Updated the front page - had missed 2 loan deal updates. Button has extended his loan at Doncaster by another month (apparently he's building up some good rep there) Kudus Oyenuga has been sent out on loan to St Johnstone till the end of the season.
From SSN feed: Betting Update: Hugo Rodallega is 5/4 to move to Tottenham from Wigan this January with speculation suggesting he is set for a switch. He's 7/2 to join Fulham and 5/1 to move to QPR. ------------- Seems to be really picking up momentum. Just looked his stats up on wiki - previous 2 seasons for Wigan, he's averaged about a goal every 4 games (9-10 a season). This season however, for whatever reason, he's scored just twice in 15 games. Not exactly 'marquee signing' form eh?
Rodallega wouldn't be a 'wow' signing, but sometimes you need to augment your squad, at a reasonable price and wage. I don't know if Rodallega would be god for us, but if Harry and Danny think he fits the bill, I'll go along with their call. I do think it's important we get another striker in, as we are lacking in that department, assuming that Pav and GDS are 'yesterday's men'.
Adam Smith being recalled from MK Dons looks like a sign about Corluka's future. http://www.eatsleepsport.com/milton-keynes-dons/spurs-recall-smith-1375162.html#.TyfVj4ERE1k
I think anyone who is willing would be an improvement over Pav. Plus he'll be on lower wages I'd have thought. However, being better than Pav is really not very high praise. I'd want to see someone who I'd have real faith in starting up top on their own and, even more importantly, genuinely challenge Ade for that spot.
this is the reality. there will be no marquee striker signing. - No Remy, No Leandro, No Llorente. the rumours haven't even been strong enough in this window, let alone us completing something by the end of the day. - I will hold my hands up here if i'm wrong, but i feel Levy has made the effort to get one or more of those players already and has failed. - we'll never know as everything is always behind the scenes. this will be why we're now hearing of Rodallega & Adebayor. Our focus has now changed to finding a replacement for Pav (Rodallega), as opposed to a marquee signing. our "best" bit of business will be Adebayor. I think he'll sign on a permanent deal and somehow we'll pull of a miracle with his wages. - that will be our "marquee" signing. the question is, how will you feel at 11pm if we've got Ade on a permanent deal and Rodallega as a replacement for Pav?
i've been thinking about this in my most recent post HB. it's a tough one. - rodallega will come with a fresh approach and a great attitude in trying to prove himself. if pav's bust up is true, then he needs to go. but on the other hand a lot of us moan about pav, (myself being one of them) but his goal record is far better when you consider how little game time he gets. i just don't know if Rodallega is good enough. we have to remember that for years we'd been a club that would sign average players and hope for the best. over the last 4 years or so, we've continued to improve year on year and we're now right up there, competing for a CL place each year and potentially wining the title this year. I don't feel that Rodallega is someone who'll improve us. we must be aiming higher now that we're competing with the best. Louis Saha can be thrown into that too. i just don't think either player will "make the difference", to use harry's words.
A couple of seasons ago, Rodallega was a top player, fast skilful and scored some spectacular goals. I think he has been injured at the start of the season, but as a backup to Ade, I would welcome him. Gives us a different option.
Two updates: 1. After recalling Adam Smith from his loan at MK Dons, we've sent him off to Leeds till the end of the season (front page updated). 2. Chief football writer Phil McNulty on Twitter: "Louis Saha from Everton to Spurs now looking a done deal. Really intriguing move that." My reaction? [video=youtube;WWaLxFIVX1s]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWaLxFIVX1s[/video]
Judging by the fact very few threads have had new posts, I'm guessing the site was down for everyone? Anyway - the Saha loan + Defoe to Liverpool rumours aren't going away unfortunately. I know I won't be the only one who'll be annoyed at the end of today if those 2 deals both go through.
Defoe is massively over-rated on here. He offers nothing except goal-poaching and is not good enough at that to warrant his place. I'd be very happy to sell him to Liverpool and even happier if he started the match against us. Either Saha or Rodallega would work better for when Adebayor is out.
With Defoe being linked to Liverpool and Carroll being touted for an exit, could this be some sort of swap deal? I can't see Saha and Defoe playing in the same side.
From Sky Sports: Tottenham coach Joe Jordan has refused to rule out the possibility of Juventus winger Milos Krasic making a move to White Hart Lane.