How good can Tom Carroll become?

[wills]

Maybe i was just me, but there seemed a reluctance to give the fella the ball? He always made himself available and moved the ball quickly, I think he needs to look up a bit and take in the options, and even run with the ball, which he did on a couple of occasions. He has ability, he will improve with game time. High hopes for this lad.

 

[parklane1]

i must admit untill last night i have never been really impressed by him, however there were signs last night that he could become a very good player. Its early days but the signs are promising.

 

[$hoguN]

Matter of opinion I suppose but for me he already looks better than Allen and has the potential to be miles better. It was like watching a young English Modric at times last night.

Having kept an eye on Allen last season I think you are going way overboard with your comparisons. Last night, Carroll sprayed the ball around very well against a poor side, he showed great technique and a cool head to pick a pass, and undoubtedly showed his great potential. Allen however has been doing this for over 18 months now. Yes Allen's range of passing may not be as great as Carroll's but he is much further down the line in terms of his development. If Carroll can reach the level Allen is on in the next year or so, we can then start saying he should be aiming higher, but you are currently not being fair on Allen who is a very good player and Carroll by over-hyping him with comments like this in my opinion.

 

[dontcallme]

There's certainly a lot of potential there but I once believed Darren Caskey could be a future England captain so I'll just shut up.

 

[walton]

Early days I know, but just how good can Tom Carroll become over the next couple of years?

Looking at him play last night, I was quite impressed, his distribution was good, always wanted the ball, got stuck in and for his size showed decent strength on the ball against quite a physical Maribor Side.

Personally, I think the lad has the ability to become an important player for us, watching him last night at times reminded me of how Modric used to play for us before his head was turned by Chelsea and Madrid.

Jesus wept...

 

[PrettyColors]

Look he's no Wilshere or Joe Allen yet but he can become as good IMO. Needs more time.

 

[southgatespur40]

he was very good, but let's not too much pressure on the kid just yet.

Works hard when he has the ball and doesn't.

Under AVB's tutelage could be very good! He is definitely one to watch!

 

[sweyid]

He's undoubtedly premiership quality. He's not Modric, but certainly Modric-esque. Given game time and a proper mentor (just imagine sending him to Madrid for a couple of months, having him train with Modric, Alonso, Özil and the rest of the Madrid midfield) I think he'll be a good player. He needs a bit more confidence on the ball, but that's something you get from playing.

Hopefully Mousa can teach him a thing or two. I've got hopes for Carroll and hope to see him given some game time, he's a few years away from running the showing and making things tick at premiership level, but I'm confident he'll get there.

 

[Misfit]

I think this is a fair assumption. Rather than hitting the gym, which I think he has said didn't work for him previously, he should work at building his core strength, so he is harder to shrug off the ball, much like Modric

Indeed. And a Joe Allen clone would be fine by me. Keeps the ball moving and the tempo of our play ticking along. Would be a lovely addition in a middle 3. Still, he's just starting out. It'll be interesting to how he does grow. Of course he might easily plateau early as Hudd has seemingly done.

He might go on to be the CM fulcrum we've been stripped of so abruptly.

Nice to see him really take a chance though. I said before yesterday's game that I hoped he would be more positive and look to play the ball forward more. He's looked tentative so far this season. Hopefully he can push on a bit more now.

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

very early days yet, decent perfornmace yesterday but not the most demanding team Maribor , especially in the midfield we had lots of time and space hence why Hudds had a decent ish game too. Carrol will need to bulk up for sure, but seems to have the right attributes and potential to become a good player, work is definetly required by him still, but he has got a chance.

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

the watford messi

Or the Watford Samways?

 

[mark87]

It is early days yet, but it's obvious that we his talented and a good footballer, but being built like a matchstick isn't benefical for the PL. I know Modric wasn't exactly mr muscle, but early in his career he went on loan to a bosnian team and that toughened him up and he learnt to deal with the physical side of football, that with being outstandingly talented help him become a star in the PL.

Get Tommy some protein shakes and lean meat to eat, combined with some weight work sessions in the gym and I think he can do a decent job for us.

 

[Pete Spur]

Was very impressive against a crap team who gave us control of midfield for the most part. Reckon he would play well with Sandro as he shows for ball unlike Hudd who tends to play hide and seek or peekaboo alot. He's definately got alot of talent so it would be nice to see him get some minutes in the league against better teams than maribo.

 

[hughy]

As others have said it's way too early to tell right now after really only one good performance against poor opposition, but I certainly think he should be given a chance in the PL. If he manages to hold his own in terms of physicality then he'll be fine. If not, then Sandro can track him and be his personal bodyguard!

A midfield of Dembele, Sandro and Carroll, behind an attacking three of Lennon, Ade and Bale does look tasty. It's having them all fit though.

 

[Wiener]

If he should model himself on anyone it should be Fabregas. Technically he seems sound and put in a confident display last night. He has time and potential. He needs some real tests against Premiership opposition before we can start seeing how far he can go.

 

[wlhatwhl]

Carroll was very impressive last night.
HotspurHQ blog latest article: Carroll Takes Centre Stage for Tottenham. here

 

[Krafty]

In his previous appearances he has shown good technical ability, but had a touch of the Carricks about him - nice passes that help play continue but nothing incisive or directly leading to goals. Simple options, tidy. Understandable for a young kid, less for someone like Carrick who hasn't kicked on at all.

Last night was a big step forward. I think Carroll was better than Huddlestone. Wanted the ball, wanted to make forward passes, blind passes, longer passes, directly create openings as well provide the assist for the assist. Also showed he has the physical capacity and the determination to close players and win the ball high up the pitch, especially in the second half.

That ambition with and without the ball, allied to technical excellence, means he can become a very good player, a very good player indeed. Beef up a little bit, which will come, improve his right foot, and add a few goals (not much to ask lol) and he'll be a fantastic player and an England international

 

[SteveH]

Dont think Maribor were too shabby to be honest they passed the ball well.

On Tom I dont see too much to get 'over' excited about. Sadly for us I use Wilthire as a gage as to good. He is excellent and the same age. Tom is a far way behind

 

[Misfit]

Or the Watford Samways?

Dear old Vinny. Now there's a guy who had a dodgy debut. He had real minerals though.

 

[rebrab]

Dont think Maribor were too shabby to be honest they passed the ball well.

On Tom I dont see too much to get 'over' excited about. Sadly for us I use Wilthire as a gage as to good. He is excellent and the same age. Tom is a far way behind

Bale is shit. He's simply not as good as Messi.