North Macedonia* ?How many games against teams from Macedonia could he play before he scored or got an assist?
Not to pile on, but Winks is playing himself further and further out of Jose’s best XI. Just frustratingly poor again today. I don’t understand how you can play with the likes of Lo Celso, Eriksen, and N’Dombele and not realize the value in playing a forward pass quickly.
what concerns me though is his bite and drive are gone. Was it ever confirmed he got COVID? A 2017 Winks could really stake a claim for us but he just doesn’t look up to it mentally, physically or otherwise right now. Really hope he’s just in a recovery period, because when you can start describing his play as lazy he’s hit rock bottom.
I have doubts about this. Its similar to the situation with Kante under Sarri, in particular. Positionally, yes, Winks is deeper sometimes (like Jorginho), but does that make him the defensive midfielder, I'm not sure. Hojbjerg at Southampton was a pressing mid - in the face, closing down, harassing (like Kante under Sarri). He's defensive, but not in the classical way of perching himself in front of a defence thus far. I certainly wouldn't call it box to box.Hojbjerg was bought to be the DM but now from the last 4 games Hojbjerg appears to be playing more as a box to box CM and Winks is the DM
Its strange .
Would like to see how Winks will do if he was played higher up the pitch and Hojbjerg sit deep
Think about we take Declan ric,e and Winks heading to west ham. it would be a really good move for both players. Levy send them some fun coupons
--------Rice
Lo celco--Ndombele
Winks had a poor game for sure, but this is harsh given he'd have had a very nice assist if Lamela had a right foot.How many games against teams from Macedonia could he play before he scored or got an assist?
I think people read wrong the Hojbjerg role. IMO he is supposed to be that most defensive midfielder. But Mourinho wants players to press and be aggressive. When Hojbjerg sees opportunity to press, make an aggresive tackle he does that. Problem with Winks is that he doesn't. He always chooses the safe option. So when Hojbjerg tries to be aggresive, Winks doesn't anticipate where to go, where should he be to make the next pressing. Instead he chooses the illusoryly safe option cause he invites opposition to our half. I think that is something Mourinho is struggling to install in some of our players. That risk and aggression. Don't know if the players are just not at the required level or the methods he is using are wrong. With Winks I think he is just not at that required level.
From November 2, 2017:
Harry Winks scouting report: Another masterclass from a star in the making
We kept a close eye on the young Spurs midfielder at Wembleywww.football.london
Wha' happen?
Have you seen Declan rice play for England he is every stereotype people throw at winks and dier x10. Winks is having a rough patch and needs I believe to be given more positional freedom to get on the ball and link things with ndombele and lo celso. He wont ever be an Eriksen for assists and goals but he is excellent at linking play and dictating tempo. He always wants to get on the ball and move it quickly but you cant do that when you are playing a position that requires you to hold a rigid deep central position. We need to make this change fast because he isn't playing well as a DM and its also starting to affect his confidence. He should be our back up to lo celso but he is a very good back up. Some of the hate he gets on here is totally out of order he is Tottenham through and through. We should be proud of our youth academy for producing a player that when he has played for England in his actual position as a CM not a DM has far outshone anything fucking wanky Declan rice has produced. If that swap happened we would all be crying Rice is a less tough Dier he's pure shyte but anyone would look good next to noble.
IMO he's sacrificed his own preferred game to follow instructions from the manager. He's an 8 being expected to operate as a 6 with a remit to keep things simple and not lose possession first and foremost. His natural footballing ability has been stifled as a result. We desperately needed a conventional DM this window but instead we have Hojbjerg who is a kind of hybrid DM/8 whose defensive duties seem to be to proactively chase the ball and try to win it back. Winks therefore is still stuck in a role he's not cut out for. I feel sorry for him.
He has been asked to play a deep lying playmaker role to accommodate PEH playing higher up to disrupt the opposition which I don't really understand but then again I have never managed anyone to a CL title. I think Harry is much better served starting higher up and playing more advanced attacking role. I think the single best performance I have seen from him is playing for England against Spain when I thought he conducted play superbly - he even had the Spanish footballing press lauding him.
He is clearly a very very good footballer that is not playing very well at the moment but there is no scenario where I think we are better off without him in the squad.