Player Watch: Dele Alli

[Lilbaz]

I think Poch will play him on the right in place of Lamela

I can see that as well. Although yesterday they looked a lot more fluid. With Dembele and Lamela swaping wings and Alli popping up on the left.

 

[Mr Pink]

What a mature player he looks for his age. First thing I noticed was he knows when to release the ball and when to hang on to it for a bit longer.

I know he's a different type of player to Andros, but my god AT could do with watching this kid and learning from him.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I can see that as well. Although yesterday they looked a lot more fluid. With Dembele and Lamela swaping wings and Alli popping up on the left.

I'd like to see more fluidity in that attacking three generally. If our full backs can offer width then there's no reason for any of them to hug the touchline or stick rigidly to one side of the pitch.

Either way it sounds like Alli is, as I suspected, more suited for that attacking role than being part of a midfield 2. Will be interesting to see if he gets a start against United.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

I don't know about midfield 2s or attacking midfield 3s, all I know is that this boy wants to take responsibility for using the ball and driving us forward. Mason is the only other midfielder who I trust to do this. Bentaleb is safety first, stats first type, Dembele and Lamela offer so much style but so little product, and both Chadli and Eriksen can be amazing but too often go hiding. Alli is raw but, like Mason, like Kane, having him on the pitch will inject some much needed forward thinking and balls into our play.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I don't know about midfield 2s or attacking midfield 3s, all I know is that this boy wants to take responsibility for using the ball and driving us forward. Mason is the only other midfielder who I trust to do this. Bentaleb is safety first, stats first type, Dembele and Lamela offer so much style but so little product, and both Chadli and Eriksen can be amazing but too often go hiding. Alli is raw but, like Mason, like Kane, having him on the pitch will inject some much needed forward thinking and balls into our play.

I think Bentaleb has that in his locker if he's given the right player to play alongside.

I must miss a lot of what people see in Mason because I rarely see him driving us forwards, although there's no doubt he's got energy.

Really hope that Alli can give us some of that drive though. As you say it's something we've been sorely lacking for a while.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

I think Bentaleb has that in his locker if he's given the right player to play alongside.

I must miss a lot of what people see in Mason because I rarely see him driving us forwards, although there's no doubt he's got energy.

Really hope that Alli can give us some of that drive though. As you say it's something we've been sorely lacking for a while.

I guess your view of Mason is similar to my view on Bebtaleb. In Mason I see a guy who always looks for the forward option and regularly breaks beyond the attack himself, and someone who looks for a runner in the channels constantly. In Bentaleb I see someone who passes the ball to the centre backs constantly and who points a lot when other people have the ball.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I guess your view of Mason is similar to my view on Bebtaleb. In Mason I see a guy who always looks for the forward option and regularly breaks beyond the attack himself, and someone who looks for a runner in the channels constantly. In Bentaleb I see someone who passes the ball to the centre backs constantly and who points a lot when other people have the ball.

Definitely don't agree about Bentaleb...but I'll forgive you for that

As for Mason I agree about him getting beyond the attackers and if we played a formation where that was required then fair enough. I actually think he'd be much better off in a midfield 3, or playing as one of the attacking 3 behind Kane, but I just don't think he's suited to a midfield 2 at all.

 

[biscuitbeck]

Seriously excited about the potential of this kid. With the guidance of Pochettino he could go so far. A centre midfield partnership of Bentaleb and Alli for years to come...

 

[Dharmabum]

The boy looks seriously like a good signing.

Makes you wonder how many other good youngsters there are at lower division clubs not being given a chance in the premier league because teams keep on looking abroad.

Believe me, there are few, if any, with the talent of Alli right now...

 

[Dharmabum]

Definitely don't agree about Bentaleb...but I'll forgive you for that

As for Mason I agree about him getting beyond the attackers and if we played a formation where that was required then fair enough. I actually think he'd be much better off in a midfield 3, or playing as one of the attacking 3 behind Kane, but I just don't think he's suited to a midfield 2 at all.

Poch never plays with 3 MF anyway. Whatever the little difference in the formation he emplys, Poch always use 3 CMF.

 

[Dharmabum]

Why do people keep saying he's big for his age? He's not a kid anymore: at 19 most (not saying all) people have reached their set height. And his height happens to be 188 cm, which is big for most CMF.

 

[Blake Griffin]

Why do people keep saying he's big for his age? He's not a kid anymore: at 19 most (not saying all) people have reached their set height. And his height happens to be 188 cm, which is big for most CMF.

they probably mean big as in his build.

 

[Dharmabum]

they probably mean big as in his build.

Some said "big for his age"....

 

[yankspurs]

I love this kid already. He has so much to him already and has a ton of potential. Future's bright with him and he chose the right place to develop his game further.

Really pleasantly surprised at how good he is already. Very composed. We were wondering if he'll get aton of time in the league before. He definitely will. No doubt in my mind. Might even start at Old Tratford on Saturday.

 

[idontgetit]

I'd like to see more fluidity in that attacking three generally. If our full backs can offer width then there's no reason for any of them to hug the touchline or stick rigidly to one side of the pitch.

Either way it sounds like Alli is, as I suspected, more suited for that attacking role than being part of a midfield 2. Will be interesting to see if he gets a start against United.

Why's he more suited to be a CAM than a CM? Seems more than happy to pop up deep and get the play started and doesn't seem scared to put a foot in either

 

[Shanks]

Why do people keep saying he's big for his age? He's not a kid anymore: at 19 most (not saying all) people have reached their set height. And his height happens to be 188 cm, which is big for most CMF.

Agree, I was 6'7 at 15... Never grew after that!

 

[littlemandefoe]

Agree, I was 6'7 at 15... Never grew after that!

Don't lie, Shanks. Show us a pic of your cock and we'll believe you. Better of DM me first just so I can tell you if the pic is suitable. Send me a few please.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

I haven't grown since I was 14.

I'm only 5'11

 

[Shanks]

Don't lie, Shanks. Show us a pic of your cock and we'll believe you. Better of DM me first just so I can tell you if the pic is suitable. Send me a few please.

Even for you dude, this is a little weird

 

[Gbspurs]

I haven't grown since I was 14.

I'm only 5'11

What's wrong with 5'11? I'm 6ft 3 but I know plenty of blokes who are around 5'8.