On the playing side what is it that we’re missing the most?

[dontcallme]

We are constantly failing to see out games.

Sometimes you feel we could go for it and get that goal to go 2 up but we sit back.

But then we’re not good enough defensively to see out games.

On the playing side what is it we’re missing the most?

Do we need an experienced centre bank to command the line, a defensive midfielder to protect the defence and allow Hojbjerg and Ndombele the freedom to get forward more or another quality attacker to join Kane and Son to make us the most clinical team in the league?

Please note there are plenty of Jose threads. It’s probably unrealistic but let’s try and keep the manager out of this thread.

 

[agrdavidsfan]

A Centre half like Nemanja Vidic & a right back

would also argue we need an Ndidi or Tielemans or just an out and out destroyer

 

[cider spurs]

Let's build from the back. Thus hopefully allowing the attacking element to focus a bit more on attacking as opposed to constantly having to drop deeper and track back as a result of our current inability to form a solid backline unit.

 

[wadewill]

RB, 2x CB, CM, RF at a minimum

 

[synththfc]

A gameplan in attack and a counter-press for when we lose the ball. That's what we're missing.

 

[journeyman]

A leader in defence.

 

[SE Spurs]

Players that have an absolute will to win, along with footballing nous and defensive talent.

 

[TheTanguy]

A great defender and leader like prime John Terry would make all the difference.

 

[fortworthspur]

Someone to sit next to and slightly forward of Hojbjerg. Ndombele, for all his talent, isnt really doing it.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

A two footed midfielder who doesn't appear to be running in treacle would be a bonus.

 

[danielneeds]

A cohesively coached playing style that let’s us progress and control the ball.

People go on about the defenders, and yes, better ones would help, but even with Dias and Van Dijk we’d struggle because we have no method for controlling the ball under Jose.

 

[fortworthspur]

A two footed midfielder who doesn't appear to be running in treacle would be a bonus.

Dembele 2.0, basically.

 

[fortworthspur]

A cohesively coached playing style that let’s us progress and control the ball.

People go on about the defenders, and yes, better ones would help, but even with Dias and Van Dijk we’d struggle because we have no method for controlling the ball under Jose.

Ive made this point twice already - we gave up 22 shots. Thats not on the back four for the most part.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

Dembele 2.0, basically.

That would be a decent start

 

[Gbspurs]

The way I see it we are missing 3 key areas (listed in order of importance)

1. CB - we need a true leader here. Someone who can organise us on the pitch and stop us looking like a circus without a ringmaster. Our defenders are not "awful" but there is only so much coaching that can be done, they need someone who can help on the pitch. I know it's said alot but VVD is proof of the importance when you look how good the likes of Joe Gomez and Matip looked with him compared to without him. He even got a tune out of Lovren!

2. CM. We need someone with a high workrate who can keep the ball moving and relieve the pressure on our defence. The ball constantly bypasses our midfield and noone is really taking control in there. I think this is an Ndidi or Kante type we need alongside Hojbjerg.

3. RB. Aurier is ok at best, the rest aren't good enough week in week out. This position was key under Poch and the poor recruitment here is seeing us suffer badly. The defence need an out ball and the attack need supply from the right side.

I'm relatively confident if we trimmed the fat and properly invested in these positions along we would be in good shape but easier said than done with the mess we are in. I'll caveat this by saying that I don't think this rebuild should be done under Mourinho.

 

[Jamturk]

As soon as we sold Walker it started to crumble.

 

[mil1lion]

100% a centre back. We're a long way from prime Jan and Toby. We need a top centre back to calm things down back there. When we won the league cup the last time we had King and Woodgate. Now I dread whatever combination we play in the final. Just look at the difference in Liverpool with Van Dijk out as an example. Nobody takes charge at the back for us and that includes the keeper. All we have are players looking around asking questions of each other. Look at the difference Hojbjerg has made in midfield, get the centre back equivalent of him and it makes a world of difference.

 

[Flobadob]

Prime Walker, Rose, Dembele and Wanyama. That’s what we are missing. Players that dominate their area of the field

 

[Deleted member 29446]

Eriksen.


Ofc.

 

[Tonio]

A Van Dijk and a Patrick Viera or Roy Keane.