Are We Really as Strong as We Think?

[ChRiStOpHe]

Fair play for typing all of that out but I don't really agree with much of it and some of the valuations are pretty whack, we're not going to bring in/sell that many players, not even half.

Really? I think I've been pretty damn fair with the valuations. When do we ever make a big loss on a player? I mean, we made a profit on Darren Bent for Christ sake! (we paid Charlton off early at £14.5m I believe, and got our full £16.5m when he went to Villa). I have total confidence in Levy being able to salvage (roughly) those figures.

Also, you're absolutely right - we'll never in a million years make that many changes. However, if I were in charge, I would

 

[hughy]

You think we'd smash out transfer record by £7m on a keeper? You're laughing.

 

[StartingPrice]

We have had a slump due to the difficulties of handling the CL for the first time, coupled with the fact that none of our strikers have proven capable of performing in a 4-5-1 and scoring prolifically for that system to work, culminating in a recent dip in form (before anyone starts, heah, I'm disappointed too:roll. But are we really that weak:shrug:

As far as I'm concerned far too much is being made of this.

I am absolutely certain that if we hadn't brought VDV our strikers would have functioned in a 4-4-2 about as well as last year. I just think 'Arry knew he couldn't drop VDV and piss him orf as we almost definitely will have a striker capable of playing 4-5-1 next season. So, why go back for a short term fix if it meant losing VDV. I'm not saying that is the right way to go about things, and I'm not saying it is the wrong way.

Yeah, in an ideal World we should have got a striker in the Summer - but there again, we got VDV, meaning we would be adapting to him with a 4-5-1 on the last day of the window. And January was disappointing, but, as has been said before, there are only a few strikers who will be available in a January window, the prices are usually inflated and if the selling clubs don't really want to play ball, what can you do?

We have had a fantastic run in the CL (a competition we were in for the first time), raising our profile and filling our coffers. On top of that, despite the fact that we are very obvious underdogs now, we are still challenging for a CL spot (something some folk have kinda missed). I remember not so long ago our season would be over by Christmas. That doesn't mean that it isn't disappointing or that we haven't missed an opportunity - because it is disappointing and we have missed an opportunity - but I think some of you need to get a dose of reality.

I can tell all of you for a fact, and I know that anyone else who was around in the late 80s and early 90s will back me up on this, that the United team which went on to dominate English football, had periods of form like the one we have been through. They lost matches they should have won, when they were still just a promising team - leading for United fans who knew everything to, somewhat obsessively call for Red Nose's head...how stupid do they feel now:shrug: And that is where we are right now, a very promising young squad, in need of some reinforcements, in need of finding more consistency - but a very promising young squad, nonetheless.

 

[brett.spurs]

You think we'd smash out transfer record by £7m on a keeper? You're laughing.

Atleast Neuer doesn't make silly mistakes.

 

[FITZ]

Atleast Neuer doesn't make silly mistakes.

If he makes a few more tonight - we might stand a chance of getting him.

 

[antiloqus]

Atleast Neuer doesn't make silly mistakes.

my time is wrong from when they changed last month, so I thought you had posted that before kick off. It almost made my day.

 

[OpenHeartZoo]

OpenHeartZoo, in what way does Marin carry more risk than Young?

Marin would be an unknown quantity to many in the league and if we do improve/change the way we play he'd be more difficult to contain compared to Lennon.

A young player who has shown sporadic periods of class, albeit not consistently, in the German Bundesliga is a higher risk than someone with years Premiership experience who will already know many players in our squad and won't have trouble settling in.

Both fit the way we play well and I'd be delighted to get either, but Marin is higher risk in my opinion, and I imagine Redknapp would agree.

 

[FMA]

I agree with the point you're making, but I feel that the majority of your suggested replacements are quite unrealistic. Neuer, if reports are to believed, has a verbal agreement to join Bayern Munich and isn't even entertaining the notion of coming to England. Hummels would probably cost nearer triple to what you have stated and that's in the unlikely event that Dortmund would sell him.

What I would like to know is whether Levy is willing to back Harry with a substantial transfer budget knowing that he'll more than likely be out the door next summer. Are our personnel out in Porto to watch Falcao and Hulk or are they there to monitor Villas Boas?

I would be surprised to learn that Levy viewed Redknapp's appointment as anything other than a short-term arrangement.

 

[Mr Pink]

I agree with the point you're making, but I feel that the majority of your suggested replacements are quite unrealistic. Neuer, if reports are to believed, has a verbal agreement to join Bayern Munich and isn't even entertaining the notion of coming to England. Hummels would probably cost nearer triple to what you have stated and that's in the unlikely event that Dortmund would sell him.

What I would like to know is whether Levy is willing to back Harry with a substantial transfer budget knowing that he'll more than likely be out the door next summer. Are our personnel out in Porto to watch Falcao and Hulk or are they there to monitor Villas Boas?

I wouldn't be surprised to learn that Levy viewed Redknapp's appointment as anything other than a short-term arrangement.

You mean Harry is out there sounding out his replacement?! :razz:

 

[nailsy]

Van Der Weil, Alexis Sanchez and a new striker would be an awesome window. Unfortunately Sanchez seems to be heading to a richer club than ours if you believe the rumors. I think we'll sign a striker or two this summer - probably an older experienced player and an up and coming youngster - and I'd be quite happy with that.

 

[garyhopkins]

We urgently need competition for Gomes. He has cost us about 10 points this season.

Gomes has made mistakes, but ten points? Total exagerration. We've lost points because we don't score enough.

 

[InOffMeLeftShin]

Stophe, I sort of hear what you are saying. I think we are somewhere between where you have us now and where we thought we were after the Milan game.

Of course there are improvements we can make and some that are absolutely necessary, but even Barca can make improvements. There is no doubt that we have some talent in our side now, maybe more than I can remember but in order for it to shine we need to make the correct additions and have a good balance.

We need to find a way to get the balance better and make the team more than just the individual players. Even though the players have been together for a while (most of them) it seems at times that there is little cohesion and collective understanding of how they are trying to play. I am not sure a complete overhaul of the squad is going to help, even bringing in better players. For sure we need a focal point up front and we need to establish what our best defence is, but unless we can attract someone who is significantly better in the other areas I wouldn't mess with them.

 

[ItsBoris]

I agree with the general sentiment that we could definitely shuffle the pack and improve the squad without spending too much, although some of your valuations are a tad optimistic. I wouldn't necessarily agree with that amount of changes in one window though, or indeed the specific changes you've made.

For a start I count only five home grown players in your 25 man squad, and one of those is Townsend! Why are people forgetting this so easily. If you replace our loanees, strikers and drop one or both of Kind and Woodgate we start to look very thin, let alone flogging Lennon and Jenas as well!

A new strikeforce is the priority. I agree with two of your choices in Falcao and Lukaku. Two we're no doubt looking at, as well as Berbatov, Osvaldo, Hulk and many others.

For me then it's all about improving in any position we can. If a top player is available at a reasonable price and we can make room in the squad then we go for them. the only untouchables in our squad are Gallas, Sandro, VdV, Modric and Bale. Players who could be available in the summer who we should be talking to, even if the chances are slim. We picked up VdV when noone else did, so you never know.

Neuer - Won't be cheap and is likely to attract interest from top sides but he's world class and has more than ten years at the top ahead of him.

Stekelenberg - One year left on his contract so will be available for a reasonable fee. He's not as good as Neuer but he's a very decent keeper and at that price we could probably afford to keep Gomes and let them fight it out for the season.

Sahin - (Available for £5.6m this summer, i'm sure there'll be a queue of suitors, but its worth a look for sure. People will say he's not a priority but in my opinion you can't have enough technically superb midfielders in your squad. Arsenal collect them for fun and if they had the defence and strikeforce to match they'd have probably won a title or two recently.

Young - 18 months left on his contract. I won't say he'll be cheap, but his price will be slightly less ridiculous. Replaces Bentley and Kranjcar in one, homegrown, prem proven and would fit right in. I'm pretty sure we'll be in the queue for his signature this summer, whethe people like it or not, just depends who else joins really.

Marin - Gettable from Werder. Probably similar price to Young or cheaper. Perhaps has more potential than Young, but also carries more risk.

Elia - Same.

Parker - Tricky one this, but I think if room could be made in the squad, i.e Jenas moving on I guess, AND he was available for a reasonable price, circa £5m, then I would bring in Parker. I wouldn't want it to be to the detriment of Sandro, rather I'd like Parker to play a supporting role to Sandro, and even play alongside him in certain games.

Same for the backline I suppose. Aside from a backup leftback I think we're just about covered, but if a top player is available then you snap him up.

I would forget Neuer, there's no chance he's coming to England and definitely not to us.

The best goalkeeper we can get is Akinfeev imo. On top of that we need a new strikeforce and wing cover. We should try to get Falcao, Hulk, Lukaku, and an experienced striker like Klose or someone for cheap.
Imagine:

------------Akinfeev-----------
Walker---Gallas--Dawson--Ekotto
-------Sandro-----Modric-------
-Hulk---------VDV-------Bale---
-------------Falcao-----------

Bench/Others: Hudd, Lennon, Klose, Lukaku, Kaboul, Gomes, Pienaar, Corluka, Bassong, maybe Marin if we get him.

That would be an incredibly strong team, capable of winning the league imo.

 

[3Dnata]

I think if we're not careful we could become as close to being a bad side as a good one.
The major problem seems obvious but if it continues and we lose one of our top players we will struggle like we are now.

 

[mattstev2000]

I think we have some top quality players with an average squad around them. Outside of VDV, Bale, Modric, Gallas and on current form Sandro none of our squad are real top top quality.

I think if a couple of those players went and weren't replaced we'd be a pretty mediocre team.

 

[Paxtonite]

Pointless debate. You have to look at who is managing the team and gauge what type of players HE likes before you can start constructing a shopping list.

Redknapp will more likely be looking at Rio Ferdinand, Beckham, Phil Neville and Charlie Adam as he would any of the names you have all mentioned in this thread.

But, to comment on the theme.....I dont see the point of Marin - we have Luka and they are too similar to carry more than one of that type of player especially with VDV in the team. Contrao at LB would be a good add. We also need a RB and CB. Despite the good games they have had, Gallas and Dawson have both been found wanting at times and it is no wonder we have conceded as many as we have. Kaboul may be part of the answer here but certainly not at full back.

With Sandro and Modric locking the midfield places in most people's eyes, we need to keep Hudd involved too. Prior to his injury the guy was unplayable at times.

Ashley Young would be an upgrade to Lennon perhaps but seems destined to Man U. Neuer will also be a Man U player i reckon so we can forget that too.

I am not for wholesale changes to a squad. I have argued against it in the past especially in the Jol era when we seemed to have a revolving door transfer policy. It is disruptive. see how long it has taken man City to gel. But it is clear that fringe players have to go and upgrades in certain areas are needed. Particularly in attack. Suarez was a massive own goal by Levy and redknapp imo.

 

[ChRiStOpHe]

You think we'd smash out transfer record by £7m on a keeper?

Nope. Show me where I said I did

Atleast Neuer doesn't make silly mistakes.

:lol:

I agree with the point you're making, but I feel that the majority of your suggested replacements are quite unrealistic. Neuer, if reports are to believed, has a verbal agreement to join Bayern Munich and isn't even entertaining the notion of coming to England. Hummels would probably cost nearer triple to what you have stated and that's in the unlikely event that Dortmund would sell him.

What I would like to know is whether Levy is willing to back Harry with a substantial transfer budget knowing that he'll more than likely be out the door next summer. Are our personnel out in Porto to watch Falcao and Hulk or are they there to monitor Villas Boas?

I would be surprised to learn that Levy viewed Redknapp's appointment as anything other than a short-term arrangement.

Neuer is of course highly unlikely, but my point illustrated 2 things. Firstly, that while Gomes is great, he's replaceable - which was the reason I started this thread; to highlight the fact that many of our previously irreplaceable players have become replaceable . Secondly, that we are sitting on so much capital in reserve players, that we have money to burn on key areas if we move on the likes of Jenas, Bassong, Wilson etc.

I also think you've raised a very good point regarding Harry. This is the summer where you'd normally try to close the gap by opening the purse strings, but will he do it, knowing he'll almost certainly be bringing in another manager/head coach in 12 months?

Stophe, I sort of hear what you are saying. I think we are somewhere between where you have us now and where we thought we were after the Milan game.

Of course there are improvements we can make and some that are absolutely necessary, but even Barca can make improvements. There is no doubt that we have some talent in our side now, maybe more than I can remember but in order for it to shine we need to make the correct additions and have a good balance.

We need to find a way to get the balance better and make the team more than just the individual players. Even though the players have been together for a while (most of them) it seems at times that there is little cohesion and collective understanding of how they are trying to play. I am not sure a complete overhaul of the squad is going to help, even bringing in better players. For sure we need a focal point up front and we need to establish what our best defence is, but unless we can attract someone who is significantly better in the other areas I wouldn't mess with them.

I think the points of balance and cohesion are completely relevant to why I started this thread. In the current system, there is a real lack of balance and cohesion - and I think that's largely down the individuals. We're asking defensive minded (to an extent, anyway) full-backs to gallop up the wing when we're in possession. We're asking wingers who have made a career out of hitting the byline and putting in a cross to come inside and score 10-15 a season (which admittedly Bale has done). We're asking strikers who are used to simple knocking the ball on (Crouch), playing on the last man (Defoe) or poaching (Pav) to play an alien roll, giving themselves over to the team, holding the ball up, and bringing the wingers, midfield, and full-backs into the play.

It's not about necessarily buying better players (though we would be). It's about the realisation that half of our squad is simply not suited to playing the roles they're being asked to.

 

[Hoddle_Ledge]

I think we are strong enough…we just need a better manager.

Big whoop, wanna fight about it?

 

[StockSpur]

based on united's reserve team's effort last night-big NO.

our players are all knackered from playing too much, so is building a team around these 5 such a good idea?

shouldnt spurs build a 'system' within which 20 players can be effective and learn their roles so that they can be slotted into positions when required?

can we play with 2 strikers and a 4 man midfield of lennon/hudd/sandro/bale, interchanging them with the likes of modric and vdv when required or players need a break?

 

[striebs]

....For sure we need a focal point up front and we need to establish what our best defence is, but unless we can attract someone who is significantly better in the other areas I wouldn't mess with them.

Some people are saying there are only 5 players they trust but I firmly agree with you that unless there is a SIGNIFICANT improvement it's best not to mess .

The prospective replacement has to be SIGNIFICANTLY better in either skills or attitude and no worse at the other .

I'd keep Dawson and Corluka for instance because they are decently skilled and have a great attitude .

Huddlestone has the skills but unfortunately falls down on attitude . Perhaps one of the reasons we have not replaced him yet is because he is one of the reason Lennon likes it at Spurs ?

Defoe doesn't have the attitude or the skills anymore .

Pav and Keane can go , Gomes I'm not sure about .


We weren't as good as some people on here were saying around Christmas time but by the same token , teams like Stoke and Everton are a heck of a lot better than they get credit for . Stokes back 4 is one of the best in the country .