austsaint

Look, I think the proof in the pudding will be several Clubs queueing up for Vic's services (including his passing) come the summer. I doubt there will be much interest in any of our other midfielders.

Who do you consider better? Ward-Prowse? Davo? Clasie?

I meant to say I'm not claiming Vic is in the elite category of passers - I do think he's in the elite category of central midfielders overall.

Mash; I'm not saying Vic is in the elite category of Prem central midfielders; I'm saying his passing and distribution isn't that bad, but the real strengths of his game are breaking up play; strength on the ball; aerial skill and an imposing presence - all of which would be a massive loss for us and a massive gain for Spurs, despite Dier and Dembele.

He would provide the biting defensive shield for the Belgian CB's - his aerial work is akin to having an extra CB and he provides the enforcer role which Dier is not yet in control of. Not that I want to him go - look at our midfield as it stands with Vic gone....Davis, JWP, Clasie....only Romeu inspires much confidence to provide some steel.

Which is something of a popular myth since Vic's passing and distribution is pretty good and if he goes to Spurs he will give them qualities they don't already have.

Humiliating stuff at Anfield. Coutinho's goal reminiscent of several he's banged past us.

Most of them are scattered around the globe on loan aren't they?

Mash, that poor clearance was actually Shane Long, not Yoshida.

Mane wasted stuck out on the left.

Much as I love our Kelv, Nordic Saint has nailed it.

He was; but he was better than Dan Harding.

I'm resigned to Vic going; Pelle goes with my best wishes and so would Tadic; I worry about VVD being sniffed out by "big Clubs" but expect he will at least spend a second season with us. The player I hope stays with us is Mane - if there's the slightest chance the Club can keep him they must pull out all stops.

Great read. What makes it even better is both Toby and now VVD are better players and better human beings.

Despite this you can expect JWP to spend time on the pitch against Everton. What I found baffling about his 35 minutes on Saturday was the big slab of time he spent in an advanced midfield role, almost as a second striker???

Your nine days late with that post.

He really does look a good player; get's forward, has a good eye for a pass; is quite fast and has some bottle in defence even if he can get caught out of position now and again.

Good summary, though I thought Mane played well stuck out on the right. Had a hand in all three goals and set up two gilt edged chances for Tadic and Long.

Mane hasn't done much? He's played a part in both goals and set up Long and Tadic with clear goal opportunities.

David, my point is the lad has looked right at home at Prem level when he's been played. I'm not suggesting he should play ahead of Vic or Romeu, maybe even Clasie, but there have been times this season when JWP has been preferred at DM and even if you rate JWP he is not a DM.

I really rate Reed in that DM role. I remember him playing a great game v Everton when Morgan and/or Vic were missing; after the game Ron commented that Harry lacked "technical" skills, and it seems that judgement has worked against much involvement since. It's one of the only gripes I have with RK, since players like Targett and Ward-Prowse have been given so many opportunities to develop, particularly JWP.

Yeah, but we've got JWP.

Have a closer look - Davo is not past his sell-by date.

Roger, I often agree with your opinions but Davo played pretty well yesterday - running aggressively into attacking spaces, penetrating passes and clever with the ball in tight spaces. The weak links yesterday were Targett, Cedric, Clasie and Pelle apart from his pass releasing Mane for the lead up to the penalty which wasn't given.

Yep, Targett's been very poor. Looked a penalty to me - unlucky not to be 1-1 at H/T.