Spurs vs Chicago Fire

[mpickard2087]

Rose made some good tackles and interceptions but scares the fuck out of me with his positioning and decision making on the ball. At one point today the oppo were attacking down our left and he was fucking strolling back from central midfield.

Walker looked fine to me although rusty going forward. If he plays like he did last year he should be one of the first names on the teamsheet

Rusty, that's a new name for it. Walker's often rusty going forward.

Yes I'm not sure there is much of an attacking game to 'find'... I certainly have never seen it from the guy in a Spurs shirt bar the very, very odd glimpse.

 

[idontgetit]

Yes I'm not sure there is much of an attacking game to 'find'... I certainly have never seen it from the guy in a Spurs shirt bar the very, very odd glimpse.

He's lighting fast and has a good shot. Can certainly play a part with a wide man tucking in

 

[mpickard2087]

He's lighting fast and has a good shot. Can certainly play a part with a wide man tucking in

The physical stuff isn't the problem, its what happens between his ears...

I can tell you what Walker will do every single time. He'll receive the ball in a good position with acres of space, but he will dither, quite possibly do a step over or two, watch the space get completely closed down and then eventually decide to cross it and most likely hit the first man. This happens pretty much every single time he gets the ball and tries to cross. Now some of it might be a lack of tactical direction and not knowing what is wanted from him when in wide areas, but most likely it is that he doesn't know in his own head what he wants to do and cant make his mind up quick enough. His attacking output is as diabolical as Rose's.

 

[idontgetit]

The physical stuff isn't the problem, its what happens between his ears...

I can tell you what Walker will do every single time. He'll receive the ball in a good position with acres of space, but he will dither, quite possibly do a step over or two, watch the space get completely closed down and then eventually decide to cross it and most likely hit the first man. This happens pretty much every single time he gets the ball and tries to cross. Now some of it might be a lack of tactical direction and not knowing what is wanted from him when in wide areas, but most likely it is that he doesn't know in his own head what he wants to do and cant make his mind up quick enough. His attacking output is as diabolical as Rose's.

He learnt how to defend last season. I'm confident he can learn a bit about attacking. He has everything he needs in terms of skill and physical ability. Tough mentally as well

 

[Reece]

He learnt how to defend last season. I'm confident he can learn a bit about attacking. He has everything he needs in terms of skill and physical ability. Tough mentally as well

Did he really learn last season though? I seem to recall him heading a ball back to his keeper from the half way line and also slicing one into Rooney for a tap in.

The guys got loads of potential still but he really needs to kick on this year, needs to trust his instincts a bit more going forward also. I dont remember him dithering anywhere near as much pre-AVB

 

[idontgetit]

Did he really learn last season though? I seem to recall him heading a ball back to his keeper from the half way line and also slicing one into Rooney for a tap in.

The guys got loads of potential still but he really needs to kick on this year, needs to trust his instincts a bit more going forward also. I dont remember him dithering anywhere near as much pre-AVB

He not a center mid I'll give you that. Definitely looked a real quality right back last year though, despite those couple of fuck-ups. Every defender in that back four made mistakes last year

 

[ClintEastwould]

Walker turns into headless chicken mode upon entering the final third and made 2 glaring mistakes last season, that's about all the criticism i can muster for him because I think he's a fine player bar these few ticks.

I fully understand fans tightness over Dawson rose Lennon Townsend etc but if we ever sell walker I can guarantee you'll be sorry. A season or 2 with a good coach (which we finally seem to have) and he'll be one of the best around.

 

[LexingtonSpurs]

The physical stuff isn't the problem, its what happens between his ears...

yet I recall a match last season, but can't recall the opponent, but Walker took a quick free kick from midfield and hit a long ball to Ade, who settled and scored before anyone really had time to react. Very heads up football play.

 

[doom]

So walker is the new rose, Lennon and Lamela are suddenly great players again - it's the silly pre-season!
Forget last years performances and let's get behind our players and give them some confidence ahead of the new season.

 

[KingNothing]

yet I recall a match last season, but can't recall the opponent, but Walker took a quick free kick from midfield and hit a long ball to Ade, who settled and scored before anyone really had time to react. Very heads up football play.

 

[mpickard2087]

yet I recall a match last season, but can't recall the opponent, but Walker took a quick free kick from midfield and hit a long ball to Ade, who settled and scored before anyone really had time to react. Very heads up football play.

I actually nearly gave that as an example of how rare it is that he sees what is happening in front of him and reacts quickly. Its all to rare though. We need far better consistent quality output from both fullback positions.

 

[Reece]

He not a center mid I'll give you that. Definitely looked a real quality right back last year though, despite those couple of fuck-ups. Every defender in that back four made mistakes last year

Ha, forgot that was from when he was playing CM to be fair.

I think he looked better much last season because the season before he had a real dodgy 6 months. Still didn't play as good as he can be, even at this point in his career, may have been a lack of direction though.

Im hopeful for the new season anyhow. He's got all the ingredients in his locker. Pochettino needs to minimise his stopping of play though as that doesn't exactly fit in with his style of play...

 

[idontgetit]

Under AVB the wideforwards were so deep and wide they actually got in the way of the wingbacks and it left no-one to aim at in the box or in the channels. It's part of why Walker was less effective going forward. I'm not saying he is an intelligent creative player, he's not. But give him a clear role in a system and he has all the skill and natural ability to be great at it. And one thing guaranteed is that he will never hide and always want the ball

 

[THFCSPURS19]

So walker is the new rose, Lennon and Lamela are suddenly great players again - it's the silly pre-season!
Forget last years performances and let's get behind our players and give them some confidence ahead of the new season.

Lamela was always a great player...

 

[Black]

The physical stuff isn't the problem, its what happens between his ears...

I can tell you what Walker will do every single time. He'll receive the ball in a good position with acres of space, but he will dither, quite possibly do a step over or two, watch the space get completely closed down and then eventually decide to cross it and most likely hit the first man. This happens pretty much every single time he gets the ball and tries to cross. Now some of it might be a lack of tactical direction and not knowing what is wanted from him when in wide areas, but most likely it is that he doesn't know in his own head what he wants to do and cant make his mind up quick enough. His attacking output is as diabolical as Rose's.

This is what spurs fans want to see, as long as he is fast that's all that matters

 

[mpickard2087]

So walker is the new rose, Lennon and Lamela are suddenly great players again - it's the silly pre-season!
Forget last years performances and let's get behind our players and give them some confidence ahead of the new season.

No, nothing new. As I have said many times now, Walker is Rose. Bar effort put in when tracking back they both do the same attack-wise and both do the same daft things defensively. One though is hated, the other gets a free ride because he runs really fast and has the 'likeable simpleton' act going for him.

 

[Firsttouch]

Rose best 1st half player then Mason for me .... Poo

Lamela had our best moments but was one of our worst players

edit: Townsend was the worst

I got a lot of wtf's and one or two dislikes and disagrees's. Just to back up my comments (and I love me some Lamela)
0 goals 0 assists against Chicago Fire.... I felt decision making and movement was meh though he did get a couple shots off.

 

[SandroClegane]

I got a lot of wtf's and one or two dislikes and disagrees's. Just to back up my comments (and I love me some Lamela)
0 goals 0 assists against Chicago Fire.... I felt decision making and movement was meh though he did get a couple shots off.

keeper made two excellent saves on him

 

[Shea]

He not a center mid I'll give you that. Definitely looked a real quality right back last year though, despite those couple of fuck-ups. Every defender in that back four made mistakes last year

For my money he was still defending by reacting and relying on his pace to allow him to deal with what his opponent has already done instead of learning to read the game and anticipate attacking plays like all top level defenders do

Athletically very gifted and has a lot of potential for sure but I think you're getting a little carried away and seeing development that hasn't yet taken place still in his game imo