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Mousa Dembele

People like to talk about how he doesn't move play forward quickly etc...

But when you sucker in 2 players, mug them both off and play the ball, you have just taken 2 players out of what is ordinarily a very congested area. That will prove massively valuable at times this season - especially against the big boys.

It is but our game plan is based around getting the ball forward quickly and Dembele hampers this when played in central midfield.
 
It is but our game plan is based around getting the ball forward quickly and Dembele hampers this when played in central midfield.

This, unfortunately. Ideally we should've had a player that was a cross between Dembele and Eriksen in midfield - that would've been some player.

Still think he was our best player yesterday though.
 
I think it has to be Dier or Dembele in CM. I just can't imagine there being enough fluidity in the centre of midfield with them both being there....
 
This, unfortunately. Ideally we should've had a player that was a cross between Dembele and Eriksen in midfield - that would've been some player.

Still think he was our best player yesterday though.

A player who combined the best of Eriksen and Dembele would be amongst the best in the world
 
It is but our game plan is based around getting the ball forward quickly and Dembele hampers this when played in central midfield.
It is naive to think that we have one 'game plan' which is how we play for every minute of every game, regardless of opposition. Hence why I said 'massively valuable at times' - it's a squad game.

Dembele is uniquely talented at retaining possession - to let him go would be a terrible mistake.
 
It is naive to think that we have one 'game plan' which is how we play for every minute of every game, regardless of opposition. Hence why I said 'massively valuable at times' - it's a squad game.

Dembele is uniquely talented at retaining possession - to let him go would be a terrible mistake.

I like Dembele but I do not think that he is particularly suited to Poch's preferred way of playing, particularly in the position he played yesterday. Being able to play a couple of different positions and offer something different to the other players is valuable and he could be particularly valuable to bring on if we are trying to hold onto a win. The question is, is he happy to stay at the club in that kind of role?
 
Dembele along with Toby were my MOM yesterday and he was good, however I would play Dier over him and I do not see him getting in the side elsewhere. As Milo says he needs to play every week to go to the Europas and I do not see that happening here.
 
I don't see why its best for player to play a full season before the Euros? So they can be shagged out? If anything its best they are not played every game, so long as they get games in the new year.

Dembele is covering midfield - exceptionally well if he's just a back up - many peoples MOM. And he could well play on the right. Or cover any of the forward 3. So he should have a key role for us this season. With a few more back, Poch will be able to rotate a little more and Dembele, if not first choice, will be key rotating, as cover or a starter. You have to look forward not at his past. I want to see Dembele drive into the box and cause opposition more problems. Poch has his number now and can get it out of him. So looking forward to him playing. He started as a first choice early doors this season and I don't see why he can't power forward. Pun intended.
 
Definitely has it in his locker to burst forward and score, which is why it's so frustrating he doesn't take that initiative more. He would be a formidable player if he did.

It's a massive problem for me too. Otherwise you would like to see him sometimes in that front four. He has a great shot, does not use it enough. Frustrating player who had a horrific first 15 minutes BTW yesterday. Was really good after that but still kept us playing at a slower pace. Dier is snappier as a presser and a passer.
 
It's a massive problem for me too. Otherwise you would like to see him sometimes in that front four. He has a great shot, does not use it enough. Frustrating player who had a horrific first 15 minutes BTW yesterday. Was really good after that but still kept us playing at a slower pace. Dier is snappier as a presser and a passer.
They all had a horrific first 15 yesterday, Rose especially. Dembele was no worse or better than the rest in that period. He was outstanding after that though. Still a starter every week for me, cant understand how anybody with a sense of how the game is played cant see that, superb footballer, who by the way we will lose because our superb young manager cant see it. Must not criticise Poch though.....
 
Outstanding today. Scary good.

Him and Dier will HAVE to be our central midfield pairing. Regardless of whether or not they lack creativity or not. Both there on merit now.

Chadli going off is now an excuse to finally drop him. Alli to play behind Kane and infront of Dembele/Dier with Eriksen and Lamela either side.
Yes yes yes! But wont happen
 
It's a massive problem for me too. Otherwise you would like to see him sometimes in that front four. He has a great shot, does not use it enough. Frustrating player who had a horrific first 15 minutes BTW yesterday. Was really good after that but still kept us playing at a slower pace. Dier is snappier as a presser and a passer.
Harsh assessment. Spurs had a bad first 15mins and that certainly was not solely down to Dembele. I actually thought the intense the pressure on both fullsbacks was the real problem and really unsettled us. IMO it was Dembele who dragged us back into the match with some sublime ball winning . He has his faults but yesterday there were little of them on show, especially if you factor in he was the holder and somewhat excused from the creative side of things.
 
They all had a horrific first 15 yesterday, Rose especially. Dembele was no worse or better than the rest in that period. He was outstanding after that though. Still a starter every week for me, cant understand how anybody with a sense of how the game is played cant see that, superb footballer, who by the way we will lose because our superb young manager cant see it. Must not criticise Poch though.....
Agree. Just typed something similar.
 
Against a team that presses high up the pitch, closing our players down quickly and early, Dembele needs to be one of the first names on the team sheet. Yesterday he was often surrounded by Liverpool players charging in at him, but his strength and ball control meant that they couldn't get it off him, yet because so many of them were charging in then our other players were left wide open. It's strange, because Dier would have almost certainly have started ahead of him if he'd been available because he's been easily our best player this season, yet wouldn't have been anywhere near as effective IMO.

Against teams who sit back and put 10 men behind the ball, Dembele often struggles as his passing isn't that good and he can slow the play down too much, but he's a very useful player to have in the big games. It's no co-incidence that he's played, and played well, in every big win we've had over the past four seasons bar the Emirates Marketing Project win last month. I'd definitely like to see him involved more this season and hope that the Euros and the need for a new contract motivates him to step his game up this season.

Although it's worth pointing out that we haven't won a single game that he's featured in this season!
 
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