Harry Redknapp was right to be bullish after Saturdays amazing fight back against Arsenal at the Emirates, for too long Tottenham have promised much and delivered little. Spending wise Tottenham have ploughed millions in the club with little real achievement to show for it, but under Redknapp the club has begun to make strides on that investment. For too long, Tottenham have been nearly men, with no significant breakthrough or consistency to the team and its results.
Ironically, it seems it took Spurs to actually hit rock bottom to finally realise just what was required. For too long, too many players have come to Tottenham thinking it was an easy switch. Too many players who can play when it suits them, but when they need to dig in and fight for a result, they’d go missing. In fact, there’s still a couple at the club now, but probably not for much longer.
Redknapp has thrown the gauntlet down to Daniel Levy, the chairman by asking him to get the two players he feels the club need to continue moving forwards in the January transfer window. For me, the club need to concentrate on two key positions, right midfield and left back. Ask an honest Spurs fan what the teams weak spot is and they’ll point to left back as a key weakness. Now, that’s not to say Benoit Assou-Ekoto is not a competent full back, he just has a tendency to switch off when you least require it.
It’s odd how football unbalanced football squads can sometimes be and at Tottenham, they have a completely unbalanced defence in terms of cover. At right back, the club currently have 5 players that can play right back. Hutton, Corluka, Kaboul, Naughton and Walker but the latter two are out on loan. At left back it’s a case of Assou-Ekotto or Bale and Bale is far more dangerous further up the field as a left midfielder. Ironically, Kyle Walker can play left back, but has yet to be given the opportunity and it’s a clear position that needs strengthening.
Perhaps more contentiously, the right midfield/winger role is one that has seen either Aaron Lennon or David Bentley fill in. Bentley for whatever reason just hasn’t been able to show anything like the form he had with Blackburn Rovers, Lennon suffers from a lack of real consistency and quality of delivery. Of the two, Lennon has the extra option of blistering pace and can burn teams with it, but too many times his delivery lets him down. For Tottenham to progress to true title contenders, they need someone who can mix both Lennons pace and Bentley’s passing and set piece play.
The one advantage Lennon has is that he is still only 23, so perhaps there is time for Redknapp and his coaching staff to add the parts of his game that are missing or lack real consistency. To do that Lennon has to focus purely on improving his technique, pace alone at this level is no longer enough. Of the two, I’d rather keep Lennon due his undoubted potential.Added to this though is how the club are viewing their transfers in regards to the ability of new signings to play in the Champions League.
It certainly makes Tottenham more appealing, as Rafael van der Vaart’s arrival showed, but can Tottenham find the quality of players they need who are not cup tied in Europe? This will be a crucial transfer window for Spurs and their fans.
Leave me your thoughts below and you can find me at www.twitter.com/paulbestall
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gab
October 6, 2011 at 4:22 am
i think ronaldinho is suitable to buy
Rob
November 27, 2010 at 6:26 pm
Keane used to be my favorite player, but in my opinion he’s the only player that can go.
Keane out, top class striker in… window sorted.
Bonus: top class (or at least young and talented) CB, and/or top class DM.
Otherwise we’re pretty well off.
Football Souvenirs
November 26, 2010 at 12:15 pm
I would go for a defender and a class ball winning midfielder, it is more a case of who should go to make room though. Bentley, Jenas, Woodgate would be the ones I woudl try to sell
Keybo
November 25, 2010 at 4:22 am
I take it all back, all you who said we should sell Lennon were spot on. What sort of performance was that last night eh, only two assists! Disgraceful.
As for signings, I’ve noticed I haven’t really suggested any, Dzeko or Suarez please Mr Levy. Adebayor at a push, but City will never sell to us.
Rich F
November 24, 2010 at 12:49 am
Defoe’s impact on the game (described in the link below) was priceless, but Spurs still really need a big January transfer, preferably a defender. COYS!
http://www.operaforthemasses.com/2010/11/tottenham-hotspur-nld-breakdown.html
Peter
November 23, 2010 at 5:21 pm
We need to part ways with Keane and Pav. Sell Bentley. Sell O’Hara.
Then Redknapp needs to rotate our squad more. Tomorrow- we don’t need to play Gomes, Kaboul, Gallas, BAE, Hutton, Jenas, VDV, Bale. Give Kranjcar a run, give gio a run, give bassong a run, give bentley a game. This is why they are “out of form”. Werder are playing young kids anyways. Why put our first choice out there when we have a key game at the weekend??
Dust in the Wind
November 23, 2010 at 2:10 pm
The squad unfortunately needs a little more than just tweaking sorry ‘arry.
A couple of thoughts……
A starting 11 is one thing, but you need a starting 16 in reality if you are going to sustain a realistic Premier and Champions league run. 11 if you ignore all other competitions would give you a great shot at winning you a league title. Clubs like Man Utd, Chelsea, and now Man City are the only teams in the the league that have the squad depth to do both.
(sorry Arsenal you are not there I know you think you are but your lack of silverware for the last 5 years is evident of that).
That being said, Benny has dropped off greatly since coming back from his injury, and Lennon, quite frankly, is NOT good enough to make the starting 11.
It would honestly be more effective for the coaching staff to increase Bentleys speed and stamina than Arron Lennon’s footballing brain and finishing.
Sandro needs more playing time, Moderic needs to find his place in the setup again, and regain his focus. Van der Vart footballing acumen is showing the lack of it in others. He really is a step ahead of “the rest”, and I include Bale in “the rest”.
I’m not sure that boys are used to fast tight area passing, I see Raf get into space that has a small window (one touch, ping pong), but if executed would truly open up the other teams. I see Bale, Moderic and Pav back off making these passes, like they don’t have the confidence to make it or maybe don’t even see it? I see Raf frustrated.
Who to buy, is different than who would come, that being said Klaas-Jan Huntelaar , Luis Fabiano or lukas Podolski when fit again would be great additions up front.
Defensively, Leonardo Bonucci should be a primary target to sure up the center with king no longer a real option. Stephan Lichtsteiner at right back would be another player I would look at.
Anyways just some thought on what ‘arry needs to do.
Emil
November 23, 2010 at 12:37 pm
Did you completely forget that Giovani dos Santos is a right midfielder/winger?
Ringo
November 23, 2010 at 11:16 am
Pavlyuchenko needs to go.
BazSpur
November 23, 2010 at 11:34 am
He does, but not as much as Keano does IMO!
Ringo
November 24, 2010 at 11:37 am
True, they both should be on their way out. I’d like to see Keano sent back to Celtic – he had success there and he seemed to enjoy himself. I think Celtic would pay a decent price as they said they wanted to keep him on after the loan if they could. It would be nice to send him somewhere with some history and prestige rather than sending him into obscurity in Turkey or elsewhere – I think he’s earned the right to be sent to a preferred destination for all he’s given to the club. At the very least, another PL club.
Ossie's Dream
November 23, 2010 at 9:25 am
I have to agree with Patrick @ 9:11am- and I’m a Spuds fan.
Also agree with everyone who says we need a striker – although, more specifically, I feel we need a classic No. 9 who can lead the line and hold the ball up. We lack that sort of forward at the moment and have done since Berbatov left.
I also agree Benny needs competition at LB. He’s very skillful but his sometimes poor positional awareness can be exposed by the better teams.
CB is a problem position but with Ledders, Woodgate and Dawson supposedly making good progress, perhaps there isn’t such a pressing need there.
That being said, top players are rarely bought and sold during the January window, so I’m not getting my hopes up too much.
Patrick
November 23, 2010 at 9:11 am
So THIS is what happens when you put a load of delusional Spuds fans in one room sounds like…
Keybo
November 23, 2010 at 11:15 am
Still smarting from that beating we gave you at the weekend Paddy? Was it two goals you led by??? If your manager refuses to buy a decent keeper and a midfield enforcer then you better get used to it.
Still amazed people are suggesting we need another right mid. Lennon is clearly off form and lacking in confidence but that will come, it just needs time.
How on earth does bringing in another (ageing) winger (Donovan) help bring back that confidence?! Madness. Get a grip.
patrick
November 23, 2010 at 9:33 pm
Look I support the worst team in the league… the team that has only won once this year… and who the hell is it that we beat???
ohhh RIGHT TottenhamLOLSpur.
Keybo
November 24, 2010 at 3:32 am
Beating a Champions League team eh, better hold on to that for the rest of the season, it’s probably the only thing you’ll have to cheer.
Plus, if you’re a Hammers fan, what are you doing in here telling us we’re dreaming? We’re in the Champions League mate, and could be playing the likes of Barca and Bayern again next season, you’re more likely to be playing Barnsley and Bristol!
Delusional Spud
November 24, 2010 at 9:04 am
Well said. Really. Your sentence rolls out beautifully, and makes perfect literal sense, especially the end bit. Gooner?? Surely not.
Get back on your own threads and comment with your pals about your shambolic defence. We’re gonna be fine.
mrdaintz
November 23, 2010 at 6:45 am
Well it depends on what happens with niko kranjcar a great technical player who hasn’t been given the chances his ability merits if he was too be sold id try and get marko marin from werder bremen he wouldnt cost more than 15m as ozil left for madrid for 12m and id buy luis suarez this boy is the dogs bollox and worth every penny of what would be a club record signing but i can’t see levy shelling out his asking price which would be in excess of 25m. I would sell keane and o’hara then get them two in giovani is worth keeping in my opinion as hes still only 20 and has bags of potential if harry wasn’t manager he would probably get a place on the bench every week as for defender’s we have enough dawson,gallas,kaboul,bassong then you have ledder’s and woody who can play 20+ games a year and corluka and tommy canfill in there too our priority should be a striker and every fan and levy knows this.
Ralphius
November 23, 2010 at 6:12 am
Be realistic I think ‘arry will try and sell bentley, keane and kranjcar (although I think he is a great player) and maybe some other fringe players, such as gio, o’hara (though nobody will buy due to injury), and/or pav, crouch
Then bring in G Cahill, A Young, M Marin (dream buy), A Carroll, K Benzema (loan)
Joey
November 23, 2010 at 6:01 am
this is simple, Harry knows it and so does every true spurs fans. WE NEED A WORLD CLASS FORWARD. After that then a left back would be good, but no to a right mid. Lennon once fully fit is brilliant, i can’t believe some of you are suggesting selling him, are you mad the guy is 23 and not so long ago was the best thing since sliced bread.
Sudonihm
November 23, 2010 at 1:32 pm
Agree to a point. We’ve been unlucky not to score more goals. Patience, I think, is the answer going forward. Defensively, we’re fragile. So a LB and/or quality RB are needs, IMO. A striker is a want. RB and LB position players are either mediocre (Corluka, although he seems to play well with Lennon) or frighteningly inconsistent (BAE, Hutton). I like Crouch up front with VDV or Defoe. If you accept him for what he is (a target man and not a finisher), you’ll be happy. If you expect him to score 20 a year, you’ll be disappointed. I expect the former, so I am happy with him. Lennon and Bale marauding down the sidelines is unstoppable. By having both on the field, you need to double one or both opening up the rest of the field. I absolutely love Crouch on the field with Lennon and Bale because they can cross the ball at will to him and no one can challenge him in the air. Keane no longer fits with our style and Pav is too wasteful for me, a lot like Bent. They’ll get goals, but it’ll take loads of chances. But, while I’d love to upgrade over Pav and Keane, I think RB and LB are more of a priority.
Spurrrrss
November 23, 2010 at 5:49 am
BAE is a great leftback. But why does everyone think glen johnson is better than Alan hutton? Glen might be a demon going forward, but hutton still notches a few goals and assists and for me he’s far superior to johnson defensively. We have plenty of cover there too. A world-class defensive mid who can really pass the ball to perfection (another Thudd), and a world-class striker are all we need. People are talking about changing 8 players?!? Why?? So that we can face yet another transition stage and take another couple of seasons to gel together? We have a really good squad, and Harry’s right when he says it just needs tweaking.
steve
November 23, 2010 at 5:31 am
Badgers right benny is the best lb a the moment he takes risks sure but he is still solid and a good passer of a football that gives bale every chance to perform this years magic,last year arry was going to get rid of bale.instead of getting rid of players why not play some of the lesser lights eg bently sontos kanjcar and my god we may even give them half a chance to prove them selfs
Yid for life
November 23, 2010 at 5:28 am
I see a large amount of our fans are asking for wholesale changes again!
In my opinion we require very little, obviously the forward position needs addressing but my main concern at the moment is to get ourselves a settled back four, it’s no coincidence last season the we conceded the least amount of goals ever at home with a settled four, I personally can’t wait to get Dawson back to pair him waith Gallas and to move Kaboul out to right back, he was fantastic there last season and his forward runs were brilliant, he has pace, power and a very good final ball on him.
Lets get out 11 sorted and settled as best we can and start getting consistent again, I wouldnt want to see many changes as we already have potentially the best squad in the league. COYS
Tom Erik
November 23, 2010 at 5:12 am
5-3-2(3-5-2)
IN:Dzeko, G.Johnsen, G.Cahill=50m.p
Out:Corluka, Bentley, Keane, Crouch, O`Hara, Kranjcar=40m.p
Gomes
(Hutton) (Kaboul) (Cahill) (Bassong/Woody) (Ekotto)
G.Johnsen Gallas King Dawson G.Bale
(Lennon)(Palacios) (Jenas)
Modric Hudd VDV
(Gio) (Pav)
Defoe Dzeko
Muser
November 23, 2010 at 5:01 am
Glad to see some of the comments are way better than the original article and that a few have weighed in defence of Lennon & also BAE. But how about Krankcar ? – he was supposedly our (the?) buy of the season last year
and played some great football for us not to mention a few goals. How can such a good player suddenly become so bad – just because Arry hasn’t played him?
To repeat we need a top class striker ( tho I don’t think there’s many around ) One to go -think we’ve seen the best of Keane but that’s hardly news…
Chaz NYC
November 23, 2010 at 4:38 am
fun comments!…Suarez…and Landon Donovan! to Spurs? or perhaps (the great) Forlan (tell me HE wouldn’t be motivated to kick-azz back in the EPL?)…Sounds good to me…I like Spurs as they are now…But add the carnivorous Suarez and Forlan (a top 10 player in the world) and throw in the gritty American and Spurs would become a worldwide phenomenon…is it possible?
COYS
November 23, 2010 at 4:12 am
I don’t think we need a RM, we will probably off load Bentley in Jan aswell, reason why i don’t think we need a RM is because we have VDV.. it showed against the Arse we can’t always play 4-4-1-1 therefore VDV will play on the right more often with two up front, Lennon I can’t see going anywhere so he will stay our right back. I think Keane needs to go, hes at that age where he has to be playing to keep fit and hes fallen to the bottom of the pecking order at Spurs, so he’s replacement needs to be a little special in order to warrent a Signing.. Cover wise we need a LB.. but saying that, what about Naughton? he prefers RB but can play LB. He played well in the few games he got last season.. so do we need to sign a LB?? when you actually look at the squad in detail its very hard to see what we need in terms of a signing, unless we sign a world class player we don’t need anyone.. but a new striker stands out the most.
COYS
November 23, 2010 at 4:14 am
**Correction** “Lennon I can’t see going anywhere so he will stay our right Mid”
Don_tottenham
November 23, 2010 at 3:54 am
I’m sorry but the author of this article has got the targets completely wrong. If anything Left back Position and Right Winger is something we DONT need. Ekkoto is more than good enough to play left back and we got Bale if needed. Lennon is just low on confidence and will hopefully get back to his best. WE need a top class centre back and a top class striker. Those are the 2 positions needed to take spurs up a new level and possibly challenging for the title. A top class english grit type central defender Like Gary Cahill would be perfect partnership for Dawson and a top class striker like Luis Suarez ( unlikely because of price) but you get my drift. Suarez, Benzema, Fabiano ( these type class strikers) … We cant rely on fiber glass defenders like Woodgate and King anymore hence the desperate need of a top centre back. Like i say Gary Cahill and Luis Suarez and were laughing
Keybo
November 23, 2010 at 3:48 am
…also, in reply to Joe, got to say I wouldn’t mind one bit if we signed Suarez. He is a bit nasty and I think that is still something we lack. You look through the team and they’re all nice guys. ‘arry said he had a pop at Bale on Saturday because of how decent he was being to Sagna. As much as I hated Suarez for what he did to Ghana, he has a winning mentality and he got them into the semi finals of the World Cup. If it meant us winning the league (siiiiigh…) or a (big) cup, I’d take him.
Keybo
November 23, 2010 at 3:42 am
Who have you been talking to?! Everyone I’ve spoken to and read (and a fair few on this here blog) have said we need a top quality striker!! The three we have (sadly, I no longer count Keane although he has been fantastic for the club) are not consistant enough. Defoe scores goals in fits and starts and, I think I read, only against lower league teams, Pav will look like (the fat) Ronaldo some days and like he couldn’t hit a barn door on others. And Crouch, while he has been fantastic teamed up with VdV, only scored his first league goal since May when he managed one against Blackburn this month.
Alex Spurs 7
November 23, 2010 at 2:48 am
In January we can’t afford to sell players as at the moment our players are dropping like flies! For this window, the only thing we NEED is a striker. And he needs to be already better than what we have, so that rules Andy Carroll out of the question. For me, I would go for Benzema (on loan) even though he is cup tied for Champions League, he can play a huge part in getting us back into 4th. If we can’t get him, we may as well try for Dzeko, even though he will cost a fortune. Or we could always try to that Luaku guy who likes immense. 6ft 4, 17 years old, probably cost a lot ….
If we qualify for the Champions League again, then in the summer we sell:
Bentley, O’Hara, Keane, Gio, Palacios and Hutton.
and we buy:
Ashley Young, Diarra (Real Madrid), Parker, Garry Cahill and Glenn Johnson.
Sorted. Then next season we can challenge for the league.
Next seasons line up:
——-Gomes——–
—-Johnson——Dawson——King——–Assou Ekotto
———Huddlestone———-Modric———-
—–Young/Lennon———– ———Bale——–
——-van der Vaart———
———-*CLASS STRIKER*———-
Roy Singh
November 23, 2010 at 2:11 am
BAE needs to take control of his football skills. I wonder whether the assistant coaches have approached him regarding raising his standards. He is a very stereo typed player & does not want to take independent control like does Bale & Ashley Young.He loses many a tackles & should improve in this area.
AussieYid
November 23, 2010 at 1:47 am
In the second half against the scum when VdV was moved out to the right wing to accommodate the second striker coming on we were incredible!
Problem solved…….
MennoDaddy
November 23, 2010 at 11:07 am
No, I disagree. VDV is the kind of player who does his best when he’s allowed to roam. While he CAN play on the right (and played well there), he’s going to drift all over the field no matter where you put him. So you might as well put him in the hole and tell him to go nuts rather than rely on him to stick to the right side.
As has been mentioned on here before, VDV is a bit of a puzzle for this Spurs side. He’s a fantastic player, but he flourishes in that open trequartista role, which either means a single striker or a 4-2-1-2, neither of which fits this Spurs team. (Bale HAS to play wide) Hence, the calls for a top-drawer striker.
MonkeyD
November 23, 2010 at 1:22 am
Out – Keane, Kranjcar(out of contract soon), Bentley, Dos Santos, O’Hara
In- Marin, Dzeko, Coutinho
Spend big and sell big, it’s important to introduce some new competition. Marin would certainly be a luxury, Dzeko is one of the top three strikers in the world and has a good goals and assist ratio. Coutinho is the best young LB in the world.
PAUL
November 23, 2010 at 12:23 am
YOU R A PEANUT IF YOUNG WAS BETTER THAN LENNON HE WOULD HAVE GONE TO THE WORLD CUP U SPAZ LENNON THIS TIME LAST YEAR HAD EARNT US MORE THAN HALF OUR POINTS WHEN FULLY FIT HE IS THE BEST RIGHT WINGER IN THE LEAGUE. AS FOR BAE WHICH LEFT WINGER HAS TORN HIM APART THIS SEASON I CANT REMEMBER ONE HOW BOUT SUPPORTING THE LADS INSTEAD TRYING TO BE A MANAGER AND TELLING EVERYONE WHO ISNT GOOD ENOUGH. HARRY IS TWENTY TIMES THE FOOTBALL BRAIN U ARE AND HE DOESNT SEEM TO THINK THESE TWO ARE A PROBLEM IF THERE WERE BETTER PLAYERS AVAILABLE HARRY WOULD SIGN THEM U JERK
herman
November 23, 2010 at 12:18 am
out: crouch-keane-bentley
in: klaas jan huntelaar- from the dutch school – playing for schalke in germany- scoring quite frequently-not cheap but very effective like VDV.
monwar
November 23, 2010 at 12:02 am
the writer of this articles has no clue about spurs whatsoever, our pressing need is a striker, one who could play alone up front like dzeko. As for BAE being our weakest link i dont think so. Hutton is as susceptible to occassional defensive lapses as well as Kaboul, Gallas and Dawson. It does not mean that they all need replacing however. If we needed a second new player it would be a replacement for Palacios with someone who can pass the ball after he wins it…
Paul Bestall
November 23, 2010 at 4:21 am
Having been to over 350 Spurs games, I reckon I do. 😉 I personally think with Pav, Crouch and Defoe, there’s enough there. Let’s not forget VDV and Defoe have yet to really play together, that’s a frightening combination when Defoe’s fully fit!
Joe
November 22, 2010 at 11:48 pm
Suarez? First The Handball, then The Bite. God knows what he’ll do on the EPL stage.
I’d LOVE to see Donovan get a shot, though my US homer-ism might make me think he’s better than he is. I’m not sure he’d actually help all that much…
MennoDaddy
November 23, 2010 at 10:56 am
Donovan did pretty damn well at Everton last winter. I reckon he could give Lennon a run for his money on the right wing. Plus his crossing is very, very good and he can play up front in a pinch.
Nick
November 22, 2010 at 11:47 pm
Suarez or Muller
Dan
November 22, 2010 at 11:11 pm
BAE is fine. Lennon WILL be fine. We need a striker. Anyone who prioritizes any other position as first priority is wrong, IMO.
spurs guvnor
November 22, 2010 at 11:08 pm
Jeff, you annoying lil weasel! Who cares about writing properly on here, apart from c@cks like you! You would know then that it is not correct to start a sentence with the word and! duh! All the players i listed arent good enough, waste wages and are not playing enough, get rid and replace with puality that makes a difference. Jeff get a life.
SammyNash
November 22, 2010 at 10:30 pm
Y dyu all rate Gio that badly, I will never kno.. He’s a fantastic bloke.. He was terrific in pre-season n was never given a chance.. He would solve our ryt wing prob till Aaron recovers.. Also we need a Striker ofcourse who can play lone striker n can head de ball wel.. Look at our corner conversion rate..
12 corners -0 gols each match.. If at all we score from it, its thro huddy when the ball comes out to him from a clearance..
brian c
November 22, 2010 at 10:26 pm
I agree that BAE is pretty underrated but the real issue is that he’s a much better offensively than defensively. That’s the problem is that he’s really weak on the D and it opens up that whole side of the pitch for a good midfielder or to run in there ala Nasri in the Arsenal game.
Jeff
November 22, 2010 at 10:22 pm
Anyway, Spurs could use a top class striker, but all the current fowards should stay except for Keane. Pav, Crouch, and Defoe all have something to offer, but they just need one deadly poacher to go along with them. I also think Spurs need a reliable and healthy top class CB. Enough is enough with these injury prone CB’s.
There is no chance Benzema is leaving and Dzeko is going to the Seire A, so I’m thinking Suarez is the best bet. At CB I really have no idea who might be available as far as a proven player. If you want to go for a young and potential stud CB you can go after David Luiz. Now that I think about it why not try and go after his teamate Fábio Coentrão. Could you imagine him and Bale bombing down the left side. Holy crap!! They may be too similar though but it would be fun to watch.
alex
November 22, 2010 at 10:17 pm
In: Carroll, Dzeko or Benzema(either or), Gary Cahill
Out: Keane, Crouch, O’hara, Kranjcar
patrick
November 22, 2010 at 9:09 pm
Wouldn’t you like a player that can play in Champions League matches???
Benzema is cup tied.
AmericanHotspur
November 23, 2010 at 12:17 pm
I don’t know about the rest of the spurs fans, but I would rather us reach the top 4 in the PL than win the CL. No top 4, no CL next year. We honestly don’t need to win it on our first year there.
olly
November 23, 2010 at 1:30 pm
ERRRRRR . I think Your a bit mistaken. Lets win the champions league . Something which Arsenal have not done lately, and then we automatically qualify for CL . SIMPLES
spurs guvnor
November 22, 2010 at 8:56 pm
What on earth are you,the writer of this, on about?! Strikers are our need. Out keane,pav,dos santos,ohara,kranjcar,palacios and bassong. In suarez, then either benzema or dzeko,l.diarra, sahko,eden hazard. Ekottu does make the occasional mistake but can and will be very good.
Jeff
November 22, 2010 at 10:10 pm
Where on earth did you learn to write? And good luck making all those changes in Fifa 11. Just sell the whole team and and bring in all new players.
Chris
November 22, 2010 at 8:55 pm
WE NEED A STRIKER, 1ST AND FOREMOST!
COYS
BazSpur
November 22, 2010 at 8:33 pm
Don’t really see Harry making anymore than 3 or 4 changes altogether at the most (in/out) during the window, hopefully more come the end of the season, but a top class striker must be signed now, especially if we get through this champions league group, if we don’t qualify for the champions league again we may not attract the same calibre of player at the end of the season, so it may be worth pay a few quid over the odds to get them now.
BazSpur
November 22, 2010 at 8:27 pm
Agree with cookiebun & Phillip Badger, the main thing we must do is part with Keane and Pav and buy one top drawer striker anyone from Phil’s list would be good (preferably not anyone over 30 though). We a should sell a few fringe players who are either not good enough or have not settled: Bentley, Gio, O’ Hara, Kranjcar (who obviously wants to leave). Although we should probably keep Bentley atleast until the end of the season when we can buy a replacment. Please Harry get us a striker, get us Benzema!
simon
November 22, 2010 at 8:05 pm
If we could have an amazing window i would like to see the following:
out:
Keane(7m), Bentley(9m), Crouch(8m), Palacios(10m), Gio(8m), Niko(9m) :(, O Hara (4m), Lennon(15m) = 60m
In:
Llorente (20m euros = 18m), Suarez(25m euros = 22m), Moussa Sissoko (18m euros = 15.5m), Aly Cissokho(18m euros = 15.5m), Ashley Young(20m)
=91m
net spend = 31m
In an ideal world anyways – but Aly, Llorente and suarez are absolute requisites. BAE is not good enough and has cost us big time on moments of madness. If you want to recoup a little more Pav can go too (12m ish) and start bring through obika/kane as 4th choice. but more than not we’ll tart matches with 1 up front and use a second when chasing games 3 strikers as long as well dont get a really bad run of injuries like with our defence should do the trick
The lennon for young is only for 2 reasons – one this season is wide open and for the taking and young is well in form and lennon is far from it. secondly, ifwe dont make 4th at least this season we run the risk of losing, bale, vdv and if they are sold modric might want to go too if barca come knocking so its imp we get CL again.
Otherwise i would like to keep lennon given time he will come good again. but what we need is good form and consistency. COYS.
patrick
November 22, 2010 at 9:11 pm
who is going to pay the prices you list…. 15 min for Lennon? 9 for Bentley?
come on…
mw828
November 22, 2010 at 9:20 pm
lennon is easily worth 15m. lennon was a world beater less than a year ago. at his best he is unplayable. bentley is probably only worth like 7m.
Jeff
November 22, 2010 at 10:07 pm
Simon,
You must be smoking something if you actually think any of that is realistic. I don’t know what is more ridiculous the 8 players you have leaving or the 5 players you have coming in.
Stick with Fifa 11 or Football manager is you want to see all those changes.
simon
November 23, 2010 at 2:26 am
as i said jeff “if we could have an amazing window” – it was an idealistic scenario. N one can predict wht will actually happen. If you can send me next week’s lottery numbers pls
OllieWillie
November 24, 2010 at 1:03 am
haha, this bloke plays a lot of Football Manager.
As if you get 9m for Bentley, or 8m for Gio or 10m for Palacious………..And why on earth would you sell Lennon. He was un-playable before his injury last season.
Oh and Llorent for 20m, not with the 63m euro release clause they’re putting on
Imcredibale
November 22, 2010 at 8:00 pm
I think that BAE is a fine player. He is our most under-rated player and too me he is doing a great job. He has great synergy with Bale and gets up the field more often then not. Our LB position is not of concern at the moment.
Also with Lennon, he needs time. Give him a couple of weeks and he will be just as he was last year, leaving defenders in his wake.
My concern is that our First 11 can match any other team in the world but the rest of our squad just aren’t up to scratch. Although we have cover in almost every position, the cover just isn’t that good. We need to sell alot this transfer period in order to bring in what we really need. Players that must go: Robbie Keane, Corluka, Kranjcar, O’Hara and Bentley. What we need to buy is a World Class Striker, a versatile Wing Back, and quality cover in the midfield.
One player that I would like to see come to the club is Ashley Young. Bale on the left, Young on the right would be like a wet dream.
cookiebun
November 22, 2010 at 7:51 pm
We do need a striker as Peter, Pav and Keane are not good enough. I hope Harry can offload Pav and Keane in January and let’s get Benzema. We could also offload Bentley and Krankie and get Glen Johnson for RM position.
That would do for me with the three defenders back and the lad coming in from South Africa.
Muser
November 22, 2010 at 7:49 pm
a few centre backs returning….
We need a top class centre forward and perhaps someone else in midfield with Thudd out.When we get those then see who we get rid of ?
Muser
November 22, 2010 at 7:46 pm
Rubbish article.How typical to have a go at an injured/or not fully returned to form player – typical Spurs? Lennon hasn’t been the same since his injury but if you can remember before Bale — Lennon was the main avenue for our attacks. To suggest getting rid of him is mad.Even the maligned Bentley – notice how when he came on against Bolton we suddenly looked much more of a threat and might have got back to a draw?
Regarding left back I seem to remember thatGallas can play there so with
AmericanHotspur
November 22, 2010 at 7:28 pm
We need a striker. Period.
Phillip Badger
November 22, 2010 at 7:14 pm
As for LB and RM: Benny is the best LB Spurs have had in the PL era. And name 3 better LB’s in the PL than him? Cole, Evra…that’s it. Clichy is a push.
For RM: people forget that for the entire calendar year of 2009, Lennon was virtually unplayable. This time last year, he was torching all PL competition he was facing. Unfortunately he seems to be suffering from the same loss in form as the last time he came off a big injury. But he’s not inconsistent, he’s unfit right now. Spurs won’t be able to find anyone better, and I personally would let him and Bentley share the spot for now until one (hopefully Lennon) emerges.
Lance
November 23, 2010 at 12:47 pm
I totally agree. People always bash BAE, but I think he’s actually quite good. Yeah, he switches off from time to time, but he has pace to burn, is a very good defender when he is fully concentrating, and is half-way decent going forward. There really is a dearth of left backs in the Premier League, there is no one available that would be a better option than him at the moment. Ashley Cole and Patrice Evra, as you mentioned, are better but who else? Let’s just go through some of the top-teams and compare their left-backs:
1. Arsenal: Gael Clichy
– 3 years ago it would have been said that he was a better player, and I would lump him in with Evra and Cole, but he has certainly dropped from the lofty heights he once held.
2. Liverpool: Paul Konchesky
– LOL.
3. Manchester City: Wayne Bridge
– Ummm…no.
4. Everton: Leighton Baines
– He is probably a better LB and would be a good signing, though he isn’t nearly as fast as BAE. I’m not really sure he is all that much better to warrant spending the kind of money require that could be spent elsewhere.
5. Bolton: I don’t even know who plays LB for Bolton.
6. Sunderland: Keirian Richardson has been playing there, and he is a converted midfielder. Certainly not better than BAE.
That covers the top teams right now, and other than Cole and Evra, I would argue that only Leighton Baines could realistically be considered a better option than BAE.
OllieWillie
November 24, 2010 at 1:00 am
I agree mate.
The author of this post mustn’t watch a heap of Tottenham.
I think their LB is more than capable and is a good foil for Bale. Their RB is arguably worse.
Lennon is a fantastic player. He was a monster last year and has been intermittently injured since. If he’s back with Bale on the right, they’ll be great.
Gallas is their best CB this year but Dawson was terrific last year so he’ll come good. They could certainly use a CB who’s not 100 years old or always injured.
I’d be looking to sell Crouch and buy a big strong striker like Llorente or Dzeko who plays best in a 4231………….. Oh and a DM to play with Huddelstone when he’s back. Palacios is a muppet.
Phillip Badger
November 22, 2010 at 7:09 pm
A striker, a striker, a striker. Striker, striker, striker.
All day long, Spurs’ glaring need is a top class striker. Dzeko, Suarez, Forlan, Benzema (on loan), Vucinic, maybe even Adebayor if it comes to it. All better than anyone they have, especially at playing the lone man up top.
Ringo
November 23, 2010 at 11:08 am
Seriously, how could it be said that Spurs need any other position more than a striker. It is their number one need, especially if they hope to continue playing a 4-5-1, because they do not have a striker who works well in that role. Crouch can knock balls down but can’t possess or create well enough on his own. Defoe is too small to be a lone poacher, and Pav and Keane just can’t hack it at this level regardless of formation (pains me to say it of the latter, but it’s true at this age).
RM is not a need at this point. Lennon may very well regain his form and, as you said, he is still young enough to improve his crossing. Bentley is a more than serviceable replacement, but he will probably be shipped out in January. That still leaves Van der Vaart for when the team plays a 4-4-2 and Gio Dos Santos as an emergency back-up. Not the most glaring need.
LB is certainly an area that needs to be looked at. BAE is inconsistent and prone to serious mental errors. If Spurs can find a top quality striker (Benzema, Suarez, Forlan) and a solid and consistent LB in January, they will be much improved. Dawson, King, and maybe even Woodgate (due to recent good news) could be back in the center of the defense soon enough to help out Gallas, and between Hutton, Corluka, and Kaboul there should be enough cover at RB for at least this season (although I’ve heard rumors of a Kranjcar for Glen Johnson swap).
jon sharp
November 23, 2010 at 10:14 pm
Ringo,
I am no Spurs expert, but a glance at the table suggests goals against seem more of a problem than goals for?
Ringo
November 24, 2010 at 11:18 am
That’s due to injury, though. Dawson and King have been long term absentees so we’ve had to play FBs (Kaboul) in the middle of the defense. Woodgate may be returning from injury soon enough as well. That’s three strong central defenders returning in addition to Gallas who we already have. Also, as I said, some cover at LB wouldn’t be a bad idea, but it’s not the priority over a striker that can play alone up top.
NYSpursFan
November 22, 2010 at 7:06 pm
Yes, that’s right. We need more quality at RM and LB. Lennon may only be 23, but I think we’ve seen the best of him unless his crossing and other skills improve. BAE would rather not be playing football, and it shows at times.
bobby
November 22, 2010 at 10:24 pm
wouldn’t Landon Donovan work at RM he has pace and delivery?