Player Watch Player Watch: Ben Davies

[Bluto Blutarsky]

For me - Davies a great squad option as a LCB - in a back 3.

But, he lacks the size and strength you would want as a LCB in a back-4, and he lacks the pace of a LB in a high-line back-4.

I realize we have limited options - and can't simply sell everyone. But, I would be looking at offers for him.

 

[Goobers]

I really like Ben. Comfortable at left back in a back four, good passer, and can play centre back in a three if and when. I am not sure why we would consider releasing him even if he doesn't start for us when players of his ilk are at such a premium in the football work at the moment. Not one to be shipped out this summer when we need to cull about 11 ahead of him.

 

[Impspur1]

One of those if he went I’d be ok with it and if he left I’d be ok with it

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

One of those if he went I’d be ok with it and if he left I’d be ok with it

Interesting….

 

[Impspur1]

Interesting….

I used to be decisive

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I used to be decisive

Reread your post - you seem to be OK if he leaves, and OK if he went…sounds decisive

 

[dtxspurs]

I really like Ben. Comfortable at left back in a back four, good passer, and can play centre back in a three if and when. I am not sure why we would consider releasing him even if he doesn't start for us when players of his ilk are at such a premium in the football work at the moment. Not one to be shipped out this summer when we need to cull about 11 ahead of him.

See I don’t agree with this at all. I think he’s pretty poor at LB and his passing and offense is atrocious for a LB. He’s acceptable as a LCB in a 3 only and as a backup.

Give me Reguilon all day over Davies.

 

[Goobers]

See I don’t agree with this at all. I think he’s pretty poor at LB and his passing and offense is atrocious for a LB. He’s acceptable as a LCB in a 3 only and as a backup.

Give me Reguilon all day over Davies.

Fair enough. I disagree as I think Reguilon is a players that runs fast in straight lines and has limitstions and looks to me like he would need a lot of coaching. I think Davies is much better with the ball at his feet and therefore I think that he would be better under this manager. Obviously that could be laod of steaming horseshit too ....

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Fair enough. I disagree as I think Reguilon is a players that runs fast in straight lines and has limitstions and looks to me like he would need a lot of coaching. I think Davies is much better with the ball at his feet and therefore I think that he would be better under this manager. Obviously that could be laod of steaming horseshit too ....

Based on how Ange sets up? Eg Celtic, Davies is looking very redundant.

RB - Emerson and Spence can and have both played as either right backs or inverted left backs whether it be with Spurs or elsewhere.

RB/WRFWD - Porro is more likely to compete with Kulusevski given that he’s a right winger/wide forward who was converted into a right wing back.

LB - Udogie, Sessegnon and Reguilon. The latter two are injury prone and one or both may leave. They’re all however similar players in terms of decent pace and attack minded. Even if one or two leave, we’ve both Emerson and Spence who can play there.

CB - Romero and targets wise Tapsoba, Tosin, Van de Ven… the targets all share a similar set of skills, quick, tall and strong. Van de Ven is rapid and can also play LB. There’s also the possibility of Lenglet coming back albeit I would suspect as a squad player only. Davies on the other hand plays in a back 3, is pretty short for a defender and runs in treacle. He’s got a good cross on him and is dangerous when going forward but with a high line it’s a recipe for disaster.

If we get the overhaul we want in defence then I don’t see a place for Davies. Especially since something we’ve been crying out for since the year dot is like for like players… get an injury or suspension and a very similar player steps into his shoes. No tactical change or moving other players. The best teams do it and it’s about time we start doing it. This is very possible given the similarities between the defenders we’re being linked with.

 

[Timberwolf]

For me - Davies a great squad option as a LCB - in a back 3.

But, he lacks the size and strength you would want as a LCB in a back-4, and he lacks the pace of a LB in a high-line back-4.

I realize we have limited options - and can't simply sell everyone. But, I would be looking at offers for him.

Thing is he's our only real 'defensive' LB. Udogie will hopefully be first choice but Sess and Reg are both horribly injury prone and also more sellable assets. Davies is a pretty bog-standard LB but he's a reliable, homegrown squad player who doesn't tend to get injured much. Also gives us the option of doing the lop-sided full back thing and playing Spence/Porro on the right.

I'd say flog Regi and Sess, keep Davies as the spare and then buy a better backup LB in a year's time.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Thing is he's our only real 'defensive' LB. Udogie will hopefully be first choice but Sess and Reg are both horribly injury prone and also more sellable assets. Davies is a pretty bog-standard LB but he's a reliable, homegrown squad player who doesn't tend to get injured much. Also gives us the option of doing the lop-sided full back thing and playing Spence/Porro on the right.

I'd say flog Regi and Sess, keep Davies as the spare and then buy a better backup LB in a year's time.

I think people forget that we brought in Reguilon to replace Davies as a LB. Davies has not gotten better, and would be a defensive liability in a high-line back-4 - he did not have the pace a few years ago.

Davies had the right skill set to play in the LCB role in a lower block back-3. Kind of a hybrid between a CB and LB. He would not be ideal as a LB or CB now though - particularly with a high line that I think Postecoglou will employ.

I am not pushing Davies out the door - but he is not a great fit, and if we got a decent offer, we should listen.

 

[Timberwolf]

I think people forget that we brought in Reguilon to replace Davies as a LB. Davies has not gotten better, and would be a defensive liability in a high-line back-4 - he did not have the pace a few years ago.

Davies had the right skill set to play in the LCB role in a lower block back-3. Kind of a hybrid between a CB and LB. He would not be ideal as a LB or CB now though - particularly with a high line that I think Postecoglou will employ.

I am not pushing Davies out the door - but he is not a great fit, and if we got a decent offer, we should listen.

Yeah fair point - I mean if Regi can stay fit I agree that I'd prefer him over Davies. Just feel that Davies is Mr Reliable whereas the other options are quite flaky.

Will be interesting to see who Ange opts for at LB in pre-season. Think the full-backs in general are the biggest question marks right now. I'd predict our first choice 2 will be Royal and Udogie but also wouldn't be remotely surprised if Ange settled on something completely different.

 

[Goobers]

Based on how Ange sets up? Eg Celtic, Davies is looking very redundant.

RB - Emerson and Spence can and have both played as either right backs or inverted left backs whether it be with Spurs or elsewhere.

RB/WRFWD - Porro is more likely to compete with Kulusevski given that he’s a right winger/wide forward who was converted into a right wing back.

LB - Udogie, Sessegnon and Reguilon. The latter two are injury prone and one or both may leave. They’re all however similar players in terms of decent pace and attack minded. Even if one or two leave, we’ve both Emerson and Spence who can play there.

CB - Romero and targets wise Tapsoba, Tosin, Van de Ven… the targets all share a similar set of skills, quick, tall and strong. Van de Ven is rapid and can also play LB. There’s also the possibility of Lenglet coming back albeit I would suspect as a squad player only. Davies on the other hand plays in a back 3, is pretty short for a defender and runs in treacle. He’s got a good cross on him and is dangerous when going forward but with a high line it’s a recipe for disaster.

If we get the overhaul we want in defence then I don’t see a place for Davies. Especially since something we’ve been crying out for since the year dot is like for like players… get an injury or suspension and a very similar player steps into his shoes. No tactical change or moving other players. The best teams do it and it’s about time we start doing it. This is very possible given the similarities between the defenders we’re being linked with.

Really ? I don't see It liek that at all. I actually question how Destiny will fit in too. Interesting points though a

 

[Dave1882]

I''d have no issue at all with him being kept as a squad player. Most of the season he was OK.

Respectfully disagree. He was found lacking in some games. He’s a top pro, but doesn’t have pace or physical attributes to be a top end full back or centre back. Need to be ruthless in the rebuild and move him on. Accepting Davies is accepting mediocracy

 

[E17yid]

Lifetime contract and testimonial at the end of the season. Still the best LB we have. Udogie is unknown so could go either way. When Davies is ready to retire in his mid 60s we can look at options then.

 

[spursville]

Doesn't he have just one year left on his contract? Can't we just pay him off and get rid?

 

[spursville]

Doesn't he have just one year left on his contract? Can't we just pay him off and get rid?

Oh OK - how long does he have left on his contract?

 

[carmeldevil]

Oh OK - how long does he have left on his contract?

Contract expires: Jun 30, 2025

 

[The Apprentice]

Really ? I don't see It liek that at all. I actually question how Destiny will fit in too. Interesting points though a

Destiny will fit in like he did on Saturday, when he was absolute mustard.

 

[E17yid]

Oh OK - how long does he have left on his contract?

Bens contract ends when he says.