Creativity

[Bedfordspurs]

I saw that as an excuse as not to tinkle off Everton fans... I would be delighted if I was wrong.

I know a few Everton fans (part of the reason I don’t like the club anymore ) and they believe he is off to us on January regardless

My mate who is on Toffeeweb has always said he believes he is too good for the cub

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I don't think even pundits think Barkley would
run Eriksen close. The more knowledgeable ones have him and De Bruyne in a league of their own, some of the less bright ones put Ozil in there too.

Not one of them, to my knowledge, thinks Barkley and Eriksen are even similar in quality because it's a preposterous position to take.

Barkley is a long way of getting to eriksens level but with a decent coach he could improve and improve quickly. As I’ve said numerous times imagibe Barkley working with players like Alli, Kane and Erisken rather than the dross Everton have had for some time

 

[scaramanga]

Barkley is a long way of getting to eriksens level but with a decent coach he could improve and improve quickly. As I’ve said numerous times imagibe Barkley working with players like Alli, Kane and Eriksen-sen-sen rather than the dross Everton have had for some time

I still don't think that answers the creativity problem though - even if it does happen.

For at least the short and medium term, his position is the same as Eriksen's. In order to improve our creativity, he would have to do better than Eriksen - I think that's a long way above his ceiling, same goes for Alli. If we were to replace Sissoko with him it would increase creativity, but we already have Son (a far better goal scorer) and Lamela (more creative when fit).

The best argument for Barkley in the short/medium term is as a backup to Eriksen, which will solve the problem of relying on a single player but will not increase creativity. It will, at best increase it on the occasions when Eriksen is injured.

 

[Grays_1890]

Barkley is seen as a long term Dembele replacement BTW, Poch see's him as a fighter deeper who will spray the ball, my mates a coach at Spurs and said this is 100% how they see Barks.

Creativity was not that huge a problem for me, last season we were the top scorers in the league, the main issue for me was playing against a team where once chance might make the difference we missed ours (Dele) and then we lost concentration for theirs.

 

[Cochise]

I'm in two minds on this topic. We have created opportunities in many games and this doesn't just mean Kane creating for himself.

The UTD game was a story of two well drilled defences cancelling out sub par attacks. In that game Sissoko in particular (although not alone) was guilty of breaking down our own attacks by passing back instead of turning.

We also need to consider that we are only into game 4 of using a new system. Our movement has been improving, but awareness of that movement and overall link up in the final third has been poor. There were multiple times during the West Ham game where our players were just a beat off linking up.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I still don't think that answers the creativity problem though - even if it does happen.

For at least the short and medium term, his position is the same as Eriksen's. In order to improve our creativity, he would have to do better than Eriksen - I think that's a long way above his ceiling, same goes for Alli. If we were to replace Sissoko with him it would increase creativity, but we already have Son (a far better goal scorer) and Lamela (more creative when fit).

The best argument for Barkley in the short/medium term is as a backup to Eriksen, which will solve the problem of relying on a single player but will not increase creativity. It will, at best increase it on the occasions when Eriksen is injured.

He is very different to Eriksen in that he is a runner with the ball rather than a passer which may suit us in some games, and of course he is a bigger player physically. Id say that Lamella is Eriksens like for like from the players we have and are rumoured to be after

Son is unique in our team as he is half striker half forward but quick
Allis versatility and running into the box isn't comparable to anyone else we have
Lamella is a passer and creator who scores the odd goal. He for me is a player of similar nature and style to Eriksen
Barkley is a creative player but more with running rather than passing and also is rash (needs that refining). He would be an upgrade on sissoko as he has a goal threat as well as creativity (although he may need to up his work rate).

 

[Bedfordspurs]

I'm in two minds on this topic. We have created opportunities in many games and this doesn't just mean Kane creating for himself.

The UTD game was a story of two well drilled defences cancelling out sub par attacks. In that game Sissoko in particular (although not alone) was guilty of breaking down our own attacks by passing back instead of turning.

We also need to consider that we are only into game 4 of using a new system. Our movement has been improving, but awareness of that movement and overall link up in the final third has been poor. There were multiple times during the West Ham game where our players were just a beat off linking up.

Its always an issue when we have new players coming in and/or players who haven't played much together

 

[Bullet]

Maybe we should just sign that young Davies lad from Everton, rather than Barkley

 

[BrainOfLevy]

Interesting that Poch calls out Barkley in his book for the celebration before the goal that he did last season.

 

[Bedfordspurs]

Interesting that Poch calls out Barkley in his book for the celebration before the goal that he did last season.

What did he say?

 

[BrainOfLevy]

What did he say?

Basically just said he should have respect for the game and the opposition. It was about 4 lines so not a big part, but funny that it was in there considering there’s a big chance he joins us.

 

[P.D.]

Most people in the summer said we need someone with pace and dribbling skills for this exact reason, N'jie obviously wasn't up to it and Nkoudou also doesn't look up to it (or certainly won't be a for a while) so we'll likely have to buy if we still need someone there. I quite like Gray at Leicester but I've not seen him dribble too much or Zaha who would be my preferred option but I don't think he'd leave mid season.

 

[Pirate55]

I don't think even pundits think Barkley would
run Eriksen close. The more knowledgeable ones have him and De Bruyne in a league of their own, some of the less bright ones put Ozil in there too.

Not one of them, to my knowledge, thinks Barkley and Eriksen are even similar in quality because it's a preposterous position to take.

Straw man argument. No-one (as far as I am aware) has said Barkley is better than Eriksen. What we need is more of the creative Eriksen-type players in the squad. Hence Poch's interest in Barkley and before that Isco. Like anyone else, Eriksen needs realistic competition for his place to keep his level of performance up. At present we just don't have anyone that can play his role.

In addition, Eriksen's dead ball delivery and output has been really disappointing over the last couple of seasons. We really could do with a dead ball specialist to improve us unless he rediscovers that ability which he somehow seems to have mysteriously lost.

 

[90291Spur]

Straw man argument. No-one (as far as I am aware) has said Barkley is better than Eriksen. What we need is more of the creative Eriksen-type players in the squad. Hence Poch's interest in Barkley and before that Isco. Like anyone else, Eriksen needs realistic competition for his place to keep his level of performance up. At present we just don't have anyone that can play his role.

In addition, Eriksen's dead ball delivery and output has been really disappointing over the last couple of seasons. We really could do with a dead ball specialist to improve us unless he rediscovers that ability which he somehow seems to have mysteriously lost.

Proper competition - as long as they stay happy - is best for us. Look how Davies & Trippier improved trying to dislodge Walker & Rose. And I think the Aurier/Trippier competition will be positive.

As for Eriksen, I don't doubt he'll find his mojo. The club & squad are in new territory as proper (almost) challengers for the title with a successful ongoing CL campaign. It's part of our evolution and with some graft and luck we will continue our rise.

The future's bright, the future's We Trust in Poch!!

COYS

 

[braineclipse]

Straw man argument. No-one (as far as I am aware) has said Barkley is better than Eriksen. What we need is more of the creative Eriksen-type players in the squad. Hence Poch's interest in Barkley and before that Isco. Like anyone else, Eriksen needs realistic competition for his place to keep his level of performance up. At present we just don't have anyone that can play his role.

In addition, Eriksen's dead ball delivery and output has been really disappointing over the last couple of seasons. We really could do with a dead ball specialist to improve us unless he rediscovers that ability which he somehow seems to have mysteriously lost.

Realistic competition for our very best players remains unrealistic. As it does for most teams.

Eriksen has had a fantastic 2017. He's very much kept his level of performance up. A small handful of games where he's showing some inconsistency isn't a sign that something is wrong, it's just a bit of inconsistency.

Actually most of our best players have kept their level of performance remarkably high under Pochettino. Without realistic competition. "Realistic competition" might have ended up with a worse outcome for us overall.

What we need are better options for when players are injured or rested/rotated. Improve on Sissoko and get Lamela back fit and we would take a huge step in the right direction. Even without giving Eriksen realistic competition.

 

[ricky2tricky4city]

Realistic competition for our very best players remains unrealistic. As it does for most teams.

Eriksen has had a fantastic 2017. He's very much kept his level of performance up. A small handful of games where he's showing some inconsistency isn't a sign that something is wrong, it's just a bit of inconsistency.

Actually most of our best players have kept their level of performance remarkably high under Pochettino. Without realistic competition. "Realistic competition" might have ended up with a worse outcome for us overall.

What we need are better options for when players are injured or rested/rotated. Improve on Sissoko and get Lamela back fit and we would take a huge step in the right direction. Even without giving Eriksen realistic competition.

Absolutely. Football is a weak link game.

Improve your weakest link(s), results improve.

 

[scaramanga]

Straw man argument. No-one (as far as I am aware) has said Barkley is better than Eriksen. What we need is more of the creative Eriksen-type players in the squad. Hence Poch's interest in Barkley and before that Isco. Like anyone else, Eriksen needs realistic competition for his place to keep his level of performance up. At present we just don't have anyone that can play his role.

In addition, Eriksen's dead ball delivery and output has been really disappointing over the last couple of seasons. We really could do with a dead ball specialist to improve us unless he rediscovers that ability which he somehow seems to have mysteriously lost.

So how would you propose to employ those "creative Eriksen-type players?" Would you change our entire formation to accommodate another player who plays in Eriksen's position? Would you use that player instead of Eriksen?

Either of those actions would need a player of incredibly high quality in order to avoid damaging the quality and creativity we already show.

As has been stated above me - until or unless Eriksen gets a long injury, Eriksen-type players are at the very bottom of our list of needs. We have one of the best players in the world in that position.

 

[braineclipse]

So how would you propose to employ those "creative Eriksen-type players?" Would you change our entire formation to accommodate another player who plays in Eriksen's position? Would you use that player instead of Eriksen?

Either of those actions would need a player of incredibly high quality in order to avoid damaging the quality and creativity we already show.

As has been stated above me - until or unless Eriksen gets a long injury, Eriksen-type players are at the very bottom of our list of needs. We have one of the best players in the world in that position.

A more creative upgrade on Sissoko could do a lot for us without changing our first eleven.

Another option is, like against Real, Liverpool and United, to play Winks as the deepest midfielder instead of Dier/Wanyama. Essentially adding another more creative midfielder to our line up. Dropping Dier, and to a lesser extent Wanyama, will perhaps be difficult for Pochettino though.

Of our four "natural" deep midfielders Winks is the only truly creative player in my opinion. Another creative option here, either through a transfer or perhaps bringing through Onomah would increase our creative options. Though replacing Wanyama or Dembele short term would be both unpopular with many fans and unlikely from Pochettino. Dier is untouchable imo.

 

[scaramanga]

A more creative upgrade on Sissoko could do a lot for us without changing our first eleven.

Another option is, like against Real, Liverpool and United, to play Winks as the deepest midfielder instead of Dier/Wanyama. Essentially adding another more creative midfielder to our line up. Dropping Dier, and to a lesser extent Wanyama, will perhaps be difficult for Pochettino though.

Of our four "natural" deep midfielders Winks is the only truly creative player in my opinion. Another creative option here, either through a transfer or perhaps bringing through Onomah would increase our creative options. Though replacing Wanyama or Dembele short term would be both unpopular with many fans and unlikely from Pochettino. Dier is untouchable imo.

I agree with that. The problem with dropping Sissoko for (for instance) Barkley would be a huge loss in defensive strength. Our setup requires a lot of defensive input from that position - that's why, IMO, we miss Lamela so much as he does both.

 

[Pirate55]

So how would you propose to employ those "creative Eriksen-type players?" Would you change our entire formation to accommodate another player who plays in Eriksen's position? Would you use that player instead of Eriksen?

Either of those actions would need a player of incredibly high quality in order to avoid damaging the quality and creativity we already show.

As has been stated above me - until or unless Eriksen gets a long injury, Eriksen-type players are at the very bottom of our list of needs. We have one of the best players in the world in that position.

In case you hadn't noticed, the game today is all about the squad not the XI. We have (probably) the best starting team in the PL. What we don't have is adequate quality cover in all positions. Look at our rivals. In last years FA semi final, Chelscum were able to bring on Hazard and Costa. On Saturday, Man Ure were able to bring on Lingard and Martial. Scum's Giroud was their super-sub last season who weighs in with vital goals on a regular basis. Liverpoo and Manbricky have a plethora of options up front so if they are missing Aguero or Mane then their overall level doesn't drop too much.

Our options without Eriksen are limited. Will Lamela ever regain his top level for us - I have my doubts. Sissoko is not at the required level for creativity. Our cupboard in this area is relatively bare and we need a top quality player here to keep us competitive with our rivals. Hence our interest in Barkley and formerly Isco. It wouldn't do Eriksen any harm either to have someone compete with him and allow him a rest if not fully fit or feeling tired.

Also, as previously mentioned, there was a time that whenever Eriksen stepped up for a free-kick outside the box I was almost expecting him to score. When was the last time he actually scored from a free-kick? Was it Swansea away the season before last? Nowadays, I don't even think I am even thinking about him scoring when he steps up. Indeed, his team-mates also seem to have given up on him to a large extent with the free-kicks now being shared out. This would have been unthinkable a couple of seasons ago. And as for his corners...........