Player Watch Player Watch: Archie Gray

[Marty]

That's a hell of a breakthrough season to live up to:
7 goals in his opening 6 Europa League games, including qualifiers, scoring in all but one game (then barely played in later rounds, as he was prioritised for PL).
3 goals in his opening 3 League Cup games, scoring in each of them.
21 PL goals, despite not starting a league game until mid-November.
He also scored 3 goals in his first 3 England games, scoring in each of them, despite not starting any of those games (3 goals in 84 minutes!).

Fortunately for Gray and Bergvall (but less so for us), they wouldn't need to perform half that well to oust our other CMs.

I only mean that their EL performances will translate into them taking over our midfield also in the biggest games, not any other sort of comparison with Kane whatsoever.

Kane was a freak, as you say they don't have to be freaks for that comparison to be valid.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I foresee a Harry Kane in Europa in the 14/15 season situation with Gray and Bergvall. They'll impress so much there they'll force themselves into the PL starting XI sooner rather than later.

I think that is a tad optimistic - but not necessarily for the obvious reasons.

But, with Spence out of Europa - that would seem to make Gray the most likely to start at RB. And, even if he were to play well, he is not close to unseating Porro.

And, if he is not given a chance to play DM in Europa - its unlikely that Ange would trust him in that role in PL any time soon.

I think Bergvall has an easier path - but, also think that Ange will struggle with where to play Maddison, Kulusevski and Bergvall. (Contrary to popular opinion, neither Kulusevski nor Bergvall are great replacements for Maddison - who brings a much higher level of ball control. Watch how frequently he (Maddison) will drop as deep as Bissouma to help pick up the ball from the defense/keeper. That is not really the strength of Kulusevski nor Bergvall - who both play a little differently - Kulu is better in and around the box, while Bergvall is better in an all-action box-to-box role.)

 

[Marty]

I think that is a tad optimistic - but not necessarily for the obvious reasons.

But, with Spence out of Europa - that would seem to make Gray the most likely to start at RB. And, even if he were to play well, he is not close to unseating Porro.

And, if he is not given a chance to play DM in Europa - its unlikely that Ange would trust him in that role in PL any time soon.

I think Bergvall has an easier path - but, also think that Ange will struggle with where to play Maddison, Kulusevski and Bergvall. (Contrary to popular opinion, neither Kulusevski nor Bergvall are great replacements for Maddison - who brings a much higher level of ball control. Watch how frequently he (Maddison) will drop as deep as Bissouma to help pick up the ball from the defense/keeper. That is not really the strength of Kulusevski nor Bergvall - who both play a little differently - Kulu is better in and around the box, while Bergvall is better in an all-action box-to-box role.)

I see Bergvall as an 8, ahead of Sarr. But I'm being a bit fickle and down on Sarr at the moment.

The point about Gray at RB might well be valid though.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

I see Bergvall as an 8, ahead of Sarr. But I'm being a bit fickle and down on Sarr at the moment.

The point about Gray at RB might well be valid though.

I also think he is ahead of Sarr - but right now that also appears to be the best spot for Kulusevski - hence the quandary for Ange.

I don't think Kulusevski can do the things that Maddison is being asked to do - so if Ange wants to play Kulusevski behind a striker (instead of Maddison), then I think it would take a tweak to the tactical set-up - with 2 CMs at the base, behind Kulusevski - instead of just Bissouma as the deepest CM.

 

[mil1lion]

That's a hell of a breakthrough season to live up to:
7 goals in his opening 6 Europa League games, including qualifiers, scoring in all but one game (then barely played in later rounds, as he was prioritised for PL).
3 goals in his opening 3 League Cup games, scoring in each of them.
21 PL goals, despite not starting a league game until mid-November.
He also scored 3 goals in his first 3 England games, scoring in each of them, despite not starting any of those games (3 goals in 84 minutes!).

Fortunately for Gray and Bergvall (but less so for us), they wouldn't need to perform half that well to oust our other CMs.

Shit in goal though

 

[rossdapep]

Gray may take a little while to develop as the 6.

I really don't agree that there wasn't any 6s that fit what we are looking for.

I'm watching Brazil.and Andre is so quick to snuff out danger not only that but he can evade pressure well and get the ball moving quickly. He's simply a better player than Bissouma.

 

[Monkey boy]

Gray may take a little while to develop as the 6.

I really don't agree that there wasn't any 6s that fit what we are looking for.

I'm watching Brazil.and Andre is so quick to snuff out danger not only that but he can evade pressure well and get the ball moving quickly. He's simply a better player than Bissouma.

wasn’t he linked with Fulham for ages as the Palhina replacement?

 

[EastUpperDK82]

Archie Gray: Leeds United to Tottenham - the rise of the boy born to play football

An in-depth look at the rise of Archie Gray with help from his family and coaches.

www.skysports.com

 

[hughy]

Archie Gray: Leeds United to Tottenham - the rise of the boy born to play football

An in-depth look at the rise of Archie Gray with help from his family and coaches.

www.skysports.com

So excited to see him start some Cup games. No doubt in my mind he'll be able to make the step up to a starting PL role late this season/early next.

 

[eddiebailey]

I didn’t follow Gray’s time at Leeds. Was he ever trusted with the DCM role there? Or did he just play RB? If he wasn’t, why do people think he’s ready to play DCM for Spurs, which is at a higher level, and where under Ange it’s a more demanding role than at most clubs?

 

[thekneaf]

I didn’t follow Gray’s time at Leeds. Was he ever trusted with the DCM role there? Or did he just play RB? If he wasn’t, why do people think he’s ready to play DCM for Spurs, which is at a higher level, and where under Ange it’s a more demanding role than at most clubs?

Because he was trusted at DCM there as well

 

[eddiebailey]

Because he was trusted at DCM there as well

Fair enough, I should probably have waited for the answer to the first question before asking the second.

 

[thekneaf]

Fair enough, I should probably have waited for the answer to the first question before asking the second.

I don't think it was a silly question though. For me it's more the difference in what we expect of a DCM compared to the roles of DCM and CM which he played at Leeds.

Personally I'm hoping that he can be a real option at rb, maybe a slightly more reserved option than Porro, and if that works, then it would open up Porro to try the inverted inverted lb role. Although I don't think that would work with Son, I think it would need real touchline winger.

Gray at rb is already a far more positionally sophisticated role and higher up the pitch than a trad rb anyway

 

[chas vs dave]

There is a 30 minute programme about archie on sky sports right now.

 

[HildoSpur]

Thought he was very composed and excellent on the ball tonight. His future is in midfield and I'd like to see him get some opportunities there.

 

[sparx100]

Thought he was very composed and excellent on the ball tonight. His future is in midfield and I'd like to see him get some opportunities there.

He is definitely not a wing back but he is able to fit into the role at a pinch. Sadly he will be in Europe. Agree with you he is a midfielder.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

Thought he was very composed and excellent on the ball tonight. His future is in midfield and I'd like to see him get some opportunities there.

He is obviously a better midfield player than Sarr

 

[muppetman]

I thought he was largely invisible. No major mistakes, no real standout moments.

Was ok.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Looks far more a CM than a RB to me

 

[stevespurs]

It looks a little bit like we have a shitload of versatile midfield options. Maybe it’ll come down to which ones adapt to what Ange needs.

If Archie can see defensive needs early enough, when we lose the ball, he could develop into a fine defensive midfield player. His skillset is good, he has abilities to support our attacks too.

Im hoping he is being coached at covering RB with this in mind.