Rose's prolonged absence has affected us even more tbh. I love Lamela but the reality is we've played our best football yet with him out of the side. We've missed his passion, fight and drive no question but in terms of ability and actual impact on a game, Alli, Eriksen and now even Son have far outstripped him. Davies provides a very stable back-up to Rose but the latter is in a different league at both ends of the pitch. Him going off in the first half against Sunderland killed the game for us and it turned into a very frustrating draw against a very ****e team. The other game where his absence was keenly felt was when Mane tore Davies a new one at Anfield. Rose would've had him in his pocket begging for air.
Personally still think Ben is a better defender than Danny. The Liverpool example is unfair as whilst it wasn't his finest hour a) he was given no cover and b) Mane was in superb form on the night. I don't think Rose would have had any more joy.
The Standard's back-up to their 'I know nothing about Spurs, even though it's my job' Tom Collomosse, a bloke called Sam Long, has given our lack of a right full back his full and considered thought. The answer............Kevin Wimmer..........KEVIN ****ING WIMMER........THE LEFT FOOTED CENTRAL DEFENDER WHO MAURICIO POCHETTINO DOESN'T TRUST.......THAT KEVIN WIMMER? CHRIST ALMIGHTY!
Hope the 'expected to return to pre-season' statement proves more accurate than other recent pronouncements!!
With Dembele, my concern is that Spurs have made things worse by forcing him to "take one for the team" this season once too often.