We keep seeing Naughton played there, yesterday with Benny on the bench (not sure if a midweek knock was behind that?). Today I see this... http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/footb...am-search-replace-benoit-assou-ekotto-1795046 Controversial!, particularly with Benny being so popular, but I've had a feeling the new management don't share the Benny enthusiasm here. Apparently we're looking at Umtiti... http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/tottenham-west-ham-set-battle-1794359 Mirror I know, its all I could find and it caught my eye.
I really don't get why Villas-Boas prefers Naughton in that position, especially with Sigurdsson starting down the left, but it doesn't surprise me to see this speculation. Wonder how much Baines would cost? Might be a realistic target, depending on how the season ends and Moyes' future.
I dont rate Naughton after seeing more of him this season and if Kaboul comes back in the next few games ill like to see Verts take up the LB role. The main issue with our fullbacks (ekotto/walker) is that they both suffer from a tendancy to switch off, although ekotto has improved, if we could sign a player like Baines then we shouldn't hesistate. Also any news on Zeki Fryers? waste of time? as hes a full back. Nezt season we will have Kaboul, Dawson, Caulker and Verts, we cant keep them all happy as one may want to leave due to lack of games so Verts could end up as LB more often.
Same age as Benny isn't he? think he's going down the younger route, can't see it being less than 10m though and of the two, although Baines is an instant reliable replacement, a couple of years on maybe not. Looking at it through Levy eyes, of the two we're speaking about for hypothetically the same money, I'd take the Frenchman I think looking at it long term, there's no resale on Baines.
I don't understand AVB's logic with full back situation at the moment. Admittedly, despite being a massive fan of Benny this hasn't been his best of seasons but even so, he's been better than Walker, yet it seems AVB wants to rotate Benny with a player who's natural position is that of Walker's. I still don't want to judge Naughton as to whether I think he's good enough for us or not until he gets a run of games at RB. Playing him out of position puts him in the line of fire, whenever he makes a mistake people are quick to judge and criticise despite the fact he's out of position. Of what I saw of him from clips/ the odd 90 minutes of his spells at Norwich and Leicester, I really think he has something to offer but playing him at LB we're never really going to know. But like I said AVB's logic puzzles me, why is he continuing with the fullback who's been the poorest out of the three yet replaces the one performing better with a player that should be filling in on the right? Just doesn't make sense. In terms of potentially bringing in a new LB in the Summer, I'd love us to try for Luke Shaw. Think he's a tremendous talent and I know we have Zeki hopefully looking to push through next year (not sure how he's progressed, Spurcat any thoughts?), Shaw is already playing in the Premier League and holding his own, if we're looking for a LB that has bags of potential with top flight experience, he's the man. Or another option I wouldn't mind is Kolarov from City. Always liked the look of him, a bit aggressive at times but seems a threat going forward (especially set-piece wise) and whenever I've watched him he hasn't been too shabby defensively.
Personally, dont think Baines is any better than Benny defensively. What you get are the additional assists and goals from penalties and freekicks. Whether that would warrant the investment whilst we have Bale on point I am not so sure. Think a younger option may be a better bet. Benny not playing yesterday was strange and worthy of some clarification from the club if it was an injury etc. if he is not in AVB's plans long term then fine, but not playing him now is just self-destructive - as we almost found to our cost yesterday.....
When did Benny get back from Africa? Speculation from a a doubtful source and we are adding 2+2 and making 5.
I believe his ommission yesterday was nothing more mysterious than the same issue we were discussing a while back, namely the problems linked to excessive air travel. On return from international duty, all our players are medically and physically assessed, firstly to see whether they have returned in the same physical state as when they left us and secondly to assess whether they have any after effects of flights, time zones etc and if so, then if a reccommendation need be made to AVB to sit them out for the next game. These tests established Benny was not quite 100%, so as Naughton was considered 100%, then it was he who got the nod yesterday.
50% of Benny is worth 100% of Naughton at LB!!! Disappointing that we didn't get Benny back sooner, seeing as I thought they only had the one game last Saturday. At least he will be available for both Thursday and Sunday. As we managed to get over the line yesterday, then those two games take on even more significance.
Benny is at an age where I could maybe see Levy wanting to cash in, before his value diminishes too much. But we would need to have a quality replacement lined up, I still prefer Benny at LB over Rose or Naughton.
This is a good point. Benny has been at his best in the last couple of years. If he's to be sold, now is the time. I hope it isn't the case though, as I'm part of his fan club. Naughton nor Rose are good enough replacements either, IMO.
Couldn't agree more with this Roo. And personally think that moving Verts to LB is also a non-starter (except in emergency). His all round game offers us much more when he is at CB and even the midfield role would be a better option. So if we are in the market for a new LB - which I don't think should be anywhere near a priority at this stage - then we would have to pay BIG $$ or take a punt on a youngster. If the former, then there aren't too many out there who are better than Benny and even fewer who would conceivably be available. If the latter, then that should be done in tandem with someone as good and experienced as Benny still being around. Personally think we should be focused on other areas of this teams development at the moment - especially until the end of the season and we know whether we will have CL to look forward to.
That Umtiti was dreadful apart from his goal against us and that Perreira, who we were suppposedly interested in at the end of January, was too. Benny must be wondering what on Earth's going on this season as we're not running him into the ground, playing him every game. I'd be surprised if AVB wanted to sell him, I'm sure like Dawson and a few others he'd have been initially willing to sell him to raise his transfer kitty and bring in a player he knows well but he probably understands the benefit of experience and players who have been at the club along time much better now. It probably helps that our more experienced players weren't trying to undermine him though. If we missed out on CL football I wouldn't be surprised if Benny leaves, he's at the stage in his career where he'll want to either be winning trophies or earning as much as he can. With Monaco rumoured to be spending big and PSG only really having Maxwell as a left back I can see a move back to France that he hinted to awhile ago. For us to want to sell him though, like the article says, I think we'd have to rate Rose very highly as from what he's been saying he'll need to be seen as first choice if he returns and I think we might prefer to cash in on him.
Was he was that bad?...I remember moaning about him betting stuck in with some challenges...which I'd of course view differently if he was in white! . The goal was a fluke, but I thought he was ok, AC Milan seem to aswell, they're looking at him too mate.
It was his simulation of injury against us that I believe got Walker booked that annoyed me. Other than that he kept committing fouls and letting players past with clumsy attempts to get the ball and he didn't exactly follow his man too well either. It was mostly the first half at home against us, admittedly, but I didn't see much to redeem him in the other 135 minutes of the tie, other than one sweet strike.
I had no reason at the time to watch him too closely, just thought he worked Lennon a bit, Azza was subbed after an hour in one, can't recall if was a tweak or tactical though. I'm sure if he's any good we'll hear his name again somewhere.
Yeah, I'd never heard of him before, I just remember us getting quite a bit of joy down that side in the first leg and the fullback in particular looked poor. If it wasn't for his goal I don't think I or anyother Spurs fans would've had any cause to remember his name. It's only 2 games though I suppose and who knows he may be excelling in their league games.
