Post transfer window, best starting XI (and bench)

[awesome dawson]

Well at the end of that transfer window I think we have a fairly good squad;

Starting eleven is fairly set in stone when all are fit;

--------------Lloris-------------
---Sanchez Toby Vertonghen---
Aurier Wanyama Dembele Rose
------------Alli Eriksen----------
----------------Kane-------------

Subs from; Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Walker-Peters, Winks, Foyth, Dier, Lamela, Llorente, Sissoko, Son

That's some decent strength and depth. No excuses if we produce tripe at Wembley. COYS

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Well at the end of that transfer window I think we have a fairly good squad;

Starting eleven is fairly set in stone when all are fit;

--------------Lloris-------------
---Sanchez Toby Vertonghen---
Aurier Wanyama Dembele Rose
------------Alli Eriksen----------
----------------Kane-------------

Subs from; Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Walker-Peters, Winks, Foyth, Dier, Lamela, Llorente, Sissoko, Son

That's some decent strength and depth. No excuses if we produce tripe at Wembley. COYS

Dier will be in our starting 11

He is the most important player for us as he allows us to go from 3 to 4 at the back

Unless Sanchez can do that then I fully expect to see Dier starting most games

And we havent started 3 at the back any games so far yet have we? Maybe Poch is keeping that for certain games too

 

[milo]

Dier will be in our starting 11

He is the most important player for us as he allows us to go from 3 to 4 at the back

Unless Sanchez can do that then I fully expect to see Dier starting most games

And we havent started 3 at the back any games so far yet have we? Maybe Poch is keeping that for certain games too

I think that is the case if we start with 4 at the back but I don't see it being an issue if we start with 3.

 

[Lemonade Money]

Depending on who's available:

1 from Lloris, Vorm.
3 from Alderweireld, Vertonghen, Dier, Sanchez.
1 from Aurier, Trippier.
1 from Rose, Davies.
2 from Wanyama, Dembele, Dier.
2 from Eriksen, Dele, Son.
1 from Kane, Llorente.

Add in Lamela if he ever gets fit.

 

[the dza]

I think Sanchez might play in the middle of the back 3. Against Burnley, when Sissoko came on we seemed to go 3 at the back with Dier in the middle of the back 3 and Toby to the right (normally Dier plays to the right and Toby in the middle). Maybe playing that way, Sanchez's pace can cover the defence more easily from the centre.

I don't see us spending £40m on a centre-back that we're not intending to start, nor do I think Sanchez would have agreed to come here if he wasn't going to be a first-team player. I think we'll be playing 3 at the back and that Dier, Wanyama and Dembele will rotate for the two spots in midfield, with Dier also able to cover the centre-back positions.

-------------------lloris
--------toby-----sanchez----vert
-aurier------dier-----dembele------rose
--------------eriksen---dele
-------------------kane

subs: vorm, trippier, davies, wanyama, lamela, son, llorente.

 

[Spur of the moment]

What about Edwards? I read last night* he turned down a loan move because he wants to stay and take his chances with us this season.

*Edit, this is it: https://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnati...ards-rejected-loan-deals-holland-championship

 

[milo]

I think Sanchez might play in the middle of the back 3. Against Burnley, when Sissoko came on we seemed to go 3 at the back with Dier in the middle of the back 3 and Toby to the right (normally Dier plays to the right and Toby in the middle). Maybe playing that way, Sanchez's pace can cover the defence more easily from the centre.

I don't see us spending £40m on a centre-back that we're not intending to start, nor do I think Sanchez would have agreed to come here is he wasn't going to be a first-team player. I think we'll be playing 3 at the back and that Dier, Wanyama and Dembele will rotate for the two spots in midfield, with Dier also able to cover the centre-back positions.

-------------------lloris
--------toby-----sanchez----vert
-aurier------dier-----dembele------rose
--------------eriksen---dele
-------------------kane

subs: vorm, trippier, davies, wanyama, lamela, son, llorente.

I think that he is far more likely to play on the right and Toby stays in the centre. When we play with three at the back, Alder stays back whilst the other two CBs push forward into midfield. Puching forward sounds a better fit for what I know of Sanchez game and asking him to defend on his own would be a big ask at his age.

 

[the dza]

I think that he is far more likely to play on the right and Toby stays in the centre. When we play with three at the back, Alder stays back whilst the other two CBs push forward into midfield. Puching forward sounds a better fit for what I know of Sanchez game and asking him to defend on his own would be a big ask at his age.

You could well be right, I originally thought the same -- just seeing Toby play to the right v Burnley (after the Sissoko sub) made me think it might be Poch's plan for Toby to play there when Sanchez is in the team. It may have been a one-off though.

 

[AdamB]

Well at the end of that transfer window I think we have a fairly good squad;

Starting eleven is fairly set in stone when all are fit;

--------------Lloris-------------
---Sanchez Toby Vertonghen---
Aurier Wanyama Dembele Rose
------------Alli Eriksen----------
----------------Kane-------------

Subs from; Vorm, Davies, Trippier, Walker-Peters, Winks, Foyth, Dier, Lamela, Llorente, Sissoko, Son

That's some decent strength and depth. No excuses if we produce tripe at Wembley. COYS

Its better depth. I think post the window we're probably we have greater depth of 2 players (Llorente, and Sanchez being an update on Wimmer) which you can switch in/out of the team without much of a drop off in performance. I dont think you can include Vorm, KWP, Foyth or, based on last seasons performances, Sissoko in that category yet.

Shame we missed out on Gomes and Barkley as I think we look vulnerable to injuries in central areas, particularly with Dembele's recent niggles, and also would have liked a pacey attacking addition, but we've added some extra depth to the squad which was, in my mind at least, the main aim for the window. Hopefully we can get Gomes/Barkley in in Jan and between now and then work out what we're doing with Sissoko and GKN (and get Edwards some game time in cups)

 

[jts1882]

An interesting window.

Given the starting XI of last season and the usual backups, we have only lost Walker and Wimmer. Wimmer wasn't the preferred backup last season (unlike the season before) and we have brought in two CBs, a high quality player ready to play and a player for the future. We got big money for Walker, who had lost is place at the end of last season and have a ready to play replacement plus a young player who is a year older. There can be little doubt that the best defence of the last two seasons has got better.

Llorente surely represents a plan B when we are struggling for goals, something we have lacked badly at times.

What we haven't addressed is pace. We seem the anti-thesis of Liverpool who have a pacey attack and a crap defence, yet add more pace. We have a quality defence and strengthen it. The difference is that we can score goals when the season gets going, despite the lack of pace, while they can't defend full-stop.

 

[Lemonade Money]

I think one of the things that Poch took from last year, is that some injuries forced his hand over formation, and Sanchez appears to be the solution.
Poch likes to play his best XI, and last year an injury to Dier/Alderweireld/Vertonghen forced us to play 4-2-3-1. I'm not saying he always wants to play 3-4-2-1, he just always wants the option of playing either 4-2-3-1 or 3-4-2-1.
Agree with @jts1882, Llorente gives us a plan B.
Aurier is like for like replacement, and the others are development/back-up.

 

[glorygloryeze]

An interesting window.

Given the starting XI of last season and the usual backups, we have only lost Walker and Wimmer. Wimmer wasn't the preferred backup last season (unlike the season before) and we have brought in two CBs, a high quality player ready to play and a player for the future. We got big money for Walker, who had lost is place at the end of last season and have a ready to play replacement plus a young player who is a year older. There can be little doubt that the best defence of the last two seasons has got better.

Llorente surely represents a plan B when we are struggling for goals, something we have lacked badly at times.

What we haven't addressed is pace. We seem the anti-thesis of Liverpool who have a pacey attack and a crap defence, yet add more pace. We have a quality defence and strengthen it. The difference is that we can score goals when the season gets going, despite the lack of pace, while they can't defend full-stop.

Your last paragraph is what stands out to me big time as well; it's what make me feel slightly underwhelmed with our overall dealings tbh. Not sure how justified that feeling is though.
If we had increased our pace and trickery in the attacking third it would have given us the extra tactical string to our bows that i feel the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea have: that ability to go away to a top 6 side, sit tight and hit them on the break instead of having to get a foothold via pressing and/or playing an expansive possession game. It would also have meant less burden on our wing-backs to bomb up and down and maybe keeping them fresher over a season.
All the reputable ITK (yeah i know!) had said that a pacy attacker was a priority and that we had 2/3 options and were almost certainly going to bring in one.

That said, the likes of Aurier and Sanchez will perhaps mitigate this a bit and allow us to push teams back more and not be as susceptible to be hit on the counter. Maybe Llorente will also benefit with us able to compress the pitch, force teams back and then be able to swing in crosses for the big man to hit them closer to where it hurts if need be.

In reality we do have raw pace in the attacking areas: GKN and Sissoko. It is now to judge Poch on how he can integrate them into our play and create an additional method of play that gets the best out of them to benefit the team. He has improved our defensive strategy and he now (for me at least) has to show how he improves our use of pace in the attacking areas. Apart from winning trophies, he still has to prove his ability to use attacking pace and he has the chance to prove what he can do now; after all they were HIS buys.

Good to see him/the club being flexible on how they target strikers; Llorente as a back-up at his age could be ingenius. Just hope we can play to his strengths on the Wembley pitch.

Onwards and upwards. COYS

 

[elltrev]

I think splashing 42m on Sanchez, and not buying a single attacking midfielder, surely means we will be playing 3-4-2-1 much more often than not?

Otherwise we'd be relying on Sissoko / Lamela / Nkoudou, at least from the bench.

 

[elltrev]

Your last paragraph is what stands out to me big time as well; it's what make me feel slightly underwhelmed with our overall dealings tbh. Not sure how justified that feeling is though.
If we had increased our pace and trickery in the attacking third it would have given us the extra tactical string to our bows that i feel the likes of Man Utd and Chelsea have: that ability to go away to a top 6 side, sit tight and hit them on the break instead of having to get a foothold via pressing and/or playing an expansive possession game. It would also have meant less burden on our wing-backs to bomb up and down and maybe keeping them fresher over a season.
All the reputable ITK (yeah i know!) had said that a pacy attacker was a priority and that we had 2/3 options and were almost certainly going to bring in one.

That said, the likes of Aurier and Sanchez will perhaps mitigate this a bit and allow us to push teams back more and not be as susceptible to be hit on the counter. Maybe Llorente will also benefit with us able to compress the pitch, force teams back and then be able to swing in crosses for the big man to hit them closer to where it hurts if need be.

In reality we do have raw pace in the attacking areas: GKN and Sissoko. It is now to judge Poch on how he can integrate them into our play and create an additional method of play that gets the best out of them to benefit the team. He has improved our defensive strategy and he now (for me at least) has to show how he improves our use of pace in the attacking areas. Apart from winning trophies, he still has to prove his ability to use attacking pace and he has the chance to prove what he can do now; after all they were HIS buys.

Good to see him/the club being flexible on how they target strikers; Llorente as a back-up at his age could be ingenius. Just hope we can play to his strengths on the Wembley pitch.

Onwards and upwards. COYS

Son offers decent pace and dribbling too, on the plus side.

 

[glorygloryeze]

Son offers decent pace and dribbling too, on the plus side.

That is true; but i think another option, perhaps even more direct would have had many of our rivals much more scared than they will be on that Wembley pitch imo

Oh well; could have been worse, could be Arsenal...

 

[glorygloryeze]

The real test, will be what team we would now hope to pick in that first CL game at home vs Dortmund...

 

[elltrev]

That is true; but i think another option, perhaps even more direct would have had many of our rivals much more scared than they will be on that Wembley pitch imo

Oh well; could have been worse, could be Arsenal...

Agreed.

 

[glorygloryeze]

Interesting post from a seemingly reliable 'ITK' on SC by the username Hercules, who has been relatively consistent over the window with his 'tidbits'. Pinch of salt and all that, but interesting either way:

"Summary of the window. We have to commend Daniel Levy. There were differences of opinions between him and Poch. I think it is safe to say both saw the light. There is absolutely no way anyone can criticise Daniel and moan about our missed targets, and 'Pinch of salt' ITK's who have given you very accurate, and honest updates, be it positive or negative. We do cross reference on occasions know

Big shout out to Rob (Governor) and A&C, for their excellent work. Before I go any further, I will be donating £50 between today and tomorrow. Bosses please inbox me to remind me.

I will bullet point what was said with results and reasons, to the best of my knowledge.

1. Ross Barkley=As was said all along, not fully fit, and issues with his injury, we wanted to deal at figure which will not go public, but less than chavs, but not much less. He came to London, hoping to be diverted William style, but Everton refused to talk to us, as chavs tried Daniel's famous (after Willian) exclusivity clause:ROFLMAO:

When it became apparent after a flea got in his ear Ross scarpered, to return on our terms in January.

2. Our contingency was Gomez as loan with option to buy. We were more keen on the loan with option in our favour, and not Barca. We would have to of made a commitment to buy either way. In the region of 40 plus million. Poch was asked, and was not keen. Daniel then walked away.

3. Llorente was the silent one, and so silent that our relationship with Swansea made sure it stayed that way. Chavs wanted to deal earlier in the window, but Swans wanted Bony, but couldn't deal until GS was sold. We were tipped off by their hierarchy that bid was accepted by Spanish club, and chavs. Poch made a personal call to him. Once that was done chavs stood no chance. This is all Poch.

4. VJ, Poch loves him as a person, and admires his attitude. Poch wants it to work for him, and told him he needs 3 specialist strikers, and with all the games he would get his games.

5. DS= Without our backroom staff this deal would not even of developed. We had been talking to Ajax, having a full dossier on him. Chavs were very keen, along with the two Spanish giants. Also Bayern were keen. He spent a lot of time talking to Poch, and eventually that swayed it. He was shown videos of our complex and stadium. Enough said.

6. SA=Another one down to our backroom staff. Daniel commissioned experts he trusts in France, along with very highly regarded legal counsel in the U.K., who were liaison with appropriate authorities to risk assess. Once they knew it was over, SA was so confident he declined Yanited and chavs especially. Poch played a blinder also.

7. Foyth=Came out of Poch's influence and connections. Daniel, you naughty boy what you did with PSG. Can we say they were never serious?

8. GK=Poch wants 3, and convinced he will prove a shrewd signing, and rates his staff to improve him beyond compare. He also showed well in Spain.

9. Wing forward, we had a few options, but reasons we pulled with Poch's blessings. Zaha is interesting, and may be revisited later. All down to Poch, and Zaha has 35m clause that becomes effective around April.

10. Jadon could be a Zaki Fryers in January or summer. Watch this space.

11. Dembele will be utilised in advanced roles, subject to matches. Due to our pacey defensive additions.

12. Lamela is not far off, and will be used in No. 10 role. Hope it works out for him, because if not Roma is calling.

13. Danny boy Rose is happy. No issues with him. Still think he may go amicably end of season. We promised him that. Key to that will be if he is upgraded in his contract, as all the ones we want will be. Don't worry about Toby. All good.

There you have it. No moaning please. Overall we done good business. COYS!!!"

From here: http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/ind...thread-post-mortem.130134/page-9#post-5596746

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Interesting post from a seemingly reliable 'ITK' on SC by the username Hercules, who has been relatively consistent over the window with his 'tidbits'. Pinch of salt and all that, but interesting either way:

"Summary of the window. We have to commend Daniel Levy. There were differences of opinions between him and Poch. I think it is safe to say both saw the light. There is absolutely no way anyone can criticise Daniel and moan about our missed targets, and 'Pinch of salt' ITK's who have given you very accurate, and honest updates, be it positive or negative. We do cross reference on occasions know

Big shout out to Rob (Governor) and A&C, for their excellent work. Before I go any further, I will be donating £50 between today and tomorrow. Bosses please inbox me to remind me.

I will bullet point what was said with results and reasons, to the best of my knowledge.

1. Ross Barkley=As was said all along, not fully fit, and issues with his injury, we wanted to deal at figure which will not go public, but less than chavs, but not much less. He came to London, hoping to be diverted William style, but Everton refused to talk to us, as chavs tried Daniel's famous (after Willian) exclusivity clause:ROFLMAO:

When it became apparent after a flea got in his ear Ross scarpered, to return on our terms in January.

2. Our contingency was Gomez as loan with option to buy. We were more keen on the loan with option in our favour, and not Barca. We would have to of made a commitment to buy either way. In the region of 40 plus million. Poch was asked, and was not keen. Daniel then walked away.

3. Llorente was the silent one, and so silent that our relationship with Swansea made sure it stayed that way. Chavs wanted to deal earlier in the window, but Swans wanted Bony, but couldn't deal until GS was sold. We were tipped off by their hierarchy that bid was accepted by Spanish club, and chavs. Poch made a personal call to him. Once that was done chavs stood no chance. This is all Poch.

4. VJ, Poch loves him as a person, and admires his attitude. Poch wants it to work for him, and told him he needs 3 specialist strikers, and with all the games he would get his games.

5. DS= Without our backroom staff this deal would not even of developed. We had been talking to Ajax, having a full dossier on him. Chavs were very keen, along with the two Spanish giants. Also Bayern were keen. He spent a lot of time talking to Poch, and eventually that swayed it. He was shown videos of our complex and stadium. Enough said.

6. SA=Another one down to our backroom staff. Daniel commissioned experts he trusts in France, along with very highly regarded legal counsel in the U.K., who were liaison with appropriate authorities to risk assess. Once they knew it was over, SA was so confident he declined Yanited and chavs especially. Poch played a blinder also.

7. Foyth=Came out of Poch's influence and connections. Daniel, you naughty boy what you did with PSG. Can we say they were never serious?

8. GK=Poch wants 3, and convinced he will prove a shrewd signing, and rates his staff to improve him beyond compare. He also showed well in Spain.

9. Wing forward, we had a few options, but reasons we pulled with Poch's blessings. Zaha is interesting, and may be revisited later. All down to Poch, and Zaha has 35m clause that becomes effective around April.

10. Jadon could be a Zaki Fryers in January or summer. Watch this space.

11. Dembele will be utilised in advanced roles, subject to matches. Due to our pacey defensive additions.

12. Lamela is not far off, and will be used in No. 10 role. Hope it works out for him, because if not Roma is calling.

13. Danny boy Rose is happy. No issues with him. Still think he may go amicably end of season. We promised him that. Key to that will be if he is upgraded in his contract, as all the ones we want will be. Don't worry about Toby. All good.

There you have it. No moaning please. Overall we done good business. COYS!!!"

From here: http://www.spurscommunity.co.uk/ind...thread-post-mortem.130134/page-9#post-5596746

Thought Jadon has a sell on and buy back clause with city

 

[nayimfromthehalfwayline]

I dont see Dortmund doing a Fryers at all, thats just silly talk. Only way he comes back cheap is if he just doesnt impress.

We spent much of last season in a 3-5-2 and thats where our best and most consistent form came from.

For me the purchases just reinforce that to be our primary formation. And, in fact, improve upon it.

I wouldnt venture to suggest an 11, as, frankly, there are many options now - which is exactly what we needed.