Player Watch Player Watch: Archie Gray

[Monkey boy]

Both of those are seasoned pros that have performed to a good level in Ange's team. We just don't know if an 18 year old can do the same in one of the most demanding positions in the team.

I've seen Gray play 6 for us once, against Bayern in pre season, and he looked totally overwhelmed and lost possession numerous times. On that evidence - the only evidence we have at this point - I wouldn't count him as a starting DMC just yet.

I’ve seen Bissouma look totally overwhelmed against the likes of Bournemouth l, Brighton and Crystal Palace. You only get to become a seasoned pro by being given game time. Bissouma has had his chance and has largely fluffed it.

 

[WiganSpur]

Alternatively as when prime Dier was on it, that DM who can easily drop into defence as a nearly natural CB, helped make us rock solid. Gray’s much better on the ball too.

I always felt Dier was overrated in midfield and was always a natural defender. He was too cumbersome and easy to press. I think playing alongside Dembele probably masked his weaknesses. He did put himself about, was obviously great in the tackle, and he was also aerially dominant which is an underrated skill for a midfield player. But he would have been a horror show as a DM in this Ange team. Wanyama was a better footballer and more of a natural midfielder on top of all the attributes that Dier possessed. He would fare much better in this system.

 

[GioW]

 

[funkycoldmedina]

Thank god he's prepared to work through the pain of not having bought in a good no,6 and wants to develop a world class one.

 

[UncleBuck]

Thank god he's prepared to work through the pain of not having bought in a good no,6 and wants to develop a world class one.

Obviously his decision knowing the shelf life of a spurs manager over the last six seasons

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

It’s so commendable that Ange always thinks what is best for the club long term, regardless of how long he will be there, he leaves clubs in a far better place, compared to say a Jose or Conte who will happily set the house on fire to win a trophy and then run away from a burning mess and hand it to the next person.

 

[easley91]

If you haven't already watch the two vids on Spurs' YouTube - Hotspur Hunt and the quiz. They're only recently uploaded. Archie, even at 18 and in his first season, plays a huge part (as does Porro).

 

[taidgh]

The first was a back pass which was going into the net so FF had to take a touch to prevent the OG. The backpass should never have happened because Zirkzee had already bent his run to attack the keeper. Having sold out Fraser, Gray did nothing to track the run of Zirkzee.

The second was an under-hit back pass which invited Diallo to chase it. Instead of tracking Diallo, Gray let him run past and actually ran away from the incident. See the shot below, Diallo was chasing the ball and Gray was running in the direction of the corner flag.

I realise that Gray has a great future, but he needs to hold his hand up and learn from mistakes like yesterday.

View attachment 149173

Windup merchant. Pay no attention!

 

[mark87]

 

[Whazam]

Very obvious here that they targeted Dragusin with their pressing and held off when Gray was on the ball.

Not bad to have that kind of respect as an 18 year old. Also well done to Dragusin. Can't remember him struggling that much during the game, even though he was targeted like that.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I’ve seen Bissouma look totally overwhelmed against the likes of Bournemouth l, Brighton and Crystal Palace. You only get to become a seasoned pro by being given game time. Bissouma has had his chance and has largely fluffed it.

He’s 18. He will clearly get his chance at some point. I don’t see the rush. Bentancur and Biss are fine to persist with this season and we can allow Gray to develop at his own pace.

As I’ve said repeatedly in this thread, DMC in an Ange team is one of the most demanding positions in the team. Foisting Gray into the team too early and you risk stagnating his development. I trust the coaches to put him in when they feel he is ready for the responsibility.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

Thank god he's prepared to work through the pain of not having bought in a good no,6 and wants to develop a world class one.

Interesting. According to SC Ange was forced to sign young players by Levy

 

[HildoSpur]

Difficult match but he looked more assured than Dragusin

 

[Silky Skills]

Agree, thought first half he was the most solid of the defenders ……….. at 5-1 I was walking down the High Road!

 

[Spud82]

Let's stop dicking about, he was shite today. Judge him on the game, he was out of position and caught napping few times, he's not a CB and he will have better days.

 

[spurs mental]

Let's stop dicking about, he was shite today. Judge him on the game, he was out of position and caught napping few times, he's not a CB and he will have better days.

He wasn't shite. He was fine again.

He's 18, he's not a CB. But he's chucked in there because of A) the club set up and B) the manager picking him there

 

[TOLBINY]

It’s so commendable that Ange always thinks what is best for the club long term, regardless of how long he will be there, he leaves clubs in a far better place, compared to say a Jose or Conte who will happily set the house on fire to win a trophy and then run away from a burning mess and hand it to the next person.

We were 9th when Conte arrived and 4th when he left, so in a better place in the league, Bentancur, Kulu, Porro, Udogie, Bissouma, Richarlison, Spence all signed during his tenure, which I would suggest was a slightly better squad than when he arrived.

 

[tubbygold]

Let's stop dicking about, he was shite today. Judge him on the game, he was out of position and caught napping few times, he's not a CB and he will have better days.

He’s an 18 year old midfielder playing as a CB, taking responsibility where others didn’t.

He was excellent.

 

[M.I.B.]

Let's stop dicking about, he was shite today. Judge him on the game, he was out of position and caught napping few times, he's not a CB and he will have better days.

In what possible way was he 'shite'? Throughout the game, he outshone other more senior players. A lot of people had MotM between him and Djed.

 

[jezz]

Maybe try Biss as a CB and Gray in Midfield.