708 replies to this topic

[URI]

{cue Price is Right failure horn]

[teejay1324]

Sooooo, do we want to talk about last season, thoughts on players, most improved, yadda yadda or should we just move on?

[Tangled Up In Red]

I only want to talk about Bale and Modric remaining in white. Is it an even plausible discussion?

[URI]

I only want to talk about Bale and Modric remaining in white. Is it an even plausible discussion?

I think Bale is more likely than Luka, but I doubt Modric stays, to the point that I'm trying to figure out how to spend his money now.

If they can keep Ade, maybe upgrade BAE, and get some more young depth, they're in good shape next year if they can keep Bale. 3

Swooping back in and getting Hazard would be unreal. A healthy Huddlestone being able to cover Parker would be very important, as well as actually using (or selling and replacing) guys like Krancjar and Pineaar would really help in not having the team fall apart completely down the stretch.

A Hodgson-like soccer computer next to Arry and Jaws would be useful too.

[Tangled Up In Red]

maybe upgrade BAE,

Why upgrade BAE? I thought he was very positive out there... and how many left backs are there, especially who fit this style?

Any scouting reports on Remy and Hazard?

[URI]

I just think he's getting a little older, and he's going to be completely useless once he loses like, 2 steps.

Personally, I think he has been pretty overrated since that game against ManU 3 years ago when he completely bottled up Ronaldo, but I can be letting my own prejudice cloud my perception.

[Snakebauer007]

I agree with you on ekotto(sp). Usually looks uninterested in defending especially late in games when his tank is empty and he gets lazy.
Never got rating him as highly as some

[Tangled Up In Red]

I wonder how much of your perceptions are due to his negative body and facial languages. He certainly 'appears' disinterested at times, even when (to me) his play suggests otherwise.
More JD than Trot.

[Snakebauer007]

I wonder how much of your perceptions are due to his negative body and facial languages. He certainly 'appears' disinterested at times, even when (to me) his play suggests otherwise.
More JD than Trot.

I am confused by this, I see a defender caught up field and not jogging back, having to be covered for by his midfielders too often, it has nothing to do with body language or facial expressions. The guy plays like Alves, he just doesnt have the skill to match it, nor the team to get away with it, in a sense he's Bosingwa

[teejay1324]

I really didn't see anything wrong with BAE's play this season, should take into account that he, like Walker on the other side, played almost every minute of every match(obviously until BAE went down with injury) that could have played a role in any latter part of the season in which he seemed to not be tracking back. I didn't notice it myself, I thought he got back well enough and so long as either Parker or Sandro is willing to help out on defense, and they both certainly are, I don't see it being a big, big problem if it was a laziness, non-fatigue reason.

Should also be said that neither Walker or BAE had a true fullback as a backup. Maybe next year they will keep Naughton around as an option on the bench to cover the two and naturally pickup some starts in the Eur-Harry doesn't care-opa. That might help BAE, too. But URI has a point in that he is getting older and maybe he could be sold and someone younger could be drafted into the LB position. Who I don't know, I don't think Danny Rose is that answer.

For me, the biggest concern is the strike force for next season, if they can somehow keep Adebayor and I don't see how it's even remotely possible but there's an article on the Guardian today saying that Levy and co are working on just such a thing, then they might still want to buy another striker with Saha being out of contract and injury prone and Defoe not being all so young. Also, the keeper situation is worth keeping an eye on, not so much for next year, but Brad and Cudicini are really, really old and I can't see Gomes getting in a Prem game for Spurs ever again.

In midfield, I love Parker but if Sandro is healthy, shouldn't he be starting in midfield most of the time? He's young and very talented but I don't think you can field him and Parker at the same time(unless Bale plays LB and Modric(maybe) plays LM and tucks in) and I'd like to see Sandro really develop into a bigger asset for Spurs next year and beyond.

[URI]

Sometime this weekend I'll do a roster breakdown with my thoughts. I'm still really not very happy with Feb-May.

[teejay1324]

Spurs are apparently close to deal for a little under ten million pounds for Jan Vertonghen. He's twenty-five and has spent his entire pro career at Ajax and is currently the captain of the side and is this year's Eriedivisie Player of the Year. He's a centerback but, according to wiki anyways, is comfortable at either left side position at the back and plays in the midfield for the Belgian squad.

Likes to get forward, comfortable on the ball, considered a good all around defender as well. Sounds like he would make a good pairing with Kaboul or Dawson next season. His signing would leave Spurs with him, Kaboul, Dawson, Steven Caulker, King and then probably King, maybe Nelson? That's seven centerbacks, which would be great if we were in Champions League, but I doubt all seven would ever be available at once, King and Gallas will take turns getting hurt, Caulker could always be loaned again, he's only twenty, so really, we'd be looking at Vertonghen, Kaboul, Dawson as first choices, with one on the bench and then whichever one of King/Gallas isn't dead that week.

But, maybe they want Vertonghen to play at left back and this is a sign they might move on with BAE. With no CL, it might not be a bad time to move on from some of their older guys and drop a new younger replacement.

http://www.guardian....vertonghen-ajax

[coremiller]

Well Nelson sucks, I have no idea why he was ever signed in the first place. King has always had to deal with injuries, is having surgery again, his play slipped this year, and he may be the sort of player who doesn't age well. Dawson tore an ankle ligament in March and he may not be fit to start the season. Gallas is 34 and in the last year of his contact. So strengthening the position long-term, with flexibility to cover LB, is a smart move. And with all those stupid Europa league matches there will be plenty of playing time to go around. I actually like this move a lot.

[URI]

Well Nelson sucks, I have no idea why he was ever signed in the first place. King has always had to deal with injuries, is having surgery again, his play slipped this year, and he may be the sort of player who doesn't age well. Dawson tore an ankle ligament in March and he may not be fit to start the season. Gallas is 34 and in the last year of his contact. So strengthening the position long-term, with flexibility to cover LB, is a smart move. And with all those stupid Europa league matches there will be plenty of playing time to go around. I actually like this move a lot.

He was free, and available, and we needed a warm body. That was January in a nutshell.

[URI]

Also, I love van der Vaart actively recruiting Vertonghen. At least one of our guys is sticking around.

[teejay1324]

Well Nelson sucks, I have no idea why he was ever signed in the first place. King has always had to deal with injuries, is having surgery again, his play slipped this year, and he may be the sort of player who doesn't age well. Dawson tore an ankle ligament in March and he may not be fit to start the season. Gallas is 34 and in the last year of his contact. So strengthening the position long-term, with flexibility to cover LB, is a smart move. And with all those stupid Europa league matches there will be plenty of playing time to go around. I actually like this move a lot.

A guy like Nelson really isn't bad to have around, he's not good enough to demand a starting spot and he's not young enough to be concerned about stunting his development by not playing him. He just shows up to practice and he's a experienced player you can run out for some matches in an emergency. Not saying he should definitely be brought back but if they did, it's not a big deal, he's not a player worth dumping on or getting excited about. Hell, with Gallas and King possibly sticking around he's an asset purely because he has experience and doesn't get injured five times every season. His knees have cartilage!

Edited by teejay1324, 25 May 2012 - 05:25 PM.

[teejay1324]

Anyone else heard about King retiring? I was reading through a Guardian article about Bassong possibly getting sold off(forget we had Bassong) and the article casually mentioned King is "set to announce his retirement". Not shocked but I hadn't seen this mentioned anywhere else.

[Tangled Up In Red]

Anyone else heard about King retiring? I was reading through a Guardian article about Bassong possibly getting sold off(forget we had Bassong) and the article casually mentioned King is "set to announce his retirement". Not shocked but I hadn't seen this mentioned anywhere else.

On ESPN that he doesn't know about his playing future, but plans to stay with the club, whether as player or in other capacity.

[URI]

Ledley got released, and he's been the captain since 2005...I kind of believe him when he basically says Spurs or death.

As an aside, he took the arm band from noted Spice Boy and managerial offspring 'Aime Redknapp

[URI]

Niko gone to Dynamo http://www.tottenham...to-dynamo.page?

He really deserved better at the end of his tenure here. I'm guessing this is the first in the great Croat migration.

[sachmoney]

Lord Sugar ‏@Lord_Sugar
Breaking news Harry Redknapp to leave Tottenham.

[cjdmadcow]

Lots of Twitter chatter over the last 24 hours. One can only assume that the little game he played trying to be linked to the Liverpool job in order to get a hefty pay rise has backfired and Daniel Levy has thought "fuck you, Harry"

Moyes is the favourite but Rafa Benitez is being mentioned too.

I can't stand the bloke and only hope his next job is out of the country so I don't have to suffer both him and his son as TV pundits.

[mikeford]

http://www.bbc.co.uk...otball/18436663

Donezo. 'Arry's out.

[teejay1324]

Was staring relegation from the Prem in the face with a small club, continued to insist on playing positive, attacking football and had the balls to switch to a 3-4-3 in a league where almost no one plays three at back and kept Wigan up again. Seems like a very smart guy and will be used to fighting against bigger clubs with much larger budgets but on a bigger scale with Spurs.

Please, Levy, bring Roberto!

[SoxFanInCali]

If you try to talk to him, enjoy the daily press updates from Wigan's owner. He seems to love the sound of his own voice.

[teejay1324]

If you try to talk to him, enjoy the daily press updates from Wigan's owner. He seems to love the sound of his own voice.

I can't wait to read the Fiver.

[Zomp]

I'd go for Moyes.

[URI]

From the above article...

Everton manager David Moyes - Has never had money to spend before...would be an interesting choice, but risky because just because he has some cash doesn't mean he'll be able to manage it.
Wigan manager Roberto Martinez - Same issues as Moyes only I think he's had less to work with. He's certainly more charismatic than Moyes but I'm more luke warm on him than pundantry for the simple fact that he'd be managing in the Championship if not for the last 10 games of the year for Wigan. The first 28 games counted too.
United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann - Chim chimany chim chimany chim chim cheroo
Former Chelsea boss Andre Villas-Boas - I'm not convinced he's ready to come back to the English game since he bungled Chelsea so badly. I think he's got potential to be a very good coach at the club level, but I'm just not sure it's in the Premiership in 2012.
Former Liverpool manager Rafael Benitez - Hit up Owen and Mike. He always looks befuzzled but he's certainly the best tactical guy that would graze the sidelines for Spurs since....well Bill Nicholson?

There are three excellent tactical choices on here, and two very good ones. Gun to my head, I'd probably take Rafa and Moyes first, then the Martinez/AVB in some order with Jurgen last (he might just go ahead and get bored like at Bayern, and we'd lose money off the transfer budget to pay for his cigarettes).

This is barring any surprising additions, like Jose, Fabio or Jurgen Klopp. I would actually prefer a foreigner (if not Moyes) if only because I like the idea of a manager coming in that wasn't creatively intrenched in England football and wouldn't ignore the squad for four months while lobbying the FA..

[URI]

I'm reserving judgement for Newcastle fans to weigh in to tell me who I should officially be excited for though.

[Seven Costanza]

Piss off.


Glad to see a certain manager's name NOT mentioned.

Edited by Seven Costanza, 13 June 2012 - 07:10 PM.

[teejay1324]

Don't like Moyes, at all really, this article by Michael Cox pretty much sums up why...
http://www.guardian....tical-breakdown

[DLew On Roids]

I'm reserving judgement for Newcastle fans to weigh in to tell me who I should officially be excited for though.

Les Ferdinand?

[URI]

Don't like Moyes, at all really, this article by Michael Cox pretty much sums up why...
http://www.guardian....tical-breakdown

That article is exactly why I'd be ok with Moyes. He recognizes his team strength...sees the other team, and makes adjustments based on that. It's Belichickian.

I also admit that he's the least sexy name of the 5 in the article above, and you might get the same with Roberto Martinez, only with the ability to not bore the press and fans to death.

[Snakebauer007]

Much respect for Moyes, always wondered how he'd fair with a bigger budget club, if he even cared to give it a shot.

[Apisith]

I'm reserving judgement for Newcastle fans to weigh in to tell me who I should officially be excited for though.

Rafa.

[teejay1324]

That article is exactly why I'd be ok with Moyes. He recognizes his team strength...sees the other team, and makes adjustments based on that. It's Belichickian.

I also admit that he's the least sexy name of the 5 in the article above, and you might get the same with Roberto Martinez, only with the ability to not bore the press and fans to death.

Fair point about Moyes, I would just prefer a more attack, proactive minded coach, but you're right Martinez might set out more conservatively against big clubs as well. Unless he thinks Spurs themselves are big enough to always try and impose they style on the opposition. Really, whoever we get will be more of a tactical thinker than Harry anyways, which hopefully translates to Bale(if he's still around) playing out wide again and VDV not being sent out at right mid, ever, ever, again.

[URI]

Fair point about Moyes, I would just prefer a more attack, proactive minded coach, but you're right Martinez might set out more conservatively against big clubs as well. Unless he thinks Spurs themselves are big enough to always try and impose they style on the opposition. Really, whoever we get will be more of a tactical thinker than Harry anyways, which hopefully translates to Bale(if he's still around) playing out wide again and VDV not being sent out at right mid, ever, ever, again.

Remember that offensive players cost money to acquire, of which Everton and Wigan have none...at least the kind of offensive players that have the firepower to compete for a Champions League spot that might be a 7 team race next year.

I guess I'm trusting Levy will ask him "Davy, considering our center backs have 5 good knees between them, and we have 3 midfielders who thrive in attack...you plan on pressing...right? Bale on the left, Luka in the middle, VDV in the hole, Lennon on the right, and Parker holding sounds good....right? And you're going to use guys like Pineaar, Sandro, and Huddlestone...right?"

[teejay1324]

Remember that offensive players cost money to acquire, of which Everton and Wigan have none...at least the kind of offensive players that have the firepower to compete for a Champions League spot that might be a 7 team race next year.

I guess I'm trusting Levy will ask him "Davy, considering our center backs have 5 good knees between them, and we have 3 midfielders who thrive in attack...you plan on pressing...right? Bale on the left, Luka in the middle, VDV in the hole, Lennon on the right, and Parker holding sounds good....right? And you're going to use guys like Pineaar, Sandro, and Huddlestone...right?"

If he says yes to all that, then yea, that would be great. You think VDV leaves now, though? He pretty clearly seemed to like going out on the pitch and doing whatever he wanted for the last two seasons. Also, does this increase the odds that maybe dos Santos will stay now and maybe actually play? He at least seems like he has the potential to replace VDV. Him, Lennon, Bale and Walker is awful lot of pace to run out at the same time, could be fun to watch.

[URI]

I think VDV will be the biggest test for the new manager, but van Marwijk isn't exactly hands off, and VDV seems to buy in there, even though he's not starting.

If you pay him, and you win, I think you can get VDV to buy in. The only thing that really made him unhappy since he came from Spain is when Arry used to pull him at the 60th no matter what, and when he had defensive responsibilities. If he's playing a 10 role, then he doesn't have that.

As an aside, I dont think Spurs lose a whole lot of overall quality if they play something like...

---------ADE--------
---------VDV--------
Bale-Parker-Lennon
------Sandro-------

The defensive upgrade might be worth shoehorning someone else into Luka's role if he jumps...the only downsides I can see are Parker's age, Sandro's yellow problem, and Lennon being broken in half.

[teejay1324]

You're fine with fielding both Parker and Sandro at the same time? I always felt like it should be one or the other, but again, if we had a manager who gave clearer instructions as to what they're supposed to do, maybe it work fine. I feel like they lose some creativity with both Parker and Sandro in there, but that could be due to a lack of playing time together and Sandro missing time with injury.

Also, with a new coach, wouldn't cashing in on Modric now, with no Champions League, not be the worst idea if we could bring in one or two young players who could help for the next 2-4 seasons?

[URI]

I think you can use Parker box to box and Sandro in a more holding role. Parker is never going to score goals, or dribble with pace like Luka, but I think he can be useful in attack in a passing role to link up with VDV.

I don't think there should be a rush to transfer out Luka. He's under contract for like 4 more years, and eventually a monied club is really going to spend a lot of money for him. If ManU is willing to pony up 35, you take it, but if they are messing around at 20-22, you ask if he's really worth the same as Stewart fucking Downing.

[teddykgb]

any concern about Bale possibly wanting out? I haven't read anything all that specific, but there seem to be a small amount of rumblings to that effect and losing the manager probably can't make that much easier.

[URI]

I just read today that Barca isn't going to bid on him, so that means to me that the 50% is now a more solid 48%.

I think he's an easier keep than Luka.

[URI]

Actually, Tottenblog Hotspur has my thoughts on both Bale and Arry in back to back posts. Strange few days for Spurs.

[teejay1324]

Dave Whelan said today(how many times is that going to start a post in this thread?) that there has been no approach yet to either him or Martinez from Spurs and that he hopes they go for Moyes and leaves them alone.

Only been a day, not a big surprise that Tottenham hasn't approached anybody yet. Maybe Whelan will just say this everyday until Spurs name a manager.

[SoxFanInCali]

Dave Whelan said today(how many times is that going to start a post in this thread?) that there has been no approach yet to either him or Martinez from Spurs and that he hopes they go for Moyes and leaves them alone.

Replace Spurs with Liverpool and Moyes with Rodgers and that's word-for-word what he said a couple of weeks ago.

Hey, it worked once.

[Snakebauer007]

I don't think there should be a rush to transfer out Luka. He's under contract for like 4 more years, and eventually a monied club is really going to spend a lot of money for him. If ManU is willing to pony up 35, you take it, but if they are messing around at 20-22, you ask if he's really worth the same as Stewart fucking Downing.

I'd agree with you that he is worth more to Spurs than 20, but we shouldn't get crazy and decide the worth of a players transfer fee based on what Liverpool overpays for average players.

[URI]

I mean you saw my point, so why can't I shit on Liverpool at the same time?

[Snakebauer007]

I mean you saw my point, so why can't I shit on Liverpool at the same time?

fair enough

[DLew On Roids]

If you're Spurs and you decide you like Martinez, don't you keep Whelan in the dark until the last possible second? By the time he starts proclaiming, "I HAVE GIVEN SPURS 72 HOURS TO TALK TO ROBERTO," you have Martinez holding up a scarf on the White Hart Lane pitch.