But the depth has been compromised by loaning out players like Corluka, Bassong, Pienaar hasn't it? And selling a pleyer like Defoe won't help with squad depth. Personally it would not break my heart to see Defoe leave but ONLY if we get in two strikers who are bigger and better than him. Unlikely. So for me he has a role to play and I'm really not a massive Defoe fan.
The players that we've loaned our aren't happy being unused squad players though, Lenny. They won't come back and do a job for us, unfortunately. That's one of the issues that I have with Redknapp's lack of rotation. He runs some players into the ground, then we don't have suitable, match-fit, happy replacements, as they've not played a game for months. I like Defoe and I think he'll still do a very good job for somebody in the Premier League, but he's not happy and he's unsuitable for the lone role. If Adebayor's out (and he's not even our player!), then we don't have anyone that can slot straight in and play their natural game. Having to switch everything around because of the absence of one player is not a good idea, as we found out earlier in the season when Lennon was missing.
So the problem with the periphery players is not that they need replacing - just need to be used more often or just kept happy. I'd agree with that. And yeah - we need at least two strikers who can play on their own up front. Bit of a big ask though, isn't it? Plus I'd imagine that if VDV is injured we might want to go 4 4 2 now and again, in which case Defoe could start.
Lets not forget players on loan coming back though, Lenny. Arguably Gallas wouldn't need replacing if we keep Caulker for next season, same with Corluka and Naughton, maybe even Kranjcar and Townsend too. It would be very difficult for us to get rid of all the players we want to but I think Levy needs to just cut his losses on a few players so we can move on and forget the ridiculous loaning out of unwanted senior players to other Prem teams. Defoe's simply not the right player for us anymore and if we manage to keep Adebayor we should definitely be letting him go to a club that will give him the refular football he craves. It would be wise to try and reduce the amount of changes we make this summer where possible but I think we desperately need some better like for like replacements so we're not having to change the way we play every time Lennon or VDV gets injured. In terms of our squad, next season I think it will be: Friedel, Cudicini, [New GK] Walker, Naughton, Dawson, Kaboul, King, [New Centre back], Ekotto, [New Left Back] Lennon, [New Winger], Pienaar, Sandro, Parker, Livermore, Modric, Huddlestone, Bale, Rose VDV, Saha, [New Striker], [New Striker] Plus youngsters: Caulker, Townsend and Kane. New players might depend on whether we get CL and if we lose anyone we didn't want too. But I'd have our first choice targets as; Al Habsi, Vertonghen, Shorey, Hoilett, Ade and Ba. Assuming there was a release clause in Ba's contract I think we could get them all for reasonable fees.
Get rid: Bentley, Jenas, Alnwick, Obika Sell: Gomes, Bassong, Dos Santos, Defoe Consider offers: Corluka, Pienaar, Bostock Premier League loan: Kane, Townsend, Smith, Carroll Bring in: Experienced goalkeeper for the long-term Goalkeeping prospect for the long-term Centre back that can go straight into the team (Vertonghen being the most likely) Centre back prospect (Uvini leading that race for now) A midfielder who can play centrally and on the wing Striker who can lead the line (Remy being the front runner, at least this week) Striker who can play off the former (Leandro?)
That all looks pretty reasonable. Arguably We could leave the entire defence alone though, I'd have thought. We have Dawson and caulker coming back. Yes it's a bit of a weakness having Rose as our only cover for LB but I think it'll do. I'd only really be interested in a left-sided player if they can play both LB and LW. I know it's a bit of cliche and had been true for every transfer window for about three or four years but I just really want a new striker or two. We've been crying out for it since Berba left. And even though Ade is nowhere near the quality of Berba that little bit more quality that he has over Crouch, Pav etc really does go a long, long way. Ideally I'd like someone more clinical than Ade as first choice but he's still a lot better than we've had for a while. And I guess we'd be buying someone from abroad. Buying from the EPL is OK in some ways but it's not where you get your Bales and Modrics and Berbatovs of this world (at reasonable fees).
I think that looks pretty OK. I'd prefer at least other GK instead of Cudicini, would be happy to have Smith as a cover for full back and would probably keep Defoe as an impact sub. Gallas may well be a better bet than King as the experienced CB to keep. I still think its is crazy to play 4411 with that midfield line-up though. Only two of Pienaar, Sandro, Parker, Livermore, Modric, Huddlestone on the pitch? Goalkeeper, centre back and strikers are the key signings. Plenty of deadwood to cut to make space and trim costs.
I don't think we can rely on King, Gallas and Nelsen. Dawson isn't the most mobile either so we'd be relying on atleast one of Kaboul and Caulker being available all season if we don't really make any changes, frankly I'd rather we kept Bassong and of the 3 crocks if we weren't going to bring a defender. There's more to come from Ade I feel and I think he's not that far from having a similar level of influence as Berb did for us.
I'd disagree that Ade is no where near the quality of Berba. They are just completely different players. You mention that we've been crying out for strikers since berba left, but ade's prem record is better than berbas 2006-2007, berba played 33, scored 12 and assisted 11 2007-2008, berba played 36, scored 15 and assisted 11 Ade played 33, scored 17 and assisted 11 in his first season with us. he's a massive asset for us in reality.
I know what you mean about having a lot of quality in the centre but we've been at our best when we've had Lennon and Bale on the wings. I liked the way we were set up against Swansea too and have a feeling that 'Arry won't have totally given up on the 4231/433 style of play. My main hope is that we pick a tactic and stick to it, with a few tweaks from game to game, then we can concentrate on building a squad that has the right players for each position. The likes of Kranjcar, Defoe and GDS just don't seem to fit into our normal style now so that's why I'd want them gone. Pienaar's probably another one but I can't see Everton or anyone else putting in a bid that matches his quality, so perhaps we should give him another go.
The stats might say that but in reality Berba had a better touch, better passing and was more clinical in front of goal. Anyway I'm not slating Ade - just saying that despite his shortcomings he's a damn sight better than what we've had in recent seasons.
Adebayor has been good, but his wage demands might be a touch too high for us? Llorente might be a good shout, he's a great striker, and won't cost us the kind of money Ade is on. Remy would be good as well, depending on how much it ends up costing us. Leandro has been talke about A LOT, because of our link to Internacional, but he's going to cost a lot. Worth it probably, but it'll cost. Will Levy be prepared to part with the cash?
Pity we are not in the market for a player like Dembele. He has impressed every time I have seen him and yesterday was no exception. Can't imagine he will still be with Fulham next term. Asked the question a few days ago, but what news has there been about Uvini? He is (stil) on a test loan period but with an option to buy. Has he shown any signs of progression? And I wouldn't be too quick to offload either Gallas or Nelson. Neither has let us down this year and the positive impact from their combined experience on the likes of Caulker and even Dawson cannot be underestimated.
Sorry but Berbatov was world class for us and the form he showed for us was head and shoulders above ade, in terms of quality. If you just want to look at stats then im sure darren bent would be classed as better striker then berba and ade, however berbatovs touch, vision, movement off the ball were world class. what i loved about berba was the fact he could stand still, look like he wasn't interested but you knew he was watching the game, understanding were his team mates were and making sure he was in the best position when the ball arrived and that you cant teach.
Berba 2006-2007 shots - 81. total % of shots scored = 14.81% 2007-2008 shots - 98 total % of shots scored = 15.3% Ade shots - 100, therefore total % of shots scored is 17% Yes, Berba had a better first touch, I would definitely agree. (One of the best i've ever seen to be honest), but infact, Ade is more clinical in front of goal. Also having 14 assists proves his ablility to spot a goal scoring opportunity. I actually think Ade holds the ball up pretty well and he works damn harder than Berba ever did. For me, it's more about finding someone who can compliment him (as long as we can get the wages issue sorted). He's settled at spurs now and has found his form. It's more of a risk trying to find someone else, when he's a great all round forward and has proven it with us. - The grass isn't always greener. (excuse the pun) Random92 - We will be priced out of a move for Llorente. it's a name thats come up time and time again on here, but the fee will be extortionate after another great season with Bilbao, where he's now been on display in the EL. (not to mention the euro's coming up) Lots of big clubs are looking at him. Wages might be ok, but he'll have options. It's unlikely Levy will pay that sort of money for a player. Remy could be worth it, but only if we can get him at the right price as you say. (10-13mill, IMO) I personally think he's overrated and cant work out how he'll fit into our "typical" line up. £20-24 million for him is a joke. He's not scored many goals this season and has had a fair few injuries. Leandro - same as Llorente. trying to move for the biggest price and the most money now. all controlled by the agent. Yes we've got the link to his club, but I think we'll be priced out of the transfer fee on this one, too. I think we've had our chance on 2 out of 3 of those players. Lets hope we don't miss out on Vertonghen or any others we're linked with this summer. Gotta be bold, as 'arry says.
i'm not denying that berba wasn't class Boss, I just don't agree that he's head and shoulders above Ade in terms of quality, that was all my point was. Stats do prove that to a certain extent. Like I said earlier, they are just different players.
Well I understand what you're getting at and yes maybe "head and shoulders" is a tad too complimentary to berba, however Berba had superior vision, movement, touch and overall more "ammo" to his game...in my opinion anyhow! Ade is a top class striker, good link up play, fast and links up well with a striker partner, but overall I would put Berba in a different class. Just imagine Modric, Berba, VDV, Bale and Lennon as our attacking options, to me having berba instead of ade puts us on another level. .....well the berba of old! not sure how he would perform now as while his game was never based on pace, he did actually have a decent burst of pace if needed.
yeah agreed completely re Berba, he was a typical spurs player!! But with all the positives to his game, he also had negatives. I personally thought he was often Lazy. He could go missing in games at times too. At least with Ade he'll chase down the defence and keep the pressure on them to try and get the ball back. It often goes unnoticed, but that pressure often enables us to win the ball back through opposition mistakes, which has got to be a factor in how we average about 65-70% possession each week!! Still, I wouldn't mind the berba of 2006-2008 here again please!! closest player i've seen to him nowadays is Llorente.
I have to agree that in his time with us Berba was better than Ade. Berba was up there with the most skillful players we've had in the prem era (players like sheringham, ginola and doherty for example). I would still sign Ade in a heartbeat though. He is vital for us. If we can make it happen we should. If we have to splash the cash a little on Ade to get him then does anyone else fancy Hooper from Celtic as newstriker2? He's looked great all season. I mentioned him in january too. Obviously Celtic will say he's not for sale but realistically i think he could be had.
