PLAYER WATCH: Benjamin Stambouli

[mpickard2087]

I don't think he is a midfield anchor, based on what I have seen so far. Seems more aggressive and goes hunting the ball down in order to win it back, rather than sitting in front of the back four and reading the game/positioning himself well to snuff out attacks.

 

[Vincent30]

But people seem to be missing the point. Stambouli isn't in the CM position to make 40 - 50 yard defensive runs after quick wingers etc. He is there to mainly intercept, break up play and distribute the ball quickly and efficiently, we even saw that he is technical very good with some of his movement around the box and quick passing / eye for a killer pass.

He's definitely not the fastest in 100m, but he is quick in the mind at reading the play and getting into the face of opponents over 10 yards, Davies was caught far too high up the pitch when we kept giving the ball away cheaply so he was exposed. This for me is a minority of his game and he should definitely get a chance to start with Mason the PL today.

He adds far more bite than Capoue, has much better positional awarenes, watch Capoue closely he spends a lot of the game out wide near the full backs and not in the centre, so when we lose possession there is a huge gaping hole, it's shocking.

But the best characteristic of Stambouli is him telling the other players to press and get the ball forward, very vocal i noticed this mid week. Doesn't shy away from giving someone a few words.

 

[Lenten]

Stambo was excellent today. He can win possession of the ball and retain/recycle it - good control and awareness and does not pass stupidly. For the deeper CM that is basically 90% of the job.

 

[prawnsandwich]

Capoue was cramping his style v Burnley and when Dembele went off he improved today.
Good tackler, confident, skilful-passes the ball FORWARD and ...didn't get booked today!!

 

[longtimespur]

Capoue was cramping his style v Burnley and when Dembele went off he improved today.
Good tackler, confident, skillful-passes the ball FORWARD and ...didn't get booked today!!

Think he is getting used to the pace and intensity of the PL now.

 

[Marty]

I don't think he is a midfield anchor, based on what I have seen so far. Seems more aggressive and goes hunting the ball down in order to win it back, rather than sitting in front of the back four and reading the game/positioning himself well to snuff out attacks.

Palacios-esque in that manner. Only far better on the ball obviously.

 

[fuzzylogic]

Palacios-esque in that manner. Only far better on the ball obviously.

Speaking of him, what a fantastic debut against arsenal he had! Looked like we had made a fantastic signing

 

[Marty]

Speaking of him, what a fantastic debut against arsenal he had! Looked like we had made a fantastic signing

He was, at the time, exactly what we needed. We would never have finished 4th in 09/10 without him. Shame he peaked during those first two seasons with us and never kicked on to another level, injuries played their part of course.

Stambouli definitely reminds me of a better on the ball version of Palacios.

 

[Blake Griffin]

haven't seen today's game yet but good to hear he played well. up to now he hasn't really shown anything that veljkovic isn't capable of.

 

[iluvsteffenfreund]

Are the chaps that wrote him off last week at palace still saying he's not good enough ? He's our most combative midfielder and he can play too. Brilliant today, again the two central midfielders ran the game

 

[fuzzylogic]

Totally

He was, at the time, exactly what we needed. We would never have finished 4th in 09/10 without him. Shame he peaked during those first two seasons with us and never kicked on to another level, injuries played their part of course.

Stambouli definitely reminds me of a better on the ball version of Palacios.

Totally agree with that. He was never the same player after his brother died. That game against arsenal was unreal, sticks in my mind as he was unreal. Worked his ass off and tackled like a demon. Played that game like a fan would if he could. Well that's my memory of it!

 

[eViL]

Showed a lot of heart and tenacity today.

Still the odd wayward pass in there but he's definitely getting up to speed and absolutely bossed Sunderland today.

Still pretty young, I think he'll be around for a lot longer than people are expecting.

 

[We'llWinThePrem]

Good to hear he played well today. Could only catch bits of the game today.

 

[prawnsandwich]

Stam was a great buy. Dembele and Capoue can leave and tiny impact on the squad. Plus the Livermore money.

 

[Twizzle]

Benefited from having two games in a row instead of just sitting on the bench.

No doubt has some talent and showed he can fit in but probably needs a bit more football to continue to improve

Respect.

 

[mark87]

Was worried that the pace of the pl was gonna be a bit too much for him as he doesn't have much pace himself but if he's able to use his football brain around the pitch then with his desire and genuine football skill he could be an astute signing for us.

 

[Khilari]

His close control to retain possession was again brilliant. Manages on a number of occasions to win back possession, then despite having 2-3 on him can keep it and get it out to one of our own

Awesome beginnings, hope to watch him continue to improve

 

[Nebby]

Was excellent today. Broke up so much in midfield and always made himself available.

 

[Larryjanta]

Best performance in a white shirt today. Broke everything up and moved the ball quickly. Him, Mason and Bentaleb all seem like Poch players to me. Agree with above poster about Capoue and Dembele being available. Doubt we can get one, let alone both out before the end of Jan but don't expect either to be Spurs players in September

 

[Blackcanary]

I think we're finally starting to see the payoff for whatever training he's been doing behind the scenes - played 90 minutes twice this week, still looked fresh as a daisy. A far cry from from the start of the season when he used to drop off heavily after around 60 minutes. that means that he's up to pace with the games so he's composed and anticipating play well, rather than chasing it, diving in and doing silly things. Very promising for his future with us.