Harry Winks - Leicester City

[PCozzie]

I'll use Winks as an example, but it can be applied to any pro really. Isn't playing football the main thing, the only thing, really? I don't mean 5-a-sides in training, but league matches, cup matches. He knows, surely, that he's not getting any minutes other than in a CM injury catastrophe. I know the facilities are good, and the pay is good, but he's not going to do the thing that he spent his whole life preparing for. All he is at the minute is a glorified gym bunny.

He could get first team football at probably half a dozen mid-table prem sides, and if he fancies a relegation battle maybe even a half-decent bottom half team like Man Utd, as well as any number of teams in Europe. He could take a 50% pay cut and still earn a fortune.

Have some self-respect and go and play some football somewhere.

 

[sundanceyid10]

I'll use Winks as an example, but it can be applied to any pro really. Isn't playing football the main thing, the only thing, really? I don't mean 5-a-sides in training, but league matches, cup matches. He knows, surely, that he's not getting any minutes other than in a CM injury catastrophe. I know the facilities are good, and the pay is good, but he's not going to do the thing that he spent his whole life preparing for. All he is at the minute is a glorified gym bunny.

He could get first team football at probably half a dozen mid-table prem sides, and if he fancies a relegation battle maybe even a half-decent bottom half team like Man Utd, as well as any number of teams in Europe. He could take a 50% pay cut and still earn a fortune.

Have some self-respect and go and play some football somewhere.

It did occur to me that I wonder if that is what he is thinking, that we have some kind of catastrophe of injuries in midfield and therefore there is a small chance he can get to try and prove himself again.

 

[AtoubaToothpaste]

Also the fact that he seems to want to mainly hang around at Spurs, if you were another club would you want this type of character one that’s happy to sit at a club where he doesn’t even make the squad. He would hardly scream out to a prospective club ‘come and get me’ ‘I’m happy to play for you’.

Any club is going to be having question marks about a player like that, that’s already a bit limited in what he brings to the table.

Agreed. He definitely shows a lack of ambition. It's no surprise we struggled so much with character when he and Dele were regulars in our team. This was what I was getting when I said in another thread Tanguy's abilities were in question: there's more to pro football than just ball skills. The mental abilities are just as much, if not more, important to succeed. As you say, the fact he's seemingly okay being a squad member doesn't scream 'winner.'

 

[Snuzzy]

I think one window where we actually doing business early and people are letting it get to them and being a bit too hasty to bemoan.

Not saying its not frustrating or that there will be a satisfying outcome, but it's completely possible it's just that the most inviting move for player/agent is to wait knowing x, y, z is on the table to see if there's a juicier late opportunity late in the window, and trust (with communication) that at least a couple of the xyz will still be viable if there isn't.

 

[sundanceyid10]

Agreed. He definitely shows a lack of ambition. It's no surprise we struggled so much with character when he and Dele were regulars in our team. This was what I was getting when I said in another thread Tanguy's abilities were in question: there's more to pro football than just ball skills. The mental abilities are just as much, if not more, important to succeed. As you say, the fact he's seemingly okay being a squad member doesn't scream 'winner.'

That applies to life not just Football/Sport. Talent opens the door slightly for you, motivation and hard work smash it down and push you to make the most of whatever talent you have.

 

[Scot-Spur]

Hard to understand how a former England international that is only 26 years old can't fint another PL club. Is he on massive wages or why don't anyone want him?

I really don’t think it is that hard to understand. He isn’t good enough. I’m sorry he just pure and simply isn’t. There is a reason every PL club is signing other midfielders.

 

[HildoSpur]

I could understand him hanging around if he felt he could get back into the team however it must be very clear to him that this is no longer an option for him. You would think he would be looking for first team football somewhere rather than basically rotting away in the Spurs reserves and probably not even making match day squads week after week. He either believes he will force his way into Conte's plans or he simply is happy to just take the cash, hang around Spurs playing reserve games and hope that Conte moves on and the next manager likes him.

 

[WiganSpur]

Winks is playing the long game. We all know he's pretty delusional about his ability so he probably thinks he can outlast Conte (with his tendency to be a short term manager) and impress any new manager. I'm sure if we go through a bumpy spell he will try to divide and undermine like he did when Jose was here.

In some ways he's being smart though because he will know how poor our medical team are and with 2-3 injuries in midfield (Skipp already looking like he's made of glass) and he's back in the fold. I think we might loan Sarr out and if we do I still think there is a chance Conte would pick Winks over him anyway as he likes experienced players.

 

[sundanceyid10]

I could understand him hanging around if he felt he could get back into the team however it must be very clear to him that this is no longer an option for him. You would think he would be looking for first team football somewhere rather than basically rotting away in the Spurs reserves and probably not even making match day squads week after week. He either believes he will force his way into Conte's plans or he simply is happy to just take the cash, hang around Spurs playing reserve games and hope that Conte moves on and the next manager likes him.

Pretty accurate assumption I think.

 

[PCozzie]

It did occur to me that I wonder if that is what he is thinking, that we have some kind of catastrophe of injuries in midfield and therefore there is a small chance he can get to try and prove himself again.

Can't decide whether to admire his sheer bloody-mindedness or laugh at the desperation. He's going to spend the best years of his football career on pitch no 6 doing shuttles on the off chance of getting 10 minutes in the League Cup against Rotherham.

 

[sundanceyid10]

Can't decide whether to admire his sheer bloody-mindedness or laugh at the desperation. He's going to spend the best years of his football career on pitch no 6 doing shuttles on the off chance of getting 10 minutes in the League Cup against Rotherham.

I guess part of it is he has always been at Spurs and known nothing else, some people cling to familiarity and what they are comfortable with, maybe that is what he likes. But it isn’t going to happen for him at Spurs, so he would be better embracing a new challenge, he might kick on as a footballer in new surroundings. But he clearly is not going to better himself as a player in the reserves for two years.

 

[Joshua shepherd]

I'll use Winks as an example, but it can be applied to any pro really. Isn't playing football the main thing, the only thing, really? I don't mean 5-a-sides in training, but league matches, cup matches. He knows, surely, that he's not getting any minutes other than in a CM injury catastrophe. I know the facilities are good, and the pay is good, but he's not going to do the thing that he spent his whole life preparing for. All he is at the minute is a glorified gym bunny.

He could get first team football at probably half a dozen mid-table prem sides, and if he fancies a relegation battle maybe even a half-decent bottom half team like Man Utd, as well as any number of teams in Europe. He could take a 50% pay cut and still earn a fortune.

Have some self-respect and go and play some football somewhere.

This for me is the misconception. I don't believe he can play a starting role for a premier league side, he's simply not good enough. Most mid table sides play without the ball and he's one of the least press-resistant players in the league.

 

[Aphex]

I'll use Winks as an example, but it can be applied to any pro really. Isn't playing football the main thing, the only thing, really? I don't mean 5-a-sides in training, but league matches, cup matches. He knows, surely, that he's not getting any minutes other than in a CM injury catastrophe. I know the facilities are good, and the pay is good, but he's not going to do the thing that he spent his whole life preparing for. All he is at the minute is a glorified gym bunny.

He could get first team football at probably half a dozen mid-table prem sides, and if he fancies a relegation battle maybe even a half-decent bottom half team like Man Utd, as well as any number of teams in Europe. He could take a 50% pay cut and still earn a fortune.

Have some self-respect and go and play some football somewhere.

I honestly don't think he could. He's not good enough. Evidently the lack of interest would suggest those clubs don't think he would add to their squad either.

The PL standard is really high. You've got Wolves signing Nunes for 45 million and they are a midtable club. Brighton have players ike Caceido who is much better than Winks even at 20yo or whatever he is.

It's a fallacy to think Winks can get a game for another PL club just because he's at Spurs. If he wasn't at Spurs, but was in the championship, I guarantee there would be no PL clubs after him.

 

[sundanceyid10]

I know many people on here didn’t like it, but I would have handed the number 8 shirt to someone else and really sent home the message we are moving on as a club and he needs to as well.

People were saying no because he has been a loyal servant, which is fine. But we are not a charity, we are a football club and it should be about competition. Competition against other teams and competition for the shirt and your place.

Winks needed to show more for a long time and it’s not like he hasn’t had the chance.

 

[HildoSpur]

I honestly don't think he could. He's not good enough. Evidently the lack of interest would suggest those clubs don't think he would add to their squad either.

The PL standard is really high. You've got Wolves signing Nunes for 45 million and they are a midtable club. Brighton have players ike Caceido who is much better than Winks even at 20yo or whatever he is.

It's a fallacy to think Winks can get a game for another PL club just because he's at Spurs. If he wasn't at Spurs, but was in the championship, I guarantee there would be no PL clubs after him.

I tend to agree with this - he needs to go to Spain or Italy (which if I was in his position would be a lovely way to spend a few years) but clearly he is a fella who loves his home comforts and isn't comfortable up-rooting to a new country.

 

[PCozzie]

This for me is the misconception. I don't believe he can play a starting role for a premier league side, he's simply not good enough. Most mid table sides play without the ball and he's one of the least press-resistant players in the league.

I said first team football, not a starting place. Fact is, he's not even considered an option for the bench here. He'd get minutes elsewhere and be in plenty of squads. He's not even considered a first team player for us.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

Agreed. He definitely shows a lack of ambition. It's no surprise we struggled so much with character when he and Dele were regulars in our team. This was what I was getting when I said in another thread Tanguy's abilities were in question: there's more to pro football than just ball skills. The mental abilities are just as much, if not more, important to succeed. As you say, the fact he's seemingly okay being a squad member doesn't scream 'winner.'

we struggled so much we came top 4 regularly and got to a European Cup final - he may just be waiting for the right offer which he is entitled to do

 

[sundanceyid10]

we struggled so much we came top 4 regularly and got to a European Cup final - he may just be waiting for the right offer which he is entitled to do

Dembele one of the most underrated players of all time was a major part of that though, if we are talking midfield.

 

[Joshua shepherd]

I said first team football, not a starting place. Fact is, he's not even considered an option for the bench here. He'd get minutes elsewhere and be in plenty of squads. He's not even considered a first team player for us.

But why would they spend 10-15m on a player like winks to play the odd game here and there? They'd be better spending that same money on a young prospect with a far higher ceiling. Winks has peaked, he's not getting any better, if he's not going to be a starter for you then there's really no reason to sign him over a 19/20/21 year old prospect.

 

[N'Obody]

This take may be a harsh one. He's a spurs boy, fair enough. But if its been made clear he's not wanted and he's also not making the effort to leave.

I say cancel his contract just like we did with Aurier. Just to get him off the books and to also teach him a lesson.