Why Dembele’s absence continues to eye gouge Spurs

[Ausp]

Without the Belgian starting last season, Spurs have been poor. If Spurs are to repeat last season's exploits, they'll need to find a way to maintain their footballing quality when Dembélé is absent.

Read the full article at Beyond 90 Minutes

 

[doom]

Dembele's significance has been to grab possession and to keep hold of the ball as well as driving forward in dangerous positions whilst also taking away 2/3 opposition players giving our team the chance to reposition for attack. Without him we play too frantically at times.

 

[bigspurs]

It's kind of depressing how much this team and system relies on one player to make it work properly. You would have thought that once Poch acknowledged this Demele factor last season, he would have been out there frantically trying to sign another midfielder that can hold a ball up?! Easier said than done though I suppose.

 

[Ausp]

Dembele's significance has been to grab possession and to keep hold of the ball as well as driving forward in dangerous positions whilst also taking away 2/3 opposition players giving our team the chance to reposition for attack. Without him we play too frantically at times.

The idea of Dembele driving forward with the ball, naturally suggests he'll grab possession of the ball and keep it (unless you meant hold it in midfield). I'm not trying to be smart, but Wanyama offered hold up play in the centre of the park and so did Dier. The difference likely has been Dembele driving forward with the ball.

 

[Jadon Benjamin]

The idea of Dembele driving forward with the ball, naturally suggests he'll grab possession of the ball and keep it (unless you meant hold it in midfield). I'm not trying to be smart, but Wanyama offered hold up play in the centre of the park and so did Dier. The difference likely has been Dembele driving forward with the ball.

Yeah...his a good ball carrier

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

I hope all those that thought Dembele was never going to make it are happy to have been proven wrong.
I always felt there was a seriously talented player there that was just badly managed by two twats and perpetually injured to add insult to injury.

Now he's recovered from that hip problem and pochettino has learned how to utilise Dembele, we have our own Yaya Toure running the game from midfield in commanding fashion.

In fact. Let's sign Yaya as Dembele's back up

 

[HornchurchHotspur]

Under Poch Spurs have always been a team of good athletes, some of the fittest in the premier League. But we have lacked a certain guile. If Eriksen has an off day we find it hard to open up defences which is why Dembele is so important. He gives another option as it is nigh on impossible to get the ball off him and he can drive at defences creating space for Lamela etc.
Spurs need a bit more craft to add to the graft already there.

 

[double0]

This team isn't just about Dembele

Take either one of Lloris Alderweireld Lamela Eriksen Kane Dier this team will not be the same.

We're far from a one man team what we've probably lacked is quality back ups to those key position

 

[shelfboy68]

Dembele's significance has been to grab possession and to keep hold of the ball as well as driving forward in dangerous positions whilst also taking away 2/3 opposition players giving our team the chance to reposition for attack. Without him we play too frantically at times.

He does exactly what you have stated but what is missing from his game is to pass forwards when in an advanced position or score more goals, he will either pass sideways or backwards and his goal return is not good enough imo.

 

[doom]

The idea of Dembele driving forward with the ball, naturally suggests he'll grab possession of the ball and keep it (unless you meant hold it in midfield). I'm not trying to be smart, but Wanyama offered hold up play in the centre of the park and so did Dier. The difference likely has been Dembele driving forward with the ball.

and holding the ball/retaining possession much further up the field than Dier.

 

[ero1x]

Dier and Alli looked OK when played together as the midfield pair last season

Edit. I'd even go as far as to say I preferred Alli playing in that position a lot better than when he plays in the front 3 behind the main striker

 

[TottenhamMattSpur]

This team isn't just about Dembele

Take either one of Lloris Alderweireld Lamela Eriksen Kane Dier this team will not be the same.

We're far from a one man team what we've probably lacked is quality back ups to those key position

Take any of those out and i bet the stats don't prove a horrendous drop in form.

 

[ginola007]

Against Everton, Alderweireld carried the ball forward more times than I've seen him done last season. Indeed, our equalizer came as a result of one such move. As such, I think there is a case whereby Dier can slipped into the centre back role and Alderweireld pushed more forward. It's one of many strategies we can adopt until Dembele comes back.

 

[Marflox]

I think Poch went with wanyama / Dier at everton because it is a tough away game. I can see him going with a more attack-minded player next to Dier when we play at home to Palace. I think Mason could well get the nod, or maybe move Alli down and put on Janssen with Kane in the nr10. He has some options, but i think we need to go with someone who are more offensive and has a better passing range than the pair of Dier and Wanyama who are too simmilar i think.

 

[Cinemattis]

I think Poch went with wanyama / Dier at everton because it is a tough away game. I can see him going with a more attack-minded player next to Dier when we play at home to Palace. I think Mason could well get the nod, or maybe move Alli down and put on Janssen with Kane in the nr10. He has some options, but i think we need to go with someone who are more offensive and has a better passing range than the pair of Dier and Wanyama who are too simmilar i think.

From the part starting wtih "(..) move Alli down (..)" I 110% percent agrre with you.