Player Watch: Alex Pritchard

[TheHoddleWaddle]

Hope I'm wrong but this seems like a really pointless move. They don't play the type of football - or any football really - we want Pritchard playing. I have doubts he'll get enough game time as well, players like him are seen as luxuries by people like Pullis.

And we could have had him here for the run in to keep legs fresh. He's a great little player who has as much in his locker as an AM as anyone we have here right now, more than some.

I'll be even more annoyed if we've done this just to sweeten a deal for a striker who doesn't fit our system and is a petulant twit to boot.

I've tried to see the positives in this move but have failed. Even if he gets game time, i think it would need to be 90 mins on a regular basis to be worth it. That seems unlikely?

He'll be playing in a different, typically Pulis team and won't benefit from Poch coaching. If anything, I think this is a backwards step in many ways. He's not training with his team, or learning the pressing style.

That said, I can only hope he gets game time and it improves him.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

I've tried to see the positives in this move but have failed. Even if he gets game time, i think it would need to be 90 mins on a regular basis to be worth it. That seems unlikely?

He'll be playing in a different, typically Pulis team and won't benefit from Poch coaching. If anything, I think this is a backwards step in many ways. He's not training with his team, or learning the pressing style.

That said, I can only hope he gets game time and it improves him.

I tend to agree. Time will tell I guess. Most annoying for me is that I think he could genuinely played a part in the rest of the season for us while we are still in two cups and the league. Could have provided quality alternative to Eriksen, Son and Lamela in any of the AM positions.

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

I tend to agree. Time will tell I guess. Most annoying for me is that I think he could genuinely played a part in the rest of the season for us while we are still in two cups and the league. Could have provided quality alternative to Eriksen, Son and Lamela in any of the AM positions.

Therein lies the riddle. I agree that he could have been a welcome addition to the squad. If it's just a matter of fitness, you don't need to go to another side to accommodate it. Having him around pushes Eriksen in particular. Which is something he needs. Like a hidden tactical advantage.

It's a decision I don't understand. Perhaps it's to soften relations for the summer and a certain wayward striker of theirs? Which by the way, I don't agree with.

 

[socalspur]

Seems that if Pritchard hits the ground running that this could be a great way to take some points off of those surrounding us in the table. Pritchard would have until March 1st to build fitness, then WBA faces the rest of the top 5 within 6 weeks.

 

[yido_number1]

End of the day he needs game time to build fitness and show us what he can do. If he hadn't been injured he would of been guaranteed some Europa and at least two cup games. For us now we only potentially have two European games (Hopefully a lot more) and one more fa cup (hopefully a lot more). Realistically without a stand out performance he was never going to get past Chadli, Eriksen, Lamela, Son, Alli and Dembele (I know CM but he's also been played further up) who are all more established and trusted at the moment.

I hope he has a good few months with West Brom and comes back on a high ready to break the first team next year.

 

[fatpiranha]

Like many of you I have been struggling to understand the rationale behind this move but I think i'm beginning to see the reasoning behind it.

Firstly there is the issue of game time. Poch has shown that he is willing to give young players their chance but Pritchard has already missed half of what must be considered a crucial season for him. There is a lot of competition at Spurs and the Europa League qualifying and Carling Cup are now over. Poch seems to be taking all competitions very seriously. There really aren't very many opportunities to play in the first team left for fringe players and I think Pritchard desperately wants to play.

So will he get game time at West Brom? I think he will. Why would Pulis want him? It seems obvious to me that the main reason is Pritchard's excellent set piece delivery as WBA rely heavily on that aspect of the game. Even if he got in the team at Spurs it seems unlikely he'd get much opportunity in that respect. Pulis can also help develop him defensively and although the West Brom work ethic is a different style to Poch's high press it will still help him develop as a team player. Pritchard may be small but he's no Tom Carroll and he relishes the physical side of the game. Sometimes rather too much and at Swindon he was a bit of a card magnet picking up 9 yellows and a red in 35 league appearances. Pulis will instill some discipline while still encouraging him to get stuck in.

There are a couple of other factors besides player development that make this move a logical one. Firstly it is an olive branch to WBA. We have enough clubs who already won't deal with Levy; we don't need any more enemies. If we are still interested in SB (although I personally hope not) it makes sense to placate Peace's massive ego while also having someone who can report first hand on whether SB is a disruptive influence in the dressing room or not.

Finally (and for me this is the clincher) will Pritchard help our Top 4 and title ambitions more by a couple of appearances for us than he would turning out regularly for WBA against our rivals? I'd argue the latter. A Pritchard free kick might be the difference of 2 pts against one of our rivals. West Brom still has matches against Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Leicester and Liverpool to play in the Premiership. This factor and Premiership experience makes me think that this move is a good idea for both Pritchard and the club.

 

[worcestersauce]

Seems that if Pritchard hits the ground running that this could be a great way to take some points off of those surrounding us in the table. Pritchard would have until March 1st to build fitness, then WBA faces the rest of the top 5 within 6 weeks.

In which case he should also get a Premier league winner medal the same as the rest of the squad.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Therein lies the riddle. I agree that he could have been a welcome addition to the squad. If it's just a matter of fitness, you don't need to go to another side to accommodate it. Having him around pushes Eriksen in particular. Which is something he needs. Like a hidden tactical advantage.

It's a decision I don't understand. Perhaps it's to soften relations for the summer and a certain wayward striker of theirs? Which by the way, I don't agree with.

Me neither.

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

Like many of you I have been struggling to understand the rationale behind this move but I think i'm beginning to see the reasoning behind it.

Firstly there is the issue of game time. Poch has shown that he is willing to give young players their chance but Pritchard has already missed half of what must be considered a crucial season for him. There is a lot of competition at Spurs and the Europa League qualifying and Carling Cup are now over. Poch seems to be taking all competitions very seriously. There really aren't very many opportunities to play in the first team left for fringe players and I think Pritchard desperately wants to play.

So will he get game time at West Brom? I think he will. Why would Pulis want him? It seems obvious to me that the main reason is Pritchard's excellent set piece delivery as WBA rely heavily on that aspect of the game. Even if he got in the team at Spurs it seems unlikely he'd get much opportunity in that respect. Pulis can also help develop him defensively and although the West Brom work ethic is a different style to Poch's high press it will still help him develop as a team player. Pritchard may be small but he's no Tom Carroll and he relishes the physical side of the game. Sometimes rather too much and at Swindon he was a bit of a card magnet picking up 9 yellows and a red in 35 league appearances. Pulis will instill some discipline while still encouraging him to get stuck in.

There are a couple of other factors besides player development that make this move a logical one. Firstly it is an olive branch to WBA. We have enough clubs who already won't deal with Levy; we don't need any more enemies. If we are still interested in SB (although I personally hope not) it makes sense to placate Peace's massive ego while also having someone who can report first hand on whether SB is a disruptive influence in the dressing room or not.

Finally (and for me this is the clincher) will Pritchard help our Top 4 and title ambitions more by a couple of appearances for us than he would turning out regularly for WBA against our rivals? I'd argue the latter. A Pritchard free kick might be the difference of 2 pts against one of our rivals. West Brom still has matches against Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Leicester and Liverpool to play in the Premiership. This factor and Premiership experience makes me think that this move is a good idea for both Pritchard and the club.

Well put sir. Good point about Pulis system of play.

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

Still not convinced mind. Time will tell I suppose.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

On the bench for WBA.

 

[spurs9]

On the bench today. I though he had an injury setback and wouldn't be ready yet.

 

[Tucker]

Hopefully he gets some minutes tonight then. A run of good form could set him up to hit the ground running next season.

 

[beats1]

On the bench today. I though he had an injury setback and wouldn't be ready yet.

Im very interested in how fit he is as he hasnt been with the U21's

 

[spurs9]

Hasn't come on and WBA just used their 3rd sub.

 

[DEFchenkOE]

And they're losing. Not too surprised he hasn't come on today since he just got there yesterday. If anything it's good for him if they lose this, he'll be closer to getting a game.

 

[rambu]

Played 2nd half today vs Newcastle; anyone got a chance to watch him?
From the highlight he's their FK kicker already.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Like many of you I have been struggling to understand the rationale behind this move but I think i'm beginning to see the reasoning behind it.

Firstly there is the issue of game time. Poch has shown that he is willing to give young players their chance but Pritchard has already missed half of what must be considered a crucial season for him. There is a lot of competition at Spurs and the Europa League qualifying and Carling Cup are now over. Poch seems to be taking all competitions very seriously. There really aren't very many opportunities to play in the first team left for fringe players and I think Pritchard desperately wants to play.

So will he get game time at West Brom? I think he will. Why would Pulis want him? It seems obvious to me that the main reason is Pritchard's excellent set piece delivery as WBA rely heavily on that aspect of the game. Even if he got in the team at Spurs it seems unlikely he'd get much opportunity in that respect. Pulis can also help develop him defensively and although the West Brom work ethic is a different style to Poch's high press it will still help him develop as a team player. Pritchard may be small but he's no Tom Carroll and he relishes the physical side of the game. Sometimes rather too much and at Swindon he was a bit of a card magnet picking up 9 yellows and a red in 35 league appearances. Pulis will instill some discipline while still encouraging him to get stuck in.

There are a couple of other factors besides player development that make this move a logical one. Firstly it is an olive branch to WBA. We have enough clubs who already won't deal with Levy; we don't need any more enemies. If we are still interested in SB (although I personally hope not) it makes sense to placate Peace's massive ego while also having someone who can report first hand on whether SB is a disruptive influence in the dressing room or not.

Finally (and for me this is the clincher) will Pritchard help our Top 4 and title ambitions more by a couple of appearances for us than he would turning out regularly for WBA against our rivals? I'd argue the latter. A Pritchard free kick might be the difference of 2 pts against one of our rivals. West Brom still has matches against Man City, Arsenal, Man Utd, Leicester and Liverpool to play in the Premiership. This factor and Premiership experience makes me think that this move is a good idea for both Pritchard and the club.

Problem for me is that I think he's a better all round package as an AM already than Chadli and probably Lamela and Son.

 

[jezz]

Problem for me is that I think he's a better all round package as an AM already than Chadli and probably Lamela and Son.

Based on what?
It sure ain't EPL game time.
I want him to be a star for us I really do, But saying he's better than the 3 you mention already is pure rubbish with no basis.
Quite frankly Pritchard dosent need these comparisons he needs to be part of the squad and assessed from there.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

Based on what?

Watching him play about 30 times

he needs to be part of the squad

So we agree then.