Player Watch - Djed Spence - Genoa

[Timberwolf]

I would take attitude arguments with a pinch of salt, and suggest it benefits the people who are saying it (the club for signing him/Conte for not playing him) rather than a player who can’t speak up without being called unprofessional. I just fuckin hate the suggestion professional athletes aren’t arsed about being professional athletes when they’ve dedicated their lives to it.

Dele’s interview wasn’t that long ago lads. I’m not saying it’s that bad and maybe he is just a bell/lazy/thick but I’m always happier to give the player the benefit of doubt.

Yeah fair enough - I don't think he should be the subject of any abuse from fans and I don't think anyone is outright saying he's 100% definitely lazy, uncommitted or whatever.

But at the same time, I don't think you need to be Sherlock Holmes to see there might just be a trend when a young player with widely publicised issues with attitude and application has been frozen out by two managers that demand absolute commitment in training (plus all of the ITK that suggests this is the case). Occam's Razor and all that.

Of course all footballers have to work hard to get to where they are, but that doesn't mean they're all as committed as one another at the top level. Think of the countless stories from Redknapp about how lazy and unprofessional certain players can be. Some players can ride a lot further on their natural gifts than others can.

And for the record I never once bought the stories that Alli was lazy as he was always fully committed on the pitch and consistently showed a positive attitude.

 

[Sp3akerboxxx]

Conte's behavior and public statements last year did the kid no favors. Imagine getting a dream move to a big premier league club and the manager immediately comes out and publicly states it was a club signing and then proceeds to give you no opportunities when the other two players in that position were playing poorly. He had to immediately regret his decision to sign here.

More like imagine spending £20m on a player that your manager has told you to your face he doesn't want.

Then to really show your brilliance. That manager leaves due to irreconcilable differences and the new manager, who you chose, doesn't want Spence either.

There is blame to go around for the Spence signing.

Can't say Conte deserves any of it though.

Conte didn't want him. Levy signed him anyway. Ange, also doesn't want him.

 

[mattspur1]

It can't just be down to ability can it, surely it's an attitude thing?

Whenever I've seen him play, he's done well.

 

[GutBucket]

It can't just be down to ability can it, surely it's an attitude thing?

Whenever I've seen him play, he's done well.

We invested a lot in Porro and Royal is basically a perfect fit so we don' have much room for him anyway. We took a punt knowing he will have some re-sale value being HG and quick. Porro with all his flaws still managed a decent return of 3 goals and 3 assists in 15 matches last season. Even if he had better attitude I think we would loan or sell.

 

[THFC_is_my_life]

Ange also has no agenda where as Conte did have a clear agenda against him (not surprising given his treatment of Destiny too which I read on COYS yesterday).

This is interesting/ something I hadn’t heard if I’m reading it right - what did Conte do to Udogie?

Real shame about Spence. I was really excited when we signed him, but for whatever reason it just hasn’t worked out for him here. Agree with your view that Udogie/ Spence as a fullback pairing would have been electric going forward.

 

[ButchCassidy]

I mean, it could just be as simple as he wants to play? He had a real disappointment last season and now is pretty clearly stuck behind Emerson and Porro… he might just want to get on the pitch and get his career back on track. Understandable if so.

 

[Tottenhamboy85]

Yea can tell why no manager wants him.

Awful attitude on the pitch

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Yea can tell why no manager wants him.

Awful attitude on the pitch

I am not sure I would go as far as awful - but I was disappointed he did not try to make a bigger impression with intensity and effort when given the chance.

He probably should be sold, or shifted with a loan/obligation.

 

[Navy Spur]

Yea can tell why no manager wants him.

Awful attitude on the pitch

He certainly didn’t set the world alight but I don’t see where you saw the awful attitude on the pitch!

 

[bbunc]

Definitely did not give off the right body language vibes. Did not seem that excited to be out on the pitch.

 

[Tottenhamboy85]

He certainly didn’t set the world alight but I don’t see where you saw the awful attitude on the pitch!

Standing around instead of putting himself about. Pointing and moaning at players.

look at perisic performance and Spence night and day.

 

[KirstyG]

He certainly didn’t set the world alight but I don’t see where you saw the awful attitude on the pitch!

Didn’t Set the world alight? The guy lost the ball twice and both times it led to a goal immediately after lol.

not great for a cameo shop window opportunity.

 

[muppetman]

According to the official site he come on at 72mins.

I dunno, I think he deserves more than 20mins.

 

[Tottenhamboy85]

According to the official site he come on at 72mins.

I dunno, I think he deserves more than 20mins.

Then earn it by you know working your arse off.

 

[Aleks]

Yeah, he just seemed kinda lazy on the pitch. Pretending to do things and look engaged but actually being fairly stationary and not getting stuck in. A lot of bluster. It was actually quite interesting to watch him.

 

[Timberwolf]

Yeah, he just seemed kinda lazy on the pitch. Pretending to do things and look engaged but actually being fairly stationary and not getting stuck in. A lot of bluster. It was actually quite interesting to watch him.

Yeah he tends to give of this vibe every time I've seen him.

It reminds me a bit of Berbatov except he's not the most skillful player on the pitch and plays in a role where running off the ball is really really important.

 

[he is you know!]

sorry if posted somewhere
BEN: spence making it akward to leave

So DL special relationship with his agent is really helping!

 

[Snarfalicious]

He is one I would prefer to just loan and hope it could turn into a Danny Rose to Sunderland formative opportunity. If we know he has no future with us, that’s one thing, but if Ange still likes him as a player, I’d opt for a loan as opposed to presumably selling low.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

He is one I would prefer to just loan and hope it could turn into a Danny Rose to Sunderland formative opportunity. If we know he has no future with us, that’s one thing, but if Ange still likes him as a player, I’d opt for a loan as opposed to presumably selling low.

Is there any indication that Ange ever liked him as a player (let alone "still")?


Maybe I've missed something, but he has been on the outside looking in all pre-season, and when he did get some minutes it was at RW, not RB.

 

[Snarfalicious]

Is there any indication that Ange ever liked him as a player (let alone "still")?


Maybe I've missed something, but he has been on the outside looking in all pre-season, and when he did get some minutes it was at RW, not RB.

Yeah, no. I think my phrasing there was poor, I just meant if Ange likes him as a player, to loan etc. I don’t disagree, but he was apparently injured either coming into preseason or shortly after it started. If Ange doesn’t like him, then get rid.