Echoing what's been said really, love Daws and in some respects I wouldn't want him leaving as he's a legend (well in my eyes he is) but as with anyone, age catches up with you and certain styles just won't fit certain players, regardless of their skill level and history with the club. I wouldn't be disappointed if the move falls through and he stays with us. I hope Hull realise just what an excellent signing they're getting here if it does indeed get finalised, I don't think some of their fans will appreciate just what a superb defender Daws is and I think he'll slot straight into their team alongside Davies and help improve them massively. Hull remind me a little of how we were in the Jol era, by bringing in good players who with respects, you perhaps wouldn't have expected to have seen at your club say 12 months earlier and so it's nice to see them slowly progressing, just how we did. I hope the club does something for him, perhaps maybe even do some sort of combined testimonial for a number of players (even if they haven't played a full ten seasons)? The likes of Daws, Defoe, Lennon and even Keano deserve some sort of recognition in my opinion for the work they did/ done in helping us get back to being a strong Premier League and European team. Without them we'd probably still be languishing in mid-to-bottom half of the table and so in my eyes they fully deserve some sort of thanks from the club and fans.
I agree about everyone you mention but can not accept the keano one...he treated us poorly imo when he went to liverpool, his childhood club, a couple of months after signing a new contract and pledging loyalty to us...he did ok on his return but then screwed up by taking players on a drinking tour of ireland which led to harry putting on loan to celtic, his childhood club, and west ham, a club he liked as a child and ended with him being sold to an american club in a league where he had wanted to play since childhood. In short imo he pissed his legend status up the wall.
I have been one of those who for a while have been saying that he's past his best. But also saying what a great hearted player he is. Always gives/gave 100%. I sincerely wish him all the best and hope that he gets his well earned testimonial.
Yeah I did question myself when putting Keano in the list due to the Liverpool fiasco but I try to remember the positives on what he done for us and in my opinion, they do outweigh the negatives. One of the clubs' top scorers in our history, contributed to the League Cup win, scored some amazing and memorable goals which will be in the "greatest goals" dvd's for years and years to come and despite being known as a journeyman, he did spend (roughly?) a combined total of 8 years with us.
Dawson has been an absolute credit to Spurs. Ive never met him but so many people say what a nice upstanding and humble person he is. Dawson has always been the architectural old fashioned centre half, who would head a London bus away, throw his body on the line and was a superb team player. The game is always changing there are so many attackers who are diminutive, fleet of foot who can drop a shoulder and leave you for dead. today is all about the Augrero's, Sturridges, Rooney's etc unfortunately Daws just couldnt keep up with them anymore. I really hope our club offer him a testmonial because he certainly deserves it. Sad to see him go and wish him all the best at Hull. Steve Bruce youve done well for yourself there.
if only he did not tart himself with pool...he'd have been a legend... I remember the days when we were **** having to sing...all we need is a team of robbie keanes
Keane left when he was at his peak for us which I felt was a mistake and just turned out to be another costly flop between English clubs of which there has been quite a few. Carroll, Keane, Torres all costly flops and the jury is out on Mata at the moment. I posted that as we had a good finish to last season that we'd have a good start to this season and so far so good but the most important factor in all of this is Pocket must turn himself into a top name for us. It's been noticed that when we have a top football name coaching us the old success comes back as in the days of Bill Nicholson who turned himself into the top manager of the day winning the first double. George Graham came along and we won a trophy and then later Harry and two 4th place finishes came. With mediocre names we get mediocre positions and I think Hoddle subordinate to Harry is the right position for him as I do not rate him as a manager. I am still a touch concerned as to why we stepped off the gas a little in the second half today as I wanted five or six not four and I still see Liverpool as the benchmark for the early part of the season and a good win against them will see us flying. I'm waiting for another 4-0 at least on Thursday. A draw won't be a disaster for us against Liverpool but a defeat is unthinkable. I am eagerly awaiting their match against City.
Apparently Southampton have put another bid in of £12 million for Townsend. Difficult one, part of me thinks we should cash in but the other part think he's worth another season to see of he can fulfil all his potential.
How many times have we said that. Jenas was the king of potential. I think he is still trying to furfill his!
I'd rather keep Andros, I think the balance of the wingers in the squad is perfect. We have two inside forwards in Lamela and Chadli who are more about technique, finesse and flair and two natural speedsters in Lennon and Townsend who can operate either as wingers using their speed down the line or cutting inside and using the pace to draw defenders in and out. Besides, £12m in a normal market would represent good value for both buyer and seller however, £12m in a Daniel Levy selling an English player market is most definitely not worth getting out of bed for. Never have mate. I said I'd want Poch backed but hopefully he's seeing that in Capoue and Bentaleb (and Sandro) we have equal/ better options and are thus better off saving the £20m asking price.
Dawson in many ways recalled a past era in football. His simple game required commitment, and loyalty. I don't suppose he did but I could imagine him driving a Mondeo rather than a Ferrari just because he was never flash. He did the job and always gave 100% thanks Michael Dawson.
They have a lot of money after selling their stars and Levy knows this. I think unless they bid anything like £20million then we won't sell.
Dawson came in january 2005 as a make weight in the deal to sign andy reid (who was supposed to be the main signing) He was a big part in us going from a low mid table club to a top 4 or 5 club He always tried to improve and gave his all. Deserves to be remembered fondly.
Regarding incomings and outgoings before the transfer window shuts - It seems very likely that Dawson is departing with Fazio coming in as his replacement. Im hoping we keep Chiriches who i think is a real talent. He is rough round the edges but if Poch can develop him further he could be a top cb. Although i would prefer Sandro to stay as i think he is a fine player we could still let him go and still have Capoue, Bentaleb, Paulinho and Dembele fighting it out for the cm positions. Finally onto the w/cf positions - It seems that were not interested in selling Townsend. Theres rumours about Soldado going to Milan. Adebayor is integral to how we play and young Kane is coming along nicely. If we were to sign a Remy or a Welbeck then i would offload Lennon. It wouldnt suprise me if we just sign Fazio and wait til Jan and next summer to make further signings.
I'm not convinced about Ade. He did well yesterday but the previous week he was our worst player. I really think we should keep Soldado incase Ade falls back into old habits this season.
