Does it matter than we haven't improved the first team?

[Hoowl]

Defoe Keane
Modric Jenas Palacios Lennon
Ekotto Woodgate King Corluka
Gomes
​

Out first 11 is, give or take, the same as it was last year. Crouch and Bassong have featured so far but 3 meter Peter has mainly come from the bench and Bassong seems to be deputising for Woodgate. Kranjcar will come in to replace Modric temporaily but may well be relegated to the bench when Luka regains fitness.

So, does it matter than the starting 11 isn't any better than last season? Is this similar to 07/08 when we have the chance to build on a good season but only signed squad players in Bent, Bale, KPB, Kaboul?

 

[Dr Know]

I said at the start of the window we did not need to buy players but then in the absence of Palacios it made me see that we did need cover (which we still did not get). My guess is had we lost 2 games by now we would have seen more activity, so for the next 5 months we will see how the guys perform and tweek in Jan.

 

[KILLA_SIN]

Or maybe its a sign of the quality of our starting line-up that it does not need much improving. I think we have passed the threshold of major squad surgery every transfer window, and we can now look to improve the quality of depth within the first team.

 

[TheWaddler]

I think Crouch will ultimately oust Keane or Defoe up front. He hasn't started because he hasn't had much of a preseason, and Keane + Defoe started well (plus Robbie is captain, making him harder to drop), but we'll need him for away games in particular, and against physically "big" teams like Stoke.

Equally, we could see Modric replace JJ in your line-up, with Krancjar on the left. But that depends on how good NK is, or becomes.

 

[sidford]

Harry will play different players depending on the opposition we're facing so i dont consider crouch a sub player. Systems need to be altered depending on who your playing against. We have improved the squad which is the goal of any window. the above team will play what maybe 12-15 games a season together the rest of the time there will need to be changes made to it because of injuries, suspensions etc.
also need to remember that 3 of those 11 came only in january as well

 

[tommo84]

I'd say there are very few clubs who have improved their first team in the summer window (City aside obviously).

We've kept ours together and improved our first 18 imo, which is as good as anyone else from last year's top 8 has done (City finished 9th last season).

 

[Bobishism]

I think you've underestimated just how good Kranjcar is.

 

[Raxscallion]

I think you've underestimated just how good Kranjcar is.

Same here. When Luka returns I can see Niko alongside Wilson in the middle.

 

[midoNdefoe]

Although not a new signing, i feel that Huddlestone may well have taken the CM spot next to WP. He always had somewhat more potential than Jenas imo, and it was a case of upping his agility, awareness and mobility to make him a more complete player. Now that we have started to see that potential begin to be reached, i think JJ may find it very difficult to make it his again.

 

[Adam456]

It doesn't matter that we haven't improved the first team because that team minus Woody and prob Jenas is top of the league.

As all others have said, we've strengthend too

 

[mil1lion]

Our form after the January window has proven our first 11 is good enough at this level. All we needed was a few squad players.

 

[nicdic]

I wouldn't be surprised to see Kranjcar higher in the pecking order than JJ and possibly even Hud.

 

[Bing]

Defoe Keane
Modric Jenas Palacios Lennon
Ekotto Woodgate King Corluka
Gomes
​

Out first 11 is, give or take, the same as it was last year. Crouch and Bassong have featured so far but 3 meter Peter has mainly come from the bench and Bassong seems to be deputising for Woodgate. Kranjcar will come in to replace Modric temporaily but may well be relegated to the bench when Luka regains fitness.

See the Woodgate, King pairing is very misleading.....Bassong is essentially an addition to our starting 11, how many times will woody andking play together this season?

Also it depends on where you stand on the Kranjcar v Jenas debate. Personally I think Kranjcar is the better player.....and anyway thats all we really needed. Dont forget the changes made in January which were essentially an emergency dip into the summer kitty.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Our form after the January window has proven our first 11 is good enough at this level. All we needed was a few squad players.

Exactly. I think since January we've lost three games. Once when Wilson got sent off, once when there was jiz all to play for against Liverpool on the last day and once when Man Utd cheated their way back into the game when we were 2-0 up.

The first team didn't need much changing and the squad has been successfully beefed up apart from in midfield which I presume we will deal with in January.

 

[Bing]

Exactly. I think since January we've lost three games. Once when Wilson got sent off, once when there was jiz all to play for against Liverpool on the last day and once when Man Utd cheated their way back into the game when we were 2-0 up.

Is that for real? That's a tremendous record.

 

[Adam]

If Jenas gets back into the team we might as well all pack it in and go home.

 

[Hoowl]

If Jenas gets back into the team we might as well all pack it in and go home.

He was first choice when he was fit last season and we haven't signed another CM so I fully expect him to come back into the team.

 

[Adam456]

Is that for real? That's a tremendous record.

It's true:

http://www.statto.com/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/2008-2009/results

and with Wilson's sending off ridiculous and ManUre bribing ref that's only 1 game lost fair and square

EDIT: in the league not cups