Following the Manchester massacres, Spurs finally got their season up and running with an excellent win away at Wolves.
After soaking up the pressure in the first half, we took the lead through the debutant Emanuel Adebayor, before Jermain Defoe made sure of the points. It was refreshing to see two Spurs strikers playing together and both getting on the score sheet, while in midfield Scott Parker impressed alongside transfer victim Luka Modric.
On the wings Gareth Bale still isn’t at his best, but he will improve with more games and Niko Kranjcar played a part in both goals. At the back Ledley King once again showed his class (who knows how good Spurs could be with a player of his calibre fit each week) and his partner Younes Kaboul reassured fans that with the right partner he has the ability to succeed. Kyle Walker and ‘Mr Consistency’ Benoit Assou Akotto both looked assured and determined to keep their places in the team.
After conceding more goals in two games then he would usually concede in a month; Brad Friedel looked his commanding self and made one world class save to keep the scores level. The signing of the American has been criticised, but I believe at the end of the season fans will look back and realise that he’s a lot less error prone than Gomes and the defenders feel safer with his presence behind them.
Harry rightly pointed out than Molineux is a tough place to pick up points and after leaving with all three, hopefully Spurs can take that form into the next fixture with Liverpool. Redknapp informed the media this weekend that Heurelho Gomes was looking to leave in January and apparently Giovanni was close to leaving too.
With more players looking to leave, the lack of consistency in defence and only three recognised strikers, Spurs may have to complete some business in January.
The general opinion is that the board are holding onto the clubs funds whilst the manager’s future hangs in the balance, but if the right players are identified by Harry, maybe Daniel Levy will put the team’s needs first and sanction the deals.
These are the players I believe Spurs should be looking at bringing in:
Asmir Begovic – The more I see of this goalkeeper, the better he gets. Chelsea and Spurs have both scouted and considered the twenty four year old Bosnian keeper in previous transfer windows, and I don’t think it will be long until a bigger club snaps him up.
He very rarely makes errors in judgement and at six feet, five inches he has a great presence in the area. At such a young age he has a big future in the game and the player now has plenty of Premier League experience. If landing Begovic wasn’t possible I would consider Wayne Hennessey of Wolves.
Gary Cahill – After coming close to landing Cahill recently, I hope that Spurs haven’t blown their chances of landing the commanding defender this season. The asking price was high considering the player’s contract is running low and obviously this was the sticking point whilst negotiating with Bolton.
Of all the top teams in the Premier League, only United look solid at the back, so there’s every chance we may now have to fight for his signature. Without Champions League football, Cahill will probably look elsewhere, which would be a shame as there aren’t many players with his ability. If landing Cahill doesn’t happen, Spurs should turn their attention to Phil Jagielka.
Leandro Damiao – I really hope that our affiliation with International can secure the Brazilian’s signature, because with every month that passes his value is increasing. The classy forward has every attribute required to be a world class talent and he must now be on the radar of every ambitious European side, after his recent displays for club and country.
With the success of Damiao’s national teammate Sandro at Spurs, hopefully Daniel Levy will offer what’s required to sign the prolific Brazilian.
To purchase these three players would prove expensive, but the funds are in place and by adding players of this quality to the squad, Daniel Levy will be assembling a talented crop of stars to attract a top coach to the club once Harry leaves.
Not sure that those 3 players will complete the jigsaw. I think we have more areas of concern than that. I think we need 2 central defenders long term. King and Gallas are not long term options and Bassong and Kaboul are good but not world class. If Dawson gets injured as he is now, and King or Gallas are unfit, then there is trouble ahead. Cahill would be a good addition but what baffles me is why we didn’t go in for the likes of Roger Johnson, Scott Dan or Chris Samba?
As for Goalkeepers, I think with Friedel’s everpresent record and consistency, we are ok in that department for at least 12 months. But again, with Shay Given on the market, why did we not go in for him also?
Leandro Damiao isn’t coming to Spurs. He has started scoring goals for fun and is destined for a top European side within the next 12 months. I think our inability to pay top wages will always limit us here so it is difficult to predict who might come.
We did not go for Roger Johnson, Scott Dan or Chris Samba, because Cahill was the No.1 target. Johnson went before we were ready to deal. Dann cost 5-8m, and you may as well add the extra to try and get Cahill. Plus I guess that we thought that Bolton would give in to pressure to sell cheaply. Samba, I just don’t rate on the technical side – a man mountain both physically & mentally, but I have seen the technical side let him down a few times. Shay Given just would not have happened, and again it was too early for us when he went to Villa.
Shay Given and Stekelenburg were both on the market and either would’ve been huge for us. Why didn’t we go for them (especially the latter)?
I would love to get Damiao but like you have my doubts — unless Sandro can convince him to come.
Cahill looks good but I’m much more jealous of Coates than Cahill.
…what about pursuing Alderwiereld or Vertonghen from Ajax? VdV might be able to persuade them to come and you have to feel either would be an improvement and both are young enough to really grow into the squad.
Thank You- Gary Cahill does not really improve us where as Vertoghren does due to European experience, is a year younger, has won the Dutch league and is Captain of the best team in Holland and plus he plays on the left side in the centre back paring as he is left footed and he can also play leftback and scores goals and we could get him for around £15m!Bargain! That could also persuade a certain Eden Hazard to come to WHL seeing as they are both from Belguim…COYS!
As for keepers, we need to buy a (good) young (20-22) keeper from lower league – who is first choice. Then we should leave him there on loan until Friedel packs in. Perhaps sign next summer. Next summer we need to sign Adebayor’s replacement – because he ain’t staying, or will go off the boil if he did. And yes, this probably is King’s swansong season, so next season, we need replacement – either in Jan, or in Summer.
Frank Fielding
Bayern Leverkusans keeper who is 19 i think and is also German No2 would be good- made soe good saves against Chelsea and watching the Budisliga, he seems a real prospect! COYS!
mitch langerak who left melbourne victory in australia
and is now at a german team. Perfect age and will become a superstar and australias no1 in the future.
he is at Dortmund and is a classy keeper
A football jigsaw is never complete because you should always be looking to improve it.
In case you missed it Kaboul was passing to their players and not ours and they should have scored when he ducked under a header at the far post which would have made him responsible for at least 5 goals in 3 games! If you are content with such poor defensive displays then you have a funny idea of a completed jigsaw.
pete it is not baffling why we didn’t get the players you mention because we hadn’t cleared people off the wage bill which any sensible business does before it then adds to it again.
Cristian Ceballos looks absolute class and hopefully will replace Modric in the near future. He has a far more attacking instinct and is more skilful and creative. Ganso and Miralem Pjanic would also be top replacements. Would be good to see if Falque or Dos Santos can compete with Lennon. If not, then Spurs should buy Xherdan Shaqiri who could cover both wings and also Van der Vaart’s position. Tom Carroll also looks like he has potential in central midfield, so he should be given games in the Europa league. Up front, there is the potential of Harry Kane and Couilbaly. Spurs should also take a look at the two Napoli strikers: Ezequiel Lavezzi
and Edinson Cavani.
@TonyRich – So you are suggesting that people responsible for transfers at any club should only have a Plan A – in this case Gary Cahill? Surely there should be efforts put in place to have back up option in case Plan A doesn’t materialise. Ridiculous to think you should be confident that thinks MIGHT happen – you have to be realistic, many deals to not materialise so other options are essential.
@me – Are you telling me that Brad Friedel doesn’t get paid? Shay Given would have been a better long term option, and as we have the funds to pay Brad Friedel’s wages, then I am asure we could have paid Shay Given’s instead. If we had £12m to spend on Cahill plus however much a week in wages, then please tell me how it is then not possible to go for any of the others whose fee would be far less and wages lower as well. Only Roger Johnson went earlier – Scott Dann was done on deadline day and no bid was even made for Samba.
Akinfeev/Adler/Mandanda/Krul/Asenjo
K.Walker/A.Smith-King/Subotic-Gallas/Caulker-Bale/Mbola
Townsend/Gio-Sandro/Parker/Hudd/Parrett-Modric/Livermore/Bostock-Niko/D.Rose
VDV/H.Kane-Adebayor/Pavly/Coulibaly
these players would be the missing links for the team right now. begovic for gomes, cahill for bassong, damiao for pav.
people say about wages but none of this would be paid more than 60 grand a week. we had to clear the crap b4 signing players that was essential. these players would be class additions and would strengthen the squad again to compete with chelski, gooners, liverpool for the remaining champ league places COYS
Cristian Ceballos looks absolute class and hopefully will replace Modric in the near future. Other top replacements would be: Ganso and Miralem Pjanic.
Tom Carroll also looks to have a lot of potential as a central midfielder. He was played out of position against Hearts (out on left midfield, similar to how Krancjar gets played in the wrong position).
I hope that Falque and Dos Santos can compete with Lennon on the right wing. If not, then Spurs should buy Xherdan Shaqiri who can play on both wings (can also cover Bale) and behind the striker (can also cover Van der Vaart).
Up front is the potential of Harry Kane and Souleymane Coulibaly. Spurs should also send scouts to look at the two Napoli strikers: Ezequiel Lavezzi and Edinson Cavani.
Slightly OT but the “What is our strongest XI?” post was very interesting.
I have a request. Can you make a “What is our strongest XI without Aderbayor?”. He seems vital to the teams goalscoring and so I would be really interested to see how others think we could best line up if he gets a bad knock for example and is out for a few months (seems to happen often at Spurs with our injury list).
In the ilk of Begovic, Cahill, Damiao.
Corluka, bassong, Pav to go, maybe even lennon, if falque or dos santos or other can fill his role.
Reasons I don’t like lennon, when Bale was ripping up the left wing last season, he had the perfect chance to shine, the pressure was off and he did nadda, besides he can’t cross what is a winger who can’t cross?
Begovic seems realistic.. Obviously there are bigger names regarding potential GK’s but looking at our wage structure we won’t be able to bring in someone like for example De Gea who is touted to be the best. Gary Cahill can be great for us,but our reluctance to offer what Bolton want will see him further his career at Chelsea. NOW it is extremely important for us to try and get Leandro Damiao on a long term deal. The strategic partnership between us and Internacional should strengthen our chances. Levy simply has to offer him 70 000 a week,otherwise he will go to a Seria A or La Liga side.
These names would all be welcome at Spurs,I hope Levy works hard to get all three of them. Jenas should not be reconsidered next year while I’m delighted with the Levy for extending Sandro’s contract. Bentley should also be sold and then we can look at people like
Ceballos and Coulibaley coming through. NOW FOR MY PIECE TO THE PUZZLE: Make sure Gio gets time on the pitch,sign a new contract and be a world-beater for us!
begovic isnt just realistic interms of price, he is a top keeper. watch the saves he makes over the course of a season. not many errors either – am yet to see a big one.
re dos santos – hope harry involves him especially with lennon and bale inconsistant. younsters falque and cabellas r playing well in the reserves, lets see them tested in europa if/when registered.
Completely agree. Seeing that the whole Begovic transfer from Pompey still hasn’t been sorted and seeing him at Stoke makes me a bit frustrated. But he has proven to be a consistent player. The other two are also no-brainers.
But who if Luka leaves? Watched Dortmund yesterday and either Gotze or Kagawa would fill that void, although they probably won’t want to sell. Otherwise Ever Banega does look pretty good, or could opt for Hamsik if Napoli could be tempted…but guess we’ll have to wait until January 31st…
Goetze and Kagawa both please! Pjanic is another I’d choose but I’m not sure if he’d want to move again since he JUST transfered this summer.
Dortmund wouldn’t want to sell but I’d spend a good portion of the Modric money (if we sold him) toward either. They might not be quite as good (arguable) but are years younger.
If ratboy leaves i would like to see us move for Christian Eriksen at ajax, he is a top midfielder, class act. if not there are plenty of alternatives. positive is it wont be Benayoun 🙂
Yeah, should be able to hang on to a fair bit of cash if and when a new playmaker is needed. Suppose Ceballos may develop and flourish alongside a couple of other youth players in that position.
Internacional have slapped a 50mil buy out Santa Claus on Damiao so that affectedly blows us out of the water.
Mate I agree Begovic yes (he was practically signed a couple years back).Cahill yes (alternatively Neven Subotic from Dortmund). Leandro I wish we took the chance and signed him when we had the chance. its gonna be hard now. I see this guy being massive.I mean all the big clubs chasing him lets hope Sandro can convince him.Oh yeah allot of the suggestions in these comments are rubbish.
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