Harry Winks - Leicester City

[Shadydan]

Meh first half, much better 2nd. Was playing some probing passes in between players and driving the team forward. Pointless if he's just gonna be a sideways passer, he needs to keep passing the ball forward and take more risks, he's good enough.

 

[coys200]

I think he needs to play in a 3 gets overrun in a 2 imo.

 

[fortworthspur]

he found his passing range in the second half.

 

[allpaths]

needs to be able to reach his 2nd half performance more often. He also needs to switch up his play more often, but very encouraging first step back to form.

 

[SdB]

Needs to be central as he was more in the 2nd half. First half far too much sideways and backwards
Out of all our CMs he's the only one I have faith in to drive us forward effectively and tries to move the ball quickly
Just coming back from injury so I hope he continues to improve given time and played in his best position.

 

[nedley]

It's easy to be concerned after the injury he's had so it will take time.

What won't make it easier is that he's coming back into a pretty inconsistent team that is playing without any real cohesion and fluidity. CM is a bitch of a position to settle back into.

I thought he grew into the game despite not being helped but poor pass selections by others (Deli being one - late in game pass to Winks who was then set upon by 3 Watford players). Teams are obviously targeting him to be closed quickly.

It'll come.

 

[nedley]

I think he needs to play in a 3 gets overrun in a 2 imo.

He can and will play in a 2. The other needs to be on his game though and 100% defensively minded.

 

[coys200]

He can and will play in a 2. The other needs to be on his game though and 100% defensively minded.

Not sure I agree I just don’t think he is offensive minded enough. If you play him in a 2 alongside an out and out DM there’s just not enough creativity there. Although I appreciate what dembele brings, I think over last 5 years a failing has been no assists or goals from CM. I don’t think winks would improve that as the more advanced player. In an ideal world for me you’d play him alongside someone more creative and he would act as a deep laying playmaker like a carrick. But I’d worry if he’s defensive capability is up to it. In theory he’s actually perfect infront of a back 3. Be interesting if he makes next England squad.

 

[Spurrific]

Much better in the second half, does the Scott Parker 360 too much for my liking.

 

[knowlespurs]

young lad who has been injured for ages, it will take him a while to get back to top form, encouraging signs though

 

[Kiedis]

Important step for him to get those 90 minutes under his belt. I was very clear to see that both him and Wanyama were playing somewhat within themselves, especially in the first half, and opted for the safe option. But they're both getting there.

 

[DJS]

Hope he can push on now as he has the ability, he just needs the confidence and match sharpness to show us what he can do.

Also hope Wanyama can recover his best form as they’d be my first choice pairing.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

Winks can look up and see a pass. Dembele never does he’s too intent on going wandering with ball. Dembele is a very good player but we need to move the ball quicker.

 

[Locotoro]

Not sure I agree I just don’t think he is offensive minded enough. If you play him in a 2 alongside an out and out DM there’s just not enough creativity there. Although I appreciate what dembele brings, I think over last 5 years a failing has been no assists or goals from CM. I don’t think winks would improve that as the more advanced player. In an ideal world for me you’d play him alongside someone more creative and he would act as a deep laying playmaker like a carrick. But I’d worry if he’s defensive capability is up to it. In theory he’s actually perfect infront of a back 3. Be interesting if he makes next England squad.

It isnt necessary to get assists from CM in order for them to be considered creative and in fact that isnt the job of a playmaker. A playmakers main task is to dictate the tempo and direction of the teams attack and defence of the ball through passing and movement, he will push the team on through more direct passing or slow the game down through more sideways passes (as fans so often complain about). We had Modric playing CM for a few years with not many assists at all but his job was to set up the play or get others into good positions to create chances (Eg. the pass from Winks to Dembele who created the assist for Lamela).

Winks has something that none of our other CMs has right now and that is the inclination to make the early forward pass. Dier, Dembele, Wanyama will all sit on a ball and play a safe option before thinking to play it forward for a potential counter attack whereas Winks, when collecting the ball on his defensive "D" often looks for a more direct option in space and tries to get up in support.

On another note, i suspect his performance in the first half was limited because he was playing on the right of the AM 3 rather than in the CM pairing. At some point in the game (possibly halftime ) he switched with Sissoko and moved into the middle allowing him to dictate the game.

 

[topper]

Definitely play him against. Barca - it’s the sort of game that suits his style and I’ll think he’ll thrive on the big occasion

 

[DCSPUR]

So 3 good games against Madrid and Juve I think and it was decent and overhyped shouldn't be judged on that. a poor game against League 1 opposition, I'm pretty sure a lot of others did too, and it's enough evidence to say he's not good enough.

I think Winks highest potentiialy is a regular or good players for a Top 6 club which is a good achievement and if gets to that level we will have done well.

disagree with that....his potential is to play a starring role against the very best sides in the world...as he has shown.
whether he gets there is down to him, Poch and luck (injuries etc)

 

[Locotoro]

Definitely play him against. Barca - it’s the sort of game that suits his style and I’ll think he’ll thrive on the big occasion

Winks and Dembele are a must for ball retention. The question is whether you leave it there or add in a Wanyama or Dier in a 3?

 

[Spursmad321]

I thought Harry was a bit rusty in the first half and gave the ball away a few times, but in the second half he played much better especially when Dier came on. He looks to me like he is almost back to his best, l hope so because he is a top player in the making in my opinion.

 

[TheVoiceofReason]

Let’s not sugar coat it, he was absolutely useless for the majority of the game, and brilliant for 15 minutes.

Needs to be the 15 minute Harry Winks in future if he is going to make it here or anywhere.

 

[daryl hannah]

That tackle on Messi, though...

All the players were overwhelmed by the occasion in the first half. Second half, Winks grew into the game.