Player Watch Player Watch: Son Heung-min

[jpascavitz]

I agree with other posters but just want to add that it's not helping that there's not really a stand out performer as of yet in our side besides our defense looking stronger than last season. Until one of the other wingers (Odobert, Johnson, Werner, whoever), attacking mids, or Solanke starts firing then he is going to be up against it at times IMO.

I thought he did well in the first half against White but then Saka doubled down most of the time on him, he's not magically going to beat 2-3 players every time, but somebody has to beat someone, which I felt did not happen or happen enough. I feel like once the focus of opposition defense goes, oh we have to double the other side because we're getting beat, or oh we have to double up in the middle because Kulusevski and Maddison is getting through too easily, then we will see more opportunities open up for Son. I feel like the bulk of the half chances so far this season has fallen to Johnson who is no where near the level of finisher as Sonny.

 

[Trent Crimm]

He cannot play in the winger role in this system.

It was pretty obvious last season and he’s now another year older.

We needed 2 quality wide players this summer. Instead we got Werner and a 19 year old (who I do like but is very raw).

Not in Korea he’s not. Hes 25

 

[olithfc]

There was a point in the second half where Son was lining up to take a corner. Maddison came over and there was some exchange where they swapped. Son seemed to walk off forlornly.

 

[NickHSpurs]

Disappointing again today, not really sure what the answer is with him at the moment.

 

[SA_Spurs]

Disappointing again today, not really sure what the answer is with him at the moment.

how so? he had 2 assists and created 7 chances? He didn't give away the ball or make sloppy first touches (which he's been doing of lot of recently).

Plus, a more confident Son would've scored 2/3 goals with the chances he had today. It was his best performance in a long time! I think he's lacking confidence and looks like he's put himself under a lot of pressure to perform which is actually hampering his natural game. That chance he had early in the game today from outside the box, he would normally put that top right bins comfortably bit today he shot straight at the keeper.

form is temporary, class is permanent - he will recover his confidence and when he does, he will score plenty in this team.

 

[Whazam]

Disappointing again today, not really sure what the answer is with him at the moment.

I thought he was very good. Absolutely his best game so far. He lacked sharpness, which was noticeable, but he was proactive and involved in most things going forward. And he he got two assists. How can that be disappointing?

 

[jonnyp]

Why is he so reluctant to shoot these days? And when he does shoot it's nowhere near the quality he historically has shown.

Apart from the second assist, he was disappointing.

 

[NickHSpurs]

how so? he had 2 assists and created 7 chances? He didn't give away the ball or make sloppy first touches (which he's been doing of lot of recently).

Plus, a more confident Son would've scored 2/3 goals with the chances he had today. It was his best performance in a long time! I think he's lacking confidence and looks like he's put himself under a lot of pressure to perform which is actually hampering his natural game. That chance he had early in the game today from outside the box, he would normally put that top right bins comfortably bit today he shot straight at the keeper.

form is temporary, class is permanent - he will recover his confidence and when he does, he will score plenty in this team.

The assist for Madders was nice but I thought the game should have been out of sight way before then, he messed up two golden opportunities for us but like you say might just be confidence.

 

[Bluto Blutarsky]

 

[PCozzie]

Why is he so reluctant to shoot these days?.........

A bit of cod psychology here, but I think that when he was the 'junior' partner to Kane, he felt he had freedom to try things. Kane was there to be dependable. So he let fly knowing that the pressure was on Harry and not him. Since last summer Son has become the main man, and with the captaincy to boot. He doesn't feel that freedom now, and doesn't want to waste the ball. So he doesn't shoot in the same situations as before.

Also, it's clearly visible that more often he doesn't have that explosivity to shift it half a yard to get the space. That's not a criticism, it's just what happens to us all.

 

[Finchyid]

I thought he was very good. Absolutely his best game so far. He lacked sharpness, which was noticeable, but he was proactive and involved in most things going forward. And he he got two assists. How can that be disappointing?

He should have had a hatrick. That’s how its disappointing

 

[fishhhandaricecake]

2 assists, starting to tick along nicely now 2g 2assists after 5 games is solid.

 

[C1w8]

He should have had a hatrick. That’s how its disappointing

It can be disappointing that he didnt get a couple goals without it being deemed a bad performance.

Deki shouldve had a couple, solanke/maddison/johnson all wasted numerous chances between them, doesnt mean they were disappointing.

Son looked tired and i wouldve taken him off before he got that second assist, but it was far from a "disappointing" peformance from him

 

[Finchyid]

It can be disappointing that he didnt get a couple goals without it being deemed a bad performance.

Deki shouldve had a couple, solanke/maddison/johnson all wasted numerous chances between them, doesnt mean they were disappointing.

Son looked tired and i wouldve taken him off before he got that second assist, but it was far from a "disappointing" peformance from him

I didn’t say he played badly. He was actually good imo. But as I said he should have had a hatrick. The one on in first half was just not sonny. 3 years ago he smashes that into the top corner. He’s just lost confidence but sonny being the legend he is will keep trying

 

[13VanDerBale13]

Very strange how he didn’t shoot twice when through on goal. That’s prime Sonny territory.

 

[batigol]

I think another poster has shared based on his goal and assist contribution, how important and consistent he has been in his years with us. The expectations our fans place on him and their subsequent disappointment when he doesn't perform to their expectations tells me how important he has been for our club since joining. The amazing thing is that he has added feathers to his cap with his leadership since Kane departure and his willingness now to be team player as the leader of the squad.

People expect a 32 year old Son to play like prime Son and that is unrealistic. All top players evolve their playing style as they get older and if they do not, then we have plenty of examples of one dimensional players who fizzle out when they began to lose an edge in physical terms. Son is important to Spurs and I for one will continue to root for his presence as his continued contributions over the years outweighs the flashy dribblers that some would like to replace him with.

 

[coy-spurs1882]

I think another poster has shared based on his goal and assist contribution, how important and consistent he has been in his years with us. The expectations our fans place on him and their subsequent disappointment when he doesn't perform to their expectations tells me how important he has been for our club since joining. The amazing thing is that he has added feathers to his cap with his leadership since Kane departure and his willingness now to be team player as the leader of the squad.

People expect a 32 year old Son to play like prime Son and that is unrealistic. All top players evolve their playing style as they get older and if they do not, then we have plenty of examples of one dimensional players who fizzle out when they began to lose an edge in physical terms. Son is important to Spurs and I for one will continue to root for his presence as his continued contributions over the years outweighs the flashy dribblers that some would like to replace him with.

being hesitant in front of goal is not a playing style. he has been one of the best finishers in the world so he just needs to think less and shoot when he has the chance

 

[carpediem1906]

Not too concerned abt his shooting, he is elite and will rediscover his shooting boots

originally more concerned with his pace, esp when he has to press so hard; and his pre season interview hinted that he’s not going to take players on all the time anymore to conserve energy for when it matters

But there was a chance that highlighted that he still has his pace n timing of his movement - when madders beat 3 in the centre mid (when’s the last time u saw this being attempted btw) and released sonny in the middle - son’s timing, direction and pace of his run takes him through, then decided to release it to Johnson on his right who should have done better

 

[Whazam]

He should have had a hatrick. That’s how its disappointing

Sure, he could have, and I guess that's disappointing for him. But he still tried all game and he directly contributed enough to get us the win, so I don't really see a reason to be disappointed in him.

He got the job done and he made things happen. If anything, that was an encouraging performance.

 

[C1w8]

I didn’t say he played badly. He was actually good imo. But as I said he should have had a hatrick. The one on in first half was just not sonny. 3 years ago he smashes that into the top corner. He’s just lost confidence but sonny being the legend he is will keep trying

Agree with this for sure, but the only thing you added to the convo was the negative bit initially.

Thought he looked out on his feet at the end of the first half let alone into the second, definitely not a day for his finishing but made a positive contribution to the game for sure, something thats often been missing with him on the wing previously.