Krafty
Well-Known Member
- May 26, 2004
- 4,781
- 2,108
The importance of a quality squad has been seen in the second half of this season. Players have come out of the shadows of winter and blossomed in spring, and Harry Redknapp must resist a summer of upheaval and keep this squad together.*
Two players who stand out in 2010: Gareth Bale and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Bale has been a revelation since coming in for Assou-Ekotto, and while Roman’s goals have dried up recently his all-round play and work rate have improved dramatically. They have shown patience, if not, in the case of the Russian, restraint in airing their discontent. Bale has made himself a definite starter, but Pavlyuchenko’s long term future is still unclear.
It is imperative that ‘Super Pav’ remains at the club, not simply for the qualities he has started show on a consistent basis, but because of his change in attitude and desire to be part of the team. Upon scoring against Wigan, his teammates surrounded him and shared his joy, or perhaps relief. Now Roman celebrates whenever the team scores. But rumours continued to circulate that he would soon leave the team. A run of goals secured his short term future, and Roman now finds himself first choice.
He may not have done enough to be first choice for the next three years, but his change in mentality and integration into the team unit should be rewarded with at least another season at the club. Selling him in the summer would send out troubling signals that it does not matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, no matter how much you change, if Harry doesn’t like you there is nothing that can be done.
Another player whose future seemed even bleaker than Pavlyuchenko was David Bentley. An up and down Spurs career appeared to have crashed through the floor as 2009 came to an end. Bust ups in training, storming out after a training match, and general larking about had seen Harry come to the end of his tether. However, he has got his head down, refocused and shown a greater hunger to work for the team. While he has not attained the headlines that Pavlyuchenko and Bale, especially, have, his performances in the two derbies have shown considerable restraint and diligence. The stupid flicks, runs down dead ends and glory shots have been replaced by simple, effective play, helping out the makeshift right back Younes Kaboul and, as Harry would put it, ‘A great shift for the team’.
The very least fans ask is that players try their hardest. Sometimes the goals dry up, the crosses get blocked and passes do not come off, but as long as a player works hard not just for themselves but for the team they get respect. Bentley and Pavlyuchenko have changed their attitudes and have contributed to two great team performances in four days. This and previous displays are evidence they should be rewarded with another season at the club. If they are shipped out team spirit could be hit. The teamwork that is at the heart of our good run this year could be destroyed. Harry’s man management skills would be nonsence.
Harry could have sidelined Bentley and Pavlyuchenko, but he gave them a chance when they deserved it. Now they deserve a chance of a long term Spurs future – not just for themselves, but for the team as a whole.
* There is one exception to this – Jermaine Jenas. A divisive figure amongst Spurs fans, if not the media at large (in particular football365 who are firmly Jenas haters), he is not an exception because of my own personal view. It’s more to do with the fact he has not performed well on the sporadic occasions he has played this season. His case was affected by picking up an injury just before a chance to cement a first team place became available, and therefore he has not had a run of games to establish some form that players like Bale and Pavlyuchenko have. I’ll leave his future up to Harry, but the arrival of Sandro is not a good sign for JJ.
Two players who stand out in 2010: Gareth Bale and Roman Pavlyuchenko. Bale has been a revelation since coming in for Assou-Ekotto, and while Roman’s goals have dried up recently his all-round play and work rate have improved dramatically. They have shown patience, if not, in the case of the Russian, restraint in airing their discontent. Bale has made himself a definite starter, but Pavlyuchenko’s long term future is still unclear.
It is imperative that ‘Super Pav’ remains at the club, not simply for the qualities he has started show on a consistent basis, but because of his change in attitude and desire to be part of the team. Upon scoring against Wigan, his teammates surrounded him and shared his joy, or perhaps relief. Now Roman celebrates whenever the team scores. But rumours continued to circulate that he would soon leave the team. A run of goals secured his short term future, and Roman now finds himself first choice.
He may not have done enough to be first choice for the next three years, but his change in mentality and integration into the team unit should be rewarded with at least another season at the club. Selling him in the summer would send out troubling signals that it does not matter what you do, no matter how hard you try, no matter how much you change, if Harry doesn’t like you there is nothing that can be done.
Another player whose future seemed even bleaker than Pavlyuchenko was David Bentley. An up and down Spurs career appeared to have crashed through the floor as 2009 came to an end. Bust ups in training, storming out after a training match, and general larking about had seen Harry come to the end of his tether. However, he has got his head down, refocused and shown a greater hunger to work for the team. While he has not attained the headlines that Pavlyuchenko and Bale, especially, have, his performances in the two derbies have shown considerable restraint and diligence. The stupid flicks, runs down dead ends and glory shots have been replaced by simple, effective play, helping out the makeshift right back Younes Kaboul and, as Harry would put it, ‘A great shift for the team’.
The very least fans ask is that players try their hardest. Sometimes the goals dry up, the crosses get blocked and passes do not come off, but as long as a player works hard not just for themselves but for the team they get respect. Bentley and Pavlyuchenko have changed their attitudes and have contributed to two great team performances in four days. This and previous displays are evidence they should be rewarded with another season at the club. If they are shipped out team spirit could be hit. The teamwork that is at the heart of our good run this year could be destroyed. Harry’s man management skills would be nonsence.
Harry could have sidelined Bentley and Pavlyuchenko, but he gave them a chance when they deserved it. Now they deserve a chance of a long term Spurs future – not just for themselves, but for the team as a whole.
* There is one exception to this – Jermaine Jenas. A divisive figure amongst Spurs fans, if not the media at large (in particular football365 who are firmly Jenas haters), he is not an exception because of my own personal view. It’s more to do with the fact he has not performed well on the sporadic occasions he has played this season. His case was affected by picking up an injury just before a chance to cement a first team place became available, and therefore he has not had a run of games to establish some form that players like Bale and Pavlyuchenko have. I’ll leave his future up to Harry, but the arrival of Sandro is not a good sign for JJ.
