Toby signs for Spurs - official.

I don't think his first team football would be limited there. The 100k a week might also soften that a little bit.

 

To be honest, I'm completely flummoxed as to why one of the 'big clubs' hasn't come and snapped him up before now - great attitude and would improve any of their defences. Phil Jones or Toby? Do me a favour....

But let's not shout about it!

 

Didn't a lot of people say this about Lovren last year aswell?

 

Damn, was I not supposed to text Jose this morning?

 

Good point. I'm happy to take the 'risk'!

 

For me there seems to be too common a factor on our defenders looking great. Lovren was a complete horror show in his last 18 months or so at Lyon, Fonte was looking way out of his depth in his first season at PL level, Yoshida was pretty atrocious in his first season, Alderweireld looked average at Atletico and definitely not the fantastic player we have seen this season. People accredit our defence going to **** when Forster got injured and we started conceding roughly 2 a game, but for me it is because Schneiderlin was injured.

Very few teams play with 2 defensive minded midfielders like we do with Schneiderlin and Wanyama, and if they do then they aren’t as good defensively as these 2. Take a look at Liverpool or Arsenal’s results when they are and aren’t playing Lucas/Coquelin it is really night and day. Lovren has gone back to his Lyon self because having Gerrard in front of him means that he is exposed to the strikers of the PL like he hasn’t been before and majority of centre backs would struggle with this.

I am not massively fussed if we get Toby, would like him to stay as he seems settled and we wouldn’t have to bring in another player to the first team, but if he does go I am not going to lose loads of sleep over it. Who we replace Schneiderlin with is the most important factor on whether or not our defence can continue to be one of the best in the league.

 

I think you're massively underselling Toby there personally, but I take your point.

 

And the season before that, our form went when Vic got injured. Now I can't remember if Morgan was out at that point too, but either way it backs up your point, be it Schneiderlin or "the right CDM partnership"

People still talk about how Vic improved this season, but for me he was an absolute rock for the first 10 games in his first season. Yes his passing has improved, but he was phenomenal defensively from the off. Too many people couldn't see that.

So, I agree about Morgan, but particularly Morgan in partnership with Vic. It still makes your final point spot on; get the right defensive replacement for Morgan.

 

I agree about underselling Toby and meant to add that in above post. His point about CDM is very valid though.

 

Don’t get me wrong, I am a fan of Toby’s, but having seen him on a number of occasions before joining us he really didn’t look as good as he has this year. I would be completely for signing him if we have the opportunity, but am really of the belief that any half decent CB will look great if they are playing behind such a solid CDM pairing as we have (probably had)

 

Don't get your hopes up.

 

The only downside I see to Vic's play (yes he can be a little slow sometimes, and his passing can go astray) is that he's like an oil tanker (or just a tank) in that he takes a few games to warm up and get his rhythm back. In fairness most people do, but it's very noticeable with Vic.

 

Haven't you gone away yet????

 

And part of such a solid back four..?

 

Haven't you got a plane to catch or something..?

 

Early morning. I will try not and do a Susan and post drunk.

 

Boarding

 

After that slip and then England's performance at the world cup it should have been crystal clear to anyone that Gerrard should not be playing defensive midfield and it's no surprise Liverpool have decided to let him go. It's not a coincidence that their best run of results coincided with his absence from the team.
As great a player as he is, he always lacked the self discipline to play for 90 minutes in a role where he needed to provide cover for others. It's why Lampard/Gerrard never worked and it's part of the reason Liverpool crumbled in the finale to this season.

As far as Dejan vs Toby is concerned, i'm comparing their Southampton seasons because Dejan looked a lot more confident with the better defensive unit, but for me Toby made far fewer individual errors. The Soldado robberies and at least one sloppy pass a match from Mr. Lovren. As for Toby, i'm still in shock he passed the ball to Benteke the other week(such was the rarity of an error from him).

They're not poles apart as players and Toby would look a lot more panicked playing behind that Liverpool midfield, but in terms of concentration and that extra bit of coolness in possession I think Toby has the edge

 

It seems that Chelsea want Toby now and according to the Times have offered Fillipe Luis as a trade deal.

 

Well, he is good enough to play at that level