What's new

Player watch: Toby Alderweireld

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
24,179
48,764
Seems as slow as Fazio from what I've seen. If we're going to play a high line we need quick defenders. He isn't quick.
It would be an advantage to have a CB with real pace, but a lot of teams who've played a high line successfully had had players at the back who aren't that quick. Pique, Puyol, Mascherano, Hummels, Subatic for instance, none of them are fleet of foot. It's more important to have good players who are positionally aware and to press effectively as a team.
 

Japhet

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2010
19,232
57,388
It would be an advantage to have a CB with real pace, but a lot of teams who've played a high line successfully had had players at the back who aren't that quick. Pique, Puyol, Mascherano, Hummels, Subatic for instance, none of them are fleet of foot. It's more important to have good players who are positionally aware and to press effectively as a team.



In spite of that, I still think lack of pace is a big liability when we play the high line and press game as badly as we do.
 

danielneeds

Kick-Ass
May 5, 2004
24,179
48,764
In spite of that, I still think lack of pace is a big liability when we play the high line and press game as badly as we do.
I agree, if we're not pressing effectively, let's not play it. Even if we had Varane or Thiago Silva it still would be a mess if the pressing was poor.
 

Dharmabum

Well-Known Member
Aug 16, 2003
8,274
12,242
It would be an advantage to have a CB with real pace, but a lot of teams who've played a high line successfully had had players at the back who aren't that quick. Pique, Puyol, Mascherano, Hummels, Subatic for instance, none of them are fleet of foot. It's more important to have good players who are positionally aware and to press effectively as a team.


True of course but believe me, Barca have lost a few vital games because their CB's lack of pace (and had Henry had his shooting boots in the CL against them they would have lost that final due to Henry's pace/Barca total lack of pace).
Thing is, in Barca's case NO team (including Real M.) dare to attack en mass as they know they will be punished due to Barca's pace in the attack....Spurs has neither pace in the back (well, apart from Walker but he lack a "quick" football brain) nor up-front, so teams can attack Spurs with many more players than they would against Barca.
 
Last edited:

SHaRD

Well-Known Member
Sep 1, 2014
709
1,705
I don't particularly see what he'd bring. He's quite good at most things defensively, but doesn't particularly excel at anything.
 

Everlasting Seconds

Well-Known Member
Jan 9, 2014
14,914
26,616
Pretty sure we had ITK last summer stating that we weren't looking at Alderweireld because he was too slow. Don't know what has changed. He has been quite acceptable for the Saints, but ours is quite a different defence, and requires different attributes to succeed.
 

sam1972

Well-Known Member
Jul 26, 2005
1,273
1,943
I tweeted Kristof Terreur last month and he said there is interest from our end.
 

Kiedis

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2013
2,926
8,490
Not getting too much of a boner from this guy. Put Fazio in a team that defends in a low block with Schneiderlin and Wanyama in front of him, and he'd probably look pretty impressive.

(disclaimer: I think Fazio has been pretty decent even in our setup.)
 

Supersi32

Well-Known Member
Jul 23, 2008
2,525
2,754
Pretty sure we had ITK last summer stating that we weren't looking at Alderweireld because he was too slow. Don't know what has changed. He has been quite acceptable for the Saints, but ours is quite a different defence, and requires different attributes to succeed.

Alderweireld was judged too slow yet we signed the rapid Fazio, it doesn't add up really.
 

DaSpurs

Well-Known Member
Jan 20, 2013
11,816
13,655
Saints fan here-not sure where you lot got the idea that he's 'slow' from. He's quick, very quick in fact.

Was gonna say, I've always thought he was rather athletic for a CB. Belgium wouldn't be playing a player "slow for a CB" at RB nonetheless.
 

TheAmerican

Well-Known Member
Aug 30, 2012
6,909
18,760
http://www1.skysports.com/football/...by-alderweireld-set-for-atletico-madrid-talks


Defender Toby Alderweireld will hold talks with Atletico Madrid over his future next week, with Southampton, Chelsea and Tottenham all understood to be interested in his permanent signing.

The 26-year-old Belgium international, who enjoyed a successful loan spell at Southampton last season, will return to his parent club after duties with his country to discuss his next move.

Sky sources understand Saints have first option to sign the defender but Atletico can alter that arrangement via a small payment and create an open market for the player, who has attracted the interest of a host of Premier League clubs.

I'm not sure how true our interest is until we have some more defenders leaving, but I thought I may as well post it.
 
Top