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Post by morg on Feb 20, 2023 13:04:58 GMT
I just think that the Mepham/Rodon partnership has looked a bit flakey of late? (Hence presumably some wanting Ethan to drop back).
I know we don't generally want to see players out of position but we've done it in the past ( sparky central midfield, Gary Speed left back) and I think we may be getting to that position again. (See also central midfield currently).
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 20, 2023 14:14:29 GMT
For me the reason they've looked poor is that the midfield has been wide open, and Rodon was lacking regular minutes. So now Rodon is playing again, that's one problem solved. I think if we go back to 2 sitting CMs and we'll look more solid again. If they still look shaky after that, then let's re-evaluate them as a partnership. They've had enough good performances together to be given some good will
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Post by hooky on Feb 20, 2023 14:32:30 GMT
Rodon appears to have been dropped for the last 2 games.
Can't believe how badly his club career is meandering.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 26, 2023 13:57:06 GMT
Wedi dechrau fel LWB unwaith eto
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Post by allezlesrouges on Feb 26, 2023 16:02:22 GMT
Another clean sheet and drawing more praise for his performance. They certainly seem more balanced with him there
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Post by CrackityJones on Feb 26, 2023 16:15:04 GMT
300th appearance for Daddy Davies
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 8, 2023 21:21:24 GMT
Playing left of a back three tonight, according to the BBC. The only Welsh player playing in the Champions League this season.
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Post by surge on Mar 8, 2023 22:37:33 GMT
Stats websites suggest he had a decent game but Spurs went out in an early round again.
Realistically though, losing 1-0 over two legs suggests an issue with creating and/or finishing chances.
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 10, 2023 22:37:36 GMT
Yeah he was fine, Spurs just blow hot and cold in attack and have far too many players that go missing along with Conte drifting into the bad version of himself, not good for them, he has a real Mourinho mk 2 feel about him does Antonio.
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Post by rushy on Mar 16, 2023 22:18:33 GMT
This piece is from todays Spurs press conference with Antonio Conte :
Ben Davies has more than 300 appearances for Tottenham and every manager has loved him, what makes him so special to you and the other managers?
"These type of players are vital for every manager. Ben is a player that is showing always a great reliability and he's a player that's always focused. He always has the right desire.
You know that Ben will finish the game and he will finish with his commitment top. Then you can win or lose but you know Ben is a reliable player. He is a player that it's a privilege for every manager to have this type of player in his squad."
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Post by dai on Mar 16, 2023 22:32:25 GMT
A shame that most Spurs fans just cannot appreciate him. I remember ReguilΓ³n coming along a few years ago and Spurs fans saying how they can't wait for him to replace Ben. Where is he now? Out on loan.
Had a quick read on their forum now, and amazed that there are still negative / under-appreciative comments about him:
He's simply useful to have around.
Nice guy and again I dont mind him as a back up option. In a perfect world though I would shift him but being that we have more pressing issues he's ok as a back up
Not world class player. Not the best in his position.
But reliable option and dedicated professional.
Not good enough for a competing team but then we don't compete, so he's perfect Taffy .
That such an average player is a starter for us after all these years sums up why we win fuck all.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 17, 2023 1:11:09 GMT
Spurs fans think that they should be signing world class players in every position, because they see themselves as a top 4 club. They would never ever promote the idea that they should have someone like Davies starting for them, because they want the next shiny toy. They will never appreciate him whilst he's there. Perhaps when he leaves he will get more respect but he's not "fashionable" enough to ever win them over, despite him being one of their best players
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Post by rushy on Mar 17, 2023 8:46:18 GMT
On the club website there is a piece celebrating his achievement on reaching this milestone of 300 appearances at the club, but in contrast Ben has never got the credit from some of their fanbase who are utterly delusional in their ideas of what they expect, the consistency he has shown in eight years with 304 appearances and counting is phenomenal, surely top coaches of the likes of Mourinho, Pochettino and now Conte cannot all be wrong about our boy.
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Post by territorial on Mar 17, 2023 14:15:46 GMT
"Some of their fanbase" is key, since in my experience, the loudest voices do not reflect the majority. And I say "my experience" as a Season Ticket holder at WHL
Fwiw, my view of BD is that as a solid player and a fine professional, he is just the type this Spurs team needs, to balance out the more extravagantly gifted, but temperamentally suspect, players we often seem to attract. And for all that some bucket-mouthed "fans" might vent about him on social media etc, when it comes to actual stadium fans, beyond the occasional groan when a pass goes astray, I don't recall BD getting roundly and loudly abused live, in the same way certain others do.
Beyond that, Welsh fans might be interested in something Spurs fans have noticed this season at the Lane. For the majority of his career at Spurs, BD was always seen as a conventional, defensive Left Back (no harm in that). This was especially useful when Pochettino was in charge, since he favours a back four. Latterly however, when subsequent managers have opted for a back three, BD has occasionally filled in at Left Centre Back and generally done ok imo, with his experience making up for his lack of height etc.
This season under Conte, however, his role has recently changed again. For with new signing Lenglet often being picked at LCB in Conte's unvarying 3-4-3 formation, the two Wing Backs in the 4 are absolutely critical to the team's attack. In particular, when one WB advances down his side, the other is required to get forward down the other side to be in position to hit the back post, in order to get onto the end of a diagonal cross from deep on the other side. (Probably not explaining that very well, but Conte doesn't usually require WB's to get to the byeline and pull the ball back etc, rather he wants them to join with the front 3 in overloading the opposition in the last third, often following a quick counter-attack)
Anyhow at the beginning of the season, Conte clearly saw Perisic as his first choice LWB, with Sessegnon as back-up. But with the former showing poor form (post-World Cup fatigue?) and Sessegnon also (injuries to blame?), Conte has now recently turned to BD to fill that role and he has actually done it very well (imo).
I personally wouldn't have predicted it, and I'm sure Conte doesn't see it as permanent etc. But it really is a tribute to the man, and particularly his intelligence, experience and willingness etc, that he continues to give it his all, even if it doesn't come naturally and he's being asked to perform in a team which misfires more often than not.
I think we're lucky to have him - if only he were Northern Irish as well! 
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 17, 2023 20:15:36 GMT
I really can't wait to get some more Wales games played as my lasting memory of Davies in the red is the second goal against England and he's much, much better than that. I've got a mate who hates Davies because he's not a modern day "rapid" full back, I've got another mate in the same circle of friends that often argues with him over this, it's funnyto watch but for me that's the issue, he's not seen as a flash full back and that's what Spurs, the Aristocrats of English football, want. Football is always changing though and we've been here before, where everyone is obsessed with flash attacking full backs but at some point better defenders at full back will be en vogue.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 17, 2023 20:40:57 GMT
I love him in a red shirt, and my mate who I would say is very knowledgeable also waxes lyrical about him when he watches him live
Him, Rambo and Brennan are our only out and out top level players now
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Post by reyrey on Mar 18, 2023 15:40:40 GMT
Just pulled up injured and taken off before half time.
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Post by rushy on Mar 18, 2023 15:41:11 GMT
Bad news, he's just been taken off, hamstring probably, strangely enough four players have come off injured in the first half, Southampton v Spurs.
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 18, 2023 15:47:10 GMT
Hopefully he felt something and didn't want to risk it further, otherwise we're going into a game against one of the best sides in the World without our best and most experienced defender.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 18, 2023 16:08:41 GMT
Oh dear, and now we have no orthodox left footer to play LCB, LB or LWB. Exposes one of the strange decisions of the squad we've picked too
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Post by cadno on Mar 18, 2023 17:05:08 GMT
Is it too late to call Ryan Hedges or Morgan Fox up? Or both?
Clean sheet for Fox today, a regular starter for Stoke and in the Championship for years. Solid defender, can play CB or Lb
:-(
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Post by cadno on Mar 18, 2023 17:31:31 GMT
Oh dear, and now we have no orthodox left footer to play LCB, LB or LWB. Exposes one of the strange decisions of the squad we've picked too Agree. Weird squad now that I look at it again, 4 players that are used to playing CM for their clubs? Ben Davies a left footed CB/full back β¦ who else? 24 players when you can call up 26 |
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 18, 2023 17:38:48 GMT
Andrew Hughes can play LB and CB, as can Morgan Fox.
Now. Is. The. Time.
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Post by cadno on Mar 18, 2023 17:41:00 GMT
Andrew Hughes can play LB and CB, as can Morgan Fox. Now. Is. The. Time. Yes, both regulars and solid defenders at championship level for years, not a cap between them - shambles! |
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Post by dai on Mar 18, 2023 17:57:02 GMT
Dont be daft, heβs too old, and choosing a championship regular is far too sensible of an idea for Page!
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Post by talyfan on Mar 18, 2023 18:34:29 GMT
If he's calling anyone up it's from the U21's or youngsters I think.
As I've said unless an old head is tearing it up in the Championship or higher they will get selected.
Even though in my eyes if they're playing regularly at that level they're more than good enough for us, and their age shouldn't come into play. I think Page is really looking at younger players and building for the future.
So if Davies is out we'll either not call anyone up or might be Owen Beck, Zac Ashworth, Ed Turns or Oli Denham
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Post by jimexotic on Mar 18, 2023 18:39:42 GMT
The concern is that too much emphasis on building for the future could see us start to struggle, drop down the rankings and then find it harder to qualify than it has been in the last 10 years. I'd rather call up a 29/30 year old Championship regular playing well than a youngster that's not ready yet. 29/30 is a great age for a defender, a lot of defenders come into their own at that age, a perfect balance of experience and physical condition.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 18, 2023 19:07:58 GMT
Ed Turns is flying with Leyton Orient at the summit of League Two, starting every game, left footed CB. Personally if Hughes or Fox isn't being called in I'd like to see him get a chance. I think he's got potential to be a very important player for us during the evolution. Looks like he might get a chance sooner rather than later
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Post by surge on Mar 18, 2023 19:17:29 GMT
Was it France who decided against taking full lot of players to the World Cup? Presumably on basis that i) they felt they had sufficient numbers to manage a tournament, ii) there wasn't anyone else they were desperate to take, iii) they felt it would be a stronger group without carrying extra bodies.
It would be awful not to have Ben Davies with us just because of who he is.
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Post by allezlesrouges on Mar 18, 2023 19:27:46 GMT
Was it France who decided against taking full lot of players to the World Cup? Presumably on basis that i) they felt they had sufficient numbers to manage a tournament, ii) there wasn't anyone else they were desperate to take, iii) they felt it would be a stronger group without carrying extra bodies. It would be awful not to have Ben Davies with us just because of who he is. He needs to be in rehab with Spurs so he can recover as quick as possible |
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