Dele Alli

[DeanoAustin]

I think the biggest thing is WE need to adapt OUR perception of who he is. He is quite clearly playing different type of game to that of 3-4 years ago. BTW he still popped up in the box between defenders a couple of times and a better ball in would've seen him with a clear chance.

Yeah it's a fair point Steff. We can't expect that he will get the same amount of goals if he plays a different role for us.

When Son picked it up for the goal, I was actually watching Dele drifting into the box thinking, this could be it. Thankfully, Sonny wasn't listening to me and buried it.

BTW, well done on the prediction. Wouldnt have put a cent on us and thought you'd lost your mind earlier in the week when you said we'd win.

 

[Raziel]

Not yet, just did pod so settling in for all punditry!

He made a comment that beyond Dele's obvious talents, he's a runner, his ability to run box to box is something we have to utilize.

I haven't been his biggest fan in recent seasons, but he was up for the fight every minute of this game .. well done.

 

[Mikey10]

Thought he did very well today. He really got stuck in on a few tackles. It was great to see.

 

[SteveAWOL]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1426970455559258113

https://twitter.com/x/status/1426968171018326021

 

[StephenH]

Think he’ll be able to move higher in a game where we are more dominant. Hope so anyway.

Yes I see that and agree. I just think his ‘priority’ looks quite defensive.

 

[elltrev]

He ran around 11k today. No-one other than Skipp got over 9.5.

Where did you get these stats from? I’m always looking for stats on distance covered, but can never find it.

 

[StephenH]

I do not disagree to be honest, but as i have been saying for a while i really do not see where he fits in the side. I hope he proves me and others wrong but he needs to show it on a regular basis.

The Dele we know and love will not return in his current role, Dele mk2 is far more of a standard midfielder, which he does ok. He needs though to be in the Bergwyn role which is where he excelled ‘when fit’.

 

[Raziel]

The Dele we know and love will not return in his current role, Dele mk2 is far more of a standard midfielder, which he does ok. He needs though to be in the Bergwyn role which is where he excelled ‘when fit’.

Don't think so (re Bergwijn role)

- Dele doesn't have Bergwijn pace
- The pace of Lucas, Son and Bergwijn is what worked yesterday

His work rate and ability to make long runs (he's a natural athlete) was an attribute for the side yesterday.

Long term
- His current position will go to Lo Celso
- If he continues to improve, we may drop one of PEH/Skipp in easier games and play Dele in a more attacking role.

 

[StephenH]

Don't think so (re Bergwijn role)

- Dele doesn't have Bergwijn pace
- The pace of Lucas, Son and Bergwijn is what worked yesterday

His work rate and ability to make long runs (he's a natural athlete) was an attribute for the side yesterday.

Long term
- His current position will go to Lo Celso
- If he continues to improve, we may drop one of PEH/Skipp in easier games and play Dele in a more attacking role.

Bergwijn imho is just pace nothing much else. I just don’t think he is anywhere near as good Dele around the goal. Yesterday was one way playing and mainly depending on pace and counterattacking play, we will need a Dele to open up more static and dogged defences.

 

[Raziel]

Bergwijn imho is just pace nothing much else. I just don’t think he is anywhere near as good Dele around the goal.

Pace is a thing in and of itself

Not arguing Dele is better close to goal, but yesterday worked because Bergwijn can break into space with his pace, if you tried that with Dele it wouldn't have worked.

 

[StephenH]

Pace is a thing in and of itself

Not arguing Dele is better close to goal, but yesterday worked because Bergwijn can break into space with his pace, if you tried that with Dele it wouldn't have worked.

Dele is must to in our attacking endeavours. Bergwijn is just pace not a good footballer long term.

 

[Raziel]

Dele is must to in our attacking endeavours. Bergwijn is just pace not a good footballer long term.

Back to where?

- Look at yesterday's side
- Understand with or without Kane we are going to add a forward to the lineup (so minus 1)
- Lo Celso is going to be a starter (minus another 1)
- Nuno is going to play a LW, either Bergwijn or Gil (gave him 11)
- Lucas is absolutely our form player at the moment

Dele had a good game yesterday, perhaps his best full 90 minute contribution in a long time, doesn't change the fact that with a fully fit 11, he struggles to find a place.

 

[Bishop]

Dele is must to in our attacking endeavours. Bergwijn is just pace not a good footballer long term.

But as Raziel mentioned, Dele in the Bergwijn role would not have functioned the same way yesterday. He doesn't have the same burst of pace and while he can use the ball better, he is just as likely to dally on the ball especially deep and break up the quick counters.

I don't believe in a game like yesterday Dele would be used instead of Bergwijn. The lack of pace just means it wouldn't work. I can however see Nuno long term either getting more from Bergwijn or playing an alternative pacey option.

 

[Raziel]

But as Raziel mentioned, Dele in the Bergwijn role would not have functioned the same way yesterday. He doesn't have the same burst of pace and while he can use the ball better, he is just as likely to dally on the ball especially deep and break up the quick counters.

I don't believe in a game like yesterday Dele would be used instead of Bergwijn. The lack of pace just means it wouldn't work. I can however see Nuno long term either getting more from Bergwijn or playing an alternative pacey option.

Gil

 

[Bishop]

Gil

That was my thinking also but I didn't want to heap the pressure on him yet (although I really want to [emoji1787]).

 

[StephenH]

We will regret sidelining Dele, he can be very useful when pace is not all that’s required.

I would move on Lo Celso and Bergwijn both not good enough.

 

[Raziel]

We will regret sidelining Dele, he can be very useful when pace is not all that’s required.

I would move on Lo Celso and Bergwijn both not good enough.

Mate, it's all opinions, but two things

- Lo Celso is a Copa America winner that played alongside Messi, Dele can't even get into a brick England midfield
- Pick your 11 out of current Spurs squad and show where you play Dele (and what role)?

I'm all for giving Dele a chance to rediscover something, but don't confuse the guy that worked hard yesterday with the guy that scored 22 goals 4 seasons ago (he's gone).

An English player breaking through at early 20's and not pushing on to their potential is not a new story, it's all too familiar. the new story would be if Dele ever actually turns it around.

 

[K.D.D.D.D.Soc]

I thought he was poor and giving us nothing in the first half, but I was looking for the old Dele. Within the game his work rate was first class and helped Citys game get disrupted. I really want him to come good as he can do things no one else in the team can.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

What I liked about dele was he didn’t shine at anything and didnt show a weakness at anything. It was a very strong, hard working all round performance. The kind you need in midfield IMO

 

[DTA]

Mate, it's all opinions, but two things

- Lo Celso is a Copa America winner that played alongside Messi, Dele can't even get into a brick England midfield
- Pick your 11 out of current Spurs squad and show where you play Dele (and what role)?

I'm all for giving Dele a chance to rediscover something, but don't confuse the guy that worked hard yesterday with the guy that scored 22 goals 4 seasons ago (he's gone).

An English player breaking through at early 20's and not pushing on to their potential is not a new story, it's all too familiar. the new story would be if Dele ever actually turns it around.

Which of those English players (or any players) though redoubled their efforts to get back to where they were.

Dele will be big for us this season. Nuno sees it.