Krafty
Well-Known Member
- May 26, 2004
- 4,785
- 2,122
With an international break upon us, lets examine the Spurs players attempting to get to South Africa next summer.
Jermain Defoe –
He has come on leaps and bounds, internationally, turning around a poor England record into something far more respectable. On a run for England, his recent strikes have almost certainly secured his place on the bench and some sub appearances, if not quite a starting berth.
Verdict: On the plane
Aaron Lennon –
A scintillating start to the season has put Aaron right back in the reckoning. A much improved final product has put him in the squad to battle it out with Walcott and Beckham, and with question marks over their fitness and form little Aaron could sneak into the starting eleven
Verdict: On the plane
Peter Crouch –
Behind the non-goalscoring striker Heskey, and the on form but rough-around-the-edges Cole, Crouch will be hoping to force his way into the squad as the ‘other’ big man. Heskey seems to be the man in possession, but has lost his place in the Villa team, while Cole is first choice at his club, so Peter could suffer from the embarrassment of riches on offer to Harry.
Verdict: Waiting by the phone
Jermaine Jenas –
Was injured and rumoured to be off in the summer, but has forced his way back into Harry’s team. Question marks remain over his consistency and all round performance, but scored Capello’s first goal and may, just, force his way into the squad. Could depend on form and fitness of others, and how Capello wants his squad to look like.
Verdict: Waiting by the phone
Tom Huddlestone –
One of the top prospects according to Capello, he made the squad for the game against Trinidad & Tobago but did not get onto the pitch, nor into any subsequent squads. However, Tommy has been ever present for Spurs and his long range passing and ability to create opportunities might appeal to Fabio. Might be considered too slow for the team, but his distribution may be of interest. Would have to make the break through quickly
Verdict: Watching at home
Ledley King –
What might have been? Would be a regular squad member if not starter, it is ironic that Ferdinand’s constant injuries problems could open an opportunity for someone. Would Capello take such a gamble??? Lack of training would be a discouragement, but the propensity to break down during games with niggling injuries will surely put the Italian off.
Verdict: Watching at home
Michael Dawson –
As said above, a centre back position could become available. If Daws is to get in, though, it would be a like for like replacement of Terry. Might be a little cumbersome, but Upson has hardly showed to be an athletic back up. With our CB worries would get plenty of games, and maybe Harry can help produce some top notch performances. Chances still remote.
Verdict: On Holiday
Jonathan Woodgate –
Will he ever get fit? His current back/hernia/groin/unknown problem shows no sign of a quick recovery, so its difficult to say if he will be able to stake a claim to a squad place. A calming influence in our defence, I do not think Capello is convinced and I do not think he will pick him, even if fit.
Verdict: On Holiday/Doctors
Kyle Naughton –
Outside chance? England’s right back position is currently Johnson’s but his defending has been criticised. Has enough trouble breaking into the Tottenham team, what with about 19 right backs also battling it out.
Verdict: Waiting for a chance at Spurs
David Bentley –
The boy has ability, but will he get the game time? Perhaps his best chance would come with a January move, because he has yet to show he can even challenge Lennon, never mind surpass him.
Verdict: Waiting for a chance at a new club
Wilson Palacios –
Legend. Would be great to see him at the world cup, on a personal and professional level. Honduras are currently in third position, still need to pick up some points, starting with a tough game against the USA
Verdict: If Honduras are there, he will be
Gio Dos Santos –
May not be getting much of a look in for Spurs, but seems to be on fire for Mexico. Hopefully he will come back from his injury and contribute some more to the club. Like Honduras, they need some more points to secure qualification but have the bottom two to play.
Verdict: As long as he is fit, should be there
Gomes –
I expect he will be back in goal for us, but the battle for the gloves for Brazil will be much harder with Inter’s Julio Cesar firmly planted in-between those posts.
Verdict: On the plane
Roman Pavlyuchenko –
Hiddink says he needs to be playing, but still picks him. No longer starting games, but still scoring, I doubt Hiddink will drop him but, come the world cup, I am not sure he will be a Spurs player. Russia have to beat Germany to be assured of qualification
Verdict: Should be there, if not here.
Vedran Corluka, Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar –
Croatia regulars, but will Croatia be there? They will have to face a play-off, but unless they get a horrible draw they should be ok.
Verdict: On the plane, if there is one.
Bassong and BAE –
Now part of the Cameroon squad, but they find themselves in a tight little group that could go either way. Gabon, surprisingly, are a point behind and Togo a point behind that. Despite that, they must fancy their chances of qualifying.
Verdict: On the plane, probably.
Robbie Keane –
A win against Italy needed to keep their automatic qualification chances alive, but they are probably set for a play-off. Draw will be key, but fingers crossed for the Irish boys, of which Keano is captain.
Verdict: Need the luck of the Irish to get to SA.
Jermain Defoe –
He has come on leaps and bounds, internationally, turning around a poor England record into something far more respectable. On a run for England, his recent strikes have almost certainly secured his place on the bench and some sub appearances, if not quite a starting berth.
Verdict: On the plane
Aaron Lennon –
A scintillating start to the season has put Aaron right back in the reckoning. A much improved final product has put him in the squad to battle it out with Walcott and Beckham, and with question marks over their fitness and form little Aaron could sneak into the starting eleven
Verdict: On the plane
Peter Crouch –
Behind the non-goalscoring striker Heskey, and the on form but rough-around-the-edges Cole, Crouch will be hoping to force his way into the squad as the ‘other’ big man. Heskey seems to be the man in possession, but has lost his place in the Villa team, while Cole is first choice at his club, so Peter could suffer from the embarrassment of riches on offer to Harry.
Verdict: Waiting by the phone
Jermaine Jenas –
Was injured and rumoured to be off in the summer, but has forced his way back into Harry’s team. Question marks remain over his consistency and all round performance, but scored Capello’s first goal and may, just, force his way into the squad. Could depend on form and fitness of others, and how Capello wants his squad to look like.
Verdict: Waiting by the phone
Tom Huddlestone –
One of the top prospects according to Capello, he made the squad for the game against Trinidad & Tobago but did not get onto the pitch, nor into any subsequent squads. However, Tommy has been ever present for Spurs and his long range passing and ability to create opportunities might appeal to Fabio. Might be considered too slow for the team, but his distribution may be of interest. Would have to make the break through quickly
Verdict: Watching at home
Ledley King –
What might have been? Would be a regular squad member if not starter, it is ironic that Ferdinand’s constant injuries problems could open an opportunity for someone. Would Capello take such a gamble??? Lack of training would be a discouragement, but the propensity to break down during games with niggling injuries will surely put the Italian off.
Verdict: Watching at home
Michael Dawson –
As said above, a centre back position could become available. If Daws is to get in, though, it would be a like for like replacement of Terry. Might be a little cumbersome, but Upson has hardly showed to be an athletic back up. With our CB worries would get plenty of games, and maybe Harry can help produce some top notch performances. Chances still remote.
Verdict: On Holiday
Jonathan Woodgate –
Will he ever get fit? His current back/hernia/groin/unknown problem shows no sign of a quick recovery, so its difficult to say if he will be able to stake a claim to a squad place. A calming influence in our defence, I do not think Capello is convinced and I do not think he will pick him, even if fit.
Verdict: On Holiday/Doctors
Kyle Naughton –
Outside chance? England’s right back position is currently Johnson’s but his defending has been criticised. Has enough trouble breaking into the Tottenham team, what with about 19 right backs also battling it out.
Verdict: Waiting for a chance at Spurs
David Bentley –
The boy has ability, but will he get the game time? Perhaps his best chance would come with a January move, because he has yet to show he can even challenge Lennon, never mind surpass him.
Verdict: Waiting for a chance at a new club
Wilson Palacios –
Legend. Would be great to see him at the world cup, on a personal and professional level. Honduras are currently in third position, still need to pick up some points, starting with a tough game against the USA
Verdict: If Honduras are there, he will be
Gio Dos Santos –
May not be getting much of a look in for Spurs, but seems to be on fire for Mexico. Hopefully he will come back from his injury and contribute some more to the club. Like Honduras, they need some more points to secure qualification but have the bottom two to play.
Verdict: As long as he is fit, should be there
Gomes –
I expect he will be back in goal for us, but the battle for the gloves for Brazil will be much harder with Inter’s Julio Cesar firmly planted in-between those posts.
Verdict: On the plane
Roman Pavlyuchenko –
Hiddink says he needs to be playing, but still picks him. No longer starting games, but still scoring, I doubt Hiddink will drop him but, come the world cup, I am not sure he will be a Spurs player. Russia have to beat Germany to be assured of qualification
Verdict: Should be there, if not here.
Vedran Corluka, Luka Modric, Niko Kranjcar –
Croatia regulars, but will Croatia be there? They will have to face a play-off, but unless they get a horrible draw they should be ok.
Verdict: On the plane, if there is one.
Bassong and BAE –
Now part of the Cameroon squad, but they find themselves in a tight little group that could go either way. Gabon, surprisingly, are a point behind and Togo a point behind that. Despite that, they must fancy their chances of qualifying.
Verdict: On the plane, probably.
Robbie Keane –
A win against Italy needed to keep their automatic qualification chances alive, but they are probably set for a play-off. Draw will be key, but fingers crossed for the Irish boys, of which Keano is captain.
Verdict: Need the luck of the Irish to get to SA.
