Brad (Young Keeper) Walker/Naughton Kaboom/Dawson/Vert/Caulker BAE/Vert Parker/Sandro Modric/Thudd/Livermore VDV/Sig Lennon/Townsend Bale/Pienaar Ade/Defoe/Kane I think that apart from keeper, we may have enough to sit out the season now at the level we're at. Any future signings therefore have to be of the 'next level' type, and those signings don't come by the bucketful unless your City or Madrid.
If Villas-Boas sticks with his 4-3-3, then I think van der Vaart may end up on the left of the central 3. If/when Modric goes, then stick in his replacement: Friedel Walker Kaboul Vertonghen Assou-Ekotto Modric Parker van der Vaart Lennon Adebayor Bale I can't really see how else we could set up.
In terms of the players, it looks really good. But 2 of those, Modric and VdV, are out of position (let's just say Modric's replacement is very similar). We already know that VdV dislikes being played out of position. IMO 4-2-3-1 is the best formation on paper - it should allow for enough numbers in defence and if the '2' support the attackers then suddenly you can be throwing 5 attackers + at the opposition. In our current team - I guess you'd have Friedel, Walker, Kaboul, Vertonghen, Assou-Ekotto, Sandro, Parker (as the '2'), Lennon, Van der Vaart, Bale (as the '3') and then Ade as the front man. However, we saw with Harry's setup that it rarely worked - perhaps AVB could get more out of it I don't know - he seems a bit more tactical (couldn't really be any less ).
As long we get in another striker and a new keeper, that'll do me. I don't care if we 'replace Modric' but if we do, that's a bonus. If Defoe leaves, we'll need someone else in I guess.
with all the defenders going out the door maybe its time for a new defender to come in. One that can lead would be a bonus. No Idea who that would be yet
A manager. ✔ An assistant-manager. ✔ Vertonghen. ✔ Sigurdsson. ✔ Fryers and Hall deals. 1/2 - Hall done, Fryers collapsed NEW STRIKER 1 (Adebayor). ✔ NEW STRIKER 2. 1/2 Could argue that Dempsey is the versatile forward player we were after Versatile winger. 1/2 Could argue that Dempsey is the versatile forward player we were after A Goalkeeper. ✔ Resolve Modric's future and replace if necessary. 1/2 Time will tell how succesfully he have prepared for life after Luka, hopefully Dembele will grow into a deeper midfield role. Resolve King's future. ✔ Shift deadwood (Jenas, Bentley, Giovani etc). 1/2 A few players out, a few out on loans, Jenas and Bentley still clinging on A role for Sherwood. ✔ On paper this looks to be the most successful summer we've had for a while. The only real disappointment for me was the failure to get Moutinho in, but he was clearly not value for money so I can understand the club's stance. Oh, and the loss of VdV s mildly heart-breaking. Exciting, if uncertain, times ahead.
A SUCCESSFUL manager. X A CREDIBLE assistant-manager. X Vertonghen. ✔ Sigurdsson. ✔ Fryers and Hall deals. 1/2 - Hall done, Fryers collapsed NEW STRIKER 1 (Adebayor). ✔ NEW STRIKER 2. X Versatile winger. X A Goalkeeper. ✔ Resolve Modric's future ✔ Replacement CREATIVE MIDFIELDER VERY F**KING necessary. X Resolve King's future. ✔ Shift deadwood X A role for Sherwood. ✔ Hmmmm.. that would be my take on it! Sorry WY
