Spurs's Challenge

Let me introduce myself, A spurs fan for 50 years plus, born and bred near enough to have grown up at the Lane, but now living here in India.  I thought I’d share with you my thoughts for the rest of this window.  Feel free to comment and disagree, as long as you say way. 

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The club are going into this season with a much stronger squad than last.  We had a great first XI but some of the back up players were not suited for the way AVB wants to play.  With a few more tweaks we could have a squad that can really challenge on all four fronts.  I still expect there to be six teams going for four CL places, an absolute minimum for us this season.
I do believe however that we can finish top three and win a trophy this season.

We have already signed two world class players in Soldado and Paulinho.   Chadli we know is a very talented and an exciting young player. Our fourth signing, whom I haven’t seen much of, Capoue really looked good on Sunday. Very Happy!

So my wish list for the last few days of the window is - Midfield is our big problem. We clearly need a playmaker with the guile to find space and deliver the killer pass.  I want to see more of Tommy Carroll but don’t think he is ready for 60 games, we need a squad.  Reliable news outlets are now reporting we could have landed William.  If that goes through he would be a great addition. If not I’ve watched Eriksen at Ajax for last two seasons and would be happy with him.  

We need someone up front to help take the load of Soldado.   My first thought is go for a plan B old style target man, but the name of Lamela at Roma has been in the papers regularly.  He does looks good, but a different style of player, not convinced Roma want to sell, and now they have let Osvaldo go it eases their money problems. Lamela looks a great player, but is 30 million too high?  We still have Defoe, he will want more game time in world cup year. Like Townsend both rumored to have asked to go if not going to be starters.  I just cant see Defoe being anything more than an impact sub.  A role he isn’t too keen on.  Of course there’s Ade ! He was great for us two years ago, last year he did not show up. He needs to feel loved, and wont like being second (or third) choice, (the most fined player last year). Sorry cant see him delivering personally.   At same time finding someone to pay his wages might be a problem.

In my opinion we still need to strength the defence.  We only have three specialist CB’s, we need, at least, one more.  As well as Benny looking like he is gone,(rumor has it he is going to France if he can pass the medical). That leaves us short of numbers with another 60 odd games to go.  We have been linked with a number so far,  I’d be happy with Chicheres (possibly going to Roma).  Alderweireld (another Ajax player)  has always struck me as a solid player and can play across the back four and has partnered  Vertonghen before.  Of course Coentro at LB has been linked most of the summer, but still not sure about him.  I still see Rose as a work in progress and certainly not ready for 60 games at this level.  

So as the windows starts to run down our DoF will be clocking up the air miles and the phone bill.    Lets not forget the club also seem keen on several young players for the future, whom I know little about,  Halilov the 17 year from Croatia. He does look promising.  Rebic (another Croatian) did well at Under 20 world cup, and Nedelev, 21 yr old midfielder from Bulgaria. I do like signing young unknowns.   

So over to you who do we will want to see holding up the shirt in these next few days ? Or are you happy with what we have?  Look forward to hearing from you.


About the author:
Keith Harrison, Nilgiris, TN