Tom Carroll

[CJMurray]

We all know this kids pretty good, I think he needs to be more involved this season. Seeing as we've lost Modric and van der Vaart this summer, we've clearly lost a bit of craft and flair. This is where I believe he can come into the fray - I'm not for a second suggesting that he's anywhere near their level, he's not, but i'd like to see him at least on the bench - especially in home games against weaker opposition.

The last two games against West Brom and Norwich we played Livermore and Sandro as the 2 central midfielders, now i'm actually seemingly one of the few that quite likes Livermore, but he was unnecessary alongside Sandro in both games, despite doing an adequate job. In home games against weaker opposition I'd much rather play Carroll than Jake, but it seems this wont happen now with the purchase of Dembele (thankfully). However, and onto my main point, I feel he should be on the bench and should be the player we look to bring on when we're winning.

What i've seen from that last two games is we're sitting back and happy to just try and scrape through and take the 1-0, this is entirely the wrong attitude and mentality. We panic and as a result drop deeper and deeper inviting the other team onto us.

What I feel we should be doing is instead of bringing on a Livermore/Huddlestone is bring on Carroll. He's always looking for the ball, positive and most importantly keeps it ticking over. We need to press forward and keep control of the game, looks at teams like United for example. They're not happy just taking the 1-0 win at home, they keep going and going until they wear down the opposition and get 3 or 4.

Basically, what i'm saying (sorry for rambling on) is that we've got to change our attitude when we're winning games, attack is the best form of defence, and I think Carroll could be the player to help us with this.

Would love to hear some other opinions on this, and whether mine makes sense to others.

 

[bilburger]

Yeah, I agree that he should be more involved and I think he will be. Joe Allen-esque.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Yeah, I agree that he should be more involved and I think he will be. Joe Allen-esque.

Hope to be proved wrong but reminds me of Stephen Clemence!! Nothing special at all, move on

P.S Joe Allen is well over rated too

 

[CJMurray]

Yeah, I agree that he should be more involved and I think he will be. Joe Allen-esque.

Looks a very similar player to Allen, but probably a year or two behind in his development.

 

[noahrobert]

I think Carroll may have a part to play this season, especially up to the January Window. Cup games and UEFA he will get a shot. If je impresses, then he will get a shot with the League team.

I been impressed with him so far. Think has real potential. I like Jake too, but not as part of 2 DCM. He is limited but will improve. Carroll has more talent than any graduate I seen since king. The thing I like is he wants the ball, wants to prove himself, wants to make things happen. Think it's clear he's been watching Modric game, seems to model himself in terms if positioning and linking play, though not at that level yet.

He will get chances though, I really hope he can be a genuine first teamer in time. Like the look of Camoran Lancaster too, hope he gets a shot in the UEFA.

 

[Mr Pink]

We could definitely do with involving this kid a bit more, but what we really need, given the lack of a ball player at the moment, is Huddlestone back to full fitness. He'll not be playing in a conventional 4-4-2 and moving to the 4-3-3, it could work well.

We need some quality on the ball in deeper positions so Bale, Lennon et al can actually feed off some progressive use of the ball.

 

[eddiebailey]

Pretty sure the intention is that, barring loans, Carroll, Smith, Townsend and obviously Caulker will be involved; they were all given the chance to impress in pre-season and all took it.

 

[Chapel Hill Hotspur]

I agree. I would have loved to see him instead of Livermore. It's Norwich City at home, it's a great chance to blood a youngster.

The fact that he wasn't even on the bench speak volumes of what AVB thinks of him.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Pretty sure the intention is that, barring loans, Carroll, Smith, Townsend and obviously Caulker will be involved; they were all given the chance to impress in pre-season and all took it.

What's happened to Ryan Mason? Looked a class act when I saw him

 

[eddiebailey]

What's happened to Ryan Mason? Looked a class act when I saw him

Captaining the U21s. Sherwood or Ramsey or someone was talking him up the other day.

 

[faze_coys]

Ryan mason tweeted he is looking to leave in january if he isnt involved with the first team because he is getting to old to sit around

 

[Hitch]

The only issue with Carroll really is his physique and whether it's up to par for Premier League football right now. I was hoping that we'd get a better idea of how ready he might be during his loan with Derby but that didn't work out. Be nice if he could get a shot in the Europa Cup but Lazio isn't the easiest game so perhaps we'll just have to wait a while.

Personally I'm still regretting that we loaned out Luongo for a whole season. Now that right there is a player ready to do a job for us. He's already better than Livermore imo. Strong technical player with a good mentality and a great all round game. Physically he's ready.

 

[Spursidol]

We all know this kids pretty good, I think he needs to be more involved this season. Seeing as we've lost Modric and van der Vaart this summer, we've clearly lost a bit of craft and flair. This is where I believe he can come into the fray - I'm not for a second suggesting that he's anywhere near their level, he's not, but i'd like to see him at least on the bench - especially in home games against weaker opposition.

The last two games against West Brom and Norwich we played Livermore and Sandro as the 2 central midfielders, now i'm actually seemingly one of the few that quite likes Livermore, but he was unnecessary alongside Sandro in both games, despite doing an adequate job. In home games against weaker opposition I'd much rather play Carroll than Jake, but it seems this wont happen now with the purchase of Dembele (thankfully). However, and onto my main point, I feel he should be on the bench and should be the player we look to bring on when we're winning.

What i've seen from that last two games is we're sitting back and happy to just try and scrape through and take the 1-0, this is entirely the wrong attitude and mentality. We panic and as a result drop deeper and deeper inviting the other team onto us.

What I feel we should be doing is instead of bringing on a Livermore/Huddlestone is bring on Carroll. He's always looking for the ball, positive and most importantly keeps it ticking over. We need to press forward and keep control of the game, looks at teams like United for example. They're not happy just taking the 1-0 win at home, they keep going and going until they wear down the opposition and get 3 or 4.

Basically, what i'm saying (sorry for rambling on) is that we've got to change our attitude when we're winning games, attack is the best form of defence, and I think Carroll could be the player to help us with this.

Would love to hear some other opinions on this, and whether mine makes sense to others.

I like the idea, however best time to blood youngsters is when you blend them into a team which shows confidence, usually winning etc. Rigtht now that's not Spurs.

However I could see him getting a sub appearance or two in the Premiership in the near future, probably only 10 minutes here or there just to get him used to it - but given that Townsend was on the bench on Saturday but did not get on when a fresh pair of legs to replace Lennon might have been useful, its not assured.

I would assume we would involve the younger players with sqiuad numbers (Townsend, Carroll, Smith) in cup games, the first of which is tricky away tie against Carlisle (September 26) or in the Europa League (first match against Lazio September 20), although neither of these matches is ideal (last year's home game against Hearts after beating them 5 - 0 away was a 'no brainer'). Ryan Mason is another that I would like to see involved - used to play in a VDV type role but has recently also played alongside Carroll in a deeper midfield role, and having played at Championship level is a decent candidate for Spurs.

It is not without risk to play the younger players in these games, but given that Carlisle is in League 1, all these players have played at Championship level so the game should be well within their capabilities, although Lazio would be tougher opposition (and have won their last 2 games, so in better form than Spurs) - but even if not starting Carroll or one of the others should at least get a sub appearance.

Certainly I hope to see all of them get some minutes during September

 

[Bus-Conductor]

We all know this kids pretty good, I think he needs to be more involved this season. Seeing as we've lost Modric and van der Vaart this summer, we've clearly lost a bit of craft and flair. This is where I believe he can come into the fray - I'm not for a second suggesting that he's anywhere near their level, he's not, but i'd like to see him at least on the bench - especially in home games against weaker opposition.

The last two games against West Brom and Norwich we played Livermore and Sandro as the 2 central midfielders, now i'm actually seemingly one of the few that quite likes Livermore, but he was unnecessary alongside Sandro in both games, despite doing an adequate job. In home games against weaker opposition I'd much rather play Carroll than Jake, but it seems this wont happen now with the purchase of Dembele (thankfully). However, and onto my main point, I feel he should be on the bench and should be the player we look to bring on when we're winning.

What i've seen from that last two games is we're sitting back and happy to just try and scrape through and take the 1-0, this is entirely the wrong attitude and mentality. We panic and as a result drop deeper and deeper inviting the other team onto us.

What I feel we should be doing is instead of bringing on a Livermore/Huddlestone is bring on Carroll. He's always looking for the ball, positive and most importantly keeps it ticking over. We need to press forward and keep control of the game, looks at teams like United for example. They're not happy just taking the 1-0 win at home, they keep going and going until they wear down the opposition and get 3 or 4.

Basically, what i'm saying (sorry for rambling on) is that we've got to change our attitude when we're winning games, attack is the best form of defence, and I think Carroll could be the player to help us with this.

Would love to hear some other opinions on this, and whether mine makes sense to others.

I actually think the 3rd sub AVB has made in both the last two games was tactically bang on. Attack isn't always the best form of defence but ball retention is and swapping Defoe (zero ball retention) for players like Jenas and Hudd were designed to do that.

If we switch to a 433 then I wouldn't mind seeing carroll given the odd game or bench time either. Seeing as we now lack virtually anyone in our squad who can come on and change things in a creative sense I'd also like to see a couple of youngsters like Mason & Falque put on the bench too.

 

[Spurs_Q8]

i wouldn't mind playing him in my starting XI, in fact.. i rate him more than Livermore, and at least, he is more Luka style, which we really lacked ..

 

[Pedro]

Suprised he hasn't gone out on loan to be honest, I wonder whether there was interest or if we intend to use him this season. I'm sure he will get a chance in the cup games, and it seems AVB will be playing stronger teams in the cups so if he does get the nod we will have a better idea how ready he is when playing with first teamers. If he does well he could get a chance in PL. I also wouln't mind seeing more of Falque, looks a talent but I'm not sure where he would fit in a 433, I guess AM since he isn't blessed with pace for the wide forward role, has flair and a good shot on him though.

 

[ItsBoris]

My guess is Carroll and Hudd will start a lot of Europa/Cup games, I hope he shows some ability because it would be nice to have him able to dictate play in our Premier league games. Agree with the poster who said he looks a lot like Allen. Also agree with the poster who said Luongo is the big midfield talent from our reserves.

Also I haven't heard anything about Ceballos or Falque, wonder if they could come into the team for Europa league games.

 

[Kendall]

I think he needs a loan to Swansea or someone. I don't think he's ready for the Prem with us.

 

[eddiebailey]

Ryan mason tweeted he is looking to leave in january if he isnt involved with the first team because he is getting to old to sit around

That would be a shame. In fairness his lack of game time is mainly down to disruption from injury rather than lack of faith from the coaches, but he does seem to have been eclipsed, perhaps unfairly, by Carroll.

 

[RJ1882]

Hope to be proved wrong but reminds me of Stephen Clemence!! Nothing special at all, move on

P.S Joe Allen is well over rated too

Disagree. The pessimist will look at what players liek Joe Allen cant do... beat 4 players, ping it into the goal from 30 yards, pass it like Hudd from 50 or 60, offer a solid defensive wall etc....
But I look at what players like this can do. Knit the team together. Be the link man between Defence and Midfield/Attack. Someone comfortable on the ball regardless of the amount of space or time they have. You need that in any midfield. I'm not saying Allen is the best in the world at it, but he is very good. Liverpools best player their last two games?

Its been pretty evident watching Livermore and Sandro that despite their obvious strengths, they arent anywhere near the level required in terms of play making or creativity. They've looked uncomfortable with the ball at times. Receive the ball with their back to play, they dont have a picture in their heads of whats around them like players like Modric have, and Allen to a degree.
Tom Carroll looks like he is this sort of player. NOt just because of the visual similarities in terms of size and appearance, but in movement of the ball, and how he moves when he releases the ball. Pass and move, pas and move. Give the simple ball, move into space to receive it again. And he seems willing to accept the ball in tight situation, with the ability to work himself a yard or twos space.

He isnt ready to step up immediately, but given time, some games and proper coaching, there doesnt seem to be any reason why he cant progress in the next year or two to a player in a similar mould to Allen.

I'm personally hoping Tom Carroll and Mass Luongo progress and save us a few million in the transfer market when we next need to update our midfield. Two top, top prospects.