Paulinho

[SpurSince57]

The prospect of Paulinho alongside Modrić is an interesting idea. It forgoes a defensive shielding player, but I think the possession and space it would have created may have been a sufficient shield.

You make a great point overall, but I'm not sure we ever would have gotten all of Pjanić, Willian, and Coentrao if they were all even willing to come (hell I don't think the last one was ever really an actual prospect). So while I agree we didn't quite get the right personnel, it's also important to note we didn't get the right balance. I think it says it all that we saw Bale go inverted, played players out of position on the LW, sold Bale, and then despite having Lennon and Townsend returning from a successful Prem loan, bought another RW for close to 30 mil from Serie A while buying one LW in the summer that was a "bargain buy" from the Eredivisie. Just a ludicrous idea to me, regardless of now how much I hope Lamela comes good to us. Just a terribly mismanaged situation last summer with the most amount of money we'd ever have relatively in a summer.

Not a hope, although we did come agonisingly close to Willian. Villas-Boas' wish list as reported by media mouthpiece Jason Burt did make me wonder if he was entirely in touch with reality, and if he needs a team of superstars in order for his theories to work. It's not at all clear that he really wanted Eriksen, the one more or less unqualified success amongst last summer's signings.

Unfortunately, Paulinho's ability to get into excellent positions in the box isn't matched by his finishing, something which really has to improve; If he'd been paired with Modric, we'd probably have had a lot of close-ups of WTF? expressions from Luka. As for your comments about balance, I tend to agree; what I find worrying is that Soldado showing he isn't a spectacular waste of money seems to be predicated on his receiving pinpoint service from Lamela, who is going to be starting from Square One and will still require patience.

 

[DaSpurs]

Not a hope, although we did come agonisingly close to Willian. Villas-Boas' wish list as reported by media mouthpiece Jason Burt did make me wonder if he was entirely in touch with reality, and if he needs a team of superstars in order for his theories to work. It's not at all clear that he really wanted Eriksen, the one more or less unqualified success amongst last summer's signings.

Unfortunately, Paulinho's ability to get into excellent positions in the box isn't matched by his finishing, something which really has to improve; If he'd been paired with Modric, we'd probably have had a lot of close-ups of WTF? expressions from Luka. As for your comments about balance, I tend to agree; what I find worrying is that Soldado showing he isn't a spectacular waste of money seems to be predicated on his receiving pinpoint service from Lamela, who is going to be starting from Square One and will still require patience.

Agree with all of this, and the bit about Paulinho's shooting in particular. While I don't want him to go to Chelsea, I find the fans freaking out about such a link insinuating he'd go there and "become the next Lampard" as delightfully laughable. People can make the point about adapting to the Prem from Brazil all they want, but anyone who's played this game more than a day should know there's no excuse for some of that general shooting ability at this level.

 

[mpickard2087]

So while I agree we didn't quite get the right personnel, it's also important to note we didn't get the right balance. I think it says it all that we saw Bale go inverted, played players out of position on the LW, sold Bale, and then despite having Lennon and Townsend returning from a successful Prem loan, bought another RW for close to 30 mil from Serie A while buying one LW in the summer that was a "bargain buy" from the Eredivisie. Just a ludicrous idea to me, regardless of now how much I hope Lamela comes good to us. Just a terribly mismanaged situation last summer with the most amount of money we'd ever have relatively in a summer.

We have a habit of doing this. Take the attacking midfielder/No.10 position as well... One transfer window we buy Sigurdsson (and Dempsey), the next window we add Holtby in this position, then the next window we add Eriksen as well. That's without even mentioning the likes of Chadli and Lamela who can play there, even prefer to play there even if bought to fill other spots in the squad. Whatever we think of individual players and whether they are good enough or not, chopping and changing this much, and overloading in certain positions, cannot be good for the team and finding consistency. We need to be a bit smarter in our dealings.

 

[Syn_13]

Agree with all of this, and the bit about Paulinho's shooting in particular. While I don't want him to go to Chelsea, I find the fans freaking out about such a leak insinuating he'd go there and "become the next Lampard" as delightfully laughable. People can make the point about adapting to the Prem from Brazil all they want, but anyone who's played this game more than a day should know there's no excuse for some of that general shooting ability at this level.

Are the pitches shit in Brazil? Maybe he keeps expecting the ball to bobble up a bit before he hits them.

 

[HoltbiusMac]

Juventus set to offer £20m for Paulinho according to Jason Burt at the Telegraph. Would pave the way for Vidal to go to United.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...m-Hotspur-and-Brazil-midfielder-Paulinho.html

 

[thinktank]

Take it and let's use the cash to add to the pot and get a proper CB+LB.

 

[Mikegold]

Best quote of todays 3rd/4th game while talking about Jo, they mentioned the only players to touch the ball less than Jo were Cesar who as you know is the goalkeeper and unlikely to touch the ball too much.. and Paulinho our 17m midfielder "_"

 

[Hoddtastic72]

Sell Sell Sell!

 

[THFCSPURS19]

While I think he shouldn't be sold, I'll say what I always say. If Poch wants him to go and we get a good offer, then so be it.

 

[paulcumpstone]

always defending paulinho but he was again very poor tonight, for a CM he doesn't seem to want the ball, doesn't create much and doesn't offer the best defensive protection.

 

[carpediem991]

Sell. Sorry in this position not someone like him should be in holtbys, bentaleb or erikse n

 

[mikspurz]

He is an absolutely shit player and there is absofuckinginglutely no doubt about that.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

He is an absolutely shit player and there is absofuckinginglutely no doubt about that.

Is that why Juve want him to replace Vidal (supposedly)

 

[ilikeost]

Is that why Juve want him to replace Vidal (supposedly)

Perhaps they think that he'll be more suited to the slower pace of Serie A?

Honestly, he is one of the slowest players I've ever seen when it comes to receiving a ball, controlling it and then pass it along.

 

[Spursh]

Troy Townsend @Towno10 · 55m
Wrighty on Paulinho. "He runs into positions where he can't receive the ball" #SpotOn

 

[gibbospurs]

Is that why Juve want him to replace Vidal (supposedly)

Why do you keep defending him?? Serious question. If he played for arsenal would you be defending him?? I know we should stick by our players but Ffs he is dog turd. I hope poch and levy decide to sell him. He hardly fits a high octane pressing team.

 

[thinktank]

Troy Townsend @Towno10 · 55m
Wrighty on Paulinho. "He runs into positions where he can't receive the ball" #SpotOn

Troy "The Diplomat" Townsend.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Why do you keep defending him?? Serious question. If he played for arsenal would you be defending him?? I know we should stick by our players but Ffs he is dog turd. I hope poch and levy decide to sell him. He hardly fits a high octane pressing team.

Because all the 7 signings from last summer should be given another season IMO.

 

[yankspurs]

£20m? I'd sell but I'd like him to get another season. So if Poch is okay with him going, insist on £25m

 

[gibbospurs]

Because all the 7 signings from last summer should be given another season IMO.

If the guy played out of the pl he would just disappear off the radar. I doubt he will get into the new Brazil team after scolari is sacked/quits.