Always liked him. Even won some of my mates over who were sceptical about him. I rate him as the best left back in the league at the moment. Wouldn't swap him for any other left back in Europe that I know of.
Given that Mancini thinks they're short on players, he probably thinks they need another two or three left backs, they only have Kolorov, Clichy, Zabaleta, Bridge and (sometimes) Lescott/Barry.
What really surprises me about BAE is the stark contrast between his work ethic and his attitude towards the game. He openly admits to being in it only for the money, which whilst I don't like, I totally respect the honesty. He is our only good established left back (Bale is wasted at LB if you ask me) and for a person with such an attitude towards football, one would almost expect that he'd become arrogant knowing that it would take a lot for him to be dropped. Yet, whilst he makes the odd howler every so often, he always seems to put in a shift for Spurs. I may have always been sceptical about him, but one thing that was obvious was his distribution of the ball, particularly to Bale. Time and time again BAE played the ball across the throw in line and it goes to Bale (or Lennon). Defensively he's improved as well, with a longer time period between individual howlers. He's definitely grown on me and I like that he's been ever present in our side (except for 45 minutes vs Stoke and getting 20 minutes rest vs Norwich). As well, he appears to be a cracking guy and quite funny too. However, if he is only in it for the money and he's a top class LB (a luxury if you ask me) why the hell is he playing for a side that have such a rigid wage structure? Does anyone think that BAE is a liar when he says he's only in it for the money?
No, I don't think he's a liar at all. I think that he actually appreciates just how much he gets playing for Spurs and - unlike many others - thinks that is enough. The two are compatible ideals. Probably it would be better to explain his comments as those of a pragmatist. He has a skill and realises that he can earn a good living pursuing that career. As you mention however, in all the time he has been at Spurs he has given 100% for the team and is clearly very popular with with teammates.
An american chap started talking to me in the gym today because I was wearing a New England Patriots t-shirt. We got onto football, he was a Chelsea fan, when I told him who I support he said that he respects how well we're doing this year and that he would rather we win the league than either of the Manchester clubs. Anyway, he asked me who my favourite Spurs player was and suggested Bale, Modric or Van der Vaart, when I replied Benoit Assou-Ekotto he seemed a little confused!
Yes he does - and also uses the tube to get around town. No airs and graces! 'Prone to errors' is an exaggeration. All players make mistakes - he hasn't made any more than the st but some reason some fans pick on his occasional slip ups but gloss over more frequent faux-pas by higher profile players. And you'll have do a whole lot better than Valencia!!!
He has become a consistent performer but still has the odd game when his head seems to be elsewhere, to replace him with somebody better would cost quite a lot of money. Also, he is probably the coolest footballer in the PL.
Benny says he doesn't care.Watch the celebration.He does!!!!! What's the chance of a left back winning the "Footballer of the Year" award.Our man is sheer class!!!!
But he does have a collection of supercars....he likes collecting them he says....... well the man has to spend his money somwhere...i see his logic of driving a smart car through london though...
hes good but only in our eyes bigsmithy..or did you mean Spurs player of the year? yeah ill go with that..why not....
Well I haven't been online since the game last night and what I would like to add here is that last week I was questioning who we have who can take our free kicks especially when trying to break down teams. Maybe after that performance last night-capped with THAT rocket-he should be given the responsibilty.
Problem with corners is that he is one of the players who stays back. He would be stranded if the opposition broke quickly.
