Has circumstance now forced Spurs’ hand in the transfer market?

Football FanCast guest columnist Paul McBride hopes that Spurs won't dawdle in their attempts to bring in reinforcements on the left hand side.

When Luka Modric was hauled off the pitch at White Hart Lane with Harry Redknapp somewhat anxious, you just wondered if a tinge of regret entered his mind in letting Jamie O'Hara move to Pompey on loan. The Spurs boss wasn't sure how long he will be out for and is all dependent on scan. Better to happen now than in a couple of weeks I suppose, as at least the club have a few days to find a replacement.

Why the general feeling around the Lane was that O'Hara's loan move must have been agreed, with the assurances that a left wing arrival is imminent; you must forgive me here for being slightly sceptical here, especially the way we drag our feet over negotiations, fees, and the amount of players we have missed out on before as a result. Given our great early form and the real chance to progress this season we cannot take a chance in filling in holes and we must bring the depth in, so the loss of Modric doesn't prove so significant.

I know too many fans they won't be panicking too much and the adjustment this afternoon with Keane playing on the left and Crouch upfront alongside Defoe worked well, but I hate seeing square pegs in round holes and would rather see Spurs bring in a left winger of sorts oppose to playing Keane there. We have been linked with a move for Martin Petrov and for me he would represent the better option than Sulley Muntari and a cheaper one to boot. We are already set to lose at least two players to the African Cup of Nations so the last thing we need to bring in Muntari, and then see him depart in January for a few weeks as well.

So the ball is now in Levy's court and he needs to secure a deal quickly in order to prevent a repeat of last summer's debacle where in negotiations to sell Berbatov we were left short upfront and it subsequently jeopardised our season as a result. Let's not have another anxious deadline day wait in the hope of securing a deal and whether it is Petrov or Muntari then let's get it sealed as soon as possible. The last thing we can do is miss out due to dragging our feet, especially given the start of the season we have had.

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