Player Watch - Djed Spence - Genoa

[Joshua]

Again, there’s no Perisic or Kostic present in the RWB market. People are saying we need better, well there’s no one out there who would be less of a risk than Spence that we could realistically sign. Because for the millionth time, we’re not signing Hakimi. You’d also have to make a compelling argument for Carrasco who many want, because he has barely played RWB in his career. Please enlighten me with who people think is better, and I assure you it’s not a black and white difference between Spence and any other potential target. Either way, if we sign him, I’m confident it will be because Conte wants him, which is all that matters.

Molina is the best attainable RWB out there. Amazed we’ve not been linked.

 

[taidgh]

Kulusevski just posted a video calling out one of his doubters on instagram. Is he too immature for Conte?

They're kids. They want to prove people wrong, and they want the respect they deserve after they do. Kulusevski has been nothing but a consummate professional since joining, and his social media activity doesn't change that.

I don't know. I get what everyone's saying re: wanting to prove a point, and having an edge to him, etc. And fine, not a huge deal. But there's something different about calling out randos on twitter/instagram over their criticism and calling out a manager who has told you some home truths (and who could have be proved to correct in doing so). If he can't handle Warnock calling him out on what he needs to do better, how will he take Conte's micro-management.

 

[SpursSteveLincs]

ha. just waiting for someone to say it's because he's black.

Has anyone mentioned his colour besides you? Got absolutely nothing to do with it

 

[taidgh]

Has anyone mentioned his colour besides you? Got absolutely nothing to do with it

Yeah, obviously. I mentioned it as a tongue in cheek reference that generally when black players are criticised it ends up circling back to race. Should've put in an emoji to show that, on reflection.

 

[Raitei]

Remember how good it felt hearing Rose after the CL semis giving it back to the pundits who piped up about us? Doesn't feel too dissimilar

 

[PCozzie]

Isn't there a difference between calling out a manager who suggested you might not make it after you've had a 10 year career in the top flight, and calling him out before you've played a single match in the Premier League?

Celebrate the promotion by all means, but if the point Spence is trying to make is that Warnock was wrong, and that he's made it to the big time, hadn't he better have a successful top flight career first? The country is littered with self-confident, but ultimately unsuccessful footballers. I sense a level of arrogance that is not yet earned.

 

[Ron Burgundy]

I think crucifying this 21 year old, who’s obviously had some criticism in the past that he’s railing against, wouldn’t be enough.

We should judge him and everyone he’s ever met as well…

Honestly, this is a slightly poorly judged tweet, but it’s no big deal

 

[delawarespur]

Molina is the best attainable RWB out there. Amazed we’ve not been linked.

I agree if I could choose a realistic target Molina would be my choice. Would I be able to say to a high confidence level that he’d be more of a success here than Spence? No. That’s my point. Many are going on about Spence’s weaknesses which I acknowledge, but for example Molina doesn’t have an elite final ball and isn’t as good of an athlete as Spence. And as I said, he’d be my first choice too. There’s no obvious player who’s a level above to me at that position and I’d be able to point out areas of strength and weakness with each. Only an opinion of course.

 

[C0YS]

Can't believe some are making a deal out of this. It's tongue and cheek stuff and harmless.

While maybe he should have kept it to himself, I wouldn't even call it unprofessional. He's not bringing his club into disrepute nor does it demonstrate a lack of day to day commitment to the club. Some people are very thin skinned judging by the comments.

There is a reason most footballers are media managed to the point that they never say anything interesting or show any real personality, and in large part that's to do with a media that is actively looking for ways to make a mountain out of a molehill. But that's what this is, a molehill at most.

 

[C0YS]

Again, there’s no Perisic or Kostic present in the RWB market. People are saying we need better, well there’s no one out there who would be less of a risk than Spence that we could realistically sign. Because for the millionth time, we’re not signing Hakimi. You’d also have to make a compelling argument for Carrasco who many want, because he has barely played RWB in his career. Please enlighten me with who people think is better, and I assure you it’s not a black and white difference between Spence and any other potential target. Either way, if we sign him, I’m confident it will be because Conte wants him, which is all that matters.

We also need homegrown players. At the moment it looks like we are doing one young and one experienced option. That's fine. Personally if we are getting Spence I would keep Emerson Royal until January before assessing the situation then.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

So in what way is he similar then?

Lol, height, style of play, runs off the ball, 1-2’s, some similarities but not at the level of TAA obvs

 

[Joshua]

I agree if I could choose a realistic target Molina would be my choice. Would I be able to say to a high confidence level that he’d be more of a success here than Spence? No. That’s my point. Many are going on about Spence’s weaknesses which I acknowledge, but for example Molina doesn’t have an elite final ball and isn’t as good of an athlete as Spence. And as I said, he’d be my first choice too. There’s no obvious player who’s a level above to me at that position and I’d be able to point out areas of strength and weakness with each. Only an opinion of course.

Molina is more of a back post killer than a crosser. Like a more aggressive, less subtle, Doherty.

And I don’t mind Spence. I agree with you for sure the RWB market isn’t as flush as the other flank. Considering we’ve got Doc who we know can do the role I’m not mad about a younger player coming in on that side who can learn on the job. My main concern about Spence is his body type. Tall, wiry players seem to struggle mastering the mechanics you need to get elite, consistent delivery down. Like Emerson or Wan-Bissaka for example are never gonna get it. It’s why I don’t really want Singo either. Compared to players like Trent or Reece James who are tight and in control, the wiry ones tend to be too loose. Spence seems built similarly to that to me. But he’s skilful and has raw athleticism so there’s other things to work on.

 

[Joshua]

Lol, height, style of play, runs off the ball, 1-2’s, some similarities but not at the level of TAA obvs

I don’t see many similarities with Trent at all honestly.

Djed is a touch over 6 foot and is explosive and wiry who attacks the box and Trent is a 5”8 controlled production machine who runs games from fullback. Spence is more similar to pre-City Walker in style of play if anything.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

There may be an interesting spin if we sign him…?

They’re throwing in Andy Reid as well again aren’t they

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

I don’t see many similarities with Trent at all honestly

Ok each to their own but…they both play in the same position for one ?? similar height 1.80 vs 1.84, both English, similar physically…

 

[Joshua]

Ok each to their own but…they both play in the same position for one ?? similar height 1.80 vs 1.84, both English, similar physically…

I think they’re pretty different physically tbh and that affects the way they play. Don’t think Spence is ever gonna have the control of movement Trent has but he’s more explosive.

 

[Timberwolf]

I don’t see many similarities with Trent at all honestly.

Djed is a touch over 6 foot and is explosive and wiry who attacks the box and Trent is a 5”8 controlled production machine who runs games from fullback. Spence is more similar to pre-City Walker in style of play if anything.

Yeah this was more my thinking too. Spence is more languid in style than a young Walker, but he's got the speed and the strength. The type of full back whose physical gifts can cover for other limitations in their game.

 

[rossdapep]

They’re throwing in Andy Reid as well again

Ain't nobody throwing Andy Reid anywhere.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

I think they’re pretty different physically tbh and that affects the way they play. Don’t think Spence is ever gonna have the control of movement Trent has but he’s more explosive.

He is more explosive physically yep. I said he’s similar not the same lol. Let’s put it this way he’s more similar to TAA than he is to Trippier.

Either way he’s homegrown and would be a decent punt. Look how Bowen , Maddison and others have stepped up from that league, I’m all for us mixing in a few homegrown punts from the championship along with some proven quality players from e.g. Serie A etc

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Ain't nobody throwing Andy Reid anywhere.

???