaSpurs]

Why do you say he doesn't like Fazio? I thought Faz was ill for a short while, Dier came in and did quite well and has hung onto the shirt.

Yeah I think it has more to do with the fact that Dier's just flat out been our best CB recently.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Another performance proving ourdefense is atrocious. I know this is news to all of you. However, despite our back line sucking, I do believe we need far more protection in midfield.

 

[Hercules]

Hah... I could have told you that!

I don't know for sure, but did he not say that couple weeks ago before it hit the press!

 

[Japhet]

Another performance proving ourdefense is atrocious. I know this is news to all of you. However, despite our back line sucking, I do believe we need far more protection in midfield.

Been saying it for most of the season. Bentaleb and Mason are fine when we control possession but neither of them can shield the back 4 or break play up when we're under the cosh. Comments which have generally been met with howls of protest.

 

[ilikeost]

I don't know for sure, but did he not say that couple weeks ago before it hit the press!

Ah, okay. I thought the comment was made today.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Been saying it for most of the season. Bentaleb and Mason are fine when we control possession but neither of them can shield the back 4 or break play up when we're under the cosh. Comments which have generally been met with howls of protest.

Yeah, I agree completely. I love the story of Ryan Mason more than I like what him playing means for our spine. He throws himself around and can offer some nice aggressive passing which is great but if I have to pick one of Bentaleb or Mason, most of the time I'm taking Nabil. Personally, I hope we find that midfielder that we can rely on and mix and match Nabil and Ryan per the stengths/weaknesses of the opponent.

 

[npearl4spurs]

Yeah, I agree completely. I love the story of Ryan Mason more than I like what him playing means for our spine. He throws himself around and can offer some nice aggressive passing which is great but if I have to pick one of Bentaleb or Mason, most of the time I'm taking Nabil. Personally, I hope we find that midfielder that we can rely on and mix and match Nabil and Ryan per the stengths/weaknesses of the opponent.

I know this thread really isn't the place for it, but there really isn't any reason why we shouldn't go 4-3-3 with mason the most advanced in front of bentaleb and dembele

 

[DaSpurs]

Been saying it for most of the season. Bentaleb and Mason are fine when we control possession but neither of them can shield the back 4 or break play up when we're under the cosh. Comments which have generally been met with howls of protest.

I think the problem is more so on the flanks, where our high line is continually found in behind. We are constantly being countered down the flanks, and it's simply because even less quality sides find space and have the time to exploit it with a good pass because we're so slow to close them down. It's not great in the middle, but our whole midfield is just entirely incapable of shielding such a high back line.

 

[Japhet]

I think the problem is more so on the flanks, where our high line is continually found in behind. We are constantly being countered down the flanks, and it's simply because even less quality sides find space and have the time to exploit it with a good pass because we're so slow to close them down. It's not great in the middle, but our whole midfield is just entirely incapable of shielding such a high back line.

IMO we get attacked down the flanks because our CM pair are not able to cover wide enough when the fullbacks push forward. Add to that the 3 behind Kane who repeatedly cough up possession when we are pushing forward, and the space is there for any Manager worth his salt to exploit.

 

[DaSpurs]

IMO we get attacked down the flanks because our CM pair are not able to cover wide enough when the fullbacks push forward. Add to that the 3 behind Kane who repeatedly cough up possession when we are pushing forward, and the space is there for any Manager worth his salt to exploit.

It all happens far too quickly for those CMs to even get there to cut off the pass. It's a repetitive cascade of events.

Entire team high up pitch -> slow, timid, and similar play from AM's which is easy to predict and contain -> exchange of possession -> counter down flank behind high fullbacks. It happens entirely too quickly for the CM's, who are themselves supposedly a part of the press, to be able to consistently prevent it. They're not supermen, and they shouldn't be another bank of CB's, they should be moving forward to alleviate our easily suffocated attack as field generals, controllers of play. Sides who use their CM's to snuff out counters have tremendous pace and ability high so by the time the ball is set up for a counter, it's unstable as is and the CM has more time to arrive, especially since they're often sitting a bit deeper as is. We provide no dent in the opposition, our CM's move forward to allow them to keep structure, and consequently allow them to get in behind us with swiftness we can't physically eliminate.

The CM situation isn't great, but our greatest weakness is easily on the wings IMO. They have no bite to push the opposition back, and they can't defend. It just isn't good enough, and it's ridiculous it's three windows later now and we've still not addressed it, especially now that we're in this system that makes their weaknesses further expose the defense.

 

[WiganSpur]

I'd like to see this for a few games, we're conceding far too many so we can't stick with the same team.

Lloris
Walker Fazio Vertonghen Rose/Davies
Stambouli Bentaleb
Lamela Dembele Eriksen
Kane
​

It's difficult with Mason and Bentaleb because individually they are excellent but as a pair the only game i've seen a convincing performance by both was Arsenal. Not sure they work together as a 2, either supplement them with another midfielder or bring someone a little more defensive minded in.

I'd also look to bring Fazio back in as him and Jan were there when we were looking a bit more solid earlier in the season.

Long term, we really need to look at CB and the right sort of CM. Personally I think we're missing a fully fit Sandro type. Not fully convinced Stambouli has the quality for the role long term. I'd be looking at Song in the summer.