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Player Watch: Victor Wanyama

THOWIG

Well-Known Member
Feb 14, 2005
6,499
8,329
But then has Dier this season? If we're going to play the same way, I don't mind the midfielder who drops back being somewhat limited. I'd rather we found someone who could do that job and be progressive on the ball, but there aren't many of those around. William Carvalho perhaps, but I don't know whether he's realistic.

Fair enough. He just doesn't grab me, but if Pochettino wants him that's all that matters.
 

Kiedis

Well-Known Member
Aug 4, 2013
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8,490
I'd like him. We need another player that can do the "Dier role". He's the right age, his contract is running out at Poch knows him. And his middle name is Mugabe. He doesn't take prisoners.
 

Nigel Spinal

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2015
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I'd like him. We need another player that can do the "Dier role". He's the right age, his contract is running out at Poch knows him. And his middle name is Mugabe. He doesn't take prisoners.

He can't pass or cover ground like Dier can though. He's just a big lump, not the sort of allrounder we need for our system
 

mill

Well-Known Member
May 21, 2007
10,385
37,100
We've heard how poch prizes mentality as much if not more than ability, so if he wants him, considering he's worked with him before, he must tick the box on that front
 

Nigel Spinal

Well-Known Member
Aug 14, 2015
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But we've also seen how well Capoue - a player very similar to Wanyama - very much didn't work in our system.
 

spursfan77

Well-Known Member
Aug 13, 2005
46,680
104,956
Capoue is absolutely nothing like Wanyama. Capoue is more like Carrick.

I never thought Capoue was that bad. It was just his attitude and work rate that was more than questionable. Plus he looked like he needed an arm round him and a confidence boost all the time. Can't be bothered with players like that.
 

Bus-Conductor

SC Supporter
Oct 19, 2004
39,837
50,713
I never thought Capoue was that bad. It was just his attitude and work rate that was more than questionable. Plus he looked like he needed an arm round him and a confidence boost all the time. Can't be bothered with players like that.

I don't think it was that he was lazy, he isn't a lazy player, as well as getting through more ball than most CM's he also covers more ground - even this season he was one of those that had covered the most ground.

When the front four don't press and work cohesively it puts enormous pressure on any CM2, which is why all our CM's looked exposed at times until this season when there was a quantifiable improvement in collective work and cohesion. You then factor in Alderweireld behind you instead of the likes of fucking Chiriches or Fazio and Walker concentrating his single cell on defending better, and then you chuck in a Dier who becomes a 3rd CB and all of a sudden a player like Capoue, who tackles, covers ground but passes like carrick, could be an absolute gem.

Something happened behind the scenes, we know this, and I think Capoue aligned himself with the wrong bunch. So be it, he made his bed, but even his performances and influence at Watford, a team with no right to have the season they had, is evidence that he's a decent player.
 
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THFCSPURS19

The Speaker of the Transfer Rumours Forum
Jan 6, 2013
37,886
130,485
, a team with no right to have the season they had, is evidence that he's a decent player.
Do you mean a good half-season? They picked up 16 points from 19 games in the second half of the season. That's atrocious.
 

talkshowhost86

Mod-Moose
Staff
Oct 2, 2004
48,105
47,061
I like him, although he's been rash at times this season.

It would give us someone to rotate with Dier, and even to play with Dier if we feel we need a bit of steel in the middle in a game.

I hope though that we're also looking at a more creative central midfielder to compete with Dembele (i.e. an upgrade on Mason, Carroll, Bentaleb).
 

THOWIG

Well-Known Member
Feb 14, 2005
6,499
8,329
We need an alternative to Dier and Dembele who could play alongside either player. A DM who can pass forward for example ala Wiegl(not that we could sign him).
 

GetSpurredOn

Well-Known Member
Jun 18, 2006
5,022
8,922
It's a tough ask to cover both Dier and Dembele. Dier has to be defensively disciplined, and a key to our system is his ability to sit in and form a back 3 when the fullbacks press high. A more CM who can pass and bring the ball forward from deep type, like Dembele, isn't going to be able to do that 3rd CB role, well not many available at least.
 

DJS

A hoonter must hoont
Dec 9, 2006
31,261
21,760
Haha just thought the same! However if competition picks up in the forward areas, say Batshauyi and a WF coming in, I could see Alli/Eriksen alongside the DM in games like that...

I think the Mikel comparison is decent, drafted in for tactical reasons where we need to be more resolute.

If we played Eriksen alongside the DM we would get raped.
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
If we played Eriksen alongside the DM we would get raped.

There have been situations before coming back vs park the bus setups where it has been effective. I wouldn't be up for starting him there. The context was playing 2 DMs vs Burnley at home.
 
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