The Mauricio Pochettino thread

[djee]

Swap out Sissoko for a quality CM, and perhaps Dier too, and it's a fantastic line up.

Totally agree. When you consider that fitness permitting we could have Winks, Wanyama or Dembele there - we are not that far away and only need one quality signing in that position.

 

[Johnny J]

Totally agree. When you consider that fitness permitting we could have Winks, Wanyama or Dembele there - we are not that far away and only need one quality signing in that position.

And therein lies the rub. Wanyama has looked ropey ever since the knee injury, and if it's as bad as last time, we can forget about him until after Christmas. Winks has been similarly unlucky and there's obviously ongoing issues there. And Dembele's inability to play frequently is well known.

Our midfield is currently gutted, and I really hope we get a signing or two there. It's by far our weakest area.

 

[Vulcan10]

And therein lies the rub. Wanyama has looked ropey ever since the knee injury, and if it's as bad as last time, we can forget about him until after Christmas. Winks has been similarly unlucky and there's obviously ongoing issues there. And Dembele's inability to play frequently is well known.

Our midfield is currently gutted, and I really hope we get a signing or two there. It's by far our weakest area.

Without wanting to be too dramatic and there hasn’t been any updates yet but we could have seen the best of Big Vic. One goal at Anfield aside, last year was a right off for him performance wise & hearing he’s had a recurrence of the same injury is very concerning. I’m hoping Winks will be ok soon but MD’s best days are behind him too.
CM looked threadbare towards the end of last season & cost us big time in the cup semi too. Was hoping for 2 additions there if I am honest (with Sissoko gone).

 

[djee]

Hercs post don't really have the "good fireworks" vibe to me.. I hope the relationship with the manager hasn't been damaged irrespective of out come of the transfer window, which is the feeling I get, as that's the worst case scenario here(not signing no players).

Understand that concern but I would be shocked, utterly shocked in fact, if Poch at the very least was unaware of the tribulations of this window. Fact is that to improve our first 11 would come at some considerable cost.

Of all the signings any PL club has made this window, we may have taken Naby Keita (done last year for huge money - and would have been far more this year had they not agreed in January), perhaps Fabinho although still a huge gamble and not as impressive as Bakayoko when I watched them at Monaco, Jorginho (that even City missed out on) and perhaps Seri - although so many big sides have elected not to sign him for a few years. Mahrez that probably would not start in our side (although a wonderful option). I also like the CB that West Ham bought.

Whilst an argument could be made for Maddison I am not sure he is any better than what we have and is pure potential. The lads Arsenal bought have been good for them but none would get into our side. Utd have bought Fred that is a gamble and a decent full back.

I guess the point is there is little value out there and the clubs who are spending lots are desperate and paying well over the odds just to either stay up or aim for a Europa spot.

 

[EQP]

Same thing applies, though - we don't worry about it during an international break (2 weeks)?

Not the same though, during the International break, those selected for their respective countries train and those left behind still have to follow intense training schedules to maintain peak fitness/sharpness. The WC players will be fit but will still have to catch up sharpness wise and get back on the same page with each other.

 

[SpursSince1980]

And therein lies the rub. Wanyama has looked ropey ever since the knee injury, and if it's as bad as last time, we can forget about him until after Christmas. Winks has been similarly unlucky and there's obviously ongoing issues there. And Dembele's inability to play frequently is well known.

Our midfield is currently gutted, and I really hope we get a signing or two there. It's by far our weakest area.

Agree with you 1000%. At the start of the window all I wanted was for us to bring in two very good CMs. Anything else was either icing on the cake or replacements for players leaving (eg: Toby or Rose or Lamela). Didn’t care about anything else. As it was sooooooo clear last season that our most inconsistent area was in midfield. Bring in the likes of Modric type midfielder and another like Ndembele, and we would have more balance, drive and creativity in the middle of the park.

 

[djee]

Understand that concern but I would be shocked, utterly shocked in fact, if Poch at the very least was unaware of the tribulations of this window. Fact is that to improve our first 11 would come at some considerable cost.

Of all the signings any PL club has made this window, we may have taken Naby Keita (done last year for huge money - and would have been far more this year had they not agreed in January), perhaps Fabinho although still a huge gamble and not as impressive as Bakayoko when I watched them at Monaco, Jorginho (that even City missed out on) and perhaps Seri - although so many big sides have elected not to sign him for a few years. Mahrez that probably would not start in our side (although a wonderful option). I also like the CB that West Ham bought.

Whilst an argument could be made for Maddison I am not sure he is any better than what we have and is pure potential. The lads Arsenal bought have been good for them but none would get into our side. Utd have bought Fred that is a gamble and a decent full back.

I guess the point is there is little value out there and the clubs who are spending lots are desperate and paying well over the odds just to either stay up or aim for a Europa spot.

Agree with you 1000%. At the start of the window all I wanted was for us to bring in two very good CMs. Anything else was either icing on the cake or replacements for players leaving (eg: Toby or Rose or Lamela). Didn’t care about anything else. As it was sooooooo clear last season that our most inconsistent area was in midfield. Bring in the likes of Modric type midfielder and another like Ndembele, and we would have more balance, drive and creativity in the middle of the park.

Not that easy bringing in a Modric type - he is a one off and if he existed, other clubs would be all over it and would cost a fortune! N'Dombele would be a huge gamble and is hardly proven. Clubs now quoting in excess for any player who has started more than 10 league games and not even internationals yet is nuts. That isn't to say it is impossible to find value or even pay the market rate but you have to be pretty darn sure before parting with big, big money. Getting one very good CM let alone 2 would have been a tall order a few months ago and perhaps almost impossible now.

 

[Johnny J]

Not that easy bringing in a Modric type - he is a one off and if he existed, other clubs would be all over it and would cost a fortune! N'Dombele would be a huge gamble and is hardly proven. Clubs now quoting in excess for any player who has started more than 10 league games and not even internationals yet is nuts. That isn't to say it is impossible to find value or even pay the market rate but you have to be pretty darn sure before parting with big, big money. Getting one very good CM let alone 2 would have been a tall order a few months ago and perhaps almost impossible now.

Honestly, I think even a decent CM who can pass the ball forward quickly would improve us. Winks is far from the finished article, and he is a tidy player, but IMHO (!) he looks likes a breath of fresh air in our midfield partly because everyone else we have there slows things right the fuck down and plays it safe.

 

[ATLguy]

TW has Poch like...

 

[voxy28]

Poch got Levy’ed...... ?

 

[djee]

Honestly, I think even a decent CM who can pass the ball forward quickly would improve us. Winks is far from the finished article, and he is a tidy player, but IMHO (!) he looks likes a breath of fresh air in our midfield partly because everyone else we have there slows things right the fuck down and plays it safe.

I think we need more than a decent CM. Also, I would definitely re-watch some clips of Winks from last season - in particular, Madrid home and away. It certainly reminded me why we were so excited by him...he is more than a tidy player and has all the makings of a top midfielder. Unfortunate with that injury that blighted his campaign, I truly hope he can progress and meet his potential.

 

[LamelasLeftBoot]

Same thing applies, though - we don't worry about it during an international break (2 weeks)?

I think it's less down to the break and more down to the amount of football they have been playing without a true break. I can imagine mentally you become fatigued/burnt out and aren't as sharp until you recuperate from that. Players like Kane have essentially played non stop at the highest level from August 18 until mid July this year.

 

[sausage]

I think it's less down to the break and more down to the amount of football they have been playing without a true break. I can imagine mentally you become fatigued/burnt out and aren't as sharp until you recuperate from that. Players like Kane have essentially played non stop at the highest level from August 18 until mid July this year.

Surely it follows that the 3 week break is better for him/them than training then?

No doubt he'll be doing the same as Toby and training privately anyway. I doubt many passionate athletes can go 3 weeks without exercise as a hobby.

 

[LamelasLeftBoot]

Surely it follows that the 3 week break is better for him/them than training then?

No doubt he'll be doing the same as Toby and training privately anyway. I doubt many passionate athletes can go 3 weeks without exercise as a hobby.

That's a good point, but I don't think you would be up to match sharpness mentally straight after the break. It's almost as if you have to come down to then be able to go higher than you were, at least it is for me anyway.

Anyway I think we've went on a bit of a tangent which is my fault. So getting back on topic herc's latest makes it sound like it's time to shit or get off the pot in terms of keeping poch happy, and that hopefully we shall get some business done before the transfer window shuts.

 

[sausage]

That's a good point, but I don't think you would be up to match sharpness mentally straight after the break. It's almost as if you have to come down to then be able to go higher than you were, at least it is for me anyway.

Anyway I think we've went on a bit of a tangent which is my fault. So getting back on topic herc's latest makes it sound like it's time to shit or get off the pot in terms of keeping poch happy, and that hopefully we shall get some business done before the transfer window shuts.

Well, with a glass half full approach, it at least sounds like we might have an exciting TDD

 

[archiewasking]

If Poch wants Toby gone, that's also backing him.

 

[RichieS]

If Poch wants Toby gone, that's also backing him.

Rather brave as well.

 

[djee]

If Poch wants Toby gone, that's also backing him.

This will probably be a hugely underrated post and lost in the hysteria. So, so true.

 

[Lighty64]

Great - I didn’t realise they’d all be back and fully fit in time for the start of the season.

they have had a slightly more intense pre-season than most, and have just had a quick 3 week break, I doubt most of those due to return on Monday have been sitting on their arses for the whole 3 weeks, and I'm sure most will be in good shape come next Saturday

 

[coy-spurs1882]

If it helps, this little team also lost to Girona just before the season started last year....

View attachment 39850

http://www.skysports.com/football/girona-vs-man-city/teams/383943



I think they recovered OK.

so we are going to win the leagueeeeee!!!!