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Player Djed Spence

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The athleticism that Spence brings really adds to our team. Pace at both ends of the pitch plus significant aerial ability upgrade on Porro. I think he'd actually cut out a lot of the aerial diagonal balls that can expose Porro at times. I'd be very happy to see him start at RB with Udogie LB, and give Porro some time on the bench. The three of them give us great pick and mix opportunities for different opponents, and further options to change the game from the bench. I'd really love to see this team at least once when all are fit...

Vicario
Romero --- VdV
Spence ----------- Gray ------------Udogie
Sarr --------- Kulu
Maddison ------Solanke ---------Son​
 
spids said:
The athleticism that Spence brings really adds to our team. Pace at both ends of the pitch plus significant aerial ability upgrade on Porro. I think he'd actually cut out a lot of the aerial diagonal balls that can expose Porro at times. I'd be very happy to see him start at RB with Udogie LB, and give Porro some time on the bench. The three of them give us great pick and mix opportunities for different opponents, and further options to change the game from the bench. I'd really love to see this team at least once when all are fit...

Vicario
Romero --- VdV
Spence ----------- Gray ------------Udogie
Sarr --------- Kulu
Maddison ------Solanke ---------Son​
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I liked Djed on the left with Sonny because he actually got the ball to him quicker than Udogie. Udogie needs left out to give him a kick up the arse because he’s been brutal all season.
 
I know it’s not a particularly high bar from a defensive point of view, but I’d say he’s the best defender out of him, Porro and Udogie on his showings so far.
 
BJK said:
Seems like a typical case of inertia to me.

Managers don't like chopping and changing, as they assume that stability has a certain inherent value in it. So, even if a player lower on the pecking order starts, or has a potential to start, outperforming someone above him, he may not get the nod outright. Unless and until he proves that he's actually a significant improvement, manager will probably continue giving the edge to higher ranked player.

Basically, they don't perceive it as making a straight-up choice between two alternatives. Rather, they look at it to see whether the difference between two players is big enough to justify a change. If they don't see it they'd rather carry on with the status quo.

So, I don't think Ange has a personal vendetta against him. Nor do I believe that there is something wrong with Spence.
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Really good post that, well thought out.
 
meaningless-friendly said:
People talk about attitude, but was that the reason Conte didn't play him? I assumed Conte froze him out as a message to Levy, not playing the "club signing."

I don't really give a fuck what the player is like off the pitch, assuming they aren't breaking the law or harming themselves or others. If they do the business when it counts, that's all that matters.
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Conte probably wanted Zambrotta for right-back and got pissed we gave him Spence, never gave a loot at the boy probably, the arrogant prick.
 
BJK said:
Seems like a typical case of inertia to me.

Managers don't like chopping and changing, as they assume that stability has a certain inherent value in it. So, even if a player lower on the pecking order starts, or has a potential to start, outperforming someone above him, he may not get the nod outright. Unless and until he proves that he's actually a significant improvement, manager will probably continue giving the edge to higher ranked player.

Basically, they don't perceive it as making a straight-up choice between two alternatives. Rather, they look at it to see whether the difference between two players is big enough to justify a change. If they don't see it they'd rather carry on with the status quo.

So, I don't think Ange has a personal vendetta against him. Nor do I believe that there is something wrong with Spence.
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Very intelligent post.
 
Different managers have different thresholds regarding the justifiability of change. For some it is so high that they're flirting with accusations of favouritism. They just stick with certain players, no matter what actually happens on the pitch. Downside is that favourites may let themselves go, knowing that their places are safe. Not-so-fortunate ones may also let themselves go, but for different reasons. Either way, favouritism will have negative consequences both on and off the pitch. It's totally undesirable.

Wishy washy ones, by contrast, regularly look for marginal gains at the risk of causing disruption and even chaos. Players start walking on eggshels, because they know that manager keeps a very tight rein on them. Players' self belief and confidence evaporate. Wishy-washiness will have negative consequences on and off the pitch as well. This is equally undesirable.

Most managers stand somewhere in between these two extremes in the spectrum. Ange can be accused of stubbornness in terms of his rigid adherence to certain principles and ideas, but I wouldn't accuse him of favouritism. He rotates his wingers, uses players like Kulusevski and Maddison in different positions and roles and so on.

In fact, connected to previous point I made about his adherence to ideas, it'd make more sense for him to be closer to wishy-washy end of the spectrum in terms of player selection. He probably won't let his attachment to certain players get in the way of picking up a team that he believes would best execute his ideas. Because, at the end of the day, what matters most to him is the application of those ideas themselves. Not necessarily who applies them.

Like I said, all managers value stability in personnel to a certain degree, but Ange doesn't seem like one that's very high on it.
 
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An underrated point is that this isn’t the only place Djed got frozen out or wasn’t fully appreciated. So I think it’s a little harsh to blame nearly every single manager before this. Just give credit to current Djed and Ange for a now useful player.
 
The whole Spence situation is so odd. There is definitely a backstory we don’t know.

He came to light playing Martinelli and Woolwich off the pitch for Middlesbrough. Came to us and and only got to play a few times until recent. In his few performances he mostly looked fantastic always one of the best 2-3 players on the pitch, everything you would ever want in a full back, playing like a young Kyle Walker without Kyle Walkers flaws. Aggressive both defending and attacking, explosive speed, power, great close control and a nice passing range to boot. In terms of raw talent maybe even above that of both Porro or Udogie. I assumed it was just his attitude off the pitch or maybe his defensive positioning was very weak.

We will find out one day. You can’t be that naturally good and also give a shit when you play (unlike Ndombele) and there not be something. I love having him on the park because you know he will make it hard for the opposition. I get the impression he is a horrible player to play against.
 
Tomo said:
The whole Spence situation is so odd. There is definitely a backstory we don’t know.

He came to light playing Martinelli and Woolwich off the pitch for Middlesbrough. Came to us and and only got to play a few times until recent. In his few performances he mostly looked fantastic always one of the best 2-3 players on the pitch, everything you would ever want in a full back, playing like a young Kyle Walker without Kyle Walkers flaws. Aggressive both defending and attacking, explosive speed, power, great close control and a nice passing range to boot. In terms of raw talent maybe even above that of both Porro or Udogie. I assumed it was just his attitude off the pitch or maybe his defensive positioning was very weak.

We will find out one day. You can’t be that naturally good and also give a shit when you play (unlike Ndombele) and there not be something. I love having him on the park because you know he will make it hard for the opposition. I get the impression he is a horrible player to play against.
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I dunno if it's as complicated as all that.

And I don't think it's true that he's been the second coming of Dani Alves every time he's played, not even last night.

It all looks clearly like a talented young footballer who experienced a lot of very young success not having the professionalism and work habits to kick on to a higher level, seeing his career wobble as a result, getting exposed to some different countries and leagues and coaches, and now, hopefully, seeing the light and getting his head on straight. At age 24 he's learned he can't act like a kid anymore.

Not an uncommon story in football or in many other areas of life.
 
FightingIllini said:
I dunno if it's as complicated as all that.

And I don't think it's true that he's been the second coming of Dani Alves every time he's played, not even last night.

It all looks clearly like a talented young footballer who experienced a lot of very young success not having the professionalism and work habits to kick on to a higher level, seeing his career wobble as a result, getting exposed to some different countries and leagues and coaches, and now, hopefully, seeing the light and getting his head on straight. At age 24 he's learned he can't act like a kid anymore.

Not an uncommon story in football or in many other areas of life.
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This is just more conjecture. No he wasn't the second coming of arguably the best right back the world has ever seen but he didn't need to be.

He just need to be better than a bloke who lost his man nearly every time, watched balls sail over the space he had vacated, and the other bloke who jogged back with the determination of a pensioner with sciatica.

Whatever way you cut it Djed Spence was an asset we did not use to the detriment of our team and our other overplayed fullbacks. I an amazed at the lengths folk are prepared to go to deny the obvious. This can't happen again if Ange wants to keep his job and progress the team.
 
Phomesy said:
I think I agree with every word but not entirely sure as you've written one huge paragraph like a serial killer would... :cautious:

Edit: just looked and username checks out :eek:
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Fattynomates said:
Paragraphs are your friend! :mourbye:
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I debated it, does come in a little bit heavy for a single paragraph but there was no clear and obvious break point. I should pay mind to the tik tok generation of today that can only handle 4 or 5 words every 15 seconds or so, my apologies.
 
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