Player Watch: Victor Wanyama

[yankspurs]

We needed to sign 2 cms this window anyway. Now ill be shocked with just 1.

 

[SpartanSpur]

Barrios suddenly looks a lot more attractive proposition.

Hope big Vic can recover but I think we've seen this story before.

 

[glospur]

That's obviously very concerning considering the uncertainty with Dembele's transfer and Winks' injury history. Add in now Wanyama's uncertainty with his knee and you've really only got one reliable midfielder in Dier. I think the rumored "change in tactics" is likely Eriksen operating deeper/more central, but the proposition of only having Dier to operate in that defensive midfield/shielding role is a bit frightening. Hopefully Wanyama is fine and this is just a precautionary thing to avoid something more serious.

We needed to sign 2 cms this window anyway. Now ill be shocked with just 1.

It's really not as big a deal if we continue with the system we played against Roma. If we continue with that 2 CMs incoming would be massive overkill.

Winks will be suited to the base of midfield role or one of the advanced roles, while Eriksen and Dele are obviously perfect for the advanced roles, as would Grealish if he signs. And, yeah, even Sissoko useful in this formation with his running power and ability on transition. Not to mention that Dier is perfectly suited for the base and Amos looked promising and could be given an opportunity with Wanyama injured.

If we're going to be going with this formation in the season proper then it makes sense that we're after a Zaha or Martial type.

 

[Clark28]

poor guy, he was looking immense the season before last.

 

[Johnny J]

If it's the same knee problems then I'm really worried about our midfield. He is way better than Dier there, who has looked awful in recent times. Winks has his own injury problems, and Dembele can't play very often (and when he does, imo, it really hurts our attacking play).

 

[spursfan77]

Seems his knee struggles with a Poch preseason. Hopefully it’s not as bad as a year ago.

Central midfield really is becoming an important area to strengthen now yet we’ve had no targets mentioned in the press for ages.

 

[$hoguN]

IT fills me with confidence that two of our midfielders (Dembele and Wanyama) are barely held together with sellotape going into the new season, and we still haven’t signed anyone!

 

[mill]

It’d be great if someone such as Amos from within our own ranks could impress poch enough this preseason to force their way into his thinking for the season in the same way Mason did. I can’t see it happening though and I think we’ll resort to the cheque book on deadline day.

I’d personally be more excited by that than signing someone who may be a risk and needs time to settle, missed preseason etc.

 

[Colonel Dax]

I was going to say we're down to the bare bones in central midfield, but it's worse than that - there aren't any bones left!

Wanyama injured again
Winks recovering from injury and has had fitness issues
Dembele and Dier played in the WC and still on holiday. Dembele questionable fitness.

I hope we're signing a CM this window.

 

[dtxspurs]

I was going to say we're down to the bare bones in central midfield, but it's worse than that - there aren't any bones left!

Wanyama injured again
Winks recovering from injury and has had fitness issues
Dembele and Dier played in the WC and still on holiday. Dembele questionable fitness.

I hope we're signing a CM this window.

It's almost seeming like winger was last year, glaring obvious need that had to be addressed yet was just disregarded the entire window for some reason.

Hell we were even looking at CM's last freakin year (Barkley & Gomes) and didn't get one, would be incredibly foolish to do the same yet again.

 

[spursfan77]

Last sentence Poch says the injury is the same as 12 months ago. Not good.

 

[Colonel Dax]

Last sentence Poch says the injury is the same as 12 months ago. Not good.

Wow, not good at all

 

[Giovanni]

Not good at all, id really hoped we would have the old victor back but clearly not.

Poch did seem confident that we woukd add quality though and in cm too! But whooo?

 

[rossdapep]

I wonder if our concerns over Wanyama are having an affect on the Grealish transfer?! If we lose Wanyama that means we'll be in the market for a CM that can play more defensively (Barrios) therefore we'd use the funds here and not on an AM.

Such a shame that Wanyama can't seem to get a break from these injuries. We need him back to full strength.

 

[yido_number1]

If it's the same injury as he said that has to look very bad for his future... Big lads with week knee's is a recipe for disaster... Let's hope Dier's lack of World Cup action means he will be fit for Newcastle!

 

[Primativ]

Really really bad news. Wanyama could be facing another season on the airlines.

 

[tiger666]

"Victor Wanyama has gone back with Tashan [Oakley-Boothe] to London because they need to see the doctor there. We’re going to assess him in the next few days and see what happens.”

I think all Poch meant was it's the same as in the same knee. We won't know how serious it is until he's seen the doctor.

 

[ButchCassidy]

Really really hope he hasn’t Sandro’d himself

 

[Johnny J]

We really, really needed him firing on all cylinders this season. Our midfield is so light as it is.

 

[Majick]

I thought he was our best player two seasons ago - amid stiff competition. We just don't look right without him or an inspired Dier. Hopefully his absence can be covered, whether with a new signing, change in tactics or both.