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Player Watch Player Watch: Archie Gray

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
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39,438
Which is most likely anyway as I don’t think Ange knows how to set up with a defensive midfielder!
Agreed. Ange has said he doesn’t get too bogged down on what number the payer has on their back and just classes them as midfielders.
 

chas vs dave

Well-Known Member
Jul 17, 2008
6,517
25,401
To be fair, that manager knows much more about football than (at least) the vast majority of people on this forum.
Are you telling me that 34000 spurs fans who complained about bale playing through the middle/right were wrong?

I can remember the crowd singing he plays on the left.
 

bigfrooj

Well-Known Member
Nov 11, 2011
3,461
9,911
Agreed. Ange has said he doesn’t get too bogged down on what number the payer has on their back and just classes them as midfielders.
I never saw Gray play for Leeds but he comes with a great reputation both as a midfielder and as a utility player. I just don’t want him to get bogged down as a utility player and not get used enough as a midfielder. If you have powerful runners like Gray, Bergvall, Bentancur, Sarr and Bissouma in your squad then you’ll always be a force that the likes of Maddison and Kulusevski can thrive in as playmakers. Injuries, fatigue and suspensions make me a liar but I think we’re getting there.
 

jakuba

Well-Known Member
Aug 20, 2013
806
2,567
I never saw Gray play for Leeds but he comes with a great reputation both as a midfielder and as a utility player. I just don’t want him to get bogged down as a utility player and not get used enough as a midfielder. If you have powerful runners like Gray, Bergvall, Bentancur, Sarr and Bissouma in your squad then you’ll always be a force that the likes of Maddison and Kulusevski can thrive in as playmakers. Injuries, fatigue and suspensions make me a liar but I think we’re getting there.
The rate that Bergvall and Gray are developing at makes for a frightening combination in midfield we won’t have had for a while. Both able to get up and down the pitch, get stuck in, win headers and also play with the ball either as ball carriers or passing is the sort of all round midfield traits that teams struggle to find one of let alone two.

I think if you put the two of them in front of a fully fit 1st choice backline we’d look a lot more threatening going forward with their ability to progress the ball and a lot more solid defensively with how well they can cover the ground with Gray especially developing his reading of the game.

With that kind of balance in midfield it would free up whoever the 3rd midfielder to float more and get involved in the final third which would totally suit Kulusevski or Maddison. Really hope we get to see that at some point this season.
 

SlotBadger

({})🦡
Jul 24, 2013
15,507
48,635
Guy’s 18, playing out of position and, unlike some “senior” players, never treats a Premier League match like a fucking Goals kickabout.

We don’t deserve him but thank fuck we have him.
 

HildoSpur

Likes Erik Lamela, deal with it.
Oct 1, 2005
11,191
37,054
He is just a wonderful player. Please for the love of god can get get him into midfield as soon as possible though.
 

SE Spurs

Well-Known Member
Aug 12, 2018
3,022
5,284
Had a great game. Really felt for him and Spence at times, both playing out of position and both left totally isolated with no get out on their wrong side time after time.
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
19,578
39,438
With Davies back now, I'm really hoping he starts as the 6 against Everton.
I agree. To be honest, at this point, if for nothing else he deserves to be rewarded for his excellent contribution to the team this season. He’s obviously a class act and won’t complain if he plays at CB for the rest of the season and it won’t do him any harm really given his age, but I’d love to see him be able to really express himself in midfield and play with a smile on his face before the season ends. And let’s be honest, I don’t think there’s many people that are going to be worried about him playing 6. He’s bound to make mistakes but I can see him and Bergvall being a nightmare to play against for a lot of teams.
 

okc1992

Well-Known Member
Nov 11, 2024
315
928
Exactly people will be more forgiving of his mistakes and he's a quick learner so can't see him continuously making the same mistakes.

Would love to use him how slot uses Gravenberch. With his experience at CB now he could play there late in games when we're chasing a winner against teams that sit back.
 

Reado

Well-Known Member
Nov 3, 2008
1,091
1,647
With Davies back now, I'm really hoping he starts as the 6 against Everton.
I was wondering if we may see Gray switch to RCB with Davies at LCB, but I can't see him starting over Dragusin on that side. Whatever happens, he should be in our starting line-up wherever that is. About time he got a chance in midfield though. What combo would you have in there?
 

carpediem991

Well-Known Member
May 31, 2011
9,187
21,249
Why do I have a feeling as soon as our starting CBs are back, Archie won't start in midfield but rather as RB or on the bench?
 

spurs mental

Well-Known Member
Mar 10, 2007
28,332
60,432
Why do I have a feeling as soon as our starting CBs are back, Archie won't start in midfield but rather as RB or on the bench?
That's my biggest worry and have said as much earlier today.

If Ange persists with Bissouma there and doesn't give Archie the opportunity, which he has more than earned, what does that say to him, and what does it say about Ange?
 

E17yid

Well-Known Member
Jan 21, 2013
19,578
39,438
Why do I have a feeling as soon as our starting CBs are back, Archie won't start in midfield but rather as RB or on the bench?
If Bentancur is back I think you’re right but surely if he isn’t then Gray will get some decent mins in MF?
 
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