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Biggest takeaway reading that, from a Spurs perspective, is just how important having stability/longevity of the First Team manager is.
So far he's been spot-on with every player he's binned off I think. Name me one player from our academy that's left that has played to a level that would make him a missed opportunity at Spurs?Although saying that, one could argue that despite Poch's longevity, opportunities for young players are harder to come by than ever.
So far he's been spot-on with every player he's binned off I think. Name me one player from our academy that's left that has played to a level that would make him a missed opportunity at Spurs?
I'm not having a personal pop Chris, I thought at the time we were crazy to let Bentaleb go (*I choose to ignore the attitude stuff because at the time these were mere rumours). I was so disappointed when Veljkovic left as I thought he could go to the very top. I've been a massive fan of Onomah, Edwards and CCV, because of his loans I never actually got see Pritchard play, but here was another player that so many were talking about and hyping up. Even Bentaleb isn't making the headlines as a rising star of the game. None of these lads has prooved Poch wrong yet.
I get and understand the argument (and I made that my position too) that had we kept Onomah and not brought Sissoko we'd have saved £30m and given development/game time to Onomah the same as Winks has enjoyed. But then there is KWP, who hasn't been able to oust a Championship level RB in Tripps. But the fact he is still here, still working with a smile on his face we can presume for now at least that this is because he's handed himself over to trusting in what Poch wants him to do, to kick up a fuss would have him out the club as has happened to those in his very class.
One would also assume that the decision isn't solely that of Poch, everything I've read today (there isn't a lot) has McDermott heavily involved, he too was promoted when Poch was. I sense, and this is all I have to go on, that the pair are close and one would assume that they are on the same page with players (no doubt there will be some differences).
TDLR: Until one of our lads we've let go does a Pogba or Sancho (I still think he has a bit to prove yet) then I feel there is little to get upset about.
I actually agree with you Chris but the fact still remains none that have left Spurs have proved to Spurs/Poch that he was wrong to let them go. In fact only last week in Bentaleb's great interview with Pitt-Brook he made the claim that Poch was right with how we was being held back.I think that oversimplifies it personally - things tend not to be linear with development. I.e. if he'd given opportunities, perhaps those players would have got to a better level, etc etc. I reckon if Veljkovic had stayed he'd have been really good (he is really good).
Also think KWP is at least as good as Aurier at most elements of the game and just needs a sustained run to show it. But he's had three years of not playing regular football so who knows what he'll become.
I don't think you can sell a player at 21 having given him next to no minutes and say 'well, we tried, he clearly wasn't good enough'. Young players need to be playing football.
So far he's been spot-on with every player he's binned off I think. Name me one player from our academy that's left that has played to a level that would make him a missed opportunity at Spurs?
I'm not having a personal pop Chris, I thought at the time we were crazy to let Bentaleb go (*I choose to ignore the attitude stuff because at the time these were mere rumours). I was so disappointed when Veljkovic left as I thought he could go to the very top. I've been a massive fan of Onomah, Edwards and CCV, because of his loans I never actually got see Pritchard play, but here was another player that so many were talking about and hyping up. Even Bentaleb isn't making the headlines as a rising star of the game. None of these lads has prooved Poch wrong yet.
I get and understand the argument (and I made that my position too) that had we kept Onomah and not brought Sissoko we'd have saved £30m and given development/game time to Onomah the same as Winks has enjoyed. But then there is KWP, who hasn't been able to oust a Championship level RB in Tripps. But the fact he is still here, still working with a smile on his face we can presume for now at least that this is because he's handed himself over to trusting in what Poch wants him to do, to kick up a fuss would have him out the club as has happened to those in his very class.
One would also assume that the decision isn't solely that of Poch, everything I've read today (there isn't a lot) has McDermott heavily involved, he too was promoted when Poch was. I sense, and this is all I have to go on, that the pair are close and one would assume that they are on the same page with players (no doubt there will be some differences).
TDLR: Until one of our lads we've let go does a Pogba or Sancho (I still think he has a bit to prove yet) then I feel there is little to get upset about.
No, the player doesn't have to be a superstar, I'm not saying he has to be, I made those examples as they were the only players that readily came to mind where a club let an academy player go that turned out to be good. (For the record Pogba IMO isn't a superstar player anyway, he marketing is though). He has to be good enough to paly for a Top Four PL club though, he has to be good enough to play in CL, this and only this is the point.Is Sissoko “Pogba”? Is Moura “Sancho”?
This really is a disingenuous argument that continually gets trotted out. Like it has to be black or white. Superstar or pointless?
Most purchases we make don’t end up being world class superstars.
The argument isn’t “has Veljkovoc become Vincent Kompany” it’s could he have become Davinson Sanchez or even Juan Foyth”. Could Pritchard have been more use to our squad than Njie and Nkoudou. Not is KWP the next "Phillip Lahm" but could he have been Serge Aurier at least. I'm pretty sure that if Onomah had been 3000 minutes over 2 seasons to fuck about like Sissoko was, he'd be at least as viable a squad player now. And I know both Mason and Bentaleb were much better midfielders than Sissoko is.
I'm not sure about wasting a golden generation, as WindyCOYS says, but I don think we could be a better team/squad now, because I think we/he has wasted a fuck load of money (and non HG places) on players who's remit's within our team/squad could easily have been filled with academy players for free, paying peanut wages.
Sad news, Matt Wells has left to join Fulham.
Fuck sake. What's gone wrong with us recently? Can't keep ahold of our academy players or even their manager. Hope it doesn't lead to more looking to leave in the summer.Sad news, Matt Wells has left to join Fulham.
Isn't he Cliff Jones' grandson?Sad news, Matt Wells has left to join Fulham.
yesIsn't he Cliff Jones' grandson?
So Parker is not just caretaker then?