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Bench Kyle & Bring On Kyle

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Good afternoon.

The excellent PhysioRoom.com has Kyle Naughton due back on the 20th of this month.The reason I share this piece of fascinating piece of information is that it might prove to be of sudden relevance dependent upon what happens when England play Poland tonight.

From today’s Mirror:

Hodgson has taken Walker to Poland, despite him having a scan on his calf. The Spurs star missed training here on Monday and is unlikely to be involved against Poland. Hodgson added: “Walker has a very slight calf strain. He’s got a tender spot.”

With the Chelsea game looming it is of course another reason to make a reticent grunting noise when asked if you know the England game is on tonight. 

Taking Walker to Poland like this really is putting club before country and makes you wonder what communication system is in place between the player’s employers and the FA when it comes to situations such as this?

Thinking ahead – as the boy clearly needs to achieve match fitness and so it might be ambitious to suggest him for this weekend – but is it time to see if Naughton can do a job at right back in place of Walker?

The boss knows best he is the guy who makes the assessments in training. But if Naughton were showing some positive signs then it would be interesting to see what he might offer defensively.

I’ve been banging my ‘lack of confidence’ drum about Walker for some time. As I’ve said on the podcast, this ‘he’s good going forward’ line is largely an urban myth. He doesn’t really achieve much with his runs and as a defender all I see is him getting skinned endlessly. As an athlete he’s great, but is he anywhere near as good defensively? I think the answer is a firm ‘no.’

ODM tells me, ‘You don’t like him!’ which implies there’s something personal or irrational in my critique. This isn’t the case. Any issues with players positive or negative stem solely from their game play. Walker’s a defender who doesn’t do that job very well and his attacking play is hit and miss. 

What’s after the Blue Racists? The Bubbles Part2 then a trip to Southampton. Perfect. I’d like to see Kyle Naughton given a go for that one.

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132 comments

  • BrisbaneSpur says:

    Can never understand why we got rid of Corluka. Yes he lacked a little pace, but Lennon always played well playing in front of him. He also had a half decent final ball on him for a RB.

    Walker always been over rated, never really understood all the fuss made by a lot of people on here last season? Always put it down to the fact I wasn’t at the live game and off camera he must have been giving out free pound coins and an odd massage.

  • Hartley says:

    I see Lloris saved a Fabregarse penalty tonight….. :daumen:

  • Ronnie Wolman says:

    Walker is not bright but really we are weak at backing him up when he goes forward ans we have more going on the left with Dembele and Sandro operating more middle and leftish (hes a socialist)
    anyway Walker is an iffy right back at the best of times but a not bad winger if he had a brain…if he only had a brain…..of course of course of course of course…..

  • Hartley says:

    Kyle Walker is 22!…..I’ve been watching Spurs since 1972 and for me he is the most promising right back we have had, at his age, in that time…..Kyle Naughton is not far behind….we are blessed, to quote the happy clappers “be careful what you……no, I can’t do it…..give him time, competition from the other Kyle and more importantly, support…..he will turn into one of the greats, trust me. COYS!

    • Ronnie Wolman says:

      Hartley if he wasnt a good right winger,would he make it as a back?

      • Hartley says:

        He will….but if not, do a Bale, get shot of Azza and stick Naughton at RB with Smiffy as cover….

        • Ronnie Wolman says:

          Azza is smarter than Walker though.Walker is much stronger and tougher but Azza can finesse his way through.Cant cross fantastically (Walker has a good cross) but can come inside and find the open man.
          With Modric gone not too many do that…maybe Sigg
          but bold move to get rid of Lennon in favour of Walker.
          Naughton I like because he is a more traditional back.A defensive back.

    • PeterTheStoreyTeller says:

      Nicely said :daumen:

    • BrisbaneSpur says:

      Sorry have to disagree, 22 is the new 25 in my book… The amount of coaching you have by the age of 22 these days, if coupled with genuine talent, should result in a lot more by 22 years of age than we are getting….
      May sound a little harsh, but he is a weak link at present…

      Average right back, great athelete.

      • Hartley says:

        I disagree….I would suggest that 22 is the new 18 these days…How many players get their chance at an early age nowadays?

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