Who is the player (or players) that so far THIS SEASON has disappointed/underwhelmed you the most?

[EssexSH27]

I thought we were set for next 5-7 years with Sanchez at CB. Looks shot of confidence and nowhere near the player I thought we had.

 

[double0]

Toby and Lo Celso.

 

[John48]

I wouldn't say Lo Celso because he's been injured quite a bit of the time.

Disappointing Aurier, Sissoko, Moura & at times N'Dombele.

 

[TwanYid]

So to summarise your evil plan was to bash Toby in the view of getting your son a trial for SC?

No- my evil plan was to admit my vast ignorance of the game- particularly when it comes to defense- lest I be expressing disappointment with Toby for the wrong reason(s).

But you were close.

 

[thecook]

Everyone save for Hugo, Hojbjerg, Son and Kane.

Edit- In fact Reggie has impressed, so unfair to lump him in the undrwhelmed list.

 

[BringBack_leGin]

Obvious ploy to just have a pop at those you want to have a pop at off the back of a bad run.

In my opinion.

 

[TwanYid]

Obvious ploy to just have a pop at those you want to have a pop at off the back of a bad run.

In my opinion.

This thread?

 

[TwanYid]

I thought we were set for next 5-7 years with Sanchez at CB. Looks shot of confidence and nowhere near the player I thought we had.

I SO agree with this. Seriously this player makes me want to cry. I wanted Ledley, I got Fazio.

 

[McArchibald]

You can pin it on individual players, but it can also be viewed in terms of areas on the pitch. In these terms, our biggest problem clearly lies in the play behind and around our two superstar forwards. For some reason, every single one of the players we have earmarked for playing there has disappointed. And these problems are not new either - we've been struggling in this area for a few years now. That's partly due to individual players not performing. But we also have a few square pegs being asked to plug round holes.

• Bale: The Bale-of-old would have thrived in the system we now play, playing off Kane and Son. But he seems weighed down by physical problems to such a degree that you have to wonder if he is still capable of performing at the level required.
• Dele: Again - a player who should thrive in a role behind the strikers. What on earth happened to him?
• NDombele: Wasted a whole year before realising he had to up his work-rate and effort-level. Still drifting in and out of games too often. Could and should do much, much better.
• Lo Celso: Was top dog at a mid-table club, but has found it tough going in the more physical Premier League at a club where he doesn't have special status. Flashes of brilliance, but not enough end product. Why we chose him over Fernandes remains -for the time being at least - a mystery.
• Lucas: Is really a false striker, much more than a winger. Won't solve our creative problems. Stand-in for Son - nothing more.
• Bergwijn: A solid pro - no wonder Mourinho loves him. Lacks the tools however to become truly special.
• Lamela: Exemplary commitment to the cause. Fitness issues however mean that his peak (which wasn't all that high to start with) is now behind him. Should be sold.
• Clarke: Does seem rather lightweight. whether he can make it is still up in the air. At the moment he is nowhere near a place in the starting line-up.
• Sessegnon: Interesting to see how his loan at Hoffenheim progresses. When he returns, he should be ready for first-team action.
• Winks: Not an attacking mid, but also not a solution to the problem. For a while he worked as our midfield metronome, but I'm afraid injuries have done for him. Spurs through-and-through, but it's hard to envision a long term place in the first eleven for him.
• Sissoko: Also not an attacking mid of course, but his place in the team exacerbates our creative problems, as he is lacking far too much in footballing skills to even contemplate him playing a role in the build-up of attacks.

I think it essential to make changes to our corps of attacking midfielders. For any one of the above players, a case could be made for either selling or keeping.
I would -reluctantly- let Bale go back to Madrid. If he were on normal wages, I would give him more time to turn things around, but at 250k a week... I'd sell NDombele, Lamela and Clarke, loan out Dele in the hope he sorts himself out and permanently relegate Sissoko and Lucas to backup roles.
And then it's a matter of spending big on two top-class upgrades, one box-to-box and one sitting behind the strikers to get our football flowing again....