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If I Were Harry Redknapp, I Would...

jolsnogross

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2005
3,730
5,431
Source: Football 365 (in a club-by-club series of who to keep or ditch in the existing squad)

Inspired by what we're now billing as a feature on squad plans for the summer, Tottenham fan Richard Horsted gives us his player-by-player appraisal of who should go in the expected cull at White Hart Lane...

Heurelho Gomes
One word for him is Calamity. Gomes has cost us a lot of points recently and when your team is struggling to score goals, you need a solid keeper. Unfortunately for Gomes he has made one mistake too many - we will be lucky to get £2 million for him.
Verdict: Ditch

Carlo Cudicini
Surprisingly under-used this season. Looks a better keeper than Gomes when playing, even though he is not as agile. Must be kept as a back-up at the very least.
Verdict: Keep

Stipe Pletikosa
Signed on a one-year loan deal. He has only played once for us this season in the Carling Cup. Could be a useful back-up but, judging by press reports, he is not happy at Spurs.
Verdict: Ditch

Alan Hutton
Good strong right back, I'm not sure why the snail-like Corluka is preferred in this position. Hopefully after an injury free season next year, and a run in the side, he will become one of the top right-backs in the Premier League.
Verdict: Keep

Younes Kaboul
Very good squad player who can play across the back four and in midfield if required. Is one of those players that is never going to be a regular starter because of his ability to play in multiple positions.
Verdict: Keep

William Gallas
Great free transfer signing last summer, added an experienced head to play alongside Dawson. The partnership between them has been better than the Goals Conceded column suggests. The only question is can he handle another season in the Prem.
Verdict: Keep

Kyle Walker
A brilliant prospect at right back. Shown great ability out on loan, the only worry being is will he be happy playing second fiddle next season?
Verdict: Season Loan

Sebastien Bassong
A decent back-up. Sadly Spurs have too many of these at the moment, definitely time to move him on.
Verdict: Ditch

Michael Dawson
Is starting to fill Ledley's boots very well. A brilliant body-on-the line defender. I believe he will become an England regular in the future - maybe even captain.
Verdict: Keep

Vedran Corluka
One of the most frustrating players at Tottenham at the moment. He is a good defender, a brilliant crosser of the ball too. The only thing holding him back is pace.
Verdict: Ditch

Ledley King
Sadly, I think it is time for Ledley to retire. If it wasn't for injuries he would be one of the best centre backs in the country. Should definitely take up a coaching role within the club.
Verdict: Retire

Benoit Assou Ekotto
The most annoying player at Spurs. He could be a very good player, but concentration lets him down on a regular basis. Has also cost Spurs a few points this season.
Verdict: Ditch

Jonathan Woodgate
Another player who needs to retire, looks good when is fit but that is becoming increasingly rare.
Verdict: Ditch

Gareth Bale
One of the Stars of 2010, he has struggled with injuries since the turn of the year and has not quite got back to his best. A summer off and he will be raring to go again next season. If Spurs are to have a realistic top four ambition next season, Bale must be kept when the bigger boys come knocking.
Verdict: Keep

David Bentley
Flash, arrogant and self deluded. Wants to be the next David Beckham - maybe LA Galaxy could be tempted into a swap deal?
Verdict: Ditch

Tom Huddlestone
'The Thudd has struggled with injuries for a while and has been sorely missed in the centre of midfield. Again, hopefully a summer off and he will be back to his best next season.
Verdict: Keep

Aaron Lennon
A brilliant winger, his crossing is improving all the time. He is the type of player Spurs need to keep hold of if we are to continue progressing. However, he does need to improve his Goals-to-Game ratio.
Verdict: Keep

Jermaine Jenas
Has to be rated as one of the worst players in the Premier League. Every time he plays Spurs lose due to his lack of ability to read the game. He should be playing Championship football next season.
Verdict: Ditch

Wilson Palacios
A very good combative midfielder. The problem is that once he wins the ball, he generally gives it away too easily. With the emergence of Sandro this season and with Kaboul being able to play his combative role, he should be allowed to leave.
Verdict: Ditch

Luka Modric
If he does not leave for ManYoo in the summer, he will become a Tottenham legend. Has brilliant vision and sublime touch - he will be hard to replace if he does leave.
Verdict: Keep

Niko Kranjcar
Spends too much time on the bench through no fault of his own, the signing of Pienarr in January sealed his move away from the club.
Verdict: Ditch

Jamie O'Hara
Was looking like a brilliant prospect, but he has not recovered since he was left out of the Carling Cup final squad by Ramos. It will be a shame to let him go, but playing for Wolves is about his level.
Verdict: Ditch

Danny Rose
Scored a brilliant goal against the Woolwich Wanderers this time last year playing on the left of midfield. Has re-emerged now as a full back with some potential. A bit of work on the training ground is required but he could easily be the replacement for Ekotto.
Verdict: Keep

Sandro
Sandro has slowly improved this season and should now be a starter every game.
Verdict: Keep

Steven Pienaar
Why he was signed in the first place is a mystery to most Spurs fans. All we needed in January was a striker. Still, with time, he may become a decent back-up.
Verdict: Keep

Rafael Van der Vaart
Brilliantly gifted player, with a full pre-season under his belt he will hopefully be better next season. He does cause a problem with his refusal to defend. Buying a Striker to complete him this summer he could score 20-25 goals next season.
Verdict: Keep

Roman Pavlyuchenko
Reminds me of another East European flop that Spurs once had. If he was given a run in the side he may prove to be better, but has not looked like getting a chance all season. Time to Move on.
Verdict: Ditch

Robbie Keane
As stated in the Spurs Podcast: 'Agent Keane - your mission to get West Ham relegated has been achieved'. Sadly that is the only thing he is useful for now.
Verdict: Ditch

Peter Crouch
A very tall player with good feet. Cannot head the ball to save his life. Should be kept as an impact player when things go wrong. And to keep Abbey Clancy in London.
Verdict: Keep

Giovani Dos Santos
Has never fulfield the potential he has shown for Mexico. Spurs should have cashed in after his decent performance in South Africa.
Verdict: Ditch

Jermain Defoe
Defoe has had a hard time rediscovering his form since his injury in November. He should be kept unless he can be packed off to Sunderland for stupid money.
Verdict: Keep
 

ggibbs1971

Member
May 15, 2004
436
38
It is easy to say who to ditch, however who do we buy to replace them? We may only get 30-40 million for them. Replacements will be expensive, especially English, and foreign players take a while to bed in.
 

kicked

Member
Apr 24, 2004
924
5
Me too. Ditch BAE?? One of the most improved players in the team! Personally, I think keeping Corluka as back-up is better than to let him go. Also, I'd get rid of all our strikers bar Crouch who i'd keep as back up.
As for Gomes...yep, he's cost us some points. No more than the lacking of finishing skills of our strikers. But...he has also saved our ass a few times. But to be thinking of top 4 you have to have a consistently good keeper.
 

Snuzzy

Well-Known Member
Jun 17, 2005
2,281
2,659
Heurelho Gomes
We will not be able to buy a better keeper than Heurelho Gomes and will look fools when he continues to regularly pull off world class saves at a different club
Verdict: Keep

Carlo Cudicini
Sure why not
Verdict: Keep

Stipe Pletikosa
Verdict: Isn't our player.

Alan Hutton
Going.
Verdict: Ditch

Younes Kaboul
Good and versatile
Verdict: Keep

William Gallas
One more season in him
Verdict: Keep

Kyle Walker
The kind of player that means we need to know the meaning of the phrase "squad rotation"
Verdict: Keep

Sebastien Bassong
He'll want to leave, can't blame him for that
Verdict: Allow to leave

Michael Dawson
Our captain.
Verdict: Keep

Vedran Corluka
He can defend.
Verdict: Keep

Ledley King
Verdict: Glue

Benoit Assou Ekotto
An excellent left-back who is also our only left-back
Verdict: Keep

Jonathan Woodgate
Verdict: Glue

Gareth Bale
Would consider switching between full-back and winger.
Verdict: Keep

David Bentley
F*** off
Verdict: Please leave immediately

Tom Huddlestone
Another player for whom we need to learn the phrase "squad rotation"
Verdict: Keep

Aaron Lennon
Genuine winger makes him more valuable than his overall talent level
Verdict: Keep

Jermaine Jenas
Wouldn't mind keeping, wouldn't mind losing
Verdict: Ditch

Wilson Palacios
If he wants to stay there's a back-up place for him. If he wants to leave, that's OK.
Verdict: Allow to Leave

Luka Modric
I will consider attempting to shed my support for Spurs if we sell Luka Modric.
Verdict: From my cold dead hands

Niko Kranjcar
He's going. Sadly.
Verdict: Goodbye and Sorry, Niko

Jamie O'Hara
Leaving
Verdict: Good luck Jamie

Danny Rose
Not actually very good
Verdict: Ditch

Sandro
Beast.
Verdict: Keep

Steven Pienaar
Versatile back-up
Verdict: Keep

Rafael Van der Vaart
Sexy footballer
Verdict: Keep

Roman Pavlyuchenko
Not quite good enough
Verdict: Ditch

Robbie Keane
Somebody give the man a retiring home... Celtic?
Verdict: Ditch

Peter Crouch
Useful. Not first choice though please.
Verdict: Keep

Giovani Dos Santos
No future at Spurs
Verdict: Ditch

Jermain Defoe
Useless if not scoring. Hasn't been scoring.
Verdict: Search for a Buyer
 

spud

Well-Known Member
Sep 2, 2003
5,850
8,794
Wow. Ditch both our first-choice full-backs and send Walker back out on loan, keeping only Hutton at right back and Rose at left back.

Personally I would have Charlie and Walker as our right back tandem with BAE and Rose on the left. Hutton is occasionally useful going forward but can't defend: he rarely stops a cross coming in and is prone to rash challenges. Ditch BAE? Don't think so.
 

JoeT

Well-Known Member
Jun 7, 2005
3,813
935
Yeah I generally agree with your tinkering (and amusing comments) 'Snuzzy', esp. regarding Gomes and Walker...but (isn't there always a 'but'?)
- Would like to see Rose given a chance to possibly grow as a back-up L.B.....or why not try Jamie O'Hara there?
 

kicked

Member
Apr 24, 2004
924
5
Personally, I think the only real problem Spurs have had this season is the strikers. Considering we are an attacking team, the defence didn't hold out too bad. Gomes made some stupid mistakes...but which outweighed which...his mistakes or his sensational saves that kept us in matches.
Our midfield has created many chances but our attackers, this season, have been dismal. Not one has had a half decent season. How many times this season did we outshoot teams and yet come away with only 1 or 0 points? We hammered some teams but still lost.
 

WhiteStripe

Get out of my club you cretin!
Aug 23, 2006
14,190
4,905
I'm embarrassed that this guy claims to be a fan of football, let alone Tottenham. What an absolute clueless moron. Could get a job at the BBC with some of that absolute clap trap. Clearly watches fuck all football.
 

THFC_67

SC Supporter
Mar 22, 2011
379
214
I know football is all about opinions but ditching Benny and keeping Hutton is laughable. Also while Corluka might be slow I don't recall seeing him burned too often.

Corluka and Walker to fight it out for the right back position and Benny with Danny Rose, big test for him on Sunday, as cover for the left back position. There's also Naughton on loan and Bale and Kaboul to fill in if needs be. Full backs are sorted need investment further forward.

2 million for Gomes ?, Glad he's not in charge of the finances. Keep him unless we can get someone better.
 

Sweetsman

Well-Known Member
Jan 30, 2011
6,673
6,588
This man is an absolute buffoon, who thinks that just being able to make formed sentences makes ones opinion coherent. Ditch BAE? F@ck. 0ff.
 

jolsnogross

Well-Known Member
May 17, 2005
3,730
5,431
I thought the most surprising verdict by the author was regarding Hutton. I find the guy to be a complete liability and his attacking contribution very over-rated. This guy thinks he's a "Good strong right back", with potential to "become one of the top right-backs in the Premier League". That just seems mental to me. Hutton will never be the best right back at Spurs, let alone in the league.

I don't feel as strongly as others about the ability of BAE, but I wouldn't consider ditching him to be a good idea without a proven replacement. I certainly wouldn't consider a new left-back a priority for the summer.

As THFC67 said, we've got two good options for both full back slots with cover if needed. Hutton is surplus to that and could fetch a few million for the coffers.
 

nightgoat

Well-Known Member
Sep 12, 2005
24,604
21,898
Every time I read one of these 'fan's verdicts' in the press/media, they always rope in a (supposed) Spurs fan that has absolutely not a fucking clue... This one's no different...
 

Gaz_Gammon

Well-Known Member
Apr 16, 2005
16,047
18,013
I took the post quite seriously until:

Peter Crouch
A
very tall player with good feet. Cannot head the ball to save his life. Should be kept as an impact player when things go wrong. And to keep Abbey Clancy in London.
Verdict: Keep

Jermain Defoe
Defoe has had a hard time rediscovering his form since his injury in November. He should be kept unless he can be packed off to Sunderland for stupid money.
Verdict: Keep

Either you are related to both of them or they owe you money. For the life of me i cannot see either pf them improving and it's not as if we have a couple of seasons to wait for them to.

Ditch, sell, raffle off, or just let go whichever Danny Boy can do the quickest!
 

davidmatzdorf

Front Page Gadfly
Jun 7, 2004
18,106
45,030
I'm with the majority. An amateurish article written by someone who thinks in clichés and erroneously reckons they know more about football than a doormat.
 
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