Harry Winks - Leicester City

[mrlilywhite]

Nice stats. But even GLC's 15 lost ball still too much for a CM, and backs up my view that we need players who can withstand a press in CM.

Tbh, the stats aren't really so much to do with individual players as much as it to do with the actual system. When we don't have options to release the ball quickly enough, our game slows down and this invites the press from the opposition and then the turnover of possession is expected more often than not.

 

[tottenhamlad]

Terrible terrible player.

Heart sinks everytime I see him in the team.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Typical winks, only one style of play.
Pass it back to source even when source is already in deep shit.
Pass it back to source even though no one is near him, fucking no balls

The kick off at 2-1 down or start of the 2nd half, can’t remember which... everyone ran forward only for Winks to play the ball back to the centre backs.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

Nice stats. But even GLC's 15 lost ball still too much for a CM, and backs up my view that we need players who can withstand a press in CM.

at least Lo Celso tries to make things happen... Winks either boots the ball out of play or passes straight to the opposition lol

 

[evo23]

So physically weak. Championship level would flatter him.

If someone offers any amount of money, bite there fucking hand off

 

[ultimateloner]

Tbh, the stats aren't really so much to do with individual players as much as it to do with the actual system. When we don't have options to release the ball quickly enough, our game slows down and this invites the press from the opposition and then the turnover of possession is expected more often than not.

I can't explain why the CMs are giving the ball away so much. It could be any number of reasons (including your one).

What struck me (so this is subjective bias as well) was our performance against Brighton (the game that convinced me once and for all that this team requires serious re-build), when not only do we fail do deal with their press, but Brighton actually has better footballers overall than we do.

We fail to hold ball in almost every way I can imagine.
Loose passes under no pressure.
Receiving the ball under pressure and therefore mis-controlling/mis-passing it.
Hiding

I think the collective midfiedler/back-line was schooled and had no answer when we didn't have Kane. Thats why I'm fearing for the worst next season

 

[Goobers]

Good player and "one of our own". BUT I was really angry when Trix talked about him going to the press. He also has limitations and I do think he needs to go elsewhere to play. I cannot think of a moment now where I think he is first choice and in which case why would he waste his time and ours. Good age to get good money and someone will be getting themselves a good player. I think a good move for all.

 

[ultimateloner]

at least Lo Celso tries to make things happen... Winks either boots the ball out of play or passes straight to the opposition lol

True but our expectations on them 2 are different.
Winks is a limited player and everyone knows that, his role in this team is as a filler as he is HG.
There's no point bashing a fringe player too much; our performances are so bad now questions need to be asked of the players who are meant to be the starting, which includes GLC.

Abit off topic but above is also one of my fears about this team.
I think the board has the right idea in terms of buying CMs to replace Wanyama and Dembele. This appeared in the form of PEH/GLC/Tanguy. If you add Winks to the list then we are looking at 4 CMs aged who are all around 25; so on paper this position should be sorted and we can look to improve other parts of the team.
But aside from PEH the jury is still out on the other 2 (forget Winks), so that's £80m that did not make this position CL-worthy.
I can't see us buying CMs in the short term; so we really need GLC and Tanguy to improve.

 

[mrlilywhite]

I can't explain why the CMs are giving the ball away so much. It could be any number of reasons (including your one).

What struck me (so this is subjective bias as well) was our performance against Brighton (the game that convinced me once and for all that this team requires serious re-build), when not only do we fail do deal with their press, but Brighton actually has better footballers overall than we do.

We fail to hold ball in almost every way I can imagine.
Loose passes under no pressure.
Receiving the ball under pressure and therefore mis-controlling/mis-passing it.
Hiding

I think the collective midfiedler/back-line was schooled and had no answer when we didn't have Kane. Thats why I'm fearing for the worst next season

Going off-topic here for a moment, but I'm not actually too concerned if Kane goes, but there are a couple of caveats. Firstly, I think Kane has been part of the problem, not through his own making mind, but I feel we developed this mentality where Kane was so good that I honestly feel the team has evolved to a one-man team & that has been a detriment to everything we could or can do, but Kane in a functioning team where we actually have options is a different ball game.. Secondly, I wouldn't want Kane to leave if we are going to go through the whole Bale saga and spunk the money we could get.

My opinions are obviously my own, but I honestly see this as the crux of the matter, though of course players like Winks, Dier, Alli and a host of others need to go, as they are clearly not up to the task, so I do agree with your opinion on needing better players, but I actually also feel that there are better teams than us, but not necessarily better players.

 

[muppetman]

Not sure if it's cowardice, not being fit, lack of confidence or just not being good enough but he so often takes the easy option. The bit where the CB passes the ball to him and he passes it straight back then runs off just does me in.

Time for him to move on I think.

 

[SuperSpurs69]

He doesn't offer anything to the team when he's picked. Not creative enough to support the front 3 or 4 and not defensive enough either. Would be a good signing for a lower premier league team like Palace or Southampton and if we put him up for sale then should get decent money for him being young and English as long as levy doesn't go stupid and price him at 30 million or something.

I really do think that he needs to be told that he's being moved on and and make other teams aware so there's hopefully interest.

 

[philll]

Not sure if it's cowardice, not being fit, lack of confidence or just not being good enough but he so often takes the easy option. The bit where the CB passes the ball to him and he passes it straight back then runs off just does me in.

Time for him to move on I think.

Not only does he pass it straight back but he manages to take a ball that was rolled to him on the floor and lift the return up just to make it that little bit harder for the defender to deal with.

 

[h2005]

He’s a bland footballer. Can look neat and tidy but offers absolutely zero.

 

[ultimateloner]

Going off-topic here for a moment, but I'm not actually too concerned if Kane goes, but there are a couple of caveats. Firstly, I think Kane has been part of the problem, not through his own making mind, but I feel we developed this mentality where Kane was so good that I honestly feel the team has evolved to a one-man team & that has been a detriment to everything we could or can do, but Kane in a functioning team where we actually have options is a different ball game.. Secondly, I wouldn't want Kane to leave if we are going to go through the whole Bale saga and spunk the money we could get.

My opinions are obviously my own, but I honestly see this as the crux of the matter, though of course players like Winks, Dier, Alli and a host of others need to go, as they are clearly not up to the task, so I do agree with your opinion on needing better players, but I actually also feel that there are better teams than us, but not necessarily better players.

I hope you are right that our players aren't as bad as they are, so we have the potential to improve.
I'm not convinced though given the Brighton loss, and also the fact that we haven't won against a top-10 side since Jan. I think (off-topic again) that this is why Levy sacked Mourinho; he thought we had a kind schedule, but over-estimated the quality of this team.

In terms of what you say about Kane: I know what you are getting at (that whether it's due to tatics or player-mentality, we have come to rely solely on Kane) so he is a good problem to have, but without him we are looking at 22 goals and 13 assists gone. There's no obvious solution to that.

 

[Kiedis]

Really liked him when he broke through, but he seems a shadow of the player he was then. Back then, he'd want the ball under pressure and his defensive issues didn't seem as glaring.

Yesterday, my heart sank as if it was Sissoko when I saw he was starting.

 

[TEESSIDE1]

True but our expectations on them 2 are different.
Winks is a limited player and everyone knows that, his role in this team is as a filler as he is HG.
There's no point bashing a fringe player too much; our performances are so bad now questions need to be asked of the players who are meant to be the starting, which includes GLC.

Abit off topic but above is also one of my fears about this team.
I think the board has the right idea in terms of buying CMs to replace Wanyama and Dembele. This appeared in the form of PEH/GLC/Tanguy. If you add Winks to the list then we are looking at 4 CMs aged who are all around 25; so on paper this position should be sorted and we can look to improve other parts of the team.
But aside from PEH the jury is still out on the other 2 (forget Winks), so that's £80m that did not make this position CL-worthy.
I can't see us buying CMs in the short term; so we really need GLC and Tanguy to improve.

I agree we should have seen more from GLC and Tanguy. I don’t like how we don’t utilise them in their best positions... early season Tanguy put his best performances in playing behind Kane and then all of a sudden he’s moved next to Hojbjerg and his performances crashed. Whereas with Lo Celso he can also play behind the striker and with the right teammates he can flourish alongside Hojbjerg. This however hasn’t worked as to do this we need to play 3 central midfielders and not the likes of Alli which in effect means we play 4-2-4 and get overrun in central midfield.

Although football evolves meaning we don’t necessarily need like for like replacements for Dembele and Wanyama... not having an athletic and strong defensive minded player is proving to be a major downfall. I hope we get rid of Winks and replace him with someone like Bissouma.

 

[ultimateloner]

I agree we should have seen more from GLC and Tanguy. I don’t like how we don’t utilise them in their best positions... early season Tanguy put his best performances in playing behind Kane and then all of a sudden he’s moved next to Hojbjerg and his performances crashed. Whereas with Lo Celso he can also play behind the striker and with the right teammates he can flourish alongside Hojbjerg. This however hasn’t worked as to do this we need to play 3 central midfielders and not the likes of Alli which in effect means we play 4-2-4 and get overrun in central midfield.

Although football evolves meaning we don’t necessarily need like for like replacements for Dembele and Wanyama... not having an athletic and strong defensive minded player is proving to be a major downfall. I hope we get rid of Winks and replace him with someone like Bissouma.

I have a different view to you on GLC and Tanguy, but that's probably best discussed in their respective player-threads.
Simply put I dont rate Tanguy because he doesn't meet some of the basic requirements for this league such as physical intensiy, willingness to track back, and showing for the ball. I hope he comes good but Im not optimistic as I'm unsure if he has the personality for it. GLC I think is not a lost cause as grit seems to be part of his game.

We can buy Bissouma and also have Winks. But i think priority has got to be in buying younger defenders, because we've spent enough in CM (despite not having enough to show for it).

 

[sparx100]

Truthfully I would scrap all our central midfield options bar PEH and Skipp and start again.

 

[mumfordspur]

As this is the HW thread...........he had his chance to shine and he filled his rompers.
No more discussions about HG players please well not for Europe anyway

 

[dtxspurs]

We've won 3/8 games he's started in the prem this year. Those opponents being:

• Everton
• Southampton
• Newcastle
• Wolves
• Leeds
• Fulham
• Crystal Palace
• Aston Villa

I know its an over simplification to say all these games were his fault but he no doubt drags the quality of the side down every time he steps on the field.