On the playing side what is it that we’re missing the most?

[Nebby]

A competent defensive unit; one that works together, communicates, and doesn’t crumble at the first sign of trouble.

 

[dontcallme]

The majority of the posts in this thread really don't bother to answer the question.

 

[fortworthspur]

The players we got in are not as good as the ones that went out.

Dembele is levels above Ndombele.

Eriksen is a miles better footballer than Lo Celso.

I can't even think of a player we have signed that gets into that peak Poch team. Bale possibly with the right manager.

The recruitment has been terrible for 3 years.

Hojbjerg is Wanyama's equal IMO.
Ndombele is not a like-for-like replacement for Dembele, which IMO is the missing piece at the moment.
Not many players are as good as Eriksen as a playmaker.

 

[danielneeds]

A competent defensive unit; one that works together, communicates, and doesn’t crumble at the first sign of trouble.

The defence today didn’t crumble at the first sign of trouble. The trouble kept coming and coming because we have no system for controlling the ball and ergo the match. Unless Kane does something amazing the we lose the ball so cheaply all over the park.

 

[RichieS]

Hojbjerg is Wanyama's equal IMO.
Ndombele is not a like-for-like replacement for Dembele, which IMO is this missing piece at the moment.
Not many players are as good as Eriksen as a playmaker.

There genuinely might never be another player like peak Mousa. Ndombele will hopefully allow us to adapt to his absence over time.

 

[noiseboy55]

I think we're all starting to see the reason we were good under Poch, and the point it all started to fall apart when he left, was a certain player whose name was Dembele.

 

[fortworthspur]

There genuinely might never be another player like peak Mousa. Ndombele will hopefully allow us to adapt to his absence over time.

if Dembele had a few goals/assists in him we'd never have gotten him.

 

[Gassin's finest]

We need some brotherhood on the training field, and some bollocks on the pitch. At this point I think there's maybe 3 or 4 players in this squad who both give a shit and are up to it. The rest look like they can't wait to leave.

I can say where I think that lies, but this isn't another manager discussion.

 

[Dov67]

What are we missing??

hmmmm.........lets see.........balls !!

 

[mezza84]

Defenders that aren't complete fuckwits.

 

[1966]

High on the list has to be someone who can hit a deadball. How many points have we thrown away this season from abysmal set pieces? Particularly Kanes free kicks.

Probably not that many tbh. Free kicks are very low percentage chances (~0.03 xG on average), which is why Eriksen was still being described as a specialist years after last scoring from one.

 

[Mornstar]

We're a couple of racist thugs (in the mould of Terry and Vardy) short of being title contenders

 

[NEVILLEB]

We’ve nearly always not considered a players personality when recruiting. Ferguson put it right at the top of qualities he was looking for. We seem to buy players off highlight reels or agent recommendations.

Winners hate losing. We need more of them.

 

[beats1]

Van Dijk turned Liverpool in to a top 6 team to a CL winner, they had Lovren and Matip before that who looked a mess

Dias turned Man City's fortune around single handily this season imo

We need a CB who commands and defends. If we got Dias last summer, I think we would be cruising right now

 

[dontcallme]

Van Dijk turned Liverpool in to a top 6 team to a CL winner, they had Lovren and Matip before that who looked a mess

Dias turned Man City's fortune around single handily this season imo

We need a CB who commands and defends. If we got Dias last summer, I think we would be cruising right now

For me a top quality, experienced centre back or a defensive minded midfielder to complement Hojbjerg is our top concern.

 

[bubble07]

Ledley King

 

[fortworthspur]

Ledley King

we have him.

 

[Bobbins]

Benjamin Stambouli.

 

[DCSPUR64]

25 year old quality CB.

 

[rez9000]

Belief.

Was going to say just this. One word. Absolutely correct.