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

[Verloc]

Leadership.

One of the things we miss out on due to our current policy in the transfer market. Character is so underrated. We have nobody (except Hojberg) who has BALLS. It's why we're found wanting whenever we need to get over the line, no matter who the manager is. The club's lack of ambition in the transfer market precludes it from getting these types of players, and forget about retaining them. We're a type of way station for up-and-comers and players who can't get into the big clubs. This sad state of affairs results in players who are willing (and allowed, except under Mourinho!) to coast with low expectations. If they do decide to turn it on, they're on the radar of other clubs, and then they play to avoid injuries. Rinse. Repeat. And the "lead by example" theory is a cop-out. A hard, shouty bastard is what is required when the going gets tough. Not Kane's flat affect.

Two-footed players!

We have THREE of the most one-footed players I have ever seen! All lefties! Lamela, Davies and Lo Celso. Having a preferred foot is one thing, but they are absolutely ridiculous!

 

[Mornstar]

Van Dijk turned Liverpool in to a top 6 team to a CL winner, they had Lovren and Matip before that who looked a mess

Dias turned Man City's fortune around single handily this season imo

We need a CB who commands and defends. If we got Dias last summer, I think we would be cruising right now

We're spurs, we don't do cruising....instead we're always just a player or 2 short. When we had peak Klinsmann and Teddy upfront, we had walker in goal. When we had peak modric and King, we had Ryan fraser upfront. When we have kane up front, we play sanchez and Doherty at the back. Ive no doubt if we sign a world class defender over the summer, we'll have vinicius playing as our main striker next season. To dare is to wheel n deal

 

[Nebby]

The defence today didn’t crumble at the first sign of trouble. The trouble kept coming and coming because we have no system for controlling the ball and ergo the match. Unless Kane does something amazing the we lose the ball so cheaply all over the park.

You can’t control the ball when your defence keep giving it away. And both goals were caused by a series of mistakes involving more than one defensive player. None of them can defend properly. They are an utter shambles as a unit prone to panic.

 

[double0]

Mentality. Quality. CB. Leftwing forward.

I blame Jose for the mentality he drummed negativity and diversions with the squad.

The rest is on Levy.. I think his neglected the squad.

 

[VegasII]

Organisation

 

[worcestersauce]

An out ball, when our defence has it and is being pressed the whole thing takes on an ad-hoc look, you're on your own as it seems it's nobody's job to come to take the ball or offer any option. We don't even have the basic wide man near the half way line waiting for a big kick out.
That and a truly creative top class midfielder linking defence to attack, we just don't have that cohesion they're like two separate entities.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

Enjoyment.

 

[sharky127]

A commanding CB, more control in the middle of the park without us giving the ball away so cheaply like we've been doing of late (wayward passing or continually playing it back to Lloris who just lumps it forwards), oh and the Deli Alli of old wouldn't go amiss either as we desperately miss someone playing between the lines who can score and create goals!

 

[wirE]

As mentioned a couple of times here; a commanding CB and a RB that's consistent. We also need a backup for Hojbjerg. He can't be playing 40 games + every season. Imo Kalvin Philips and him maybe together would be a good pairing and Skipp the backup..

 

[Black]

Organisation

 

[ronspurs]

A leader at the back is essential.

 

[Rosco1984]

Firstly a desire to have the ball which means our defence isn't under constant pressure. Secondly better defenders.

 

[spids]

A leader at the back. I also think Højbjerg, after a great first half of the season, has been disappointing the last few months. Several times recently he has lost 50-50s on the edge of our box (by trying to be cute) which has led to goals. We need a defensive leader to supplement Højbjerg who will take us up the pitch.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Sophisticated patterns of play

 

[onthetwo]

Leadership.

One of the things we miss out on due to our current policy in the transfer market. Character is so underrated. We have nobody (except Hojberg) who has BALLS. It's why we're found wanting whenever we need to get over the line, no matter who the manager is. The club's lack of ambition in the transfer market precludes it from getting these types of players, and forget about retaining them. We're a type of way station for up-and-comers and players who can't get into the big clubs. This sad state of affairs results in players who are willing (and allowed, except under Mourinho!) to coast with low expectations. If they do decide to turn it on, they're on the radar of other clubs, and then they play to avoid injuries. Rinse. Repeat. And the "lead by example" theory is a cop-out. A hard, shouty bastard is what is required when the going gets tough. Not Kane's flat affect.

Two-footed players!

We have THREE of the most one-footed players I have ever seen! All lefties! Lamela, Davies and Lo Celso. Having a preferred foot is one thing, but they are absolutely ridiculous!

i was going to say leadership ON AND OFF the pitch...see Sundays post-match interview/public naming and shaming as evidence for how NOT to a) take responsibility for a defeat b) take pressure of young players players c) foster an atmosphere of collective responsibility. Im reasonably sure that JMs post-match interviews will go down in Sports science history/circles as veritable car crashes.

 

[buckley]

Well there is certainly no lack of fear but plenty of lack of confidence .
I watched the teams down the bottom of the league and all are better organised than we are where they fall down is lack of a few top quality players it is their undoing . Newcastle exepted who are as badly organised as we are but that loss brings home the ineptitude of the manager to put out a team with a coherent organised team that knows what his teammates are going to do .
I see a group of men playing like strangers it is so sad yet so avoidable . Yet the Jose blame game carries on and on when you have a manager who sends his team out to not lose the fear in the players is palpable they are scared to make a mistake .

 

[roy@SC]

Character

 

[cider spurs]

3 points.

 

[CoopsieDeadpool]

3 points.

 

[Locotoro]

So if you're looking for a commanding CB who do you go out and get?