Eriksen is miles better than Sigurdsson and Holtby. Holtby doesn't seem adapted to our fast paced style, if people notice he's actually quite slow which I never realised when I first saw some of his YouTube clips prior to signing. He does a have a keen eye for a pass but we haven't seen enough of it, did he even get an assist? (THFC6061?) At least with Sigurdsson, he hasn't set WHL alight yet nor is he quick either but he does have a keen eye for goal and we've seen glimpses of the sort of player he can be, that's why I mentioned the other day I wouldn't be overly fussed if Holtby was sold. He's not going to be a first teamer here and I'd rather use the potential sub, cup and occasional league starts he'd get and give them to Tom Carroll, who, in my opinion has the potential to be a far better player and one suited to our style.
cheers cove, I knew you'd be able to add something valuable to the discussion I know! I'm sure you will say the same, but there's definitely something i see in his style that excites me. Something tells me he's a "Tottenham player". I think it's his intelligence and awareness to be honest. Two massively important attributes IMO. Tom Carroll has this too and it's evident in the fact that he seems to have so much time on the ball because he's worked out his next move before he's completed the previous one. He's another that excites me. I think I pay particular attention to this, because it's the position I used to play and i have a real issue with players who lack intelligence and give the ball away when they panic. It does my head in. It's probably why i was on Dempsey's back a lot last season. So many times he made sloppy passe throughout a game. Holtby needs time. Its can't be easy adjusting to a club and a new league half way through a season. i see potential in him, but for me he should be lining up along side a def mid, sitting just in front of that player, but should also have defensive duties due to his "pitbull" like style. i'ts hard to explain what I mean. But I agree, I don't think he's got the pace to be a commanding attacking midfielder. - from what I've seen so far anyway. #teamTOMcarroll - Let's not allow any confusion here please, mate!
Eriksen has a touch of Modric and even a hint of Rafa in him, something not many players can say. With (in my opinion) better players around him, he'd flourish and not be as anonymous as he is at times with Ajax. Problem for Holtby is he hasn't really got much time. I don't think he's featured in pre-season games yet which won't help and it's pretty clear (or at least I bloody hope so!) that our three main CM's will be Sandro, Paulinho and Dembele providing all are fit. I know coming in at Jan isn't easy for anyone but he really needed to make some sort of impression to the management and fans to show what he can do. If Holtby came in and looked mustard, then there's a good chance we MAY have not been interested in Paulinho. Holtby struggled to break into our team much last season, with an extra midfielder now of great ability, Holtby's chances of minutes are looking even more bleak in my opinion. This is why I think it's best for him, and us (financially) AND for Carroll's progression if Holtby moves elsewhere in search of first team football. He seems a real nice guy which is why I actually feel bad for saying sell him but my footballing brain just says it's best to get rid for all parties. Yeah good point, #TeamTomCarroll it is
It's a big shout mate, but you could end up being right. I agree, it's quite hard thinking about where he'll slot in. However, I wouldn't pay too much attention to the fact he hasn't featured in preseason games. it seems that most of the players who have are playing because we're putting them in the show window.
http://www1.skysports.com/football/...attle-coy-on-link-to-tottenhams-clint-dempsey Seattle Sounders are coy on reports linking them with a move for Tottenham forward Clint Demspey. The 30-year-old United States international joined Spurs just 12 months ago when they paid Fulham over £6million for his signature. However, his future now looks set to lie away from White Hart Lane and a move back to Major League Soccer could be in the offing. Dempsey last played in his homeland back in 2006 when he left New England Revolution, but he could now get the chance to do so again with Seattle. Sounders boss Sigi Schmid was coy about the Dempsey rumours when asked by local media. "We're always interested in good players first off," he told Sports Radio KJR. "Right now, there's really nothing to it, there's nothing to say. But we are in a position to add a Designated Player to our team before August 8th. "I know Clint. I talked to him when he was here when he was playing against Panama. I always follow what he does and his career and what he did in MLS, but there's nothing there that I can say right now. "We're always looking for good players. You can't really close the door on anything, but right now there's nothing that's nailed down and concrete." Those are the most generic comments ever IMO, which to me still say "Yes, we're after Dempsey."
It always makes me laugh sardonically when managers say stuff like, "I've been a long-time admirer of x and, of course, I would love for him to join us, but he's a y player and that's all I can say right now." It's tapping-up by stealth, and they all do it.
and Seattle. No one knows. If dempsey hadn't have been spotted at the airports by a couple of young american lads, it's likely no one would have a clue this was going on.
I'm sure there's an element of, what I would call, " the transfer creation dept" that goes on with these guys. It used to happen a lot in my old profession with the head hunters. It goes something like this. Agent calls target club: " I've got a good premiership striker who's unhappy and looking to move, would you be interested?" Club: "well, we're always interested in top strikers. Can you give me any more info?" Agent: " not at this time, it's a bit confidential. I'll have a word and get back to you" Now, quick call to target striker.... Agent: I've got a big name club looking for a top striker. Would you be interested in a move?" Striker: " I wasn't really looking to move, but I could be interested. What are they offering?" Agent now goes back to target club and adds a bit more fuel to the fire about his wages, etc, etc...with any luck, he can create a transfer and pocket a nice fee, all with a bit of subtle manipulation of both the target player and the target club.
I'm reluctant too, but it is possible that he is worth a lot more to Madrid than he is to us because their shirt sales etc are to a bigger audience. So it could actually be a win-win.
If you are referring to the promise that Bale wont be sold I am pretty sure Levy... a) wasn't expecting to receive an offer more than £85m b) going to say "Oh yeah, Bale can do one if we get lots of money" c) Keep silent as then we'd hate him even more. Not all promises can be kept... and you cant say he hasn't tried to keep it by .... a) Offering Bale a new deal b) Rejecting all offers so far even those that would more than double / possibly triple our highest every received fee c) Investing more money in the club (£50m already) The whole "B...b...but Levy promised " arguments hold no water what so ever. Sorry if this wasn't what you were referring to but even if not, others have said it!
In my opinion, if a deal is to be done for Bale, it will be done by Aug 8 or soon after that date. Why? Because real Madrid just happen to be in south Florida on Aug 6-8 for a pre-season tournament with Chelsea and AC Milan and Levy just so happens to be over here in FL for his vacation I believe right? Hope I'm wrong but this might be very convenient for RM.
Safe to say Dempsey has gone after this comment on his instagram from Sandro: please log in to view this image
This is what frustrates me about ITK. 1) We all know agents just want their fees 2) We all know if they paid them they'd "advise" their client differently 3) We all know a deadline will have been set It's all common sense.
