Player Watch: Djed Spence

[olithfc]

What I would add is that the reason I hold some hope is more because of his showings for Genoa rather then anything he did last night. Once he had fully adapted he was much more comfortable putting in the hard yards especially in regards to tracking back. Yes he still needed work but his performances were a lot more rounded and he actually seemed to care. I don't really remember much shrugging and trotting back. Obviously one can't read too much into that and maybe he was just putting in effort as he was in the shop window but at least there were positive signs. You are completely spot on that in the grand scheme of things playing well against Hearts means very little but I do also think the fact he traveled at all and was given one half of football is encouraging.

I am just as skeptical as you are re his mentality and work ethic. Considering how unceremoniously he was shipped off when Ange first arrived I would imagine opinion of him going into this preseason must have been incredibly low. I also agree that there is a long long way to go but from last night he maybe just got a toe in the door, it will be down to him to earn himself entry. From an ability point of view and I think he has the tools necessary but as we all know, having ability is only one part of a significantly larger puzzle. Even if it's unlikely (I wouldn't be surprised at all if he ended up boing sold in the next two weeks) I do personally really hope he has grown up over the last year and is now fully prepared to apply himself properly.

But adding to this, there doesn't appear to be rave reviews either. The accounts of him at Genoa were solid when playing but not exactly sparkling like Udogie at Udinese the season before.

 

[Albertbarich]

Never doubted his talent. I just hope he has realised whatever it was holding him back and has sorted it

The fact he got minutes is a good sign I think.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

But adding to this, there doesn't appear to be rave reviews either. The accounts of him at Genoa were solid when playing but not exactly sparkling like Udogie at Udinese the season before.

You need to bare in mind he was only there for half a season and not playing in the most attacking set up. It was only really the second part of his loan were he started to fully adapt to the league and system. I'm not saying he was outstanding but having watched a lot of Genoa, he certainly did enough to make me think he is worth a second look (if his attitude has improved) and from an ability point of view he seems to have the skill set to fit the inverted FB role in an attacking set up. There were most certainly glimpses of how good he could be in the right system it just depends if he is ready and willing to put in the hard work needed to improve his game and match Ange's ambition.

 

[Fergus]

Thanks for posting this.

The one thing that stood out on this vid, was just how many Seagulls there were flying in front of the cameras.
Fucking annoying...

Hearts need to appoint a club falconer, ideally one of those mad Kazakhs that hunts with Golden Eagles.

 

[Coolpudge]

Never doubted his talent. I just hope he has realised whatever it was holding him back and has sorted it

The fact he got minutes is a good sign I think.

Especially when you consider Ange played Donley and Robson at left back instead of Reguillon. If it was just about improving player fitness for the upcoming season, regardless of how likely they are to still be here next season I would have expected Reguillon and Gil to get minutes but they didn’t.

 

[rambu]

Or, Gil and Reguillon were very close to being sold, so Ange didn't play them; while Spence could really use the game to showcase himself as only few offers on the table, if any. Of course, I hope Spence can work his way back into the rotation, but Ange was really reserved (rightly so), with a borderline hint of 'don't get your hopes up' sort of talk after the game.

 

[bombarda]

I never know if this is much of a sign at all, as I'm sure the social media team don't have inside knowledge of transfer plans, but he is all over social content at the moment. Very much looking part of the squad.

 

[philll]

Impressive again today, a lot of great defensive work.

 

[Aleks]

want him to stay

 

[UncleBuck]

Let’s hope the season in Italy has put the proverbial rocket up his arse, be fantastic if it has

 

[Misfit]

Didn't harm his chances again. Wait and see is all he and everyone else can do.

 

[ButchCassidy]

I think if he’s on the plane Monday, that implies he at least has a shot to earn a place in the team. If that bridge was burnt I don’t think Ange drags him along to Asia.

 

[Misfit]

I think if he’s on the plane Monday, that implies he at least has a shot to earn a place in the team. If that bridge was burnt I don’t think Ange drags him along to Asia.

Certainly gives him more opportunities to show his new leaf to Ange etc al.

Would be an unexpected bonus. He's made for the way our FBs play now. Perfect cover.

 

[jolsnogross]

I know nothing about his attitude, but he has all the attributes to make it as a top full back. I think it's silly that he's had such limited opportunity at Spurs so far.

Sometimes the attitude stuff spreads around on here and elsewhere online and it's based on very, very little. Ndombele had a bad attitude and everyone could see how that played out in his performances. But based on the limited game time we've seen from Spence at Spurs, I'd be keen to see plenty more.

 

[HildoSpur]

Two decent performances in pre-season mean very little in the grand scheme of things. This guy is 24 next month - not a kid - and let's be brutally honest although he might be good going forward there are still pretty huge question marks over his defensive abilities and his attitude. If he was 18/19 I'd understand the clamer for him to have a place in the squad but I'll need a lot more convincing before I think he might actually succeed as a Spurs player.

 

[theShiznit]

Did himself no harm today.
In Ange 's system that pace and desire to get back which he showed a couple of times today will be priceless.
Much as I love Porro I don't see him getting back to that one Djed chased down and blocked alongside Emerson.

 

[Finchyid]

Did himself no harm today.
In Ange 's system that pace and desire to get back which he showed a couple of times today will be priceless.
Much as I love Porro I don't see him getting back to that one Djed chased down and blocked alongside Emerson.

agree, I would keep him, sell royal. We then have porro, spence and gray

 

[Johno1470]

Past two halves of football he has played has highlighted that he offers far more than Emerson ever has in the inverted full back role.

The talent and ability is there, no doubt. Hopefully the rumoured attitude issues have been sorted.

Given Gray’s ability to cover at RB, selling Emerson and giving Spence a crack over the next 6 months makes sense.

Get him on the plane!

 

[JamieSpursCommunityUser]

I know nothing about his attitude, but he has all the attributes to make it as a top full back. I think it's silly that he's had such limited opportunity at Spurs so far.

Sometimes the attitude stuff spreads around on here and elsewhere online and it's based on very, very little. Ndombele had a bad attitude and everyone could see how that played out in his performances. But based on the limited game time we've seen from Spence at Spurs, I'd be keen to see plenty more.

The reputation around his attitude in the past seems well earned.

It's based on the actions of Conte and Ange sending him out on loan, and the words and actions of Farke in terminating that loan. As well as Warnock.

That's four managers who have had issues with him.

Rennes didn't take him as his defensive exertions were non exsistent.

That said it would be excellent if the penny has dropped and he can turn it around.

As others have said, he has all the technical and physical attributes to be a top full back for our system.

On the left too, playing inverted carrying the ball into midfield, drawing challenges, and breaking defensive lines to create space.

With Gray here too all we'd need is a technical versatile LCB/LB and we'd be sorted at the back.

 

[Third Kit '87]

This lad is too good to let go for no good reason. Surely he can be worked with re: attitude. He is a class act