1 minute ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Hall should still start over him if he's still here. 

I would probably agree with you if we are talking about the LWB spot. But with Pochettino likely going for a back 4 it isn't really a question anymore as Hall would be exposed at LB.

7 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Hall should still start over him if he's still here. 

Should start over him, maybe. Cucurella has been horrific overall so this doesn`t say much. But we all know it`s not going to happen anyway. Cucurella is also better defensively and if Pochettino goes to a back 4 there is no way Hall should get too much playing time unless he can manage to improve dramatically over the summer and pre-season.

16 minutes ago, reparto corse said:

Should start over him, maybe. Cucurella has been horrific overall so this doesn`t say much. But we all know it`s not going to happen anyway. Cucurella is also better defensively and if Pochettino goes to a back 4 there is no way Hall should get too much playing time unless he can manage to improve dramatically over the summer and pre-season.

You never know, Cucurella may get back to his best for Pochettino.

He's had some terrible luck this season with his house getting robbed with his family there, got terribly sick and generally been asked to perform in a non-functioning team since September. He was a beast at Brighton just last season.

2 hours ago, OriginalS said:

 

He's had some terrible luck this season with his house getting robbed with his family there, got terribly sick and generally been asked to perform in a non-functioning team since September. He was a beast at Brighton just last season.

He was. Player of the season too? Solid defensively, aggressive going forward. We've seen a shadow of that. You don't fall off a cliff overnight. The personal problems weren't much publicised and he was playing in a rotating defensive set up changing virtually every week. He's one of several players I will reserve judgement on until I see them in a settled structure with, most importantly, a manager who actually has a clue.

17 hours ago, dermott said:

He was. Player of the season too? Solid defensively, aggressive going forward. We've seen a shadow of that. You don't fall off a cliff overnight. The personal problems weren't much publicised and he was playing in a rotating defensive set up changing virtually every week. He's one of several players I will reserve judgement on until I see them in a settled structure with, most importantly, a manager who actually has a clue.

Not so sure about aggressive going forward. He's basically an Azpi regen, strong defensively but offers very little in attack. Games moved on from players like that at full back. Either needs to be used at CB in a back 3 or work hard on his attacking over summer like AWB did for Utd. 

1 hour ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Not so sure about aggressive going forward. He's basically an Azpi regen, strong defensively but offers very little in attack. Games moved on from players like that at full back. Either needs to be used at CB in a back 3 or work hard on his attacking over summer like AWB did for Utd. 

He was forever scampering forward. A permanent fixture in my FF team that season for what that's worth. Okay, zip, but he was their player of the season and players' player of the season for more than just his defence. That's the Cucurella I hope Pochettino can rediscover.

43 minutes ago, dermott said:

He was forever scampering forward. A permanent fixture in my FF team that season for what that's worth. Okay, zip, but he was their player of the season and players' player of the season for more than just his defence. That's the Cucurella I hope Pochettino can rediscover.

1 goal and 1 assist in 35 games, your FF team must have struggled. 

1 hour ago, RIP Mourinho said:

1 goal and 1 assist in 35 games, your FF team must have struggled. 

You better believe it. I captained Timo for way too long.

8 minutes ago, dermott said:

You better believe it. I captained Timo for way too long.

I can't judge, i put Havertz in every year assuming he won't be absolutely abysmal for much longer. 

20 hours ago, dermott said:

He was. Player of the season too? Solid defensively, aggressive going forward. We've seen a shadow of that. You don't fall off a cliff overnight. The personal problems weren't much publicised and he was playing in a rotating defensive set up changing virtually every week. He's one of several players I will reserve judgement on until I see them in a settled structure with, most importantly, a manager who actually has a clue.

The Cucurella deal should never have happened when you consider what FBs moved for in the summer window. I know fans moan about underperforming/overpaid attacking players, but we currently have 4 fullbacks earning over £700k/w amongst them. I don’t think there is any club on the planet paying their fullbacks that much. Lo

Hell of a talent, and what a game he had. 3 key passes and 2 big chances created in 90 mins. To put that performance into perspective James has created 3 big chances all season long, and averages 1.3 key passes per game. You look further into the stats and he made 5 accurate long balls out of 6 attempts, those are Trent & De Bruyne territory numbers. It gets scarier when you consider he was up against Wan Bisaka at fullback who is considered one of the best defensive fullbacks in the game. This wasn’t even a one off; he had another big game v City, you could see his game getting better aa he gets more starts. Which is what most of our young talents ever needed, game time & trust. All this at just 18, and he isn’t even a LB by trade.

Under the right manager he could be turned into an absolute weapon like Harry Redknapp did by converting Bale into a world class LW. You give him out to De Zerbi for a season, he will return a £50m+ player. Boehly needs to be handing him an improved contract now on the one he just signed, as that one expires in 2025. Pochettino also needs to make him a permanent fixture in the 1st team, find him a spot at LB or LW. Find a buyer for Cucurella or switch Sterling to RW. Every PL club is now aware of his talent, and are just waiting on us to screw it up. 

Defensively very naïve to play LB though, was at fault for losing Sancho for their second goal. I'd like to see him played in his natural CM. Agree he's a more than capable backup to Chilwell, which makes the Cucurella signing worse. 

Pretty much the only positive from last night, though it almost certainly wont happen I would love to see him in centre mid on Sunday, give him a go as we have literally nothing to lose.

3 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Defensively very naïve to play LB though, was at fault for losing Sancho for their second goal. I'd like to see him played in his natural CM. Agree he's a more than capable backup to Chilwell, which makes the Cucurella signing worse. 

Yes, defensively naïve. Bound to be at 18. At least one stunning defensive tackle on I forget who. 

So refreshing to see an academy player doing so well, and it is not the first time. And even more refreshing that he's got down with business when he was sidelined and taken his chances instead of posting stupidities on social media. Someone that at least wants to play for us!

3 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Defensively very naïve to play LB though, was at fault for losing Sancho for their second goal. I'd like to see him played in his natural CM. Agree he's a more than capable backup to Chilwell, which makes the Cucurella signing worse. 

Well, if he was played as CM as you suggest, the Cucurella (or anyone else) signing makes sense as we'd need someone to cover for Chilwell.

3 hours ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Defensively very naïve to play LB though, was at fault for losing Sancho for their second goal. I'd like to see him played in his natural CM. Agree he's a more than capable backup to Chilwell, which makes the Cucurella signing worse. 

Pochettino may want to follow the recent trend of having fullbacks into midfield to overwhelm in the middle of the park, if he does then Hall is perfect for that role.

Should of had 2 assists last night. I do like him at LB and hope he stays there personally. 

And if you watch the 2nd United goal back, the initial error was Gallagher being Gallagher and running around with no discipline, chasing Enzo's man which opened space for Casemiro to have all the time in the world to pick a brilliant pass to Sancho. You can even see Enzo's anger towards Gallagher as a result. 

Enzo was getting angry at a number of his teammates. For good reason. I like the guy.

53 minutes ago, RMH said:

Well, if he was played as CM as you suggest, the Cucurella (or anyone else) signing makes sense as we'd need someone to cover for Chilwell.

Maatsen. Just poor planning all round. 

2 minutes ago, RIP Mourinho said:

Maatsen. Just poor planning all round. 

Agree, but he's been on loan since 2020 to different teams, if I remember correctly, so the new owners were probably following trend (just like with Colwill). We have been making some mistakes in recent years, for me one of the most obvious ones has been Gilmour, for example. As you say, bad planning but for several years now.

5 hours ago, dkw said:

Pretty much the only positive from last night, though it almost certainly wont happen I would love to see him in centre mid on Sunday, give him a go as we have literally nothing to lose.

Is Dylan Williams fit? If so play hum as a natural LB and Hall in midfield please.

Academy POTY

Lamps doesn't always get it straight away, but he always gets there eventually.

It is frankly stupid that they don't have a monogrammed jacket ready for him as England U21 manager...

It is well talked about how Pochettino is very good at developing youth, developing a team ethos and how hard a worker he is.

With that in mind I wonder what he has thought of Lewis, and how big a role he sees for him next season.