Player Watch: Djed Spence

[Misfit]

Whiteman is injured so he can't be loaned, and it was a free hit.

The issue is whether Archer is trusted to be no.2 if he is, then its absurd to have Forster in the squad in place of someone actually making a difference

If he isn't, why is he at the club and you can't go for an U21 keeper. Not to mention why in your right mind do you think Forster is good enough. That in itself is insane.

Yep. The definition of taking up space just to take up space. It doesn't have to be this difficult now we have some promising CT players coming through, Shirley? Just plug in a decent veteran in the next window (Forster has never been decent imo).

 

[Chirpystheman]

BREAKING NEWS: Manager gives positive public messages about one of his players. More at 6!

He hasn't said anything apart from he is training well & fit in. He said maybe he can help us & hopefully bring up the floor. We literally have no insight right now as to why he is out but people are freaking out because of DJED SPENCE . Imagine Ange trots out a back 3 for the first EL game.

Hes played him in the premier league in 2 games. Hes the most natural replacement for Porro in the squad and hes not put him in squad.

 

[bubble07]

We have to remember that although Spence has worked his way back into Ange's thoughts and first team squad he is still unproven at PL level. He is no way guaranteed anything so although surprising to us that he would be given first team minutes in Europa league he is still working towards what Ange wants.

If he is unproven at PL makes even more sense to play him in the europa games against the poor sides and play porro in the PL

 

[GutBucket]

Best backup we have to handle our high-line (or maybe Dragusin).

 

[bubble07]

Yeah I don't disagree with that. I'm a bit of a nerd when it comes to keeping track of players' contracts and him and Whiteman have basically been signing 2-year deals since they left the academy. Then last season he spent a fair amount of time on the bench with Forster's injury, so when we suddenly gave him a 5-year deal in the summer I figured that must mean that Ange was comfortable with him as a back-up. But naming 4 keepers and 6 defenders in the Europa squad now makes me think that Ange isn't comfortable with him as a back-up, so I'm back to wondering why suddenly the long deal, if that makes sense!

Because it would have been on low terms whilst holding any transfer value

 

[EQP]

This won't be much of a concern if Ange is committed to rotating players between competitions.

Only thing is, outside of the other cup competitions, I cannot realistically see Ange starting Spence over Porro in the league unless Pedro is injured.

 

[Ghost Hardware]

The other annoying thing about this is the knock on effect. It ether means that Porro will get overplayed or, more likely, Gray plays at right back and I was really hoping that he would get some valuable mins at DM in the EL as it’s clear he is going to need game time in that role in order to adjust. I know our FB’s invert but it’s a very different role and assuming we view Gray as our long term DM then the sooner he adjust and learns the nuances the better.

 

[Scot-Spur]

Just because Djed has been improving doesn’t mean he has reached the level we require.

Just because we want another defender in the squad doesn’t mean we should leave out a model pro in Forster. Especially for someone who has only proven himself over a short period.

 

[Flobadob]

Putting all assumptions as to why he’s been left out aside, I’m disappointed because I think he would have been really effective in European games where his pace and flair would have stretched defences and also been effective in transition tracking back as he showed several times in pre-season. It’s also likely to be a decision that may cost the club millions in his value dropping due to a lack of playing time as let’s be real, with this decision it leaves his long term future here in a lot of doubt. His value is going to plummet if he doesn’t get many minutes here this season and for what? So we keep Fraser Forster happy? I couldn’t give a fuck to be frank. He’s not good enough to be our back up keeper and he’s worth a packet of monster munch on the transfer market. Does seem a really dumb decision being completely honest.

 

[thebenjamin]

At least it indicates that Ange is taking the EL seriously. ie Porro and Udogie are going to play. If we were in the CL they'd have to, so why not.

 

[Yid121]

At least it indicates that Ange is taking the EL seriously. ie Porro and Udogie are going to play. If we were in the CL they'd have to, so why not.

Clearly an expert in taking the positives of life, I'll run with that

 

[Misfit]

At least it indicates that Ange is taking the EL seriously. ie Porro and Udogie are going to play. If we were in the CL they'd have to, so why not.

I mean this sincerely, you always know just what to say.

 

[thebenjamin]

I mean this sincerely, you always know just what to say.

Haha much obliged kind sir

 

[bubble07]

Does the club have any top prospect keepers that will be HG CT?

 

[eddiebailey]

Does the club have any top prospect keepers that will be HG CT?

Luca Gunter.

 

[spurs9]

Strange decision. But I guess we can't leave Werner out with the dubious injury records we have in attack. Can we change it if Porro god forbid suffers an injury? We need Gray to play in the midfield, IMO. I really think Ange needs to drop Bissouma & sit Gray between the CB's. Would really solve a ton of our issues.

I don't think out injury record is any less dubious in defence.

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

The other annoying thing about this is the knock on effect. It ether means that Porro will get overplayed or, more likely, Gray plays at right back and I was really hoping that he would get some valuable mins at DM in the EL as it’s clear he is going to need game time in that role in order to adjust. I know our FB’s invert but it’s a very different role and assuming we view Gray as our long term DM then the sooner he adjust and learns the nuances the better.

Yeah I agree with this. Europa league would be the perfect competition to give Gray more DM experience. Maybe Ange might rest Porro in the league a bit more which will give Spence minutes in the league. Although that still seems unlikely.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

Its that last part that I think has people questioning this decision - I don't think Forster - at his age - is the difference between winning and losing - if the alternative if Austin.

But, only bringing 6 defenders to the games - when its likely that a couple will be carrying knocks of some sort at any given time - seems irresponsible.

But, without knowing what has gone on in the background - its hard to sit here and say Ange got it wrong - just not enough information.

Got the under 21s. People are always calling for chances for the youngsters. Here it is.
Do we know that Austin is any good. If he was Ange would have him in the bench. Never played a competitive game for us, 25yrs old. Ridiculous, I don’t want to see him away to Galatasaray If Vic is injured.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

Shouldve made the squad. Anyone dressing it up as anything other than a poor decision is clutching at straws.

Perhaps there are reasons we're unaware of, but as it stands currently it's flat out stupidity.

What has Spence done exactly . Looked good against Hearts. I think we’ll survive

 

[Tucker]

Huge overreaction to this news going on. Spence had a good preseason, but he’s never shown anything beyond that. In fact I bet half of the people belly aching about this had him in there lists of people the club needed to move on at all costs before he played well against a few Korean and Japanese teams in the summer.

Given the pressures on squad places due to lack of club trained options, it’s understandable that we’ve picked an experienced goalie, and Gray who is capable of covering in several positions.

Spence can only really play right back for us, he was pretty poor when he played on the left against Bayern so I’d worry about him playing there.

It’s tough luck for him, but it’s not the travesty that the reaction from some on here are making it out to be.