Do we really need new full-backs?

[SurreySpur]

Both Lee and Stalteri have made a few schoolboy errors especially towards the business end of the season but i reckon they will both come good next year. I've just seen that we've been linked with Chimbonda of wigan and Glen johnson of Chelsea, i dont think either of these are any better than our current backs. Wayne Bridge may be a decent aquisition but maybe as a left winger playing in front of Lee, but seeing as how he'll cost around 5/6 million i think the money would be better spent elsewhere especially as Reto Ziegler will be returning to the club in the summer.

[nuttyhotspurs]

get real! lets not buy a decent and proven left back/winger like bridge because ziegler is coming back in the summer.

we are a team striving for champions league so god help us if we are relying on players like zeigler to help us with the push next season. ziegler is not guaranteed a place in the wigan team every week so i highly doubt he is good enough to push into the spurs starting 11 at the minute.

dont get me wrong he is a good young player but we need "better" young players if they are to make a difference. he was given chances when he first came to spurs and didnt exactly light up the place, unlike Bridge at southampton when he came through the ranks and played a whole season for them without being left out once. his consistency attracting the attention of chelsea (not wigan)

bridge would be an fantastic addition to ANY team in the permiership

[SharX]

we definitely need a right back. Stalteri is not a dependable full back. if he plays a good match, its either in defense (as the second half of the ManU game) or in attack (like the Everton game) but never both. his performance has not been consistent by far, and we deserve a better right back if we want to play European football next year, or if we want a better Premiership position.

don't let the ManUtd mistake rush a misjudgement, Lee is a good back. a few mistakes but I believe he's good enough for now at least. I wouldn't mind swapping him for Chimbonda though. I've been watching this chap and he is quite a player.

[Spur]

Out of Bridge and Lee to play left-wing you choose Bridge? Despite Bridge being better defensiely and Lee being better attacking...

We need a proven everything nowadays, old or young I dont care, i'd happily take Maldini and Cafu despite having huge wages and being 90. If they can do the job we need to be done, that means CL or Pushing to get to CL, then get them.

If we don't get this thing this year, next year we can win a cup and get CL football to make me happy. Left-back maybe, right back, left wing and strikers are a defo.

[TomMcLaren]

Left-back maybe, right back, left wing and strikers are a defo.

I agree - we need someone versitile at the back, preferably a utility full back who can fill in anywhere...

[JJ]

Either way we need cover. We need 2 players for each side. I don't think that Lee and Stalteri are particularly bad, we just need to beat the mistakes out of them.

[Spur]

We don't need two different players for each side though. I'm quite sure Lee could play both. Otherwise it's just a waste of money.

[jg_yido]

I think Stalteri has been pretty solid since returning after being dropped. Its seems the competition from kelly has improved him. Considering he was up against ronaldo on monday, i felt 90% of the times he dealt with him well. Lee made a bad mistake but i think is improving and adapting each game that goes by. Once again its his only real mistake so far and it was against Utd!

[Pogster]

i think new fullbacks are needed. don't get me wrong i do rate our full backs but who are they competing against? stalteri Vs Kelly? Lee Vs ? in my opinion Kelly is not good enough for the champions league and Lee has no competition. I'm reckon Trabelsi would be a great addition for the right back position.

[highlander]

we seem to have 3 full backs all displaying the 'jack of all trades master of none' quality in that they can all do everything but not particularly greatly. lee is a right-footed left back, or as i call it a right back, stalteri can play left back left wing right back & right wing and kelly can play all along the back 4. i think 1 more utility man should do it and secure kelly's services for longer as i believe his contract runs out at the end of the season.

[SurreySpur]

from all the press reports it seemed that trabelsi was on his way to the arse but since their youngsters have done alright he's been put on the backburner. Seems to be us or the toon as a likely destination, does anyone know much about him?

[SharX]

from all the press reports it seemed that trabelsi was on his way to the arse but since their youngsters have done alright he's been put on the backburner. Seems to be us or the toon as a likely destination, does anyone know much about him?
he's a very good back. very fast runner, good control of the ball, excellent beckham-like crosses. he's a bit poor in defense though. most of the headers Mido scored with Ajax were of his crosses. i'll up some videos later.


anyway, he seems to be on his way to InterMilan :(

[Spur]

Never no way Jose, Inter have a great right-back and he happens to be their skipper.

[SharX]

Inter are definitely the closest:
http://www.jadransport.org/articles/2748.html
http://www.eurosport.com/football/serie-a/2005-2006/sport_sto866739.shtml
http://www.tribalfootball.com/april/italnews120406.html


here's a couple of Mido's goals with Ajax. both crossed by Hatem Trabelsi:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/yskhatib/th_sparta_ajax_0-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v337/yskhatib/?action=view&current=sparta_ajax_0-1.flv)
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v337/yskhatib/th_ajax_groningen_1-1.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v337/yskhatib/?action=view&current=ajax_groningen_1-1.flv)

[Spur]

Trabelsi has already stated that he knows where he is going, he said this about a month ago im sure. Why would he have a medical now rather than when everything was signed?

This is press speculation im sure of it.

[TomMcLaren]

Have to say that seond goal was a bit of a hit and hope punt it in to the area. And the first was a massive mistake by the keeper...

[SharX]

Trabelsi has already stated that he knows where he is going, he said this about a month ago im sure. Why would he have a medical now rather than when everything was signed?

This is press speculation im sure of it.
the medical was last week, confirmed by all media. i dont see him taking any serious steps anywhere else. so until something changes, it seems he's headed to Inter.

[Spur]

http://www.soccerway.com/news/2006/march/6/tottenham-hotspur-to-sign-trabelsi
www.magharebia.com/co****/ awi/xhtml1/en_GB/date/2006-03-07
home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=368570& CPID=8&clid=&lid=3&title=Spurs+to+hijack+Trabelsi+bid

I believe a Boom-shaka-laka is in order (",)

[SharX]

http://www.soccerway.com/news/2006/march/6/tottenham-hotspur-to-sign-trabelsi
www.magharebia.com/co****/ awi/xhtml1/en_GB/date/2006-03-07
home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=368570& CPID=8&clid=&lid=3&title=Spurs+to+hijack+Trabelsi+bid

I believe a Boom-shaka-laka is in order (",)
yes, we've all read that I believe. but these were rumours about Spurs wanting Hatem. no facts to confirm anything about the transfer. plus it's over 6 weeks old.

the only fact we know is that he flew to Italy to test for InterMilan. and that was last week.

we desperately need new backs, especially right, and i would very glad if it was Trabelsi, but it doesn't look like happening, mate :(

[Spur]

Are you forgetting the phrase 'I know where i'm going' which is what I was talking about from the start..?

Your argument is press reports - so is mine. All of the specualation yesterday was just specualation, 'believed he had a medical', it was believed the world was flat, turned out to be a bit rounder...(",)

[TomMcLaren]

Can't believe you guys are arguing about press speculation...

[Houdini logic]

Pssh, I'm sure we'll sign some suitable, decent players for the full back positions to make some healthy competition.

And who was it that said Stalteri was been really inconsistant?
Total bullshit mate, before his Sunderland howler, he'd been one of out most reliable players this season!

[TomMcLaren]

He has screwed up a number of times, got turned against Blackburn (as well as a blatent handball) and a few other teams that I forget...

[SharX]

Are you forgetting the phrase 'I know where i'm going' which is what I was talking about from the start..?

Your argument is press reports - so is mine. All of the specualation yesterday was just specualation, 'believed he had a medical', it was believed the world was flat, turned out to be a bit rounder...(",)
yes, exactly. he seems he's made his mind but not willing to let us know before it's official. so we'll never know before anyone else. it's just specualtion, and i mentioned that the only story that surfaced so far is the Inter one. could be true, or not. you never know. im not arguing that Inter are signing him for certain, it's just the only news we have, thats all.

[SharX]

Pssh, I'm sure we'll sign some suitable, decent players for the full back positions to make some healthy competition.
me too. the club is now in the position to attract the best players.

And who was it that said Stalteri was been really inconsistant?
Total bullshit mate, before his Sunderland howler, he'd been one of out most reliable players this season!
before and after Sunderland, examples:
before: Charlton, Fulham, Liverpool
after: Chelsea, Wigan

im not blaming him for our bad results, but it just seems to me that he is not good enough in defense. most of time he is caught out of position, and is easily out-runned by the opponent. it pisses me off to see him involved in most of the goals we concede, bad marking (Kewell's goal, Kanu's first), outrunned (Chelsea), carelessness (Sunderland).
and to be fair, he was quite good before Christmas. i remember a few matches when he really impressed me, but i think we can use a better full back especially if we want to impress in Europe next season.

[TomMcLaren]

I think he also was a bit upset to be dropped for Kelly, and has done well the last couple of games.

[Fulton]

Lee Young-Pyo has the credentials in his game to become a useful player even after his craziness against United on Monday, but he needs competition in his place if we are to see the best of him. As far as Stalteri, he has proved on a number of occasions that he isn't reliable and can play at the level that we require. With World Class centre backs, we need to bring the side backs into check for definite. I would say a Right Back is a definite acquisition for the summer.

[Welsh Spur]

don't agree, can't say i've thought that stalteri is a bad player, been quite impressed this season, and also by lee, just couldn't understand what he was thinkin last weekend! I do agree with the comments about raising competition for these two players. I think it would be a good thing.

[Spur]

He can't header. At least Noe Pamarot could header.

[spurs61]

Do we really need to ask this question?

It is perfectly apparent to me that in a fairly solid defensive unit, our full backs are the weak link. I don't have too much of a problem with Stalteri who is at least consistent if a bit limited in going forward. The serious problem is Lee.

Now I know of lot of you think he's a decent player BUT, what does he actually do in terms of a positive contribution? This is a player who was hailed as the best left-back in Holland with the attacking verve of Roberto Carlos, have we seen any evidence of this? Sure, he does get forward but when have we seen him put a half decent cross into the box? Every time Lee goes forward we all know it will usually result in a counter-attack in the space Lee have vacated. Frankly I'd rather have Edman at left-back, ok he was fairly limited like Stalteri but how mank goals did he cost us last season, he also weighed in with one stunning strike and a few assists, how many of these has Lee got?! At least Edman allowed Ziegler or Reid to push on a bit, anyone who starts out on the left at the moment must be petrified about being left exposed by Lee's tactical naivety. The guy is a liability both as a defender and as an attacking full-back, how many decent moves and counter-attacks breakdown on our left flank because Lee decides to knock the ball ten yards back? And how many goals has he cost us? I think we have to accept that he simply is not good enough in any way and if we are to progress as we have over the past two seasons his position is the first one we need to address. Can you imagine Lee facing Ronaldinho or Kaka next season, it's bad enough knowing that he's got to contend with Henry on Saturday........


Rant Over!

[Welsh Spur]

Does anyone know why Edman was allowed to leave in the first place? I remember being rather shocked finding that out last summer....

[SurreySpur]

Henry generally plays from the left hand side so he'll be up against stalteri which is a damn sight better. I like the balance between Stalteri and Lennon on the right, they really compliment each other and should be left to improve next season. Lee maybe needs a solid leftsided midfielder before we see the best of him.

[Fulton]

Am I wrong in saying that we have a Right footed Left Back and a Left footed Right back? Says it all really why the balls aint going into the box

[spurs61]

Lee maybe needs a solid leftsided midfielder before we see the best of him.

He might work at left midfield, that way even when he does go forward and inevitably loses the ball, we actually have some cover. Lat season Edman and Ziegler had a great understanding whereby they did not have set positions, one merley covered the other when they went forward, it even worked when Atouba played!

[SurreySpur]

Am I wrong in saying that we have a Right footed Left Back and a Left footed Right back? Says it all really why the balls aint going into the box


Is Stalteri Left footed? He may be comfortable using his left but he's always been a right back hasn't he?

[JJ]

Am I wrong in saying that we have a Right footed Left Back and a Left footed Right back? Says it all really why the balls aint going into the box

Stalteri is right footed. Almost entirely.

[SurreySpur]

Do you reckon Lee will be up for showing what he's made of in the North London Derby or will he shirk it? Is there a case for throwing edgar in at Left-back?

[spurs61]

I'd play Edgar at left-back assuming Taino is fit

[SurreySpur]

edgar did a brilliant job at left back for barca when he joined them on loan, some say he was the main reason for their season turning round, personally i would say Ronaldinho/Deco/guilly/Eto'o/Xavi had something to do with it too!!
Baring in mind he would be up against Pires or Hleb(incidently thats the noise i make when i clear my throat) it won't be a case of him being beaten for pace which is what has been happening over the past month in midfield.

[SharX]

i dont think Edgar would do a good job as left back. he has a tendency for getting booked, and might cause us fouls from dangerous spots. i say play Lee otherwise his confidence will be chattered and it'll be extremely difficult to gain it in the future.

[SurreySpur]

In any other game i wouldnt be to bothered but arsenal operate so well down the flanks with henry pulling out left and Pires or hleb out right that it worries me, especially with ledley missing in the middle. Dawson has got to grab the game by the scruff of the neck and keep his defence working around him. Carrick may also have to be slightly more vocal over the 90mins and share the responsibilty with dawson. We can do this, we're better than the lot down the road.

[highlander]

in the last game against united carrick proved he can actually tackle and i think he'll be covering the back four a lot more until the return of ledders and i have a sneaking suspicion he will comeback before the season is out.

[SurreySpur]

I hope so, if ledley does get back before then end of the season that would give the team such a boost.

[highlander]

well were told its 3-4 weeks if we're being optimistic that was 3 weeks on easter monday and we know ledley plays through the pain and is a great athlete so it wouldnt suprise me if he played at west spam

[SurreySpur]

If Ledley made it back for the game at the hammers it would be excellent as either they would be looking forward to the cup final or have nothing to play for. We'll probably do them anyway :)