Player Watch Player Watch: Pedro Porro

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Here you go. Will he ever be able to play fullback under a new coach if we go 4 at the back. Discuss.

 

[Nick-TopSpursMan]

Here you go. Will he ever be able to play fullback under a new coach if we go 4 at the back. Discuss.

I have concerns having watched him for us now.

Where as Spence and Udogie have superb raw physical attributes and have shown good ability defending 1 on 1 situations too, Porro seems extremely weak 1 on 1 whilst also having no instincts or awareness.

So I think Spence and Udogie can be coached in to it, Spence because he's played in a back 4 previously for England U21s or Boro and Udogie because he's very raw still and is young enough to mould.

But with Porro, I think he may have to be used as a winger or be someone we end up sacrificing as part of the long term rebuild. Sounds crazy when he was only brought over in January but we have to draw a line under the sand with regards to our old ways of doing things (and Paratici).

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Its less about the players and more about the defensive shape.

When we were at our best under Poch - we played a 4231, where we utilized two attacking FBs - effectively. But, we almost always had two very athletic CMs with Dembele plus Dier/Wanyama. And, that allowed them to cover space left when a FB was caught up-pitch.

We also had a great CB partnership who could both read the game, and could also adjust to playing wider (since they both played FB for Belgium).

So, its not that Porro/Udogie can play in a flat back 4 (they probably can't) - its whether we can get the players in at other positions that allow for better defensive cover when the FBs attack.

Hojbjerg does not have the agility/mobility to be that kind of CM - but Bissouma could be that player. The question will be whether Bentancur can be a defensive enough presence to cover a FB (and whether he will have the mobility/agility coming off the knee injury). I think Sarr could be that guy eventually.


Romero is also a bit of an enigma here - he can definitely play the role, but it requires a mixture of aggression and calmness/patience. I am not sure Romero has the temperament to recognize those times when he simply needs to slow play down, and stay between the attacker and the goal rather than make an aggressive tackle attempt. He almost seems better suited to a hybrid CCB/DM role - but that would be a back 3.

 

[StanSpur]

if we go 4 at the back he rotates with kulu up front in my book. still a useful player but not as a rb in a 4

 

[EQP]

His defensive awareness can be improved, significantly. One thing he forgets to do is keep track of where opposition players are. That's a cardinal sin as fullback and can be rectified on the training pitch. The suggestions to play him further up the pitch maybe as a RW (to compete with Kulu for that spot) actually make sense, given how composed Porro can be in the attacking 3rd. Overall, I'm not really concerned with him as he's shown that he bring value to the team with his crossing alone - it's going to be up to the new manager on how gets the best out of Pedro moving forward.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

We just have to play a LB that sits deep and doesn't push forward much if we play Porro RB in a 4. We did this all the time back in the BAE/Rose + Corluka days, works fine.

 

[PrettyColors]

We just have to play a LB that sits deep and doesn't push forward much if we play Porro RB in a 4. We did this all the time back in the BAE/Rose + Corluka days, works fine.

Udogie is way way too good to have this be an actual solution moving forward. He’s arguably the most dynamic LB in Europe when in flight. You’ll see next year.

 

[coy-spurs1882]

We just have to play a LB that sits deep and doesn't push forward much if we play Porro RB in a 4. We did this all the time back in the BAE/Rose + Corluka days, works fine.

or Davies and Doherty used by Jose

 

[kent brockman]

Poch had one of the CMs dropping back when Walker/Rose went attacking.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I really think he’ll be fine in a back four. A preseason really focusing on his 1 on 1 defending and awareness and he’ll improve. As other have said, it will also make a big difference playing in a team that is on the front foot rather than expecting him to hold position and defend space.

 

[gaffers]

I really think he’ll be fine in a back four. A preseason really focusing on his 1 on 1 defending and awareness and he’ll improve. As other have said, it will also make a big difference playing in a team that is on the front foot rather than expecting him to hold position and defend space.

So he's being transferred to another club?

 

[spursfan77]

Here you go. Will he ever be able to play fullback under a new coach if we go 4 at the back. Discuss.

I like him but I think the only place he can play in the PL is as a winger.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Udogie is way way too good to have this be an actual solution moving forward. He’s arguably the most dynamic LB in Europe when in flight. You’ll see next year.

I've watched him plenty. I think he has his limitations personally but agreed, exciting prospect. Nonetheless, it's a good problem for the new manager to have. I think Udogie/Emerson will end up being the go to.

 

[Phil-spur99]

I like him but I think the only place he can play in the PL is as a winger.

Yes, then the question is are there better winger options out there for us than him. If yes, then he may have to sacrificed if we are going to move a 4 rather than keep him as a winger.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

I like him but I think the only place he can play in the PL is as a winger.

But decent wingers have a bit of pace

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

Sticking him on the wing is crazy talk.

It's like those fans who say that TAA should play RW for Liverpool.

It is a fundamentally incorrect understanding of how they play.

 

[ajspurs]

I'm still unsure on Porro I have to admit, I find him a bit frustrating, at least on what he's shown thus far. Just find him to be a bit loose in possession of the ball. I think he tries the right things, especially from a forward thinking perspective, but the quality of his execution can be poor.

Like Richarlison though, he's a player I feel I have to see in a functioning side.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I'm still unsure on Porro I have to admit, I find him a bit frustrating, at least on what he's shown thus far. Just find him to be a bit loose in possession of the ball. I think he tries the right things, especially from a forward thinking perspective, but the quality of his execution can be poor.

Like Richarlison though, he's a player I feel I have to see in a functioning side.

Yeah. They need time, but can’t help thinking…

Richarlison is a 9 who doesn’t score or create enough

Porro is a neither a winger nor a full back

Id be delighted if they came good, and they need time, support and trust, but my best guess is that they prove over priced and basically square pegs in round holes

 

[TEESSIDE1]

We just have to play a LB that sits deep and doesn't push forward much if we play Porro RB in a 4. We did this all the time back in the BAE/Rose + Corluka days, works fine.

This also had a downside, it made us easy to play against as the opposition knew we were lop sided, it also led to the opposition exposing the gap behind the ‘attacking’ full back… the most recent example of this was when teams targeted and exposed Aurier.

To be a consistently good side you need ‘balance’ and that’s something we haven’t had since the best days under Poch.

 

[EssexSH27]

Seems a bit panicky which I guess is the risk with January signings. Give him a whole pre season and see how he gets on next year