Tom Carroll- Swansea City

[@Bobby__Lucky]

Actually, I'd say between the two only Bentaleb is more well-rounded and talented, it's just that Carroll seems to struggle for confidence.

He might excel playing with his mates.. I'd imagine Mason Kane Carroll Bentaleb Townsend and Pritchard know each others game inside out.

 

[IGSpur]

I'm not sure he has done anything to deserve a shot with us. He has hardly shone at Swansea

As the above poster has mentioned it doens't even matter sometimes, but regardless he has played better for Swansea than Mason did for Swindon. He has proven he can handle PL football, he is very talented. If he is shown trust by Poch that could bring out the confidence needed to show how could he can be. He has shown glimpses at Swansea and dont underestimate the importance of playing alongside players who know your game. We've seen the improvements Poch has made in our youngsters so he could do it for Carroll too.

Even if he doesn't show his worth next season I think he deserves it ahead of buying another squad player. If we are going to do that then he deserves try for that position.His wages would be significantly less and he would more than likely be better than any other squad player we buy

 

[DaSpurs]

He might excel playing with his mates.. I'd imagine Mason Kane Carroll Bentaleb Townsend and Pritchard know each others game inside out.

Yeah the prospect of that excites me. Carroll seems to do very well when he establishes a connection with another player in midfield, and I think with improved confidence as a result of this loan that it only improves the potential of his impact. For instance, there was a Europa game last season (believe it was Tbilisi before Carroll left for QPR on loan) in which he and Holtby linked up beautifully with their passes and overlapping movement. I think it possible a Mason and Carroll midfield ahead of Bentaleb could hold genuine potential as a result of this. Of course, that also extends to the forwards/wingers as well that Carroll would have better knowledge of.

 

[@Bobby__Lucky]

Yeah the prospect of that excites me. Carroll seems to do very well when he establishes a connection with another player in midfield, and I think with improved confidence as a result of this loan that it only improves the potential of his impact. For instance, there was a Europa game last season (believe it was Tbilisi before Carroll left for QPR on loan) in which he and Holtby linked up beautifully with their passes and overlapping movement. I think it possible a Mason and Carroll midfield ahead of Bentaleb could hold genuine potential as a result of this. Of course, that also extends to the forwards/wingers as well that Carroll would have better knowledge of.

Is that the game where eriksen moved back to play in a 3 with them 2? The one Fredricks played in ? Seem to recall that.. But could be the suggestion of it.

Totally agree though and look at the confidence our youngsters are playing with. To me they play with (for the want of a better word) 'swag' and vigour. Mason goes out on the pitch like he don't give a fuck, Bentaleb plays like he is a boss much of the time and Kane just oozes belief, and our biggest improvement in a player for me is Rose. I would love to see what Maurice would do with Carrol. I'm sure in that generation for the tail end anyway Carroll was the 'Don' of that team.

 

[EQP]

Yeah the prospect of that excites me. Carroll seems to do very well when he establishes a connection with another player in midfield, and I think with improved confidence as a result of this loan that it only improves the potential of his impact. For instance, there was a Europa game last season (believe it was Tbilisi before Carroll left for QPR on loan) in which he and Holtby linked up beautifully with their passes and overlapping movement. I think it possible a Mason and Carroll midfield ahead of Bentaleb could hold genuine potential as a result of this. Of course, that also extends to the forwards/wingers as well that Carroll would have better knowledge of.

There is also something to be said about having the manager's faith. I remember Mason saying that even when he injured Poch told him to focus on getting back healthy and that would he get a chance to play. I think Carroll will thrive under Poch and in turn earn his trust, great thing he has a great set of guys (Kane, Mason, Nabil, Andros etc) to help him adjust to the new system. Also, the other academy guys know how talented Carroll is ( i remember him dominating U21 games with ease ) and that can only mean good things for his confidence.

 

[DaSpurs]

Is that the game where eriksen moved back to play in a 3 with them 2? The one Fredricks played in ? Seem to recall that.. But could be the suggestion of it.

No I think Eriksen sat that one out as at the time he and Holtby were rotating at the No 10 spot between the league and Europe. But they played beautifully as they rotated between the No 10 and No 8, displaying excellent dynamics, movement, and ingenuity. Was a meaningless game, but it was the game I enjoyed watching the most in all of last season (aside maybe the Southampton comeback from 0-2 down) because of how much I enjoyed that midfield play. It stood out, because most of our midfield play was the exact opposite with lethargic, sideways, cumbersome, and timid passing and movement from our midfields.

Honestly don't remember though if that was the one Fredericks was involved in or not, but you may be right. Either way, I remember being quite impressed with Fredericks' resolve in that match. Kid wide players don't come in late on their debut and stretch teams out a bit, they sit back and play it safe, as I'm sure you know.

 

[DaSpurs]

There is also something to be said about having the manager's faith. I remember Mason saying that even when he injured Poch told him to focus on getting back healthy and that would he get a chance to play. I think Carroll will thrive under Poch and in turn earn his trust, great thing he has a great set of guys (Kane, Mason, Nabil, Andros etc) to help him adjust to the new system. Also, the other academy guys know how talented Carroll is ( i remember him dominating U21 games with ease ) and that can only mean good things for his confidence.

Good point about the other youths in turn building him up. He has some great tools to succeed with that in mind, so I really hope he's given a chance.

Will be so interesting to see how Poch plays out our midfield situation this summer, and I certainly don't envy him for it. He looks to have Mason, Carroll, and Alli for the No 8 position before considering his players out of favor, and all three are young and offer very different abilities. They are young though, and it will be interesting to see not only the ratios of how much they play, but whether or not Poch decides to bring in an older head to guide them or not. Personally, I think the competition between the three would be sufficient to push them all into great players, and have to concede I think we need to improve on an alternative to Bentaleb instead.

 

[spurs9]

Yeah the prospect of that excites me. Carroll seems to do very well when he establishes a connection with another player in midfield, and I think with improved confidence as a result of this loan that it only improves the potential of his impact. For instance, there was a Europa game last season (believe it was Tbilisi before Carroll left for QPR on loan) in which he and Holtby linked up beautifully with their passes and overlapping movement. I think it possible a Mason and Carroll midfield ahead of Bentaleb could hold genuine potential as a result of this. Of course, that also extends to the forwards/wingers as well that Carroll would have better knowledge of.

Most of Carroll's games in midfield for the youth team(s), were along side Bentaleb (with Veljkovic anchoring them), so I think he and Bents will have a great understanding.

Carroll played a few games alongside Mason just before Mason went to France and in the 6 games they played together(2 Mason as AM, 1 as Carroll AM and 3 as both CMs) Mason scored 6 and Carroll 1. Townsends also played a couple of those games. Also both have played with Pritchard (Mason at both Swindon and couple at U21 level) but never with the 3 of them in the same team.

 

[spurs9]

Good point about the other youths in turn building him up. He has some great tools to succeed with that in mind, so I really hope he's given a chance.

Will be so interesting to see how Poch plays out our midfield situation this summer, and I certainly don't envy him for it. He looks to have Mason, Carroll, and Alli for the No 8 position before considering his players out of favor, and all three are young and offer very different abilities. They are young though, and it will be interesting to see not only the ratios of how much they play, but whether or not Poch decides to bring in an older head to guide them or not. Personally, I think the competition between the three would be sufficient to push them all into great players, and have to concede I think we need to improve on an alternative to Bentaleb instead.

Most of the time in the U21s, Carroll was usually playing the #6 (sometimes #10) role with Bentaleb #8 (also sometimes #10).

 

[DaSpurs]

Most of the time in the U21s, Carroll was usually playing the #6 (sometimes #10) role with Bentaleb #8 (also sometimes #10).

Was not aware Carroll played a genuine No 6. Fair enough. However, I don't think he'll play there for us in the Prem vs the more advanced role, and this was also before Bentaleb's growth surge which seemed to prompt his movement further back in midfield.

So my guess as of now is Carroll will come in to compete with Mason, and Bentaleb will be given better competition this summer (Rabiot for instance, if we are indeed genuinely interested).

 

[spurs9]

Was not aware Carroll played a genuine No 6. Fair enough. However, I don't think he'll play there for us in the Prem vs the more advanced role, and this was also before Bentaleb's growth surge which seemed to prompt his movement further back in midfield.

So my guess as of now is Carroll will come in to compete with Mason, and Bentaleb will be given better competition this summer (Rabiot for instance, if we are indeed genuinely interested).

Yeah, I think due to Carroll's size, he would have to increase his reading of the game a fair whack to be able to play #6 in the PL but saying that, under Poch, I wouldn't be surprised to see Carroll and Mason or Alli play together against certain opposition and with I think Bentaleb would make an excellent #8 if we had the right player to play alongside him.

It would be interesting to see how Veljkovic would do beside Bentaleb and any two combo of Bentaleb, Carroll, Mason & Veljkovic will be good to see with Pritchard too.

 

[@Bobby__Lucky]

Don't know about anyone else but after hearing that scoring ratio earlier in the thread I would like to see what he's like up top.

 

[mill]

I like Carroll but with the sheer number of mids we've got I think he's probably missed his chance, should have been given more opportunities previously. Tbh I don't think he'll get enough game time if he comes back and the best thing for him would be to leave, shame really

 

[eddiebailey]

If he does leave he won't be short of takers, particularly if Tim and Chris still have their current jobs.

 

[DaSpurs]

I like Carroll but with the sheer number of mids we've got I think he's probably missed his chance, should have been given more opportunities previously. Tbh I don't think he'll get enough game time if he comes back and the best thing for him would be to leave, shame really

Who would be his competition? As of right now, considering players within Poch's favor, you have only Mason and then it remains to be seen how much Alli will be involved. I think next season is actually the first legitimate chance he'll get with us, and there's a strong chance of him seeing favorable playing time under those conditions.

Edit: and just read Fox' ITK, thus negating any of this

 

[mill]

Who would be his competition? As of right now, considering players within Poch's favor, you have only Mason and then it remains to be seen how much Alli will be involved. I think next season is actually the first legitimate chance he'll get with us, and there's a strong chance of him seeing favorable playing time under those conditions.

We would have Bentaleb, Mason, stambouli, alli, Veljkovic, winks, Capoue, Paulinho plus Carroll, with dembele able to play there and even possibly another signing there vying for 2 places, realistically how many do you think we'll be able to sell?

Sitting on our bench isn't what the lad needs imo.

I'd personally take him over Paulinho, stambouli and Capoue but we aren't gonna sell all 3

I know you're gonna say but Carroll plays 8 and so and so plays 6 but as has been pointed out he's played both roles.

I just don't see the point of him sitting on our bench at his age

 

[DaSpurs]

We would have Bentaleb, Mason, stambouli, alli, Veljkovic, winks, Capoue, Paulinho plus Carroll, with dembele able to play there and even possibly another signing there vying for 2 places, realistically how many do you think we'll be able to sell?

Sitting on our bench isn't what the lad needs imo.

I'd personally take him over Paulinho, stambouli and Capoue but we aren't gonna sell all 3

I know you're gonna say but Carroll plays 8 and so and so plays 6 but as has been pointed out he's played both roles.

I just don't see the point of him sitting on our bench at his age

Well in truth, that he plays both would be an advantage, but regardless I don't think Carroll would play a 6 at this level.

Carroll would have been ahead of Veljkovic and Winks. I've no doubt we'll try to sell Capoue and Paulinho, and I suspect Dembele as well (how content would he be anyway to stick around?). Yes, it is possible we would make yet another signing.

Seems a moot point though anyway if Fox' bit from this morning is to be believed. Shame, as I always wanted him to make it at Spurs, and I think our midfield is crying out for more tight-space maneuverability.

 

[mill]

Well in truth, that he plays both would be an advantage, but regardless I don't think Carroll would play a 6 at this level.

Carroll would have been ahead of Veljkovic and Winks. I've no doubt we'll try to sell Capoue and Paulinho, and I suspect Dembele as well (how content would he be anyway to stick around?). Yes, it is possible we would make yet another signing.

Seems a moot point though anyway if Fox' bit from this morning is to be believed. Shame, as I always wanted him to make it at Spurs, and I think our midfield is crying out for more tight-space maneuverability.

Like I said I like the player and he should of been utilised better previously, but at the age he is and with the players in front of him and the talent coming up behind him I just don't think he'll see the game time he'll need.

There's also no guarantee who he'll be in front of in Poch's eyes. If Poch wants him in the team I'm fine with that but anything less than than 4th choice for a cm position then I think it's a waste

 

[DaSpurs]

Like I said I like the player and he should of been utilised better previously, but at the age he is and with the players in front of him and the talent coming up behind him I just don't think he'll see the game time he'll need.

There's also no guarantee who he'll be in front of in Poch's eyes. If Poch wants him in the team I'm fine with that but anything less than than 4th choice for a cm position then I think it's a waste

Very true, we have no guarantee of Poch's rankings at the positions. Is nothing more than a guess on my own part based on playing times from this year, and wanted to compare it with your own guesses.

But I agree, hell I think if he's anything less than 2nd choice for either of the two then it's a waste.

 

[spursram]

Well in truth, that he plays both would be an advantage, but regardless I don't think Carroll would play a 6 at this level.

Carroll would have been ahead of Veljkovic and Winks. I've no doubt we'll try to sell Capoue and Paulinho, and I suspect Dembele as well (how content would he be anyway to stick around?). Yes, it is possible we would make yet another signing.

Seems a moot point though anyway if Fox' bit from this morning is to be believed. Shame, as I always wanted him to make it at Spurs, and I think our midfield is crying out for more tight-space maneuverability.

But if that is true wouldn't we have sold him during the recent window to Swansea?