Right, as today is our work Christmas party, and as such people are doing fuck all until we close up at 4 I thought I would consider the players seasons so far. I have also been drinking lighter fluid and watching German dungeon porn, so if any of you slags wants to take this outside....etc etc...
Half Term report:
Pochettino: The lesson in not being hasty is being learnt. The man has done something which none of our previous manager since Burkinshaw (maybe Pleat) in that he combines coaching, tactical nous and man management. Respected by the entire club, he reflects the Club in his potential to be something special.
Lloris: It is a pleasure knowing he is in goal. That is not a slight on Vorm (although I believe we’ll need a better keeper than him at the end of the season should the unthinkable occur.) Best keeper we've had since Bobby Mimms.
Walker and Rose: Combined as they are both equal measures good to bad. Competition has forced both to focus but that focus never lasts 90 minutes. I don’t dislike either at all but I do wonder if they’re the best we can get. Suited to Poch’s style without question.
Toby and Jan: Simple; best partnership since King and Woodgate. Toby is one of the most intelligent defenders I have seen, and Jan thrives of not having to be responsible for whomever is partnering him (Dawson or Fazio).
Dier: A revelation. I was massively concerned but am gladly cleaning egg off my face. He’s vital to our season.
Alli: I mentioned before that he is at least two years ahead of schedule. A manager’s dream? Yes. A supporter’s? Abso-fucking-yes. The lad is pure class, and we have to acknowledge the work done behind the scenes because he was highly sought after.
Dembele: Another player who has completed altered my perception of him. It’s like night and day from previous seasons. Strength has never been a problem, it’s his ponderous nature on the ball, and wastefulness that has irked. This season has seen those issues eradicated. Excellent.
Eriksen: I might get a little stick here but I still believe there is much more that Eriksen can do. What he has done this season is still positive but there remains the niggling feeling that he is capable of being incredible – and being very good is no bad thing I just wish he would be a little more consistent because, for natural ability, he is our stand out individual.
Lamela: An improvement, without question. He doesn’t, as the old saying go, choose how much a team is willing to pay, and it is obvious he was bought at an inflated price but Poch has been a huge source of influence, that it is his third season and we are now seeing why we bought him in 2013 is testament to his will to succeed (and for not getting sold!)
Kane: continues to be a very good player (excellent?) who, under some serious criticism/scepticism remained utterly convinced of his own capabilities. Ten goals by Christmas is not bad at all – and I would be surprised if he failed to reach 20 by the end of the season. Needs support but you suspect he would play long after the floodlights have been turned off and the doors bolted shut.
Son and N’Jie – classing them together as injury has hampered both players progress but they both have shown why they were bought, and it would be reasonable to think that next season will be exciting for both.
Davies and Trippier: Davies has shown enough to be a worthy contender for the left back role – not nearly as good as his Swansea days, but a good player exists there. Trippier has struggled to be fair. Looks out of his depth at times, which is strange as he handled last season quite comfortably. It’s fair to give him longer than a few months before judging him (Evra and Vidic are always prime examples)
It would be harsh to critique any other player as they haven’t played enough as yet.
Half Term report:
Pochettino: The lesson in not being hasty is being learnt. The man has done something which none of our previous manager since Burkinshaw (maybe Pleat) in that he combines coaching, tactical nous and man management. Respected by the entire club, he reflects the Club in his potential to be something special.
Lloris: It is a pleasure knowing he is in goal. That is not a slight on Vorm (although I believe we’ll need a better keeper than him at the end of the season should the unthinkable occur.) Best keeper we've had since Bobby Mimms.
Walker and Rose: Combined as they are both equal measures good to bad. Competition has forced both to focus but that focus never lasts 90 minutes. I don’t dislike either at all but I do wonder if they’re the best we can get. Suited to Poch’s style without question.
Toby and Jan: Simple; best partnership since King and Woodgate. Toby is one of the most intelligent defenders I have seen, and Jan thrives of not having to be responsible for whomever is partnering him (Dawson or Fazio).
Dier: A revelation. I was massively concerned but am gladly cleaning egg off my face. He’s vital to our season.
Alli: I mentioned before that he is at least two years ahead of schedule. A manager’s dream? Yes. A supporter’s? Abso-fucking-yes. The lad is pure class, and we have to acknowledge the work done behind the scenes because he was highly sought after.
Dembele: Another player who has completed altered my perception of him. It’s like night and day from previous seasons. Strength has never been a problem, it’s his ponderous nature on the ball, and wastefulness that has irked. This season has seen those issues eradicated. Excellent.
Eriksen: I might get a little stick here but I still believe there is much more that Eriksen can do. What he has done this season is still positive but there remains the niggling feeling that he is capable of being incredible – and being very good is no bad thing I just wish he would be a little more consistent because, for natural ability, he is our stand out individual.
Lamela: An improvement, without question. He doesn’t, as the old saying go, choose how much a team is willing to pay, and it is obvious he was bought at an inflated price but Poch has been a huge source of influence, that it is his third season and we are now seeing why we bought him in 2013 is testament to his will to succeed (and for not getting sold!)
Kane: continues to be a very good player (excellent?) who, under some serious criticism/scepticism remained utterly convinced of his own capabilities. Ten goals by Christmas is not bad at all – and I would be surprised if he failed to reach 20 by the end of the season. Needs support but you suspect he would play long after the floodlights have been turned off and the doors bolted shut.
Son and N’Jie – classing them together as injury has hampered both players progress but they both have shown why they were bought, and it would be reasonable to think that next season will be exciting for both.
Davies and Trippier: Davies has shown enough to be a worthy contender for the left back role – not nearly as good as his Swansea days, but a good player exists there. Trippier has struggled to be fair. Looks out of his depth at times, which is strange as he handled last season quite comfortably. It’s fair to give him longer than a few months before judging him (Evra and Vidic are always prime examples)
It would be harsh to critique any other player as they haven’t played enough as yet.
