well...i got shot down....but i thought he was struggling vs lyon last week...fitness wise...i dunno...new league...different pace...

just simply settling in....!?

he's fairly short and stocky...and that body shape do tend too struggle with there weight...I KONW.

as with wazza......just think he's not quite upto speed.

AVB's saving him so he can help tear the goóns a new one at the weekend.

well he had a long mid season break, so maybe just not up to speed yet

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People forget how demanding 90 minutes of Premier League football is

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Just look at adebayor when he comes of - shattered

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He's the VDV replacement....60 minutes and blowing out the ringer

I think AVB has the lads really at peak physical condition. Holtby is not at that standard yet.

I don't think he has been that great or done anything just yet. He might do but all I saw him do was get fouled or lose the ball yesterday.

I'm sure he will come good but I'm really surprised about the rave reviews. Maybe it's because you can see he puts in the effort.

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I believe at present he would be better used as a impact sub

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AVB took months to get the Spurs teams fitness to a level where they are without doubt the fitest team in the prem , the facts are that we get stronger and stronger as the game goes on.....That does not happen in a few weeks it takes months ....Holtby was fit when he joined BUT nowhere near the fitness levels of the rest of the squad , dont worry he'll get there soon and will soon be able to play the full 90 mins

I too have been really impressed with Holtby but i do think we are now trying to accomodate too many players & we're suffering for it.

I dont want to change the topic to an Ade debate but i do feel Ade's form is suffering even more because he's now playing the lone striker - and it doesnt suit him.

I genuinely think AVB needs to decide on 2 from Dembele, Parker & Holtby for the CM position & if Defoe isnt back on Sunday, we need someone else like Dempsey in there.

We cant keep relying on Bale to save the day from his new found free role.

Not his best game last night. Not surprised he got subbed and i was really hoping to see Sigurdsson as he has a bit more physicality about him than Dempsey, and he caused some trouble (and scored a belter!). Great sub from AVB but please Holtby got a chance to experience a proper physical London derby. The NLD will be a bit more refined that West Ham's hoof it style.

Anything within 70 yards of our area was a set piece which they sent all the big men forward for. It was direct!

Also an element of him trying incredibly hard to prove himself to AVB, his team-mates, us, the Prem in general. I'm not sure he necessarily expected to jump into the 1st XI quite this quickly.

When I see him live, you really appreciate how much ground he is constantly covering...looking for space, over his shoulder, changing direction. It's quite visible from the stands that he's keen to work hard and earn his place on merit and effort.

I know Bale puts the sprints in and is constantly floating around, left - right. But Holtby drops deep - to our CBs sometime to collect the ball and be involved.

Admittedly sometimes there is no benefit to him doing this. I think with more experience that will come - when to go full out and when to be patient. As that develops he will last 90-95 mins no sweat.

I think he's trying too hard and tiring himself out like VDV did

We were not expecting the boy til the summer and a full pre-season in his legs. So don't be judging his fitness too harshly.

Technically we got the bargain we paid for. No doubt about that.

Not his best game last night. Not surprised he got subbed
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exactly. it wasn't due to fitness that he got subbed yesterday. it just wasn't his type of game.