FIVE things Spurs fans want to see in their stocking…Harry take note
1) New Striker
The return of Defoe has been a boost, but it remains that a striker of the highest quality is what is really needed to push Spurs onto the next level. With them successfully navigating their way into the last 16 of the Champions League and still in with a great chance of being there next year, they should have the pull to bring in this kind of player. Only the transfer fee and, more likely, wage demands could be a problem. Ideally Carlos Tevez’s recent spat will lead to him leaving Manchester City, but his ex-girlfriend will only be happy for his daughters to move to North London. Whilst City being desperate to sell will accept a reasonable bid for his services and he will also be prepared to sign a contract on less than a third of his previous wages. But somehow I can’t see Santa pulling that one off.
2) A sturdier defence
A statistic that I am sure most Tottenham fans are getting tired of being regurgitated time and time again is that they haven’t kept a clean sheet since the opening day of the season. It is certainly an annoying statistic and one that needs to be put right sooner rather than later. It gives opponents too much of a lift, allowing them to go into game believing they are guaranteed to get at least one goal, and leaves the team facing an uphill struggle to win the game. It is not helped though by the fact that Jonathan Woodgate has been out all season, accompanied for large parts already by Ledley King and Michael Dawson.
3) More midfielders and defenders out of the sickroom
That leads nicely on to no3, which is simply that more players need to return to match fitness particularly central midfielders and defenders. Long term absentees Woodgate, King and Tom Huddlestone have been joined recently by Kranjcar, Jenas, Rafael Van der Vaart and Kaboul. And with Gallas also missing the last game against Chelsea the defence was down to its bare bones with, I believe 6th choice centre back Bassong accompanying Dawson in the heart of defence. Whilst central midfield is equally currently stretched to the limit with Modric, Palacios and Sandro the only recognised central midfielders’ available going into the busy Christmas period.
4) A trimming of the largest squad in the Premier League
Despite this glut of injuries there is still affair bit of deadwood at the club draining the wage bill, especially if a new striker is going to be bought in. I see no need to hold on to the likes of Robbie Keane, both Kyles (although Walker is on loan at the moment) or Jamie O’Hara. Whereas if rumours that Pienaar could be arriving then that would open the door for Bentley or Kranjcar to exit, my preference being the former.
5) A winnable draw in the Champions League last 16 while Arsenal draw Barcelona again
After a tremendous effort to top the group with the current European Champions, Spurs would love a draw that represents a very manageable root into the quarter finals. Whilst to really emphasise the importance of topping the group, witness the other side of North London pull out the Catalan giants again. FC Copenhagen is the draw of choice while teams to avoid are Valencia and AC Milan, who may not have hit top form just yet but rest assured are a team of quality and could be a much sterner outfit in a couple of months time. Asides from that there are still teams with real European pedigree in the second pot, but Spurs should be confident particularly with the second leg at White Hart Lane.
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Not bad but my top 5 list is simpler:
1) Andy Carroll
2) Andy Carroll
3) Andy Carroll
4) Andy Carroll
5) Lionel Messi
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Our injuries have been unbeleivable! We have quality but just need them to be fit.I agree we need to trim our squad we have way too many players with alot of them never getting a game. These players need to be sold and replaced with players that will play and improve our team. I would sell keane,dos santos,kranjcar, walker, ohara,bassong and either pav or crouch if a quality striker becomes available added to the striker to replace keane. I would like suarez and either carroll or ibsevic from hoffenheim. Would also like to see l.diarra or parker and maybe even shay given to replace gomes. Eden hazard would also be a quality signing.
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Agree with guvnor that Harry would sell all of those players if he can. Except Crouch who he definitely rates and wouldn’t sell. We should be able find buyers too if the price is right and we are keen to get it done.
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Think we need to keep hold of walker seems like a young quality modern day right full naughton however should be sold.
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I know its pure speculation-or is it that the draw is fixed-but I reckon we will avoid an Italian team for the simple reason that Manure or Chelski didn’t play one in their group stageand there is no way the Carabinieri will want a combination of two English clubs sending their supporters to Milan and/ or Rome on the same or next night. The same may be true of the french clubs too, if cross channel ferries come into play for Lyon and Marseille. I will go for either Copenhagen or Valencia for us, preferably the former!
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1) A NEW KEEPER – Gomes has shown that he is incapable at shutting out teams. Yes we have haddfensive problems, but he has always had two quality defenders infront of him. Reina of Liverpool would be high on my wish list.
2) COVER AT LB – simple enough, although I think if we can get someone solid like Baines in we would be a stonger defensive unit
3) THE DISAPPERANCE OF ALAN HUTTON – excellent at attacking, but he gets caught out of positon too much for my liking. But I think Harry can mould him into a very capable defender. I do think in the short term we need someone more experienced to pull us through this season.
4)MAJOR TRANSFERS –
There are players in our team that should be moved on (Kranjcar out of contract, Bentley, Keane, Dos Santos, O’Hara, Naughton). All of which should provide the funds for quality new players. I’m looking at Marin at Bremen, Dzeko at Wolfsburg, Pienaar at Everton, Van Bommel at Munich.
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I get the two kyles mixed up! I would keep the one at qpr,walker, and get rid of naughton at leicester.
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Please give jenas away in some kind of deal. We are badly affected by his disappearing acts, god only knows how he keeps making the team. Some kind of Jedi mind trick?
1) lassana Diarra – he alone as a new comer to the team would make “The difference”
2) loose dos santos ( if you cant fit him in),bently,keane,jenas(please),Ohara( he’s good but his mouth has let himself go)
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I’m gonna stand up for Kranjcar, I don’t think he has been given enough of a chance this year & thought he added a lot to the side last year particularly goals from midfield, which is always welcome. agree Diarra would be a good signing but don’t think I’m overly keen on Carroll, although he’s taken to the Premiership well I still think he’s a touch overrated. But don’t think January is the time to bring in a striker with no Premier League experience. What do you think’s more important a striker or midfield anchor/enforcer?
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