Wing-back Wonders

[Spurger King]

I think it's about time that Rose, Walker, Trippier, and Davies got their own thread.

For me they're closer to wing-backs than full-backs, but it doesn't really matter what we call them. Just mentioned in another thread that it was a stroke of genius by Pochettino to assemble a squad with four first-team full-back/wing-back players.

They've been a crucial part of our success this season, working in tandem with the two CBs, the midfield two (Dier often dropping back) and our attacking 3/4. They provide the width, they press like demons, they defend, they attack, they're the most dynamic part of our team.

Which is why it makes so much sense that Pochettino rotates them. It must be the most energy-sapping position in the team, but with the options we have we've been able to keep them fresh.

I don't really see them as necessarily competing with each other now. They're a collective. A tag-team. They offer slightly different qualities (for example, Trippier is a superb crosser, whereas Walker is fast and relentless; Davies is more composed, whereas Rose is more dynamic).

The whole team has been great this season, but let's show some love to our wing-back wonders.

 

[Shadydan]

Here here, love our wing backs, they've come a long way under Poch and when Poch was announced I just knew that he'd get the most out of them.

 

[VancouverSpurs]

Definitely agree. I think that's the most stand-out aspect of our play recently. They are always popping up deep into our opponent's halves and making chances. Amazing work by Poch and the coaches!

 

[Tucker]

They've been great lately. Rose and Davies have come on leaps and bounds this season, and Trippier is really starting to show why we shelled out for him.

 

[Snarfalicious]

I think, collectively, they are up to 3 goals and 9 assists across all competitions. That's really good production.

They are all playing so well right now we don't skip a beat when Poch rotates them. And, it's quite obvious they all are important and must feel important too.

Also, their ability to get forward is why we can pin so many teams back and do so relentlessly.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I like that whoever plays in those positions now don't really weaken the team. At the beginning of the season it seemed that Trippier was possibly the weakest link but full credit to him he's really upped his game the past 3 months and has played really well.

It seems like it doesn't really matter who plays which is a big benefit to Poch. Long may this continue.

 

[Syn_13]

I think it's about time that Rose, Walker, Trippier, and Davies got their own thread.

For me they're closer to wing-backs than full-backs, but it doesn't really matter what we call them. Just mentioned in another thread that it was a stroke of genius by Pochettino to assemble a squad with four first-team full-back/wing-back players.

They've been a crucial part of our success this season, working in tandem with the two CBs, the midfield two (Dier often dropping back) and our attacking 3/4. They provide the width, they press like demons, they defend, they attack, they're the most dynamic part of our team.

Which is why it makes so much sense that Pochettino rotates them. It must be the most energy-sapping position in the team, but with the options we have we've been able to keep them fresh.

I don't really see them as necessarily competing with each other now. They're a collective. A tag-team. They offer slightly different qualities (for example, Trippier is a superb crosser, whereas Walker is fast and relentless; Davies is more composed, whereas Rose is more dynamic).

The whole team has been great this season, but let's show some love to our wing-back wonders.

Great post, totally agree. Love the way Poch is rotating them as well, he's giving them all a chance to shine and the players are really enjoying it, you can tell.

I think they are wing backs, to be honest, and they're doing a great job of it. Dier has been so crucial to this system working as he drops in to cover them, as you've said. In a lot of ways we look like we're playing 3-6-1 at times. I love the fluid dynamic that 3 at the back brings when you do it well and we're shifting between a 4 man defence and a 3 man defence so well.

 

[Bulletspur]

A pity we cannot play four together in the same match!

 

[loaderspurs]

Poch has rotated and managed the players perfectly. We have two very good players for both sides with no clear first choice, meaning there is no drop in quality if there's an injury or suspension, and we can choose players for their particular attributes depending on the situation.

Also, it's a very tough task to have 2 good players for one position as you pretty much always get 1 player unhappy with their playing time. The way poch has done it it seems apparent that they all push each other to be better and are loving it at the club. All realise they play a vital role at the club and are very important to the first xi, even if they're not always in it!

 

[dontcallme]

I think the full backs are very important to our play. I felt Rose and Trippier had a bit of a slow start to their Spurs careers but now they are performing we can rotate them constantly and all are performing.

Just great to see.

 

[Hoops]

Was good to see Rose looking more confident than ever. He is now doing the things I criticised him for not doing. Being willing to take his man on and be a threat. Not just pass the ball backwards or dideways. If he can improve his crossing he may get in the England side.

 

[UpTownSpur]

Are there any other teams in Europe that routinely rotate their full backs? Might become the latest thing next season as clubs look at what "Pochettinoisms" they can copy.

 

[The Scarecrow]

Are there any other teams in Europe that routinely rotate their full backs? Might become the latest thing next season as clubs look at what "Pochettinoisms" they can copy.

Very few teams have that kind of debth. Poch and the scouting staff have done a very good job identifying Davies and Trippier.

 

[Hoops]

Are there any other teams in Europe that routinely rotate their full backs? Might become the latest thing next season as clubs look at what "Pochettinoisms" they can copy.

Possibly. But is that a tactic or do we rotate because its a position we are strong in?

 

[Antilokhos]

Possibly. But is that a tactic or do we rotate because its a position we are strong in?

We are strong in that position because the fullbacks are key to the tactics we utilize.

 

[Basil Brush]

Great post, totally agree. Love the way Poch is rotating them as well, he's giving them all a chance to shine and the players are really enjoying it, you can tell.

I think they are wing backs, to be honest, and they're doing a great job of it. Dier has been so crucial to this system working as he drops in to cover them, as you've said. In a lot of ways we look like we're playing 3-6-1 at times. I love the fluid dynamic that 3 at the back brings when you do it well and we're shifting between a 4 man defence and a 3 man defence so well.

Extremely underrated post.

Dier is the key to our wing backs being able to do what they do.

 

[Marvinspur]

I would agree they are wing backs. Dier practically plays the sweeper role taking up vacant position when we dont have the ball. Our formations are so fluid that I have stopped even looking at where our players are starting.

 

[Marvinspur]

Oddly enough I read a Sid Lowe article on his espanol team and he had a player do the exact same thing as Dier does now. A midfielder that drops into the CB postions when the full backs bomb forward.

 

[Doomchicken]

A pity we cannot play four together in the same match!

Both Rose and Walker have played on the wings before. We shouldn't, but we could.

 

[foxilator]

The energy and desire they show is unreal. I was at the game yesterday and after we went 2-1 up we had two chances to break onto an isolated Swansea defence. Both times it played out like a 100m final at the Olympics with 4 or 5 of our players streaming forward and both times Walker was leading the charge...if only he could work out how to stay onside!