Harry Winks - Leicester City

[$hoguN]

Not really sure but what was clear was he was passing the ball forwards at every opportunity. I genuinely think for us he is not being asked to do that so much or his role is different or we are being asked to play differently. He looked different in his approach. He isnt a defensive midfielder but the kind of player that keeps things ticking over

But Mourinho doesn’t play a formation where we need a player to keep the ball ticking over and if we were too then both Ndombele and Lo Celso are better at it.

Winks either needs to develop his ability to shield and use the ball progressively from that position or be moved on to bring him someone who can. He isn’t good enough to reinvent a system for

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

Winks performances have dropped as soon as we stopped pressing high, he is at his best as the only deep lying playmaker and everyone in front of him press high like yesterdays performance.

When we are dominating the game and he is playing on his own in the middle he is at his best.

With the way José sets out it makes him pretty redundant. His defensive positioning has actually improved the problem is he doesn't win the ball back or provide much high up the pitch.

He is actually a very good player at what he does, the problem is if we don't play the high press then he doesn't have the other facets of the game to be worthy of a start.

Sadly with the way we play now I can't see him being part of our future.

Weirdly I think he would thrive with both Liverpool and city, if I was him I would be taking lessons from Scotty Parker and improving his tackling and interceptions.

 

[spursfan77]

What role was Winks playing for England?

Positionally it’s didn’t look that different to the one he plays for us really.

 

[JCRD]

But Mourinho doesn’t play a formation where we need a player to keep the ball ticking over and if we were too then both Ndombele and Lo Celso are better at it.

Winks either needs to develop his ability to shield and use the ball progressively from that position or be moved on to bring him someone who can. He isn’t good enough to reinvent a system for

I recognise that and a bit like Deles situation, it doesnt mean Winks is a bad player but our formation and tactic dont utilise him effectively. He was pretty effective for England last night and admittedly it was a poor Ireland team but passing forwards is passing forwards regardless of the opposition.

 

[EireYid]

I'd love Winks to succeed as much as anyone, but anyone would have looked decent against that Ireland team. He was able to play balls forward because there wasn't a player within 10 yards of him most of the time, and even then watching the match, I felt like most of the play just bypassed him especially in the first half. He's great to have as a squad player giving us depth for the cup matches but unfortunately I don't think he's good enough to be starting for us in the league and he's not player that's going to come off the bench and make a difference.

 

[sausage]

I'd love Winks to succeed as much as anyone, but anyone would have looked decent against that Ireland team. He was able to play balls forward because there wasn't a player within 10 yards of him most of the time, and even then watching the match, I felt like most of the play just bypassed him especially in the first half. He's great to have as a squad player giving us depth for the cup matches but unfortunately I don't think he's good enough to be starting for us in the league and he's not player that's going to come off the bench and make a difference.

Despite a promising start (games against Real for example) where he looked like he was going to be the real deal, he's really struggled to impose himself in a team that has players like Lo Celso and NDombele, who simply do what he does better (stronger attacking skills, for a start).
In some ways, he remind me of the likes of Siggy where they're the type that'd look amazing as the best player in a team, but lost in a strong team.

 

[yido_number1]

Every squad needs a Wes Brown or a johny Evans type player that comes through the academy and can do a job. He's not troubling the first team right now but he's decent enough and can learn. I don't think you should ever slate a home grown player too hard especially when they bring the extra passion to the table.

If I was the club I'd be working really hard on his defensive play, including body shape, tackling and general positioning when approaching players. He get's turned very easily some times.

In the right system he definitely has a use to us.

 

[coy-spurs1882]

Every squad needs a Wes Brown or a johny Evans type player that comes through the academy and can do a job. He's not troubling the first team right now but he's decent enough and can learn. I don't think you should ever slate a home grown player too hard especially when they bring the extra passion to the table.

If I was the club I'd be working really hard on his defensive play, including body shape, tackling and general positioning when approaching players. He get's turned very easily some times.

In the right system he definitely has a use to us.

agree but would definitely sell if a right offer comes in, we still have skipp and white coming through

 

[yido_number1]

agree but would definitely sell if a right offer comes in, we still have skipp and white coming through

When either of them are ready I'd have nothing against that if he doesn't improve. Right now we need the home grown numbers and he isn't terrible.

 

[coy-spurs1882]

When either of them are ready I'd have nothing against that if he doesn't improve. Right now we need the home grown numbers and he isn't terrible.

sadly among fans he is either world class or rubbish...

 

[Rosco1984]

sadly among fans he is either world class or rubbish...

Yeah I honestly don't get the hate, He's a good player if not spectacular and when he plays for England and has a bit more freedom in a system he looks a real top allround midfielder but because he's not prime Pirlo as a CDM which he never should have been he gets treated in here like the reincarnation of Hitler when in fact he's one of us a die hard spurs fan who cost the club nothing but gives his all.

 

[mil1lion]

I prefer Winks alongside Hojbjerg than Sissoko. What he lacks in physicality he makes up for with passing. I do feel he's a player that needs regular games to keep sharp though. I also think he'll do better with Ndombele or Lo Celso in front of him. He looked good against Ludogorets because he was quicker to move the ball and looked forward more. He used to do it more with Eriksen around. I think the criticism of him is a bit harsh considering he doesn't always have a forward pass on. I fancy we'll get hold of the ball better with him in place of Sissoko though. For me he is the ideal cover for Lo Celso but if Ndombele is out Lo Celso can push on and Winks can start alongside Hojbjerg. Use Sissoko as cover for Hojbjerg rather than alongside him but if we really need extra strength use them both.

 

[Buster18]

Winks was excellent when he came on tonight.

 

[allpaths]

Winks was excellent when he came on tonight.

He started off strong, but as the game wore on he shrunk back inside himself I felt. He's so frustrating at times, he needs to be much more ambitious, not just with his passing but his off the ball movement also.

 

[slartibartfast]

Think you have to take into account Belgium were 2.0 up and just letting us play in front of them. He was under little pressure defensively and created next to nothing attacking wise.

 

[king_yid]

Thought he looked good as well, although he had plenty of space tp operate as Belgium played a low block to soak up England attacks with the two goal lead.

 

[mil1lion]

He's never going to offer something like Grealish does, that's not really his game. I think people expect too much in a creative sense from a player in his position. Dembele didn't create much either and he was one the best in that area of the pitch. What he does is look after the ball well and if there's a forward pass he'll look for it. He's definitely one of those players who people will always say 'keeps things ticking over' and I don't think that's a bad thing. Is it enough for a regular first team player in a team that wants to win titles? Probably not, but he's definitely a useful player to have in the squad. From where Winks is positioned on the pitch he just needs to get control of the ball long enough to release a good ball forward pass to the likes of Kane and Ndombele. Maybe in future Skipp will surpass him although I think there's room for both in the squad beyond this season.. Sissoko is only getting older and probably a better option to replace next summer.

 

[theShiznit]

He started off strong, but as the game wore on he shrunk back inside himself I felt. He's so frustrating at times, he needs to be much more ambitious, not just with his passing but his off the ball movement also.

I feel there is a confidence issue with Winks. If he starts games well he can be quick, incisive and progressive with his passing but if he makes an error or two he retreats into safety mode.
Hopefully as he matures he will realize that he's in the team to do certain things and that it's better to make errors doing the right things than just do nothing to an ok standard.

 

[Alex4487]

He hasnt got the aggresive game style to be a top 6 starter im soory to say to weak minded and cant dictate games

 

[Buster18]

Think you have to take into account Belgium were 2.0 up and just letting us play in front of them. He was under little pressure defensively and created next to nothing attacking wise.

It was a perfect game to show the value of someone like Winks. Henderson and Rice's inability to play in tight situations and on the half-turn meant the ball never really got moving through the midfield due to Belgiums pressing. Every time it went to that pair they went backwards or they lost it.