Former Spurs left-back Lee Young-Pyo has joined the Vancouver Whitecaps on a one-year deal. The South Korean veteran, who has their second highest number of performances for an outfield player with 127 caps for his country, has decided to leave Al-Hilal of Saudi Arabia, where he's spent the last two seasons and join up with the slightly frostier Canadian side. He joins former Watford centre-half Jay DeMerit and, erm... some others... Good standard of living out there and it should be another nice pay day for him.
Lee NotsoYoung-Pyo never quite lived up to expectations (mine at least) at Spurs but a decent player. Another one joins the footballers lucrative graveyard.
I think that we had an fairly unsuitable left-winger for him at the time, Spurf. Malbranque was a fantastic player (for an hour...), but they were both right-footers on the left. They intruded into each other's space and didn't offer enough options.
One of the World's best right footed, South Korean left backs that we've ever had in the last decade I'm sure he can look forward to being one of the best right footed, South Korean left backs currently playing in the MLS.
Always thought LYP was decent. Never a stand out performer but never really had many problems with the bloke. All the best to him
Gotta love those South Koreans. Hard-working, honest, seem to have a lack of ego - bet they're great to play with. Sort of like how Harry has mentioned that he loves working with Croats. They're sort of like not-as-good Croats, is what I seem to be saying. (?) I thought LYP was decent for us. Typical Korean - overcame his limitations by doing the simple stuff well and working hard. Of course we're well beyond merely "decent" nowadays, as is Benny.
Ekotto is the only player in our squad who doesn't have any real competition, as it's now clear for the whole world to see that Bale is either an out-and-out LW or a LWB in a five-man mid-field. I'd like to see us get in another decent LB in, to give Benny some competition, as I think he's been the weakest link in some of our play, with the number of balls he's given away.
Benny does make the odd mistake,but on the whole he's been excellent this season.Although we definately need some back-up for LB.
Wouldn't say he's been the weak link HIAG, though some competition/ good back up will definitely be a welcomed addition.
He was caught out of position quite a few times against WBA, and some of his passing was not up to standard. Nothing unduly worrying, and certainly nothing that a bit of good competition wouldn't concentrate his mind to correct.
I think Benny sometimes tries an audacious pass and it does not always come off but his effectiveness as a left back is under appreciated by many. His ability to get out of a tight corner makes him a very strong performer.
That's the one place where we seem utterly neglectful. Look at the current options: Bale - Deployed on the wing, and moving him to LB would be a waste Rose - A right winger, doing a decent job when asked to fill in Corluka - Moved there against PAOK, but not a long-term solution Naughton - Can play LB, but we loaned him to Norwich for the season Pienaar - Nobody rates him midfield anyway...
Is that right? I'm probably just being a bit ignorant here. Did he play right wing in this loan spells or something? Anyway - it does seem to be the case that Rose is our back-up. Plus Gallas can play there if need be, no? It's the most vulnerable spot for us right now but even still I can understand it not having been dealt with since Benny is consistent and we have several OK alternatives. I just think that priorities have been things other than competition/cover for our very good left back. And that's sort of fair enough I think. Certainly wouldn't really want us to sign anyone for that spot myself unless they were amazing, cheap and didn't mind sitting on the bench (if they do indeed get a spot).
Just because Rose played on the wing in his youth does not mean that is the position he will develop into, Harry has stated that he sees Rose's future as a left-back, and I thought he was superb when he played there for us towards the end of last season, a very capable deputy to Benny.
I wouldn't mind seeing Figueroa brought in from Wigan. He's out of contract in the summer, so he wouldn't cost much and he'd allow us to loan Rose out to gain some experience, without leaving us short of cover and competition. Problem is, he's 28, so his resale value is probably minimal, plus I doubt we'd be the only ones in for him.
