Player Watch: Djed Spence

[eddiebailey]

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.

Conte could be a dick, he didn’t trust young players and may not have been happy having a player foisted on him. There’s no real evidence that Ange had a problem with him. Someone had to go, Spence was injured and Porro and Emerson were the senior men. At Rennes he was brought in as injury cover and opportunities dried up when he was no longer needed. Genoa wanted to keep him.

The early termination of his loan at Leeds did ring alarm bells as did Franke’s comments. But there’s no suggestion that he’s a bad lad. If there’s a problem, it’s lack of laser focus on his career. But that can change, as per Troy Parrott’s road to Damascus moment at M K Dons.

 

[danielneeds]

I suspect most of Ange’s thinking will be based on stuff we’ll never see. How he conducts himself every day, how he trains, how he interacts with the rest of the squad.

Let’s not forget a huge part of the fanbase thought Porro couldn’t defend or be a FB in a back four, but he worked and worked on it.

There’s no doubting Spence’s talent, but it’s what’s going on in his head that will determine his future.

 

[Coolpudge]

I suspect most of Ange’s thinking will be based on stuff we’ll never see. How he conducts himself every day, how he trains, how he interacts with the rest of the squad.

Let’s not forget a huge part of the fanbase thought Porro couldn’t defend or be a FB in a back four, but he worked and worked on it.

There’s no doubting Spence’s talent, but it’s what’s going on in his head that will determine his future.

I agree but looking at his performances this week I’m encouraged. Especially one incident where QPR broke and Paul Smith had about an 8 yard head start on him but he ran back and closed him down and the ball went out for a corner. That sort of effort definitely stands out to me and I’m sure if he carries on like that in training Ange will reward him.

Also looking at some of the videos the club put on on social media have had him in a lot of them and he seems to be interacting with the rest of the players well. Especially Archie Gray in some of the earlier ones. They obviously know each other from Leeds but it looked like he was helping him out.

 

[muppetman]

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.

My understanding about his attitude problems was not that he was difficult, but just a bit too casual and laid back.

If the penny has finally dropped that he needs to up the intensity at both ends of the pitch then I think he may be ok.

All his managers have said he’s a lovely lad afaik, just that he doesn’t have that fire to succeed.

 

[BorjeSpurs]

Everything is screaming DJed redemption arch 2024 and I'm here for it.

 

[Aleks]

Think the club is a better environment for him now as well

 

[WiganSpur]

I agree but looking at his performances this week I’m encouraged. Especially one incident where QPR broke and Paul Smith had about an 8 yard head start on him but he ran back and closed him down and the ball went out for a corner. That sort of effort definitely stands out to me and I’m sure if he carries on like that in training Ange will reward him.

Also looking at some of the videos the club put on on social media have had him in a lot of them and he seems to be interacting with the rest of the players well. Especially Archie Gray in some of the earlier ones. They obviously know each other from Leeds but it looked like he was helping him out.

The only thing letting Spence down had been the desire and work rate. From what i've seen of him (admittedly a small sample size), he's got absolutely everything else to his game. He's fast, strong, tall, technically good, half decent defender, and not brain dead. The question will be whether he can maintain his hunger. Ange should challenge him to take the starting berth from Porro by the end of the season.

 

[DannyNZ]

Think the club is a better environment for him now as well

Giving him a crack is less of a risk with Gray able to cover the RB role. All depends on whether Ange thinks he’s changed and whether the change is not temporary.

 

[purplemonkey]

The only thing letting Spence down had been the desire and work rate. From what i've seen of him (admittedly a small sample size), he's got absolutely everything else to his game. He's fast, strong, tall, technically good, half decent defender, and not brain dead. The question will be whether he can maintain his hunger. Ange should challenge him to take the starting berth from Porro by the end of the season.

FB is probably one of the most demanding roles in this team tactically, technically, creatively and physically. It’s critical to the success of the system. Can he be trusted with that degree of responsibility, at the highest level and over a sustained period of time? He’s shown signs that he has upped his desire, work rate and application in pre-season but discipline and decision making are much harder to nail. Is he coachable? Can he remain focused, competitive, grounded and consistent? Is he self-motivated or does he need an arm around the shoulder to get the best out of him? He undoubtedly has the talent but there are still a hell of a lot of question marks IMO.

 

[Montalbano]

Everything is screaming DJed redemption arch 2024 and I'm here for it.

Racking up a relationship with Destiny off the pitch should be great for his attitude and integration into the team.

I think Ange will give him a shot and he’ll be a huge asset for us. Now we just need a proper dynamic LB to support Destiny, and not this LB / CB hybrid nonsense

 

[GioW]

Racking up a relationship with Destiny off the pitch should be great for his attitude and integration into the team.

I think Ange will give him a shot and he’ll be a huge asset for us. Now we just need a proper dynamic LB to support Destiny, and not this LB / CB hybrid nonsense

Yep - I hope we can bring Locko in , and then all of a sudden that's another area of the pitch ticked off.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

 

[npearl4spurs]

He's made a great start but needs to keep showing the intangibles and a good football IQ. Watching him I still feel he is trying to get by on talent and his natural abilities too much. He needs to continue to work on his positioning and his 1v1. But in terms of the raw ability he's got what we need. Let's hope his loans, especially to Italy, have continued to develop his all-around game especially defensively.

We're here now, and he could not have really hoped for a better start to pre-season. I'm hoping he comes through and proves it, but I confess I still have my reservations. I'd more quickly slot Gray in there personally and already have more trust and ease with it.

 

[Hercules]

He has impressed beyond…no room for Emerson, and he will be gone

 

[HildoSpur]

No doubt there is a player in there and if he can turn it around then great.

 

[$hoguN]

That makes zero sense. Royal is absolutely useless in our system and Spence is an asset. You fuck Royal off and keep Spence all day

 

[HildoSpur]

That makes zero sense. Royal is absolutely useless in our system and Spence is an asset. You fuck Royal off and keep Spence all day

Based on what? Two decent friendly performances?

 

[Ghost Hardware]

He has impressed beyond…no room for Emerson, and he will be gone

If he has sorted his head out that is really fantastic news. Having a fast, skilful, young HG right back with plenty of room to grow is excellent for squad balance. Obv needs to improve parts of his game especially on the defensive side but if he has the drive and focus to do so I reckon he could be an excellent option for us.

 

[Hercules]

Don’t know what P.O’Keefe is on about. I’m hearing they want Emerson gone. I’m hearing they want to work with Spence. He is very close to a few, especially Udogie. And it is felt Italy was the making of him. If you want to learn to be a defender-go to Italy.

 

[ukdy]

Based on what? Two decent friendly performances?

Conversations, attitude, work ethic, training matches, training, 2 matches... that's enough to show he's taking things seriously.

It's enough to give an idea of his trajectory