Player Watch Player Watch: Son Heung-min

[GioW]

 

[jezz]

Personally I'd drop Son and Deki for Persic and Solomon to see if that helps Richie get on the end of crosses.
If he still not performing then we'll need to look for alternatives.

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

I'm a bit surprised at some of the comments in here. I felt Son had a really good game on Saturday, and was involved in most of our best chances - the through ball for Sarr's saved shot, the dribble and layoff for Porro hitting the bar, his cut inside for a blocked shot following Udogie's tap-back, his layoff from a central position to Maddison for our 2nd, and plenty of other promising linkup with Udogie and Maddison.

If we're looking for the Son of a few years ago we may be looking in the wrong place, but I saw a lot against United to suggest Son suits this system just fine, which I wasn't convinced of following Brentford and preseason. A more cerebral, passing and linkup-based Son, similar to Salah's development in recent years, may be on the cards.

 

[Scissors&Tape]

We have had to rely on the individual brilliance of Harry and Sonny the last few years. So I think it will take time to get used to a more balanced, team approach where a good match from Sonny and Kane's replacment (i.e. Richarlison) may be more about their linkup play, movement, and other contributions that may not be reflected on the stat sheet.

 

[EQP]

I'm a bit surprised at some of the comments in here. I felt Son had a really good game on Saturday, and was involved in most of our best chances - the through ball for Sarr's saved shot, the dribble and layoff for Porro hitting the bar, his cut inside for a blocked shot following Udogie's tap-back, his layoff from a central position to Maddison for our 2nd, and plenty of other promising linkup with Udogie and Maddison.

If we're looking for the Son of a few years ago we may be looking in the wrong place, but I saw a lot against United to suggest Son suits this system just fine, which I wasn't convinced of following Brentford and preseason. A more cerebral, passing and linkup-based Son, similar to Salah's development in recent years, may be on the cards.

Agreed. I think he's starting to understand that he doesn't have the legs anymore and needs to be a bit less individualistic at times and play passes when his teammates are in better positions.

 

[CanadaSpurs]

Had Maddison realized he was onside on that counter he very well could have been in alone. They’ll figure it out soon enough.

 

[spurs9]

I'm a bit surprised at some of the comments in here. I felt Son had a really good game on Saturday, and was involved in most of our best chances - the through ball for Sarr's saved shot, the dribble and layoff for Porro hitting the bar, his cut inside for a blocked shot following Udogie's tap-back, his layoff from a central position to Maddison for our 2nd, and plenty of other promising linkup with Udogie and Maddison.

If we're looking for the Son of a few years ago we may be looking in the wrong place, but I saw a lot against United to suggest Son suits this system just fine, which I wasn't convinced of following Brentford and preseason. A more cerebral, passing and linkup-based Son, similar to Salah's development in recent years, may be on the cards.

Completely agree.

Not sure if it has been posted elsewhere, but in around the 85 minute (when he had been moved to striker), Porro made a run through the middle but then lost the ball and Utd counted and Son had run back and filled in for Porro at RB, never thought I would see that. Son has 100% bought into Ange's ideas and it is great to see.

 

[Timberwolf]

Agreed. I think he's starting to understand that he doesn't have the legs anymore and needs to be a bit less individualistic at times and play passes when his teammates are in better positions.

He actually had a much better game than I felt watching it live. Not as flashy as peak 'wonder goal' Son but some clever passes and good link-up play. On another day he could've well got 2 assists.

Doubt he'll ever come close to his amazing 23 goal season playing like that but I can see him having a ~10 goal, ~10 assist type of season which would be solid.

 

[Luka Van der Bale]

Agreed. I think he's starting to understand that he doesn't have the legs anymore and needs to be a bit less individualistic at times and play passes when his teammates are in better positions.

Udogie's chance! Knew I'd forgotten one.

 

[BorjeSpurs]

He actually had a much better game than I felt watching it live. Not as flashy as peak 'wonder goal' Son but some clever passes and good link-up play. On another day he could've well got 2 assists.

Doubt he'll ever come close to his amazing 23 goal season playing like that but I can see him having a ~10 goal, ~10 assist type of season which would be solid.

20 goal contributions would indeed be solid, and it might surprise a few that was exactly the number he got last season with 14 goals and 6 assists in all competitions.

 

[Timberwolf]

20 goal contributions would indeed be solid, and it might surprise a few that was exactly the number he got last season with 14 goals and 6 assists in all competitions.

Yeah he scored a deceptively high number of goals by the end of the season.

Thing is he literally scored in ONE game in the entire first half of the season (hat trick vs Leicester when we smashed them) and was providing almost nothing in his general gameplay when he wasn't scoring.

I think if his all-round performances were better people would've been much more forgiving.

 

[spurs9]

Agreed. I think he's starting to understand that he doesn't have the legs anymore and needs to be a bit less individualistic at times and play passes when his teammates are in better positions.

A lot of posters seem to think that Ange's wingers at Celtic constantly took their man on, however if you watch Celtics games back it just simply isn't true.

Jota was Celtics most common and successful dribbler and he averages 1.5 dribbles per game (2.01 per 90 mins) with a success rate of 48% and averaged 24.7 passes per game (33.18 per 90).

Compare that to Son so far this season (i know small sample size) averages 2 dribbles per game (2.17 per 90) with a success rate of 57% and averaged 30 passes per game (32.53 per 90).

Son just needs to get better his crossing, taking his shots and taking up better positions at times, but we know he is capable of better in all of those things, he is just a bit rusty atm.

 

[BorjeSpurs]

Yeah he scored a deceptively high number of goals by the end of the season.

Thing is he literally scored in ONE game in the entire first half of the season (hat trick vs Leicester when we smashed them) and was providing almost nothing in his general gameplay when he wasn't scoring.

I think if his all-round performances were better people would've been much more forgiving.

Hehe true, but even the great Harry Kane only scored 1 league goal in the first 14 league games the season before last.

I think Son’s golden boot increased expectations all round last season, hopefully he can do the reverse and surprise a few positively this season.

 

[PerScoutDenmark]

Couldn’t find a Vertonghen thread. Miss the guy and always great to watch this back:

 

[delawarespur]

I’m general thought he was awesome receiving with his back to goal, linking play, and running in behind. His play between the lines was exceptional. He was great centrally and him starting there is something I’d like to see in time.

 

[h2005]

I thought there were signs today he’s on his way back into form. We’re going to need him firing because Richarlson isn’t going to get us goals.

 

[Oh Teddy Teddy]

I’m general thought he was awesome receiving with his back to goal, linking play, and running in behind. His play between the lines was exceptional. He was great centrally and him starting there is something I’d like to see in time.

need to stick him centrally from now while Richarlison is misfiring

 

[Hotspur_Hero]

need to stick him centrally from now while Richarlison is misfiring

We need to spend some of that Kane money on a striker. Son isn't the answer at the 9. Son completely vacates the middle and then we have no one for Perisic to actually cross the ball into. I think Son has been growing into the role out wide, but we need someone else to play through the middle.

 

[glacierSpurs]

Not sure where to post about this, but I thought Son's thread would be appropriate. As our new captain, he does seem to take on the job with the utmost pride and it's really lovely to see. I think his leadership and influence in the club is really underrated and can be far more effective than we could have ever imagined.

I know it may be trivial, but scrolling along the players individual IG, everyone's bond in the team is probably the tightest I can remember. Son's post is always one of the most popular with most likes and comments from our current players. And within their individual posts, they are also always joking, congratulating and commenting on one another's.

It's really happy and heartwarming to see.

 

[King of the Lane]

Not sure where to post about this, but I thought Son's thread would be appropriate. As our new captain, he does seem to take on the job with the utmost pride and it's really lovely to see. I think his leadership and influence in the club is really underrated and can be far more effective than we could have ever imagined.

I know it may be trivial, but scrolling along the players individual IG, everyone's bond in the team is probably the tightest I can remember. Son's post is always one of the most popular with most likes and comments from our current players. And within their individual posts, they are also always joking, congratulating and commenting on one another's.

It's really happy and heartwarming to see.

I really liked his leadership today - Hojbjerg was arguing with the ref about a tackle and Sonny pushed him away, spoke to the ref calmly and just overall calmed the situation down. He is stepping up in his new role and long may it continue.