And still no news on a new striker. FFS it is doing my head in. Every morning I wake up and hope that there will be an announcement. It is ridiculous now it is the 2nd of August just over 2 weeks to the start of the season and our compliment of strikers consist of Jermain Defoe and Harry Kane. Brilliant. Good work everyone at Spurs. Why do we always do last minute business it's absolute b*llocks. Rant over - for now.
The usage of him as shirt number '9' could point to this. It could work, with Gio on the left and Lennon on the right?
bale is a a very good player, but the thought of him being used as a striker is ludicrous. that's a massive risk as he's totally unproven in that role. we've got to spend, simple as. can't get away with it any longer. I'm with you Jack, it's stressing me the f*ck out aswell. totally unacceptable. we're so close to the start of the season and this isn't good enough.
That's the thing Roo it is unacceptable. This is virtually a repeat of the 08/09 season. Were no lessons learnt? We also need to sort Modric out as seriously he is not going to play for us again. I can see AVB coming out with "his head isn't in the right place" blah blah blah until he finally gets his move on August 31st. This will be the excuse why we have a poor start to the season. If I was AVB I would be going mental! I already am going mental! If Adebayor was to finally sign then I'd feel a bit better but I can't really understand why we spent almost 10 million on vertonghen when the striker situation is so much more critical.
Really don't understand what's happening with Ade, was assured he was signed, even seen the photo of him in the under armour kit... No idea why all of a sudden the deals hit a stumbling block. Bale being played as a forward is a risk but he does have the attributes to actually make it a success as a number 9 - Speed, power, shooting ability, dribbling ability and good in the air. Thought naturally, I want Ade or someone of a similar/ good calibre to take the role.
I found this article and it pretty much sums up my feelings: Spurs fans are used to their fair share of sagas hanging over the football club, but this summer has certainly felt more soap opera than cinematic epic. From the disposal of Harry Redknapp, to the distasteful dealings of Luka Modric, even this week brought another episode of drama as Gareth Bale called out Charlie Adam for his latest act of butchery. But all the above amounts to no more than a Dean Gaffney inspired sub plot, compared to the storyline that’s currently waiting in the wings at White Hart Lane. Because if Spurs don’t sort out their striking options soon, they’re going the way of Ethel Skinner. It might seem strange to compare Spurs’ failure to acquire another top-class striker to the assisted suicide of a pensioner in her 80’s, but in some ways, it’s not far off. As things stand, Jermain Defoe is the only real recognised, out-and-out frontman at the club. Without scaremongering, for a team with the aspirations of Tottenham Hotspur, that’s pretty frightening stuff. The word is that Defoe is now set to stay at White Hart Lane, after a term last season that consisted mostly of fighting on the fringes – however successful his goal return eventually was. And it’s difficult to critique the England hitman. He’s a hugely popular figure with supporters, a striker with a genuine ability to create something out of nothing and someone whose never had a bad word to say about the club. But is it really more than a marriage of convenience? Andre Villas-Boas looks set to implement a 4-2-3-1 which may well adapt to a 4-3-3, should the occasion arise. It seems, despite reports to the contrary, that Defoe has a difficult future at the club playing that system. It requires a more mobile, all-round striker rather than a specialist like Defoe. Spurs will need a man that can hold the ball up and bring others into play, whilst working incredibly hard. This isn’t to say Defoe’s skillset couldn’t necessarily work under AVB. It just seems difficult to see him in a more prominent role than what he undertook last term. Considering he turns 30 in October, that’s something Defoe will have to understand for himself. But if that really is the case, then Spurs are in even more trouble. One recognised striker, who potentially may or may not fit the new system. There has though, however, been a strong indication that youth team product Harry Kane could be part of the first team striking set up at Spurs next term. Andre Villas-Boas appeared to give a coded indication that, “three (strikers) would be enough,” to see his team through next season. Make of that what you will, but with Defoe and Kane already at the club, does that mean he is only looking to sign one more? If so, it is something of a double-edged sword. Harry Kane had a great loan spell at Millwall last season and Lions fans had nothing but huge praise for the recently turned 19-year-old. Furthermore, amongst all the critique and frustration that’s been aimed at Spurs’ perceived failure to promote youth talent into the first team, Kane’s inclusion would mean a lot to supporters – but only if he’s ready. Kane is at an absolutely critical part of his footballing education. He needs to be playing competitive football, not watching it. A season on the bench at White Hart Lane isn’t going to help him. Is there any point promoting him for the sake of doing it? Kane is a talent and if Spurs are serious about him, then they must take their time. If that involves another year on loan, a la Steven Caulker, then so be it. Equally, if Andre Villas-Boas has faith, then even better. But he must stay for the right reasons. How you read the situation at Spurs, will depend on how you like your glass. If it’s half full, then you’ve got one of the best finishers in the land on your books alongside a young, homegrown, fledgling talent. Half empty? Then you’ve got a striker who doesn’t look to fit in the new manager’s system and an unproven 19-year-old who’s never played Premier League football before. However you frame it, at least one more striker must come in. And they must be a better fit then the two at the club. So who may that be? If you believe what the ITK’s are saying, then Adebayor is all but a Spurs player, should he be able to thrash out his exit terms with Manchester City. But you can’t help but feel there is one more sting in the tail with this one. The financial package to take Adebayor to White Hart Lane is set to be a complex one and a £5 million signing on fee for the Togo international doesn’t come without its risk. The deal is expected to go through sooner rather than later. And if Adebayor’s acquisition is all but complete, then that would represent great news for Spurs fans. The ex-Arsenal man has his faults, as all players do, but no one can argue with his stats in a Tottenham shirt. He needs to be less wasteful in front of goal, but the fact he was and still bagged 17 league goals, is hugely impressive. He has the attributes to hugely prosper in this tweaked Tottenham formation. But one more striker must join him. Adebayor needs genuine competition at White Hart Lane to get both the best out of him and the team as a whole. It’s by no means the only position at Spurs in which an extra player could make a significant difference. But with Adebayor especially, the extra motivation could make a real difference. The whispers about a mercenary-like persona are likely to swirl around with intent, should he hit a stale patch again next term. But last season, was there really a genuine replacement? Defoe could sometimes play with him, but never instead of the big forward. That probably isn’t going to change next season. There is still time for Spurs to take the decisions they need to take up front for next season. But if Adebayor does indeed make his way down to N17 on a permanent basis, he needs to be joined by another fresh face up front. It may not seem like a necessity now. Although it could be a reality six months down the track.
Getting stupid now, isn't it? As much as I enjoy Levy getting one over other clubs by negotiating tough he's in real danger of messing up the start of our season.
Well, as long as something happens before the 17th I'm happy. I can see how we might play with Defoe starting but it's clear that given AVB's plans Ade would be a great fit. What this situation has got going for it though is the fact that we seem to do business deals in chunks, we might see a flurry of activity in a week's time...here's hoping!
I honestly believe that the situation with strikers and other players coming in, is down to the modric saga. its almost like its become our policy to sell before buying. which is good, but sometimes there's got to be a balance and a player needs to come in, knowing you'll recoup the funds when you sell. who actually thinks modric will ever play for us again? NO ONE. he's been a pain in the arse for a year now. so why haven't we got his replacement in to gel with the team, knowing we'll get the funds back a few weeks down the line?! it seems that all we care about is digging out heels in and saying "no, £40, mill, what part of that figure don't you understand?", forgetting about what needs to be done now to improve the team, in preparation for who leaves. the reality is that this stance on modric could cause us all sorts of problems. If clubs know they want him, and will eventually pay the 40mill or close to it, (but will try damn well not to until the last min) it means we'll be scrapping again on deadline day - like usual. This is the most frustrating thing for me, as you mention Jack. i get really f*cked off with all this waiting till the last min. it means we're 2-3 games into the season without a squad of players that have had a summer together, have become friends and most importantly, know how to play football with one another. it's more detrimental than we think. look at the difference when SP and Ade came in, we had protection and calmness defensively, and a dangerous target man up front. we were totally clueless and carried no threat against city and united before they came in last year, and as a result we were absolutely pummelled. everyone likes to see us do good business at the right price, but sometimes we don't get the balance correct. the factors I have mentioned above are also critical, just as is not paying 5 mill extra for a player that you believe is overinflated. we've done well in the last 3 years. 3 great finishes each season, but it just annoys me that we arent learning from simple elements that we should be, which can make a lot of small differences, resulting in 1 massive positive impact overall. ahhhhh. my rant over, too.
Competition at the club is great for the club but i'm not sure its what Adebayor actually needs. It didn't exactly bring out the best of him at City. I wouldn't be convinced seeing Kane starting up front on his own this year. If we can get someone like Ade in i'd be tempted to loan him til jan to a Prem club but make sure there is a recall option.
I suppose we should all be used to this by now. What really made us think this year would be any different? I still don't think that this is necessarily the right policy, we all know that Levy is a tough negotiator, bu there are times when you have to give a little bit to get what you want - leave something on the table for the other guy. Apart from anything else, this can't be good for any new signings, they have no real time to assimilate themselves into the squad. But, a leopard never changes it's spots. I don't suppose that Levy is going to change his.
What are we supposed to do? be taken to the cleaners in desperation? isnt that what we mock Liverpool for? shall we give into Ade's wage demands...175k a week? id want every penny back if he doesnt get 25+ goals. should we have signed the likes of Remy? just for the sake of getting a flashy name in? i dont even think he is good enough...the likes of Daimaio have been takin the piss and you know we would be paying 20million plus...like the 25 mill for Oscar..yet these same chelsea fans rate Modric..a proven player and chased by the likes of Madrid,United etc at 25mill...chelsea fans? obvious bias. and i dont want no 10 million quid possible future potential like Wenegr does. so who can we go and get? Bale upfront would be intresting....the same kind of theory being applied as was with Thierry Henry when he became a forward from a winger..and the result was a swashbuckling forward who could do absolutely everything..even handball it in...Gio steps it up on the wing and gets his head down..and it could be a masterstroke...much rather this than get ripped off due to paper hype.
I'm surprised you didn't activate Demba Ba's £7m release clause. It's too late now but you could see this coming.
It doesn't appear that anyone even attempted to activate it CityAce, which is a bit odd. Perhaps his supposed injury worries put everyone off?
I can't see Bale as a forward as he thrives on running from deep, attacking space and arriving late in the box for headers. If we ask him to play upfront, he is playing with his back to goal, will need to time runs for through balls and would be have to hold up the ball up at times, its just not him. We seen this before goal scoring midfielders be used as strikers, like cahill, ljungberg at arsenal, and they were more central players. Bale is a left sided winger or attacking full back as an alternative so if avb is looking to use bale as a striker then i won't be praising him for it......unless bale surprises us.
You make some very good points Spurlock. I'm being an irrational football fan and not thinking of the sensible business approach to the transfers that we know Levy does. Im sure the club are working hard behind the scenes to do something. It's just frustrating when chelsea and arsenal our two biggest rivals have done loads of deals already (arsenal van Persie aside) and are looking much stronger than last year. We all know how close we are to having an incredible side it's just the final pieces of the jigsaw that are missing!
Levy has to work within the Club's means and he has done that exceptionally well I think. I am sure he would be happy to sign a £20m striker if we were all to club together and give him the cash plus enough to pay the wages. Otherwise we will just have to wait and see how it all turns out. One of the main things that makes a good negotiator is consistency - if you blink once then people will always call your bluff. I think what Levy is doing with Modric and in transfers in general is in the long term interests of the club, and if it damages us short-term then so be it. But don't panic yet - Spain won the Euros without any recognised strikers for a lot of the game time.
I'm afraid we can't have it all, personally I feel we will always fall short of the major trophies, major progression or doing something really great if we always "sensible", how can we compete with our rivals if we always want to get the best deal to satisfy the business men? or why are we prepared to invest 15 million in signing david bentley but we won't increase our wage cap to sign a player that will help us progress? I appreciate the fact we're run well as a business and there is no danger of us being in financial trouble but I feel there is sometimes a lack of loosening of the strings due to stubbornness in some people.
If we can keep the ball for 5 or 10 minutes without the opposition getting a touch then would be a start if we want to try and think about how spain play with no strikers.
