Pochettino words come as no surprise
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It is being reported as a surprise call by Squawka, but anyone who watched 20-year-old (21 next April) Josh Onomah play last season on his brief appearances will not be surprised by Mauricio Pochettino's remarks at all.
He regressed, gone was the enthusiasm, the drive, the verve, he looked disinterested, not motivated, which all stem from mentality. His mentality was clearly not right.
“He needs to prove himself that he can play. It’s a great opportunity for him now at Aston Villa to prove himself and prove to everyone that he is a player that can learn and improve and will be useful for Tottenham.”
While Onomah was getting all the plaudits last summer and people have been talking about him since England won the Under-20 World Cup, it is another Spurs youngster who is grabbing the headlines at the moment.
We have seen Ryan Mason emerge on a pre-season tour, 21-year-old (22 next February) Harry Winks emerge last season and now younger winger 20-year-old (21 next February) Anthony Georgiou is catching the eye and taking the chances he has been given, as did 20-year-old (21 next April) Kyle Walker-Peters in the Wembley win over Juventus.
You do get the impression 21 is the age they can start to break into the Spurs team with cameo performances and that at 20 they are still earning and not yet ready.
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9 comments
Poch will not allow anyone to drop standards or mental toughness. If he had spotted a flaw, then just as Beckham was sent out to grow up do is this lad. We know Poch prefers for a young player to stay and train, but he clearly feels whilst the ability is there Josh needs to grow up and toughen up, which is by playing. But not yet for us.
An excellent call by a ruthless manager that with this attitude will be s serial winner just like s certain northern club were.
I disagree that it was through a lack of desire or enthusiasm.
Hopefully gets the time to play in his natural position at Villa.
Not all players have the confidence of Alli or Dier. I never got the impression with Onomah that he wasn't putting the effort in, just that he looked a bit overwhelmed and intimidated.
I am quite sure Poch was testing him... which is what pre-season is for besides getting fit, and working out tactics from training... it's about getting a look at the playing mentality of all the players and how and where they could fit in, and calculating and organising where to put in players should injuries and suspensions take their toll... this kind of forward planning should be part of Po…
I can be confident of saying he won't simply be awarded his own preferred spot until he's proven he can battle to get on the team at any position. He's had opportunities. He just doesn't seem capable of understanding what's expected of him. Bear in mind there are a number of other good players who WILL battle their hearts out.
Who would you pick if you were managing youngsters in such a situation? Not a hard question I suspect.
COYS!!
One thing's for certain we can't field that many in the CL or even the PL if we're to be taken seriously. 2 proper players required min.