Ex-Player Watch Player watch: Jan Vertonghen

[EastLondonYid]

Look we didn't need Vertonghen obviously and we won the match, Verts will probably end up playing the most mins out of our CB's this season anyway, why are people trying to create a problem when there isn't one?

Because it's a discussion forum, and this one is about vertognen who was mysteriously sat in the stands without being injured... No one is trying to make stories up, but we are entitled to ask the question,

 

[james Stock]

The guy who runs the SO website heard something about a possible contract issue, he dismissed it until Jan was omitted.

 

[E17yid]

He’s our best defender.

Foyth is injured.

How some people are coming to the conclusion it’s coz we have a fully fit squad and he needs resting is mental.

He wasn’t even on the bench. If it’s a fitness thing surely Poch would say something like that. I reckon he’s dragged his heels ab bit in training and he’s sending him a warning but fuck knows. Not worried yet but will be if he’s not in the squad against city.

 

[EastLondonYid]

He’s our best defender.

Foyth is injured.

How some people are coming to the conclusion it’s coz we have a fully fit squad and he needs resting is mental.

He wasn’t even on the bench. If it’s a fitness thing surely Poch would say something like that. I reckon he’s dragged his heels ab bit in training and he’s sending him a warning but fuck knows. Not worried yet but will be if he’s not in the squad against city.

And replaced him on the bench with Dier who hasn't featured in pre season if Im correct.?

 

[E17yid]

And replaced him on the bench with Dier who hasn't featured in pre season if Im correct.?

A player that has barely played CB for donkeys as well.

Just find it strange how some people are saying “this is what having a big squad is all about” makes absolutely zero sense.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Apparently on this site we only back Poch (hashtag) when it’s a handy stick to beat levy with

 

[E17yid]

Apparently on this site we only back Poch (hashtag) when it’s a handy stick to beat levy with

What’s this got to do with backing, or not backing, Poch?

 

[Colonel_Klinck]

That #backpoch is soooo Arsenal

I’m not going to panic until he’s left out against Citeh, then it’s full panic mode. I do wonder if things get lost in translation with Poch. He either doesn’t realise how what he says might be taken or simply doesn’t care.

 

[DJS]

Apparently he was simply “dropped”....

Dropping our best centre back... :,-(

 

[theShiznit]

I'm thinking (hoping) it's just a case of keeping players motivated and knowing they are part of the team.

I'm pretty sure Poch knows that Jan and Toby are our best pairing, but we have a top young international, that is not gonna remain happy just playing every now and then when there's an injury, suspension or we change system, so if you can't give Davinson some minutes against Villa when can you? Also gives him more experience at LCB, so no problem for me.
And should keep Jan motivated in training.

Fully expect him to play next Saturday.

Just think Poch was put on the spot and got a bit flustered at what to say...

 

[doctor stefan Freud]

Would love some ITK on this. I find it odd he wasn’t even in the squad

 

[coys200]

We have a massive squad. With only 7 able to be selected on the bench I think will increasingly see Poch choose defensively flexible players as subs and rest the specialist players not starting. For example, Dier can play DCM, CB and RB. Aurier can play RB and LB. that makes them better subs than Verts or Davies (although both are better in their specialist positions than Dier and Aurier) as it means we can have more game changers on the bench. When Dele, Sessegnon, Lo Celso, Davies and Son are all available that means strong players will not be in the 18 on a regular basis. Especially if Eriksen stays.

Assuming this is our strongest side on paper:

Lloris
Foyth Toby Verts Rose
Ndombele Winks Lo Celso
Erisken
Kane Son

That leaves these players fighting for 7 bench spots:

Gazza
KWP
Aurier
Davies
Sessegnon
Sanchez
Tanganga
Dier
Sissoko
Wanyama
Skipp
Dele
Moura
Lamela
Parrott

Poch will disappoint someone every week. It also shows how hard it will be for Skipp and Parrott to get any minutes. Plus Sanchez is our future at CB and he now needs to play week in week out, especiallly if Toby and Verts don’t sign new contracts.
​

Actually worked out we have 16 almost certain for matchday squad when fit. Which leaves 10 fighting for 2 bench places.

 

[Giovanni]

With the level of competition we have within the squad now anybody who isnt on there 'a' game in training and putting it in can be left out. It keeps everybody on there toes and brings peoples form to the boil.

Lets face it. Jan is our best cb yet with him out we still had toby, sanchez and dier for our cb options at home to villa. Not bad.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

He came out an said he wants a new contract maybe Poch just wants to see how hungry he is and not just looking for a last payday he's into all that our Poch

 

[yankspurs]

Can we just go maybe a week without some type of drama? Is that too much to ask?

 

[CowInAComa]

He’s our best defender.

Foyth is injured.

How some people are coming to the conclusion it’s coz we have a fully fit squad and he needs resting is mental.

He wasn’t even on the bench. If it’s a fitness thing surely Poch would say something like that. I reckon he’s dragged his heels ab bit in training and he’s sending him a warning but fuck knows. Not worried yet but will be if he’s not in the squad against city.

'Resting' him first game of the season when we only have 3 matches to play in the whole of August is as ridiculous as it sounds.

Saying he isn't match fit when we have Dier on the bench who hasn't kicked a ball preseason is as ridiculous as it sounds.

 

[Gareth88]

That #backpoch is soooo Arsenal

I’m not going to panic until he’s left out against Citeh, then it’s full panic mode. I do wonder if things get lost in translation with Poch. He either doesn’t realise how what he says might be taken or simply doesn’t care.

If your referring to using it on twitter to try pester Levy who will not see it than you are 100% right. Stupid if you think Levy is on twitter scrolling through his mentions. However it is quite useful to use satirically when some members of the forum are just drawing wild conclusions and drumming outlandish speculation about a fallings out between managers and players.

 

[McFlash]

But Verts had a full pre-season and didn't he play every pre-season game too?

He might not be as fit as some of the younger players but IMO he'd certainly be fit enough to play the first league game.

Like I said, I don't think there's anything to worry about, I was just putting forth a possible explanation.

 

[Lilbaz]

Can we just go maybe a week without some type of drama? Is that too much to ask?

Yes, yes it is.

 

[McFlash]

Maybe there are contract issues?
Iirc, Jan has been a bit moody in the past, before we got Toby in to keep him happy.