Our Transfer Deadline Day

[Paq]

With our fans losing their heads over our lack of activity on TDD, this is a good article which hopefully brings a little perspective.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...ings-more-important-than-winning-matches.html

 

[dazzle]

I want a 6-blade striker though...

 

[Rupstoh]

I am sure with all the outgoings today and the financial gains and wage bill reduction, Levy will pull a string or two.

Time to watch this space.

Huntelaar maybe?

 

[tototoner]

Why did we not sell Assou-Ekotto, surely he will not feature much this season

I still like him

 

[WexfordTownSpur]

Why did we not sell Assou-Ekotto, surely he will not feature much this season

I still like him

It has happend again, new manager, lots of targets ( if we are to believe ITK) and it would seem, once again the manager got none of his first choice targets and is expected to make do with what baldini and levy give him. Sad cycle of events at spurs. It us not the end of the world, we have a half decent squad, but it is a fight for Europe type squad, no real progress I am afraid.

 

[SlunkSoma]

I think Poch is happy. We are a step up for him, but we are lucky to have him - he would have know the squad situation and doubt his signing with us hinged on any targets. He's got a banging squad on paper, and a more streamlined one. All good

 

[Mustard]

I think Poch is happy. We are a step up for him, but we are lucky to have him - he would have know the squad situation and doubt his signing with us hinged on any targets. He's got a banging squad on paper, and a more streamlined one. All good

A banging squad compared to who?

Leicester, hull west ham?

The only rival we can possibly say we have better is maybe Everton.

If Lamela doesn't deliver and Harry doesn't bang in 15 goals ( I have real hopes for this boy ) or Andros doesn't step up we are mid table fodder.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

I wonder if BAE not leaving has something to do with Rose getting injured vs Liverpool.

Either way, I think it's clear that this is a rebuilding year. The core of the club are now on long term contracts (Lloris, Vertonghen - I imagine this would be announced soon as it's been said by every ITK, etc), we have many prospects and younger players looking to break through plus the likes of Yedlin coming in. I think Pochettino has been assured that he has time and will not be sacked based on this season. The goal will be for the existing players to learn his philosophy and style of play (probably finish 5th-7th with decent cup runs) and then the 2, 3, or 4 players Poch needs to fill out the squad - and probably more glamorous signings than what we got now - will be picked up in winter or next summer. I think next season is when we will see Poch's Tottenham come to fruition. I imagine Brendan Rodger's work at Liverpool is what Levy/Enic/Poch are trying to recreate - a tough first season, but the players caught on and now they are very well perched. With the smaller squad we've also cut excess wages and kept a decent crop of HG/club trained players, which helps with transfer fees and wages in the future.

All in all, we have a good squad and if they catch on quickly to Pochettino's style of play, we may even make a top 4 run - most Southampton players said it took a couple months before they really played how he wanted them to. I think we saw on Sunday we are very much still in the AVB hangover phase.

 

[SlunkSoma]

A banging squad compared to who?

Leicester, hull west ham?

The only rival we can possibly say we have better is maybe Everton.

If Lamela doesn't deliver and Harry doesn't bang in 15 goals ( I have real hopes for this boy ) or Andros doesn't step up we are mid table fodder.

Well maybe not Hull, they've done alright.

But yes, I think ours is a very good squad. A finished jigsaw? No, but we weren't starting from scratch, we got rid of a few outliers, freeing up space for a jan move for Rodriguez.

Also Stambouli looks a good buy

 

[Davo99]

Absolute shit.

 

[Mustard]

I wonder if BAE not leaving has something to do with Rose getting injured vs Liverpool.

Either way, I think it's clear that this is a rebuilding year. The core of the club are now on long term contracts (Lloris, Vertonghen - I imagine this would be announced soon as it's been said by every ITK, etc), we have many prospects and younger players looking to break through plus the likes of Yedlin coming in. I think Pochettino has been assured that he has time and will not be sacked based on this season. The goal will be for the existing players to learn his philosophy and style of play (probably finish 5th-7th with decent cup runs) and then the 2, 3, or 4 players Poch needs to fill out the squad - and probably more glamorous signings than what we got now - will be picked up in winter or next summer. I think next season is when we will see Poch's Tottenham come to fruition. I imagine Brendan Rodger's work at Liverpool is what Levy/Enic/Poch are trying to recreate - a tough first season, but the players caught on and now they are very well perched. With the smaller squad we've also cut excess wages and kept a decent crop of HG/club trained players, which helps with transfer fees and wages in the future.

All in all, we have a good squad and if they catch on quickly to Pochettino's style of play, we may even make a top 4 run - most Southampton players said it took a couple months before they really played how he wanted them to. I think we saw on Sunday we are very much still in the AVB hangover phase.

I have this horrible feeling that Hugo only signed an extension so we can get a good price when Real come knocking in Jan.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

I have this horrible feeling that Hugo only signed an extension so we can get a good price when Real come knocking in Jan.

Real just signed Keylor Navas and Casillas is a club icon, so I'd have a hard time seeing them sign someone. I think any club that needs a keeper can go for Cech in January too. Truth be told, there are a huge number of quality GKs available right now so Lloris isn't the only one top clubs would look at.

 

[Syn_13]

I'm pretty content with our business. Got a new CB to replace Dawson. Fazio may not have been the first choice but he's still someone that Poch wanted in. I don't think he'd have settled for him if he didn't really want him or think he could improve the team. Also, I think had we seen Musacchio come in we'd have probably shifted another cente back.

Davies and Dier have come in to provide more defensive cover. Both young players with potential and the latter has been quite a revelation. Handy to have someone like Dier who can cover a couple of positions too. Yedlin is one for the future also, and looks a decent little prospect.

Stambouli is an interesting one. A very low key player, but he may end up being somewhat of a revelation. Sometimes it's those kind of players that surprise you the most. He'll have it tough as he's the replacement for Sandro, who was much loved, but he does sound a tidy player. Don't know if he's going to be a squad player or if Poch thinks he's good enough to start, we'll have to wait and see. Also, I don't think he's an alternative to Schneiderlin. Poch wanted Schneiderlin in as he's a very dynamic box-to-box type and would've gone for another player of his ilk if he wanted that. Stambouli is clearly in to fill in the space left by Sandro departing.

Speaking of Sandro, it's a damn shame to see him go. I hope it's down to his long term fitness but something tells me Poch doesn't think he'll fit his system. I don't know if this is true, or whether it would be a correct assessment by Poch even if it were true. Either way he's moved on and I wish him all the best.

Holtby I can understand. He doesn't quite have a determined position in the squad and for all of his desire and graft he lacks that little bit of sharpness and refinement in his play. I think we should've sold him rather than loaned him as I doubt he'll be in Poch's plans in future. Perhaps we couldn't get a sale agreed, and there may be an option to buy in his clause.

My only concern is that I do think we need either a centre forward, for those times when Ade is away with the fairies and Soldado is being unproductive, or a left wide forward/attacking mid type to share responsibilities with Chadli, Lamela and Eriksen. Jury is still out on Paulinho, albeit he did better playing the attacking mid role than a holding one and will probably take Holtby's spot as Eriksen's backup. Lennon and Townsend are okay, but I'd rather have someone with a little more goal/assist threat waiting in the wings (no pun intended). I don't think wingers suit our style anyway, but I guess it's an option in case everything else fails.

Still, let's roll on for the next few months and see how things go. I don't expect us to make great strides but I hope we continue to refine the way we play under Poch and get the best out of the few new signings we have made (plus the ones from last year that still have a point to prove!). COYS!

 

[ultimateloner]

I think we shifted a few squad players on and got a better defense and a new midfield. Hopefully an improvement. Nothing new in attack is probably a blessing in disguise. We have decent players now they need to learn their roles and get us results. No more excuses.

 

[Mustard]

Just shows that no one wants our dear Ade.

We have this twat in our shirt till his contract runs down. Gutted.

Hope Harry and bobby can get us the goals and actually be team players.

Gutted we couldn't get Micah Richards in.

 

[Indacupfortottenham]

Trying to look on the bright side.
30 players out if we include benny and 6 players in this window!

We may not have brought in any exiting attacking players, but our defence and goalkeeper options have been upgraded and the squad has been trimmed.
Hoping the kid from Montpellier is an upgrade in midfield too.

 

[ShaunL84]

Am I the only one that thinks Ekotto is better than Rose and Davies?

Play him ffs

 

[CrazyHeart]

I'm okay with our business, although I'd be happier if we had moved some more of the dead weight like Townsend and BAE. Stambouli looks like a good signing in addition to sounding like a menu item at The Corner Bakery. I'm also happy with the signing of Fazio, especially after seeing Sterling rip through our defense like a paper bag for Diverfool. We've strengthened in the back, which is exactly what the doctor ordered!

Good coaching and strategy is what'll get us through this season with aplomb, now that we have a real manager again! Let's hope that Poch is supported by Levy and given the necessary time to implement things without interference.

 

[NeverRed]

Ignoring Benny...
Also Mason, a trainee:
3 Keepers
1 Rightback (Walker)
1 Rightback/Leftback (Naughton)
1 Centreback/Rightback (Dier)
1 Centreback/Leftback (Vertonghen)
3 Centrebacks (Kaboul, Chiriches, Fazio)
2 Leftbacks (Rose, Davies)
2 Defensive Midfielders (Capoue, Strombouli)
3 Midfielders (Dembele, Paulinho, Bentaleb)
5 Attacking Midfielders (Lennon, Lamela, Townsend, Chadli, Eriksen)
3 Strikers (Ade, Soldado, Kane)

Exactly:
3 Keepers, 22 Outfielders (the 25 size Poch was looking for)
3 Keepers, 9 Defenders, 10 Midfielders, 3 Strikers

E.g:
3 could do Right-Back... So 3 for 1 spot (Yedlin to come).
4 could do Left-Back... So 4 for 1 spot.
5 could do Centre-Back... So 5 for 2 spots.
5 could do central midfield roles... So 5 for 2 spots, sometimes 1 (Veljkovic extra).
5 could do attacking midfield roles... So 5 for 3 spots, sometimes 2 (Paulinho perhaps, Cellabos/Mason extra).
3 could do strikers... So three for 1 spot, sometimes 2 (then perhaps Chadli/Lamela cover)

I.e:
It's about as balanced as a squad can get, and lean.

Then we'll see:
Yedlin comes and Naughton will be gone.
Lennon/Townsend gone and a perceived improvement bought in.

And maybe:
A DM/M in and the least impressive or most discontent of Dembele/Paulinho/Capoue gone, probably in Jan.
A striker in and the one who's not firing/playing gone - Jan/Summer.

 

[Strikeb4ck]

Ignoring Benny...
Also Mason, a trainee:
3 Keepers
1 Rightback (Walker)
1 Rightback/Leftback (Naughton)
1 Centreback/Rightback (Dier)
1 Centreback/Leftback (Vertonghen)
3 Centrebacks (Kaboul, Chiriches, Fazio)
2 Leftbacks (Rose, Davies)
2 Defensive Midfielders (Capoue, Strombouli)
3 Midfielders (Dembele, Paulinho, Bentaleb)
5 Attacking Midfielders (Lennon, Lamela, Townsend, Chadli, Eriksen)
3 Strikers (Ade, Soldado, Kane)

Exactly:
3 Keepers, 22 Outfielders (the 25 size Poch was looking for)
3 Keepers, 9 Defenders, 10 Midfielders, 3 Strikers

E.g:
3 could do Right-Back... So 3 for 1 spot (Yedlin to come).
4 could do Left-Back... So 4 for 1 spot.
5 could do Centre-Back... So 5 for 2 spots.
5 could do central midfield roles... So 5 for 2 spots, sometimes 1 (Veljkovic extra).
5 could do attacking midfield roles... So 5 for 3 spots, sometimes 2 (Paulinho perhaps, Cellabos/Mason extra).
3 could do strikers... So three for 1 spot, sometimes 2 (then perhaps Chadli/Lamela cover)

I.e:
It's about as balanced as a squad can get, and lean.

Then we'll see:
Yedlin comes and Naughton will be gone.
Lennon/Townsend gone and a perceived improvement bought in.

And maybe:
A DM/M in and the least impressive or most discontent of Dembele/Paulinho/Capoue gone, probably in Jan.
A striker in and the one who's not firing/playing gone - Jan/Summer.

I wouldn't be surprised to see Mason play a part this season FWIW. Apparently Poch likes him.