Pre-Season 2024/25

[Mr Pink]

Didn't he play at CB? Or did he move more into midfield later on?

He did, was reffering to the article above calling him a RB

 

[PCozzie]

I don’t know whether to be amazed or concerned that our young players genuinely move the ball better and slicker than our senior players do, with more technical quality and consistency. Crisp passes, slick 1-2s, excellent movement, it was so much better.

Even our young players touch is better than the senior equivalent, much smoother and better in tight spaces.

Forget the level of the opposition, I’m talking purely about the technical ability and quality of the touch, passes and movement. The young players obviously have a lot to learn about the game but their foundations seem extremely strong which is very encouraging.

I think this is the difference between youth team players moving through the year groups together and playing in a club style and experienced pros coming in from other clubs with established styles. Despite their youth, and not withstanding the more end-to-end nature of the second half the youth players seemed more connected and on the same wavelength.

That's great for us going forward - especially if Ange really is here for the long term because this 'club style' will move seamlessly from the U18/21 to the first team proper over the next couple of years.

 

[McFlash]

The second half was very encouraging.

It’s just a shame the two players - Scarlett and Veliz - seemed to have gone backwards as a result of poor loans. They need resurrecting.

Bit harsh to judge either of them based on a few minutes of an early pre-season game.
I am beginning to think that it's getting close to make it break time for Scarlett and that he needs a good season (or loan) this year but Veliz is still very much an unknown quantity.

 

[Cornpattbuck]

Wide open as usual

Hearts could have.score 4 or 5 especially the Japanese chap

You know we had Skipp at centre back and Donley at left back with Gray making his debut out of position, right?

 

[mattspur1986]

Fuck me some of the hysteria going on based on this game is ridiculous.

It was a good showing but this was a Hearts team that got taken apart by our youth team players and lost to Orient. It wasn't Madrid.

It's a good start and valuable minutes in the legs. Let's see how we shape up against proper opposition before declaring Gray a future balon d'Or winner and DJed Spence the answer to all our RB prayers.

No wonder the match day threads are bipolar central at every toot of the referees whistle.

If you can’t get excited about seeing our very talented youngsters playing very good football, then what’s the point? Yes it was hearts, yes it was a a friendly, we know all of the above is true, but come on - let people enjoy our kids playing good front foot/ fast paced football. I don’t get the narrative of knocking people getting excited.

 

[bigfrooj]

It was very positive and a great way to kick off pre season. One thing annoyed me - apart from Emerson’s casualness - and that was Kulusevski falling over looking for a free kick two or three times when easier to stay on his feet. The opposition gets an advantage if the referee doesn’t fall for it - play to the whistle. I just don’t like it and he’s not the only one.

 

[Shanks]

If you can’t get excited about seeing our very talented youngsters playing very good football, then what’s the point? Yes it was hearts, yes it was a a friendly, we know all of the above is true, but come on - let people enjoy our kids playing good front foot/ fast paced football. I don’t get the narrative of knocking people getting excited.

I get both sides, but the problem with the over excitement, is the fall, which tends to happen when things do become a little trickier for the players. These are kids who've played kids football, its a huge step up - I tend to go with just leave them to develop rather than put my own expectations on them after a game against a shoddy team in pre season.

They did well, really, really well and it was brilliant seeing them play with no fear and on the front foot though, so yeah both sides to it really, I see it as a more cautious thing rather than knocking folk, but we;ve seen it a 100 times with youth players and the fans expectations.

 

[tommyt]

Fuck me some of the hysteria going on based on this game is ridiculous.

It was a good showing but this was a Hearts team that got taken apart by our youth team players and lost to Orient. It wasn't Madrid.

It's a good start and valuable minutes in the legs. Let's see how we shape up against proper opposition before declaring Gray a future balon d'Or winner and DJed Spence the answer to all our RB prayers.

No wonder the match day threads are bipolar central at every toot of the referees whistle.

 

[oobaties]

Was there any more intel on why Richarlison wasn't playing last night?

 

[Trix]

If you can’t get excited about seeing our very talented youngsters playing very good football, then what’s the point? Yes it was hearts, yes it was a a friendly, we know all of the above is true, but come on - let people enjoy our kids playing good front foot/ fast paced football. I don’t get the narrative of knocking people getting excited.

Cos it's a pre season match against poor opposition. Have I said anyone shouldn't be happy or get excited? I mean I even said in that very post you quoted it was a good showing from us. Just see it for what it is though, which is a good first step, but not an indication of much else to be honest.

Declaring Spence should now be kept as he's perfect for us, or that Gray and Bergval should be our starting XI CM pairing for day one of the season is crazy talk based purely off of that. All I'm saying is manage your expectations and you won't hit the ground quite so hard if/when it comes crashing down.

 

[Trix]

I get both sides, but the problem with the over excitement, is the fall, which tends to happen when things do become a little trickier for the players. These are kids who've played kids football, its a huge step up - I tend to go with just leave them to develop rather than put my own expectations on them after a game against a shoddy team in pre season.

They did well, really, really well and it was brilliant seeing them play with no fear and on the front foot though, so yeah both sides to it really, I see it as a more cautious thing rather than knocking folk, but we;ve seen it a 100 times with youth players and the fans expectations.

Indeed. Maybe you, like myself, see it a little differently because we've been in and around the competitive side of things for such a long time, but as you'll know very well winning every game in preseason is not the be all and end all, and doesn't usually equate to much when the real games start. It's all about the little things and fitness in pre season not blowing cannon fodder away.

 

[Guntz]

Of course, pre-season needs to be taken with a pinch of salt.

I remember in 2008 under Ramos when we beat Roma and Dortmund 3-0/5-0 and thought we would challenge for the title (look how that season started out..)

But I don't blame people for getting excited watching some of our youngsters, you can easily see how talented they all are.

 

[tommyt]

That game last night is how I always hope games against lower league opposition play out in the early stages of the cups - youth excelling against more experienced but less 'talented' players.

Great to watch, even if we do need to temper our expectations!!

 

[Danny1]

How enjoyable getting to see this group of talented youngsters playing with a mix of the first team. We have an incredible pool of young talent in our squad and as long as their careers are managed well then we could realistically see a large amount of them play for us very often.

Bergvall / Gray / Lankshear / Phillips / Dorrington / Abbott / Devine / Donley / Moore / Hall / Vuskovic - all massively rated and none of them have even hit 20 years old. The Udogie & Sarr just a year older.

Exciting times.

 

[Shanks]

Indeed. Maybe you, like myself, see it a little differently because we've been in and around the competitive side of things for such a long time, but as you'll know very well winning every game in preseason is not the be all and end all, and doesn't usually equate to much when the real games start. It's all about the little things and fitness in pre season not blowing cannon fodder away.

Yeah definitely that, some of those players last night were playing against my son less than 6 months ago so being on that journey from youth to mens football I see it very, very differently to how I did several years ago when things did start to get serious for him!

 

[Trix]

Yeah definitely that, some of those players last night were playing against my son less than 6 months ago so being on that journey from youth to mens football I see it very, very differently to how I did several years ago when things did start to get serious for him!

Have Pm'd you mate

 

[dovahkiin]

Meanwhile, Ange had updates on Pape Matar Sarr, Ben Davies, Fraser Forster and Richarlison with Ben, Fraser and Richarlison all working their way back from injuries sustained at the back end of last season.
Ange added: “Pape and Ben should be okay for the tour in terms of participating. Richy’s probably a little bit behind them, and Fraser’s probably a little behind them as well.”

Ange Postecoglou on Manor Solomon’s return and squad update | Tottenham Hotspur

Ange Postecoglou welcomed the return to action of Manor Solomon in our 5-1 pre-season friendly win against Hearts on Wednesday evening.

www.tottenhamhotspur.com

 

[philll]

I'm still not a fan of the total silence about Destiny but I guess it could've slipped his mind as he was asked a general question about injuries rather than about specific players.

 

[PLTuck]

That was a fun watch. Gave Ange plenty to ponder on how best to develop a lot of these kids. They all gave a good account of themselves and showed desire and intensity.

 

[cookiemonster]

You know we had Skipp at centre back and Donley at left back with Gray making his debut out of position, right?

It's his ridiculous system that leaves us wide open regardless of personnel