Do Harry and Levy need to find a middle ground?

I'd recommend reading your articles before you put them online. Some of the errors on here are child-like.

Thanks. Since we are offering professional advise. I reccomend you become an English teacher.

tom get over it, my english is crap but i only come on to talk soccer not listen to tosser@ demanding perfect english. keep up the good work alan. i agree with levy when it comes to wage caps and buying players the club can afford. look what happened to leeds, charlton e.t.c.

There is no wage cap at Spurs - nor is there a maximum age limit for players. You will be telling us next that it was Levy that introduced the Director of Football role at Spurs.

I would say that Levy and Harry must have reached a middle ground as Harry has signed a contract extension.
If Harry felt Levy wasn't going to back him he would have gone.

Plus if we are interested in JCole then Harry must have discussed the wage structure. As Cole would be over it.

But talking about getting Cole...Forlan...Richards is good news. We need players that can improve the team. And are ready to go.
This season finishing in a CL place will be even tougher than last season. So we need to hit the ground running and maintain momentum.

And stop losing to the sh!te sides of course!! ha ha ha

Cheers Raver. It would be nice if people would offer an opinion on the subject matter. My english is not perfect, I wasn't born here and as my parents came here with less than 50 in their pocket, I think I have done well considering. If I got paid for writing this stuff, I would consider re-investing that in some further education. All donations payable to Alan at PushandRun.com!

Great article makes perfect sense, unlike mister Tom pompous arsewipe there

The article is spot on mate! I feel that we should sign some experience for the current campaign but do you pass an opportunity to sign a great player of the future? You can effectively take off 20 goals off of Suarezs' total as the Dutch league is pretty poor but that would still be a great return. I am warming more to JKH at the moment as i feel he could play the main striker in a 4-5-1 formation.

Bellamy, not sure about him but for 6 million that would seem like a bargin and seeing as only Defoe has pace out of our fowards maybe not a bad buy, also Micah Richards i think could become an regular international under Redknapps guidance so that would be a good signing for us and plus he would be a good investment to so both manager and chairman should be happy with that one.

Tom, hows my spelling is it up to your standard.

This is obviously a huge season for us and one which could determine if we're a one season wonder or a serious (and serial) top four contender.

Levy's frugality concerning wages and refusal to sign players with no resale value has served us well so far (financially). Largely due to the bin dippers downfall we now find ourselves in the CL. To have any chance of repeating last season's success we'll need experienced, top class players.

Levy will have to bite the bullet regarding resale values as we're yet to be in the position where we can attract the world's best players who are well under 30. If the club is going to compete in the long term, we're going to need to make some short term signings to try to consolidate our top four status over the next season or two.

Levy should try his utmost and more to bring in anyone who Redknapp thinks will improve the side, even if they are the wrong side of 30.

In fairness to Daniel Levy, he had wanted Harry for some time. The issue of him leaving a dynasty is challenged with no Reserve Championship to blood players, but the advantage of some promising youngsters online becuase of others efforts ( 4 - could have been 5 - in current U19 squad). Harry knows how to bring these through ( see WHU history) and can work with the Chairman to achieve a dynasty. Added to his comfort zone of UK youth, our future looks bright. Certainly the issue of aged payers with no resale is something that needs to be looked at but maybe, just maybe, this will allow the money to be spent on promising rather than established players, helping the dynsaty and the country!

Talk of us doing a 'Leeds, Charlton etc.' is knee-jerk and trite.

We're talking about one or two 'special' players here who could easily be funded by ridding ourselves of the likes of Keane, Crouch, Pav, O'Hara, Taarabt, Hutton etc. and let's not forget the hapless Jenas.

Who cares if his English isn't up 2 scratch? How good is the modern day player's English?? What matters is did he make any good points for Spurs the fans? I thought he did and yes I believe there is a healthy tension: Arry realises good players are good players whatever the age/cost/wages of the player- whilst Levy realises for a Club in these times 2 succeed must have a good team based on a firm, financial footing!

Personally- I would hope Arry respects Levy's position- if there is one Chairman I would like over Arry is him. Though Arry is great- I get the feeling he wouldn't bat an eye-lid to grap someone like Bellamy for 6million pay him 80k pw- which offers greater possibilities on the pitch but makes no financial sense whatsoever? Arry any supporter needs to remember that we could go out purchase Sandros, Palacios, Kaboul, Krancjar- just because of the firm financial footing we are on. If Arry was still @ pompey he'd be sweating on players he'd be unlikely to be able to keep- because he the club spent money unwisely chasing a dream! Grow organically stick to the plan- keep within a wage structrue- so we don't create inner tensions of the team. We are not a top 4 club so we don't pay top 4 wages- we happened to achieve it this year- we'll see what happens this year?

Harry's ying is the perfect foil to Levy's yang. Your points are valid but the conclusion should be that they are a dream team. Nae, THE dream team.

Daniel's business nouse safeguarding our future, Harry's hunger for success and impeccable man management (save Darren Bent) doing wonders on the field. They already have met in the middle. We have a young, hungry team with an English spine and the occasional talented elder providing the cool head where required.

Bringing in Ferdinand and Sherwood was also a masterstroke.

Oh and Tom 13:10:12 sucks balls. Grab a Guardian and a Frappucino sunshine, but whatever you do keep it tight lipped.

I'm already a History teacher. )

The article was utter shite as well, if that's any consolation.

Some interesting perspectives. I believe Levy is ultimately responsible for the financial side. English football is spoilt by Arsene Wenger s economic degree which has set an unattainable benchmark to all other managers that they are expected to input on a club s finances like he does. In the past, maybe managers could do that but football clubs are way too complex now to put into the hands of an unqualified bloke with little or no business acumen. Levy has to set limits. They can be as flexible as saying wages and fees combined you have x budget or very detailed. I would stand by Levy, if Harry were to quit by not being happy with his conditions. We ve seen what happens to clubs when there is no financial control. Harry doesn t take responsibility for that, he d walk away and Levy and us fans would be left to pick up the pieces. I don t believe this is entirely the case at spurs but we haven t targeted 30 plus players with this financial commitment for a while. Les Ferdinand was the last one I think?

Well hand out your lessons to people who give a toss mate.

Signing Forlan, the most watchable player on he planet, would make Spuds the most popular team in the EPL. Drum up the foreign support. See the golden ball winner and also the rise of 'Future England Captain' Dawson. Tottenham have always been at their best with star players in their team. Come on Joe, splash a bit of cash and enjoy it on HD, what else , stuck atop a rocky crag on the eastern approaches to the Chilean Andes.

@Tom

Any secondary school English student

....knows that a comma is unnecessary when the 'if clause' comes at the end.

Stick to history you mug.

tom this is a soccer site not a fuc@ing history site. please talk soccer when you come on. levy has in the past allowed edgar the dutch bull dog to be signed, it seems to me levy dont want old pros just looking for one final pay day. i think spurs could do with a few old pro signings to drive on younger players around them during the game.

I think a couple of things have stuck with Levy. Campbell leaving for nothing now means he's gets nervy when players are left with just two years on their deals. He'd rather give Jenas a 5 year deal then have the no hoper leave for nothing.

Not sure if it was Les Ferdinand himself but he was a record signing for a 30 year-old at 6m and I don't think we got anything in return for him. Around that time we also spent heavily on wages with players like Poyet, Sheringham etc.

I guess as long as Harry isn't taking us down that route I don't mind. It's probably either Forlan or Bellamy not both as they appear to occupy the same space.

Dear raver its football not soccer unless your american!
suarez looks a propper player,you can tell by looking at his firsr and second touch,despite not being tall he will follow the same trail as berba good for a while and nice profit.
we need to make financial provision now for the massive outlay on the
stadium good houskeeping is essential.
ps no spell checker on here!!

Lavy's poicy is the way forward. When the new rules come in on numbers of home grown players and clubs not running at huge losses, Spurs will be among the best placed teams to adapt. The aim has to be to remain competetive whilst the new training ground and stadium are built. After that, we can afford to look at a different transfer policy

In addition to possible transfers I would like to see someone in place to possibly take over from Redknapp when he does leave. It seems like Sherwood may be in line for this, as he is Redknapp's recommendation, but I would prefer someone else (anyone instead of Sherwood) brought in as an assistant/first team coach.

It would be good to have an easy transition rather than the usual hunt for a new manager and yet another 5 yr plan!

sorry big mart i am irish, but play both gaelic football football. so in order to avoid mix up if someone asked you had you a game today. you answer football for gaelic and soccer for football. suarez or similar player would stay if spurs have champ league football.

Alan, if we sign Bellamy he will be played wide left as part of a 3 man attack with Lennon on the right...so not really clashing with Forlan.

I think Suarez would be a better option. It is easy to dismiss his scoring record in Holland but when you see his touch and the class variety of his finishing this guy is a class act and will be a top player.

agree with you on that manager plan yiddo1882, an also would stop wasting millions on buying out mamagers contracts. on another topic, its great to see west ham have become the new spurs. for the last few years every summer spurs were linked to players which they had no hope in getting. since spurs have champ league the papers had to pick a new team to link players to, knowing there is know way the players will join the club. still their 2 chairmen will prob love the press. henry, becks etc to west ham.

When Harry goes I wouldn't mind seeing Jurgen come in. Did very well for the national side and was also beginning to take shape at Bayern before being sacked (I am no expert of that league just going on the table).

He's a former spurs player, which is by no means essential but it helps. He's extremely respected in the game and professional. Above all that he's a forward thinker and tactically sound. Sherwood may have Harry's reccomendation but if Harry get's sacked for tax evasion I don't think that will hold much stock in the spurs boardroom :)

Raver...I agree, it is funny that the two oompa loompa chairmen at the Spammers are embarrassing the club hugely

Alan...it's a shame Glenn Hoddle's man management skill is so poor. Tactically and forward thinking he is very, very good and it would be great to have him involved at the club in some way...even if it is to teach the players how to take a free kick!!!

I like Klinnsman but not sure how he would adapt to the EPL as a manager.

the problem is Jurgen will come in an change everything again. which would be ok if the team is going poor. but if the team is successfull then yiddo1882 idea sounds perfect promote from within the club but this will require hiring one or two coaches with a view to making them manager. as we all know you can have a coach which is great at his job but put him as a manager and he's shi@. brian kidd

I thought uruguay played Saurez through the middle with Cavani and Forlan on either side?

Personally, although his dutch league record is fantastic I don't look into that too much. What was interesting is that, for me, Forlan looked much the better player than Saurez. Saurez general stuff outside the box was pretty wasteful in comparison to forlan and I think talk of Saurez as 30m plus player is premature. At that fee, he's way overrated.

If the fee is 30m then I agree that is too high. Before the World Cup the papers were saying 15-20m, which if that is the case then I think he would prove to be a good signing.

agree saurez is not worth 30m. as i said before the world cup, spurs should stay away from world cup wonders. not meaning saurez he has proving himself already. but step forward honda from japan, the man scores a couple of goals plays ok and he is linked to every big club in europe. this fella is right up west hams street. it makes me laugh when i hear jj say he wants to stay and fight for his place. harry should take him to one side an say, jj you tosser you had the last 5 years to get your place so will you please fuc@ off. also the club need to tell woodgate to retire the man cost 9m i think an spurs have got hardly anything in return. at least if he retired spurs would have insurance money.

Never considered the insurance money angle. I wondered why as a club we were almost urging the lad to retire. Makes sense.

I agree about Hoddle. When he signed from Southampton, I was over the moon. Here was a manager who embodied tottenham but also had tactical sense. It's reported he was arrogant in training. Always showing off.

Jurgen is a little more humble. Good call that he would be entirely different to Harry but who isn't? Internally Sherwood appears the same kind of guy but it worries me when spurs get managers without fans backing. How much time will he get? 3-4 games?

I'd think there is enough respect between Harry and Levy for both to respect each others opinion. We won't be flooding the team with older players but Levy must respect the fact that a couple of senior players will bring a return on the pitch even if it won't in resale value.
I still don't see the attraction in Forlan, like Kanoute he seems to have flourished in a slower league and at this stage in his career I doubt he'll relish coming back to the faster paced evironment of the Prem. Also, is Gudjohnsen coming back? That's one senior player if he is, I doubt we'll get too many more....Harry may have one more possible, I just hope it's someone more significant than Forlan.

Alan, i think Hoddle's problem was that he was still the best footballer at Tottenham even though he was in his 40's!!

One of the issues with Sherwood is not that he is an Arsenal supporter, but that when he was at Setanta he admitted to lying that he was a Spurs supporter so he could get an easy ride from the fans.

Personally, prefer an honest, hard working manager like a Pep Guardiola.

Raver...with reference to insurance money, maybe we Harry should arrange for JJ and Bentley to be taken out in training for the insurance money!!

harry is staying very quiet about his transfer targets, ok he is talking up joe cole, he prob knows spurs cannot give him the wages but he is letting the player know he rates him. i'm sure harry has given levy a list of players. we will have to put a tracking device on levy to see what clubs or countries he visits over the next 5 weeks.

Tottenham only need to sign a couple of players this summer to help ready them for the CL.
A versatile Defender - Micah Richards for example as he can play around the defence. Meaning we have cover for both our CB's and RB, although the only problem with him will be how much play time he'd get as i don't think he is stronger than Dawson/King or Corluka meaning he will only play during injury, so we may have to settle for someone of less calibre.
Joe Cole - he will really add something to the team and has great experience for someone who isn't overly old.
A Top class striker - It's obvious to everyone here that this is the biggest issue as none of our strikers really strike fear into a defence. Keane is clearly not in the plans, and Pav probably isn't coming through as hoped. Defoe and Crouch should stay, but we need someone who is the next level from those two. Forlan worries me because of his UTD days, I know he has seemed to have improved as a player, but will the Prem still be too quick for him. Suarez looks like he could be a decent signing but he'd be a risk so unless we can get him for 10-20m, I don't think Levy will be willing to buy him. Especially as we could get better players if he is willing to spend 30m .

Someone of LESS calibre than richards!!!! that would be titus bramble!. i dont want to be rude but is this the same bloke who is the chief graduate of the bramble soccer school? big muscles do not a player make. he is picked behind kolo toure! who is spent,and only gets on the pitch because lescot is out,we need better,woodgate is gone so we have 2(and a half) cb,who does godin play for? he looks
like the new france manager in his prime!

Who to sign has become alot more complicated as we have a CL qualifier. If we were already in the group stages then Levy would invest in and could attract more quality players.

But what happens if Levy spends CL money on players and we do not make the group stages? Levy has no option then to play it cautious.

Reading into Harry's comments on J.Cole I am assuming he's garantueed him first team football in exchnage for accepting lower terms than what he could possibly get elsewhere. Talking about his love for football and 'that is what I am offering him'.

I am personally now more interested in Joe Cole because I just want to beat others to getting him. I wonder if Harry is caught up in the thrill of the chase too. J.Cole is not really good enough to be garantueed a start?

If Harry wants to play 3 CM then Cole would be a good signing as in addition to creating he can score goals. The last couple of seasons has been difficult to judge Cole because of the injuries but if he is now over them he would be a good signing and could be the catalyst which starts better players wanting to sign for us (e.g. when Shearer went to Blackburn).

Interesting that Suarez has said that he would be interested in signing for one of 2 EPL teams...Manure (obviously) and Spurs!! Apparently, he likes the ambition the club is showing. As mentioned previously if the fee is between 15-20m then I think a good signing, anything above that I am unsure.

I'd love to see us bring in Joe Cole, he's one of those few English player s who have that 'extra something' that top class teams need. Big Mart mentioned Godin of Uraguay who I thought was excellent throughout the World Cup and has been very good for Villareal over the last few years and is only 24, I think he would be a very good signing (and probably reasonably priced - 5-8m?) and we could see him and Dawson as our main CB pairing for the next 5 years. As well as those 2 I'd like to see us spend a big portion ( 20-30m, maybe even a bit more) of our transfer budget on a top quality striker. Someone who is big and strong and can hold the ball up, Drogba-like in the way he plays. Balotelli, Ibrahimovic, Llorente, Negredo are all good choices but I'm sure Arry knows his way around the transfer market better than me.

AKA worldwide stu..

It has been great seeing the like of Big Tom H playing so well. I'm loooking forward to seeing him play in the CL.

Also Mr Bale could not play on a winning side when i last left the English shores. What a change for that young man. ( oops sounding like cloughie)

Who will break into the team for the reserves this season do we think ??

cheers COPS

correction COYS

I sincerely hope we would get someone a lot better than Titus Bramble... All I'm saying with Richards is that it'd be hard to convince him to sign for us when it would be unlikely that he'd play regularly.

I think Joe Cole is good enough to be considered a first team Regular, I think it would also cause a change in formation to more of a 4-5-1 with Cole and Lennon playing as advanced wingers, with some striker on his own, and then Hud, Modric and Palacios in a CM role.

On the reserves front, I feel the only ones who may get a proper shot will be the youngsters in Danny Rose, Kyle Naughton and Kyle Walker. Although I wouldn't be surprised if either of the Kyle's went out on loan again.

Out of the three youngsters mentioned I think Naughton is the best one. He looks a very good prospect.

Alan post 44 on the money. i am no stats man but as prev mentioned i
cant remember j cole scoring any more the jenas the penas,can anyone
challenge my memory?. we have to score goals so who gets then all,
unless we keep as many clean sheet as last season plus improve 10%.
Am i the only person who thinks hutton could have had a raw deal?
so good for rangers and scots in europe and not a disaster as i recall
do we get on peoples cases a bit to soon? discuss!.

I agree, Naughton defiantly looks like becoming a really good player.

Cole doesn't score a huge amount of goals, but he does create a good amount, and if we manage to pull in a top quality striker, that added creation could be invaluable.

Hutton defiantly wasn't a bad player, and has been treated a little unfairly. However, he isn't as good as Corluka and if we can get a good 4-6m for him, I think we'd be right to let him go.

Mart, Cole has scored 10 more than JJ in his career, but consider Cole often is played wide left, his stipulation is, if he comes to Spurs we play him more central. I can see him getting a few more goals if played up top in a 4-3-3 as has been suggested. Hopefully such a formation would mean the need for the likes of Naughton or Hutton playing more of a wing back role like Bale does on the other flank. I don't know if Hutton really got such a raw deal though, although he was good going forward his positioning defensively was poor and he always seemed to be blowing out of his arse by 60 minutes!

why is harry bothering to say he is interested in Brazil striker Luis Fabiano, when Fabiano agent is saying he is looking for 150g a week. good luck fabiano. if spurs were to play 433, at the moment none of spurs strikers could play the lone striker. it kills me to say it but the way things are looking berba would be prob spurs best option to buy. i dont like him for how he treated the club but if he came back and banged in the goals all would be forgiven.

What happen to the tank commander on the left week who plays right footed. The young german. ??? Is he taken ??

correction left wing COYS

an someone explain to me the proposed introduction for this season of clubs submitting a list of 25 players that will be eligible to play in the EPL?

To me it seems ridiculous and will potentially reduce the standard of the EPL. There are 2 points why I think this....

1) What happens if a club has a large number of injuries in one position? You will end up having to play players out of position and so weaken the team.
2) What happens to the possibility of young players breaking through? The development of players for club and country.

Plus, if you are one of the players not chosen what would be the point of training hard to try and break into the team!?

What a useless rule!!
__________________

I have no idea of the ins and outs of that ruling but i'm sure months ago I heard something about players under a certain age don't need to be included in the 25?

I believe you're right Craig. Found this from a BBC site "They dictate that each club will have to select their 18 names on a team sheet from a pre-nominated squad of 25. In that list of 25, eight must be "home-grown".

The Premier League's definition of "home-grown" is a player who, while under the age of 21, spent three years in the English system.

In addition, clubs will be able to select an unlimited number of under-21 players they have registered."

Rest of the article here http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/eng_prem/8530590.stm

Yiddo its something thats been done for the european competion for ages, most of the top clubs already do it for that, so its no real biggy. It also means that we can use un registered under 21's i think, so I would also assume that would be good to give the youngsters a better chance of making it. But if all else fails I'm sure the rules can be bent, just like Man cities goal keeper fiasco last season

It suprises me that there is a bit of a fuss being made about this, but Spurs are in a very good position that this will have little effect to what we would do anyhow. The major problem i guess we face is King Woodgate, both would need to be registered, but what are the chances we will get enough game time out of them.

Joe Cole would be a trophy signing nothing more. where would he play? or would he decide that. Would he replace Modric or Bale he is better than neither.Would Bale go to left back a position he is not master of rather than play LM ? Crazy. I would take Carrick over Cole all day every day. Cole has one major problem in the positions he can play most major teams have better players than him including our own Luka Modric. He is also a greedy cnt who has played little first team football in the past year who doesnt track back.I am hoping for a far bigger trophy than Joe Cole at WHL this season.

Nobby Harry has already said he sees bales future at left back as it gives him the room to run forward. Cole would give us experince and other option. I think your critisims of him are a bit harse, granted he wants tons of cash but who doesnt. If he comes to us you can be rest assured that he is coming for the right reasons and we have the manager to get the best out of him. No one is saying he is to replace anyone, just to make our squad better

Bit quite on here this afternoon? Has everyone signed for Man City?

I doubt I'd pass the medical Gray Man...

It dont matter MK, they will take you anyhow just to fulfil their home grown quota!!

Arda Turan,Yannick Djalo,Taye Taiwo any of These players any good seem to be linked to spurs alot. i have seen arda play could play left wing as for the other two have no idea

Turan is meant to be the best thing since sliced bread! But like all foreign signings, they very rarely hit the ground running and need a season to adjust. I know its not popular by I still like Huntelar. I'd love it if Harry got him scoring for fun in the prem!

Huntelar would be worth a go, ideal deal would to get him on loan for the season with a view to buy. i agree with you that most foreign players need a year to settle in but the problem is spurs have to take that chance as at the moment i cannot see too many players in the prem that spurs could sign that would be to champ league standard as the club their with will not want to sell unless they get crazy money.

To be honest, we dont need that much raver. One or two signings but that would be it. I think cole and Huntelar would improve us, and if we got Richards at a decent price too, i wouldnt be unhappy. Also I know he isnt going to be there at the start of the season ,but we have Sandro to look forward too.

GRAY man see post 42!.
If harry doesen't get cole he will eat his own foot!!!.
he's like a kid with a christmas list with one thing on it,on talk sport it was cringy, if he says 'i signed him when he was 12' again
i will projectile vomit, supprised you can sign small boys! hope no
brown envelopes were passed!!!. or was that the begining? cant possibly be true. (and they said satire was dead)

gray man.. The fundamental disagreement I have with you over joe Cole is that I do not believe he iscoming to be a squad player and therefore something has to give.

I was impressed by Annan of Ghana. For a small lad he was agressive but also very composed on the ball. With Sandro and Wilson we have a too many of his type but he's one to look out for if the WC is anything to go by.

Alan, so is John Pantsil if the WC is anything to go by !!

John? Nah, he was pants.

Coat?

John? Nah, he was pants.

Coat?

John? Nah, he was pants.

Coat?

John? Nah, he was pants.

Coat?

John? Nah, he was pants.

Coat?

you boys need alcohol

John? Nah, he was pants.

coat?

We need either alchol or a confirmed signing....preferably both.

Bellamy will be leaving City, Bet we buy him.

Spurs Odyssey have 'leaked' info about Cole being at our kit unveiling tomorrow. I doubt that very much. I still really want him at WHL but am getting a bit anxious about him signing. I cant see him at Arsenal but I've got a little feeling about him going Liverpool. I know his missus wants to stay in London, but I think it's either us or them. If we sign him, Bellamy and Huntelaar this summer I'll be over the moon. Would still like Micah Richards wouldnt pay anything above 9million. I'm warming to Pav staying and in a way am pleased that Bentley has picked up an injury as I didnt want us cashing in on him just yet. Keane, Hutton and one of O'Hara or JJ (who wants to stay and fight, which is good enough for me) to be our first teamers sold. I hear that were after this Portugal U21 striker Djalo - I really think we need someone with some experience, a household name and a reputation to improve us right now.
By the eway, does anyone know when our world cuppers will be back with the squad, will it be at any time during our US tour?

New kits leaked ?
http://www.dearmrlevy.com/dml/2010/7/15/brand-spanking-new-spurs-kits.html?

I must admit it s only in the last few weeks I have understood just how big Spurs ambition is, said Fabiano.
So go on then, Your choices for today are, a) stay as we are b) Fabiano c)Huntelaar d) Bellamy (Not David)

And failing that, if none take your fancy, I hear Harry's missus is still available on a free

I think we can translate Fabiano's message to "I must admit I have just realised that Tottenham are only club interested in me"

I'd love to have him at spurs. He's a top player. A great striker but I can't see this happening. Wages wise he will smash our structure and he will come with a hefty fee and at 29 it just seems beyond us. Loic Remy is more a levy type player.

Klose or Huntelaar for me.

btw - whats the story with the 3rd kit in all the leaked photo's this morning?
Considering Levy is looking for another sponsor for Cup and CL games, shouldn't this be left for them?
Also the side is a mess. Less is more!

Why will he smash the wage structure? How much is he currently on? As a striker he will have with us a wage salary, but the rest will be made up of signing on fee and bonuses. For me i'm still unsure if I would want him, part of me thinks that we should give Huntelaar a chance the other half of me thinks i would stick with what we have minus Keane.

Huntelaar for pav. and the nutter with the putter for keane. As alan said Fabiano after getting know offers. good player offer him wage level with spurs highest earner, tansfer no more than 18m let him and sevilla take it or leave it.

I think you have to look at it as who will have the immediate impact, we dont want to be waiting a season before we get anything out of our new signing!

what time we on ESPN tomorrow?

9pm coverage starts

thanks chicken hips x

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11675_6263081,00.html

Sky says Sporting Lisbon not buying but want to loan Gio but only at the right price.

Surely we can get a better price for Gio than another loan deal.

If Gio isn't staying then maybe thats the indicator that we have signed Cole/Turan. Harry did say he needed to stay and work hard and justfy his place in the team.

If we're going to play 4-3-3 next season, I think Gio would be a better bet than Lennon in the front 3 as he is more accustomed to playing up front as an attacking mid / striker. Lennon is much more suited to being a wing man.

MKYid - Lennon starts!! Whatever the formation!!

By going for Cole or Bellamy, I think he's already written Gio off.

We've all debated Gio before but I think you compare him to Bellamy and Cole, then he comes up really short in terms of work rate. Harry's not looking for an easy ride as he wouldn't touch Bellamy in that case but he's obviously felt he can't change Gio's attitude.

If we are to sell him then I feel we are never going to get more for him than now. Off the back of a good WC, he's on people's radar again.

MKYid - I don't see a reason where Gio would start ahead of Lennon in any formation against any opposition. Gio is just not nearly in the same class as Lennon.

I think you have more chance of getting goals from Gio than lennon. But who knows, if Gio has put the work in, and he looked ok at the world cup, he may just get the nod over lennon. For me if we could get that Turan, i would ship Gio off in a shot

I don't think MK is saying that exactly.

I believe his point is that Gio is more accustomed to playing as a goalscoring wide attacker in a 433, a little like Bellamy or Ronaldo. It's what he learned at Barca. Lennon is a pure wing man, probably better suited to a 442. I am hoping as Lennon gets older he will learn to play different positions. His goal away to west ham was evidence he can cut in like bale does and shoot at goal- this is a trait both wide players in a 433 must possess. We can't rely on the front man to get all the goals.

Very much my point, thanks Alan.

I would love to Lennon develop in to a more predatory player. In fairness he does score a few goals but I would question whether he'd be the best choice for the role in a 4-3-3...of course I'd want Lennon to prove he was able to do it because his pace, coupled with a goalscoring ability, would torment defenders the world over.

MKYid -

If your point is that a quality striker is usually better than a quality winger at goalscoring then of course that is true.

If your point is that Gio is the same standard as Lennon then I cannot say I have seen any proof of this. It is your opinion.

My point is, GDS has scored 11 in 78 whereas Lennon has scored 19 in 215, suggesting one is more prolific in front of goal. If we're going to play with a forward 3 I'd like all 3 to be able to score goals and not just put Lennon in there 'cos we love him!
Admittedly Lennon has probably never played in that position, he may prove to be class there as his pace will buy him time to gauge his shot, if that proves to be the case then play Lennon and Dos Santos can cover in case of injury.

Anyone had a look at the keepers' kits for next season?
http://shop.tottenhamhotspur.com/spurs08/searchcategory.php?super 0010BRN00090 0040BRN00094 supercategory BRN00094 branch BRN00094 wcategory treecode TRE00041

Martin Jol back in the premier league?

The Jolly Cottager

After that shit tonight. Keane has to go. Wastes too many chances. Sod staying up on Thursday night to watch the next game.

seconded

I see there is some speculation regarding a huge investment by the New York Yankees franchise. A sum of 430 mil is being written about.My concern is as ever ..what percentage of any investment will be borrowed against our club.None I hope.

I am very happy with our existing owners. I can't imagine a better combination of investment and prudent finanical management. The time where owners can pour money into a club appears to be coming to an end with FIFA's new rules. If that's the case, I thinki we will be in good shape with our existing structure.

So much happening now dont know where to start!
keane missed two 90%ers that doesn't make him heskey,his overall performance was good in his first proper game in 75 degrees,many people on this site have so much negative attitude towards spurs players who overall give there best,and i include keane in that catogary. some read the papers and believe it!!, on the pitch all i ever see is a man who puts many of our players to shame.
dont get me wrong he would not be in my starting line up every week
but he would be about 7th to be sold not number 1.
Off for late lunch now will respond to the imminent attack later!.

He always works hard but, like you say, he's not good to play regularly for us. When he doesn't start he becomes a problem. It's one thing not being good enough it's another disrupting those that are and it is for this reason why he is higher up the 'get rid' pecking order. I was one of Robbie's biggest fans during his first spell at spurs but he's looks heavier and less capable of doing the unexpected. He looks incapable of carrying out what his mind is telling him. He'll try to do a trick but his touch will too strong or he's too slow to chase his flick. He looks rather average now.

"many people on this site have so much negative attitude towards spurs players who overall give there best".

And if their best isn't good enough?

A few words on Keane from someone who was at the game:

"I chose to sit with the Quakes fans to get their perspective, and Keane was the clear crowd favourite when the game started (I didn't sense a strong Irish contingent, but I guess he's the biggest known over here). By the time he went off, he'd upset everyone in the stadium at some point. His petulant ball throwing, and LOUD harranging of Andros Townsend in particular, is now uncomfortable to watch. Sad to say of a hero of mine - can you imagine Modric behaving like this in future?"

I am not presedent of the keane fan club,but i did watch the game and
proper throwing of the ball(which i cant recall) some people would call showing passion? perhaps misplaced,wait for bellamy whats good for the goose!.
many senior players give team mates a hard time when they dont produce to thier potential (and he dident)its wrong but its a hard life at times,i am sure he's a big enough lad to survive it once as
long as its not regular it was'nt noticable on my telly!.
we just need to 'ease up' a bit on hammering OUR PLAYERS .

Although I am not one to give a toss about his liverpool move, I don't blame those fans who would, quite rightly, say loyalty works both ways. He's OUR PLAYER but until when? Who knows which other club this man supports? Spurs fans owe this particular player no loyalty whatsoever.

My personal concern about Keane is his apparent disruptive influence on and off the field when he's not getting his way. I agree Bellamy is the same but going on the last 18months, I would say Bellamy has the ability to play for Tottenham, Keane does not.

Throwing the ball is Passion? In a friendly? More like petulance. Many senior players may well berate the younger ones but also, senior players often encourage the younger ones. It just seems to me Keane is growing frustrated at his self, he is fading, he knows it and doesn't like it but he's not going to get any better by throwing tantrums and having a go at everyone else.

For once I can say I was at the match! Keane was Keane. Ran his tail off. I did not notice him screaming at Townsend but he is always gesturing so it is difficult to tell at whom. It was quite a bit hotter than 75 and the boys all looked like the were feeling it. Not much of a match I suppose but I got to take my kids to a Spurs game and Harry walked over a gave them an autograph. Townsend had some good runs (as did Bale). Huddlestone could play for the 49ers. Big kid. Nice energy in the stadium. Luka looked another level without even doing much. Many Croatian jerseys.

A few comments about Keano being a disruptive force off the pitch when he isn't playing, but I have never read that. If anything, I have read the manager and fellow players say he is positive and helpful and pulls for the team.
He wants to play but when he is not he is the ultimate professional and backs the players fully.

Whether he is or not, no one knows...it is only guesswork which people pass off as fact.

As for his playing ability, he certainly does seem to be suffering a dip in form. If we could get the old Keano back for this season it would be like signing a world class player. If not, and their is a better option out there, then Keane should be sold, as no player or manager is bigger than the club.

As supporters we criticise players for being too quiet on the pitch and/or disinterested. When a player shows passion by demanding his fellow players maintain/up their performance some supporters also criticise...some players cannot win!

Even if Keano is playing poorly and struggling to raise his own game he is professional enough to consider the team and demand more from the other players.

Post 123...I watched the game on TV and like you I did not see the ball throwing or any over the top criticism aimed at Townsend.

But, maybe, the cameras had moved on by then and so it was not shown.

I watched the game on TV and it was when he was first called offside that he petulantly threw the ball. If it wasn't a friendly he would have been booked for it for sure. Although he ran around a lot I thought that he was poor and if he'd taken his chances we's have won 2-0. I never noticed the alleged berating of Townsend but if that's true, I don't think that it's the best way to get the most from the youngsters. Especially as I thought Townsend played pretty well and was one of the positives of a dull game.

Harry has described Keane as Mr Angry when he is not playing, claiming he was desperate to leave for Celtic.

Robbie is only a good influence on the team when is playing. Liverpool, Leeds and us all got rid of him quickly when he wasn't playing. Robbie himself admits he hates being on the bench. He'll never appreciate squad rotation. As spurs fans we have seen it when he tossed his shirt at jol when being subbed.

It's a quality that Harry admires him for. That's why he made him captain and that's why he likes players like Bellamy. However, just like Bellamy, Robbie can be disruptive if he doesn't play. Otherwise why would Harry bother loaning someone of his experience if he was such a great squad player? Financially, we replaced one 65K a week guy for another.

This is the same argument as with Gio and Pav. Harry came out and explains why the they weren't playing. Some people wish not to take his word for it and others accept it. Harry can't win with those fans. Because if he came out and gave a dossier of information, outlining line by line as to why a player was not in the team, he would be accused of not keeping it in the dressing room and alientating players. He gives enough information for people to make educated judgements. Gio is not playing because he can't pass a bar like he does the ball. Pav needs to work harder in training. Keane is mr angry when he doesn't play. How much more do people need? Do we need something like on the 5th november 2009, Gio came stumbled in after missing monday training without explanation, I approached him, he smelled of tequila and had lipstick on his training gear, I asked him where he had been and he mumbled something in spanish, his tan looked topped up though....

Lets be honest now gentlemen, are we ever likley going to miss Keane this season if he goes? The answer is NO.Will we gain if we purchase Bellamy? Yes especially if the price is the 3mill quoted in all the papers. Also Townsend looked pretty good, i thought.

Selling Keane is a must in this close season - even if he is not replaced, it will still be an improvement!

Alan...When did Keano throw his shirt at Jol when subbed? I remember Ghaly doing this but not Keane.

Personally, I have never read any comments from Redknapp saying Keane is 'Mr Angry' when not playing or that he disrupts the team / club in anyway. But, I have read comments parsing Keane for his professionalism from Redknapp.

I remember keano throwing his shirt down, cant remember which game though. Its all by the by anyhow. We dont need him, He is one player we can sell for a fairly decent sum and it wont weaken the team. end of

Alan...how has this turned into questioning Redknapp? Plus, Gio with lipstick on his training gear...does he really go out clubbing in training clothes!!?

There are alot of people stating Keane is a disruptive influence in the dressing room as a fact, yet all I have read is that he likes to be playing every match but is professional enough to not let it bother team mates and he gets right behind the players.

Now should he be sold because lack of form is more relevant (and factual as we can see it as supporters where the other part is guesswork and hearsay) and on the form of last season the answer will probably be yes.
But, I am for giving the guy the pre-season in the hope that his form will return.

Apologies it was Ramos.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-538009/Unhappy-Spurs-striker-Keane-faces-120-000-fine-Eastlands-tantrum.html

Also re Mr Angry

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_5912999,00.html

Alan...thanks for that. But you did quote a little out of context!

To me, there seems to be a little bit of a witch hunt on Keano which seems a little unfair. Still, everyone has a right to their opinion.

as a senior player keane should f the head off younger players if they are not playing well, no harm in it. as for keane works hard but the chances he is missing are awful. give me a striker anyday who puts the ball in the net an does f all else. as for harry, he will surprise us with a few signings but i think it will depend on spurs getting into champ league proper, so therefore i would think it will be last 2 weeks of transfer window before players are got. cole can f off to pool, if cole was interested in winning things he would have stayed at chelsea. fair play to chelsea they offer him a top contract and he wanted more. he will end up playing for pool for less wages now.

My memory is a little rusty but he had a tantrum and evidently one shortly before that.

Robbie to me is just like any other player. When he was re-signed I was delighted. I didn't care he left for Liverpool. He was entitled to that just as much as Berba as far as I was concerned and I defended that opinion on here. What I have always admired about Robbie is his desire to play. That when he's good enough to play makes him a great man to have around because he is bubbly and vocal, he did play a part both on and off the field to us staying up. I am certain of it. However, when he doesn't play, he's just as vocal but not in a good way. That's easy for me to understand without having Harry tell me as much. A vocal person will always display his emotions as they are. I can imagine Bellamy being the same. Liverpool got shot of him (and funnily enough bellamy) quickly for the same reasons.

good banter on here as always. unfortunately work seems to be getting in the way these days for me. damn it.


I think we agree Keane is not the player we all knew before his trip up to Pool. But it appears the camp is split over whether he can regain those performances. Those who think he can suggest he can still do a job. Those who don't think he can suggest he should go.
I'd have to side with those who think he can't. we'd still get a good price so move him on.

JCole......let him go to Pool. simple as that. We don't need him. I've thought long and hard about this one and I just think the Modric/Bale/Kranjcar combinations are better with no Cole.

Bellamy....interesting one. similar mentality to Keane when benched. But he's a different player. strong on the ball when at pace (well fastish). someone who would be useful in away games. especially in CL.

Raver, I agree that senior players have a responsibility on the pitch in respect to youngsters but I don't believe any player should berate a younger lad when he is working hard. A calm approach, showing him how to channel that energy, I would assume, would get better results. I didn't witness the alleged stuff with townsend but, IF true, surely it was unneccessary? The lad was playing well, working his socks off in that heat. If some of his crosses weren't hitting point with Keane then shouting down his face is not going to work. Especially in a friendly, you can afford to be composed. However, if the lad wasn't trying then by all means blast the little f'cker.

Moving the subject on a little, does anyone see the point in signing another keeper with Cudicini back? This seems a signing about 6 months too late?

Cole to Liverpool..good.

Bit surprised with that choice. A london lad with the top 3 london clubs all offering him a contract and champions league football yet he moves to liverpool? I am assuming that was motivated by money which is disappointing.

Alan, that move just what a piece-of-shit mercanery he is. all about the money, not about the football.

Another Keeper makes sense. Cudicini is nearing 40 and you can see a decline in his performances. Pletikosa is 31 and can ge goog competition for Gomes.

Plus, if Gomes is injured and Cudicini plays, would you really want Alnwick on the bench!!?

Alan regarding your comments re Keane. I also thought Townshend was doing well..and thought Keane's movement was poor staying central in the box, not moving to either post often enough.Of the two I know who I think has the brighter future.

That's the Cole situation put to bed then as he's just signed for Liverpool.Ambivalent on it really.If he'd come to us without silly money involved,fine but he hasn't,so not really bothered.
And as for the keeper business....I can't understand what's going on there either.I guess they aren't 100% sure about Cudicini getting back to where he was and don't think Alnwick and the others are going to make the grade.
Who is Bellamy going to have a run-in with first ? Two 'pointy shouty blokes' having a go at each other would be interesting.Perhaps the odds of his signing at 1/6 will turn out to be way off anyway.
Would he be the most unpopular signing ever ? Surely.Over to BIGMART to decide between him and Terry Fenwick !

good luck to cole. i have modric in the team anyday over him.

Cudicini is not quite nearing 40...at 36 he's still a fair way off. I was actually quite suprised when he signed a new deal and thought it ment the Pletikosa deal was dead.

at least the Cole situation won't drag on any further. As I said earlier we don't need him.


Goalkeepers.....I wouldn't be sure about any of the back-ups. Cudicini needs time to recover. and will he be the same. lets see. I'd still be tempted with James.

I think Harry could see them both fitting into the side. Therefore, perhaps we should be debating whether we'd rather have J.Cole or Craig Bellamy?

The thing about Pletikosa (I am following your spelling on this MK!) is that he has recently suffered a major injury himself. I just don't know whether 3 experienced keepers is needed, especially when of one them is so far better than the others that you can't see them ever playing anyway.

Rumour going round - theres a problem with J cole being unable to pass his Medical!!!

Your assuming we will have 3 experinced keepers come the start of the season!

I hope you're not suggesting Gomes' is in danger of leaving us GM :) (PS you forget the R in Gray which to a childish bloke like me is very funny).

This is quite interesting if you care what is in a medical exam? Makes you wonder just how any deadline day deals go through!

http://www.liverpoolfc.tv/news/latest-news/what-is-a-medical

MKYid...according to the interview he is 37. But 36 or 37 that is still near 40 in my book!!

Seems perfect sense to me to have 3 good keepers with hopefully all the fixtures we will be playing next season. In fact to keep Alnwick away from the first team we should sign even more keepers!!!

Alnwick is a disaster. Keep the lad away from turf moore in particular!

Cheers Alan. Will remember the R in future. I don t know who is staying and who is going. Am I right in thinking Carlo has just signed a contract extension?
Still, there are going to be plenty of games next season, I hope. So having enough cover would be wise, I cant see us getting a special allowance to get a keeper outside of the transfer window if carlo has another accident unlike other clubs.

I guess now Cole is going to Pool, It means we shall get Bellamy. Even though I dont like him, I think the combination of Bale and Bellamy down the left good be quite good. Also if we get him for the 3mill thats been quoted, it has to be a bargin.

There is a rumour going round joe cole cant pass his medical!!!!???
another fabulous piece of shite from the well informed.
where does it come from?

RE post 146, most hated signing of all time fenwick or bellamy?
there's only one way to find out! fiiiiiight. fenwick was shite, at least the moany git can play!.
SOOOOOOOW happy cole aint coming, party at mine t'nite.
cudacini looked good yesterday,gomes and him injured at same time!
pos but you cant keep 3 keepers of that age happy.

Cudicini will be 37 on the 6th Sept. He signed a 1 year extention on 10th July.

MKYid...I stand corrected for a whole 6 weeks!

I for one am gutted that we've missed out on him. I thought he was a 'Tottenham' type player and a 'Redknapp' type signing. He would have offered us great options to vary our play and formation and another goal-threat from midfield.
On the other side of the coin. I think paying him silly money would have had the potential to cause a rift within the squad we have other similar players in style and stature/phsique already here and Harry would probably have had to make assurances to Cole for him to play every week, leaving us with the dilema ... how to shape up, where to play him, and who would be the man left out.
However, I think bringing in Bellamy instead would benefit us more. He offers us something completely different ... pace and a real threat from the left. Him and Lennon wide attackers in a 433/451 sounds good to me, especially away in europe or away against the other members of the top four. He has pace to burn, can operate on the left of midfield or attack or through the middle. My only issue is ... will he suffocate Gareth Bale? Bale usually bombs on past whoever plays in front of him without a marker. If Bellamy was to sign and play in front would Bale get the same amount of opportunities to do this as a result of Bellamy's game. I'd still take Bellamy, if we dont then its well and truly back to the drawing board.

As you can get a keeper on an emergency loan then there is no need to have three keepers on your payroll.

Also can someone clarify whether the new 25 man squad limit means that you must have 3 keepers? If not, then surely one space is wasted on a third choice keeper?

Cole appears to have been motivated by money. By not signing him, I am happy Levy didn't break the wage structure. There are a few players I believe worth doing that for. These are the klinsmann type signings which will sell tickets, shirts and increase our brand exposure whilst giving experience to the younger players. I can't see Cole doing that. On the pitch, he's barely an upgrade on what we have.

You can only have an emergency loan of an experinced keeper if your Man City can't you?Everyone else will make do, we did. thinking about the Cole thing, where will he play at Pool? He surely isnt going in the middle is he? He will be a great signing for them, and I'm glad Levy didnt break the wage structure just for him. So with Jol going to Fulham, what about Suarez? I actually fancy giving him a shot. Then we wont need to spend on a new keeper!!! No, joking apart I seriously would like us to sign him, but then would he give us any more than Pav when he is on form.???

The point about the new keeper is that he is actually better than Cudicini and younger.

As long as the squad is improving that is all that matters.

Yiddo1882, I agree, Pletikosa is a very good keeper and would be happy if we signed him and at 31 he is going to be around longer than Cudicini....so I just really don't understand why we extended Cudicinis deal.

MKYID...I agree initially is seems strange and the only reason I can think of is that if Gomes is injured and out for a long period of time (maybe even a season) when Pletikosa plays then we have a decent keeper on the bench for injuries and rotation.

I know Alan has posted about bringing in a loan keeper instead of having the 3 on contract but personally as goalkeeping is such a specialised position I would rather have a keeper that has worked with the other players, mainly the defenders, and knows the team pattern /shape than bring potentially bring in a new guy for an important match.

Cudicini has shown over the recent years that he does not have a problem sitting on the bench if the salary is right!

Guys, sorry if i am slow off the mark. but have we signed Sandro? Know very little about him....

Some good news for next season...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/t/tottenham_hotspur/8836166.stm

Isn't there a Copa America in Jan/Feb next year? If so, that could possibly rule Gomes out for a month. That's when someone of Pletikosa's experience and quality would be relied on. I still feel that even if he returned to fitness, Cudicini is too small. I'd be more confident with Pletikosa in between the sticks.

Isn't it obvious? Gomes will be sold to Bayern Munich for silly money. You lot are a business club - nothing more.

better than a club full of midgets i bet you were hoping to get cole to get the average height of the team up baron von bum bandit....

"business club - nothing more"

Now I am convinced you've mistaken this for an Arsenal forum. The only table the Arsenal board care about is the Profit and Loss. Apparently they've sold Eduardo today. That's 6m (too bad he cost 12m). They've also sold out on season tickets. That's 100m (just don't mention they needed to dip heavily into the waiting list to do it). This should just about ensure that Fabregas is sold next year.

Alan, you just proved my point. Indeed, we want to keep Fabregas, even if it means a loss on Eduardo. We use our money to fulfill sporting ambitions.

You lot on the other hand sell the best players, only to maximize your profit. Sporting ambitions are a poor second to your owner's reveries of being the richest businessman in town.

von wanker why would ye lot want to keep a player who rather be somewhere else. an what has selling eduardo got to do with keeping fab. yer selling eduardo because he is Shi@. anyway enough about the arseholes. if pav is going on loan and keane more than likely to be sold who will harry bring in to replace them. bellamy for keane but who for pav?

Von Spunker and his ilk forget the importance of momentum in all sports.... Arsenal (Liverpool as good an example) are on a strong trajectory downwards.....which is extremely hard to stop, let alone reverse. Spurs (Man City as good an example) have been on an upward trajectory for several years... and that will keep going too....

Baron, Tottenham's expenditure on players cannot be questionned. Despite having a relatively small stadium and no champions league football we have consistently spent. Indeed, I think we are 4th behind Chelsea, Liverpool and City in terms of financial outlay on players.

However, Arsenal despite robbing their fans of every last penny in season tickets in a big stadium and CL money, look to purchase players at the bargain basement. Honestly, why do people accept that?

I believe what is happening with Cesc this summer is all part of a coordinated plan between Barca and Arsenal to sell the player next summer. Arsenal appear resolute to their moronic followers, who will have time to get used to the idea, and Barca get Cesc in a year when he may actually be needed. Cesc, although desperate to leave, has accept this compromise. Like Ronaldo at Real, I wouldn't be surprised if a fee has already been agreed.

Consistenly spending? Keane, Defoe, Chimbonda, and that French bloke, Tottnum bought players back for a lower price. And momentum in sports? Two Arsenal players played in the World Cup final. How many Spud players were involved? Erm... COWS!

Whereas Arsenal have just sold players. Vieira, Helb, Overmars, Petit, Henry, Anelka, Adebayor, Toure.

And if you're going to start chatting crap that this was all part of Arsene's master plan after these players failed at their respective clubs don't bother. It would be like us saying that about Berbatov, Keane and Carrick. You sold them as first team players and you've declined. Therefore, you either missed them or did not replace him properly. Going on your get anything free, transfer policy, my guess is that it's more the latter.

Did two Arsenal players play in the final? Van Persie was non-existent (as per his other WC performances) and Fabregas played extra time and spent the rest of the night in a Barca shirt. Hardly something to be proud of Baron.

50% of Arsenal players in the WC final don't want to be at Arsenal.

It appears Jol has learned from his experience at spurs, when you consider he left hamburg after they renegaded on transfer promises and it appears he is doing the same at Ajax. After leaving spurs, he said he was getting players he didn't need. Asking for a DM and getting Boateng or requesting an experienced CB and getting Kaboul. He stayed and I believe results suffered. We leaked goals when defensive players were needed and when Jol's future was undermined. Top managers always walk if they feel the'r role is being compromised. Harry did it at Pompey, Mourinho at Chelsea. Well done, I think. He's the one going to get sacked if results turn so why tolerate not having things your way?

It wasn't a lack of defensive players at Spurs that got Jol the sack, it was a lack of Jol's coaching ability!

And why was Jol undermined at Spurs? Because Levy found out that 8 months earlier Jol had gone behind Levy's back and offered his services to both Man City and Newcastle to be their manager if they would double his salary at Spurs.

Whereas I agree Spurs handled the Jol sacking disgracefully BMJ was not a complete innocent in this and many supporters seem to forget about Jol's own behaviour.

Alan Alan. You are lost in details. It's the buying and selling for the upcoming season that counts. The big picture is as follows. If nothing happens during the transfer window, ManU and Tottnum will lose their spot to Man City and Liverpool.

100% of the players in the WC final don't want to be at Tottnum.

So, because Jol went looking fo another job, Levy decided to bring in Comolli to fuk him (and the team) over?

No..Jol went looking for another job. When Levy found out it raised questions about Jol's long term commitment to the club. As a result, Levy looked for a possible replacement manager....Comolli was already in place.

The way it was handled was appalling by Tottenham. However, the question is raised would Levy have started looking for a replacement for Jol if BMJ had not already started approaching other clubs.

Levy and Tottenham looked bad, but it could also be argued that he was trying to protect the club by having Jol leave and no manager to take over.

One thing for sure, it wasn't our club's most glorious moment!

should have read 'protect the club from Jol leaving and no manager to take over'!

Well, it's neither here nor there now though I think Alan should be castigated for bringing it up again! :)

This window has been very quiet so far. Admittedly the media have linked us baselessly with 80 players but nothing has been remotely solid, aside from Joe Cole...do we suspect our main business will be done when the CL qualifier is out the way?

sould say 80 plus players...bloody P R doesn't do plus symbols!

aaarrrgggh. Can't I have the 'and' symbol either?

Apologies. He s just come back into the spotlight because of the Fulham thing. His time at spurs was one of the best during my period of supporting spurs. It was a marked improvement on anything I had seen and there was a lot of energy in the side. There were flaws (away from home in particular) but my argument has always been what would any manager achieve with one hand behind their back? You only have to look at Real to see what happens when the DoF and the coach do not see eye to eye. Jol and Commoli clearly had different visions. Levy realised Commoli s weaknesses as DOF (excellent scout though) one manager too late. I for one do not hold too much against Jol for that. Harry wouldn t get very far without control of transfers.

I hope our CL qualifier doesn't have any bearing on our transfer business. I deem anything we do in that competition as a bonus. Realistically we are never going to win it so let's just enjoy what we get from it and hope to qualify for it again. We don't need CL money to finance a push to challenge for fourth IMO.

I would suspect that Croatian keeper will be signed up soon. Plus someone for the left side of attack (likely to be Bellamy) and we have Sandro. I am still hoping for a striker to come in to allow us to play one up front. I'd like O'Hara and the two kyles to be given more of a chance from the bench. I'd get rid of Robbie, Hutton, Jenas and one of Bentley or GDS (just base it on whoever has the better attitude).

O'Hara!!?? You must be having a laugh, the chav is a disgrace to the club.

I never want him to wear a Spurs shirt again and on ability it will be no great loss to the club.

Alan, I completely agree regarding Jol..but a lot of fans don't and the whole situation is just a tinderbox amoungst Spurs fans (even if Craig hasn't posted in while).

I don't believe we can't win the Champions league... it's a cup...we're a cup team...and the year ends with two 1's!!

Yiddo1882, hypotheticly, you can get rid of either JJ or O'Hara which one would it be?

It's unlikely that O'Hara would settle for a place on the bench now that he's a big shot footballer (in his own head) but if he did, I would welcome him back no problem. He's shown he can perform at this level and even before his stint at Pompey, he always did a job for us as an impact sub. He's more talented than people give him credit for. A good box to box midfielder with an eye for goal. He's just a bit of a plank.

MKYID...Tough question and I would say both. But if pushed to make a decision on one of them it would be O'Hara.

His attitude over the semi final and playing in the final while injured meaning he is out of action for 2-3 months is not what we need at the club. Plus, it must be hard for the guy playing for a club where half the team has shagged his missus!

'Box to box midfielder with an eye for goal'. Are we still talking about O'Hara!?

Hard working player who makes a good sub / squad player. Not good enough for Spurs.

I thought I saw O'Hara's name on a loaf of bread, then I realised it said 'thick cut'!!

He gets forward, making assists, scoring the odd goal. He gets back and is aggressive in the tackle. He's mobile. That quantifies as box to box in my opinion? I agree he's a good sub, that's my point. Jenas is good for nothing. No heart so all that talent means nothing.

The problem I had with O'hara's comment in the semi-final was that he said it aloud. Thinking it was understandable. He just doesn't think before opening his mouth. The fact he played through the pain barrier in the final was something every player (especially English) would/should do in a heart beat.

I do think his missus has played a large part in who is he now. It must be difficult knowing other players have been with your girlfriend and doubly difficult when they are better players. He probably now feels he's got to be a big player to have a celebrity girlfriend. Unfortunately, I don't believe he'll be that at spurs. In fairness, I don't think he thinks he will either. It's a shame as he's a good impact sub.

Sorry Alan. Tottenham are his employers and he should have respected that.
As for playing in the cup final, I felt Spurs should have prevented him. We now pay the wages to an injured player and there is no possibility of selling him while he is out.

The qualities he has as a player are easy to replace, we will not miss anything by selling him.

It must be difficult for O'Hara to stay at Spurs...not only he's not first team but he would not even be first choice for his missus!

I'd rather sell JJ but purly for footballing reasons. Fair enough O'Hara is a Cunt but we are on the verge of buying Bellamy.

If pav goes out on loan and keane goes (please) can we assume we could be in for 2 goalscorers. crouch didnt contribute enough goals last season to merit the name, defoe has cold spells and er...who else is there, bellamy (injury prone , petulant and occasionally brilliant) and who else ?

MK are you one of the people who use that kind of word on the terrace
where children and women are present ? as on this site i presume!
its never reqd, we get it, calm down

Afraid so Pax Tom. Unfortunatley, after an extensive search of my vocabulary, I found that word was the most apt in describing O'Hara and therefore used it, and I'm perfectly calm in doing so. Can't agree it's never required though, every word has it's function, swears are no different to any other adjective, noun or verb, they have a function, they serve a purpose.

Raul coming to THFC !!! he can score a bit

Simon...I am not sure Raul is the type of player we need...both style of play and age wise. Though always happy to be proved wrong if it means success for Tottenham!

I'm not sure about Raul either. A great player in his day. but are those days over?

I'd be delighted if he came and got back to his best but I'm not sure he will.

Raul would be a good punt for champions league games. Don't think he would be able to cut it in premier league games though.

I would view him as a Davids/Klinsmann swansong player. can only be a positive contributer when he plays, but not a week-in/week-out player. Along the lines of Ledley?!

Personally thought Davids was pretty average in his time at Spurs and no where near the player I thought he was going to be.

Klinnsman was a fantastic player in his first season for us...though he did use us to resurrect his career and get his move to Bayern Munich. But a fair trade off.

As for Raul only playing certain matches for us, not sure his wage demands would be worth it and the possible destabilising effect on the rest of the squad.

We are not good enough to carry players or have bit part players.

We can't sign a player just for CL games, even if we make the group stages it's only 6 games!

It'd be a real kick in the teeth to Pav, Crouch and co if this old-timer came and took the one reward they'd worked so hard to have all season.

dP1pHI <a href "http://yxbsxzqjxoim.com/">yxbsxzqjxoim</a>, url http://ggspehgpibzr.com/ ggspehgpibzr /url , link http://lufsnjwpvwld.com/ lufsnjwpvwld /link , http://vipezxarwghc.com/

I think Raul would only be worth signing as a 4th choice striker, instead of Gudjohnsen and then we would still need to buy a top quality striker (Huntelaar would be my choice but Suarez or someone like that would be good) then offload Keane and unfortunately, Pav.
If I was in charge I would be looking to sell Hutton, Jenas, O'Hara, Keane and Pav and raise about 30-35m from those players and then bring in a CB (Godin?), a left sided wide player (Turan?) and the 2 strikers we would need to replace Keane and Pav.

That's a nice thought RobbieK but that is a hell of a lot of business to do in a very short space of time.

It is quite a bit of business to do but we still have 6 weeks until the transfer window closes and the only deal I think we need to do before the season starts is the main striker, the other deals it would be ok if they were done in the 2 wekks between the season starting the window closing. And Arry is a master at last minute wheeling dealing.

I would love to see Huntelaar also, And i was well impressed Suarez. Turan, would make most jaws drop aswell. But in truth do we really need any of them? I agree we do need to invest in a centre back if Woody/king arent going to be fit for the season, but otherwise I am quite happy with the squad. Lookinh at the list of players you have to sell, these wont weaken the team by selling them, will would just lose some depth is all. But with players like Townsend, walker etc i dont see that as a major problem

I agree that we need a quality striker to take advantage of the amount of chances we create but I feel that a number of other plates should be chipping in. Players like Lennon, Modric, Thudd should be aiming to gett at least near double figures.

I think we do need these players, the teams we were competing with last season will all be looking to improve (Man City, Liverpool and Arsenal already have). If we want to get more points than last season (my measure of improvement) then our squad needs to be stronger than last season. I agree that the players out can be covered by some of the many promising youngsters we have (Townsend, Walker, Naughton, Bostock, Parrett, Rose, etc).

I don't think our current squad is strong enough to challenge for the top four again. Last season we took advantage of Rafa's incompetence at Liverpool and Man City still trying to find their way.

We definitely need to up the quality level in a few positions and improve the balance of the squad (not just playing 442).

I dont think thats the case at all. Liverpool are just old and shabby, they are also broke so i dont see them really competing just yet. Man City will have a completley different team to last season and they will have all the problems that involves. I'm not saying we dont need one or two(Alright Bellamy is a given and doesnt count) signings but we dont need an overhaul. I still think there is more we can get out of these players.

Liverpool have quality / world class players and now have a very good manager. I wouldn't write them off just yet.
Man City may take time to settle but I wouldn't guarantee that. Just because they have new players they could settle quickly, particularly as they happen to be world class players!

Hope you're right but I think we will be a big mistake if we do not sign at least 2-3 players of a higher standard then we have.

I agree that we should be able to get more out of some of the players we already have especially the younger ones like Lennon, Hudd, Bale, Modric but I still think tht if we want to compete to be in the top 4 again at least be in the CL group stage then we need to improve the strength of the overall squad by bring in 2-4 players that are better or different to what we already have.

Liverpool have Torres and stevie G, but come-on the rest arent world class. To be honest Man City are a bit of the unknown, espically as they may have brough another 5 or 6 players by the start of the of the season. I think with so much too'ing and fro'ing that mancini isnt the manager to hold it altogether. I can agree that we could do with some experince and some maturity from a seasoned champs league player. But I dont want to see us waste money on a big name for the sake of a big name. If we got Huntelaar and Turan i would be loving it, but if we dont I wouldn't be to unhappy.

And I agree with Yiddo1882, we cannot write off Liverpool based on last season as they still have some fantastic players and Hodgson tends to get the best out of players (much like Arry) so they will be fighting for 4th and Man City had a whole new set of players last season but still only missed out on 4th spot by 3 points.

I didn't say that all the 'pool players were world class. I said very good and world class.

Personally, I rate Reina, Carragher, Skirtel, Mascherano, Agger, Joe Cole, Aquilani, Kuyt...in addition to Gerrard and Torres. Plus, if the media are to be believed they are in talks with Huntelaar.

I think with a good manager they could still be up there challenging.

i would think levy and harry already have players lined up to sign. what i worry about is spurs dont have natural leaders on the pitch to drive the team on if they are down. agree with you yiddo1882, man city will def finish in top 4 this year the only good thing for spurs is they play them first game of season. liverpool will be away better this year now that rafa is gone an they have a decent manager who will buy proper prem players an he knows how important the prem is to pool. like i said before, spurs have to take this chance to bring in top players now as they could struggle to get 4th this season coming.

City have made some really good signings in my opinion. Yaya Toure is probably the best DM out there and Silva is a top winger. I would imagine they will also get Dzeko or Botelli (spl) so they should challenge for the PL. Our benchmark cannot be them as we can't compete on that level. Liverpool have an excellent spine to their side but along with Arsenal, we can compete with them for 4th. They are better than us but not beyond us I feel.

i agree with you alan. but spurs need 3 or 4 top signings. players that would go into the starting 11. both full backs spurs have at the moment are not good enough. 2 strikers if pav and keane go. i hate bellamy as a person but as a football player he is what spurs needs. someone that will let his team mates no if they are not performing. also bonus is he can play on the wing as well. as for top striker harry is gonna have to pull a rabbit out of the hat. raul is not the answer, it would be the same thing to sign michael owen. the more i think about it berba would be the striker to get.

I have to disagree about full backs. In Gareth Bale we have got a player who I think will be amongst the best LB's in the world in the next few years.

at the moment he is not. agree with time he will be one of the best. but against some of the big teams last year his defensive side of his game was found out. a good solid left back who is good at defending is needed until bale has his defending side of his game mastered. charlie is solid but can get done for pace.

raul 33 no thanks.This is all really obvious smokescreen stuff I hope there is someone or two being lined up.

How does Bale master the defending side of his game when a "good solid left back" is playing instead of him?

Post 223 hud aint got double figures in his career yet!!!,he plays 20 yds to deep (for harry)if he got where he should be in the top 3rd
he may get 6 although i doubt it,few players can be that slow and get away with it these days,couple that with no desire to tackle anyone
and i am not sure how he can cut it,cash in now.

Mart, last season Hudd became a regular in the midfield. Last season was the first time we've finished in the top 4.

If he plays, where Harry wants him to play (20 yards too deep), why should he be in in the top 3rd, shouldn't he be playing where his manager wants him to?

In fairness, Hudd isn't the only midfielder at Spurs who doesn't score enough. Hudd only scored 4 (in 43) last season, but Modric only scored 5 (in 44). Azza scored 3 despite playing less games (24) but even in the last 4 seasons he scored an average of 4. Statisticly Kranjcar is our best scorer from midfiled with 6 in his first season for us and he only managed as many games as Lennon (24).

So Hudd scores about the same as the rest of our midfield, despite never playing in the top 3rd (though I know I've seen him there...I even saw him given offside once). He has often been used as a centre back so I know I've seen him tackle, and he can hit fantastic shots and passes with either foot.

Tell me again why you think he can't cut it?

Sell him by the pound.

Post 239...The point I was making is that the midfield and wide men should/need to chip in with their share of goals and not just rely upon the forwards.

With Thudd's shooting power and height he should be chipping in with at 5-6 goals per season. Both Modric and Lennon should be chipping in with between 6-10 goals each.
Considering Modders is an attacking midfielder and Lennon a winger it is surprising their lack of goals.

With the exception of the goal against Burnley, Modric does shoot like a girl though!

Apparently Boris is stalling our planning permission. Just when I thought I couldn't hate the guy more. Maybe we can just put some cycle for hire stands outside the ground along with a big blue strip across the centre of the pitch and that should appease him.

I don't think Hudd should be primary target by the fans to score more goals. Modric and Lennon need to chip in more than they usually average. Both need work on their shooting. Out of the 4 midfielders, Bale looks most likely to score.

raver, I completely agree that Bale is not one of the best right now but given a season playing mainly at LB I think we will start to see how good he really is and within a couple of years he will be in the top 5 LB's in the world.
As for goals, I think all of our midfielders (except Kranjcar) need to score a few more goals each. At least one of them needs to be getting 10 a season and a couple of others need to get around 8.

What do you guys think of Harry's 'we can win the title' comments?

No doubt, like me, you have taken some stick for it in the office this morning. I am encouraged by his ambition and take from it, that he may have some high profile transfer targets. Certainly with our existing squad we are far from winning the league. Even further than last year I would suspect.

BMJ stays at ajaz !

What is the latest news on Sandro?

Nantwich, Sandro is still with Internatcional playing in the Copa Libertores, he'll join up with us mid-august.

Well, Harry did say you have to aim high to achieve high...sounds good to me.

Alan, I think we should be playing (and thinking) to win the league. We need to change the mentality at the club of accepting top 4 or a good cup run. Harry's right.
It echoes the great Bill Nick - "It is better to fail aiming high than to succeed aiming low. And we of Spurs have set our sights very high, so high in fact that even failure will have in it an echo of glory."
And btw, in no way was that meant to compare Harry to Bill in case any purists get their panties in a knot.
But we've accepted mediocrity too long for a club of our stature and history.
Yes we in most certainty are quite some time/players off a genuine challenge but there s no harm in laying foundations in the squads mind to prepare mentally for it on a regular basis.

HAHAHA

Only if you hold the table upside down Harry.

HAHAHA COWS!

At least our club showing ambition. Whilst our club is looking at what signings to take us forward, Arsenal are looking at what sales can be made to ensure they continue to standstill.

You better get in your 'we've got Cesc Fabregas' chants while you can mate.

Apparently Fabregas will miss the start of the season due to injury. He strained a muscle in his neck when Barcelona turned his head.

What annoys me is that he has expressed verbally that he wants to leave. However, to put that into writing will mean he forfits his loyalty bonus and that appears something he is unwilling to do. If he loves Arsenal then give them at least that and have your dream move.

To be honest Alan, I hope he holds out , then doesnt get his move, sulks all season and becomes a distraction to the squad.Then halfway into the season, he has a fight with another player and wengers has to sell him come January but by then the damage is already done and they struggle to make top 6

If Fabregas wants the move that badly then he should as for the transfer.

Reminds me of when Ruddock asked for a transfer at Spurs. The deal to Liverpool nearly fell through at the last moment because he asked for his loyalty payment from Spurs...despite asking for a transfer and leading the players rebellion against Alan Sugar. SPurs had to pay him the 150k loyalty payment because Ruddock had deliberately waited until after the 30th June before putting in the transfer request to ensure he was entitled to the money.

I have no issue with players moving for financial reasons, every man's right to make a living, but loyalty does go both ways.

That's the spirit!

I just can't stand how players pretend to be something they are not. He is trying to make himself look respectful to Arsenal and their fans but in reality all he wants to do is gain more out of this. Although, it won't happen, I would like to Arsenal make an example of him by just saying either give up your loyalty bonus or stay here. Why get a bonus when you're not being loyal?

So either way its win win for everyone else. He goes they lose a great player , he stays he will sulk his socks off. And lets be honest, i think he lost all respect from arsenal fans when he was caught with the Barca shirt on. But he did go up in my estimation after that so balance was resumed

It would be nice if players were just honest about the reason. I personally, as posted previously, do not have an issue with it...its just the BS around it.

Redknapp has revealed that Joe Cole agreed to sign for us last month and then suddenly the football reasons at Liverpool were too much to turn down...all 90 thousand of them per week.

I liked the honesty of Petrov when he chose Man City over Spurs. He said he chose City for 3 reasons...'1) Money, 2) Money, and guess what the 3rd one is!!?'.

lets just imagine one of our players was in this situation.
I'm sure we would say on here just let him go. We wouldn't want someone who isn't committed to us to put the shirt on.
I'm suprised Venger hasn't agreed the sale. Or is he just holding out for the right price??

either way Fabregas won't be at the Arse for too long.

I am a bit of a conspiracy theorist so I have my resverations about Arsenal's apparent resolve over not selling him. The key facts are that Wenger and Cesc spoke at the end of season, where Cesc expressed a desire to leave. He then went away with the spanish team and was qouted as saying he is leaving with it wenger in what was 'the greatest conversation he ever had' and whilst away with spain, told everyone of his desire to play for barca.

Does this really sound like a man who was told he can't go? I don't think so. Personally I think he was told when and for how much he will sold for. This message he relayed back to Barca (who then told gulliem balague of sky) and the coordinated media circus began between Arsenal, Cesc and Barcelona. The aim being that Arsenal appear the reluctant sellers and Cesc appears like the little spainard who just wanted to go home. Barca will look like the great side who brought their man home. Everyone wins.

it like berba with spurs. if the player wants to go leave him off, like levy done get as much as possible for him. the way harry is talking he has a few surprises i think to come. if in his position with the current spurs squad i would not be saying they could win the league, therefore i expect 2 or 3 big signings

He's also not doing himself any favours by saying we can win the league so you have to believe there's more to it. In the past Harry has been keen to downplay expectations to maximise credit. He's clearly targeting quality players and maybe this message was to those sitting on the fence over a move to spurs just outlining our ambition. The market so far has been very quiet. Everyone seems keen to sell and not so keen to buy, probably because they are all restricted to 25 pros now. All the mega rich clubs with massive squads are likely to let a lot of their players go for bargain basement prices when edge towards the deadline. Real Madrid, Inter Milan and even City have too many quality players.

It makes a change Redknapp being positive. Keep saying things like we are not big enough or cannot afford certain players is not a great way of attracting quality players.

well if spurs aim for the top they might have a chance of getting fourth. it also shows the players that nothing but the best will be good enough. it always sends out the wrong message to the players if you say the club will settle for top 6 finish. harry prob have to sell before he can buy

I know you might get a better price ( although you might miss out on a player altogether ) but why dont we sign players earlier? Especially with an early Champions League game to play, doesn't it make sense to get new signings bedded in to give us the best chance of a quick start and to steal a march on our rivals. We did well to get forth last term but City will definitely be up there this season (a la Chelsea) and Liverpool will also - they will risk ALL this year to get back in to the top 4 even if it means they will go bust. If anyone thinks we will finish top 4 and make progress in Champions League with the current squad then they are in cloud cuckoo land. We need 3 or 4 top top players to improve on what we have now and CAN get them as we are in Champions League, as long as we can be a bit imaginative with salaries. Is Bellamy for example a top top player to help us up the league and impress in Champions League or just similar standard to say Robbie Keane?

M K post 240. re hud the honey monster, he is a good player BUT!.
just because he has played at centre half dont mean he can tackle!
heskey plays up front mmm?.
arry is'nt the most astute tactician most people seem to say on this site,i certainly dont share your faith in his ability to play people
in the 'right'? place.
hud shoots with both feet! SO DO I, and he hits the target as much as me!!!. ever asked yourself why does kranks scores so many more as a
player harry rates less than hud? and plays right,left and subs often
its because he hits the target,and he's a better player.
hud is ok i dont dislike him,i think he should play less, and further
forward in league cup etc, imo we win often without much input from him,not because of it,he needs to be much more positive in his passing
sorry tom nothing personal(with jenas its personal).

When do we find out who we get in CLQ.??

I like Hudd best when he plays short crisp passes at speed.The long balls with much air are very rarely successful and easy to cut out and give possession to the opposition. thud is a gifted player the only thing holding him back is himself, his diet ,and his concenfakintration.If we are to maintain our progress Thudd needs to switched on all game every game.Of course we need a striker etc.

Play-Off draw will be made on Friday 6th August at 11.00am. The draw should be live on SSN.

I think the draw is on August 6th Wert. There's still a round of qualifiers to go yet before we enter.

You can't carry a central midfield player in a 442 and be successful so Huddlestone can't be all bad. I wouldn't class him as good as Carrick was for us but he gets the ball quickly to our attackers (esp. wingers) and that is important. We are an extremely quick side with Bale, Lennon and Defoe in the side and Hudd feeds all these players as well as Hudd. The trajectory of his passing, as Nobby, said is at times brilliant.

Haha, sorry. He does feed himself very well as we all know but I meant 'as well as Crouch'.

Think you will get the best out of Thudd as part of a 3 man midfield, part of two holding midfielders with Wilson (similar to the way Alonso though not as good played with Mascherano) and Modric ahead of them.

The question is can Defoe play up front on his own? I don't necessarily believe the lone striker has to be a big guy (obviously an advantage if he is, but not essential). As long as you have a good passing midfield with good movement from the striker you can play with a smaller forward.

If you play a style where you want to get the ball forward quickly, then you probably need a lump up front.

Why doesn't this site handle basic punctuation!!! It's bloody prehistoric compared to sites.

Part of post 274 should read that Thudd is not as good as Alonso!

I agree the one up front doesn't have to be a good guy but he's got to have element of selflessness about him in terms of his movement, his running and passing. Van Persie is brilliant at this. Torres is another who is not your traditional target man but makes it work with his movement. Rooney is another. Defoe, I don't think, is capable of it. Pav is a big guy and he's equally poor at this role. Crouch for a big guy doesn't possess a footballing brain. Keane would probably be the most intelligent runner out of strikers but he can't score finish his chances at the minute and looks off pace.

Supposed to read big guy not good guy.

defoe cannot play lone striker just look at his goals per games against the top teams an thats with a main striker playing along side him. hope spurs get easy draw, will be pis@ if spurs get knocked out without making champ league proper.

It would be a massive blow right at the start of the season. Everton failed at this hurdle, then also the first round of the UEFA Cup and it took them a couple of months to recover. So it would rock the boat and put pressure on the players and manager. For me, it won't take away from the achievement of last year. It will go down on record as our highest ever finish in the prem and we broke up the top 4 for the first time in 5 years. That can't be taken away. What happens in the qualifier is about this season. Hopefully we can start well. An italian side would be preferable to me as they are usually massively off the pace in August (e.g. easy to beat in friendlies).

I think Defoe's problem is lack of a football brain. He is 27 and still does not understand the offside rule!

I also think Defoe's finishing has gone backwards and not as good as 2-3 years ago. Then he had a variety of finishes (chips, dinks, placement, power) not he seems to just rely upon hit and hope.

If you look at the lack of quality finishing from our forwards (and on their day they are decent players) I am surprised that Sir Donkey Les has avoided criticism as the striking coach.

I am still unsure how Ferdinand got the job on 250k per year when Gary Lineker's offer for doing it free for a couple of days a week was turned down! Then I do not understand Sherwood originally being give the job of midfield coach on the same salary when, IMO, Glenn Hoddle would have been a much better appointment.

On second thoughts I do understand Sherwood's appointment, he is the business partner of Jamie Redknapp!!

If we were to get someone in to teach our forwards how to play up front intelligently....Sheringham would be my choice.

MKYid...Good call

Out of all of them I think there is more to come from Super Pav. And i still think Defoe will bang in for us next season. The trouble I think with Defoe, is england!! He seems more distracted by the international setup and with will he or wont he start than he does he does for his club. I actually think now the world cup is passed he will be back on form again for us.Doesnt make it right but just a thought

the pree must be pis@ off with harry. usually over the years he would tell them that he and the chairman are in talks with this club or this player. but this transfer window he is not saying much.

makes me laugh. "We coped with the dirty side of the game a lot better last year - the stuff teams have to do, such as work extremely hard for 90 minutes, get the tackles in and chase after lost causes. the hudd should practise whats he's talking about. or else watch wilson playing along side him

Raver...what gets me is that he is admitting that the players never tried before! I take this aspect of the game as a 'given', the basics of basics, not a new skill to be learnt.

Does he expect the supporters to be pleased that the overpaid players now actually put a bit of work and effort in rather than using THFC as a soft touch.

British footballers are so fecking thick.

i will be a lot happier if we buy a talented striker.

some of spurs over paid stars and a lot more prem stars should read this article. this man loves the game. http://tribalfootball.com/hull-captain-ashbee-ignored-medical-advice-retire-993891

tribal football the home of truth..... that site is not even worth a look .....

We welcome friendly rivalry and banter on the PushandRun comment boards, but racist or infantile homophobic abuse will result in your IP being banned. Report it! email: sgtseasalt@hotmail.com

If you would like to write articles that appear on PushandRun please contact sgtseasalt@hotmail.com