Zaha and Andros are decent wingers but Tripps is more than capable of dealing with them. Against the likes of Hazard/ Sanchez then yeah that's when Walker is definitely required. When considering the RB's in the league, Walker is number one and I'd say Tripps is probably top five.
I haven't seen KT up against a top side or a really forceful, talented winger. His smaller stature and less physical game mean that Kyle Walker plays those crucial games, for me. I want him bullying Zaha and Albrighton and Ozil. KT may be able to keep them quiet, I know Kyle Walker can.
Don't take any notice of me deedub, I just have a man crush on Kyle Walker. However, we are now in the business end of the season with points to catch up on Chelsea, so For me it's the strongest side available from now onwards, and that means Kane and Walker must start.
The press appear to be trying to set us up for a fall with their variations of Pochettino mocks rivals headlines - even though what he actually said was... I think we’re playing and fighting for bigger things and if we look at the bigger picture it’s to try to reduce the gap with Chelsea. It’s not important - the gap we have with Arsenal. The most important thing is to do our job, try to win games and try to reduce the gap with Chelsea. ...but I guess headlines of Pochettino does his job aren't going to get as many clicks, are they?
The Trippier v Walker situation might be a horses for courses choice, for me. When we're up against a side that's just going to sit back and park the bus, then Trippier's crossing could be useful. If the opposition are going to cause us problems at the back, then Walker's the better choice. Honestly, it's just nice to be in a position where our back-up players aren't a total write-off. Losing players to injuries and still winning games is a position that we need to be in. That some of those squad players have done admirably well in the absence of key men is a big bonus. Son's arguably not in our first XI when everyone's fit. He's scored 18 goals. How many teams have that sort of firepower in reserve? Not a lot, I'd have thought. He's on course to break a 31-year-old record for a South Korean player in Europe. That was set with 19 goals for Leverkusen in the '85/86 season by Cha Bum-kun. Don't laugh...
Whilst I appreciate Walker's strength down the right flank, am I correct in thinking that Trippier actually delivers better crosses?
I have no doubt if asked/replying in native Spanish, his answer would have been more like : It is good to have such a big gap with Arsenal, as they are a top 4 rival. But beyond that, the most important thing is to try to win games and try to reduce the gap with Chelsea.
Yes. I think that Walker's got the most assists for a defender or something, though. He has 5 in the Premier League in 28 appearances. Trippier has 3 in 4, one of which was as a sub. All 3 were against Watford. They must hate him!
He does indeed. But Walker is the better player in every other aspect of the game. It is easy to be fooled into over-admiring a player when you only see them destroying lower league sides in cup games or the odd PL game against teams who sit back and invite pressure. I've changed my mind about Trippier and would very much like to hang onto him next season. But Kyle is quite simply in a different league to him. Ask him to turn out his pockets and Mesut Ozil, Eden Hazard, Kevin De Bruyne and Leighton Baines will fall to the floor, desperate for some sunshine.
Whoever scouted Trippier, Alli & Son deserve credit. For those of us who follow English football outside the P.L (to some extent), the former two players were no-brainers. But clubs don't pay enough attention to the smaller clubs these days. If they did, they would realise that there is still a lot of talent out there. £5M on Alli is better business than £15- £20M on the latest foreign superkid, who doesn't settle in England and can't cope with the language and cultural differences. It was obvious watching both Alli and Trippier for MK Dons and Burnley that they could cope with the physical demands of the lower leagues and that their particular talents shone in that environment. By comparison, the PL is a cakewalk; they have more time on the ball and better players around them to complement their abilities.
Add in Walker and Rose a few years ago. Whether they were always headed for international careers and widespread admiration or whether Mauricio Pochettino's management has reignited their careers, they were players that had that talent within them and as spotted early at a lower level and picked up for very reasonable prices. The one thing that Pep has got right this season is that Spurs' English talent is to be admired and coveted. It's just not for sale
Pochettino seems to agree with you: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/apr/13/mauricio-pochettino-tottenham-native-talent I found that article linked to elsewhere, which also linked to this tweet: Dele Alli talking up his teammate Harry Winks? What's strange or notable about that? He posted it five years ago...
With that level of prescience, Dele needs to be recruited as a scout - not sure the money will be as good mind!!
A little more of a taster from our official twitter, offering up some previous outings against Bournemouth:
Son & Kane's in, no Wanyama (he's on the bench). MP listened to Spurcat and is playing Walker. Looks like 4 at the back with Dier in midfield. Taking a risk with no Wanyama but hopefully Spurs are saving him for the tougher games that are looming. Think this is a good team and I'm predicting great things today!
Jack fecking Wilshire is going to ruin my weekend...I can feel it in my water. I can not stand that cocky twat
