Impressed but concerned

[DC_Boy]

It isn't easy to see a way round the King situ - maybe Daws will be good enough - maybe King will be fit enough

I don't know - I'm just worried, but I know sometimes/often I worry too much

I look forward to that first game in September after which we'll know soooooooooooooooooooo much more about the season that lies ahead.

 

[Limee]

And having marvelled at the bungling of Germany's CB pairing throughout the Euros, particularly Metzelder's, I wonder if Dawson's as bad as some on here have come to think.

I think the standard of CB partnerships was pretty poor throughout the tournament.

 

[camaj]

I don't know why anyone would be "impressed but concerned". It seems like we're going to be in a stronger position than at the start of last season. The return of Bale alone is reason enough to be positive.

I'm not sure if GDS will start, he seems like he'll be gradually bought in like O'hara is/was. I think one of our problems was bringing in KPB and Kaboul too quickly.

To those concerned about the back up defenders, do you have no faith in Kaboul/Gilberto?

 

[nickspurs]

For me it's still the DM role which is the biggest gap now. But I think 'The Four' have done incredibly well so far with latest signings and it's still early doors.

I see the logic of Dunne/El Dunne but I have confidence in Leds staying fit and feel much better about Daws when he's playing alongside Woody. I think Daws+Leds or Daws+Woody is fine. It's the Daws+ANother which gives us all nightmares.

So definitely impressed with our activity to date but not at all concerned at this stage of the window. We'll have all but 1-2 players in the first team squad together when pre-season starts and that ain't bad.

 

[hodspurs]

Bite and agression is over-rated. Positioning is much much more important.

The best defensive midfielder in Euro 2008 so far has been Senna and his game is not about agression...it's about positioning.

In my time watching football I've seen few players with better defensive positioning than Carrick. And on top of that he had a brilliant pass on him that could start an attack.

If we can find someone who has that sort of defensive positioning in midfield then we'll have done very well.

i remember how many people thought we had got one over united.was gutted we let him go,even for that price.still gutted to this day that he left to be honest.would have been great seeing him link up with the likes of berba and modric.

 

[SpurSince57]

I think the standard of CB partnerships was pretty poor throughout the tournament.

I'd not argue with that, although Spain's looked wobblier than it actually was, and Rumania's was pretty solid. But doesn't that demonstrate how hypercritical we can be?

Dawson has his dozy moments, and too many of them, no argument, and they have cost us. But can we do that much better for a Number Three?

 

[robbiesavagehasbreasts]

I think a lot of Spurs fans don't look at Dawson as number three, in the same way Arsenal look at Senderos or Chelsea at Alex, because of how much King has been injured.

 

[mil1lion]

Huddlestone can cover at centre back aswell. Especially if he were partnered alongside King or Woodgate. So i dont see CB as a vital transfer to be made. I'm sure we'll still sign another experienced CB though.

 

[SpurSince57]

It would be nice, but some way behind signing a really effective DM. Since Woody joined, the only really bad day at the office we've had when he and Daws have played together was against the Barcodes (I am, as usual, open to correction). Our main defensive weakness in the second half of the season was Chimbo at LB.

I have my misgivings about Bale at LB, at least as far as next season is concerned, but having watched supposedly world-class FBs like Lahm and Bosingwa being totally hopeless defensively during the Euros, maybe I'm worrying too much.

 

[fortworthspur]

I see the logic of Dunne/El Dunne but I have confidence in Leds staying fit and feel much better about Daws when he's playing alongside Woody. I think Daws+Leds or Daws+Woody is fine. It's the Daws+ANother which gives us all nightmares.

I agree with that, and wouldnt close the book on Kaboul, either, though his comments earlier in the summer may have sealed his fate with Spurs.

Still, I'd love to see King and Woodgate about 40 times this season.

 

[Limee]

I'd not argue with that, although Spain's looked wobblier than it actually was, and Rumania's was pretty solid. But doesn't that demonstrate how hypercritical we can be?

Dawson has his dozy moments, and too many of them, no argument, and they have cost us. But can we do that much better for a Number Three?

I think he is fine as a number 3. If I thought the games were going to be split 45, 45 & 20 between King, Woodgate and Dawson then I think we would be well set. The trouble is King has only played 40 games twice in his career. Woodgate has only managed 30 twice. You could easily see a situation in which we have to play without either for 20 or more games. In that situation I would be much happier with an experienced player alongside him. The trouble is, as you say, can we find someone good enough who is prepared for the fact that they might spend most of the games on the bench? I think if we can get greater consistency in front of and behind Dawson then it will be a big help to him.

I have my misgivings about Bale at LB, at least as far as next season is concerned, but having watched supposedly world-class FBs like Lahm and Bosingwa being totally hopeless defensively during the Euros, maybe I'm worrying too much.

I haven't seen a huge amount of Lahm, but I was shocked by how poor he was in the last 2 matches. I think Bosingwa is great in terms of pace and power, but he certainly has weaknesses in his game. I am not that upset that Chelsea have bought him.