archibald itk

[Hoowl]

Archibald has posted some itk info on Spurs Odyssey. Apparently Harry wants Upson, Muntari and Santa Cruz. Do you think any of these guys will make a difference?

 

[Partizan]

From those three, only Muntari would be a good signing

 

[Blockbuster]

Upson is a good player but do we need him if Dawson continues to play quite well?
can only see him coming if someone goes?
Muntari yes because he has played for Harry before and knows the Prem and is in his prime...Santa Cruz? good first season not really pulled up any tree's this season.
but obviously wouldn't say no if someone left like Bent or Pav.

 

[RobinLeonard]

Upson would be at the expense of Daws, Woodgate, King or Corluka - I don't want that. Especially with Dawson really stepping up this season.

 

[gibbs131]

No complaints from me with those names.

 

[JaySpur]

He's said he's like players who could hit the ground running, but I'm no fan of Upson or SC.

Muntari, I've no idea if his passing game has improved since he went to Inter, but as a player to add some more steel in away games (with Wilson) or just to offer some competition to Wilson it would be OK at the right price.

 

[Real_madyidd]

All good signings. West ham have said that they will never sell a player to us again though.

 

[codspur]

Muntari yes...Upson not likely to play back up to Woody and King with Dawson...Santa Cruz not sure, Blackburn would ask for a lot and think for big money there may be better options to be found...would rather uncover another Berba than buy a prem proven player for loads who won't add anything (shades of Bentley)

 

[bubble07]

santa cruz is too injury pone, upson is only a slight upgrade (if at all to dawson) but muntari wouldbe a decent signing as he could play alongside wilson in away games and play on the left ala TT and davids to allow modic added protection when he plays more centrally

 

[werty]

All good players. However, I don't see West Ham selling Upson to us, nor would he come if he wasn't first choice which is unlikely. Santa Cruz would cost an arm and a leg, especially if City are still interested, and we'd probably get better for the money. And I'd hope we'd be after a better midfielder than Muntari, although he is good

 

[jrio]

Obviously talked with Muntari when in Italy. Must have been happy with talk of Jenas, Bale, Adriano etc.

One thing I can say, whatever Harry says in public to sports journalists, should be taken with several pinches of salt.

 

[tony0379]

all this fuss over muntari!
is he really all that ?

 

[tony0379]

surely bigger clubs would be in for him thats all

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

From those three, only Muntari would be a good signing

Agree. All three would be underwhelming. Muntari is a solid player, but not particularly what we need. None are the big 'taking us to the next level' players.

 

[Kendall]

I don't rate santa clause

Muntari would be good if Zokora is leaving

Upson is meh, West Ham won't be doing business with us and even if they would I don't think he's better than Dawson.

 

[Vedi]

Wouldnt love Muntari at all, him and palacios would make our midfield pure steel.

Wouldnt mind Upson, but hes not better than Dawson and wouldnt want to see him be picked ahead of Dawson.

Would mind Santa Cruz, as he would be way to expensive for his standards and doesnt add much more than his height.

 

[tony_parkes]

Upson would suggest Dawson may leave, not convinced that's enough of an upgrade.

Muntari would be fairly happy with, I'd trust harry on that one as he knows him well.

RSC imo would be too costly but is probably better all round striker than Bent. Surely for that money (at least £15 million) there must be a better option in Europe?

 

[hybridsoldier]

Santa Claus is a good finisher but has been njury prone and needs a great midfield supply line which we don't quite have yet.

Also he would be way way over-priced. Id actually rather take Kenwyne Jones who was decent in the air against Bolton suprisingly when he is usually not so good

 

[Coyboy]

Agree. All three would be underwhelming. Muntari is a solid player, but not particularly what we need. None are the big 'taking us to the next level' players.

I don't know if you are saying that in jest but if and when we come across a 'next level' player can you let me know.

The dilemma is of course that any 'next level' players who are in this country would be, by definition, either at the 'next level' or coveted by clubs in the 'next level' and any 'next level' players abroad will either tick one of those boxes or represent the sort of risk that at least Upson and Muntari do not.

As far as I am concerned, the next level we need to reach is currently occupied by Villa and Everton and while they are not going to sell us any of ther players- I am not sure that you would describe the likes of Jaglieka, Yobo, P Neville, L Young, Larsson, Saha, Osmon, Howard or Reo Coker as 'Oh my God we have signed him' type players but what they all do is form part of a successful, cohesive team. That's more what I want from our current crop and one or two additions who fit within that.

I am kind of over getting excited about a group of signings, seeing people and imagining myself new line ups only to see us lose to Hull and Stoke- no disrespect. What I would be excited about is seeing us playing as a strong, both physically and mentally, unit who can get points away from home. Unfortunately you cannot sign but only nuture that. I would, and this is my personal preferece perhaps shared by no one, see Rednapp spend more time doing that, or carrying on splendid work, than scouting Europe for next level players.

If he thinks these players, while not enlisting excitement, can fit in with our team and improve us- not merely act as showponys and fan appeasers- I am all for it.

Santa Cruz depends on fitness entirely.

As far as Upson is concerned, a strange one, but it could hint at something changing re Ledley and I can't see it happening for a reason already stated about Hammers doing business with us. Muntari could be a good signing, he is left footed with an eye for goal and Rednapp knows him. He was very good for Pompey, at least initially.

 

[Dan Ashcroft]

Upson would suggest Dawson may leave, not convinced that's enough of an upgrade.

Muntari would be fairly happy with, I'd trust harry on that one as he knows him well.

RSC imo would be too costly but is probably better all round striker than Bent. Surely for that money (at least £15 million) there must be a better option in Europe?

I'll name you 10:

Gomez, Gignac, Dzeko, Ibisevic, Pandev, Chamakh, Borriello, Adriano, Balotelli, Vucinic


Redknapp strikes me as a bit of a fan of Dawson actually. I'd really expect our whole back 5 to go unchanged except Chimbonda and Gilberto being swapped for an experienced LB to cover BAE.