Bent was an unnecessary signing but comparing that situation to the one now makes no sense to me as we only have one striker (albeit inform) and back then we already had three very good ones. The best time to make signings is when the team is doing well and the squad looks strong.
For me, another striker is vital. I still believe that if Kane gets injured we are going to struggle. It's not just the goals he contributes, it's the threat he carries. He is the number one target for any opposition defense, and occupies much of their time and thought. Whilst Son, Chadli, Alli, etc are all capable of adding goals for us, none carries the goal scoring potency of Kane. I've always believed that you need as many attacking threats as possible to stretch and confuse opposition defenses. In an extreme example, look at Barca. There's Messi, Neymar, Suarez. While a defense is watching one or two of them, the other one is free to wreak havoc. In another example, Liverpool of a couple of seasons ago. Suarez & Sturridge. With Sterling causing additional problems.
I agree we need a striker to occupy defenders and to make teams thinks twice about leaving us open when they attack, Kane is also probably the only attacker we have who is likely to score with his head. Yesterday demonstrated the importance of having that option when teams are defending well. The other position that in my opinion we NEED cover for, just as importantly is a defensive minded CM to do that job that Dier is having to do now. The one who I would increasingly find impressive in the prem is Kante at Leicester. He also distributes the ball very well. If these two positions are strengthened in this window, I would start to believe we could win the league.
I try a swap deal between Townsend and Ayoze Perez at Newcastle, and look for a stop-gap CB (or just try and sign a summer target now). I also really like Nathan Redmond but Norwich won't want to sell him at this stage of the season.
He played very well that season. Along with Suarez & Sturridge. The problems came when City waved a large cheque in front of his face!
He played well against us. But he is the most over-rated one footed player I have ever seen. His first touch makes Darren Bent's look good and if it wasn't for his pace he'd be lucky to play in division 2. Yesterday he couldn't exploit a full back on debut suffering cramp. Says it all.
The press are getting a bit imaginative over the team training in Barcelona at the moment. A few of the media tarts are suggesting that we're looking to pick up a signing or two while we're over there. Sandro Ramirez has had his name mentioned again, as has supposed summer target Marc Bartra. Both players are represented by our recent training ground guest, Carles Puyol. Sounds like a bit of a flight of fancy, to me. They would fill two roles that we desperately need cover in, though. Why swap the bench of Barca for that of Spurs? No idea.
Because we are probably number 1 in Europe at the moment for giving youngsters their chance. Whereas Barca, despite being infinitely better than Madrid, will still happily sign a Neymar and Rakitic and thereby confine academy products to a role as stunt double for a decade or more. It would also explain the theories about this deal sticking due to a buy-back clause. Barca aren't stupid and know that sending one of theirs to Spurs is the best possible development strategy to pursue. It's a win win for them.
He's made 17 appearances for Stevenage this season and he must be doing something right, I guess. Good luck to him with his development.
The Graun are pretty sure Newcastle have signed Townsend (who is currently playing for us in a youth game vs. Liverpool) subject to agreeing personal terms, with Poch apparently stepping in to push the sale through at a lower price than Levy would perhaps have liked, so probably between £10-14m. http://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/jan/25/newcastle-andros-townsend-tottenham-agree-fee
I just visited the Newcastle board to see what the general consensus was about Townsend, pretty much all positive, you would have thought Ronaldo was rocking up there ha.
That is such a daft amount of money for Townsend. I'm surprised the laughter from Levy's office hasn't been heard all the way up in Newcastle.
Good to hear, if true. No way is he worth £14m, even with the VAT for having been born the right side of Wrexham , as well as the surcharge applied for having once worn an England shirt (known as the 'Andy Carroll Toll'). I'm taking this article with a bucket-full of salt, but the line that intrigues me is: "But with MP keen to free up space in his squad" ...for whom? Ah! I can't stand these will we/won't we games every window! @SpursDisciple up yours
