As fans it is all very well our demanding this or that player becomes the saviour of Tottenham Hotspur, but as in every window the element of panic dominates the media and Spurs debate, but is the really how things are?
Of course we as fans want the biggest and best players around, but equally we have to be realistic as to our standing in World football, but also our financial restrictions that make our competing with the best or more greedy players almost impossible.
Now, if we were to start the new season, with a fully fit squad and one top quality striker, I may not be dancing in the streets, but I would be quite happy, that we have not only improved a very decent squad, but also added experience to those already established, but perhaps also other younger player who may well add a missing ingredient, such as Kyle Walker at full back.
My hopes for a new playing shape don’t look like happening, so I am guessing we will again go with a four man midfield, with Rafael Van der Vaart supporting one striker, though please God, that will be someone who an score and cause real mayhem in the opposing box, so do we really need that extra midfielder, unless we sell several squad players?
Selling may well be the key to so many problems in Tottenham’s development. We laugh at Man City for their inability to offload so many players due to their massive wages, but in reality, we are just a mini City, because we cannot sell our ‘deadwood’ because they earn too much for those below us.
I would be very happy to see our selling as many as ten squad players, and only bring in two or three replacements, but our chances of selling that many look to be decreasing by the day, as a mixture of our seemingly demanding big money, but also the player not wanting to lose money or drop down levels, especially if it also involves major relocation, and if we were in their shoes, perhaps we would do exactly the same.
In the resignation that we simply can’t get rid of everyone, I would be happy to accept compromise, and bring in one top quality No9 and sell five players and loan a couple more. Nothing earth-shattering and we may very well be under-whelmed with what is perceived as another disappointing season, but if we keep the players we want and add that one player to put the ball in the net and we would be better than last season, I’m sure.
Surely we would be stronger with retaining Modric, having a fitter VdV, seeing Huddlestone, Bale, Kaboul and Gallas (maybe even Ledley) play more often, whilst also seeing youngsters like Rose and Walker step in and freshen things us, in adding cover and maybe more this season.
Season upon season, we have had a revolving door policy, where we use a scatter-gun approach to squad selection and a buying policy that seemed to look at style over substance as opposed to what we really needed, but this has to change, and a more measured approach is spot on, if we are to develop, whilst maintaining some stability
My wish for us to off load as many as ten players, contradicts my ideal of a stable squad, but when we look at the likes of Keane, Bentley, Gio and the already departed, O’Hara, 40% weren’t with us last season anyway. Add Pletikosa, who has already gone, Alnwick who is on trial with Middlesbrough, we don’t have to make drastic changes or deplete the squad to any extent. Hutton makes way for Walker, a striker or two leave to make way for the new one, and we only move on the likes of Kranjcar, JJ, Palacios or Bassong if they look to force the issue or we bring in a replacement.
We all look at moves that have already happened and wonder why we haven’t made a greater effort, but will our stability work in our favour, at least early on? Liverpool, have spent big, but what have they really added in terms of best eleven quality? I like Charlie Adam, but is he merely cover for Steven Gerrard? Stuart Downing would appear to be a good buy, but he might well be a slow starter, whilst Jordan Henderson, simply doesn’t fit into that eleven at this time.
Chelsea have a potentially outstanding coach, but will his ideas be instantly embraced, especially without new faces? Arsenal have the massive cloud over their heads at the prospect of losing Fabregas and Nasri, and if they go or are forced to stay, what impact will that have, whilst also making the likes of Robin Van Persie look at his own future.
The Manchester’s will both be undergoing big change this summer, United’s enforced by age and retirement, whilst City simply have to spend, simply because… But time will tell whether they can retain a cohesive squad, and what is to become of the team of outcasts that could cause major problems with dressing room harmony over the coming weeks. Losing a 30 goal a season striker in Tevez, should he ever leave, is a massive space to fill, and will Aguero be the instant success? Will Dzeko cut it and will the mad Italian keep his head?
Tottenham’s position may not be perfect and we all know we can improve, but are we really in the desperate position many like to portray? We may not be spending the money of many around us, but equally can you be certain that those clubs have really strengthened or just spent to replace others of equal quality?
United have lost Van der Saar, Scholes, Hargreaves and Neville, but have they replaced those midfielders and will the new keeper be in instant hit or be consumed by the pressure, as others have before him? Liverpool still haven’t got that left back or mobile centre half, and what happens if they lose Suarez or Carroll?
Spurs may well have to be content with another 5th or even 6th this coming season, but success may well have to be considered as keeping within touching distance, as opposed to catching up, but for all our demands for this and that player, perhaps one quality striker will be all we need to actually make the big boys sweat and who knows even eclipse them…
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