Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[chrissivad]

With Bentacur also able to step up and press (even Bissouma did at times) along with Hojbjerg, our pressing was a lot more effective yesterday.

 

[Flobadob]

With Bentacur also able to step up and press (even Bissouma did at times) along with Hojbjerg, our pressing was a lot more effective yesterday.

Yep. It works as a 3 and should be used more often. It definitely played into one of Hojbjerg’s strengths in pressing high, he comes unstuck a bit deeper in midfield with third man runs as he’s not mobile enough but he had a solid game and pressed very well, people are just going slightly overboard because it feels like forever since we’ve played on the front foot like that and dominated the midfield. It was good to see and I’d be really pleased to see that 3 with Skipp in there too at times in the tough away games and against the big sides as our forwards really aren’t making the ball stick and we saw yesterday how that approach lead to several turnovers and big chances on the counter in much the same way as it does with a 3 up front, with the added security in midfield. If we had better wingbacks the 3 in midfield would 100% be the way to go forward for us as Kulusevski can play in their in the KDB role to great effect too. Also gets the best out of Richarlison as a striker too, he’s 100% a No.9 in my opinion

 

[mil1lion]

When he's able to press out he's a quality player who makes us dangerous in attack. The assist to the assister is a pretty big part of his game. Lovely little lobbed ball for Son yesterday for example. His final ball can let him down so just needs quality forwards to lay it off too. I think the times he can frustrate are when he's approaching the box and has to have the end product himself. To be fair he has scored twice this season though. We probably score more yesterday if we had Kulusevski and Perisic on either side. The issue is between our wing backs yesterday, Hojbjerg, Bissouma and Bentancur there's not many goals between them. That's why I prefer 343 but we need Kulusevski back for it to be effective.

 

[Typical Spurs]

The problem in todays era of stats, data and games like Fifa, is that some people expect midfield players to be spraying Hollywood passes left right and centre, beating men with skill, be getting lots of assists etc.

Hojbjerg is our Roy Keane. Roy Keane, by his own admission was limited in lots of areas, but could get up and down, tackle and get the odd goal or assist.

But most of all Keane was a leader. He led by his effort, his commitment and his will to do his best for the team.

Hojbjerg does exactly that for us and unfortunately it goes completely unnoticed by some.

 

[spursfan77]

I thought he was Man of the Match tonight.

I think him or Dier have been our player of the season so far.

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

The problem in todays era of stats, data and games like Fifa, is that some people expect midfield players to be spraying Hollywood passes left right and centre, beating men with skill, be getting lots of assists etc.

Hojbjerg is our Roy Keane. Roy Keane, by his own admission was limited in lots of areas, but could get up and down, tackle and get the odd goal or assist.

But most of all Keane was a leader. He led by his effort, his commitment and his will to do his best for the team.

Hojbjerg does exactly that for us and unfortunately it goes completely unnoticed by some.

I think Kante at his best could be compared to Keane although still think Keane was better as he had a bit more about him but honestly Hojbjerg’s nowhere near either of them as far as I’m concerned. Those guys could eat up the ground effortlessly and at pace. Their passing was simple but effective as they could get away from people to create the angles.

If anything I think the stats look more favourable on Hojbjerg than his effectiveness on the pitch. I think he’s decent at his best but that’s it

 

[Guntz]

He’s the heartbeat of our team.

Outstanding again yesterday.

 

[dannyo]

I think him or Dier have been our player of the season so far.

Bentancur for me but I think Dier and Hojbjerg have both been really good so far

 

[Flobadob]

He’s a similar style of player to Keane but that’s where the comparisons should end. Keane had superior athleticism, touch, passing, agility, plus everything Hojbjerg has. The bias towards our players is truly mental sometimes. How many times do we need to see Hojbjerg outclassed by the top midfielders for some to realise he isn’t absolutely top drawer like some proclaim, he just isn’t. Is he good? Yes. Does he have strength and leadership and full commitment? Absolutely. But he’s still not getting in any top 6 midfield other than ours and United’s and give your head a wobble for a second and realise the ones he wouldn’t get into are the ones we are aiming to usurp to get into the CL and win trophies, how that’s not a problem to some I don’t know

 

[Neon_Knight_]

The problem in todays era of stats, data and games like Fifa, is that some people expect midfield players to be spraying Hollywood passes left right and centre, beating men with skill, be getting lots of assists etc.

Hojbjerg is our Roy Keane. Roy Keane, by his own admission was limited in lots of areas, but could get up and down, tackle and get the odd goal or assist.

But most of all Keane was a leader. He led by his effort, his commitment and his will to do his best for the team.

Hojbjerg does exactly that for us and unfortunately it goes completely unnoticed by some.

Carrick only got 7 goals & assists in a Spurs shirt (in two seasons), while Hojbjerg has already got 4 this season and overall has 18 in two and a bit seasons. ?‍

 

[McFlash]

Carrick only got 7 goals & assists in a Spurs shirt (in two seasons), while Hojbjerg has already got 4 this season and overall has 18 in two and a bit seasons. ?‍

Yep, plenty of people under-appreciated Carrick too...until he left, then they realised what he had brought to the team.

 

[Flobadob]

Carrick only got 7 goals & assists in a Spurs shirt (in two seasons), while Hojbjerg has already got 4 this season and overall has 18 in two and a bit seasons. ?‍

Bentancur is in Carrick’s class, Hojbjerg isn’t. Pretty sure Bentancur’s stats for goals and assists are unimpressive but you really don’t need them to see he’s pure quality

 

[tobi]

PEH and Bentancur need a rest, at least one game each.

 

[Gilzean at the near post]

Hojbjerg is a fine defensive player but I do feel he is limited when put under pressure. A couple of times against Brighton he was dispossessed when closed down and went to ground trying to buy a foul. When play went on he eventually got up and tried to get back and join our defensive play again. I would prefer a player alongside Bentancur who offered a little more going forwarrd

 

[mil1lion]

It's crazy that people even contemplated selling him in the summer. He's clearly one of the first on the team sheet and rarely misses a game. I'm sure Ventrone would have loved working with him, the fitness and the mental character is top class.

 

[spids]

The 3 CMs worked brilliantly until we scored and then we were too passive. We could have really dominated Brighton if we had wanted to.

 

[eddiev14]

I thought he was excellent yesterday. So much energy. 3CMs definitely bring the best out of all of them

 

[mil1lion]

The 3 CMs worked brilliantly until we scored and then we were too passive. We could have really dominated Brighton if we had wanted to.

It seems like more strategic in how we manage games given the busy schedule. We got the lead and then managed our energy levels.

 

[EQP]

With Bentacur also able to step up and press (even Bissouma did at times) along with Hojbjerg, our pressing was a lot more effective yesterday.

It was slightly disjointed at times (our press) and will only become more effective once all three CM's become more comfortable and familiar with the 352.

 

[ralphs bald spot]

I like him but yesterday I thought he was a bit short of his best - the 3 in midfield at times especially on the ball asks him to do things that he isn't always the best at - but you can't knock his enthusiasm or commitment