Player watch: Toby Alderweireld

[Lighty64]

This is only OK if Martial is coming the other way though, that wouldnt sit well with me, if they have blocked us signing a player of theirs who is in exactly the same boat. But thats been said a million times over

even though it's rumoured that Martial wants out, Man U haven't put him on the transfer list. if Man U don't want to sell to us, what should we do with Toby

 

[chinaman]

We must somehow involve Foyth more. Vert's legs will go in 2 years the way we have him play.

 

[St José Dominguez]

I don’t get the impression we’re going to go out and replace Toby now - with that in mind, I personally think Foyth can step up:

Even though it does leave us pretty light at the back...

Unless as you say Foyth is going to step up big time not replacing Toby with either a CB or a DM with Dier acting as backup CB is complete and utter lunacy from us considering Wanyama's injury issues. I don't know why we'd take such a monumental risk.

 

[fatpiranha]

I wouldn't be surprised if we don't sign a replacement. Dier, Foyth, Ben Davies and CCV may be seen as adequate cover. It's not an hypothesis I agree with but it's plausible.

 

[George94]

Unless as you say Foyth is going to step up big time not replacing Toby with either a CB or a DM with Dier acting as backup CB is complete and utter lunacy from us considering Wanyama's injury issues. I don't know why we'd take such a monumental risk.

I agree mate, but I’m trying to be on my best behaviour and stop moaning about everything

 

[Primativ]

I love to have whatever people are smoking if they think Foyth is going to step up and fill in for the best CB in the league. Talk about optimistic. I mean, you are basically saying Foyth has to immediately come in and perform even better than Sanchez did for us last season, for us not to be noticeably weaker at the back. Sorry that just isn't going to cut it at the top end of the PL challenging for major prizes.

I am absolutely all for giving youth a chance, but it is pure delusion to think Foyth is going to be able to replace Toby. Foyth will be at least 3 or 4 years of continuous development to even get close to Toby's level if ever. Chances are he never will, that's just reality.

We absolutely have to sign a top top CB now Alderweireld has gone. Spurs have been preparing for this departure for at least 6 months, it can't come as a shock, so it will be beyond comprehension if we haven't got a replacement lined up, let's prey it is De Ligt or someone quality.

Dier also is not an acceptable solution for two reasons. There are major question marks at his ability at CB, and whilst I understand that splits opinion on here, what doesn't.... and secondly, he is absolutely needed in DM with Wanyama injured and our lack of a new CM signings.

Eurgh, right now we seem in a right mess.

 

[George94]

I love to have whatever people are smoking if they think Foyth is going to step up and fill in for the best CB in the league. Talk about optimistic. I mean, you are basically saying Foyth has to immediately come in and perform even better than Sanchez did for us last season, for us not to be noticeably weaker at the back. Sorry that just isn't going to cut it at the top end of the PL challenging for major prizes.

I am absolutely all for giving youth a chance, but it is pure delusion to think Foyth is going to be able to replace Toby. Foyth will be at least 3 or 4 years of continuous development to even get close to Toby's level if ever. Chances are he never will, that's just reality.

We absolutely have to sign a top top CB now Alderweireld has gone. Spurs have been preparing for this departure for at least 6 months, it can't come as a shock, so it will be beyond comprehension if we haven't got a replacement lined up, let's prey it is De Ligt or someone quality.

Dier also is not an acceptable solution for two reasons. There are major question marks at his ability at CB, and whilst I understand that splits opinion on here, what doesn't.... and secondly, he is absolutely needed in DM with Wanyama injured and our lack of a new CM signings.

Eurgh, right now we seem in a right mess.

I think 4 at the back with Sanchez and Vertonghen in the middle will be our centre backs this season. So nothing has really changed since last season in that aspect.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m with you on more or less everything you said but I think, and as disappointing as it is, as long as Sanchez or Vertonghen don’t get injured, we’ll be okay.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

I am going to go out on a limb and suggest two things: first, Foyth can absolutely duplicate what Toby gave us from January to the end of the season - 3 league starts, 5 goals conceded.

Second, I do not think we will be playing 3 at the back on any regular basis - too much emphasis on AMs and Ws to keep them all on the bench.

So, Sanchez and Vertonghen can replicate their partnership, and I think we will see more Dier filling in at CB.

 

[George94]

I am going to go out on a limb and suggest two things: first, Foyth can absolutely duplicate what Toby gave us from January to the end of the season - 3 league starts, 5 goals conceded.

Second, I do not think we will be playing 3 at the back on any regular basis - too much emphasis on AMs and Ws to keep them all on the bench.

So, Sanchez and Vertonghen can replicate their partnership, and I think we will see more Dier filling in at CB.

4-3-3 this season I reckon, or at least a version of it.

 

[Primativ]

I think 4 at the back with Sanchez and Vertonghen in the middle will be our centre backs this season. So nothing has really changed since last season in that aspect.

Don’t get me wrong, I’m with you on more or less everything you said but I think, and as disappointing as it is, as long as Sanchez or Vertonghen don’t get injured, we’ll be okay.

You think going into a potential 60 game season with just Sanchez and Vertonghen as our CBs isn't just a little bit stupid and careless? They could easily pick up a medium to long term injury, and then what? In a league where literally the tiniest margins the difference between 1st and 6th and winners and losers, having Foyth or CCV are our back up CBs is totally unacceptable. Last season our squad was too weak in depth when it came to the crunch, and this season we would be even weaker....

 

[Primativ]

I think we will see more Dier filling in at CB.

In that case who plays for us at DM?

 

[St José Dominguez]

I am going to go out on a limb and suggest two things: first, Foyth can absolutely duplicate what Toby gave us from January to the end of the season - 3 league starts, 5 goals conceded.

Second, I do not think we will be playing 3 at the back on any regular basis - too much emphasis on AMs and Ws to keep them all on the bench.

So, Sanchez and Vertonghen can replicate their partnership, and I think we will see more Dier filling in at CB.

If Jan, Sanchez and Dier all stay fit then we are all good.
I'm all for giving youth a chance but we are potentially literally one injury from having to give youth a chance. If Jan got injured tomorrow would you be okay with Foyth and Sanchez being our CB partnership in the PL and CL? With Wanyama's injury problems the alternative is Dier and Sanchez with Amos as DM in CL and PL.

Seems crazy risky to me for a club who have just come 3rd.

 

[George94]

You think going into a potential 60 game season with just Sanchez and Vertonghen as our CBs isn't just a little bit stupid and careless? They could easily pick up a medium to long term injury, and then what? In a league where literally the tiniest margins the difference between 1st and 6th and winners and losers, having Foyth or CCV are our back up CBs is totally unacceptable. Last season our squad was too weak in depth when it came to the crunch, and this season we would be even weaker....

Again, I agree with you mate - I’m just saying that I can’t see us actually going out and getting a new centre back in.

Especially with all the ITK snippets about how difficult we’re finding the market...

It is my opinion that we absolutely should go out and replace Toby, but I don’t think we will.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

In that case who plays for us at DM?

Depends. But if we play like we set up this summer - I can see Poch wanting 3 very active CMs - similar in style to RM with Casimiro, Kroos and Modric.

So, if Eriksen and Dele fill two of those roles, Wanyama is the obvious choice for a third, and I think we will still bring in a CM who can play that role. Just my observations, but it looks like Poch wants the CMs to hunt in packs if you will, and rely less on a single destroyer.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

If Jan, Sanchez and Dier all stay fit then we are all good.
I'm all for giving youth a chance but we are potentially literally one injury from having to give youth a chance. If Jan got injured tomorrow would you be okay with Foyth and Sanchez being our CB partnership in the PL and CL? With Wanyama's injury problems the alternative is Dier and Sanchez with Amos as DM in CL and PL.

Seems crazy risky to me for a club who have just come 3rd.

I think Sanchez is going to be the best CB in the league this year - just watching him this summer in the WC, and the one preseason match - he looks like he has really matured. I think he is ready to take on more responsibility.

If I had to guess, an injury to Jan or Davinson, and Dier is the de facto replacement. Poch does not really rotate the CBs for big matches, so I would think they play most matches, and Foyth rotates in for League Cup or FA Cup matches.

I think we are fine at CB - but I am curious to see how we handle CM.

 

[voxy28]

We are suddenly short of a Centre back.... our back line is in serious trouble. If we only target HG, that list is even limited. ? we are pretty screwed looking at the current state of affairs.

 

[JR1994]

Does this mean il lose my spam ratings for constantly mentioning its financial madness for us to not sell Toby for a big fee this window??

 

[George94]

I think Sanchez is going to be the best CB in the league this year - just watching him this summer in the WC, and the one preseason match - he looks like he has really matured. I think he is ready to take on more responsibility.

If I had to guess, an injury to Jan or Davinson, and Dier is the de facto replacement. Poch does not really rotate the CBs for big matches, so I would think they play most matches, and Foyth rotates in for League Cup or FA Cup matches.

I think we are fine at CB - but I am curious to see how we handle CM.

There has also been the worry in the back of my mind that Vertonghen eventually starts getting a bit worse as he gets older - thankfully hasn’t happened yet, if anything he’s been getting better every season

 

[Primativ]

If Jan, Sanchez and Dier all stay fit then we are all good.
I'm all for giving youth a chance but we are potentially literally one injury from having to give youth a chance. If Jan got injured tomorrow would you be okay with Foyth and Sanchez being our CB partnership in the PL and CL? With Wanyama's injury problems the alternative is Dier and Sanchez with Amos as DM in CL and PL.

Seems crazy risky to me for a club who have just come 3rd.

You are right, it is crazy risky.

It is pretty clear to any objective observer that with Alderweireld gone, we are completely lacking in depth at both CB and CM, because depending on where Dier plays, the other position is then left horribly lacking in depth and quality. What makes it even worse is that our potential back ups at DM, Winks who is not a DM and is weak in the tackle plus injury plagued currently, plus Wanyama, is a DM but injury plagued currently. We are so so light in both crucial areas. The only way to solve it so we can have a go at the PL and CL with a proper strong squad, is to sign some talented effing players.

 

[Primativ]

Again, I agree with you mate - I’m just saying that I can’t see us actually going out and getting a new centre back in.

Especially with all the ITK snippets about how difficult we’re finding the market...

It is my opinion that we absolutely should go out and replace Toby, but I don’t think we will.

Well in that case serious questions will need to be asked of Levy and co.