Player Watch - Djed Spence - Genoa

[Johnny J]

He's undoubtedly talented, so I hope he gets his act togrther and fulfils his potential, wherever that is.

 

[Thenewcat]

I hope all those who gave Conte stick for not playing Spence are drafting their "I was wrong" posts, coz Ange clearly doesn't rate him either and Leeds sent him back from loan pretty sharpish.

Be honest, how long ago do you think it was that ‘not playing Djed Spence’ was in anyone’s top 10 of things to give Conte stick for? The fact that he was right about Spence doesn’t make up for him acting like an utter prick on the way out

 

[DanielJohnCosta]

Stellini speaking nicely of Spence… also have to give it to the kid who has, two times now, been willing to go on loan in foreign countries without any fight. Seems like a good kid???

 

[McFlash]

Be honest, how long ago do you think it was that ‘not playing Djed Spence’ was in anyone’s top 10 of things to give Conte stick for? The fact that he was right about Spence doesn’t make up for him acting like an utter prick on the way out

I'll be honest in that I don't think it's so much about giving Conte stick but more about ourselves as fans.
Plenty were jumping on the Spence is better than Royal bandwagon, as they have the "it's better to play Phillips than Royal at CB" thing recently.
I think that maybe the point is that managers, no matter who they are, probably have a better view of things than us fans.

It's easy for us to sit on a forum and shout our views out to everyone, whereas it usually transpires that the manager, no matter how they turn out, is usually right.

 

[only1waddle]

Be honest, how long ago do you think it was that ‘not playing Djed Spence’ was in anyone’s top 10 of things to give Conte stick for? The fact that he was right about Spence doesn’t make up for him acting like an utter prick on the way out

Strange reply, the post didn't excuse Conte for a being a prick in general or even allude to backing Conte in general, no need to create a straw man.

 

[only1waddle]

I'll be honest in that I don't think it's so much about giving Conte stick but more about ourselves as fans.
Plenty were jumping on the Spence is better than Royal bandwagon, as they have the "it's better to play Phillips than Royal at CB" thing recently.
I think that maybe the point is that managers, no matter who they are, probably have a better view of things than us fans.

It's easy for us to sit on a forum and shout our views out to everyone, whereas it usually transpires that the manager, no matter how they turn out, is usually right.

Indeed, and whether the style of Conte's football was your thing or not is irrelevant, his system demanded discipline and it was decided he wasn't up to it, his decision was relevant at the time and has been shown to have merit by 2 other coaches.

 

[gibbospurs]

Another player it seems that gets a good contract and just fucks it all away! He’s set for life off his spurs deal. Must be on 20k a week? 5 year deal? 5 million in the bank whatever and whoever he plays for from now on.

 

[mark87]

 

[mark87]

 

[Tarricko]

Genuine question, in this day and age, surely Prem clubs have psychiatrists / counsellors or whatever who focus on this side of a players game and attitude?

The days of just outcasting and ignoring players is over by now right? Not only is not considering a players mental wellbeing not a great look these days, but from a business sense, these players are also assets worth investing time in.

So in the case of Spence, would someone at the club have sat him down and discussed these things with him? Or is it just still case that some players are just ignored and abandoned until they get shipped out?

 

[ButchCassidy]

The last Spurs youth that Daniel Farke decided had an attitude problem went abroad, cleaned up his act a bit, and seems to be making a very nice career for himself. Here’s hoping Djed can do the same.

 

[rossdapep]

I just realised that Spence is turning 24 this year - I honestly thought he was about 19!

Red flags all over this one.

So we signed him when he was 22.

A 22 year-old who had still not matured and had only just delivered his first decent season despite his physical attributes and talent.

Yet we (Levy) thought it would be a great call

 

[mdharris]

Hopefully he (and his entourage) begins to see that this issue is him and his attitude. Multiple clubs, multiple managers all questioning it. If the penny drops, and he shapes up, he’ll be a good player.

 

[Tarricko]

Hopefully he (and his entourage)

I can't comment on Spence specifically because I don't know, but sometimes the entourage and clingers-on are the issue.

 

[Donki]

Genuine question, in this day and age, surely Prem clubs have psychiatrists / counsellors or whatever who focus on this side of a players game and attitude?

The days of just outcasting and ignoring players is over by now right? Not only is not considering a players mental wellbeing not a great look these days, but from a business sense, these players are also assets worth investing time in.

So in the case of Spence, would someone at the club have sat him down and discussed these things with him? Or is it just still case that some players are just ignored and abandoned until they get shipped out?

I think it’s a case of *you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink* Spence is an adult, it he doesn’t wanna knuckle down and get on it’s his own fault.

He is not a kid, he’s 23 ffs. He’s clearly let things get to his head, probably employed a shot agent, he will regret his life choices, but no more that the average Joe.

 

[TheHoddleWaddle]

On reflection, one of the problems I have in these circumstances is the word 'attitude'. It has too broad a meaning. If you listen to Djed speak and how highly people speak about him as a person, he doesn't come across as how I would describe someone as not having the right, or a good 'attitude'. It has too many negative connotations in this case.

If it's time keeping, application on the training pitch or whatever is proving to be the problem. Not putting in enough effort, perhaps. Then things can be worked on.

Naturally, he may find his way at Genoa. But at this level and at his age, you'd expect a level of maturity and understanding of what it needed to be the best. He's been in the game long enough to know and people have personal responsibility for their own lives. Others can only help so much.

It will be interesting to see where this ends up, but I wouldn't bet against a life of obscurity for the lad.

 

[Trix]

I think it’s a case of *you can lead a horse to water but you can’t make it drink* Spence is an adult, it he doesn’t wanna knuckle down and get on it’s his own fault.

He is not a kid, he’s 23 ffs. He’s clearly let things get to his head, probably employed a shot agent, he will regret his life choices, but no more that the average Joe.

He's with Base mate, the agent isn't the problem.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

DJed and Tanguy will be two who most definitely will be leaving us on frees at the end of their contracts. Two very expensive mistakes. Hopefully we will learn that attitude is everything when recruiting players in the future and it does seem like it's sunk in
The nail in the coffin is when your paying a players wages on loan just to go away

 

[rossdapep]

I recall after one game, his mum posting something about him on her social media.

Basically suggested he should be playing.

Now if the people behind him are behaving entitled and not driving it into him that HE needs to convince the coach and not anything else, then you have a player who is not going to get the message.

There had been stories that he was around people when he lived in London that were not leading him down a good path @fishhhandaricecake Is that right?

There is enough smoke there to suggest that all of this is not just rumours and that he does have atitude issues.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

Then things can be worked on.

With all due respect - when do you think he gets that message?

This is not the first time he has had issues.