...between success and failure.
So, our Tommy has finally got a permanent move away. Heading back to Swansea here he spent some time on loan previously. Slightly odd move for them I think, I'm not sure he's the kind of player they need to dig them out of their hole, but best of luck to both him and them.
He was a player who often divided opinion (see Chronic's article below for further examples!), but more and more became a derided character, often the butt of jokes on this forum and generally considered to be a fairly ineffective player.
Like players such as Mason and Bentaleb before him, it can be sad to see a 'homegrown' talent not make the grade, for whatever reason, and be moved on.
When I first saw Tom play I really thought he had something about him, a clever little player, looking to be a creator, and in the long term I thought he might have a stake as a regular in our team. But more and more his failings became evident - he wasn't brave enough, either in the tackle, or in terms of demanding the ball. His slight frame, forgivable at a younger age, became more of an issue as he matured. He was unable to impose himself on games, whether as a starter or sub, and in particular on the larger stage.
Maybe Swansea is his level, and he'll excel there, but I'm unconvinced.
But the point of this article is to discuss the fine margins, as for me there's a fairly stark parallel we can observe, in the form of Harry Winks.
Harry was well below Tom in the pecking order not all that long ago. There are some similarities (young, creative players, both fairly small, both with a keen eye for a forward pass....), but the one key area where Harry has shone is in application. When he gets his chance, he gives it everything - he puts his foot in a tackle, he constantly wants the ball and wants to be involved, where all too often Carroll shied away. I think Harry potentially has a very bright future with us....but if you simply compared both players on a 'skill' level, there wouldn't be much between them, in fact you might even make a case that Carroll offers more.
I think this all epitomises the team ethic under Poch. You need the skill, but you need the desire, enthusiasm, hunger, and effort too. Those are the areas that perhaps cost Tom Carroll his place at Spurs.
Any thoughts? Will Carroll be a success at Swansea, could we regret letting him go? Will we see Winks be a success or will he be another Carroll in a year or so's time?
Tom Carroll and the fine margins...
posted on 18/1/17
its the very nature of an academy that most dont make the grade but some gems will emerge....what Levy seems to be doing now is changing our model from a club that HAD to sell top players to be able to compete to one which now makes good money from the academy 'rejects'.
Word is that we'll get +£20m for Bentaleb which would be remarkable and only adds further to the 10s of millions were are making from academy players
Overall an academy is just as important to produce players who can be sold as it is to produce players who will make it into the first team squad. THFC have grasped this, not many others have.
posted on 18/1/17
£20 million for Bentaleb is crazy money, hope we get it!
posted on 18/1/17
Wonder what kept Carroll at Spurs for so long, he was never really in favour with any of our previous managers. When his name was in the squad we were all delighted but it got really sad when he simply wasn't being given any starts. Now he's 25 in a few months and he's wasted away a large chunk of his career waiting around for a chance that ultimately never came.
posted on 19/1/17
He was just not good enough in the end.
We have had plenty of other midfielders with their faults, but Tommy just did not have anything stand-out enough to paper over his physical deficiencies.
Winks is interesting. Still looks like a boy, much like Carroll did (or indeed does). He does not play like a boy though, and is still maturing. Looks stronger than last year. Onomah I think is a player that needs to mature physically too to see the player.
Carroll always looked a bit frail to be honest. I thought maybe once he got older and put a bit of meat on the bones it may change, but it never did.
He cannot say he never got a chance, he has had plenty of time to impress a coach who will 100% play those he thinks are good enough.
posted on 19/1/17
HRH, I just don't see it with Onomah. Poch obviously does as he keeps giving him a chance, but I see him very much being another Tom Carroll sadly.
posted on 19/1/17
I don't think we will regret seeing Carroll go I expect him to be the successor to Leon Britton in Swansea.
Carroll just did not produce enough for us and is far too similar to winks who has clearly surpassed him in the pecking order.
The only game I was ever impressed by him was against Basel I think it was a Europa league game and he came on and showed what a talent he could be. Sadly I feel like he lacks desire you sometimes get that in middle class kids. Oxlade chamberlain has the same never pushes on even though the attributes are there to do so just too relaxed.
posted on 19/1/17
On the subject of Adam smith he left under a slight cloud.
At the time there was a big thing about it your face for you would get a chance. Angry at not getting chances (and I think he was right he deserved an opportunity think he only played once for us) he demanded to leave after telling one of the coaches a few home truths.
posted on 19/1/17
comment by Philspurs - Millionaire travel agent (U3278)
posted 5 hours, 35 minutes ago
HRH, I just don't see it with Onomah. Poch obviously does as he keeps giving him a chance, but I see him very much being another Tom Carroll sadly.
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Solely based on current performance I would agree, but I have heard rave reviews about this kid, and I feel he is yet to fill out properly. Not like Carroll, who is tiny anyway, but kind of how a young horse looks. All legs and gangly.
There was a special youth podcast on the Fighting C**k recently and they were all singing his praises (Windy plus two other youth experts). Appatently his position is, and always has been, central midfield. Not a 10 or a wide forward, where he has looked particularly ineffective.
I do think he needs a loan to toughen him up a bit
posted on 19/1/17
I've been far more impressed when watching Onomah than Carroll, the former is a better athlete and can carry the ball well
posted on 19/1/17
comment by Edinspur (U1109)
posted 8 minutes ago
I've been far more impressed when watching Onomah than Carroll, the former is a better athlete and can carry the ball well
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Onomah hasn't impressed me at all tbh. being better than Carroll is not a particularly big accomplishment. Happy to give him plenty of time though.
I think he needs a loan tbh