***OMT - Tottenham Hotspur v Everton***

[Legohamster]

Yeah, 25 year old Kane was a beast physically. In fact, Poch had them all operating like a pack of wolves together. We were relentless on the opposition. Kyle Walker was another level of intensity.

Dom has to figure some of this stuff out.

I don't think Solanke has anything close to the Drive Kane has to adapt his game.

He's 29 in a couple of days, on a well paid and longish contract.

He's set.

 

[Gilzeantoscore]

Lost all control once Bentancur went off

He was our best player.

 

[Gutter Boy]

Yeah, 25 year old Kane was a beast physically. In fact, Poch had them all operating like a pack of wolves together. We were relentless on the opposition. Kyle Walker was another level of intensity.

Dom has to figure some of this stuff out.

He's 29 now. The last year or two of his peak. He's never found the potential he seemed to have at the U20s world cup a decade ago.

 

[Muttley]

I don't think Solanke has anything close to the Drive Kane has to adapt his game.

He's 29 in a couple of days, on a well paid and longish contract.

He's set.

I guess very few players have the drive of Kane from a career standpoint. I'm not sure Harry has the "dig deep" in the big games and the talismanic characters that we've see from other great players. Despite that, he has had a spectacular career. His record is deserved.

Dom clearly hasn't. Another one that never realised his potential. I guess sometimes you're better off having a Callum Wilson. Players like that are willing to put their bodies on the line and give 100% every single week, despite injuries. Callum has had ACL, back problems and a number of hamstrings over the years. Always comes back in warrior mode and enables players around him. Obviously in twilight mode now, but I've always admired the guy. Wellbeck I guess is another cut from the same cloth.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

I think Solanke is a pretty good finisher...so lay in chances and he'll do well. Think he's probably ok at static wall passes from advancing midfielders or wide men.

But his physical movement and just his body mechanics look like a 40 year old eeking out a bit more career in vets football. Since his injuries and being flogged as a work horse, everything physical looks an effort.

As I say this isn't a new observation, and the hierarchy should be seeing it as well. Given the above and Richie's situation, and Lankshear disappearing, I can see it being an issue, a big one. The only way I can see it being ok is if the team develops to serve Solankes positive attributes I mention in the first paragraph. And I think RDZ does want to play that way, not for Solankes sake per se, just that's his way anyway

 

[Kandi1977]

Ps. Didn't like seeing De Zerbi laying into Tel at full time, what was that all about??!

That's no problem for me. But laying it out in the press too afterwards, is totally unnecessary! Here's what he said:

Roberto De Zerbi: “I went straight to him because I was frustrated. I brought him on with a very clear instruction: make the runs, move the defenders, attack the spaces and give your teammates options.

But when he came onto the pitch, I didn’t see enough of that. He was too static. He was waiting for the game to come to him instead of making something happen.

I told him directly, ‘You cannot come into a game like this and disappear. I need you to move. I need you to make the defenders think.’

We were chasing a goal and I needed energy, movement and aggression from him. Instead, there were moments where he was standing in the same position while his teammates were trying to create something.

That cannot happen.

I’m not angry because he made a mistake. I’m angry because he didn’t do what I asked him to do.

 

[Kandi1977]

I think Solanke is a pretty good finisher...so lay in chances and he'll do well. Think he's probably ok at static wall passes from advancing midfielders or wide men.

But his physical movement and just his body mechanics look like a 40 year old eeking out a bit more career in vets football. Since his injuries and being flogged as a work horse, everything physical looks an effort.

As I say this isn't a new observation, and the hierarchy should be seeing it as well. Given the above and Richie's situation, and Lankshear disappearing, I can see it being an issue, a big one. The only way I can see it being ok is if the team develops to serve Solankes positive attributes I mention in the first paragraph. And I think RDZ does want to play that way, not for Solankes sake per se, just that's his way anyway

Problem is he's very rarely in a position where it's possible to get the ball to him in any meaningful way.

 

[DeanoAustin]

That's no problem for me. But laying it out in the press too afterwards, is totally unnecessary! Here's what he said:

Roberto De Zerbi: “I went straight to him because I was frustrated. I brought him on with a very clear instruction: make the runs, move the defenders, attack the spaces and give your teammates options.

But when he came onto the pitch, I didn’t see enough of that. He was too static. He was waiting for the game to come to him instead of making something happen.

I told him directly, ‘You cannot come into a game like this and disappear. I need you to move. I need you to make the defenders think.’

We were chasing a goal and I needed energy, movement and aggression from him. Instead, there were moments where he was standing in the same position while his teammates were trying to create something.

That cannot happen.

I’m not angry because he made a mistake. I’m angry because he didn’t do what I asked him to do.

Think that's poor to be honest. Tel wasn't even bad to be honest.

That said, Tel looks like a lad who has character so may be able to take that and use it which may make others think. Hopefully, this is a RDZ mind-game rather than what it says on the tin.

 

[Boog]

Think that's poor to be honest. Tel wasn't even bad to be honest.

That said, Tel looks like a lad who has character so may be able to take that and use it which may make others think. Hopefully, this is a RDZ mind-game rather than what it says on the tin.

I like it. It's something Pep has done and people loved. Tel clearly has talent but needs to start putting it to use and stop facing up his man and dribbling no where. A public call out might be what some of these players need to get going after two years of being awful.

 

[Muttley]

I think Solanke is a pretty good finisher...so lay in chances and he'll do well. Think he's probably ok at static wall passes from advancing midfielders or wide men.

But his physical movement and just his body mechanics look like a 40 year old eeking out a bit more career in vets football. Since his injuries and being flogged as a work horse, everything physical looks an effort.

As I say this isn't a new observation, and the hierarchy should be seeing it as well. Given the above and Richie's situation, and Lankshear disappearing, I can see it being an issue, a big one. The only way I can see it being ok is if the team develops to serve Solankes positive attributes I mention in the first paragraph. And I think RDZ does want to play that way, not for Solankes sake per se, just that's his way anyway

I could have sworn I read the same thing about Richi and his body mechanics on this forum. All players get older I guess.

What this is really about is transfer strategy and even policy. When you stick to buying guys who are in that 21-25 range they have serious runway ahead of them. No problem with that sprinkling of U21s either. Solanke turned 27 within a month of joining Spurs and we now find ourselves talking about him in this way as a 29 year old. He's staring down the barrel of the final chapter of his career as his 30th b'day approaches.

Some players are lucky with their bodies and all those injuries whilst others aren't. The one thing is certain is that if your recruitment strategy is about buying the Kroupi's of this world, then you de-risk these situations. Osimhen is 28 in December and would have cost an absolute fortune in transfer and salary. No doubt a 5-year contract with everyone just expecting that he'd stay great for the entire time. What may have happened is quite different. I wonder whether it will go that direction with Marmoush who is 2 months younger than Osimhen. Do we get 5 great years out of him or just a couple. Looking at his injury history, I think we might be OK. I'd love to see many years of him.

Our 5 core signings weren't a disaster though - Savio (22), Fernandez (22), Tonali (26), JPvH (26), Marmoush (27). I'd have loved the last 3 to be a couple of years younger if I was being fussy. You don't get that luxury when you're 17th for 2 years consecutive.

 

[Muttley]

I like it. It's something Pep has done and people loved. Tel clearly has talent but needs to start putting it to use and stop facing up his man and dribbling no where. A public call out might be what some of these players need to get going after two years of being awful.

You are so right. Imagine if Tel had the day off on Sunday and went back to the training ground on Monday and then got that feedback. At that point it's not all fresh in his mind. He's not fuelled with adrenalin from the match day situation. Tel could actually feel every word his manager said.

Who are fans or media to tell these managers what is the best timing to give their players important feedback?

 

[Boog]

You are so right. Imagine if Tel had the day off on Sunday and went back to the training ground on Monday and then got that feedback. At that point it's not all fresh in his mind. He's not fuelled with adrenalin from the match day situation. Tel could actually feel every word his manager said.

Who are fans or media to tell these managers what is the best timing to give their players important feedback?

We also have no idea what Tel and De Zerbi are like together. I have played with players that need to be yelled at. I have also played with players who shut down if talked harsh to. I'm sure we all have in some way.

It's up to the manager to know what players can take it.

 

[DeanoAustin]

I like it. It's something Pep has done and people loved. Tel clearly has talent but needs to start putting it to use and stop facing up his man and dribbling no where. A public call out might be what some of these players need to get going after two years of being awful.

Think the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. If De Zerbi knows whose buttons he can push like that, it’ll be a genius move. If he’s just looking to deflect attention, it could go down badly. It’s an interesting approach.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

He was our best player.

Has been all season so far, by some way

 

[MartyFunkhouser]

Didn't watch the game yesterday, how was it?

 

[Muttley]

Think the proof of the pudding will be in the eating. If De Zerbi knows whose buttons he can push like that, it’ll be a genius move. If he’s just looking to deflect attention, it could go down badly. It’s an interesting approach.

Do you not think that the best managers allow the kids to adapt their behaviours around them? They don't actually change so much person to person and they are clearly the alpha of the group. I'm thinking that if a manager spends too much time individualising their comms approach then they lose the ability to talk to the group, or talk to a player in front of the group. I'm sure the best managers, even today, still have a bunch of soldiers who are quite comfortable when their manager has the robust conversations with them.

There's still plenty of time when that manager is putting their arm around them though. There will be loads of space to shower them with praise when they deserve it.

I think at the moment everyone seems to overlook every time that Roberto talks up his players. They just want to chastise him for the other honest moments.