After a disappointing campaign in 2010-11, the season started on a more positive note for Niko Kranjcar as he stepped into the breach when fellow Croatian Luka Modric endured an unsettled August. The player’s performance against Hearts even drew praise from manager Harry Redknapp,
“I thought Niko Kranjcar was outstanding in midfield,” said Harry at the time.
“Niko ran the game, really. He is a great footballer. I brought him here from Portsmouth and he can really play.
“He was linking up with Rafa and there was great movement everywhere. I couldn’t have asked for more. It was excellent.”
Fast forward to December and a long term injury has left Kranjcar’s future in doubt once again but the player has been quick to dispel any rumours of an immediate move,
“I have been out for too long to think about a move,” he confirmed. “I said at the beginning of the season that I am happy here and if I get a decent amount of games I will continue to be here.”
Niko’s place in the Croatian Euro 2012 squad is under little threat and that is one of the factors why he is unlikely to be desperate to move away from the Lane just yet. Harry will find it hard to squeeze Kranjcar into the current Spurs line up but he will also remember some crucial goals as an impact substitute at the beginning of 2011.
With that in mind, Kranjcar’s return to fitness could prove very timely.
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{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
He got us vital points has you have said and we need too keep him because against Stoke our bench was light.
Good squad player, my gut feeling is we will sell Sandro for 15-16mill to Italy in January if a bid comes in.
Heard that mau U are sniffing around Sandro. There again most of our team are being watched. Hope he stays and we carry on in the rich vien that we’ve produced so far. COYS
Why on earth would we sell Sandro, we have only just bought him and he is a quality player. He is going to be seriously good, we need him long term. We would weaken the squad selling him, who would play if Parker gets injured? Livermore isn’t ready and Huddlestone is injured. It would be complete madness. Harry has said we will not be selling and weakening our squad. The players he is looking to get rid of are the Gio, Pav, Bentleys of this world who should never get near the team.
No way are we selling Sandro in January. He is young and is one for the future. As good as Parker has been, he is the wrong side of 30 (31 I think) so how long can he have left as a midfield workhorse?? Step up Sandro!!!
I think we have to decide what our approach to team lineup is (Levy probably already HAS decided, whether or not we know what it is).
We have a quality 1st team in place but for the second team do we try for players that are almost (Niko) or younger players waiting to challenge for 1st team (Livermore, Rose, etc.)?
Right now we have a mix of good players and youth, but I’m not sure where certain players fit in at all. What do Pav and Piennaar add to the team? I’d be happier with Kane and Livermore waiting in line — they’d be cheaper too!
It’s no use saying to sell Niko but replace him with someone like Marin — too like-for-like leaving us in the same position.
Personally I think we need to use more squad rotation. Nothing drastic, but 1 or 2 different players each game. For example, compared to the team that lost last weekend for the next game do the same lineup but replace VdV with Defoe and Lennon with Niko.
Also, use subs to get some playing time to players — more than 5 minutes at the end. VdV tends to tire after an hour or so — replace him with Niko. If we’re 2-0 up at half, pull Modric for Sandro. Gio could also use a solid run.
I understand you want to save a sub for a tactical option late in the game, but you could safely use 2 subs at 55-60 minutes, which would help get players back in form.