Wing-back Wonders

[tobi]

They all deserve credit and they've all benefited from the genuine competition for places but Walker would be so much better if bullied the opposition in the final third. Even if his end product only slightly improved, by consistently (when appropriate) attacking the fullback/space it would force the defence to adjust accordingly (maybe even think of doubling up) thus creating a bit more space for others to operate.

It's remarkable how many times he kills the momentum of an attack because he doesn't read the situation well.

 

[theShiznit]

A very important part of our team being very well managed.
They provide our width and are always available as an out ball. They have to cover a hell of a lot of ground so using them as they have been is keeping a vital part of our team fresh.

Not disappointed when I see any combination of the four on the team sheet

 

[Dharmabum]

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.

Barca (RB: Dani Alves, Aleix Vidal, Adriano. LB: Jordi Alba, Adriano, Mathieu), Bayern Munchen (RB: Lahm, Rafinha, LB: Alaba, Bernat), Bor. Dortmund (RB: Durm, Ginter, Piszczek LB: Durm, Schmelzer, Joo-Ho)

 

[whitesocks]

Given one FB scored and the other assisted, you can't really say anything against this system today.
But it took a long time to get back on terms against the worst Swansea side we have seen for a while - their football used to be very attractive.

Swansea pretty much locked down their right hand side after they scored,
but I felt the side Walker was on was far less secure - that is not Sigurdsson's game at all.
Not taking anything away from Walker who could have wrapped it all up with the third if he'd had half a mind,
but I feel a winger - Lennon - would have absolutely destroyed them.

Alls well that ends well, but it did not end well against Palace or Leicester so as MP used to say, they need to work and work - and figure out a way to win games like this more comfortably and conserve energy for the nasty fixtures coming up.

 

[SpartanSpur]

It's one of those things that you'd never even consider, but also makes perfect sense when you see it in action, and for me one of the big improvements this season. I think we can all agree they were not the strongest full-backs in the league, but they have been absolutely vital for us in recent weeks.

They were all talented but rough around the edges, but now they have been improving considerably in unison, and each one has been a MOTM contender in recent weeks. It has been a hell of an achievement from the coaching team and the players themselves. They may not play every game but they certainly play enough (and have the energy levels to give their best every game), and they seem to be thriving.

If we do manage to achieve something great this season so many players will be immortalised, not just a few names, it has truly been a team (squad) effort thus far.

 

[bigfrooj]

I've moaned a lot about Walker lately but I'm beginning to think he is just being outshone by the other three at the moment. He's a very talented player and if we ever sold him there would be plenty of takers.

 

[eViL]

Walker seems to get worse going forward by the game.

If there's one player in the side with more physical capability to get to the line and whip a cross in; it's him.

But does he do it? Does he fuck.

It makes no sense at all - even with Trippier showing him how to attack effectively every other game he still insists on putting his foot on the ball, passing it sideways or even running inside where all the traffic is.

He may as well start playing on the left so he can naturally cut inside..

I've been impressed with Davies this season. I thought he was shit last year.

 

[guate]

I'm just so happy seeing the club I've supported for 58 years playing as a team, doing well and providing entertaining footie all at the same time. Mauricio has done wonders not just for our excellent wing backs but for the whole squad. I even believe he's made our bean counter a more receptive and interesting human being and THAT ladies and gentlemen, definitely is a minor miracle in itself

 

[thfc1973]

I may be the only one to say this but I didn't think Rose was having his best day defensively against the Swans, as he got caught at least 2 times pretty badly by the overlapping attack plays down his side in the game. Hopefully its something Poch will show him in replays as it was pretty poor imo.

 

[Gbspurs]

Walker seems to get worse going forward by the game.

If there's one player in the side with more physical capability to get to the line and whip a cross in; it's him.

But does he do it? Does he fuck.

It makes no sense at all - even with Trippier showing him how to attack effectively every other game he still insists on putting his foot on the ball, passing it sideways or even running inside where all the traffic is.

He may as well start playing on the left so he can naturally cut inside..

I've been impressed with Davies this season. I thought he was shit last year.

Our equaliser yesterday came as a result of Walker getting forward.

 

[eViL]

Our equaliser yesterday came as a result of Walker getting forward.

It was a tame ass shot heading for the corner flag.

I didn't say he wasn't getting forward, I said he wasn't getting to the line; like the 3 other fullbacks do.

 

[philip]

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.

When Poch was announced two of them weren't at spurs and rose was on loan at Sunderland

 

[punkisback]

When Poch was announced two of them weren't at spurs and rose was on loan at Sunderland

Rose wasn't on loan at Sunderland then. That was ages ago. Rose even played LB under redknapp.

 

[Gbspurs]

It was a tame ass shot heading for the corner flag.

I didn't say he wasn't getting forward, I said he wasn't getting to the line; like the 3 other fullbacks do.

I don't care how the goals come. He played his part.

 

[Shadydan]

When Poch was announced two of them weren't at spurs and rose was on loan at Sunderland

I meant the position as opposed to the players.

 

[fwordz]

I may be the only one to say this but I didn't think Rose was having his best day defensively against the Swans, as he got caught at least 2 times pretty badly by the overlapping attack plays down his side in the game. Hopefully its something Poch will show him in replays as it was pretty poor imo.

Didnt Rose say in his post-game interview he was happy to score as he felt he was at fault for the Swansea goal? or was that only on Norwegian TV maybe?

"I'm over the moon .. I scored because I feel as if I was at fault for the first goal, sleeping from the corner"

 

[thfc1973]

If he did then full credit to him for acknowledging it. Cos he was pretty pants in covering LB at times in the game. There was even a point when they were attacking and he wasn't even in anywhere near his position and someone else (I think Wimmer) had to come across and close the player down who had acres of space at that point..

 

[Larryjanta]

Will be interesting to see who Poch picks for the EL final when we get there. I think he rates Walker and Rose higher as they play the bigger games but Trippier and Davies seeing plenty of time as well.

The big test for me is whether Walker and Danny make the England squad. Rose has been one of the best left backs in the league and certainly the best English left back. He should make it and could feel aggrieved if he doesn't. Would he blame Poch for not playing him more if he doesn't get it? Walker is probably behind Clyne and I doubt that Roy will take two right backs given he has Smalling, Stones and Dier who can all play there and would allow his to take an extra attacker. Again, could Walker feel aggrieved at not playing more? I'd like to think not and that Roy can see that they have each player has played the correct number of games for the system but this is my one worry as Danny and Walker fully deserve to be on that plane!

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

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.

Well Poch did it with Southampton quite a lot. Pellegrini does it at City (when the FB's are fit), I imagine any manager realises that this the modern day full back does a lot more work that any other position on the pitch, it is vital to a quality team.

That is unless your fullbacks are Alberto Moreno and Luis Enrique, then rotating your full backs is probably not such a good idea, even playing a fullback in this instance may not be for the best.

 

[dude573]

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

Could you image the amount of overlaps that would happen before a ball was put in the box!?