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Player Watch - Tanguy Ndombele

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
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We need this guy in the team now and performing, simple as that.

6 months is more than enough time to get up to speed, he's a professional.

If the coaching staff have a plan regarding his match fitness, it's time to accelerate it ffs.
 

$hoguN

Well-Known Member
Jul 25, 2005
26,626
34,700
We need this guy in the team now and performing, simple as that.

6 months is more than enough time to get up to speed, he's a professional.

If the coaching staff have a plan regarding his match fitness, it's time to accelerate it ffs.
It’s not 6 months though. There has been a whole host of stop starts due to injury ffs
 

hughy

I'm SUPER cereal.
Nov 18, 2007
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It’s not 6 months though. There has been a whole host of stop starts due to injury ffs
He's only missed 6 games this season due to injury, all his other absences are unexplained. It's clear he's not getting himself to the level we require fitness wise, and to think he's not partly to blame would be naive.
 

dagraham

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2005
19,115
46,080
He's only missed 6 games this season due to injury, all his other absences are unexplained. It's clear he's not getting himself to the level we require fitness wise, and to think he's not partly to blame would be naive.

Honestly find the excuses being made for him are a bit ridiculous now. Yes he’s come from a less physically demanding league/probably doesn’t speak the language/needs to fully settle in a new country etc and had a couple of niggly injuries, but so has Lo Celso. So have a whole host of players transferred to us or any number of PL clubs every transfer window.

Very few are expecting him to adjust immediately and put in MOTM performances week in, week out. What should be expected is that after being here since JULY ( including a pre seasons ) that he is physically and mentally able to play 90 minutes of top level football. Christ, it’s not really that much to ask is it?
 

cider spurs

Well-Known Member
Jul 5, 2016
9,399
23,731
He seems a bit brittle, but he's had niggling injuries to contend with this season. It's also worth considering he's only had 2 seasons in French top flight football, only just turned 23 and is now away from home, playing in one of the most demanding leagues in world football.

Do I think he could be fitter, yes. But I also think he'll adapt, come good, and prove to be a key player in the team.
 

Mr Pink

SC Supporter
Aug 25, 2010
54,776
99,340
It’s not 6 months though. There has been a whole host of stop starts due to injury ffs

I know the groin injuries are tough to manage, but if he's deemed fit enough for the bench he obviously has some level of fitness there.

I mean seriously, how hard is it to just get cardiovascular fit.

His quality is immense, no doubt, and we need him in the team as soon as given the injury situation.
 
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cider spurs

Well-Known Member
Jul 5, 2016
9,399
23,731
Honestly find the excuses being made for him are a bit ridiculous now. Yes he’s come from a less physically demanding league/probably doesn’t speak the language/needs to fully settle in a new country etc and had a couple of niggly injuries, but so has Lo Celso. So have a whole host of players transferred to us or any number of PL clubs every transfer window.

Very few are expecting him to adjust immediately and put in MOTM performances week in, week out. What should be expected is that after being here since JULY ( including a pre seasons ) that he is physically and mentally able to play 90 minutes of top level football. Christ, it’s not really that much to ask is it?


I agree that it appears he should be fitter. Work harder if he wants it, but I also believe that you shouldn't judge a players adjustment to a new league and surroundings based on how other players have settled.

For a start, Lo Celso had already moved from his homeland to Europe pre Spurs. This is Ndombele's first venture away from France playing for another team.

All things we might consider as small, age, niggling injuries, new league, move from homeland etc. But as a collective, they could well have an impact.

As stated, if he wants it enough, he'll get to the required fitness. But I find it far too simplistic to ignore all the associated hurdles he may be enduring, which in turn might just have an impact on his mindset and explain his lack of fitness.

I'm not by any means defending a player not being fit, ready and able. He gets paid handsomely. Merely trying to suggest the reasons as to why this might be the case.

We are all individuals, and therefore react differently in many situations. (y)
 

dagraham

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2005
19,115
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I agree that it appears he should be fitter. Work harder if he wants it, but I also believe that you shouldn't judge a players adjustment to a new league and surroundings based on how other players have settled.

For a start, Lo Celso had already moved from his homeland to Europe pre Spurs. This is Ndombele's first venture away from France playing for another team.

All things we might consider as small, age, niggling injuries, new league, move from homeland etc. But as a collective, they could well have an impact.

As stated, if he wants it enough, he'll get to the required fitness. But I find it far too simplistic to ignore all the associated hurdles he may be enduring, which in turn might just have an impact on his mindset and explain his lack of fitness.

I'm not by any means defending a player not being fit, ready and able. He gets paid handsomely. Merely trying to suggest the reasons as to why this might be the case.

We are all individuals, and therefore react differently in many situations. (y)

Yes of course no two people are exactly the same and nor are their circumstances. I think though there’s a point where we are just making excuses.

As I said, I would excuse poor performances, but the very least he should be able to do is, in the words of Harry : “fucking run around a bit”.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,957
Last year he played 49 games averaging almost 80 minutes per game, the year before 50 games averaging 70 minutes per game. The drop off is incredible and has to be more than just fitness.

Perhaps he thinks he’s made it and isn’t now putting the effort in?

It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened with a player.
 

double0

Well-Known Member
Aug 29, 2006
14,423
12,258
He's only missed 6 games this season due to injury, all his other absences are unexplained. It's clear he's not getting himself to the level we require fitness wise, and to think he's not partly to blame would be naive.
Nobody really knows way.

Personally the whole unfit line is a spin. He is clearly a fit bloke but match fitness is another issue and he will not get that match fitness until the management play him consecutively. The same went for Lo Celso, Mourinho has to play him and get games into his legs.
 

spids

Well-Known Member
Jul 19, 2015
6,647
27,841
Nobody really knows way.

Personally the whole unfit line is a spin. He is clearly a fit bloke but match fitness is another issue and he will not get that match fitness until the management play him consecutively. The same went for Lo Celso, Mourinho has to play him and get games into his legs.

I think there is also a psychological element to it. Heneeds o be up for the physical challenge and right now, whenever he takes a knock, he 'shrinks' physically.
 

Ronwol196061

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2018
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3,646
Its strange not hearing anything from NDombele about the situation,we only hear from Mourinho or before him,Poch. Maybe NDombele should himself honestly say where he is at and what he is looking to do and the timeframe
 

Ronwol196061

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Apr 9, 2018
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I remember in the first game against Bayern, that first 30 minutes he created enough chances for us to be 3 or 4-0 up. It was one of the best performances that I have seen from a Tottenham player. Champions league maybe suits him better. Either way he needs to get fit. Its like having Maradona in the team.

I agree 100% with that about how great ND was in that 30 mins. I enjoyed it a lot.. Poch though in all of his glory decided with one of the strongest attacks in the world in Bayern to leave Winks alone as the DM and he got overrun.
Yes NDombele has a problem getting back with the same verve as he goes forward and so if POch would have strengthened at DM.Had 2 players behind NDombele and let NDombele do his stuff with others covering. Winks was alone and got hammered.It would have been the sound creative thing to do
 

JamieSpursCommunityUser

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
1,870
9,860
If he's picking up niggling groin injuries every time he trains at high intensity - he won't be able to complete enough high intensity training to get match fit.

I'm talking about completing X short and long high intensity sprints and turns.

It doesn't have to be a lack of desire, commitment, or professionalism holding him back.

It could just be an underlying injury that won't go away.

Nobody really knows either way.

All we know is JM said we'd given him a 360 programme of fitness and nutrition. And everyone started fat shaming all his training photos where he doesn't look overweight.

Until we know the facts, if we ever know the facts, I just find all the ranting and guessing all rather pointless.
 

Ronwol196061

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2018
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3,646
Perhaps he thinks he’s made it and isn’t now putting the effort in?

It wouldn’t be the first time that’s happened with a player.


Personally I think NDombele is a pure artist. Brilliant. But as all creative artists are temperamental. He probably puts all his energy into his creativity.
 

dagraham

Well-Known Member
Sep 20, 2005
19,115
46,080
Its strange not hearing anything from NDombele about the situation,we only hear from Mourinho or before him,Poch. Maybe NDombele should himself honestly say where he is at and what he is looking to do and the timeframe

I don’t think that’s a wise move for him personally. Doubt he’d receive much understanding if he said “ I’m not injured, but I just don’t feel fit enough mentally or physically to play 90 mins at the moment.

He’s best off keeping schtum, and hopefully sorting himself out behind closed doors asap.
 

Ronwol196061

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2018
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3,646
I don’t think that’s a wise move for him personally. Doubt he’d receive much understanding if he said “ I’m not injured, but I just don’t feel fit enough mentally or physically to play 90 mins at the moment.

He’s best off keeping schtum, and hopefully sorting himself out behind closed doors asap.

He doest have to be even that explicit,its more about his intentions in the short term and talk to the fans. The way it is everybody is unsure where his head is at. We need him right now. So not sure what it meant for him to be sitting on the bench and not being called upon and no comments. Feels a bit empty when we need to hear something positive from him,either physically or verbally.
 

Ronwol196061

Well-Known Member
Apr 9, 2018
3,925
3,646
Really? You’ve kept that very quiet Ron...

Ive been around a long time,right after the invention of the Wheel but before we won the cup in 1901.Ive been around. Ive seen things. Occasionally Ive seen even the light. Did I mentioned NDombele yet......oooops

Once in a while a player comes along and I go.This is not normal. This is not the usual fare. So some people say but he can only play for 30 minutes and I think do I want a piss cup of coffee of a top notch expresso?
 
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