"Former Arsenal target"? He was strongly linked with us for a large chunk of last summer, FFS! The Express got the wrong ****ing club!!! http://www.sportinglife.com/football/news/article/335/8825084/bernard-may-stay-in-brazil http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/221511.html http://www.sportsmole.co.uk/footbal...-spurs-only-contenders-for-bernard_89686.html http://www.standard.co.uk/sport/football/bernard-battle-for-tottenham-8658738.html http://www1.skysports.com/news/12040/8802318/ http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...-joins-shakhtar-donetsk-for-215m-8751901.html
I think a reason he may appear to disappear at times, or seem to be in the wrong place is him looking for space to give him that extra time he's been used too. In one way you want your no.10 drifting into pockets of space at times, I agree with you this puts pressure on the others to break up play and find you, but you could argue CE has been 'available', trouble being we don't currently have a Modric to find him in these spaces, if not found it can appear to be dossing. Ironically he is also the best player we have at doing that...sadly he can't be on the other end of his own pass! I've been watching this lad closely and I've said little till now, all I'm saying is yes there's much to do, but he finally looks to be in a favoured position in this new style. Being messed about out wide is a waste of him really, he does alright there, but I don't think he enjoys it, I don't think he enjoyed avb's brand of football at all, I wouldn't be saying that had there not been a clear difference in him since Tim took over. When I said he's had his best game i agree its not saying that much, but he did a lot more in the last game than I'd seen previously, an assist, his run leaving opponents in his wake, that drag turn in the 18yd box, the nonchalent knock on into Roses path for the 3rd, they're off the top of my head, there were others. One and a half assists, he influenced the game a lot. He's not VdV yet, but his performance was similar to many of Rafa's, in the way he often disappeared in games, popping up with a handful of moments of quality, one of which comes off and results in a goal.
Sherwood's done a good job of sitting back and letting Eiriksen express himself, and I'd expect more of the same. The good run we're on is essentially the product of Christian and Ade producing goals, if you ask me, though a settled 11 and a counterattacking style certainly haven't hurt. I'm a big fan of putting him in the old VDV role because while I think he's nearly as effective attacking when he drifts in from the left, he's not really an LM by nature and it shows defensively. Having a solid LM like Chadli or Townsend keeps us strong on that flank, and encourages Eiriksen to go where he thinks best. So, so far, so good. I haven't followed Eiriksen for years, but noted his highlight reel looked the most impressive of all the new signings, and thought that might say something. What was impressive was he seemed to have lots of great dribbling runs in addition to passes and shots. Of course, Eiriksen has only played a handful of games well, but ATM he is one of our two key players, and Sherwood is correct in letting him write his own role as long as his contributions justify it--and maybe for at least a little while when they don't. We were all willing to accept VDV's downside.
We did a few years back when he was here. I'm still 50-50 though. As good as a player he is, I don't like the idea of someone returning to the club who showed a complete lack of respect when he wanted out.
As I said guys RE Eriksen, I really can't stress enough how good I think this guy can be - providing we play to his strengths. It was like Christmas come early for me (and Roo) when he signed as I genuinely never thought we'd see him in a Spurs shirt. I'd always imagined that when he left Ajax he'd move to Barca/ Madrid (still might in the future!). Of all the signings we've made in recent years, Eriksen is the one I'm most excited about. Hopefully in a year or two you'll all see why I rated him so highly
A round up of gossip I've found today: (ready Boss?!) A loan offer for Lamela is on the table and under consideration as he wants to play and is concerned over whether he'll get a world cup place. Sherwood wants to keep him and Levy wants him playing. Napoli won't pay the fee we want for Capoue, but things could change as the window draws to a close. Holtby is allowed to go for the right money but we want "levy premium". He can't find a club who want to buy, but his agent is still trying for a loan. We are still trying for a loan deal for Coetrao, despite AVB not being with the club. Rumours continue over Berbatov, with some "ITK's" suggesting a deal is very close. Pinch'a salt an'all that.
Cheers, Roo. The ITKs aren't being very brave in this window, are they? Very tame predictions that the media have all suggested. Less "In The Know" and more "I've read the BBC gossip roundup that they post every morning".
LOL. The window is very strange this time round. There's hardly anything, just regurgitated crap. I love the speculation, even if it's bullshit. But even i'm bored of this window.
I'm actually liking this window. It's the first one in ages where I genuinely believe we don't actually need to sign anyone. I'm not sitting at the computer or glued to SSN of an evening waiting to hear "And news in from WHL". We have a superb squad for the first time in god knows how long (possibly ever in the PL era?), for sure I'd take a striker and LB but if we don't sign anyone, I won't be disappointed - providing we don't let any important players leave (Defoe aside).
