Pre-Season 2023/24

Timberwolf said:

Think Ange is going to have some very difficult decisions to make if these 2 games are any indication of which players suit his system best.

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Daytripper said:

How can people not know what our kit is when it’s been out for the last few weeks.

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brasil_spur said:

Indeed, Kane, Son, Porro, Davies and Dier all looking out of place in the Ange system.

Imagine a scenario where we keep Kane but he becomes the rotation option for Richarlison

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Archibald&Crooks said:

IIRC the all white thing was something we did for European games, I didn't know we'd gone full time this season. TBH I prefer the blue shorts, it's more traditional, but back in the day, all white did have a certain aura about it, what with Real Madrid and Leeds, but that's everything to do with the teams they had back then than todays prejudices.

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Jamturk said:

I think we will get a CB in however I see very little chance of moving players on permanently.

Clubs have cottoned on that they just need to wait and the cheap loans from the Premier League will surface.

Even Lloris hasn't found a club yet.

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kev1nxxx said:

Write a letter, strongly worded 🫢

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worcestersauce said:

Maybe they've got lives to lead.

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worcestersauce said:

We played in all white just over ten years ago, I wasn't impressed and thought that was the end of it. European games only for me.

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Gassin's finest said:

What's Perisic's situation? I don't know about anyone else, but I think he's another one that would be a different player in our new look approach. As productive as he was last seaosn, I think he could be deadly.

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carpediem991 said:

Would be really disappointed to see him or Lo Celso leave. They both offer quality and something different. Ivan can always produce a goal scoring opportunity with his corners and crosses, could be vital for the last 20-30 minutes if we need a goal.

I'd rather look to sell Gil.

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Gassin's finest said:

I'd forgotten about Gil. He's raw and young, but I think there's a real player in there.

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Timberwolf said:

Indeed. I'm curious to see how brave he is with big name players if they aren't working.

Conte persisted with Son for waaaay too long when it was abundantly clear he was out of form and Richarlison couldn't be any worse on the left.

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mpickard2087 said:

Ignoring scorelines, and that today’s match was against much much weaker opposition, on the face of it that looked much more of the same. Very attacking approach, overwhelming domination of where the game was played, and enough chances to score a bucketful of goals.

All good then, yeah? Hmmmm. After the first game I was impressed by the level of cohesion and understanding shown already, this game I was less so tbh. Maybe it was because it’s early days, the lesser opposition, training fatigue, whatever, but I don’t think the system looked as good today and it was the possible sticking points that stood out more.

Firstly though – let’s talk about the good things today: Udogie has fitted in great so far, looks comfy getting the ball anywhere on the pitch. Bissouma doing nicely as the single pivot. Maddison had brighter moments today and got on the ball better. Emerson looked really comfy as that tucked in right back. Lo Celso looks our most natural midfielder for those attacking midfielder roles, he just floats about knitting play together around the box. Perisic’s legs (and clinical ability) have gone but he’s still got half a brain and some vision and can take a man on both ways (more on this later…). Solomon didn’t see a huge amount of ball but beat his man inside out every time. Richarlison was busy, put himself about, leads the line and creates space behind him, and was rewarded for his efforts.

That was the good, there are ill fitting pieces to the puzzle though and selections I’d flat out disagree with:

Centre backs – Still needed.

Porro – Just stop it.

Skipp – Trying his best, but hasn’t really got the ability to play in those advanced roles. Needs to be played either in the pivot role or in Emerson’s role, with the game in front of him.

Sarr – Much the same… He’s a likeable kid with some ability and a lot of running and energy and people seem to be raving about him today, but I didn’t see that much effective play with the ball and don’t see that as his best position at all. He needs the game in front of him, deeper in midfield really.

The two starting wingers – probably what I want to talk about the most. I’m seeing problems here already. In this shape (wingers glued to the touchline) and this approach (condensing everything into the last third of the pitch) what is really needed are explosive/agile/nimble players with 1v1 dribbling ability and who ideally can go both ways, left or right. That doesn’t sound like Son or Kulu to me, and we saw teething problems today. One to keep an eye on.

Kane – As I said the other day, IF he is still here he will have to adapt. We don’t need him dropping deep. In this system we have up to half a dozen players already in those areas, the job is to play against the backline, and offer focal point work, through ball runs, and do some poaching. Has been totally lost in both games.



Further reading:

So yes, still see pieces of the puzzle that need filling. Centre back obviously. We need to get both Maddison and Lo Celso in the same midfield at some point and assess it, and I’d be demanding another of that type of player for those 8/10 roles personally they’ll be crucial to how we play. Another wide player with 1vs1 ability is also maybe required, if/when Kane goes I’d probably spend the money here and put Son through the middle to duke it out with Richy.

A squad something like this would leave me content:

Goalkeepers – Vicario, Forster, (#3) from the academy lot.

Centre backs – Romero, Starting left centre back, a solid HG option like Tosin, and an experienced depth option (don’t see point of another younger one, they never play enough and don’t develop eg. Foyth).

Right Backs – Emerson, and in that tucked in role try Skipp there.

Left Backs – Udogie, Davies can back him up for now (plus cover CB or a back three option).

Pivot – Bissouma, Bentancur, (Sarr) for now as injury cover and then maybe loaned out after Xmas.

8/10’s – Maddison, Lo Celso, Signing such as Hatate who knows the system, (Devine) can be an apprentice player drip fed in.

Forwards – Son, Richarlison, Kulusevski, Solomon, New winger signing, and Perisic? maybe as depth or an (academy apprentice) drip feed as the last option.

About 20 senior players, 18 outfielders, who are close in quality and providing genuine competition and ability for playing time, supplemented by three or four younger players.

Anyone not mentioned can be bundled out the door as far as I’m concerned.



/ essay.

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DenverSpur said:

I agree. Our colors are white and navy blue. I can see no reason to change that. Not going to like watching us this season. It just doesn’t look like Tottenham!

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Timberwolf said:

Indeed. I'm curious to see how brave he is with big name players if they aren't working.

Conte persisted with Son for waaaay too long when it was abundantly clear he was out of form and Richarlison couldn't be any worse on the left.

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DenverSpur said:

I know some people find my stance in this amusing but I’m so pissed at us imitating Real Madrid( I’ve never liked us playing in Europe in all white either) that I wrote to the club to complain!!! Guess that makes me the male equivalent of a Karen.

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