Player Watch: Victor Wanyama

[Larryjanta]

Interesting that Poch said afterwards that "one defensive midfielder" will be the way to go in future.

But I don't think it necessarily means Dembele isn't one of the 4 ahead of the DM

Dier/Wanyama/Dembele for the DM position
Dembele/Alli/Eriksen/Winks/Onomah/Lamela/Sissoko/Kane for the 2 AM positions
Eriksen/Son/N'Koudou/Lamela/Sissoko/Onomah for the WF positions
Kane/Son/Janssen/Lamela/Alli for the number 9 position

I think that's what you call a fluid squad. Can pick and choose the six from that lot to win each game. Amazing squad assembled by Poch

Edit, there are 13 players there and 8 of them can play multiple roles

 

[Ausp]

But I don't think it necessarily means Dembele isn't one of the 4 ahead of the DM

Dier/Wanyama/Dembele for the DM position
Dembele/Alli/Eriksen/Winks/Onomah/Lamela/Sissoko/Kane for the 2 AM positions
Eriksen/Son/N'Koudou/Lamela/Sissoko/Onomah for the WF positions
Kane/Son/Janssen/Lamela/Alli for the number 9 position

I think that's what you call a fluid squad. Can pick and choose the six from that lot to win each game. Amazing squad assembled by Poch

Edit, there are 13 players there and 8 of them can play multiple roles

WFs play right alongside the CF. I have not seen us deploy a 4-3-3 formation all season.
It just looks fancy in your post. lol

 

[Larryjanta]

WFs play right alongside the CF. I have not seen us deploy a 4-3-3 formation all season.
It just looks fancy in your post. lol

I disagree on 4-3-3 though I've been having this arguament for 18 months now. I think we've been playing a sort of fluid, 4-2-3-1, 4-4-2 diamond 4-3-3 formation since the start of last season. Last season, I didn't buy that we always set up as 4-2-3-1 and stayed that way the whole game them and it's definitely not the case now. Liquid football is what we do these days. Formations are for footballing history

And anyway, when talking about the positions our players take up, saying "The wider players in the attacking section behind the striker who often come inside leaving space for our fullbacks" just isn't as easy as saying "WF"

 

[UpTownSpur]

I love Dier but Wanyama's simply better in that position. Stronger and more athletic. Dier should hopefully get a lot of game time, maybe in multiple positions. I'd be more comfortable with him at right back instead of Trippier when we need to rotate, especially in the bigger games.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

I love Dier but Wanyama's simply better in that position. Stronger and more athletic. Dier should hopefully get a lot of game time, maybe in multiple positions. I'd be more comfortable with him at right back instead of Trippier when we need to rotate, especially in the bigger games.

I don't agree with that at all. Wanyama has been very good but Dier has a season under his belt in that role where he was a rock, and that is despite having to play alongside Mason (big negative as our transitional defense was atrocious with him) for decent chunks.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

He might just be our Kante (of last season).

I think the Kante of this season early on looks to be Idrissa Gueye.

 

[Vincent30]

Its no coincidence that Schneiderlin isn't the same player since not playing alongside Wanyama, during their time at Southampton Schneiderlin got most of the plaudits whilst Wanyama quietly went about his business. Yesterday was as complete of a performance you will see at DM, absolutely fantastic, his reading and pressing were so on point all game and his use of the ball i think made a lot of people realise on here that you is a very good footballer as well. Have that City!!

 

[yido_number1]

Read the game really well yesterday and worked hard to get back in and cover dangerous situations. So many times he out muscled the city players and stopped any momentum. I hope this gives Dier motivation to push on as it did with Walker and Rose and we see a next level Eric Dier as a result. Still plenty of game time for everyone and I doubt he will be out in the cold.

 

[arunspurs]

Good news : Kenya FA withdraws Wanyama from the upcoming international games. They discussed with Tottenham & decided he could get burned out with the 8000 mile trip with first game starting in 48 hours...

http://www.dailystar.co.uk/sport/fo...-international-squad-Kenya-fitness-fears-news

 

[Makkaveli101]

I was a bit concerned about his displinary record. For me Dier picks up fewer bookings but Victor showed today that despite picking up an early yellow he kept his head.

Definitely mate. I had that concern too...but I think he put that concern to bed yesterday. Very composed (not to mention just as efficient) after the yellow. It's a big like a first serve in tennis...you can take more of a chance but you always make sure the 2nd serve goes in (to use an analogy).

 

[PMS]

He is a kikuyu warrior.

 

[Makkaveli101]

Dembele as a central part of the four with Wanayama "sweeping up" behind him.

-----------------Wanayama---------------- ----------------Wanayama--------------
Son-----Dele----Dembele---Eriksen. OR Lamela----Dele----Eriksen----Son
--------------------Kane----------------------- --------------------Kane--------------------

Just two of our many options...and what an amazing selection headache. What a squad we have now. Exciting times ahead.

 

[DJS]

By the look of it 4-1-4-1 suits us down to the ground. Far more attacking

I think the system can be flexible between 4-1-4-1 / 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 / 3-5-2 really as players in that system can move around as required during match (although not quite as sure about Wanyama slipping into back three in way Dier did?).

Dembele can also play in any of these formations as was never really a defensive midfield last season but played a box-to-box role alongside Dier.

Will be very interesting to see how Wanyama and Dier are used, at present it's got to be Wanyama and another e.g. Dembele, Ali or Winks really.

Harsh on Dier though.

Dembele is also far better with a proper defensive midfielder alongside him, as seen when he originally partnered Sandro and last season with Dier.

 

[Shea]

I think the system can be flexible between 4-1-4-1 / 4-2-3-1 / 4-3-3 / 3-5-2 really as players in that system can move around as required during match (although not quite as sure about Wanyama slipping into back three in way Dier did?).

Dembele can also play in any of these formations as was never really a defensive midfield last season but played a box-to-box role alongside Dier.

Will be very interesting to see how Wanyama and Dier are used, at present it's got to be Wanyama and another e.g. Dembele, Ali or Winks really.

Harsh on Dier though.

Dier is young and part of a team with a heavy fixture list while playing a very high energy game

He will get plenty of game time this year and the extra quality/competition in the squad can only serve to further his development I feel

 

[KingNothing]

I know several others have said it before, but Wanyama's mobility has surprised me. I guess I didn't watch him closely enough at Southampton. He's quicker and has better passing range than I thought. Perhaps not a signing that got a lot of Spurs fans excited, but a very important signing. It was vital that we signed someone that could play in Dier's place when he's out, but Wanyama seems to have made the defensive midfielder position his own now. Excellent

 

[DJS]

Dier is young and part of a team with a heavy fixture list while playing a very high energy game

He will get plenty of game time this year and the extra quality/competition in the squad can only serve to further his development I feel

Yes but there will always be games where the 'main team' will be played, so will be interesting then...

 

[Shadydan]

Yes but there will always be games where the 'main team' will be played, so will be interesting then...

That's the best thing about competition, players will raise their game just to get into the team and stay there...win/win for us.

 

[millsey]

That's the best thing about competition, players will raise their game just to get into the team and stay there...win/win for us.

Ideally yes

 

[Kilkenny Cat]

I love Dier but Wanyama's simply better in that position. Stronger and more athletic. Dier should hopefully get a lot of game time, maybe in multiple positions. I'd be more comfortable with him at right back instead of Trippier when we need to rotate, especially in the bigger games.

Hey Beavis, he said "multiple positions". Huh huh.

 

[Mikegold]

Yes but there will always be games where the 'main team' will be played, so will be interesting then...

I think it's more like the most in-form team will play. Or the best suited team will play. It's not just about who are best 11 are on paper, that's how players like Fletcher and Park got games for Utd.