Agreed. Shevchenko wasn't used correctly and was possibly on the way down after injury but the chelsea system (or shall we say mourinho) didn't help him. I think Suarez has proved though that he has all the dirty tricks to win fouls/muscle defenders out the way even when its played long to him so even then i think he would have been okay in any system.
Maybe 3 or 4 years ago it was. Far as I’m aware, all of our first XI and even many squad players earn more than £50k.
Apparently Meyer has a stinking attitude. I think it also says a lot that Palace are the only side seemingly interested in him. As for Modric, if the rumours are true that he’s considering leaving Real. We need to be all over that, exactly what we need, even if it will be a short term option due to his age. And if we sign Grealish as well, Modric is literally the perfect guy to aid him into being a long term successor.
I'm actually feeling less bad we haven't splashed all our cash on central midfield after watching the latter 2 over preseason. Modric's age wouldn't worry me if the powers that be think those guys will make it. In fact, it would be a positive
You could rotate Modric with Eriksen, and taper down the number of games Modric would have to play if the PL campaign is just too much for him now for the remaining years of his career (Spurs have at least 46 games this season) .
You could also rotate with Dembele (if he stays). The benefit of that is that they are different types of central mids and it could be a great way to change a game when we're not playing well or things aren't going as planned. That position is often the tempo-maker of the team
This is incorrect in my view. Poch gets the very best out of our team but it remains the case that we only have the fifth best set of players in the PL and probably the tenth best in Europe. We get a lot of league points by efficiently beating the poorer teams but we only do as expected against the stronger ones. Which of those we win is more down to luck than anything else. If we had lost to Man Utd in the League but beaten them in the cup and lost to Chelsea at Stamford Bridge but won against them in the cup final then we would have won exactly the same number of key matches, won the Cup and come fifth in the League. Two questions: would that make you happy? And if we had a better manager how would he have arranged to swap the results like that?
It seems that Pochettino cannot deal with such teams in competitions where any 'damage' cannot be spread out or repaired over a bigger overall set of games. The FA Cup SFs and the CL Juventus 2nd leg being the main examples.
See I have to disagree I'd say we have at worst the 4th best set of players and do you see why some of the fans think Levy needs to sign first team quality instead of squad fillers for the upcoming season?
Starting to actually get concerned about Winks. I’ve already been critical of the “safe way” he plays but in two first team seasons, he’s missed large chunks of both through injury and seeing as he’s still continuing rehabilitation I doubt he’ll be match fit for the start of the season. Best thing for him would probably be a loan if he can be fit before the deadline. Think he’s too much of a risk to rely upon this season. Needs a solid run in the first team and a chance to prove his fitness.
No way can we be relying on him. Like you say even when he was playing it's mostly sideways. Not saying lets discard him but I think he's one of them young players that need to go back to the drawing board. I don't see where he was ever effective.
I don’t have any concerns over his ability but I do have concerns over his mentality. He’s got all the minerals to be a top player but he holds himself back by playing such a safe and boring style. His performance against Madrid showed what he’s capable of, we need more of that.
Interesting Tweet from Marca.....United offer 60m but the player doesn't want to go to Old Trafford... A number of the comments make good points..... Are United really wanting another central midfielder? Does anyone really believe that they'd make a bid without having tested the water and ensured that the player was interested in such a move? Is this not Madrid trying to pressurize an alternative potential buyer or get an auction going? Whatever it is, it doesn't seem to suggest that he's staying, which is what RM are said to want.......
Make sure DH doesn't see a copy of the Express! https://www.express.co.uk/sport/football/996975/Tottenham-transfer-news-Jack-Grealish-Aston-Villa
FFS. It being the Express gives me a little hope but i also wouldn't be in the least bit surprised if this is true. Levy must piss off other chairmen something chronic
