Harry Winks - Leicester City

[RichieS]

Wanyama definitely played as a destroyer. But didn't exclusively sit in front of the back 4, he was more marauding.

Absolutely. They both used to rampage around and were so savage that we never seemed to get caught with our pants down. The size of the pitch at WHL helped with this as well I think.

The diamond shape has a lot more to do with shaky defence than the fact that Winks is the nominal DM imo.

 

[McFlash]

You won't get any negative reaction from me.
Absolutely no coincidence in my view that we conceded significantly more goals with him playing at DM instead of Dier.
He provides no defensive shield at all, and as he doesn't provide any attacking threat whatsoever, really think he is a luxury player that we don't need in starting line up.
He wouldn't get into any of the other Top 6 sides, other clubs fans that look at things from a neutral perspective don't rate him and see him as our weak link (and yes I am including our full backs)
Really think he is the new Lamela, where we have blinkered supporters that use intangibles to back up what he brings to team, because the numbers just don't add up at all.
Take Champions League final, in 75 minutes we had 0 shots on target and 2 shots in total in 75 mins, then took him off and we dominated from then on, creating numerous chances, because we didn't have him slowing us down. In my view that is no coincidence, he keeps possession but in the main just by receiving the ball and passing it back to player he receives it from, slowing us down totally, and taking no responsibility. But many say he was our best player in the game. Just cannot work it out, thought the days of appreciating sterile possession went with AVB.

You don't get "luxury players" in the middle of the park.
I also don't think that many teams actually have these luxury players anymore, no one can afford it in today's game.
That aside, Winks is far from that. He's a busy little ****, who gets everywhere and has such a good range of passing, as well as being able to run with the ball.
Sure, there are areas he can improve on, like chance creation and shooting, but to say that he's a luxury is ridiculous.

 

[Gassin's finest]

Absolutely. They both used to rampage around and were so savage that we never seemed to get caught with our pants down. The size of the pitch at WHL helped with this as well I think.

The diamond shape has a lot more to do with shaky defence than the fact that Winks is the nominal DM imo.

Plus we haven't had a proper DM available since that season.

I think this season will see a change of shape and system. Winks, N'dombele and Moose2 will be a mental midfield.

 

[Gassin's finest]

You don't get "luxury players" in the middle of the park.
I also don't think that many teams actually have these luxury players anymore, no one can afford it in today's game.
That aside, Winks is far from that. He's a busy little ****, who gets everywhere and has such a good range of passing, as well as being able to run with the ball.
Sure, there are areas he can improve on, like chance creation and shooting, but to say that he's a luxury is ridiculous.

Hoddle, a luxury? It's the bad players who are a luxury...

 

[Neon_Knight_]

There’s always a trade off it’s the Jorginho/Kante argument. Till 15-20 years ago a “holding midfielder” didn’t really exist till Makelele. Obviously you had players that played deeper but he was the one that set it as a trend and gave it a label. Ultimately as said it’s a trade off do you want a technically better player who is more creative or the defensive shield. Ndombele and Sissoko are very box to box so in theory should cover any winks short comings defensively.

I think a midfield three of Winks, Ndombele and Sissoko has a lot of potential.

With Kane upfront and four at the back, we'd then have Son, Moura, Alli, Eriksen and Lamela fighting it out for only two places, when everyone is fit. I can see Alli/Eriksen being dropped back to the most advanced of the midfield three at times, with Dier, Wanyama and Skipp rotated in sporadically in deeper roles.

If we sign Lo Celso or Dybala, I really don't see how we could keep everyone else happy.

 

[JimmyG2]

I think a midfield three of Winks, Ndombele and Sissoko has a lot of potential.

With Kane upfront and four at the back, we'd then have Son, Moura, Alli, Eriksen and Lamela fighting it out for only two places, when everyone is fit. I can see Alli/Eriksen being dropped back to the most advanced of the midfield three at times, with Dier, Wanyama and Skipp rotated in sporadically in deeper roles.

If we sign Lo Celso or Dybala, I really don't see how we could keep everyone else happy.

Dybala for 80 million!
I think that ship has already sailed
and hit the first iceberg it encountered.

 

[dtxspurs]

Why would we play Sissoko and Winks in a midfield if we have one of Eriksen or Lo Celso?

Assuming Ndombele is also on the field.

 

[Shadydan]

Why would we play Sissoko and Winks in a midfield if we have one of Eriksen or Lo Celso?

Assuming Ndombele is also on the field.

Why not?

 

[spursfan77]

Are we saying the defensive midfielder is dead then?

In the attack orientated world of the PL I would question it. In Europe though where midfield is more cultured and passers are required I think it doesn't matter if we don't have one. A lack of technical midfielders has been holding English clubs and the national team back for decades. Id love it if the England team next season had winks and freakish for example in it with a workhorse like Henderson who isn't really a defensive player but more of a carthorse who does the running and gets up and down the pitch albeit with minuscule finesse.

 

[dtxspurs]

Why not?

Because they provide something those 2 cant.

 

[Shadydan]

Because they provide something those 2 cant.

Assuming we're gonna play the same 3 players in every single match, somehow I don't think we will therefore that trio has potential to blossom together when selected.

 

[smallsnc]

I think Ndombele and Winks will being first choice whether we play 3 in the middle, a diamond or a 4-2-3-1. If we get Lo Celso and keep CE, I think there will be two of the trio of LC, CE and Dele along with 2 of the trio of Kane, Son and Moura. Skip and Sissoko will be able to give Winks and Ndombele rests when needed. Not counting on Wanyama or Dier to be ready to go for a while if Wanyama ever is again. Lamela will be fighting for cup matches and late cameos IMO. This group would really give us some tactical flexibility while offering excellent depth.

My bigger worry is both starters at FB and depth across the back line.

 

[wrd]

Winksy on sky midday.

 

[eViL]

Us naughty boys can't read or write about our own players either during or after the transfer window closes now.

 

[Tucker]

Us naughty boys can't read or write about our own players either during or after the transfer window closes now.

Transfer window hasn’t closed yet. It’s quite possible many of those players could be the subject of transfer talk and ITK etc.

 

[Shadydan]

Transfer window hasn’t closed yet. It’s quite possible many of those players could be the subject of transfer talk and ITK etc.

Why is Juan Foyth's thread in the transfer section then?

 

[eViL]

Transfer window hasn’t closed yet. It’s quite possible many of those players could be the subject of transfer talk and ITK etc.

KWP

 

[Tucker]

Why is Juan Foyth's thread in the transfer section then?

I don’t decide who goes in there

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

When we're ready they'll be back.

 

[SteveH]

Will his fitness survive the EPL intensity.
He's playing with so much heart and that's great, I'm not sure he will survive long in this intense league.
Looked like he got a knock yesterday.