Harry Kane

[newbie]

I've watched him play since he was 18 and I think I have seen every appearance he has made in the first team. Initially, I thought he had no chance of succeeding as a Premiership striker, because he was exceedingly slow at 18. At that age, it was already plain that the club management didn't agree with my assessment and, as he grew up a bit, it became clear why.

He's still slow, but he's visibly quicker than he was at 18. His big asset is his football brain: he knows where to go and he makes remarkably intelligent runs, on and off the ball, for a striker of his youth. He also passes with vision and brings other attacking players into the game.

I simply disagree with you about his hold-up play - again, you must remember that he's 20 and hold-up play is a skill that develops as a man broadens out physically. Kane may still have some filling-out to do. Today I thought he held up the ball very well, to the point that it was clear that Sherwood had in mind that having two physically strong strikers to whom the ball sticks would compensate for a less-than-hard-tackling 2 man midfield - and it worked.

He doesn't 'miss chances' in the sense of striking the ball wildly or off target. Today all of his shots were on target and that's pretty much typical. But he does shoot too close to the goalkeeper, which is another facet of youth and nerves. He can fix that.

I think that virtuoso run in the second half, beating 4 or 5 Sunderland players on his own, undermines your 'limited skill' claim better than anything I could say. He has very good feet and ball control.

I'm not convinced he will ever be a first choice striker at a top 4 club, basically because of his total lack of pace. But there are quite a few attacking players who have succeeded over the years without speed, by compensating with their intelligence, vision and sense of space. The obvious Spurs example is Teddy Sheringham. Another would be Robbie Keane. Harry Kane has a chance of building that kind of career and the advantage that kind of player has is that he can continue to improve well into his 30s.

From this point, he could turn out pretty good or exceptional - it's too hard to predict, even if you're a professional scout, which neither of us is. But he was more than holding his own against a weak Premiership team today, indeed he was one of our better players.

Robbie Keane was one of the quickest players at Spurs when Jol joined and def was not slow. for a 20 year old i thought Kane looked good and i think there is a lot more to come lets remember he was prolific at youth and some players take time to adjust to the premier league when it comes to scoring. I have seen a lot worse players up front for spurs over the years than Harry Kane he is a good option to have.

 

[talkshowhost86]

I think if he was going to really impact on the first team, or indeed at a top premier league team elsewhere, then he'd have needed to show a bit more by now.

I know he's still young, but the really top players make an impact at/before the age of 20, and I can't see Kane dramatically improving from his current level to the point where he's a top four striker.

Having said that I was impressed last night generally. He brought others into the game much better than I've seen previously and he showed a few times that he's got decent technique. He needs to improve his finishing obviously, and there's a lot to work on, but I reckon he could make it at premier league level.

As long as he's not taking any tips from Soldado that is.

 

[Spursh]

Excellent performance

Very good hold up & link up play, clever movement and has an impressive first touch.

Seen quite a few describe him as 'slow' in terms of speed, but I was quite surprised to see several examples of a very decent turn of pace to evade his markers yesterday.

 

[mark87]

The performance he put in last night will give him a great deal of confidence which will only benefit him. Well done, Harry.

 

[zepstar]

He reminds me of Sherringham, maybe not as languid at Teddy, but you can tell he's got a similar football brain in terms of positioning and space.

 

[Riandor]

Kane looks like a young ,honest hard working lad with abit of talent for the right club at the right level with lower expectations.
We have very high ambitions, we spend 100m and sack managers who get us 4th......do we really believe that Kane is the answer? do we really think DL and the board are looking for a team with the likes of Kane in it? that will take us to where we want to be?

I don't....i will be astonished if he is still anywhere our first team in the near future with a new top manager....if he is then i will be wrong.

Kane ,Dawson,Chadli,Lennon,,Siggy, naughton, Rose...etc etc are all not good enough....IMO

Playing well against Sunderland is about his level....IMO

The fact is we cannot spend 100m a season on continuous talent. You have to try and bring players through and Kane is clearly one of those coming through who can play.

He is rightly 3rd choice now, but he is working and working hard. We must have Europa (at least) next season and I would be happy for him to lead the line in that competition and League Cup and get more time.

You cannot be a club in our position and splash 30m on back-up. Give the lad a chance and let's see where that takes him. He was excellent last night, made some mistakes, but he scored 1 (almost 2) and was well worth his 90minutes.

Expect to see him on Saturday (Tim said as much in the BBC interview)

 

[tiger666]

Would you expect any of the teams above us to have a player like Kane playing?

Like Sanogo?

 

[beats1]

I've watched him play since he was 18 and I think I have seen every appearance he has made in the first team. Initially, I thought he had no chance of succeeding as a Premiership striker, because he was exceedingly slow at 18. At that age, it was already plain that the club management didn't agree with my assessment and, as he grew up a bit, it became clear why.

He's still slow, but he's visibly quicker than he was at 18. His big asset is his football brain: he knows where to go and he makes remarkably intelligent runs, on and off the ball, for a striker of his youth. He also passes with vision and brings other attacking players into the game.

I simply disagree with you about his hold-up play - again, you must remember that he's 20 and hold-up play is a skill that develops as a man broadens out physically. Kane may still have some filling-out to do. Today I thought he held up the ball very well, to the point that it was clear that Sherwood had in mind that having two physically strong strikers to whom the ball sticks would compensate for a less-than-hard-tackling 2 man midfield - and it worked.

He doesn't 'miss chances' in the sense of striking the ball wildly or off target. Today all of his shots were on target and that's pretty much typical. But he does shoot too close to the goalkeeper, which is another facet of youth and nerves. He can fix that.

I think that virtuoso run in the second half, beating 4 or 5 Sunderland players on his own, undermines your 'limited skill' claim better than anything I could say. He has very good feet and ball control.

I'm not convinced he will ever be a first choice striker at a top 4 club, basically because of his total lack of pace. But there are quite a few attacking players who have succeeded over the years without speed, by compensating with their intelligence, vision and sense of space. The obvious Spurs example is Teddy Sheringham. Another would be Robbie Keane. Harry Kane has a chance of building that kind of career and the advantage that kind of player has is that he can continue to improve well into his 30s.

From this point, he could turn out pretty good or exceptional - it's too hard to predict, even if you're a professional scout, which neither of us is. But he was more than holding his own against a weak Premiership team today, indeed he was one of our better players.

See you say that but having seen him since he was 16, he has always had very good acceleration or burst of pace to beat his man, this is apparent by the amount of times he wins fouls and pens. He has quiet deceptive acceleration.

 

[Buggsy61]

Thing that strikes me about him is that he seems to have a football brain (take note Mr Kyle Walker), which is probably where the previous comparisons to Sheringham come from. I think he will make a good career for himself, hope it is with us, but definitely elsewhere. Have argued this with some of the 'experts' who sit near me in the Paxton. They seem to expect any young player with promise to be performing like Messi straight away!.

 

[Gbspurs]

Thing that strikes me about him is that he seems to have a football brain (take note Mr Kyle Walker), which is probably where the previous comparisons to Sheringham come from. I think he will make a good career for himself, hope it is with us, but definitely elsewhere. Have argued this with some of the 'experts' who sit near me in the Paxton. They seem to expect any young player with promise to be performing like Messi straight away!.

FIFA generation.

Not 90 pace or 4 star skill? Lul u iz well shit init.

 

[SlunkSoma]

Rock you like a Harry-Kane.

 

[brasil_spur]

The fact is we cannot spend 100m a season on continuous talent.

We can (and will) if it makes us a NET profit after sales.

However £100m was based on updating the squad from the Redknapp days, which frankly had to be done with players like King (retiring), Friedal, Parker, Defoe, etc... all the wrong side of 30.

 

[Riandor]

We can (and will) if it makes us a NET profit after sales.

However £100m was based on updating the squad from the Redknapp days, which frankly had to be done with players like King (retiring), Friedal, Parker, Defoe, etc... all the wrong side of 30.

Um My comment was kinda implicit... there is no way we can do that without selling our stars and look what happens each time we do!!

 

[mark87]

Agree....but that doesn't mean he is good enough for a team with CL ambitions.

Wasn't trying to say that, was just giving him some support.

 

[mark87]

SC is designed for us to air our opinions...honest opinions....thats all i've done.

And I respect that, my post wasn't in reply to any of yours i was just airing my view.

 

[Shea]

He impressed me last night

Whether he will ever be good enough to be a first choice player in a team competing for the top four remains to be seen - but its good to see our academy players performing well in the PL and shows we're finally started to produce some talent of our own.

Not every one will be a Ledley or a Sol but if we can produce a decent amount of Livermore's and Townsends to generate a revenue stream from our acadmey work and the odd gem who goes on to be a star we will be doing as much as you can expect a top level academy to do in today's football environment

Personally I have my doubts about Harry - largely because we as a club are likely to continue spending to try and buy success and place too many barrirers between him and the first team.

I wish him all the best and hope he develops into a star - be that for us or if he has to move on to cement himself a first team career. Yesterday at least showed he's capable in the EPL

 

[Bobbins]

I think if he was going to really impact on the first team, or indeed at a top premier league team elsewhere, then he'd have needed to show a bit more by now.

I know he's still young, but the really top players make an impact at/before the age of 20, and I can't see Kane dramatically improving from his current level to the point where he's a top four striker.

Having said that I was impressed last night generally. He brought others into the game much better than I've seen previously and he showed a few times that he's got decent technique. He needs to improve his finishing obviously, and there's a lot to work on, but I reckon he could make it at premier league level.

As long as he's not taking any tips from Soldado that is.

Yeah like Drogba, who did absolutely nothing of note until he was 26, or Teddy Sheringham, who until the age of 25 was still playing at Millwall...

 

[Krafty]

Glad he got a chance, he's improving all the time, and I think his goal will only boost his confidence further.

Lots and lots of movement, which too often we have not seen this season. Gets stuck in, also showed some confidence when he ran at/past a couple of players for the fourth goal.

Also, when Adebayor went roaming in the second half, he maintained a striker position, showing that he has a good feeling for space and team shape.

I must admit I'm a Kane fan in so much as he should get a chance and I believe he has the mental and technical skills, and his physical skills are improving. Also shows lots of desire and commitment to Spurs.

 

[Buggsy61]

Woe betide any other clubs/potential suitors enquiring as to our Harry's availability, either on loan or permanent. In Levy world, after last night Harry is a £25m player now!!.

 

[SargeantMeatCurtains]

Deserves his place in the team for saturday.