Who have we missed more this season?

[Shuggie13]

There are cases for all three. Carrick has been discussed countless times, Ledley is obvious but I put forward the argument that had Davids remained at the club he would have galvanised the team and inspired like last season. Huddlestone for one would have benefited hugely with his help. I still reckon last season David's influence was good for 1 or 2 places in the league.

[SurreySpur]

I agree with you about missing Davids influence, he was massive for us last season.
But i would have to say that we have missed Ledley the most, He's such a steadying influence on Dawson and the rest of the defence. I know i wont be alone in this but i always feel extremely confident when i see ledleys name on the teamsheet, regardless of who we are playing against.

[Shuggie13]

I agree Surrey, Ledley's absence is huge but there are going to be times when we can not rely on him. Dawson is obviously the heir to Ledley's throne, again with David's guidance this season he would of undoubtedly taken some of the pressure of off him.

[GOONHATER]

Carrick Was The Man For Me,as We Havent Really Filled The Spot For Him This Season,also My Thoughts Are That We Would Have Finished A Lot Stronger With Him And Berby Would Of Had A Lot More Creativity Around Him Too!

[Shuggie13]

I guess I could add to this poll, what have we missed more.......

1. Creativity.
2. Defensive stability.
3. Influence and experience.

[GOONHATER]

I guess I could add to this poll, what have we missed more.......

1. Creativity.
2. Defensive stability.
3. Influence and experience.
GOOD POINT SHUGGIE, BUT I WOULD GET WRITERS BLOCK IF WE STARTED GOING DOWN THAT ROAD MATE.

[MaccYid]

Whist all 3 have been missed for various reasons the simple fact is that if you can't defend you are at massive disadvantage before you have even started. We have conceded 52 goals FFS.

Therefore i would say King

[Ginola's Son]

Carrick IMO, King is a Spurs legend, but we still leak goals even with him in defence, Carrick has left a huge void. His passing precision is second to none, him and Zokora in the middle would have been amazing.

[Gino Ginelli]

Carrick all the way for me. Worked his socks off, never got flustered, broke up play, and had terrific distribution. Our midfield is pale reflection without him.

[MaccYid]

Carrick IMO, King is a Spurs legend, but we still leak goals even with him in defence, Carrick has left a huge void. His passing precision is second to none, him and Zokora in the middle would have been amazing.

true but surely we wouldnt have conceded so many, therefore not putting the pressure on the strikers to get 3 goals in a game to win / draw

[Spur]

Mikey C without doubt. I'd pay double what we sold him for to get him back. He's not finished with Spurs yet, he'll be back one day.

[Ginola's Son]

true but surely we wouldnt have conceded so many, therefore not putting the pressure on the strikers to get 3 goals in a game to win / draw

Rocha and Gardner were rarely disastrous.

[MaccYid]

Rocha and Gardner were rarely disastrous.

Rocha - semi final of carling cup..... I know we would be higher up the league if it was a striaght chocie between King or Carrick

[Ginola's Son]

Rocha - semi final of carling cup.....

Hence the 'rarely'

That was an unfortunate trip too.

[jrio]

Mikey C without doubt. I'd pay double what we sold him for to get him back. He's not finished with Spurs yet, he'll be back one day.
???? You'd pay over £30m, maybe even up to £40m? The only time he's coming back is when ManU visit.

Undoubtedly we've struggled to adjust without him and integrate Zokora in midfield. Berb would have looked even more impressive on the end of Carrick passes. The amount of games in which we've conceded 3 goals, even with King, tells its own story.

[MaccYid]

Hence the 'rarely'

That was an unfortunate trip too.

so you would prefer to have Carrick over King given the choice??

[Ginola's Son]

That was not the question. The question is who have we missed, since King is still a Tottenham player and Carrick is not, I feel i'm justified in naming Carrick.

[Spur]

Undoubtedly we've struggled to adjust without him and integrate Zokora in midfield. Berb would have looked even more impressive on the end of Carrick passes. The amount of games in which we've conceded 3 goals, even with King, tells its own story.

Undoubtedly, Carrick and Berba together would have been sensational.

[TURKISH]

I think if you look at how many goals we have conceded this year you may have to side with king. But carrick made us tick and it took us time to adjust to his departure. Just look at the football we have played since january, better football than when we had carrick.

But i would of loved to see carrick playing with berb. How many more goals would he have got?

[MaccYid]

That was not the question. The question is who have we missed, since King is still a Tottenham player and Carrick is not, I feel i'm justified in naming Carrick.

Fair enough, whether they play for the club or not we will always miss King more than any other player. So last summer King was sold as well as Carrick you would have been saying we would miss Carrick more??? I don't think so.

Yes of course i agree we have missed Carrick but he was in the team to make us tick and score goals. Which we have still done. But without King we have been shocking at the back.

[dommo]

Such a stupid thread if you've seen our defending this season.

King and the back and Berba upfront. awesome - let's hope Ledley is ok for next season.

[jrio]

Yes of course i agree we have missed Carrick but he was in the team to make us tick and score goals. Which we have still done. But without King we have been shocking at the back.
With King we've been shocking at the back. In the early part of the season we were beaten comprehensively away from home many times and it's continued since his return with reference to goals conceded. Why? Lack of midfield cover and poor marking at deadballs. King can't do it all and what Carrick provided was extra cover plus a player who could shake off players and play the ball long or short. Severe questions over coaching and management have to be asked, even though it's a long held Spurs trait. This season has been more like the Ardiles era without the thrilling football away in the first half of the season.

It was instructive to watch Liverpool again last night. Spurs would not be any better with their back 5 - what they do is smother their midfield quarter not allowing any space for players to receive the ball and turn easily or play an easy pass. The work rate is far above what Spurs achieve. Quite often you'd see players like Joe Cole near the touchline with 3 or 4 players closing down on him.

[Ginola's Son]

Fair enough, whether they play for the club or not we will always miss King more than any other player. So last summer King was sold as well as Carrick you would have been saying we would miss Carrick more??? I don't think so.

But I don't HAVE to work with hypotheticals do I? It is what it is, King is here, and he's been pretty good on the pitch when he's played, but at the moment, Dawson is the man.

If King had been sold then of course I'd miss him more, mainly for the loyalty he's shown the club over what we'd miss on the pitch

[MaccYid]

But I don't HAVE to work with hypotheticals do I? It is what it is, King is here, and he's been pretty good on the pitch when he's played, but at the moment, Dawson is the man.

If King had been sold then of course I'd miss him more, mainly for the loyalty he's shown the club over what we'd miss on the pitch

good debate, the chances are his knees will pack up in the summer and we will then miss them both equally.... I know we would be a damn sight better had both been playing for us this season. oh well, I guess money talks loudest

[olly27]

With King we've been shocking at the back. In the early part of the season we were beaten comprehensively away from home many times and it's continued since his return with reference to goals conceded. Why? Lack of midfield cover and poor marking at deadballs. King can't do it all and what Carrick provided was extra cover plus a player who could shake off players and play the ball long or short. Severe questions over coaching and management have to be asked, even though it's a long held Spurs trait. This season has been more like the Ardiles era without the thrilling football away in the first half of the season.

It was instructive to watch Liverpool again last night. Spurs would not be any better with their back 5 - what they do is smother their midfield quarter not allowing any space for players to receive the ball and turn easily or play an easy pass. The work rate is far above what Spurs achieve. Quite often you'd see players like Joe Cole near the touchline with 3 or 4 players closing down on him.

I am inclined to agree. As you point out King cant be expected to do everything..he does his job..and normally does it very well...defending as a team, and lack of cover from the midfield areas in particular, has cost us...marking at setpieces and concentration has been a major problem this season...standing off and not closing down has led to a lot of long range shots beating us..albeit Robbo could take some responsibility
(and some of course were just class goals)...if the majority of the team worked as hard as Dawson does I bet a lot of these failings would be eradicated...Carrick for me has been the biggest miss and last season we were more compact as a unit...with regards last nights game there were some fine performances...not an open game but produced some excellent defensive midfield dispalys...Mascherano was excellent..bar him giving the ball away badly at one point which led to Drogba's chance in the first half..after that he was superb - I thought anyway..

[Ginola's Son]

You make a good point there, I think we have had more goal of the month contenders scored against us than any other team.