I also hope Townsend can become a top player. However, I can't help noticing that this is the kind of game where he shines: one where we basically produced nothing (till the 93rd minute), and he produced nothing more stylishly than anyone else. The games where he doesn't shine are those when we produce something, because he's never the one who produces it. Compare him to Paulinho, who also seemed more interested in entertaining the crowd than in doing things to help us win: 8 PL goals is nothing to sneeze at, especially when he wasn't a constant starter. And yet for some reason I wouldn't mind keeping Townsend, and selling Paulinho. It's because there is value in dribblers. They can widen the field, and if they can cut the ball back they can produce goals. My vote to play with Eriksen and Lamela is Kane or Soldado.
We have a list of players who this season have to shine or they have no future, its a lengthy list and I would put Townsend their as unlike Lennon, he hasn't made a consistent impact. Lennons best attacking days may be behind him but Lennon never attempted to play with greed. Townsend (as we both know) does and he should be looking at Lennons team game and noting his work ethic and attempting to take that into his game but if saints want him, then I would sell for 20 million
Townsend has the skills and pace, he just needs to learn the game, when to pass, when to shoot, when to cross etc, hopefully this will improve with more coaching and time. Townsend is totally a player we should be keeping, his pace is a massive asset which terrorises defenders, he deserves the opportunity to develop further and it would be madness to let him go imo.
I agree with this. As I've said before, someone needs to sit Townsend down and force him to watch endless videos of Arjen Robben, minus the diving and bizarre aging.
Agreed, Boss, Billy and PNP. Lennon at his best had a huge impact, especially at home, when his runs invariably got the crowd into the game. I'd be very happy if Townsend could be as good a player. I agree he has the talent, but he needs to be the team player Lennon still is. I also think he needs to get into the penalty box and cut the ball back, as he did once or twice in preseason, rather than letting fly with long range shots. That would be a good use of his abilities. He's just got to suck it up...
Interesting read about Townsend and Holtby have a place in our team: http://cartilagefreecaptain.sbnatio...wis-holtby-andros-townsend-tottenham-west-ham
His columns are usually worth reading. I agree about Townsend. I would like to see Holtby given a run of games as a CAM before we say he can't play there. The only time he did was in the Europa last year, when he had something like six assists in something like four games. Of course it was weaker opposition, and of course he can't necessarily translate that to a higher level, but we know he was successful in the Europa, and we don't know if he can be successful there in the PL. It would be nice to find out. They're all extra points, really, since they count for one and are usually kicked. I still can't get over how strange a tackle is, tbh. A tackle, for me, will always consist of grabbing someone and slamming him to the ground. West Ham seemed to be laboring under the same illusion.
A few rumours from late last night/this morning. We could be letting assou ekotto leave on a free (the fail) Shakthar could sanction a loan move for Bernard as he wants out of Ukraine. (IBTimesUK) Soldado is a target for Roma (express) Depay has rejected a new contract with PSV (voetbal international) Barcelona have alerted arsenal, united and spurs over the availability of alex song (LOL) (express) The Villarreal boss expects to know by the end of this week where musacchio's future lies Spurs have failed in their 3rd attempt to land Schneiderlin (talkshite) What's that smell? I'm really surprised that the tabloid rumours have been so quiet this year regarding strikers. Ours managed **** all goals between them last year. I would have thought by now that we'd be linked to just about everyone!
My views on these: We could be letting assou ekotto leave on a free (the fail) - could be true. He clearly has no future at Spurs now and value is diminished and diminishing so might as well free up his wages. Shakthar could sanction a loan move for Bernard as he wants out of Ukraine. (IBTimesUK) - 2013 called and wants its rumour back. Soldado is a target for Roma (express) - i read that we were offering them the chance to get Soldado, and that if they showed an interest we would try and get a striker of theirs (Destro, never heard of him) Depay has rejected a new contract with PSV (voetbal international) - I doubt that has anything to do with us. If he comes to the EPL it will be Utd i think. Barcelona have alerted arsenal, united and spurs over the availability of alex song (LOL) (express) - LOL, please let it be a LOL The Villarreal boss expects to know by the end of this week where musacchio's future lies - This deal stinks like Da-meow Spurs have failed in their 3rd attempt to land Schneiderlin (talks**te) - what a surprise seeing as we were preparing a £17m bid for a player they want £27m for.
We could be letting assou ekotto leave on a free (the fail) - Bye Benny Shakthar could sanction a loan move for Bernard as he wants out of Ukraine. (IBTimesUK) - No thanks. Don't want anymore foreigners who won't know a word of English and will likely need a season to adapt. Soldado is a target for Roma (express) - Would only sell if we recoup all £26m (which we won't). Still believe he should be given this season. Depay has rejected a new contract with PSV (voetbal international) - Would be interested. Barcelona have alerted arsenal, united and spurs over the availability of alex song (LOL) (express) - Get to f**. Would rather bring Jenas back. Song would just be sent off every match he played. The Villarreal boss expects to know by the end of this week where musacchio's future lies. - Dier's form, Vertonghen's return, my belief that Kaboul will get back to form plus Chiriches (and Daws) leads me to believe we may be ok at CB now and would rather save the £20m. Spurs have failed in their 3rd attempt to land Schneiderlin (talks**te) - Somewhat happy. Want to see Poch backed but feel MS is no upgrade on what we have. Depending on Soldado's future, the striking department is the only area I think Poch needs to concentrate on.
Dier has played one game and he's already elevated to being undroppable. Same happened with Dembele when he first arrived. We have to see what Dier is like against teams with great movement and intelligent runners before we know if he's going to be a top centre back.
