Player Watch Player Watch: Radu Dragusin

[mil1lion]

What a tough debut that was. Comes on to play right of Romero and then has to switch left to replace VdV. He handled it well and what impressed me most was he didn't look at all nervous. I was hoping he would come on for our corner but seemed he was just not ready in time. His presence at set pieces both attacking and defending could be a real asset. Not sure he will score much but he's going to cause a lot of panic for opponents defending with him coming forward.

 

[jordibwoy]

I've seen a lot of comments on the McTominay chance so I'll do my best to explain what happened and how he was so free on that header. First of all, everyone should re-watch the clip of the chance


Dragusin was marking Hojlund and Udogie had McTominay right in front of him (yes he has a guy behind him as well, but who is more dangerous in that situation, especially on an inswinging cross?).

Hojlund made a good run towards the near post freeing up that space for McTominay (great movement tbf) and Udogie doesn't follow McTominay (he should have got goal-side of Mctominay or at least put a body on him so he can read if he can play him offside or follow him to challenge the header), he doesn't and thankfully McTominay misses.

Now some comments:

1. I have mentioned previously (in Udogie's thread) and will do so again that his defensive awareness/instinct is lacking especially when he's not the active defender. In duels he's mint, but he switches off too often in the defensive phase. He quite often fails to track runners or does so too late. Our midfield have been pretty bad at tracking runners as well since Poch's last 18 months. We are way too passive when we defend deep (sitting deep does not mean not being aggressive in pressuring the opposition, it just means the pressure is applied in the defensive/middle third rather than up high). We also don't do a great job of stopping crosses when we have a settled defense.
* Thankfully we play more front foot football, because it limits the moments we have to defend deep but against better (or braver) teams we concede quite a few good chances.
** To add, there is risk playing the way we do and the odd chance on the counter is one thing, but I'd like to see us defend better when we have a settled defense.

2. Communication is key, and I have no doubt it'll be addressed and worked on but like many us who have played, in the moment so much is happening at a high tempo and that's where moments like these can happen, so not overly critical. Also having near our strongest midfield x defense will make a huge difference.

On Dragusin:

- What I did like about that McTominay chance is that he seemed extremely aware of what was happening behind him throughout that play. He knew where Hojlund and McT were and decided to mark Hojlund who was nearest to him.
- As Hojlund makes the run, Dragusin follows him. Take a look at his gesture: he follows Hojlund but puts his arm out to say to Udogie "hey follow McT". He knows the space has been left and as soon as he realizes the ball is going over him and Hojlund he knows the danger. You can see him turning and gesturing to Udogie after the play ends.
- I like that he can see the danger, even if the movement is behind him. Hopefully more evidence to come but he at least looks like he has good to great defensive awareness/instincts.


Self-awareness is key, I realize I've had some degree of over-analysis but in a 10-minute cameo I like to look for crumbs or nuggets and Dragusin's awareness (and Udogie's lack of) stood out to me in that sequence.

The art & science of football is the bit I love the most. It's how my brain is wired and I've been a football man before I was able to walk (blame my dad who held my hands as I kicked a ball. He was a goalkeeper, his brother was a goalkeeper, I was a goalkeeper and my brother was a goalkeeper). So among us is years of seeing the entire pitch and organizing defenses plus decades of watching football as well.

 

[rabbikeane]

882

 

[yido-1989]

Where does he look the best though?

As a 9, he would neither hold the ball up well enough, nor provide the finishing required.

As a LW, he doesn't run with the ball enough.

At least at RW he can run behind and cross.

I’m not sure tbh, I agree that he doesn’t really have the attributes to play any position atm but potentially off the bench he can get some confidence against tired teams and move on from there. I just don’t want to write him off after half a season because I’ve seen players change before.

 

[jordibwoy]

882

Like that number, a lot. Good omens

 

[HNIM]

Like that number, a lot. Good omens

Ignorant here. What does it signify?

 

[yido-1989]

Ignorant here. What does it signify?

Tottenham founded in 1882

 

[mil1lion]

882
Cheat formation

 

[HNIM]

882
Cheat formation

OK, I googled it and can sort of see the resemblance... if that's in fact what the reference is to. Way outside my knowledge base, though.

 

[spursfan1976]

Ignorant here. What does it signify?

882nd player to make an appearance for the club.

 

[mark87]

 

[HNIM]

882nd player to make an appearance for the club.

Doh.

 

[Fergus]

I’m not sure tbh, I agree that he doesn’t really have the attributes to play any position atm but potentially off the bench he can get some confidence against tired teams and move on from there. I just don’t want to write him off after half a season because I’ve seen players change before.

FYI, Johnson has his own thread.

 

[Tarricko]

A little interview

Dragusin: Why I rejected Bayern to join Tottenham in 'dream' move

The centre-back knows he made the right decision to move to the Premier League

www.standard.co.uk

Here's the bits worth reading...

Radu Dragusin has confirmed he turned down an offer from Bayern Munich to follow his “dream” of playing in the Premier League, and says “the sky is the limit” for Tottenham.

Asked about rejecting interest from Bayern, the centre-half told Standard Sport: “Yes, that is right. I chose Tottenham because I felt it was the right step for me and I had a really good conversation with the coach.

“I saw that they wanted me from a long time ago, like one month before the transfer window, so I thought this is the right choice for me.

“I really believe in this team and that it is a good environment for me to continue my career and to progress in [Tottenham’s] incredible stadium and [with these] team-mates.

“The sky is the limit. We hope we will be as high as possible in the League and we can then see from there.

“My dream was to play in the Premier League, so that was part of it. I think the team here, the guys here, are on a good trajectory. I felt joining them can help me a lot.

“I like the way of the games in the Premier League, the physicality, intensity, speed and aggression… it is a lot of things I can prefer more.”

The Romania international faces stiff competition from Cristian Romero and Micky van de Ven, who both returned to the line-up on Sunday, for minutes for the remainder of the season, but he is relishing the challenge.

“Exactly. This way we can make each other progress and grow,” he responded, when asked about his battle for a spot in the first XI. “I have believed in myself since the beginning and I wanted to play football.

“I understand there are a lot of sacrifices to be made and a lot of days I will be on my own training, developing, but this is my dream and I won’t stop until I reach the highest level possible in my career. It was an incredible feeling to step onto the pitch to make my debut in an incredible stadium.

“I will give my 100 per cent on the pitch and also, when I came onto the pitch, they were screaming for me and it was an incredible feeling.”
Dragusin is the fourth Romanian to play for Spurs, after Gheorghe Popescu, Ilie Dumitrescu in the Nineties and fellow centre-half Vlad Chiriches.

“I am aware of this and it is a good feeling for me to be here,” he said.

I love his attitude so far. Sounds very hungry and raring to go.

 

[SpursSince1980]

A little interview

Dragusin: Why I rejected Bayern to join Tottenham in 'dream' move

The centre-back knows he made the right decision to move to the Premier League

www.standard.co.uk

Here's the bits worth reading...



I love his attitude so far. Sounds very hungry and raring to go.

Sure does. And to think VdV is 22. Then we have Ash (19?) and the lad from Croatia (17)... There is the possibility of being solidly set in the CB position for eight to ten years.

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

We signed him yet?

 

[SpursSince1980]

We signed him yet?

Yep. He'll be starting against City. LET'S PARTY!!!

 

[Danny1]

Sure does. And to think VdV is 22. Then we have Ash (19?) and the lad from Croatia (17)... There is the possibility of being solidly set in the CB position for eight to ten years.

We actually have a lot of young good centre backs potentially. As you say VDV (22) and Dragusin (21). We then have Phillips and Dorrington (both 18) and Vuskovic (16).
We also have Archie Chaplin who is having a great season and is highly rated.
Cristian Romero is only 25 aswell so still a relatively young guy.

 

[Dr Know]

His agent just can’t shut up! This must be either his first transfer that’s been in the news or the most he’s ever made on a transfer………maybe even both!
I really think this guy is going to be a problem. We really need the Dragon to get rid.


https://www.shieldsgazette.com/spor...ter-man-utd-appearance-transfer-talks-4486431

 

[Japhet]

His agent just can’t shut up! This must be either his first transfer that’s been in the news or the most he’s ever made on a transfer………maybe even both!
I really think this guy is going to be a problem. We really need the Dragon to get rid.


https://www.shieldsgazette.com/spor...ter-man-utd-appearance-transfer-talks-4486431

I think he'll be eased out soon if he doesn't learn to shut up. Don Fabio will have a chat and then Radu will sign up with CAA.