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Mid-season player reviews that are not at all but yet entirely based on last night's latest pathetic surrender. A thread.
Lloris- 7.5.
Probably his best season for a while, truth be told. But still struggling to command his area, and the set piece goals we concede suggest a player well on the decline.
Probably his best season for a while, truth be told. But still struggling to command his area, and the set piece goals we concede suggest a player well on the decline.
Matt Doherty: 5
LOL. It's not his fault we signed him, nor that we aren't playing him as a wing back when we stick him in, but if you can't win your place ahead of Serge Aurier then you need to ask yourself serious questions
LOL. It's not his fault we signed him, nor that we aren't playing him as a wing back when we stick him in, but if you can't win your place ahead of Serge Aurier then you need to ask yourself serious questions
Sergio Reguilon: 8
We've desperately needed an attacking left full back since Danny Rose's legs fell off 3 years ago and he has settled in nicely. Suspect defensively, but at Spurs that means you're truly part of the gang.
We've desperately needed an attacking left full back since Danny Rose's legs fell off 3 years ago and he has settled in nicely. Suspect defensively, but at Spurs that means you're truly part of the gang.
Toby Alderweireld: 7.5
Still good, just not as good as once was. Still desperately need him in there as the adult for when the panic sets in. We need to start planning for life beyond.
Still good, just not as good as once was. Still desperately need him in there as the adult for when the panic sets in. We need to start planning for life beyond.
Davinson Sanchez: 3
I really feel for him, but he's not just not progressed since his first season, he is actively getting worse. Still lets the ball bounce, still gets out muscled by nobodies, and still can't really pass; those around him aren't now good enough to bail him out.
I really feel for him, but he's not just not progressed since his first season, he is actively getting worse. Still lets the ball bounce, still gets out muscled by nobodies, and still can't really pass; those around him aren't now good enough to bail him out.
PE Hojbjerg: 9.5
So good. The only criticism isn't his fault, and that is he's expected to do even more than what his job should be. He's not a great passer (last night's ping aside) but is expected to start attacks after winning the ball because nobody else can.
So good. The only criticism isn't his fault, and that is he's expected to do even more than what his job should be. He's not a great passer (last night's ping aside) but is expected to start attacks after winning the ball because nobody else can.
HM Son: 8.5
When he's at his best, he's sensational. The trouble is, on his (admittedly rare) off days, he's so bad and so anonymous that he looks like a complete imposter. But his form has been brilliant and for probably the 3rd season in a row, we over-rely on him.
When he's at his best, he's sensational. The trouble is, on his (admittedly rare) off days, he's so bad and so anonymous that he looks like a complete imposter. But his form has been brilliant and for probably the 3rd season in a row, we over-rely on him.
Gareth Bale: 6
Oh dear.. A winner against Brighton that we all hoped would be the kick start, but injuries and lack of game time is making it the whiff of a disaster. Any commercial aspect of his signing has been negated by nobody giving that much of a shit anymore. We have hope
Oh dear.. A winner against Brighton that we all hoped would be the kick start, but injuries and lack of game time is making it the whiff of a disaster. Any commercial aspect of his signing has been negated by nobody giving that much of a shit anymore. We have hope
Harry Kane: 9.5
Probably his best ever all-round form, but like Son, we have an over-reliance on him. His new playmaker role is down to his brilliance but also nobody else in the squad capably of picking a pass, and he often ends up far too deep. But still the GOAT.
Probably his best ever all-round form, but like Son, we have an over-reliance on him. His new playmaker role is down to his brilliance but also nobody else in the squad capably of picking a pass, and he often ends up far too deep. But still the GOAT.
Harry Winks: 6
Back in the fold of late, possibly due to banging on the manager's door for game time. He's not had a good couple of seasons and has stagnated, but is still a useful squad option. Must take the chance he's been handed over the Christmas period to cement a place
Back in the fold of late, possibly due to banging on the manager's door for game time. He's not had a good couple of seasons and has stagnated, but is still a useful squad option. Must take the chance he's been handed over the Christmas period to cement a place
Erik Lamela: 5.5
Brilliant at Old Trafford, you wondered if he was finally securing a place in the front 3 ahead of all the others. But as always, since then, he has been injured and unavailable. Wash and repeat.
Brilliant at Old Trafford, you wondered if he was finally securing a place in the front 3 ahead of all the others. But as always, since then, he has been injured and unavailable. Wash and repeat.
Joe Hart: 5
Presumably the main reason he was brought in was to be a cheerleader, so in many ways, jon done. The man must bang a gram before he does anything. Would certainly explain some of his goalkeeping on shots from range.
Presumably the main reason he was brought in was to be a cheerleader, so in many ways, jon done. The man must bang a gram before he does anything. Would certainly explain some of his goalkeeping on shots from range.
Joe Rodon: n/a
Would like to see more. At the moment, what is there to lose by throwing him in? A shame he couldn't play in the League Cup.
Would like to see more. At the moment, what is there to lose by throwing him in? A shame he couldn't play in the League Cup.
Eric Dier: either 3 or 9, there is no in between.
You could argue he's been our best defender this season, in a 'tallest dwarf' kind of way. But at times, he is a competition winner. Also, stop trying to ping long balls. You can't do it mate.
You could argue he's been our best defender this season, in a 'tallest dwarf' kind of way. But at times, he is a competition winner. Also, stop trying to ping long balls. You can't do it mate.
Moussa Sissoko: 7.5
At times, Sissoko looks like the only player in the team who seems capable of following instructions. This is probably his best season for us, too. But, while not his fault per se, he's useless at the business end of the pitch.
At times, Sissoko looks like the only player in the team who seems capable of following instructions. This is probably his best season for us, too. But, while not his fault per se, he's useless at the business end of the pitch.
Giovani Lo Celso: 6(ish)
Who? Oh him. Like Lamela, you get a glimpse of the player you've been waiting for, then it all breaks down. Good goal against City, but otherwise, you wouldn't really know he was here.
Who? Oh him. Like Lamela, you get a glimpse of the player you've been waiting for, then it all breaks down. Good goal against City, but otherwise, you wouldn't really know he was here.
Dele Alli: n/a
Not able to rate. Despite him being the only other player than Kane and Son who can score more than 5 league goals a season, cant get a game. He has regressed over the last 2 years, but there have been reasons, and the time has surely come to give him his chance.
Not able to rate. Despite him being the only other player than Kane and Son who can score more than 5 league goals a season, cant get a game. He has regressed over the last 2 years, but there have been reasons, and the time has surely come to give him his chance.
Paulo Gazzaniga: n/a
If you can't displace Joe Hart, probably best to move on. Still not forgiven for that Chelsea penalty last season.
If you can't displace Joe Hart, probably best to move on. Still not forgiven for that Chelsea penalty last season.
Steven Bergwijn: 7
There is a player in there somewhere, but it's one that at the moment is terrified of his own shadow when in front of goal. The Anfield chance could be a real sliding doors moment for him - you just can't pass those chances up. One for the next manager
There is a player in there somewhere, but it's one that at the moment is terrified of his own shadow when in front of goal. The Anfield chance could be a real sliding doors moment for him - you just can't pass those chances up. One for the next manager
Seeger Aurier: 7
Been good, presumably in response to some competition. Still makes stupid decisions, notably against Leicester for the penalty. But hard to argue that he's stepped up, even if an upgrade is still a priority
Been good, presumably in response to some competition. Still makes stupid decisions, notably against Leicester for the penalty. But hard to argue that he's stepped up, even if an upgrade is still a priority
Japhet Tanganga: n/a
Not as many chances as last season, despite there being less players in his way. Still think he lacks the aggression needed to be a top centre back, but we'll never know if he doesn't play
Not as many chances as last season, despite there being less players in his way. Still think he lacks the aggression needed to be a top centre back, but we'll never know if he doesn't play
Lucas Moura: 5.5
One minute you can't get him out the team, the next he's missing for weeks. No way of knowing what you're getting, but is still a useful squad player. Inconsistent to an infuriating degree
One minute you can't get him out the team, the next he's missing for weeks. No way of knowing what you're getting, but is still a useful squad player. Inconsistent to an infuriating degree
Tanguy Ndombele: 8
Finally, he is at least now completing 70+ minutes and seems to understand the need to go through the pain barrier a bit. Unbelievably talented, but another one relied on too heavily to do too much in the current set up.
Finally, he is at least now completing 70+ minutes and seems to understand the need to go through the pain barrier a bit. Unbelievably talented, but another one relied on too heavily to do too much in the current set up.
Gedson Fernandes: 0.3
Now, this might be unfair considering other players with more minutes got an n/a rating. But his performance at Marine was like watching a different sport. One of the worst ever, and the sooner he's gone the better.
Now, this might be unfair considering other players with more minutes got an n/a rating. But his performance at Marine was like watching a different sport. One of the worst ever, and the sooner he's gone the better.
Ben Davies: 7
Fine. As usual, just fine. He is what he is, and there are plenty worse backup left backs you could ask for. No howlers come to mind.
Fine. As usual, just fine. He is what he is, and there are plenty worse backup left backs you could ask for. No howlers come to mind.
Carlos Vinicius: 6
Again, fine. Not enough minutes against proper opposition to know what he's all about, but has done some good things that warrant a few more opportunities. Needs to be a bit nastier.
Again, fine. Not enough minutes against proper opposition to know what he's all about, but has done some good things that warrant a few more opportunities. Needs to be a bit nastier.
And finally...
Jose Mourinho: 6
Some great things. Some awful things. A cup final and in the mix for top 4, but with football that makes you glad there's a pandemic keeping you away from being there. Seems to know the problems, but isn't fixing them. So god knows.
Jose Mourinho: 6
Some great things. Some awful things. A cup final and in the mix for top 4, but with football that makes you glad there's a pandemic keeping you away from being there. Seems to know the problems, but isn't fixing them. So god knows.
