Xavi Simons

[Lilbaz]

Can't we have them interchanging during the game. Muani or richarlison as strikers could drift left with xavi sometimes coming more centrally during the game. Dependent on the situation.
Would be a nightmare for defenders to deal with.

 

[Diamond Lights]

To me that applies when one of the better players is clearly better on one position than another.

I don't think that applies as much to Simons, particularly if playing a more inside left role. Wouldn't want to see him just hug the touchline, but as long as he has the freedom to roam a bit I'm not sure it matters much where it's starting position is.

Too many potential solutions to list them all. But if Frank wants two out of Palhinha, Sarr and Bentancur in a given game. Simons left and Bergvall through the middle or Simons in the 10 role and one of those you mentioned on the left. What's better? I think it depends.

At the highest level i'm also very much a horses for courses view. At home with teams sitting deep, Xavi in the middle. Away from home, more energy and pressing in the middle, definitely opportunities to mix up. But really, if you want to win, you go out with him in the middle.

 

[braineclipse]

Small sample size playing for us but not a a small sample size in terms of his career. He's played a lot on the left and through the middle. His attributes best suit a central role. He plays from the left regardless of where his nominal starting position is but the point is if hes started as the left hand side guy it's his responsibility to spread the game and provide the width, this does not suit him or get the best out of him. We need a player on the outside of him which then allows Simons to drift into the spaces where he is most dangerous and that is not our on the left holding width and yes he will be the one holding width of he's played there as we've already seen in his first two matches.

I think I already said something about not having him just be a touchline hugger to get the best out of him from the left. When he played there for us he had Spence behind him, but with Udogie now getting back to real fitness that won't always be the case.

My point is essentially "it depends", and on a lot of things and I don't think it has to be in the centre to get the best out of him - and more importantly getting the most out of the 11 on the pitch in total.

 

[braineclipse]

At the highest level i'm also very much a horses for courses view. At home with teams sitting deep, Xavi in the middle. Away from home, more energy and pressing in the middle, definitely opportunities to mix up. But really, if you want to win, you go out with him in the middle.

We always want to win, no?

I think he's a horse that can fit different courses (I know nothing about horses, but think I get the saying correctly).

What was the song about Eriksen... "on the left, on the right" etc... He's a bit like that. He doesn't require a specific position to thrive.

 

[NaijaSpurs]

Based on a very small sample size where him playing as a 10 against Brighton coincided with us chasing a goal and also playing another of our more creativity players in midfield (Bergvall).

Long story short the story is still rather short and it's a bit early to be making strong conclusions on what should happen in the future.

On the contrary, I would suggest that when you factor in his pre Spurs career the sample size is quite large. It proves beyond a reasonable doubt hat his best position is as a number 10.

 

[P.D.]

Maybe we're keeping him wider till he adjusts to the pace/strength of the league, a little bit like we did with Modric.

 

[braineclipse]

Maybe we're keeping him wider till he adjusts to the pace/strength of the league, a little bit like we did with Modric.

I think that's the most likely by far. But also think sometimes, in some games playing him on the left could be the better option.