Of the three starting mids I’d least like to lose Szobo but all three are expendable if we can improve the overall team by shifting them.
Can Aldo not see the false dummy runs from Lucas? The genius isnt in the dummy run, its in the dummy run that people expected that he didnt make. The standing still was mesmerizing, but I guess you just have to be a ball knower to get it
2 Likes
They did that!
Fowler made his senior debut at age of 18 and pretty much jumped to first team from the U18’s after incredible goal scoring numbers at youth.
Same thing happened for Owen at age 17. Although he was actually even better, the best ever goal scorer in the area growing up, all throughout his school days age he smashed everything record wise, obviously that accuracy to finishing put him straight to first team.
We’ve obviously had quite a few local players that have progressed so fast like that. I admit I don’t know enough about the current players coming through next, I do hope there’s another emerging star though 
It’s probably also related to the U21s league not forming until the 2012 revamp of reserve team football. Teams had U21 sides prior to that but they played a tiny number of ad hoc games with players having to jump straight from U18s to sneior reserves or first team.
4 Likes
I normally expect young players to be 2-3 years ahead of their age group to have a chance at becoming top-tier. If someone is already 20-21 but still only playing in the youth system, I don’t have much faith in them.
1 Like
Yep sadly it’s true
I think we may see a shift in this over the next few years. The game is now so physical that I don’t think a lot of teenagers are yet able to operate in the men’s game. It may not necessarily mean they will flame out altogether though. I predict clubs holding on to players one or two more years now and giving them chances a little later than we traditionally might think of.
But I agree that currently if a player hasn’t played senior football before their 20th birthday they are probably not making it at Premier League level, in the short term at least.
4 Likes
I think I can see why you would have such an opinion of him - but then again half of the side would be expendable for me after this abomination of a season… On paper at least, it would be great if the club added a deep-lying midfielder who’s really comfortable in possession and played him next to Szoboszlai and Wirtz - with Jones (hopefully extending his contract) and Gravenberch, quite possibly one more (Morrison?) in rotation.
As for Gerrard comparisons… I think the only midfielder I got to see that can truly compare to him over the past twenty years is Luka Modrić. Everyone else falls short and it’s understandable. Club don’t have to sell him because he’s not as good as Stevie, though. Instead, they should work to create a system where the team will be king, bigger than the sum of its parts. Remember beating Man City away last season? How good was Szoboszlai? That’s the level he can consistently reach with proper coaching and a team where everyone is pulling in the same direction.
1 Like
Best RB we ever had.
To our Dutch contingent, any thoughts on this fella, looks tasty and an intelligent footballer in this video?
2 Likes
Some of the stuff Ive seen from him has been wild. He just got his first call up in the last international window so is now a decent shout to make their world cup squad. He doesnt appear to be blazing fast but doesnt lose much speed with the ball at his feet
2 Likes
Redmen TV were talking about Pedro Porro as a possible fit if Spurs get relegated. I think that is a good shout. Not as good a passer as Trent (who is?) but he has quality in that area and is a better defender. Solid shout.
1 Like
For reasons I absolutely cannot back up if pushed, he’s always struck me as an enormous shit bag
3 Likes
Yeah I don’t know enough to form an opinion, but he is a very good player.
There were links to Archie Gray a couple of weeks ago. I dont know from where they originated but i could see him possibly being a target given if he can cover RB and midfield and still being very young.
1 Like
There was an interesting piece I read a few weeks ago (dont remember where, maybe the Athletic) about Spurs’ transfer failings pointing out that so many of their recent signings are very similar in their athleticism being very high but poor in the same areas (actual football) resulting in a team that just cannot pass the ball. Grey and Bergval (another some have linked us to) were explicitly name checked as fitting that bill
1 Like
Why are we wanting to sign half the Spurs team? I don’t want to sign anyone who doesn’t have heart and that entire squad has shown absolutely zero desire. None of them fit here.
4 Likes
If we signed Richarlison I imagine that’ll deflect a bit of heat from also signing Anthony Gordon.
5 Likes
The Anfield home for reformed blues
2 Likes
Well Steve McMahon and David Johnson turned out alright.
2 Likes