Player Watch: Djed Spence

[purplemonkey]

Ange has shown a willingness to rotate in other positions and is obviously mindful of burnout judging by his comments on Solanke and Deki. The only conclusion you can draw from him running Porro and Udogie into the ground is that he doesn’t feel like he’s able to rest them at this level.

Many are casting aspersions on Spence’s character but I doubt that Ange isn’t selecting him based on principle - Bentancur and Bissouma have let themselves and the manager down in terms of discipline and off-field transgressions yet he continues to select them because they’re trusted on the pitch. Hojbjerg very clearly wasn’t part of his plans, yet he still made a contribution in almost every game last season because he could be trusted on the pitch. I’m pretty certain that if Spence was capable in his eyes, he’d use him.

Let’s also be clear, despite the criticism he gets, Porro is nigh on irreplaceable in terms of his profile and what he offers to the team. Judged by his attacking output he has outperformed every other defender in the league since his debut, including TAA. Fair to say that he’s probably been underperforming by his usual standards and yet some of his numbers this season are still incredible:

 

[Freddie]

Ange has shown a willingness to rotate in other positions and is obviously mindful of burnout judging by his comments on Solanke and Deki. The only conclusion you can draw from him running Porro and Udogie into the ground is that he doesn’t feel like he’s able to rest them at this level.

Many are casting aspersions on Spence’s character but I doubt that Ange isn’t selecting him based on principle - Bentancur and Bissouma have let themselves and the manager down in terms of discipline and off-field transgressions yet he continues to select them because they’re trusted on the pitch. Hojbjerg very clearly wasn’t part of his plans, yet he still made a contribution in almost every game last season because he could be trusted on the pitch. I’m pretty certain that if Spence was capable in his eyes, he’d use him.

Let’s also be clear, despite the criticism he gets, Porro is nigh on irreplaceable in terms of his profile and what he offers to the team. Judged by his attacking output he has outperformed every other defender in the league since his debut, including TAA. Fair to say that he’s probably been underperforming by his usual standards and yet some of his numbers this season are still incredible:

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I'm sorry but I just don't buy it. Porro is a very good player but has a lot of deficiencies. When he's visibly knackered and running on one leg after 75 minutes, to tell me that Ange still thinks Spence can't be trusted to come on is a wild take. He's a brilliant player. Maybe he's not good enough for us long term, but he's definitely good enough to be getting some minutes right now.

 

[mil1lion]

I thought he was being trained as an infield left back? He got injured so that would have delayed the process. Gray is usually going to cover Porro but that may have changed with Bentancur suspended in the league. I just don't think Ange is looking to lose both Porro and Udogie at the same time so he's trying to rotate 1 in and 1 out with Gray covering each time because he's looking better than Spence at full back. So Udogie rested against Roma and played the full game against Fulham. I expect Porro might rest against Rangers with Gray right back and Udogie start.

 

[DiVaio]

Ange could literally play him out wide on the right instead of Johnson. At least he might track back and help. Just another situation of ange being too stubborn imo.

Or Spence is completely mediocre player who hasn't shown anything to suggest that he's PL level here at Spurs, or in loan for Rennes, Leeds and Genoa

 

[Mr Pink]

Or Spence is completely mediocre player who hasn't shown anything to suggest that he's PL level here at Spurs, or in loan for Rennes, Leeds and Genoa

So why offer him a new deal then?

 

[DiVaio]

So why offer him a new deal then?

He got a new deal after United game which was his 10th game for us, maybe he had automatic extension after playing that for some reason

 

[Mr Pink]

He got a new deal after United game which was his 10th game for us, maybe he had automatic extension after playing that for some reason

Maybe, just all seems a bit strange

 

[Ron Burgundy]

He got a new deal after United game which was his 10th game for us, maybe he had automatic extension after playing that for some reason

I can't think that's right - it's surely just a function of commitment and performance (even if only marginally better) in training

 

[fingersinc]

He got a new deal after United game which was his 10th game for us, maybe he had automatic extension after playing that for some reason

That’s probably your answer. A while back this was quite usual with young players. Didn’t Kane sign about three contracts in the space of his first 18 months in the team or am I imagining this?

 

[homer hotspur]

Or Spence is completely mediocre player who hasn't shown anything to suggest that he's PL level here at Spurs, or in loan for Rennes, Leeds and Genoa

To be fair, Genoa did make an offer to buy him which we, rightly, turned down.

 

[Dunc2610]

He signed a new contract which could've been based off how many games he'd played or perhaps based on 'us' wanting to retain value in the asset rather than letting the contract run down and his value drop (more than it has). Re him not playing, I could train well, but ultimately, I'm shit so I'd never get picked....see the parallels?

 

[muppetman]

Yes, but knowing Ange, the quickest way to get Spence into the team is to say nothing about it.

Ange will go to any lengths to prove he is not listening to fans/commentators when he picks the team.

Can't say I've particularly noticed this. I think he has a very firm idea of what he wants to do but I can't see any evidence of him going out of his way to spite the fans/commentators/SC massive.

What makes you think/say this?

 

[muppetman]

To be fair, Genoa did make an offer to buy him which we, rightly, turned down.

£3.75 and a packet of chewing gum or similar wasn't it?

 

[keithtighe93]

If he doesn't play or come on tonight, I think we can assume something has happened or his attitude has dropped off.

It makes no sense otherwise.

Let's see.

I hope all is good and he starts to contribute

 

[spurs9]

Exactly this, Spence most likely got a new contract so we could protect a bit of value on him.

Protect the value on an asset we couldn't sell for 8.5m in the summer, makes on sense.

 

[Westmorlandspur]

We can change our Europa squad at end of January by up to 3 players. Will be interesting to see if Djed gets in if Richy and Odobert are still out . Leave one out and stick him in. At least then both full backs can be rested in Europa.

 

[TPdYID]

Protect the value on an asset we couldn't sell for 8.5m in the summer, makes on sense.

Makes perfect sense.

Keeping whatever value there is, as high as possible, by ensuring his contract doesn’t ‘run down’.

An out of form player on a 3 year deal is going to fetch more money than an out form player with 12 months left to the selling club. Same reason you’ll find why Maguire will get a contract extension at Utd.

 

[okc1992]

Makes perfect sense.

Keeping whatever value there is, as high as possible, by ensuring his contract doesn’t ‘run down’.

An out of form player on a 3 year deal is going to fetch more money than an out form player with 12 months left to the selling club. Same reason you’ll find why Maguire will get a contract extension at Utd.

I thought the same but what value is there protect when he can't get any minutes.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

If he doesn't play or come on tonight, I think we can assume something has happened or his attitude has dropped off.

It makes no sense otherwise.

Let's see.

I hope all is good and he starts to contribute

agree mate.

Look at house much Chelsea rotated yesterday ahead of their game with us, yes it was away vs Southampton but still rotation is needed in this busy period and Porro has had zero rest, Spence did well in his appearances this season, he saved us from going out of the Carabao cup, if he’s not played tonight and is fit then it’s clearly something else going on, be it attitude issues etc.

 

[Scot-Spur]

Protect the value on an asset we couldn't sell for 8.5m in the summer, makes on sense.

Couldn’t sell Gil for windows and he got a new contract.