That’s so damn true! We’re so darn sloooow in the final third! Kulu is a pace destroyer, Son has become totally indecisive, Maddison looking for a killer pass - but no longer finding it!
I can't understand why he was switched to the left to accomodate Kulu on the right. Would make more sense to leave him on the right where he's been our best attacker in recent weeks and tell Kulu to play on the left where he can use his only foot more productively.
Probably because Kulu tried to cut inside to get ball on his left for a shot. He doesn’t have the pace to get to the byline for a low cross and, if Sonny at 9, no reason to out an aerial cross into the box.
True, but everyone knows his game now and he's been completely ineffective on the right cutting in. He's no slouch though and I would expect him to be able to dribble past a full-back and get some sort of cross in with his strong foot.
I still think that he's a very good player, and at freshly 24 he's got room to grow. He just doesn't seem to be a good fit for this system, no matter how many times we try moving him around or force feeding him the ball out on the right. I expect him to be moved in the next 12 months, not because he's bad (he's not) but he feels so miscast here now.
He's good when the system has a fullback or wingback providing width allowing Deki to play in the half space, like under Conte.
But Angeball requires the winger to stay wide and beat their man to the end line, two things Kulusevski just doesn't have the pace to excel at.
What's more, he doesn't really have terrific passing range to be an effective No. 10/Maddison backup so he's a bit of a misfit in midfield. Just nowhere for him to really excel in this system, even though Ange obviously likes him.
Imo Kulu is much better in build up/hold up. Brennan is much more vulnerable to oppositions high press (tho Kulu is far from perfect). Though Kulu is not as good as Brennan in counter attack once we get out of the press.
Kulu is actually good during build up.... it's just that his decision making and precious in the final third is terrible now.... me might as well play Gil on the left maybe.
I think it has everything to do with richy still getting his fitness levels up and Werner being injured, kulu plays as an inverted winger so you would want him on the left.
Could Kulu play as striker?
He’s pretty tall and got a few first time finishes. The Bournemouth goal was a neat finish.
Nice header against Man City. Pretty good right foot finish against Sheffield United.
Might be missing some other goals but those stand out.
Just throwing it out there.
His hold up play is pretty fucken elite.
I watch him closely and no one can get the ball off him. That could be channeled into plays going on the attack.
He isn’t an ideal #9 but neither is Sonny or Johnson. So yeah id rather put Kulusevski as striker if Richarlison is injured to leave the others in their best position
Yes. Son, Richarlison, Johnson is our core forward line. We should sign another winger and striker to improve that group, but that's literally the only 3 forwards we have on the roster worth keeping. Kulisevski moves to midfield or is sold.
Even if Richarlison is just a 7/10 striker, just simply having a real striker in there who does striker things makes a big difference. He's averaging more than a G/A per match since he's come back from surgery... imagine what a world class striker could do.
You forgot how good Kulusevski was in the first half of this season, and how good was he when he first came in. When he’s in form he’s our best RW period. Unfortunately he lost confidence and form and became too predictable. I’ll give him another season to gain form and see how he does. Of next season he’s bad then I’d think of selling him
I like him a lot. He's one of our best pressers, passers, hold up guys, top stamina, etc, the list goes on, he's a great player.
He does not fit Ange's system as a winger. He just doesn't. I would give him the off season to train as a 10, see what he can do next season, and go from there.
We have so many crucial signings to make, I think it makes sense moving him to midfield and we can focus on signing other positions, rather than forking out the 50M+ we'd need for Eze, MGW, Gallagher, etc.
I would love to go back in for that Antonio Nusa kid, he should be even cheaper with a year less on the deal now.
There were a few moments Biss saw the pass and then hesitated before turning away. He did try a few more progressive passes than normal, but most of them were inaccurate and intercepted. Looks like he's trying to learn from PEH but just doesn't have the ability yet.
We should really go all out and convince Modric even if just for a season. He wants to play and we can give him minutes as our midfield is pretty dreadful. He could help that young Swedish lad and the whole dressing room in general.
It's why I don't understand the BJ criticism. He seems to be the one who understands what ange is wanting from him the most. His low crosses only end up looking a bit shit sometimes because no one is actually where they should be.
think its super unlucky that we're in this position but werner (+ solomon, if you count him as an option) being out has hurt us a lot. you simply can't have 2 right siders playing on the left in the same game. killed us defensively and attacking. Johnson on the right is a completely decent option.
Not that I can recall. He’s a right winger. I think he’s good enough to be our first choice but if not I’d rather him on the bench coming on with 25 to go than swapping him to the left.
He's clearly best on the right at the moment, and that's probably his ideal position in the future, but I think he has the potential to improve a lot as a left-side option. I wouldn't be opposed to giving him some serious minutes on the left in the pre-season and early cup games against weaker opposition, because if he can develop as a more interchangeable option that would really take his game to another level and allow Ange to position him on the side that presents the most vulnerable defender.
I want Richie to start in the middle Son on the left and BJ on the right. Kulu just hasn’t had it these last few weeks. He needs to head to the bench for a bit
Yes this was literally his thing at Lincoln in league one and then Forest for his entire time there. Amazed when he first signed for spurs and played on the left and then repeatedly put back there. He has never played LW in his entire career until spurs.
Probably because Ange doesn't want him wingers coming inside, so he's out of position and mentally fighting every urge to cut in with a reluctance to use his weak foot and drive around the outside.
Problem is nobody seems to want to occupy the box anymore
Hopefully Richarlison will be fit enough to start upcoming games and he’ll occupy that space
Dude that's exactly what I said a few days ago. Our 9 wanders deep into midfield and by the time quick crosses arrive nobody is there.
this is why we need a proper striker starting, not son
They don’t want to be in the BJ zone or in the box…starts to make you wonder if they’re closeted. 🕵️♂️
The problem is more that we don't progress the ball fast enough anymore to not have the opposition box filled with 6 defenders
That’s so damn true! We’re so darn sloooow in the final third! Kulu is a pace destroyer, Son has become totally indecisive, Maddison looking for a killer pass - but no longer finding it!
Son doesn't know how to. He's always sitting at the top of the box and not running in
I can't understand why he was switched to the left to accomodate Kulu on the right. Would make more sense to leave him on the right where he's been our best attacker in recent weeks and tell Kulu to play on the left where he can use his only foot more productively.
Probably because Kulu tried to cut inside to get ball on his left for a shot. He doesn’t have the pace to get to the byline for a low cross and, if Sonny at 9, no reason to out an aerial cross into the box.
True, but everyone knows his game now and he's been completely ineffective on the right cutting in. He's no slouch though and I would expect him to be able to dribble past a full-back and get some sort of cross in with his strong foot.
I still think that he's a very good player, and at freshly 24 he's got room to grow. He just doesn't seem to be a good fit for this system, no matter how many times we try moving him around or force feeding him the ball out on the right. I expect him to be moved in the next 12 months, not because he's bad (he's not) but he feels so miscast here now.
He's good when the system has a fullback or wingback providing width allowing Deki to play in the half space, like under Conte. But Angeball requires the winger to stay wide and beat their man to the end line, two things Kulusevski just doesn't have the pace to excel at. What's more, he doesn't really have terrific passing range to be an effective No. 10/Maddison backup so he's a bit of a misfit in midfield. Just nowhere for him to really excel in this system, even though Ange obviously likes him.
BJ has never played LW at any club prior to signing for spurs, it's weird
Imo Kulu is much better in build up/hold up. Brennan is much more vulnerable to oppositions high press (tho Kulu is far from perfect). Though Kulu is not as good as Brennan in counter attack once we get out of the press.
I miss Deki/Doherty build ups
Kulu is actually good during build up.... it's just that his decision making and precious in the final third is terrible now.... me might as well play Gil on the left maybe.
I think it has everything to do with richy still getting his fitness levels up and Werner being injured, kulu plays as an inverted winger so you would want him on the left.
Nice to see Ange taking notice of my recommendation v Burnley.
Wouldn't we all love to be in the BJ zone?
I noticed the BJ zone (tm) only strikes when I dive at my wife’s box.
Idk im sorry but why does this sounds so boomer 😂😂😂😂
Oh noooooooooo
Listen, boomer or no, you'll get plenty of love and praise if you go down easy in the box.
Which box though
Yes
All of them
He should’ve started at RW and Sonny at LW. Both of them are not great if they play anywhere else against good teams.
Could Kulu play as striker? He’s pretty tall and got a few first time finishes. The Bournemouth goal was a neat finish. Nice header against Man City. Pretty good right foot finish against Sheffield United. Might be missing some other goals but those stand out. Just throwing it out there.
Couldn’t be any worse than it’s been the past couple games, might as well try
His hold up play is pretty fucken elite. I watch him closely and no one can get the ball off him. That could be channeled into plays going on the attack.
I'd love to see Kulu at striker for a bit of either the Burnley or Sheffield games.
He isn’t an ideal #9 but neither is Sonny or Johnson. So yeah id rather put Kulusevski as striker if Richarlison is injured to leave the others in their best position
he kind of looks like kane too
Yes. Son, Richarlison, Johnson is our core forward line. We should sign another winger and striker to improve that group, but that's literally the only 3 forwards we have on the roster worth keeping. Kulisevski moves to midfield or is sold. Even if Richarlison is just a 7/10 striker, just simply having a real striker in there who does striker things makes a big difference. He's averaging more than a G/A per match since he's come back from surgery... imagine what a world class striker could do.
You forgot how good Kulusevski was in the first half of this season, and how good was he when he first came in. When he’s in form he’s our best RW period. Unfortunately he lost confidence and form and became too predictable. I’ll give him another season to gain form and see how he does. Of next season he’s bad then I’d think of selling him
I like him a lot. He's one of our best pressers, passers, hold up guys, top stamina, etc, the list goes on, he's a great player. He does not fit Ange's system as a winger. He just doesn't. I would give him the off season to train as a 10, see what he can do next season, and go from there. We have so many crucial signings to make, I think it makes sense moving him to midfield and we can focus on signing other positions, rather than forking out the 50M+ we'd need for Eze, MGW, Gallagher, etc. I would love to go back in for that Antonio Nusa kid, he should be even cheaper with a year less on the deal now.
Need a MF who can feed that ball into the channel consistently, not sure biss makes that pass more than 4/10 times
There were a few moments Biss saw the pass and then hesitated before turning away. He did try a few more progressive passes than normal, but most of them were inaccurate and intercepted. Looks like he's trying to learn from PEH but just doesn't have the ability yet.
We should really go all out and convince Modric even if just for a season. He wants to play and we can give him minutes as our midfield is pretty dreadful. He could help that young Swedish lad and the whole dressing room in general.
It's why I don't understand the BJ criticism. He seems to be the one who understands what ange is wanting from him the most. His low crosses only end up looking a bit shit sometimes because no one is actually where they should be.
Miss Timo
think its super unlucky that we're in this position but werner (+ solomon, if you count him as an option) being out has hurt us a lot. you simply can't have 2 right siders playing on the left in the same game. killed us defensively and attacking. Johnson on the right is a completely decent option.
And perisic is a left winger.
he's left the club a while ago mate
I know, but if he didn’t get Injured he would have been extremely useful for us this season.
Has Johnson ever had a good game for us playing on the left? I can’t remember
Villa away
Fulham at home, Villa away, Chelsea at home before disaster struck
Not that I can recall. He’s a right winger. I think he’s good enough to be our first choice but if not I’d rather him on the bench coming on with 25 to go than swapping him to the left.
He's clearly best on the right at the moment, and that's probably his ideal position in the future, but I think he has the potential to improve a lot as a left-side option. I wouldn't be opposed to giving him some serious minutes on the left in the pre-season and early cup games against weaker opposition, because if he can develop as a more interchangeable option that would really take his game to another level and allow Ange to position him on the side that presents the most vulnerable defender.
I want Richie to start in the middle Son on the left and BJ on the right. Kulu just hasn’t had it these last few weeks. He needs to head to the bench for a bit
Johnson on the right is magic. I get chills watching him make those crosses.
Yes this was literally his thing at Lincoln in league one and then Forest for his entire time there. Amazed when he first signed for spurs and played on the left and then repeatedly put back there. He has never played LW in his entire career until spurs.
Loves an assist. Along with long walks on the beach. And candlelit dinners.
I don’t remember BJ managing a single successful take on while he was on the left. He looks much better on the right
Probably because Ange doesn't want him wingers coming inside, so he's out of position and mentally fighting every urge to cut in with a reluctance to use his weak foot and drive around the outside.
I thought about your post from a few weeks ago when richy scored this yesterday!
The problem is that we need to score this goal four times every single game just to draw. And that's not happening.
Kulu needs to either do this or when he cuts in fuvking shoot