Player Watch - Ashley Phillips

[fishhhandaricecake]

Assuming he plays, how Phillips does in these games will give a decent indication of whether Dier will need replacing at the end of the year too (pretty sure we are after a LCB regardless such as Kelly).

I hope he gets his chance.

Dier needs replacing/upgrading next summer that shouldn’t even be up for debate

 

[SambaSpurs]

Surely it depends how good Phillips is rather than just straight up saying no way?

We’re not exactly signing Guehi for £50m to compete with a Kelly for 3rd of 4th choice CB are we. If we can then fantastic but I would be very surprised.

If, and I recognise it’s a big if, Phillips plays games this season and looks completely up to it he would be regarded as one of England’s most promising CB options coming through. I would much rather have him as a backup than do an Arsenal and shop in the Kiwior market.

That said, I have never seen him play and Ange might prefer Emerson or Davies.m, with Phillips not being ready. In that case we would absolutely need a Dier replacement.

All hypotheticals but if you are good enough you are old enough for me. Seems dumb to write that off completely at this stage.

 

[philll]

Training with the first team, not that that should come as much of a surprise.

 

[chas vs dave]

Dier needs replacing/upgrading next summer that shouldn’t even be up for debate

It isn't since he's out of contract in the summer.

 

[DogsOfWar]

Having seen him playing in the u21s, including the EPL games, he won't have an issue playing against men.
And pace and touch shouldn't be an issue.
It's just a question of playing against top class opposition who offer more than your used to.

Hopefully, a few training sessions with the first teamers should help but I would be happy to throw him in from what I've seen.

 

[mil1lion]

Surely it depends how good Phillips is rather than just straight up saying no way?

We’re not exactly signing Guehi for £50m to compete with a Kelly for 3rd of 4th choice CB are we. If we can then fantastic but I would be very surprised.

If, and I recognise it’s a big if, Phillips plays games this season and looks completely up to it he would be regarded as one of England’s most promising CB options coming through. I would much rather have him as a backup than do an Arsenal and shop in the Kiwior market.

That said, I have never seen him play and Ange might prefer Emerson or Davies.m, with Phillips not being ready. In that case we would absolutely need a Dier replacement.

All hypotheticals but if you are good enough you are old enough for me. Seems dumb to write that off completely at this stage.

I think we need 4 centre backs ideally. Dier will be replaced but it's definitely worth seeing how the youngsters do first. January won't be an easy window to sign quality but we have 2 months to determine if we need too. You never know Dorrington might get some minutes and prove to be a good understudy along with Phillips.

 

[Impspur1]

Having seen him playing in the u21s, including the EPL games, he won't have an issue playing against men.
And pace and touch shouldn't be an issue.
It's just a question of playing against top class opposition who offer more than your used to.

Hopefully, a few training sessions with the first teamers should help but I would be happy to throw him in from what I've seen.

Only way to get the experience is to play. We’ve been pretty crap at giving youngsters an opportunity to progress into the first team.

 

[ComfortablyNumb]

Having seen him playing in the u21s, including the EPL games, he won't have an issue playing against men.
And pace and touch shouldn't be an issue.
It's just a question of playing against top class opposition who offer more than your used to.

Hopefully, a few training sessions with the first teamers should help but I would be happy to throw him in from what I've seen.

As much as this will be a sanity check on Philips' abilities, it'll also be a wake up call on Ange's credentials. Is he really a coach who'll give the kids a chance when times are tough, or will he rein it in and go low risk?

 

[DogsOfWar]

As much as this will be a sanity check on Philips' abilities, it'll also be a wake up call on Ange's credentials. Is he really a coach who'll give the kids a chance when times are tough, or will he rein it in and go low risk?

I agree.
I'd argue that playing Davies (or anyone else) and Dier together would negatively affect our system more than sticking in Phillips next to Dier.
Unless he's a complete shambles in training he's our roundest peg for that position.

And after last Monday I've a lot more faith that Ange would be willing to do the right thing than just play safe.

 

[Locotoro]

I agree.
I'd argue that playing Davies (or anyone else) and Dier together would negatively affect our system more than sticking in Phillips next to Dier.
Unless he's a complete shambles in training he's our roundest peg for that position.

And after last Monday I've a lot more faith that Ange would be willing to do the right thing than just play safe.

By the same stretch Ange seems very big on player welfare. I don't see him playing Davies if he's not 100% fit or Phillips unless he's 100% ready for it.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

Dier needs replacing/upgrading next summer that shouldn’t even be up for debate

It wont be, contract up in summer and he’s off

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I'd argue that playing Davies (or anyone else) and Dier together would negatively affect our system more than sticking in Phillips next to Dier.

I’d argue that Ange is best positioned to make that decision.

 

[allpaths]

I’d argue that Ange is best positioned to make that decision.

Yes but we've also watch both of these lads for the past 7-8 seasons and we can infer there strengths and weaknesses, and they dont align with a playing a high line.

Whats the point of a footie forum if we cant talk about the players?

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Yes but we've also watch both of these lads for the past 7-8 seasons and we can infer there strengths and weaknesses, and they dont align with a playing a high line.

Whats the point of a footie forum if we cant talk about the players?

Talk all you want!

I just don't think we, on a footie forum, have the same information as the gaffer in terms of which players are the best fit - right now.

So, I am not going to pre-judge - and even though I tend to agree that neither Dier nor Davies are a great fit for a high line - they both might still be a better fit than Phillips - right now. I don't have enough information to make that call - so if Ange played Dier/Davies - I trust Ange is making the right call. Same as if he plays Phillips.

Either way - I'll be supporting whomever is on the pitch.

 

[dontcallme]

Over 20 years ago I remember we went into a home game vs Liverpool with an injury crisis at centre back and had to throw a couple of youngsters in as we had nobody else.

One of them was Alton Thelwell. He didn’t quite make it at Spurs but had a decent spell with Hull before slipping down the levels. Alongside him was his best mate from the academy - Ledley King. He did alright and then some.

Adversity provides opportunities. Some players thrive, others struggle. Assuming he gets a chance in the coming weeks, I’m quite excited to see how Ashley Phillips gets on.

Just looked up Thelwell on Wiki. Sounds like he had a crazy life:

Personal life[edit]​

Whilst on loan at IFK Hässleholm, Thelwell lived with fellow Spurs loanee Peter Crouch. During this period, Thelwell was in a brief relationship with a woman named Camilla.[21]

 

[Trix]

I think we need 4 centre backs ideally. Dier will be replaced but it's definitely worth seeing how the youngsters do first. January won't be an easy window to sign quality but we have 2 months to determine if we need too. You never know Dorrington might get some minutes and prove to be a good understudy along with Phillips.

I don't think it matters how the youngsters do, we still need a more senior CB to come in who has a decent amount of first team experience. 3 senior Cb's and two youngsters is absolutely fine numbers wise.

 

[superted4]

I don't think it matters how the youngsters do, we still need a more senior CB to come in who has a decent amount of first team experience. 3 senior Cb's and two youngsters is absolutely fine numbers wise.

This. And the 3rd senior CB we should be pushing to displace VDV or Romero, not simply to make the numbers.

 

[DogsOfWar]

I’d argue that Ange is best positioned to make that decision.

There's no arguing that in terms of like-for-like Phillips is more suited to replacing VdV as he's tall, pacy, and comfortable on the ball.
Davies isn't getting taller or quicker anytime soon.

As I said originally, he still has to show he has the intelligence and awareness of the position at the highest level (which should be apparent training against the likes of Son etc this week) to be picked over a senior player and Ange is best positioned for that shout over some middle aged man sat in his pants behind a keyboard.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

I’d argue that Ange is best positioned to make that decision.

If he picks Dier and Davies and plays a high line we get run ragged. Even though Neto is out..
for that reason I think he plays Philips.
Thats my opinion and I’m sticking to it.

 

[spursgirls]

Davies isn't getting taller or quicker anytime soon.

This made me laugh!