Like most Spurs supporters, I love Dele Alli. He’s ‘Our Alli’, after all. But if I’m being honest I love him more for the way he used to play when he first played at N17 than the way he has played for the last couple of years.
It would be easy to pick a performance during his time at Spurs that would highlight the good or the bad in Dele’s game. But I’m not interested in the odd performances …. just the consistency of his performances overall. After all, every team requires consistent performances from every player.
Dele’s consistency during the first two seasons of his career at The Lane soon made him ‘our Alli’. He was adored by the masses and his reward was fame and fortune. But a couple of seasons ago the wheels dropped off in terms of his consistency to perform. What happened?
Whatever happened there is no doubt his career took a different trajectory. He is no longer a focal part of the National squad and he has played a far less significant part in the Tottenham teams for some time. Both the national coaching team and the Tottenham coaching team recognised that something was wrong. It must be obvious to Spurs supporters that his consistency went walkabout.
Dele was a very young man when he became ‘the adored one’ at Tottenham. Did he handle this public adoration well? Media reports suggest his personal life may have become more important to him than his professional life. Tabloid photos of his outings with his girlfriend was splashed across newspaper pages. He seemed to be portrayed more as living the life of a rock star than the life of a professional football star. Was this just tabloid humbug or was there an element of truth?
Dele had a great understanding with the players around him for a couple of years. The players around him now are different, the team plays differently, the demands on his performance are different, and there is a new manager. When things change so much there is often the need to change with them.
We have all enjoyed his ‘tricks and flicks’. Dele can do unusual, cheeky, unexpected things with a football. It’s beautiful and entertaining to watch. Early on they used to work with regularity. Not so much now. Perhaps he should pay less attention to being tricky and more attention to playing basic team football. There are times in football matches when it’s best to keep it simple …. to pass to a team-mate rather than go for something more spectacular. The tricks and flicks would still be there, but used as a supportive skill to his game, not as the primary skill.
Spurs supporters have not seen such flair and sublime skills since Dimitar Berbatov graced our pitch. These skills are a part of Dele’s game and a part of who he is and how he likes to express himself. They should always be part of his game …. but just a part of it.
The reality is that Dele is no longer an integral part of the National squad and neither is he one of the first names on the Tottenham team sheet. But somewhere inside Dele Alli there remains a very good footballer who could be so much better than he currently is. Sometimes a question has to be asked, and someone has to ask it, so …. how does he show us that person as a Tottenham player?
TQ …. lol …. I wasn’t even thinking about that. Well I am a looong way away!
I have to say I am with Geof here regards Our Arry playing for England, he will want to no doubt about it, proud and all that blah blah, and yes he could get injured v Wham at the weekend and if anything is more than likely to v them, because of their dislike of us and generally kick us, which is part n parcel of their game v us. COYS
See my comments on previous post 13/10/20 on page 8. Dele (no longer Alli) is a top player and I was tracking him before we signed him at a bargain price. I was delighted that we signed him. His background is a tough one and this no doubt can play a part when form dips. He has had some fantastic moments but admittedly he has gone off the boil. That does not mean the talent is not there. You do not become a mediocre player overnight unless age is catching up with you. We must keep him and nurture the talent. I just hope I see him develop behind the front three of Bale, Kane and Son performing the Martin Peters role and ghosting in to head/ score goals. He is a great talent. Too good to allow another top team to benefit from his talents.
Hi guys
Im probably not getting my point across right. I’ve said I’m not English which probably puts a different slant on my thought process.
Of course HK10 wants to play,but, The England manager when looking at what he has just played early season should maybe take a pragmatic approach to his selection.
Better still move the fekin fixtures to a more sensible time of year. Oh yes the summer when there is no football and we would all love to watch these competitions between world cups and Euros.
Niall…….I think Southgate has done exctly as you say and taken a pragmatic approach. I think he recognised that the most important game of these three was tonights game as we don’t want to be in a three way fight to win the group, we know Belgium are going to be favourites but we have to make sure Denmark don’t spring a surprise.
I’m not sure why the media are making such a big thing about it, I think it’s more them and some fans rather than Jose that is making more of it than there really is. HK10 has only played about 25-30 minutes of the two games so far so I don’t see a problem with him playing the whole 90 minutes tonight. It might actually benefit him in terms of the weekend because injuries are just as likely to occur after a period of not playing as they might be from being over played. I guess we’ll find out at the weekend!
TQ
Suppose your correct.
Just not a great fan of these internationals (particularly non glamour friendlies) when the season has just started. Plus thinking re Bale he hasn’t played due to an injury sustained on international duty.
I distinctly remember losing Micheal Dawson to a serious injury on international duty for some time.
Like I say Northern Ireland are poor and not great to watch.
Occasionally we get a run in the Euros or World Cup to the quarters but that happens about every 25 years.
So not a massive fan as I’ve said just bored and whinging.
I’m no fan either Niall, I said in an earlier thread that I felt this current Nations League tournament should be cancelled under the present circumstances.
I was complaining earlier about how late ITV were showing the England highlights, with hindsight it was probably a good decision on their part however, they would probably be doing us all a favour if they just bin it as there weren’t any highlights anyway!
Thank God the international break is over, so looking forward to the weekend, there are some very interesting matches watch!
Disappointing response to your article Geof, hope it doesn’t deter you from submitting in the future.
TQ …. No worries, mate. I did think there would be more comments, given that it could be quite a contentious subject and so I was hoping for more opinions for my own education. I think this is article number 174 but I remember when I was aiming for 10! lol
Dele is probably feeling frustrated with his current position at Spurs. He’s young and young people can speak before they think. I hope he doesn’t confuse ‘in house’ remarks with ‘public remarks’. I suspect that would see him on the way out. He would do well to learn from Danny Rose …. how did that work out for him.
Dele comes across as an intelligent young man to me Geof who is able to express himself very well verbally. I’m sure if he choses to speak out he will do so fully aware of the possible consequences.
agree with dele comments, with injuries and not playing well, he could be frustrated he is not playing regualry and also a bit cheesed off with some of his own performance, did something happen behind the scenes with Jose, not made public. Who’s knows, no doubt he is talented, only time will tell. Little game time means he probably won’t make the euro squad. If not playing much, a loan move in Jan will no doubt be in the agenda, selling him would that come back to bite us.
I have watched Dele grow under the stewardship of Poch. I have seen some wonderful goals and assists from him as a result. Somewhere inside this young man there is still a talent and for me Dele needs to be loaned out to a club to help him find his form again and come back when his form and his attitude are in the right place. I do not want Dele tp be sold in January to a English club and for him to come back and score against us. He’s like a piece of Brighton rock with the name Dele Alli is Spurs running right through it.