Do you think,one day,that Harry will come out and say "Sorry Spurs.I messed up with that England thing"? or "I think I would have done a better job than Woy"? I,personally,am not impressed with Hodgson.
We let Defoe go because he wanted to start, The other problem is that he's one of those compact, muscular players who are particularly likely to develop leg problems, especially hamstring pulls, when they reach the age he reached a couple of years ago. He was an excellent servant to the club, though. Every Spurs fan likes him, as far as I can tell. There were a couple of years where he bagged nearly 20 in all competitions without being the starter, and came off the bench to score key goals, especially against City. There's a birthday card with him celebrating that goal on my wall. That's the kind of backup you want, no doubt.
He also missed a golden sitter against City to put us ahead after being two behind. We let Defoe go because he was rubbish towards the end.
Was it you or was it totspur who said that for us to improve we need Kane to be better than Bale was when he was with us? Defoe had his limits but I think we'll go many, many a year before we have a better 3rd choice striker, which is what he was for large swathes of his time with us.
Agreed. If he wasn't good enough a year ago, he's not going to be good enough now. Interestingly Chelsea decided the opposite with Drogba...
City are apparently preparing a bid for Bony from Swansea. Quality player who knows the premier league, would it be worth Spurs trying to steal in there ? Personally I think he'd be a great acquisition for Spurs, what with Adebayor nowehere to be seen and Soldado basically ineffective. I know Kane is having a great season so far, but if his goals dry up or he gets injured then you will need somebody else to step up.
Agreed. Defoe had his faults, but he always provided goals. He was a proven premiership goal scorer, they are not that easy to find at any sensible price.
Not for £30m. We'll take him off City's hands for half the fee in 18 months, once he's sick of polishing Aguero's boots. We do need a striker but the days of us spending that kind of money on individual players are probably over... the Bale fund's dried up!
With two games a week for the forseeable, we need players we can rotate in at every position. Vertonghen, Fazio and Eriksen have played every game lately. We're suddenly thin at DM as well, with Bentaleb gone and Mason a question mark. Dembele has been reasonably good, and Paulinho looked okay against Chelsea, so I can't see them going. The thing I'm wondering is, is there anyone we have who can replace Eriksen? Chadli might be the best choice. He looked decent in the middle with Sherwood, except he didn't create goals, meaning that if he did replace Eriksen it would mean we would lose 2/3 goal scorers. Soldado? Paulinho? Lamela?
Funnily enough I'd take Defoe back in a heartbeat, never really wanted him to go in the first (and 2nd ) place. Always been a good striker and someone who I think many underrated at times. His goal record spoke for itself, especially considering a decent percentage of his game time was usually from the bench. Can't really be any worse than Ade or Soldado have been this season anyway.
Dembele does have the sit-back ability, his strength on the ball is quite a plus point on the defensive side and I think Stambouli has been ok too, although Bentaleb's form has been very good this season so his loss is huge, regardless of how good the alternative is. Mason's work rate in midfield has been unmatched, Paulinho would be the obvious choice for me to replace the style of Mason, like you say he has looked ok in recent performances too so that's a little encouraging (still think there's a strong chance he'll go at some point in Jan though). Chadli and Lamela can both play as a 10 and if Poch wanted to give Onomah a chance anytime soon then he can play in an advanced role too but Eriksen seems to have decent levels of fitness, he's been involved in a number of late winners for us this season and doesn't seem to be burning out (yet) so I'm confident that he can handle a few double fixtures if needed. Another alternative to when Eriksen may be given a rest - which would likely be cup games - is going 4-4-2, with Lennon and Townsend wide and then Kane/ Ade/ Chadli to partner Soldado up top.
Don't get to see enough of us to really say but seeing as Soldado is shot as a striker for us then he has the technical ability and work rate to do a job. Not ideal but who else is there? Any of the sprogs not out on loan/can be recalled suit that role? Pritchard seems to be impressing but not sure if that is his best role and we can recall him.
Didn't realise that was the fee ! Nowhere near worth £30m, but clubs like City will always mean inflated transfer fees. Bony is an £18m-£20m player tops imo. I can't understand why City want him anyway? Even with an injury prone Aguero, they still have an array of strikers to hand.
According to gossip column we are being offered Berahino in exchange for Townsend and Lennon. Interesting
Pritch, Carroll and Holtby are all capable players of playing in a number 10 role, if Poch feels we're short in the area then I presume out of the That's City (and Chelsea) for you, buying players of his ilk so it stops any competition from improving.
I'd let them have Lennon and some cash, if there were any truth to the rumour. Don't think that there is, though. I like Lennon, but it seems that he's fallen out of favour and is on the way out.
Joined in June 2005, so he'd be due one from this summer. Maybe he could have a dual one with Dawson, if he leaves? Seems a bit harsh otherwise.
