Player Watch: Pierre-Emile Højbjerg

[mil1lion]

He had one of his poorer games against Leeds but he's started most games and looks shattered so not surprised
His form has been excellent this season and he alongside Bentancur are an excellent pairing

 

[delawarespur]

I agree he has a some good qualities and does give his best.

If you watch the highlights of the games against Liverpool and Leeds you can see him trying to nip infront of the opposition and getting turned. This then leads to goals conceded.

This is ok in a three man midfield but when it’s a two and the other midfielder isn’t a defensive one then it’s killer.

Every single player gets beaten in duels. So Aaronson beats him to the ball for their first goal. Fair play. Countless other times he wins the ball in this fashion. And for sure he gets beaten other times too. The point is every player loses battles, and I don’t particularly think Pierre does so at a higher rate than others. Also such a niche aspect of the game to pick holes in when his role in the team is to engage in duels off the ball and be a more combative member of the team, as is the job of a midfielder generally in every team in the world. For me I see his biggest weaknesses as his short-distance burst and his agility. But anyway he possesses so much else that your ordinary midfielder doesn’t, which I’ve already said in my first post and overwhelmingly negates his flaws.

 

[NEVILLEB]

Every single player gets beaten in duels. So Aaronson beats him to the ball for their first goal. Fair play. Countless other times he wins the ball in this fashion. And for sure he gets beaten other times too. The point is every player loses battles, and I don’t particularly think Pierre does so at a higher rate than others. Also such a niche aspect of the game to pick holes in when his role in the team is to engage in duels off the ball and be a more combative member of the team, as is the job of a midfielder generally in every team in the world. For me I see his biggest weaknesses as his short-distance burst and his agility. But anyway he possesses so much else that your ordinary midfielder doesn’t, which I’ve already said in my first post and overwhelmingly negates his flaws.

I’d argue it’s a vital aspect of playing in a two man midfield. Trying to intercept infront of your opposing player is a risky move and if you get it wrong then you can easily lead to conceding as shown in both opening goals against Liverpool and Leeds.

 

[tubbygold]

I’d argue it’s a vital aspect of playing in a two man midfield. Trying to intercept infront of your opposing player is a risky move and if you get it wrong then you can easily lead to conceding as shown in both opening goals against Liverpool and Leeds.

Isn't that also the point of having three ar the back though? That someone's always supposed to be ready to step up and assist?

 

[delawarespur]

I’d argue it’s a vital aspect of playing in a two man midfield. Trying to intercept infront of your opposing player is a risky move and if you get it wrong then you can easily lead to conceding as shown in both opening goals against Liverpool and Leeds.

Slash’s first honestly doesn’t even come in the same phase of play as Pierre losing a duel. And we had 3 in midfield anyway if we wanna go back to your original point. The other two midfielders should be there to cover a la your original point. But that’s just not how football works most of the time. Cause and effect is so subjective it’s almost pointless debating it. He loses duels. So does every single player. He doesn’t do it at a significantly higher rate than most other players in his position. He doesn’t act with significantly more risk than other players in his position. His tendencies on the pitch don’t put the team in danger anymore than other players in his position. And he’s been elite as part of a two man midfield for almost a year now and formed a fantastic partnership/understanding with Bentancur that makes both individuals and the duo together irreplaceable.

 

[kendoddsdadsdogsdead]

Slash’s first honestly doesn’t even come in the same phase of play as Pierre losing a duel. And we had 3 in midfield anyway if we wanna go back to your original point. The other two midfielders should be there to cover a la your original point. But that’s just not how football works most of the time. Cause and effect is so subjective it’s almost pointless debating it. He loses duels. So does every single player. He doesn’t do it at a significantly higher rate than most other players in his position. He doesn’t act with significantly more risk than other players in his position. His tendencies on the pitch don’t put the team in danger anymore than other players in his position. And he’s been elite as part of a two man midfield for almost a year now and formed a fantastic partnership/understanding with Bentancur that makes both individuals and the duo together irreplaceable.

He’s not an elite midfielder, not that close imo. Not so much 50/50s where he can win his fair share but do you not think he passes his player on far to frequently when the the ball gets played goal side of him? His turning speed agility and pace at times are a problem for this side. As a cm or a good cm in the premier league, you need to be able to play on the turn, have good footwork, carry the ball, draw players out or off the ball you need to have the ability to eat up the ground at pace and force people backwards and to play negatively, I think he falls short on both to be classed as elite and to me he’s definitely replaceable If we’re really looking to improve. I do appreciate that he has his fans on here and Conte seems to like him though.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

Love the guy as a person and as a personality and squad member and leader and he is a solid 6-7/10 player every week but do I get the same sense of wow what a player he is compared to when I see Bentancur play or when we used to see the likes of Modric, Dembele, Wanyama, Carrick etc? Nope for me he is another that ultimately needs upgrading on in terms of a starting first XI player but really I think eventually the best 2 will be Bissouma and Bentancur but I can see why PEH & Bentancur have been picked as 1st choice most of this season because of their partnership last season and for the most part being a reliable duo.

 

[dtxspurs]

I think his inability to dribble really hurts us playing out from the back. There was a time in the Leeds game I saw his teammates get visibly frustrated when he played a ball straight back to defense instead of turning with the ball.

I rate PEH, but I think he'd be much better off in a midfield three and is better playing what's in front of him than knowing what's behind him and switching play.

 

[PhC]

It’s never gonna happen, Pierre. Sorry. Your lack of appeal to the average fan in terms of elegant skill flashing will always overshadow your qualities.

If you still cannot see that this guy is a top PL-midfielder, well… Wonder if there’s a negative correlation to thinking that Truss and Boris are good politicians ?

 

[mdharris]

He’s been excellent all season.

 

[NEVILLEB]

Isn't that also the point of having three ar the back though? That someone's always supposed to be ready to step up and assist?

In our last 6 premier league games we’ve conceded.

3 goals to Leeds

2 to Forest

2 to Liverpool

2 to Bournemouth

2 to Newcastle

2 to Man Utd

I understand we can blame the defence but games are won in midfield and this record indicates that opposing teams are able to get at our defence too easily.

 

[Cornpattbuck]

Yay, yet another "shit on the Tottenham player" thread gathers pace days after an exciting win... ?

 

[funkycoldmedina]

Yay, yet another "shit on the Tottenham player" thread gathers pace days after an exciting win... ?

Is it not possible to discuss strengths and weaknesses of a player on a forum? Why does everything have to be so binary on the internet, it's just a bloody debate.

 

[Hakkz]

In our last 6 premier league games we’ve conceded.

3 goals to Leeds

2 to Forest

2 to Liverpool

2 to Bournemouth

2 to Newcastle

2 to Man Utd

I understand we can blame the defence but games are won in midfield and this record indicates that opposing teams are able to get at our defence too easily.

Because our 2 very good midfielders are being run into the ground.

 

[Cornpattbuck]

Is it not possible to discuss strengths and weaknesses of a player on a forum? Why does everything have to be so binary on the internet, it's just a bloody debate.

Of course it is, that's why I've been on SC for so long!

Just seems to be a hardcore bunch who spend most of their time mentioning players' weaknesses almost daily.

Must miss their posts about our players' strengths! ??

 

[Flobadob]

The Jermaine Defoe of midfielders. Looks very good 70-80% of the time but when he’s faced with playing the top players his limitations are clear as day. He goes to shit when teams are in our face and play at a high tempo, both on and off the ball. He’s often unable to play out under pressure because he has no burst of pace or agility to make space for himself and his touch often being poor under pressure only exasperates this. Seen him chase shadows against the top sides and sides that bring the game to us far too often for talk of him being elite to seem anything other than ridiculous. He’s a 7 out of 10 player at this level, which is good, but elite? Absolutely not a chance

 

[ultimateloner]

Love the guy as a person and as a personality and squad member and leader and he is a solid 6-7/10 player every week but do I get the same sense of wow what a player he is compared to when I see Bentancur play or when we used to see the likes of Modric, Dembele, Wanyama, Carrick etc? Nope for me he is another that ultimately needs upgrading on in terms of a starting first XI player but really I think eventually the best 2 will be Bissouma and Bentancur but I can see why PEH & Bentancur have been picked as 1st choice most of this season because of their partnership last season and for the most part being a reliable duo.

I agree with everything you said aside from the 'needs upgrading' part.
I think you over-estimate this sqaud and under-estimate the importance of availability.
Having a 6.5/10 player do the dirty work all the time allows the better players to play.
I think PEH knows this too and I'm pretty sure Conte rates him. He is similar to Conte himself as a player.

 

[ultimateloner]

The Jermaine Defoe of midfielders. Looks very good 70-80% of the time but when he’s faced with playing the top players his limitations are clear as day. He goes to shit when teams are in our face and play at a high tempo, both on and off the ball. He’s often unable to play out under pressure because he has no burst of pace or agility to make space for himself and his touch often being poor under pressure only exasperates this. Seen him chase shadows against the top sides and sides that bring the game to us far too often for talk of him being elite to seem anything other than ridiculous. He’s a 7 out of 10 player at this level, which is good, but elite? Absolutely not a chance

Yep he is not Rodri and thats why he plays for us and not a better team.
We are a good match.
I think he will become a long-serving player for this club.

 

[NEVILLEB]

Yay, yet another "shit on the Tottenham player" thread gathers pace days after an exciting win... ?

Maybe get some perspective. This is a football forum.

 

[NEVILLEB]

Of course it is, that's why I've been on SC for so long!

Just seems to be a hardcore bunch who spend most of their time mentioning players' weaknesses almost daily.

Must miss their posts about our players' strengths! ??

I’m hardly part of a hardcore bunch. I’ve hardly posted on the forum in the last year.

I’ve not trashed him as a player. I’m saying he’s getting on the wrong side of the ball which is exposing our defence.

Forums are there for debate. If you don’t like to listen to opposing views then don’t spend your life on forums.