Alex Pritchard - Brentford

[DaSpurs]

An inverted LWF - would present us with the same problems we currently have in terms of width potentially but then it does seem like Poch is set on that system so we will need inverted wingers and this kid looks the part

He's also hard working which may benefit Rose and the defense in general when Rose needs to get forward to provide the width

I think he could interchanged well with Erkisen to make our attacking play very fluid and difficult to defend

I think as with Kane this year the Europa league may be very useful for his experience and integration - another reason to qualify for the competition

The problem isn't that the wingers are inverted, it's that we lack the aggression and pace to get forward for them to have space to work with, and we play a very congested system in general. If Pritchard is to play wide, he has to be complimented with an outright pacier option on the right to establish balance and to open spaces for Pritch and Eriksen to work through. Conversely, if we play both Pritch and Lamela on either wing, then we are left with the exact same problems as we're left staring at collapsed, organized, and narrow opposition back lines.

But I agree, given them some pace and aggression, and a Pritch/Eriksen string-pulling duo could be extremely effective. The only downside of course would be defensively, as Eriksen is just too slow and Pritch I'm not sure has quite the ability in marking as he does harrassing, even if he does work hard.

 

[matthew.absurdum]

Eriksen is our only No.10. If he is out form, then we are done. And that is what happening right now. Pritchard definitely give us an alternative No.10.

 

[nedley]

Eriksen is our only No.10. If he is out form, then we are done. And that is what happening right now. Pritchard definitely give us an alternative No.10.

He's also a much better player than Chadli as has been all season. The same that Kane is a much better player than both Ade and Soldado. That is why I, along with others were championing his return in January. He would have had plenty of game time. Or should have.

Dembele not in the squad? F my life.

 

[DaSpurs]

He would have been perfect today. In the repetitive attacks we make forward in which we induce no stretch whatsoever, we make these hopeless passes right into the feet of the opposition because we allow them to remain so narrow. Pritch plays like he has a plan before he even receives the ball, but what sets him even further apart from anything in the Championship is that he can adapt that plan so incredibly quickly. With his low center of gravity, short legs, and close touch, he can also keep his legs churning so as to maintain momentum and keep the team moving even while his plans are adjusting. Not one of our other attacking midfielders is capable of doing this. They all prefer to stop, reassess, and more often than not just pass sideways or backwards to give someone else the responsibility. Even if we lacked pace and stretch today, Pritch could have at least held on to the ball, made moves, and waited for opportunities to arise.

I know it sounds absurd to think an untried youth option would make the difference, and I can't say he would have guaranteed the win, but he'd certainly have given us a better chance today. Our attacking midfield options are so poor, just so incredibly poor. Even our most successful arrangement tried to date, Eriksen-Dembele-Lamela, has its grave weaknesses as shown by Rodgers and Allardyce as they severely lack pace and defensive coverage when played in behind. We should have made a change in January, and we should have brought Pritch back regardless.

 

[Davo99]

He scored an absolute cracker today away to Derby.

 

[chinaman]

He scored an absolute cracker today away to Derby.

Does that goal remind anyone of Gazza?

 

[guy]

He's coming in off the left there obviously

 

[HildoSpur]

He really does look like a class act from the little I have seen of him. Should get plenty of game time with us next season.

 

[Akshay Tyagi]

Not even on bench today against Sheffield Wednesday. Injured?

 

[ButchCassidy]

Not even on bench today against Sheffield Wednesday. Injured?

Yes, sounds like he had a knock in the last game and they didn't want to risk him today.

 

[nightgoat]

Brentford losing to Sheffield Wednesday and all the teams above them winning. With their goal difference they're effectively four points off 6th now. We could possibly have him back for our last three games.

 

[spurs9]

I think this is my favorite comment on Pritchard (from a Brentford fan).

"Even more than his skill, I like most that he gives us 100%, even with his touch of arrogance."

 

[MetalFace D]

I think this is my favorite comment on Pritchard (from a Brentford fan).

"Even more than his skill, I like most that he gives us 100%, even with his touch of arrogance."

Thats good, we need some arrogance in the team.

 

[spurs9]

Yes, sounds like he had a knock in the last game and they didn't want to risk him today.

The game he took a knock in was against Forest, he has played v Derby since then.

 

[spurs9]

Thats good, we need some arrogance in the team.

I agree and hard work and Arrogance is a great combo imo.

 

[DaSpurs]

Thats good, we need some arrogance in the team.

Absofuckinglutely. Would "winner" this like a refresh button if I could.

 

[spurs9]

More Pritchard comments from Brentford fans:

"Christ, this lad has got better and better. Around october I thought he has loads of skill, far too much arrogance and too many tekkers. But since then he has developed into one of the best I have seen this season (and that includes the teams we have played against this season).
He has stopped over doing it and trying to be flash and has rarely made a bad decision/pass in about 2 months. Really is becoming a top player, every time he gets it I stand up, I don't expect him to be a flash harry any more, I expect him to do something brilliant then play an easy ball to someone else."

"No point mate. Fantastic skills. One of the best players I have ever seen at GP Thanks Pritch , for giving a lot to our club this season. four more games to go , lets ave it Pritch."

"How long before Pritch follows his mates Kane , Nelson and Townsend into the full England squad ? Must have a chance of establishing himself at Spurs next season and a full cap will surely follow pretty soon when he does . Probably the player with the most potential I've seen at Brentford." - FYI Nelson - Mason.

"Jota has the better first touch but Pritchard's control in tight areas is stunning."

"When we're not playing well it's Pritchard, much more than Jota, who we look to for creativity. At games like Cardiff he was the only one looking to make things happen."

 

[spurs9]

Yes, sounds like he had a knock in the last game and they didn't want to risk him today.

The game he took a knock in was against Forest, he has played v Derby since then.

I stand corrected, it looks like he also took a knock v Derby.

"Official site says he's injured. Markybee said he was limping after the game on Saturday."

 

[Blake Griffin]

We could possibly have him back for our last three games.

is that allowed?

 

[Davo99]

He scored an absolute cracker today away to Derby

I know I'm quoting my own post here, but fuck me, the more I watch this goal the better it gets. I honestly think this kid can go to the very top. He's hands down the best player in the Championship right now, and though that might not be saying very much, I honestly think he can reach the heights of your Gareth Bales of this world. (/seriously)

Technique, control and initiative - top notch.