Harry Winks - Leicester City

[Shadydan]

I understand he isn’t a pure DM, I’m saying we need a pure DM. Someone who is more solid defensively. I’m not moving the goalposts, I have said previously he isn’t an effective screen, not just post Arsenal. I’m glad you notice he isn’t great going forward too.

Poch may not want to play with a pure sitting midfielder but would you not agree that we are still far too open as a side and the balance is not yet correct? Poch can think what he wants but we are still conceding goals left right and centre.

Our problem is very much in the defensive phase of the game and has been for around a year now. We give up far too many attempts at goal.

My problem is, Winks is a limited player and is the most upgradable member of our central midfield. Well Sissoko is too, but I think both are squad players long term.

Winks has a vital role to play as a squad rotation option, yesterday’s 7/10 performance doesn’t change that.

Yeah so criticise the system, not Winks in that case, seems like it's a little to easy for you to point fingers at a player you clearly don't like.

I didn't say he isn't great going forward, I said there were a couple of opportunities he could have done better with if you were paying attention you should have been criticising him because of that not what he barely has any control of.

IMO a pure sitting midfielder wouldn't necessarily reduce the wave of attacks and chances creates against us because I think Poch wants his pivot to be all action and buy i.e competent going forward and going back. At the same time would a pure DM add to our attacking play, no so a pure DM isn't the answer in this current system or how Poch wants us to play.

I'm beginning to understand what Poch wants from this system and I'm curios to see how we'll play when we have Ndombele and Lo Celso fully fit and up to speed.

 

[wrd]

Yeah so criticise the system, not Winks in that case, seems like it's a little to easy for you to point fingers at a player you clearly don't like.

I didn't say he isn't great going forward, I said there were a couple of opportunities he could have done better with if you were paying attention you should have been criticising him because of that not what he barely has any control of.

IMO a pure sitting midfielder wouldn't necessarily reduce the wave of attacks and chances creates against us because I think Poch wants his pivot to be all action and buy i.e competent going forward and going back. At the same time would a pure DM add to our attacking play, no so a pure DM isn't the answer in this current system or how Poch wants us to play.

I'm beginning to understand what Poch wants from this system and I'm curios to see how we'll play when we have Ndombele and Lo Celso fully fit and up to speed.

Fill us in, is it the 3 midfielders + dele?

 

[Shadydan]

Fill us in, is it the 3 midfielders + dele?

Winks

Ndombele/Sissoko---Lo Celso/Eriksen

Eriksen/Dele/Lamela​

 

[wrd]

Winks

Ndombele/Sissoko---Lo Celso/Eriksen

Eriksen/Dele/Lamela​

Yeah the old Juventus Model, Winks is ideal for that and the additional physicality of Lo Celso and Ndombele will cover any shielding needs.

Pirlo
Marchisio Pogba
Vidal

 

[Shadydan]

Yeah the old Juventus Model, Winks is ideal for that and the additional physicality of Lo Celso and Ndombele will cover any shielding needs.

Pirlo
Marchisio Pogba
Vidal

Or the 2004/5 AC Milan model

Pirlo

Seedorf---Gattuso

Kaka
​

Careful though because some people might think we're comparing Winks to Pirlo...

 

[ljinko888]

Or the 2004/5 AC Milan model

Pirlo

Seedorf---Gattuso

Kaka
​

Careful though because some people might think we're comparing Winks to Pirlo...

My problem with that is it leaves us with little width. I want to see Lucas and Son in the same team for a spell in a 4-3-3 like Liverpool. The counter-attacking football yesterday was good with just one so I'd like to see it with both.

 

[Hakkz]

Or the 2004/5 AC Milan model

Pirlo

Seedorf---Gattuso

Kaka
​

Careful though because some people might think we're comparing Winks to Pirlo...

Pfft. Winks has already surpassed Pirlo. His passing second to none. A god walking amongst mere mortals.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

Tradition, it's actually kid gloves these days compared to some of the crap Johnny Pratt took sometimes.

Please. I’m still in therapy over him

 

[Gassin's finest]

 

[Yiddo100]

Looking forward to the day we line up with a midfield of winks , ndombele ,Lo celso

 

[Mornstar]

Winks. Is. A. Pivot.

I have said before, his only limitations are the one's that he puts on himself. He can go as high as he wants in the game.

yes, but only if he's watching our game from the sky lounge...........i'll get my coat

 

[Gassin's finest]

yes, but only if he's watching our game from the sky lounge...........i'll get my coat

Please do...

 

[Shadydan]

My problem with that is it leaves us with little width. I want to see Lucas and Son in the same team for a spell in a 4-3-3 like Liverpool. The counter-attacking football yesterday was good with just one so I'd like to see it with both.

Sessegnon and KWP would maybe help with that maybe, not sure?

 

[morris25]

He's a no 8 before bg asked to play DM, his passing is therfore going to be more dedensive. When he first started getting subs appearances he used to play behind the striker

 

[coys200]

Winks. Is. A. Pivot.

I have said before, his only limitations are the one's that he puts on himself. He can go as high as he wants in the game.

I love the guy. But I actually think his limitations are physical. You look at the players who play that role successfully and they are physical beasts. Fabinho Fernandinho Rodri Kante(small but a freak). I just don’t think he has the physical presence to do it. It appears the club and Pochettino are being pretty brutal. And I think unless we and he has an exceptional season a strong physical DM will be top of Pochettino list unless Dier has a resurgence. Don’t think it will mean end of Winks but he may have to adapt and add a more offensive element to his game so he could play wide in a 3.

 

[coys200]

Looking forward to the day we line up with a midfield of winks , ndombele ,Lo celso

If you’re playing Ndombele as the deepest I just think that’s a waste. I think one his best attributes is threading a pass into strikers and he will be too deep.

 

[SpartanSpur]

A lot of criticism of Winks defensive abilities, especially in the partnership with Sissoko. Has anyone considered that Sissoko has not been pulling his weight enough in that respect either? Winks made more tackles out of the pair this weekend and did a lot more on the ball, including great work to set up Son for the penalty.

I do agree with some of the comments about him being more effective in big games, but how many players are kept aside only for big games?

I'm stunned however that there are people saying he is the most easily upgradeable midfielder currently when Sissoko has been playing. Grateful for Moussa and his improvement, which IMO saved last season, but he shouldn't be a regular starter for us. I'm shocked people are more willing to dig out one of our academy lads than Sissoko, but I guess he is a cult hero.

 

[danielneeds]

My problem with that is it leaves us with little width. I want to see Lucas and Son in the same team for a spell in a 4-3-3 like Liverpool. The counter-attacking football yesterday was good with just one so I'd like to see it with both.

The problem is both Lucas and Son are light-years away in quality and consistency to Mane and Salah. Son has his spurts of unplayable form, and then goes quiet for a while when his erratic decision making can get shown up. Lucas is a good finisher, but his movement and creativity leaves a lot to be desired.

 

[Shadydan]

How good is Harry Winks?

During Tottenham Hotspur’s impressive 2016/17 campaign, Harry Winks became the next young prospect to emerge from the Spurs academy system…

medium.com

 

[McFlash]

How good is Harry Winks?

During Tottenham Hotspur’s impressive 2016/17 campaign, Harry Winks became the next young prospect to emerge from the Spurs academy system…

medium.com

That was a good read and pretty much follows what many on here believe, that hes a tidy little player with room to improve. It's also true that this is an important season for him. Playing with Ndombele and/or Lo Celso will probably suit him more than playing with Sissoko and give him more opportunity to improve the required aspects of his game.
As long as he can stay fit for most of this season, I think we'll have an answer on him.