Dele Alli - Player watch

[ardiles]

Dele is a good player but he has been underwhelming this season. Yesterday, he stank, just like a number of our other players.

Not sure what the reason was for our poor display yesterday, but it’s likely a combination of tiredness, missing first teamers, players not fully recovered after injury spells, players minds on Tuesday’s game, rusty players who’ve not had much game time, players played out of their usual positions ...?‍

 

[hellava_tough]

If you go back and watch all his highlight clips, etc, you'll see a player that is insanely talented when it comes to technique and late runs into goal-scoring positions.

He's the 'spice in the sauce' so to speak; a genuine flair player, who may let sections of the game pass him by, only to pop up with a bit of magic to hurt the opposition at crucial times in the game.

But this is where Poch needs to earn his salary. He needs to find a way of taking Alli's raw ability and utilise it in such a way that is supremely useful to the team, whilst mitigating Alli's weaknesses. And he needs to make sure that this happens on a consistent basis.

I know you can say that about every player and that's true to a certain extent, but there are players who require minimal instruction (they basically just go out there and do their job) and others who need to be carefully deployed and directed, relative to the rest of the team and game plan.

I suspect that new signings may help in this regard. If we had better full-backs, better central midfielders and an upgrade on Llorente, then we would pose more of an attacking threat, giving Alli more space and time over 90 minutes to work his magic. Extrapolate that over a course of a season and you'd see him popping up with more goals and assists, etc.

To be honest, I also think the 'transition period' (stadium nonsense, World Cup hangover, etc) for Spurs is now over and we're going to see a new revitalized Tottenham next season. I fully expect some of our poor performers this term, Alli included, to greatly improve in 19/20.

 

[hellava_tough]

Dele is a good player but he has been underwhelming this season. Yesterday, he stank, just like a number of our other players.

Not sure what the reason was for our poor display yesterday, but it’s likely a combination of tiredness, missing first teamers, players not fully recovered after injury spells, players minds on Tuesday’s game, rusty players who’ve not had much game time, players played out of their usual positions ...?‍

If we had have had Winksy and Moussa running Spam ragged in the middle, I'm sure we would have been in total control in that second period and Alli would probably have popped up with a cheeky brace and we'd all be singing his praises

 

[Wheeler Dealer]

 

[tobi]

I would absolutely quibble with the bolded. Positioning in the attacking third, without the ball ie like Mueller then yes he gets good marks. But his defensive positioning is schoolboy. Just look at the example of last weekend's ManCity game. He has no idea of what is going on around him and this wasn't the first time he has had to be moved because were suffering.

If Dele has 'above average technique' the can you name me a player with 'average' technique. Are you using average in the common football way to mean bad or in the real sense of the word being a measure of central tendency. Because Dele's technique is what let's him down and why his can't make passes on time or control a ball very easily...and precisely why he wasn't able to make that easy pass to Sonny with his left foot. If he actually had AAT I would have significantly fewer complaints with him because he wouldn't be caught out so frequently.

His attacking movement and positioning is very good, I won't make a case for his defensive game.

He doesn't like to be rushed in possession, he prefers to play at his own pace. However his poor technique or rather his inconsistent technique let's him down consistently. He misses many opportunities to play through balls or simply keep the ball moving. Dembele was also guilty of this.

He doesn't think quick enough and the team needs a serious upgrade in this regard. Not an upgrade on him specifically but fast thinkers in possession.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Dele, at 4 months younger and half as many seasons as Raheem Sterling in top flight football, and for those four seasons always in a less star studded side, has 95 fewer appearances (223), 24 fewer goals (42 instead of 66), and 14 fewer assists (29 assists to Sterlimg’s 43).

Now given that Sterling has a) always played in a more attacking, creative side, b) has never played as a deep lying midfield for considerable periods of time and c) is meant to be absolutely top class, I’d suggest that Dele’s achievement display that he’s a fucking excellent player who has suffered a bit of loss of fitness and form, but has given us every reason to believe that he will get back to being a key player when he’s had a good rest and is playing in a settler side again.

Or maybe I’m mental and he’s just been lucky so far.

Sizing it down more, Dele in his Spurs time, which is the same timeframe Sterling has been at City, has 6 goals fewer, and the same amount of assists (29) in the same amount of appearances.

Food for thought.

 

[JimmyG2]

I think there's something
amiss with him at the moment.
Physical or mental.
He no longer plays
with that instinctive flair
first time passes
thrilling runs off the ball.

Come back Dele all is forgiven

 

[heelspurs]

Dele, at 4 months younger and half as many seasons as Raheem Sterling in top flight football, and for those four seasons always in a less star studded side, has 95 fewer appearances (223), 24 fewer goals (42 instead of 66), and 14 fewer assists (29 assists to Sterlimg’s 43).

Now given that Sterling has a) always played in a more attacking, creative side, b) has never played as a deep lying midfield for considerable periods of time and c) is meant to be absolutely top class, I’d suggest that Dele’s achievement display that he’s a fucking excellent player who has suffered a bit of loss of fitness and form, but has given us every reason to believe that he will get back to being a key player when he’s had a good rest and is playing in a settler side again.

Or maybe I’m mental and he’s just been lucky so far.

Sizing it down more, Dele in his Spurs time, which is the same timeframe Sterling has been at City, has 6 goals fewer, and the same amount of assists (29) in the same amount of appearances.

Food for thought.

Gun to head who would you take? And that's just going off of your shiny object comparison.

Now moving to actual footballing ability how quickly would Raheem get into our side? Would Dele even make their 18? That is, a Guardiola 18?

Answer those questions and then you will see the value of your comparison. It's about as specious as a Messi-Ronaldo argument. You know whose better and who you any rational person would rather have because 1 is way more valuable to the overall play.

 

[Timberwolf]

Bit weird that he doesn't release the ball quicker in midfield. It's such an obvious flaw in his play that shouldn't be that hard to sort out given his ability. I woulda thought Poch & co would be drilling that into him in training.

 

[punkisback]

Bit weird that he doesn't release the ball quicker in midfield. It's such an obvious flaw in his play that shouldn't be that hard to sort out given his ability. I woulda thought Poch & co would be drilling that into him in training.

I know he does it even when he's outside our box such as against city. He plays like he's in the opposition last third all the time! It's infuriating.

 

[Timberwolf]

I know he does it even when he's outside our box such as against city. He plays like he's in the opposition last third all the time! It's infuriating.

The most annoying thing is his best play is instinctive. The defence splitting passes, first time finishes, cushioned take downs. It's rare that he does something brilliant after taking 3 or 4 touches. Makes me think it must be a confidence thing.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Gun to head who would you take? And that's just going off of your shiny object comparison.

Now moving to actual footballing ability how quickly would Raheem get into our side? Would Dele even make their 18? That is, a Guardiola 18?

Answer those questions and then you will see the value of your comparison. It's about as specious as a Messi-Ronaldo argument. You know whose better and who you any rational person would rather have because 1 is way more valuable to the overall play.

Gun to head, right now I take Sterling. Of course I do. But ask me the same question 2 years ago I give you the opposite answer. Given how young both still are, this could flip again.

However, my point was in no way about saying Dele was as good or nearly as good a Sterling, but far more to do with saying Dele has proven himself to be bloody good in his own right and that the clamour against him is fickle as hell.

Raheem would definitely make our side. Dele might struggle to make City’s at this time, but if Guardiola can do with Sterling what he’s done then why not with Dele top? If Dele became available, I believe Guardiola would put him top of his wish list.

At least we agree that Messi pisses all over Cristiano Robaldo.

 

[@Bobby__Lucky]

I don't get get all this negativity around Dele. Personally I think he is our best player. Has shown a new mature side this season, has been played all over the place. He is also probably our most positionally/tactically aware player.

 

[SUIYHA]

He's been very off form lately. All I can think about with Alli now is how he slows down our play so much, takes way too much time on the ball, wastes good opportunities for us to counter and isn't getting into the goalscoring positions he is known for. I personally think Poch has asked him to play a little deeper this season, but especially in Kane's absence we need him running in behind the opposition and getting into the box to be picked out. How many times do we get the ball out wide into crossing positions and he's not charging into the box like he used to?

No goals since the Fulham game in January, which is his only one since Christmas. I know he's been injured for some of that time but it's still very unlike him to have such a goal drought. Only seven goals in all competitions this season, just five in the league, zero in the Champions League. It's a long way off his 18 in the league and 22 in all competitions that he did in the 16/17 season.

Alli has had a reputation of being a big game player. Someone who has popped up with moments of magic when they're really needed. Those two goals at Stamford Bridge last season. That chip against Arsenal. The Real Madrid game. There are plenty more examples. With the magnitude of the games we have coming up, we could really do with him living up to that reputation.

 

[fortworthspur]

3 guarantees in life - death, taxes and an out-of-form player will suddenly be shit

 

[Kiedis]

People have short memories. He's had an injury ravaged season, but he's had numerous elite this season, largely playing in a deeper 8ish role. He had a great game as a 6 vs. Palace, but that injury at home vs. City is maybe hampering him a bit?

Disclaimer: Didn't get to see the two away games vs. City, so I don't really know how he played there...

 

[JimmyG2]

Gun to head who would you take? And that's just going off of your shiny object comparison.

Now moving to actual footballing ability how quickly would Raheem get into our side? Would Dele even make their 18? That is, a Guardiola 18?

Answer those questions and then you will see the value of your comparison. It's about as specious as a Messi-Ronaldo argument. You know whose better and who you any rational person would rather have because 1 is way more valuable to the overall play.

All interesting questions
but essentially academic
as all such hypotheticals are.

I wouldn't want to give up Dele
but I would certainly take Sterling.
They are both highly talented
but perform different functions.
Dele is being asked to do varied and different things
Sterling under Pep is having a great season
but essentially only performing one.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Dele is a good player but he has been underwhelming this season. Yesterday, he stank, just like a number of our other players.

Not sure what the reason was for our poor display yesterday, but it’s likely a combination of tiredness, missing first teamers, players not fully recovered after injury spells, players minds on Tuesday’s game, rusty players who’ve not had much game time, players played out of their usual positions ...?‍

The problem was simple complacency in the front 4. All of Dele, Eriksen, Lucas and Son played like twats... dithering, pedestrian (copyright @spurs_girl_tasha) and yes, complacent. West Ham and their defence were nothing, we should have been ruthless, but instead pissed around.

Yes I'm still fucking grumpy about it.

 

[slartibartfast]

The problem was simple complacency in the front 4. All of Dele, Eriksen, Lucas and Son played like twats... dithering, pedestrian (copyright @spurs_girl_tasha) and yes, complacent. West Ham and their defence were nothing, we should have been ruthless, but instead pissed around.

Yes I'm still fucking grumpy about it.

Its lack of urgency in our play. Thats been present all season bar the odd exception.
We play like, its ok we'll score eventually, and against a weaker team they just sit in the last third watching us tap the ball from left to right, to left to right and have nothing to worry about. When we lose it its route 1 hit on the counter and suddenly you're a goal down with 20min left and you're still going left to right to left to right and its obvious fk all is gonna happen.
But look at the possesion stat cor thats good. Yeah fuckin great. 80% possesion, 2% in the final 1/4, 25 shots and 3 on target!
Imo we need to step up the urgency. We need to score not keep the ball in front of them. Whip the ball in the box not soft floaty balls that are simply headed away. Shoot around the edge of the box but hard and low not 50ft in the air and mop up deflections, rebounds. Press press press and they will make mistakes.
Standing like statues passing the ball side to side in front of 11 players isnt going to get you a goal.
I'm still pissed off as well lol.

 

[PerthYid]

Can't believe what I'm reading in this thread, the lad has been injury ravaged and played all over the park whilst missing his usual partners up front, hoping for a man of the match performance on Tuesday to get the plaudits he deserves!