Ross Barkley

[Reece]

We're in the champions league now, having a guy like this in team can only help us be more competitive across the season. I'm all for this transfer - however our club should be employing scouts that are watching way more football than I around the world. It needs to be for the right money (which is what makes Sissoko even more confusing :/)

 

[Sweech]

Eriksen has told you that he is aiming for the near post has he? Otherwise, how would you know what he's aiming for? As for "most corners are short corners", they certainly are not. A few are, in SOME GAMES, but it's not "most". Eriksen's corners have never been top notch, Lamela's were much better when he started taking some of them.

It's pretty obvious we aim at the near post to Dier or Alderweireld more often than anything.

It's also the statistically best place to aim at to score on corners.

Which is really the problem. Aiming at the near post has a better conversion rate than "whipping it into the mixer" but in doing so you're going to hit the first man an absolute load of times. Now coaches don't mind because obviously most all now realize that the near post is money for goals, but it drives pundits mad as easy things to say like "beat the first man" make for easier punditry than explaining what actually scores you goals on corners. It's the same as people complaining if a goalie concedes near post. It's an old school idea that isn't actually reflective of the modern game.

The fact we score from corners quite a lot compared to not just English sides, but plenty of European sides as well and yet our fans complain about our corners endlessly really shows the lack of knowledge towards it.

 

[jasswolf]

He's an excellent player, and £40m is probably in the ball park, but I wonder how he fits into the system when you have Kane and Alli in the attacking roles.

Don't get me wrong, he could be brilliant in central midfield rotating with Alli, but I wonder if either one of them is prepared to do the deeper role for a portion of the game. He does have some Bale like qualities, but he's a shade too heavy on the turn to be a winger despite possessing great acceleration, good pace and great close control and shooting.

How flexible is Poch's system to have he and Alli move more fluidly through the game, and how will we address getting someone pacy and agile who can drive the off ball movement in the wide channels in a meaningful way? Son does this sometimes, but not consistently enough and he only seems to have one kind of final ball.

Everytime we go for a wide player of that quality, they seem to scoff at our offers compared to regularly CL teams. I mean, surely we must be able to outpoint a team like Athletico Madrid at some point (Griezmann comes to mind).

 

[mstill13]

Not rating Eriksen is nothing, there were some that didn't rate Modric when he was here. As for Eriksen's free kicks and corners though, they do have a valid point. He hasn't scored from a free kick for absolutely ages and his corners often don't get past the first defender. Lamela was much better on corners.

Only Siggy had more assists from set pieces than Eriksen this season.

 

[Spurs4CL]

He's an excellent player, and £40m is probably in the ball park, but I wonder how he fits into the system when you have Kane and Alli in the attacking roles.

I think he fits in perfectly in the 3 4 2 1 formation we play.

He can rotate with Alli or Eriksen in the role behind Kane and I think would be a great addition to the squad.

I think he would thrive here as his game involves a lot of risk of losing the ball but we have the players to win it back quickly meaning he can take people on fearlessly and that will open up space for others.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

Only Siggy had more assists from set pieces than Eriksen this season.

But Siggy takes all the corners, free kicks and penalties for Swansea

 

[gavspur]

I would love to see what Poch could do RB. I think there's a fantastic footballer in there, real game changer. Much better option than Sissoko, who I also wanted to come good, but I can't see it in him tbf.

 

[Hot Spur]

It's pretty obvious we aim at the near post to Dier or Alderweireld more often than anything.

It's also the statistically best place to aim at to score on corners.

Which is really the problem. Aiming at the near post has a better conversion rate than "whipping it into the mixer" but in doing so you're going to hit the first man an absolute load of times. Now coaches don't mind because obviously most all now realize that the near post is money for goals, but it drives pundits mad as easy things to say like "beat the first man" make for easier punditry than explaining what actually scores you goals on corners. It's the same as people complaining if a goalie concedes near post. It's an old school idea that isn't actually reflective of the modern game.

The fact we score from corners quite a lot compared to not just English sides, but plenty of European sides as well and yet our fans complain about our corners endlessly really shows the lack of knowledge towards it.

We score from corners a lot??? Really?? What games have you been watching? We HARDLY EVER score from corners !! This last season we scored 7 goals from 273 corners. That's what you call "quite a lot is it"? ok.

 

[steve]

Loads of technical ability, lacks intelligence though and his decision making is suspect. His work rate has improved under Koeman so maybe the rest can follow. Won't be fussed if we sign him to be honest.

 

[GetSpurredOn]

I think he could be a high calibre alternative to Eriksen or Alli, better than launching Sissoko into the mix anyhow. If Lamela was going to 100% be back and firing, then not sure we'd need Barkley, but open to the option. He could also play deeper in the 3421 against sides that come to park the bus, bringing the ball forwards. Will he oust Eriksen or Alli from the starting lineup, probably not, but will he be a better replacement when required, definitely.

 

[Shadydan]

We score from corners a lot??? Really?? What games have you been watching? We HARDLY EVER score from corners !! This last season we scored 7 goals from 273 corners. That's what you call "quite a lot is it"? ok.

Think he means a lot compared to everyone else implying that it's not as easy as some might think.

 

[tiger666]

3% of corners lead to a goal apparently

https://www.theguardian.com/footbal...fence-of-the-corner-a-much-maligned-set-piece

 

[mstill13]

But Siggy takes all the corners, free kicks and penalties for Swansea

And he is the only player in the Premier League this season to have more set piece assists. That suggests Eriksen isn't as bad as was said.

 

[Sweech]

We score from corners a lot??? Really?? What games have you been watching? We HARDLY EVER score from corners !! This last season we scored 7 goals from 273 corners. That's what you call "quite a lot is it"? ok.

Compared to the League and the top European league teams 7 goals is a decent return.

Other than teams like West Brom whose main source of goal is set pieces we are doing well.

Could also be better obviously, but it's not this giant black hole of productions like many make it out to be.

Plus set piece scoring can heavily fluctuate so looking at multi year returns with head coaches + set piece takers is typically a better indicator of effectiveness.

 

[nedley]

It's pretty obvious we aim at the near post to Dier or Alderweireld more often than anything.

It's also the statistically best place to aim at to score on corners.

Which is really the problem. Aiming at the near post has a better conversion rate than "whipping it into the mixer" but in doing so you're going to hit the first man an absolute load of times. Now coaches don't mind because obviously most all now realize that the near post is money for goals, but it drives pundits mad as easy things to say like "beat the first man" make for easier punditry than explaining what actually scores you goals on corners. It's the same as people complaining if a goalie concedes near post. It's an old school idea that isn't actually reflective of the modern game.

The fact we score from corners quite a lot compared to not just English sides, but plenty of European sides as well and yet our fans complain about our corners endlessly really shows the lack of knowledge towards it.

I agree.

But when you've hit the first man for the 6th time in a row it's time to mix it up.

 

[Everlasting Seconds]

Oh the good olde corner ITK thread. Perfect. Great read guys.

 

[scat1620]

He's an excellent player, and £40m is probably in the ball park, but I wonder how he fits into the system when you have Kane and Alli in the attacking roles.

 

[yankspurs]

I would love to see what Poch could do RB. I think there's a fantastic footballer in there, real game changer. Much better option than Sissoko, who I also wanted to come good, but I can't see it in him tbf.

Being a better option than Sissoko isnt saying much, really. GKN was a better option than Sissoko and probably would have gotten more time at the end of the season if Sissoko wasnt in the shop window so we could attempt to recoup some of the major hit we are bound to take on him this summer. Also, they are different players. You could see what Barkley is supposed to do on the pitch. He at least has a clear role on the pitch. He is an actual footballer. Sissoko, however, is not a footballer. He doesnt have a clear role and no one really knows what it is he is supposed to do, let alone be decent at. Anytime you could have a footballer over someone masquerading as one, its a better option. The question is whether Barkley is worth the high price that Everton will want.

 

[double0]

Being a better option than Sissoko isnt saying much, really. GKN was a better option than Sissoko and probably would have gotten more time at the end of the season if Sissoko wasnt in the shop window so we could attempt to recoup some of the major hit we are bound to take on him this summer. Also, they are different players. You could see what Barkley is supposed to do on the pitch. He at least has a clear role on the pitch. He is an actual footballer. Sissoko, however, is not a footballer. He doesnt have a clear role and no one really knows what it is he is supposed to do, let alone be decent at. Anytime you could have a footballer over someone masquerading as one, its a better option. The question is whether Barkley is worth the high price that Everton will want.

"Sissoko is not a footballer"? Is a bit off the mark!

He is an international we actually paid £30M ( no fault of his own) which we weren't forced to do.

Sissoko's footballing stats ain't that bad really however he isn't right for what we need.

 

[ajspurs]