10 Mar 2019 20:58:56
Ed001, what do you think of the potential of Phillips, and the two forwards for the under 18's? do they have the potential to help the senior team within the next year or two so that we don't have to fork out millions? Maybe it's just wishful thinking on my part. I'd love to see Phillips fill in as the backup CB and within a year or two to see Duncan and Glatzel. Do you see that as a possibility? I understand the difference between possibility and probability, what are your thoughts please?

{Ed001's Note - I have not seen enough of them to judge them, but I am told they are nowhere near ready yet. It is not a physical thing, I mean Owen and Fowler were not physical but they were both ready at 16, despite being on the lightweight side. They are not at that kind of level.}

1.) 11 Mar 2019
11 Mar 2019 04:26:09
Do you think the standards of the league (and indeed our team) are higher than when Fowler and Owen made their break through? Do you think that is a factor in the readiness of these youngsters? And do you think Fowler or Owen would've been given their opportunity if they were in the youth set up today? Curious about your thoughts Ed.

{Ed001's Note - much higher but that is not a factor, it is simply that we do not have any youngsters at that level or even close to it right now. The one that did look like he might well have was Wilson, right up until that Wales to call up. He has never been the same since.}

2.) 11 Mar 2019
11 Mar 2019 04:38:12
Thanks for the response ED, it's a little disheartening to hear that we have no youngsters of that quality but, as you have alluded to before, it can all change with time and experience (Harry Kane a good example) so we can but hope that someone really pushes themselves onto that level.

Why do you think Wilson's call up affected him so much? Was it an ego thing? Did he stop working as hard in training? I'm still hopeful that he could play a part in the squad next season but, aside from his highlights reel (which does look impressive), haven't seen enough to know whether he's of the required standard.

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, he did let it go to his head. Not really his fault, it was a stupid thing for Wales to do. He was not even pushing for a first team place at the time with us, he should not have even been under consideration.

He does still have a lot of ability, but I have yet to see anything which convinces me he is good enough to push for a first team place regularly. However, he could be a good option for the bench and injury cover and then it is up to him to work at his game to make the step up.

These kids always hit a wall at about this stage in their development nowadays and it is not because of the lack of opportunities in the first team. It is the way they are handled by clubs. When kids used to come through, they would be playing in the streets, at school, for other youth teams and also for our youth teams. Now they are banned from a lot of things, as the clubs want to wrap them up in cotton wool to protect their assets they invest in. So they are not developing the experience of playing against bigger kids in games with no officials that can turn rough and having to learn to ride challenges and deal with being outmatched physically. They are instead playing carefully selected, closely matched opponents. It is not teaching them enough about how it is in the real world. They are not having to fight through half as many obstacles as in the past, so how can you expect them to build that stubbornness and drive to succeed that kids used to have?

It is telling that Kane is a success story, as he was struggling and there was an internal dispute at Spurs about whether he was good enough to make it. He had to fight to prove himself and worked damn hard to do so because of it. Since then, he has had a lack of real guidance from football's most overrated manager, hence why he is now not always a plus for the team and they sometimes play better without him. However, despite that, his technique and ability is improving, it is just how it is being used that is the problem now.}

3.) 11 Mar 2019
11 Mar 2019 07:08:50
Not a fan of Poch, ed? 🙂.

{Ed001's Note - it is not so much that, I just don't think he is this great manager he is made out to be. His transfers are abysmal, he will choose a donkey that can run fast (Aurier) over a skilled player for a position every time.}

4.) 11 Mar 2019
11 Mar 2019 10:40:06
That's why I was hoping utd would appoint Poch, unfortunately they knew better! Gutted lol.

5.) 11 Mar 2019
11 Mar 2019 11:57:34
Thank god someone else has realised that Ed001! Thought i was the only one who thought that. People talk about he lack of money he has to spend but if you check his transfer record at spurs he has brought in a lot of players and the majority of them have been appalling!

{Ed001's Note - I have been saying it for a long time mate. He did well at Southampton and initially at Spurs, but long term he has been taking them backwards.}

6.) 11 Mar 2019
11 Mar 2019 14:53:04
Based on that assessment ed he would be perfect for Real. One thing I have noticed from him is his dislike of lfc. Constantly comparing in a negative way and most telling was him wanting us to lose the championship league final last season. His opinions of course, but does not endear me to him.

In terms of his coaching abilities, I'm not sure he has any, Kane aside, who I compare with Ronaldo in terms of self determination to improve, no one seems to improve under him.

I would like to see him get some money and see how he fares without the constant whining about lack of money.

{Ed001's Note - I don't believe he dislikes LFC, it is more that he has seen Klopp take over at the club and take them way past what he can do with Spurs, when he was miles ahead. It is more about jealousy I think.

As for coaching, Shaw was better under him.}

7.) 11 Mar 2019
11 Mar 2019 19:50:05
Thank you, Ed01 re: Poch. Poch is an overrated manager. Always has been by the media. I have also noticed for a while now that Spurs always try to physically overpower their opponents as a way to beat them. They try to wear them down so in the end, they can outlast them. The moment this strategy does not work, they cave and they lose games.

Just check out their games vs Burnley, Chelsea and even Arsenal. They could not overpower these teams physically esp. vs Burnley and as soon as Burnley were able to withstand all that physicality, Spurs wilted and got rightly beaten.

This is why Poch is as you say, the most overrated manager in the world. I mean, only in England will a guy who has won NOTHING in his career will be considered by some in the media as a "brilliant manager". Whereas a guy like Klopp who has achieved WAY more than Poch and even Sarri, is still doubted and seen as inferior to Poch. Btw, looks like RM weren't drinking the Poch koolaid either cos they just got ZZ back as manager.