Jas10

Come on, spill the beans...

Can’t remember where I saw it but apparently Dean said something along the lines of “he can’t wait to play with you” to Jack during an interview after the Burton game? Can anyone elaborate and/or provide a link to audio/video? Wonder who he was referring to...

Much better

He didn’t have a great season, for whatever reason. But he’s got a good record previous to that. He at least should strengthen us in an area where we are lacking and desperately need strengthening, can maybe cover at CF if needed too. Seen plenty of links to LW players but hardly any to RW and this guy seems to fit the bill.

Agreed with your recent posts - I too think Tammy is a bit overrated and likely to be overpriced, lacks technique and variety of finishing, scuffs a fair few shots and misses chances too. Penalties obv make his record look better. Ollie could actually be better and seems to have more technical ability. I just find it funny how sometimes many of us are happy to trust fan opinions on one player (Tammy) and disregard them on another (Traoré). Anyway, I hope whoever signs for us will do well and we will back them (initially) of course. Confident we will be enhancing the first team (not that difficult is it?) in any case. Would be delighted with Rashica too & very pleased we’ve signed Martinez. Trust in Dean & co to get the recruitment right and not pay way over the odds.

That was a great start, well done! Looking forward to future episodes.

Cool, let’s move on then

Ok, I can understand if his wage demands are excessive (best avoided then) but why the general dislike? Ideally, I’d like us to sign a younger, better player that would either replace or rotate with Targett but we have much bigger priorities atm & can probably wait until next season or even Jan to sort it, although we have been linked to Henry. Having to play Taylor limits us badly, especially when we are really looking to progress and kick on as a team/squad now.

Btw, what are the real issues with Rose? Everyone seems to dislike him... I don’t follow enough football beyond Villa nowadays or pay too much attention to other players & social media but I’m aware about some comments on not loving football and he’s (rightly) spoken out against racism. I’ve not watched the Spurs doc/series... Beyond that, why the hate? I don’t have an opinion personally, just wondering. Can’t even say if I’d like us to sign him but we need better than Taylor and an inexpensive option would be desirable in the short term. He’d certainly be an upgrade on Taylor (who wouldn’t?) and has that much vaunted PL experience. Could maybe teach Targett a thing or two and end up improving his game (defensively). On the other hand, I wouldn’t want any characters who could disrupt the dressing room spirit or harmony but... would he?

Don’t disagree, hopefully the wingers we bring in can cover at CF too. Still, I would welcome as many top signings as possible (if it’s 40m for Edouard, that’s certainly excessive though. Maybe a deal with add ons can be done, international caps etc.) and we have no idea how much we can or are willing to spend. The owners mean business, it’s just FFP we have to contend with (though we are seemingly keeping the wage budget in check).

We all want and realise that, the players don’t though because they lack the quality and belief (which is why they just give him the ball at the first opportunity without trying anything themselves). That’s why we need some major signings to enhance the first team so Jack carries less of the burden and others can shine too. He can focus on his strengths then and bring out the best in others, we desperately need some players who will be on his wavelength rather than be overawed at playing in the same side as him. What a team we will have then...

I suppose Jack did play in that kind of position while we were in the Championship, before we signed McGinn (?). I recall when we battered Wolves and they could not deal with him, he was running through them over and over again. Was also the same against Fulham in POF but couldn’t score and wasn’t helped out by the other players as he was the only one who showed up that day. Just, he can get us a bucketload of goals and assists and we need to allow him to do that as well as possible. Doesn’t help him having to drop deep just to get the ball, he needs the midfielders behind him to supply him so that he can focus on attack. I wonder, if we add enough quality during this transfer window (to help him and play with him, as well as having their own individual ability and belief/confidence) having Jack back in the middle could even take his game to the next level...

So you’d be happy with Jack playing further back? I’d rather we utilised his attacking and dribbling ability more than anything although his passing is superb too. I’d like to a see him as the closest player to the CF and working with (top quality) attacking wingers or WF to create and score. So more like Gerard than Alonso as per your example. Probably best to give McGinn a more disciplined role or, unfortunately (for him), relegated to the bench or rotated in favour of a more imposing CM (win headers and tackles but can actually pass and shoot too). I think Barkley would conflict with Jack wanting to go central and he won’t come to us (if he’s even interested) to sit on the bench... he may get in ahead of McGinn (who, when fit, could arguably be the better player) but, again, I’d prefer a tall, strong CM or even DM to help us out in the tougher games as we do look lightweight in midfield.

If we sign both Rashica & Traoré then I think Jack is getting his wish and will be playing in the centre. AM or SS would be great for him and playing with those two, scoring and creating chances for Ollie, is going to be something special in terms of attack (a vast upgrade). Therefore, signing someone like Barkley doesn’t make much sense to me. We need strength and defensive ability (also good in the air) in MF so we aren’t too light and easily overpowered there, rather than another more attack minded player. None of the players we’ve been linked to would be content to sit on the bench (and what would be the point of such signings with how weak our team is?) and we need major upgrades for the first XI. I’ve posted the link a couple of times, but this is the kind of MF we need imo: https://totalfootballanalysis.com/data-analysis/finding-new-defensive-midfielder-for-spurs-data-analysis-statistics

If not for his injury issues (two hernias and an operation) last year, we would have seen more of him. Doesn’t seen like many are aware of that and he’s probably been unfairly criticised. He has quality and has an eye for a pass, lacks speed & physicality though. Thing is, as we continue to strengthen the team/squad, I doubt he’ll get much of a look in (even when fully fit) apart from cup games so might be worth selling now. I’d rather shift others, such as Lansbury, before Jota though. He could still contribute...

Yeah, I think we will. Trez is fine off the bench and contributes a lot more. No place for Anwar and he’s had enough time to prove himself.

Yeah, maybe we put a few players “in the shop window” yesterday... Steer over Nyland every single time.

We need to move him on tbh