Player Watch: Dele Alli

[rightwayup]

Think he would benefit from watching videos of Gazza at his best. Everyone raved about Gazza's amazing bits of skill but not so many noticed the simple things he did so well that meant the team moved so fluidly.

 

[heelspurs]

Seriously?

Yes, Trix. I am not WUMing nor do I believe what I said to be very controversial. It may be controversial because people's emotional attachment to some players prevents their objective assessment (think Lamella-gate). Dele has technical deficiencies that severely hamper our game. He does have moments of brilliance that do win us games. But perhaps we wouldn't need those moments if we had a better footballer (basic technical ability) in his position for the 70 or 80 minutes prior to that moment of brilliance.

Dele's reading of space is very good. His timing on decisive runs is exceptional. His ability at the end of those runs is what is in question. When it is a touch into goal it tends to be great but when more than a 1 touch finish is needed it tends to break down. There was a moment yesterday (like many of the last 2+ years) where Toby played a long diagonal ball to him at the left corner of the box. This was toward the end of the game and we needed something badly. He tried to control with the outside of his right boot similar to the embarrassing karate kick at Goodison where he took fresh air. He first touch went 15 yards for a goal kick and the move was over.

After seeing him the first year I felt the worst thing for us and his development was him actually 'saving our bacon' in games. When he needed to develop and watch, we needed him on the field. Now he is a starter for club and country with so many technical deficiencies that are unlikely to develop.

 

[heelspurs]

There is a reason for that.

Not everyone has access to the same quality of LSD that you pair seem to be able to get your hands on.

That's unfair and it shuts down debate. I put my points out there in a rational manner and backed them up. I think it when someone does this it is deserving of more than insults. Just because you do not agree does not mean you should resort to ridicule. That may win you favor with those that agree with you but it does you and the posters you attack a disservice.

 

[spurs mental]

One??? His overall game has been shit since he came. There is nothing special about him. Son for example is ten classes above him.

The clumsiest player in a number ten-position in the whole league.

Football clearly isn't for you.

 

[dontcallme]

That's unfair and it shuts down debate. I put my points out there in a rational manner and backed them up. I think it when someone does this it is deserving of more than insults. Just because you do not agree does not mean you should resort to ridicule. That may win you favor with those that agree with you but it does you and the posters you attack a disservice.

It's a strange one. In principle I agree with you.

But if someone gives a view that you find ridiculous it is hard not to make fun. I had a chat with a guy at work convinced Everton will finish top four, Mcgregor would beat Mayweather and Liverpool are favourites for the league. It is difficult not to mock him.

One poster has said there is nothing special about Alli. In his first two seasons as a Prem player Alli has hit double figures both seasons.

In one of your previous posts I have responded to above you exaggerated massively and this takes away from what you are trying to say.

Alli does have some basics to work on such as control, decision making, playing it simple etc.

But your posts seem to suggest he scores the odd goal but offers nothing else. He gets a lot of assists and his work rate off the ball is excellent.

If you present your view in a more balanced way you'll get a more positive response.

There's a reason people mock the Sun, Talksport and Liverpool fans.

 

[Thewobbler]

The problem we have is when dele and eriksen are having an off day we have no one to come in in place of them and offer the same quality.

We spent so long chasing barkley that we didnt really have a plan b which we clearly needed. Not signing an AM this window was a huge mistake. I said in another thread that poch is great at signing defensive players but his forward buys are not so great.

 

[tiger666]

The problem we have is when dele and eriksen are having an off day we have no one to come in in place of them and offer the same quality.

We spent so long chasing barkley that we didnt really have a plan b which we clearly needed. Not signing an AM this window was a huge mistake. I said in another thread that poch is great at signing defensive players but his forward buys are not so great.

Should we sign an AM if Barkley is coming in Jan?

 

[heelspurs]

What? He controlled the ball a number of times, gave the Swansea midfield a bit of trouble and that's reflected in the 5 or 6 free kicks in dangerous positions that he won.

Not sure why he's become the scape goat all of a sudden when he really was no worse than anyone else out there. But this site has always been weirdly prejudiced against Dele.

Dele is not my scapegoat at all. I do support him but I also would like to see him improve on the rudimentary footballing skills. But I do acknowledge that he does have other less tangible skills that are world class. It is just that in times where we are not purring as a team as deep as Swansea we cannot benefit from those WC skills and worse his deficiencies hinder us.

 

[Gb160]

Feel free to attack my "stupid" points. If they are in fact stupid and based on nothing then presumably they would be easily debunked.

You posted this "he cannot properly kick a f*cking ball, cannot control a f*cking ball"
It's just stupid nonsense, plain and simple, and you deserve to be mocked for posting it.
It's not even a case of opinion, it's factually incorrect, and you're being called out for it.

 

[Thewobbler]

Should we sign an AM if Barkley is coming in Jan?

Dele and erisken know they don't really have any competition for their place. Would have been good knowing we have a guy on the bench if things are not working out like yesterday.

Is barkley official for january is he?

 

[heelspurs]

It's a strange one. In principle I agree with you.

But if someone gives a view that you find ridiculous it is hard not to make fun. I had a chat with a guy at work convinced Everton will finish top four, Mcgregor would beat Mayweather and Liverpool are favourites for the league. It is difficult not to mock him.

One poster has said there is nothing special about Alli. In his first two seasons as a Prem player Alli has hit double figures both seasons.

In one of your previous posts I have responded to above you exaggerated massively and this takes away from what you are trying to say.

Alli does have some basics to work on such as control, decision making, playing it simple etc.

But your posts seem to suggest he scores the odd goal but offers nothing else. He gets a lot of assists and his work rate off the ball is excellent.

If you present your view in a more balanced way you'll get a more positive response.

There's a reason people mock the Sun, Talksport and Liverpool fans.

Yes, that 3rd paragraph you called an exaggeration was my point about Dele being slow to control a ball at the 'D', in the heart of a defense. It took him 4 touches to do it. There is video evidence so I don't really understand why you felt it was exaggeration thereby detracting from my other points. Do you think a team gives 4 touches at the 'D'? Genuinely asking what it was that was exaggerated.

 

[dontcallme]

Yes, that 3rd paragraph you called an exaggeration was my point about Dele being slow to control a ball at the 'D', in the heart of a defense. It took him 4 touches to do it. There is video evidence so I don't really understand why you felt it was exaggeration thereby detracting from my other points. Do you think a team gives 4 touches at the 'D'? Genuinely asking what it was that was exaggerated.

Can't recall the exact moment you are talking about but I have seen Alli control a ball beautifully on numerous occasions. The fact you write so much about one miscontrol is the exaggeration.

If I posted a clip of Kane missing a couple of chances stating he can't finish would that be a fair representation?

 

[heelspurs]

You posted this "he cannot properly kick a f*cking ball, cannot control a f*cking ball"
It's just stupid nonsense, plain and simple, and you deserve to be mocked for posting it.
It's not even a case of opinion, it's factually incorrect, and you're being called out for it.

There are levels of control and passing. Dele's is not of a high level and it is very inconsistent. I have no problem with being 'mocked' for my opinions as I do not expect all to agree with me.

 

[Trix]

That's unfair and it shuts down debate. I put my points out there in a rational manner and backed them up. I think it when someone does this it is deserving of more than insults. Just because you do not agree does not mean you should resort to ridicule. That may win you favor with those that agree with you but it does you and the posters you attack a disservice.

He's in a below par run of form nothing more than that for me. Even if I hadn't ever seen him play just going on his stats and financial value to both the media and advertisers would tell me you are miles off in your assessment. It's not worth debating the issue tbh because if you can't see his quality and potential then imo we are either watching different players, or you are trolling/being controversial for the sake of it.

Ask yourself what are the chances of you being right and the vast vast majority of the rest of the football watching world being wrong?

 

[Gb160]

There are levels of control and passing. Dele's is not of a high level and it is very inconsistent. I have no problem with being 'mocked' for my opinions as I do not expect all to agree with me.

If you'd posted that then maybe people would enter in the debate with you, although even the bolded bit is not accurate imo.
But you trotted out hyperbolic nonsense as I quoted, that people understandably have an issue with, hence the mocking.

 

[tiger666]

Dele and erisken know they don't really have any competition for their place. Would have been good knowing we have a guy on the bench if things are not working out like yesterday.

Is barkley official for january is he?

No he isn't official. The point being, maybe we're waiting to see what happens with Barkley.

 

[heelspurs]

He's in a below par run of form nothing more than that for me. Even if I hadn't ever seen him play just going on his stats and financial value to both the media and advertisers would tell me you are miles off in your assessment. It's not worth debating the issue tbh because if you can't see his quality and potential then imo we are either watching different players, or you are trolling/being controversial for the sake of it.

Ask yourself what are the chances of you being right and the vast vast majority of the rest of the football watching world being wrong?

Fair enough. I can get behind this. Fingers crossed for that form to change soon.

I do see his quality and potential but I don't feel that should stop us from seeing his deficiencies and limitations. And I would not find any joy in trolling/being controversial and therefore do not participate in such trivialities. My takes were my honest opinions.

I am not alone in believing Dele is over-hyped, not even on this board. Some may not wish to suffer the opprobrium that would surely come their way should they raise their head above the parapet but I am not alone in my opinion.

 

[jonathanhotspur]

I am not alone in believing Dele is over-hyped, not even on this board. Some may not wish to suffer the opprobrium that would surely come their way should they raise their head above the parapet but I am not alone in my opinion.

 

[Mediocrates]

Feel free to attack my "stupid" points. If they are in fact stupid and based on nothing then presumably they would be easily debunked.

You can't disprove an opinion. Just so happens yours is rubbish.

 

[danielneeds]

Christ - he's a little out of form, yet he's still scored 2 goals from 5 games this season.

Yesterday the problem wasn't individuals, it was that Swansea blocked up the centre of the pitch and invited us wide, and we had none until Aurier came on.