please log in to view this image Saturday 17th February 3pm Premier League Tottenham Hotspur Stadium Too early for any official injury news, but it seems that Porro and Udogie may miss out. Both had obvious problems in the last match and missed training this week. Neither side has any suspensions. Lineups for each side's last league game: Spurs: Vicario; Porro, Romero, van de Ven, Udogie; Sarr, Bentancur; Kulusevski, Maddison, Werner; Richarlison. Subs: Forster, Emerson, Dragusin, Davies, Skipp, Hojbjerg, Bissouma, Son, Johnson. League form: LWDWDW. Wolves: Sa; Kilman, Dawson, Gomes; Semedo, Lemina, Gomes, Ait-Nouri; Sarabia, Cunha; Neto. Subs: Bentley, Doherty, S. Bueno, H. Bueno, Traore, Doyle, Bellegarde, Chirewa, Fraser. League form: WWDLWL. Ref: Anthony ****ing Taylor. VAR: Craig ****ing Pawson. TV: Not televised in the UK. How would you like to line up for this one and how do you think we actually will line up?
If fitness allows : ^Sarr ^Bissouma (I would like to see how another Maddison + Bentancur + X combo fares) .
Porro AND Udogie both out for tomorrow. Porro seemingly expected to miss a couple weeks too. ****. Definitely highlights the need for two new FBs in the summer though, need to make sure we have proper competition for these spots.
Porro should've been subbed off against Brighton after about an hour. He was hobbling around and getting roasted by Mitoma. Really obvious from my position, as it was right in front of me. The camera probably focused elsewhere while I watched him grimacing and struggling. I think that Emerson and Davies are both useful members of the squad. They're both quite versatile and have a great attitude. Neither can do the job that Udogie and Porro did in Postecoglou's system, though. I think the need for Udogie competition/backup is clear and it should be a priority. Fraser Forster's also injured and will be out for a couple of months. I think that we need to bring in someone to take his place as 2nd choice, too. Extremely happy with him as 3rd choice, if he'll accept that.
It was clear on the stream. I commented on it almost as soon as he started hobbling around. Not sure whether Porro indicated he was able to continue, but either way it was **** management as Mitoma had been getting the better of him pretty much all game and things weren't going to improve on one leg! Emerson should have been on smartish.
I think competition for Porro is slightly more pressing than competition for Udogie but both are necessities. Neither Davies or Emerson are great for the system but I think Davies has a few more attributes to do a better job, especially from a technical aspect, Emerson just always looks extremely uncomfortable in possession which isn’t exactly ideal in a system reliant on it. I don’t actually mind Forster as second choice for another season if it meant whatever money there is is used for two FBs and a new striker (that being the big money one), midfielder seems to be on the agenda too but personally I don’t think it’s a huge priority, we had an unnaturally high amount of injuries in the area this season but next year we’ll have Bergvall in the mix and I’d like to think Devine can be involved too, assuming he is, that’d leave a selection of Bentancur, Maddison, Sarr, Bissouma, Skipp, Bergvall and Devine (assuming Lo Celso and Hojbjerg are sold)… seems fairly well stocked. Ange seems great at keeping players happy but not sure how he could accommodate so many midfielders if another senior one was added, I think two would end up being out of the matchday squad most weeks.
Taylor and Pawson.. I'm not all that concerned. Our main creative and attacking players are back in action so we are less reliant on the FBs for creativity and goals than we previously were. Royal and Davies will give us a defensive stability we've lacked in recent games and I personally think it could be a help for the rest of the team to play with more freedom.
I don't think you've been paying close enough attention to Emerson this season. His confidence on the ball has improved drastically and while he'll never be Cafu, it is clear that he is benefitting from better coaching and a more stable back line. If you're looking for players who have gotten us into trouble on multiple occasions by giving the ball away in dangerous positions, look no further than Porro and Udogie.
Porro and Udogie act as secondary midfielders when we’re in possession, that overload in midfield is what’s largely allowed us to be the dominant side in most games. Davies and Emerson just don’t have that technical ability to play as such, it’ll likely result in possession potentially being a lot closer than it would’ve initially been, or alternatively our possession won’t be as dangerous as it could be and thus halt the attacking play.
Many have noticed on here the amount of times Emerson’s had to dive or feign contact when in possession of a football because he’s incapable of playing it out.
He seems to do it deliberately, for some reason. Draws fouls and encourages tackles, which earns us free-kicks in pointlessly deep positions. It's weird.
I think it’s because he can’t see the same passes Porro does so panics and looks for a way out by diving/ going down at minimal contact, though in his defence not many can do what Porro does in possession, the Spaniard’s vision and creativity for a RB is nuts, it’s Trent-esque.
He definitely can't play the role in the same way that Porro does. As you suggest though, not many can and we're unlikely to find anyone that will accept being backup. Emerson does generally do an ok job there and I think he complements Kulusevski. I've no idea where to start with the other side, though. Udogie isn't perfect, but he's basically good at everything as well as being very athletic. I hope Paratici has some more of these ridiculous signings lined up for the summer.
