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The Spurs Youth Thread - 2017/2018

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
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For me KWP is Just very solid he won’t let you down. I rarely if ever see him beaten in a one on one. Incredibly calm and assured on the ball. Technically very good. Has decent pace. In his 1st xi appearances so far he hasn’t shown great attacking intent but I believe he has it in his locker just needs bit more confidence.
 

WindyCOYS

Well-Known Member
Feb 24, 2016
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Can some of the youth watchers draw up a bullet point summary of KWP's strengths and weaknesses?

Strengths:
- balance
- dribbling (arguably 3rd best dribbler in squad after Dembele and Edwards)
- technically proficient
- sensible in possession
- decent recovery pace
- reads the game well

Weaknesses:
- could take a few more risks with the ball
- could hit the byline more
- could improve crossing
- small (but tenacious) which some would see as a risk
 

SpursD22

Well-Known Member
Aug 3, 2017
4,682
8,929
Strengths:
- balance
- dribbling (arguably 3rd best dribbler in squad after Dembele and Edwards)
- technically proficient
- sensible in possession
- decent recovery pace
- reads the game well

Weaknesses:
- could take a few more risks with the ball
- could hit the byline more
- could improve crossing
- small (but tenacious) which some would see as a risk

The more games he plays the more confidence he gets and then he will take more risks. I think he’s crossing is decent but I agree could still improve on that. And what surprises me is that for being so short he still wins some headers.
And one thing you forgot is that he’s versatile which is a very good thing
 

coys200

Well-Known Member
May 22, 2017
8,436
17,403
I did slightly worry about KWP stature but he is same height as Rose and taller than Dani Alves and Roberto Carlos :D. You seem to get a lot of world class diminutive full backs not really sure why that is. I understand a full back has to be more agile than a CB. But you can still be 6 ft and be agile look at Son Lamela dele. Personally feel a small full back leaves you exposed at the back post but what to do I know :ROFLMAO:
 

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
7,958
29,657
Strengths:
- balance
- dribbling (arguably 3rd best dribbler in squad after Dembele and Edwards)
- technically proficient
- sensible in possession
- decent recovery pace
- reads the game well

Weaknesses:
- could take a few more risks with the ball
- could hit the byline more
- could improve crossing
- small (but tenacious) which some would see as a risk

Thanks for this Windy. Makes it more confusing that Poch hasn't tried to integrate KWP in a different position ( AM/RM etc) knowing that he's versatile, technically proficient and reads the game well.
 

brendanb50

Well-Known Member
Jul 21, 2005
4,483
3,890
Thanks for this Windy. Makes it more confusing that Poch hasn't tried to integrate KWP in a different position ( AM/RM etc) knowing that he's versatile, technically proficient and reads the game well.

Whilst i agree, we don't seem to play with a lot of width (high up the pitch) and the majority of our wide play comes from our wing backs which is where KWP has blockers in getting into the team.

Would very much like to see him given a go in a RM/RW position - he may not be a perfect fit there but it removes a bit of risk for him (having cover behind) and allows him to gamble more. I think it's a real shame he's not had more minutes so far this season either way.
 

EQP

EQP
Sep 1, 2013
7,958
29,657
Whilst i agree, we don't seem to play with a lot of width (high up the pitch) and the majority of our wide play comes from our wing backs which is where KWP has blockers in getting into the team.

Would very much like to see him given a go in a RM/RW position - he may not be a perfect fit there but it removes a bit of risk for him (having cover behind) and allows him to gamble more. I think it's a real shame he's not had more minutes so far this season either way.

I remember Poch saying he likes smaller squads with versatile players covering multiple positions and yet he hasn't integrated KWP, an extremely versatile player. And then equally puzzling is the fact that Poch will play Onomah as a AM rather than CM when IMO, KWP would be do a better job as an AM than Onomah.
 

Hengy1

Well-Known Member
Aug 7, 2014
2,744
7,424
Walkes back at the club. Reckon he’ll go permanently over with Atlanta in jan?
 

Blake Griffin

Well-Known Member
Oct 3, 2011
14,133
38,225
Any word why wasn’t in last U23 game ?

don't know. @BC11 said he'd try and find out but don't know if he did in the end or not.

@WindyCOYS might be able to help?

Walkes back at the club. Reckon he’ll go permanently over with Atlanta in jan?

think that would probably be the best move for him, or maybe they'll try and get him in at a championship club on loan.
 

Hengy1

Well-Known Member
Aug 7, 2014
2,744
7,424
don't know. @BC11 said he'd try and find out but don't know if he did in the end or not.

@WindyCOYS might be able to help?



think that would probably be the best move for him, or maybe they'll try and get him in at a championship club on loan.
He seemed to love it over in Atlanta and they loved him too.

Not a bad standard and lifestyle to have a career out there.
 

IGSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 11, 2013
7,939
13,758
willock(18) started for arsenal and they also brought on nelson(18), sheaf(19) and dasilva(19) - though the last only came on in stoppage time. chelsea have ampadu(17), hudson-odoi(17) and sterling(18) in their squad tomorrow.

maitland-niles has also started arsenal's last two league games as well as all of their europa matches, onomah starts ahead of him for england.

AMN starting tonight as well. Funnily enough he has been playing LB. He is a winger turned DM/CM who has been trusted to play at full back and started 2/3 league games now. Conversely our own FB who actually played for England u20s and considerably better than MN, can't get any game time.
 

Hercules

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2014
5,694
156,565
AMN starting tonight as well. Funnily enough he has been playing LB. He is a winger turned DM/CM who has been trusted to play at full back and started 2/3 league games now. Conversely our own FB who actually played for England u20s and considerably better than MN, can't get any game time.
Couldn’t agree more!
 

Hengy1

Well-Known Member
Aug 7, 2014
2,744
7,424
AMN starting tonight as well. Funnily enough he has been playing LB. He is a winger turned DM/CM who has been trusted to play at full back and started 2/3 league games now. Conversely our own FB who actually played for England u20s and considerably better than MN, can't get any game time.
Tbf he’s been poor
 

IGSpur

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Jan 11, 2013
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13,758
Feels like after leading the way with youth integration we are falling behind City and Chelsea these days.

I#m reluctant to praise City and Chelsea too much at this stage but they, so far, have at least made improvements this season, which is a positive. Though Hudson-Odoi still stayed on the bench the other night for some reason. But as I've said many times we were leading the way for youth integration that has basically come to a stop over the last 3/4 years. We had quite a few players being given chances then and integrated into the squad and some have stayed there since and improved while others have moved on. I think people are only just starting to realise.

It really is strange how we seem to be struggling to integrate our youth all of a sudden, I hate critising Pochettino but even West Ham played Rice and Quna tonight who are both 18, Foden came on against us in the league and he's 17.

Youth players seem to be popping up all over the place right now, even Mourinho is giving Mctominay minutes, though he is 21.

To be fair to Poch, he is playing Winks most weeks, it's just sad when you realise young kids will be looking at Arsenal and City thinking that is the best option. Just a few games for KWP and Edwards and that doesn't happen.

It really is odd, unless we are massivley overating our players.

The real test will be to see if these managers continue to use them or drop them as soon as things go bad but it is a good start either way. I think it's too soon to say kids will look at Man City and Arsenal for this reason but the issue is that these clubs are more attractive as they're 'bigger' than us and can offer better wages. What we could offer was a pathway and chances to the first team, if we can't show young players that, then there is no incentive to choose us over them in the future.

I think BG answered your last sentence perfectly, but you can't believe that everyone else's players just happen to be better than our players, despite our club contributing the 3rd most players to the incredible summer England just had. And again what standard do they have to be at. If you're expecting an academy player to be better than a seasoned international having played zero games of course not, but as squad players they can do a job and I'd bet, after a few starts people will start claiming they're better than our first teamers. Happened with Winks and he wasn't even considered 'special' he was a very good player who had the tools to be a very good PL player which is on course to being.
 

IGSpur

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Jan 11, 2013
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13,758
I think it’s fair to say right at this moment in time we don’t have anyone banging down the door screaming play me. The closest to that is Edwards but even he has a been a bit inconsistent this year. I think KWP is quality but more a steady eddy than a no brainier pick. Others mentioned have potential but probably a bit off being ready. I actually think the younger from U19 down are the most exciting Skipp Paris Maghoma Lloyd bennet etc.

What do you mean banging down the door? Our best talents aren't getting a chance to, in matches anyway. Onomah is on a dodgy loan, and KWP isn't seeing game time. Those are the main two, people want to see get given a chance, what can they do? The other day you said KWP should be playing ahead of Aurier and now your saying he is a steady eddy despite not seeing him play in the time between you changed your opinion. Edwards has been our most effective player for a long time now, if you're expecting him to score 20 goals as a way of knocking on the door it's not going to happen.

And there is always this urge to rave over young players, want them to play first team, then when they don't get a chance and get older then they are written off and the next group suddenly become better prospects or more first team ready, despite being younger. Other than Skipp, none of the players you have mentioned have come anyway close to the 3 players mentioned above. How can Lloyd-Bennett after playing 3 u18s games now be a better prospect than Edwards, the biggest talent in his age group, and JLB hasn't even had a trial for England, though I would expect a call up during the spring, if he carries on as he is. How is Maghoma who has featured in only 2 u19s matches, struggled in the u18s, and been dropped from England now better than Onomah who was running u21s football at 17 and winning 2 tournaments for his England age group. You've only seen Maghoma play about 2 games and not seen JLB play once. It's just flavour of the month stuff
 

Hercules

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2014
5,694
156,565
Any ideas as to why he's fallen out of favour?

Don’t think he has fallen out of favour. Just believe Poch can be a bit stubborn in some of his beliefs, and this could be detrimental if he wants to progress to be a great manager. My opinion ofcourse.
 
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