Vital Spurs Debate Section

Tottenham: Is Harry Kane In An Awkward Position At Spurs

|

Harry is recognised by most supporters as the complete footballer. I don’t think anyone can logically dispute this. He is in the Tottenham Hotspur team to score goals and he has proved capable of scoring with his left foot, right foot, and his head, on a remarkably consistent basis. That is indisputable, too.

But part of being a ‘complete footballer’ means he has many other attributes, too. He can defend, he can spot key passes, he can hold up the ball, he remains cool in possession, rarely panics, and he can read the game extremely well. Like all top players, he has a football brain and his thinking is often ahead of his colleagues. He has the ability to know what is happening around him before he gets the ball, much like Modric had (I’m not comparing them beyond this).

Playing a more defensive style of football, as we currently are, means that Harry is often isolated in a forward position and sometimes far less involved in the match. This often sees him dropping back to find the ball and get more involved. By dropping back he takes up the space that midfielders use and leaves a gap going forward when Spurs make a break. Not always, but it happens.

There is continual discussion among Spurs supporters about the need for a back-up striker, mainly in the event that Harry gets injured. But what would happen if Spurs did not opt for a back-up, bench warming striker, but went for a recognised target striker instead (for a name we would need to refer to Jod).

What would the team look like with a new number nine, and Harry playing as a number ten. In other words (to clarify for older supporters) a new centre forward and Harry in an inside forward position. We already have a nice choice of fast, tricky players, to occupy other attacking positions.

Personally, I doubt that such a shift in position would affect Harry’s goal scoring feats as he would continue to find himself with goals scoring opportunities. And, with more freedom to roam, I would imagine that his reading of the game and passing ability would lead to many more goals from the assists he could make.

Harry is certainly not old, but he is getting older and it could well be that he will need to drop back in two or three years as part of the natural order of things. Maybe it would be beneficial to both the team, and him, if this happens sooner rather than later. And it would allow his all-round attributes to come into play.

Once again, I am not advocating this, just throwing it out for general discussion. Gotta love football!

Share this article

0 comments

  • Hot Tottingham says:

    In fact with Man City, they were in the 3rd division (Div 2), as recently as 98-99. So, that is during PL times…

    I only point this out to show how different things are at the top now and how quickly things can change for a club…

    And it ain’t no coincidence that it was big, big money that turned around Chelsea and City’s fortunes…

    Spurs will follow suit… Covid has put things back a fair bit… But we will get back on track before too long. I’m certain…

    Meanwhile, Spurs still do have some very good footballers at the club… Skilful and talented players… They have just had a bad season as a team… That is all…. But, we have had much worse and not so long ago…

    Up the Spurs!

  • PompeyYid says:

    Morning all, I am with HT there, we do have some very good skillful and talented players at the club and yes last season was poor, it happens, I think we will see a completely different attitude and play next season.

    I am going for a fight, making 4th place in the Prem with a cup. COYS

  • PompeyYid says:

    Morning WW, I know am in the same oldun age bracket at yourself, and have some very wonderful memories of the great Spurs heyday, but they are what they are..wonderful memories, so yourself, me included and others have got to try and stop “Living in the Past” Jethro Tull LOL! lets try and be more positive because today’s pro’ football is a completely different world to our memory times. COYS

  • Niall D says:

    WW was only joking re your selection m8. Some gr8 names from the past. But I must agree with HT on his assertion here. With those players we were no where really league ways.
    I remember looking at other teams who won Premier leagues over the years and on many occasions man for man we were a better team. That is to say when I looked at their teams there were very few players I would have swopped for those we had. For example how many of the 2016 Leicester Prem winning team would we have taken in Tottenham or even Chelsea’s last prem winning team, again there were very few man for man that I would’ve swopped.

  • block 108 spurs says:

    WW mentioned a long list of past players….. and said spurs fans are not used to second best.

    While our past players were very good quality, truth is THFC have been nearly men for over 35 years now, (since billy nick / keith b.) that the amount of seasons we have been forced to get used to 2nd best. It can be said Levy is responsible, the reality is we left the rebuild of stadium / training facilities to drag on 10 years longer than we needed., for a number of reasons we all know. Also the team had to perform and qualify for CL which Harry did, then finances improved enfield training ground built from 1st yr CL money, and we made the CL Final 2019.

    So now we are back in Europa League after a bad season of internal players disruption, (ericsson etc) manager upset, Jose arrival. The players / fans need to get ourselves together and move on…as HT says… the past is gone the future awaits. COYS

  • Geofspurs says:

    PY …. It’s the natural order of things for supporters to relive good memories. At the same time we should always look forward. But remember, if we win the league next season it will only be another memory the following season.

    • PompeyYid says:

      Geofspurs, yes it is the natural order of things regards memories, if you read what I said I was trying to say we cannot keep living in the past, its gone all done n dusted, we have to try and look forward to what might or might not happen, as you say more memories, but also remember the great memories are of how long ago? some on here will only have written info on the long ago past memories, though maybe drawn out “lets all try and live for now and a very good future”. COYS

  • wentworth says:

    have to disagree HT. We have a pretty weak squad of whom only Kane, Son and Lloris would get near any of the top 4 squads. Its not about winning silverware; its about playing with style and flair. Football is entertainment and I want to enjoy watching Spurs play fast, possession, attacking football not rhe boring defensive stuff that Jose dished out at the end of the season. Yes we need to move on but lets bring the enjoyment back into playing the beautiful game. I do not want another season dying of boredom. Always living in hope that we will play the Spurs way.

  • jod says:

    Wentworth – Couple of points on Lo Celsco. Firstly I never judge a player until he’s had a complete season in the premier league if he comes in from abroad so to me its too early to make any conclusions (same with Ndombele although there I am worried as to his mental strength). Secondly he’s not a passer, he’s someone who carries the ball forward so I’m not sure you are really using the right criteria. Not sure what you mean by “Spurs fans are not used to second best”. To be the best you have to win the League, or maybe the Champions League. We haven’t done either in all the years I’ve been going to the ground, so how are we not used to second best ? Playing pretty football is one thing, winning trophies quite another.

  • Hot Tottingham says:

    I do take on board what you are saying Wentworth. But the quality of our players is one thing and Jose’s style of football is another. Jose will have better options with better players (same for all managers/coaches) but his tactical outlook will be pretty much the same. Even if he had a Modric, Bale and/or Eriksen in the team ……………………

    I agree with jod. We have been second best not just recently but throughout most of our history.

    And, great and winning teams are not the same thing as having great individual players in non-winning teams. And I have been bored senseless watching many of those greats you mentioned playing in poor teams as well as the occasional very good team. But we were never very consistent with any of them.

    I’m with you on preferring more entertaining football as opposed to Jose’s more pragmatic approach. Thing is, Jose is the man right now. But we do have players that will still shine in a Jose team. Flair players usually can’t help themselves. It’s why in Son we can at least say that we have a player that was voted with the best PL goal last season in what was considered a poor footballing season for THFC… . And I really do think you are underrating the rest of them. And even though I’m no JM fan, I do know that he likes flair players too. He just prefers them to have some bite and industry to their play as well… Which is no bad thing. As it is a team game after all…. All for one and one for all! Whether your Son or Winks. Lo Celso or Kane.

  • TQ2Spurs says:

    HT…”Flair players usually can’t help themselves”.

    I really hope so HT, in the last few games of the season you could see Sonny’s frustration at having to curb his natural instincts to attack in order to cover the full back.

  • Geofspurs says:

    PY …. I wasn’t disagreeing with you, mate …. just adding to the memory perspective. To be honest, I think you and I (and several other VS members) have more great memories than most supporters can aspire to in one lifetime. We are some of the lucky few. Hopefully there will be more to come. Hopefully it will result in silverware but, if not, I’ll settle for watching more of the kind of football we were playing a couple of seasons back because that was beautiful entertainment.

    WW …. I totally agree with your comment about playing with style, and the entertainment aspect. That, as I’ve boringly said on numerous occasions, is exactly how I feel. But I do agree with HT that you are underrating our squad.

  • PompeyYid says:

    Geofspurs, I know you weren’t disagreeing with me, its just I have this thing about comparing the brilliant memories us oldies have with today, and yes we are the lucky ones, but I do believe our time is coming again, slowly but surely.

    I well remember “that speech” by a Mr DB, and sometimes today I wish he had never said it, at the time the football game we all love was a game of sport, though its still called sport it is more a big money business now, thus his speech does not fit today, for me big dosh/cash = success, simple as that, our owners are never going to throw personnel cash at us, like the deep pocket brigade do at other clubs, I might be just digging a bloody deep hole for myself here, so I will shut up LoL! COYS

  • wentworth says:

    Just love the banter on here. Sometimes, I make statements to provoke a response. They are opinions and of course many will disagree. However, there is one thing for sure, I cannot be accused of wearing rose coloured spectacles (varifocals!!)in our current situation. The latter part of the season was awful and I am so glad I did not have to take my two football/Spurs mad grandsons to endure some of the negative, defensive games we had to play. I am still puzzled that a player needs yet another season to settle in (after 28 games) or I quote “he is not a passer of the ball”. Shouldn’t a midfielder be able to pass,shoot, take free kicks and dominate the midfield? Not so long ago, all our first team was made up of current internationals. Oh no. I am looking back again. I am looking forward to leaping out of my seat at a fantastic goal, scored after flowing attacking football. I have seen hundreds since 1955. Football is entertainment first, followed by glory. I am really worried that Jose is no longer the man. The squad we have is nowhere near good enough to compete with top 4. I want to be proven wrong. It is what I see. Time will tell. I would prefer my grandsons not to have to leave our magnificent stadium with bored expressions. ( I am also a fan of Jethro Tull,(Living in the Past!) as well as AC/DC (great entertainment, Fleetwood Mac (50 years still going strong), Queen (Freddie best frontman of all time). Anyway, I need HT’s specs to see our squad in a different light. Perhaps, I have overlooked someone or missed something.

    • PompeyYid says:

      Hey WW, I think there is another song for you to go with your list….Dreaming! lol!

      And yes I agree there is some great banter regards opinions on here, well played mate. COYS

  • wentworth says:

    By the way, I have just received a free pass to watch our 3 pre season games.

  • TQ2Spurs says:

    I was going to sign up to One Hotspur to get free access but the club aren’t accepting new members until September. Seems a bit daft to me. We’ll have to find a screen sharing app and all watch yours Wentworth. 🙂

  • Niall D says:

    WW
    It’s is lovely to play with flair, like many here I probably started supporting Spurs because of their cavalier style of football. At almost 58 I have never seen us lift the league title/trophy. Long time, and to think I had to listen to the whinges of the Liverpool fans who “only” had to wait 30 years.
    WW I love the entertaining football we played over most of the last 5 years. It was like a roller coaster ride in many ways ups and downs enjoyment and excitement. But just like a roller-coaster ride many of us needed a sick bag at the end of it.
    Whilst I take your points on board, wind up or not, I agree with Jod and HT, I think we will have better options after the TW. I know many think Man C and Liverpool are streets ahead, but look at last season we took 4 out of 6 points at City and were very unlucky to come away with nothing at L/pool.
    I can see us easily top 4 next season, playing better than this year,
    We will be stronger, harder to beat, maybe a bit more workman like in our performance. I thought after the Covid break there were signs of improvement.
    As the guys said and I have said myself. Let’s give, LoCeslo, N’Dombele and particularly Mourinho a full season to see what they bring to the field of play.
    We are not that far away folks a bit of luck even at the end, and we were playing CL football next season.

    • PompeyYid says:

      Hey ND, am another who agree’s with you there, your last 6 lines in your post = 100%. COYS

  • Geofspurs says:

    Enjoy Portugal, Jan …. always a Spur!

  • TQ2Spurs says:

    2-7 against Bayern feels like a good result now! lol

  • TQ2Spurs says:

    Hi DW, yes, I think the issue where a new page appears then disappears again for a while still applies, it’s no big deal, at least the main problem is solved and you can see for yourself the positive reaction to the site working mostly ok again!

    • Danny Winter says:

      I’ll have to try and replicate it, if I can spot it, I’ll forward on but at least it’s not major. Yes, nice to see the site buzzing better again.

  • jod says:

    Anyone see the interview with Hojbjerg ? This guy is about as far from a flair player as you can get. He has a reputation of being a leader, not someone who “leads by example” but someone who yells at people if they aren’t doing their job. If he lives up to the hype I’ll be happy, to me we’ve needed a real leader for a long time. But its not going to do anything for people who only want flair and pretty football.

Comments are closed.