parklane1
Tony Galvin
I've always thought of him as our Denis Irwin.
Good shout.
I've always thought of him as our Denis Irwin.
A couple of thoughts here.
First, I would ask everyone to think about how many games in a career spanning a decade and over 300 games has Ben played as a LCB in a back four? The answer is probably those 10-12 games he filled in last season, the handful this season and just some fill in sub appearances on the odd occasion in his career. So probably 20 or less. It is a specialist role and very different from LCB in a back 3 with wing backs that he's played for Conte and Wales. It's very different from sitting tight alongside someone like Vertonghen as a defensive minded LB as well. So kudos to Ben and Ange for the hard work that has been put in to allow Ben to excel in this position. He wasn't great at it last season and it feels like he's grown into the new position quite quickly. I mention Ange because it sounds like he isn't expecting Ben to be like-for-like with VDV.
Secondly, I don't think Ben is the answer but is buying us some time. When I looked recently, most top PL clubs operate with 5 centre halved in their squads. Only us and Liverpool have 4 which leaves us vulnerable. Someone said it above, but if Ben does stay on and share 4th place duties with one of the young guns then only he can decide whether that is right for his career. He's mostly now Wales captain and needs to be playing through WC qualification and hopefully the finals themselves in the summer of 2026. I wouldn't stay at Spurs if I were him.
Also, forget MOTD. Finish your playing career away and come back to Spurs. Ben can be anything from a coach, 1st team manager right up to Scott Munn's job in the future.
Ironically I don't think we'd be in a much different spot with Rodon in the squad compared to and instead of Dragu. Probably even slightly better given the often very good performance the Rodon/Davies combo have put in for Wales
If the plan is for Vuskovic to come in come the summer I think keeping Davies as an additional option would make a lot of sense. Would make us less reliant on an 18 year old kid to hit the ground running if we have a couple of injuries at CB. But not sure how viable that would be for home grown and club trained numbers.I feel Vuscovic is going to be an instant success (and we can't loan him out unless its back abroad again). But I'd be tempted to give Davies a one year extension, especially if we make CL.
He is a short term solution, as @Gutter Boy mentioned, clear expectation is Vuskovich will be part of the team next season. I do think cover/competition to Udogie will be high on list of incoming for summer.
As much as I'd love to believe this about Vuskovic, I think we'll need to be patient with a kid who is still 17. More likely, Ashley Phillips will become 4th choice if Davies leaves.
As for LB, I think it could be as early as January to get that player in.
Vuskovic is a standout player in the Belgian top flight. Philips is middling in the championship. I think Vuskovic is probably already ahead.As much as I'd love to believe this about Vuskovic, I think we'll need to be patient with a kid who is still 17. More likely, Ashley Phillips will become 4th choice if Davies leaves.
As for LB, I think it could be as early as January to get that player in.
As much as I'd love to believe this about Vuskovic, I think we'll need to be patient with a kid who is still 17. More likely, Ashley Phillips will become 4th choice if Davies leaves.
As for LB, I think it could be as early as January to get that player in.
Your over rating the Belgium league by a long wayVuskovic is a standout player in the Belgian top flight. Philips is middling in the championship. I think Vuskovic is probably already ahead.
I really think we have to go for Cirkin in January because of the club trained thing. And because he's perfect for the role
Vuskovic is a standout player in the Belgian top flight. Philips is middling in the championship. I think Vuskovic is probably already ahead.
I really think we have to go for Cirkin in January because of the club trained thing. And because he's perfect for the role
A 17/18 year old as CB cover worries me as a proposed solution tbh - forgetting the demands of the PL kids that age need regular football, would much prefer to see him getting increasingly more demanding loans as a starter for another couple of seasons before hopefully bringing him in when he looks like he's gonna push for a starting place around 21-22
A 17/18 year old as CB cover worries me as a proposed solution tbh - forgetting the demands of the PL kids that age need regular football, would much prefer to see him getting increasingly more demanding loans as a starter for another couple of seasons before hopefully bringing him in when he looks like he's gonna push for a starting place around 21-22
Been monitoring his performance in the gym have you?
Utter tripe. Even for you, this is a stretch.Vuskovic is already physically stronger than anyone in our squad maybe bar Solanke. He's as powerful as a 28 year old.
He was and isAnother really good performance from him imo. Not as good with the ball as he can be, but defensively I thought he was our best player.
Him and Dragusin were very good but it was Davies who sloppily gave away possession from which we never got the ball back and they scored.Another really good performance from him imo. Not as good with the ball as he can be, but defensively I thought he was our best player.
TBF we did have 30 second between his pass and them scoringHim and Dragusin were very good but it was Davies who sloppily gave away possession from which we never got the ball back and they scored.