Second String

[AlexBenjamin]

Speaking to fans of top 4 teams over the last year the've mostly conceded that our full-strength starting line-up (especially now) is almost as good as theirs.

The obvious problem competing over a season with the likes of Chelski and ManUre is the fact that for every first-teamer they have, there's a world-class, or at least very quality player ready and waiting should there be an injury or drop of form.

So, if every single one of our first team got injured (maybe a brawl after a night our with Ledders after another cup win)... Now that we've made 3 absolutely quality signings, and based on all the players we currently have in our squad, I think our second string looks pretty tasty.

I am, of course, aware that some of these players will most likely leave before the start of the season... but right this minute...:

Robbo
​

Chimbonda Dawson Kaboul Gilberto
​

Steed Huddlestone/Tainio Zokora/KPB O'Hara
​

Adel
​

Bent
​

(Obviously based on a starting 11 of: Gomes, Hutton, King, Woodgate, Bale, Lennon, Modric, Jenas, Dos Santos, Berbatov and Keane).

If, as we hope/expect, we get a replacement 2nd goalie, a nutter at DM, hopefully Bentley or Capel (or both) and possibly a spare CB, then the above 2nd string looks even tastier and I think we will have an extremely exciting time next season.

I, for one, cannot wait. Every summer for the last 4 I've been more excited than ever before for the up-coming season....and right now I'm about 2 or 3 times more excited than last year.

:beer:

 

[paxtonyiddo]

good post yiddo we all know the importance of back up players or fringe players and your team there is quite a strong one. As fans of THFC were used to saying that we cant wait til next season every pre-season but with the arrivals of class players such as dos santos and modric we have every reason to be. COME ON YOU SPURS!!

 

[That Guy]

If Robbo wants to stay then why would we need a another goalkeeper?

 

[hellava_tough]

If Robbo wants to stay then why would we need a another goalkeeper?

True enough.

However, Robbo will certainly leave Spurs now. He's good enough to start in another Premiership side and he knows it.
Robbo has no desire to be a bench warmer.

 

[Krafty]

Chimbonda and Robbo are off, so I wouldnt include them in our second eleven, but I think we have a much better/stronger second XI, in part because our first eleven is improving so much.

Its all about a fine balance between quality replacements, having players who are willing to be second choice, and giving chances to younger players.

When you look at Man Utd especially its amazing that fergie can keep players like O'Shea, Wes Brown, Fletcher, Solskjer (back in the day) when they arent first choice. They would be first choice for a lot of teams but Fergie keeps them there and they are happy to come on and do a job when needed.

I still think we have a few too many back up players in midfield, especially if we sign a DM and Bentley, so could expect Tainio to leave, Taarabt out on loan, dont know about KPB, but we certainly look strong.

I think our problem in the past has been some excellent players mixed in with players that arent good enough to be honest, especially in midfield. We have strikers and defenders that could get into the top 4, but I dont think any of last seasons midfielders would have. Jenas, who played the most games and at times has played really well, would be tussling with the fletchers, Sidwells and Kewells of this world for a place on the bench for teams like Utd, Chelski and Liverpool.

 

[AlexBenjamin]

Thanks Paxton (I don't post threads often)!

That Guy - What I wrote in my post was: "as we hope/expect" to replace some of our squad.

I would put Robbo in the "expect' catagory.

There are clearly a lot of mixed feelings about Robbo because a lot of us love him and dearly wish he could have re-captured the form he was showing in his first couple of seasons for us.

I for one would be more than happy to see him stay and challenge Gomes - but I expect him to leave.

You say 'if he wants to stay' but there's been no indication from the man himself (that I'm aware of) since the rumours began about him leaving that he wants this.

 

[hellava_tough]

Speaking to fans of top 4 teams over the last year the've mostly conceded that our full-strength starting line-up (especially now) is almost as good as theirs.

The obvious problem competing over a season with the likes of Chelski and ManUre is the fact that for every first-teamer they have, there's a world-class, or at least very quality player ready and waiting should there be an injury or drop of form.

So, if every single one of our first team got injured (maybe a brawl after a night our with Ledders after another cup win)... Now that we've made 3 absolutely quality signings, and based on all the players we currently have in our squad, I think our second string looks pretty tasty.


I am, of course, aware that some of these players will most likely leave before the start of the season... but right this minute...:

Robbo​

​

Chimbonda Dawson Kaboul Gilberto​

​

Steed Huddlestone/Tainio Zokora/KPB O'Hara​

Adel​

​

Bent​

​

(Obviously based on a starting 11 of: Gomes, Hutton, King, Woodgate, Bale, Lennon, Modric, Jenas, Dos Santos, Berbatov and Keane).

If, as we hope/expect, we get a replacement 2nd goalie, a nutter at DM, hopefully Bentley or Capel (or both) and possibly a spare CB, then the above 2nd string looks even tastier and I think we will have an extremely exciting time next season.

I, for one, cannot wait. Every summer for the last 4 I've been more excited than ever before for the up-coming season....and right now I'm about 2 or 3 times more excited than last year.

:beer:

Hi there Alex - some good points made.

However, I don't think Jenas and Modric will start together in a midfield pairing. It'll be Modric and Zokora if we don't sign another DM (which I think we will btw).

Apart from that I'm stoked about next season aswell. :grin:

 

[That Guy]

True enough.

However, Robbo will certainly leave Spurs now. He's good enough to start in another Premiership side and he knows it.
Robbo has no desire to be a bench warmer.

Agree. I expect him to leave as well. I'd like him to stay though.

 

[AlexBenjamin]

Chimbonda and Robbo are off, so I wouldnt include them in our second eleven, but I think we have a much better/stronger second XI, in part because our first eleven is improving so much.

Its all about a fine balance between quality replacements, having players who are willing to be second choice, and giving chances to younger players.

When you look at Man Utd especially its amazing that fergie can keep players like O'Shea, Wes Brown, Fletcher, Solskjer (back in the day) when they arent first choice. They would be first choice for a lot of teams but Fergie keeps them there and they are happy to come on and do a job when needed.

I still think we have a few too many back up players in midfield, especially if we sign a DM and Bentley, so could expect Tainio to leave, Taarabt out on loan, dont know about KPB, but we certainly look strong.

I think our problem in the past has been some excellent players mixed in with players that arent good enough to be honest, especially in midfield. We have strikers and defenders that could get into the top 4, but I dont think any of last seasons midfielders would have. Jenas, who played the most games and at times has played really well, would be tussling with the fletchers, Sidwells and Kewells of this world for a place on the bench for teams like Utd, Chelski and Liverpool.

I agree with everything you've said here except about Tainio leaving.

When he's fit I think he's the best player we have in our squad at the moment to fill the DM role if we are not able to capture one this window. I definately rate him above Zokora in that posish.

I would refer to the semi-final with Arsenal as just one superb example. I think he's also the kind of player you mentioned above (like Fletcher) who wouldn't mind coming off the bench for most of the season if needed. A true yid.

Having said all of that, the club will be fully aware of what Teemu's chances of staying fit next season are and if doesn't look good - I can see them shipping him out.

 

[Krafty]

I love TT, I wanted him to play much more - arguably our best run was when Zokora was at the ANC and TT was playing - but unfortunately he isnt reliable fitness wise and it seems Ramos doesnt really rate him, which is a shame. I think he is undervalued, but I can see him going, and to be fair if we are going to have someone come off the bench I think JJ is a better option than TT.

 

[That Guy]

I love TT, I wanted him to play much more - arguably our best run was when Zokora was at the ANC and TT was playing - but unfortunately he isnt reliable fitness wise and it seems Ramos doesnt really rate him, which is a shame. I think he is undervalued, but I can see him going, and to be fair if we are going to have someone come off the bench I think JJ is a better option than TT.

Yeah I agree with you. Tainio for me would be our best DM if he could stay fit, but he just can't and DM for me is a position you need reliability in. He also looks off the pace as he can never get match fitness before being injured and missing games again.

 

[AlexBenjamin]

Yeah I agree with you. Tainio for me would be our best DM if he could stay fit, but he just can't and DM for me is a position you need reliability in. He also looks off the pace as he can never get match fitness before being injured and missing games again.

If (and I hope so) Tainio is still a spurs player at the beginning of the season, I'd imagine this will be his last chance to prove himself.

If there are any more niggly injuries between August and Jan I'd expect that they'll look to make as much as they can from him and he'll be sold asap.

Hopefully though, the summer and a solid pre-season with Ramos, Alvarez et al should be enough to put him in the best shape of his career and who knows what he'll do...

In any case - he's a complete legend in my book - a good, honest, hard-working no-nonsense player who chips in with the occasional goal and plays with his head-up - doesn't make silly mistakes. I think he is passionate about the club and the fans and has always acted in a professional manner.

In other words, a true yid. :clap:

 

[oshaun]

The 2nd string players are an interesting factor in a team. How many seasons in a row now have we seen teams like Portsmouth start the season very well to drop off as the season progresses. Thats all down to having a competitive starting 11, but a weak 2nd string.

I can see Gunter being our back-up RB next season. He potentially is a very good player as well. Players like him are good to have as back-up to 1st 11 players as they will be more patient than more experienced players. Expect some grumbling and discontent from some players around christmas from players like Huddlestone, Steed, and Zokora if they don't get the games!

 

[AlexBenjamin]

The 2nd string players are an interesting factor in a team. How many seasons in a row now have we seen teams like Portsmouth start the season very well to drop off as the season progresses. Thats all down to having a competitive starting 11, but a weak 2nd string.

I can see Gunter being our back-up RB next season. He potentially is a very good player as well. Players like him are good to have as back-up to 1st 11 players as they will be more patient than more experienced players. Expect some grumbling and discontent from some players around christmas from players like Huddlestone, Steed, and Zokora if they don't get the games!

I think you're spot on about Gunter. I also think there's the option of playing him a centre-back, where apparently he's put in some very good performances for Wales...

I also agree about the potential upset...but if we have 3 long cup runs there should be plenty of time for everyone to get a decent look-in this season but now without getting totally knackered.

 

[michaelden]

but right this minute...:

Robbo​

​

Chimbonda Dawson Kaboul Gilberto​

​

Steed Huddlestone/Tainio Zokora/KPB O'Hara​

Adel​

​

Bent​

​

(Obviously based on a starting 11 of: Gomes, Hutton, King, Woodgate, Bale, Lennon, Modric, Jenas, Dos Santos, Berbatov and Keane).

I think more like this

Alnwick
​

Gunter Dawson Kaboul BAE​

​

Steed Huddlestone Zokora/KPB Gilberto​

Adel​

​

Bent

​

 

[Banjo]

The transfer window isn't even open. Obviously we really don't know, whatever we suspect, who will and won't be here by the end of August.

But the general point - that you (now) need quality back-up in all positions is so true, indeed even more so with seven subs on the bench.

If I remember rightly when Villa won the European Cup they only played 17 players in their first team the whole season!

Like to see someone do that now!