Squad situation

[Welsh Spur]

Ok, so with the signing of Kaboul confirmed, we are now looking strong in all areas, except for that midfield. We still need to clear some deadwood to recoup some of our outlay, but the main thing is that with the news of the three signings and Defoe’s determination to stay (Brilliant stuff) the only area that now needs attention is our midfield. And a tricky one it is, because I have outlined the deadwood I would like removed from the squad and am still left with seven, yes SEVEN, midfielders – all of whom I would like to keep, but with an attacking/creative force needed and that ever-elusive leftie, is there room to accommodate nine midfielders in four positions? (Assuming we do sign two more midfielders, that is.)

This is how I have broken down the current squad:

GK Robinson, Alnwick
CH King, Dawson, Kaboul, Rocha
FB Chimbonda, YP Lee, Bale
RW Lennon
CM Zokora, Jenas, Tainio, Malbranque, Huddlestone
LW Taarabt
CF Berbatov, Keane, Defoe, Bent

Off-loaded: Cerny, Stalteri, Gardner, Ekotto, Murphy, Ghaly, Routledge, Mido

I think we can get at least £15m recouped from that group. Anyway we have a dearth of central midfielders yet I still think we need that game gripping creative outlet, and my number one choice would be Wesley Sneijder. Zokora is without doubt a keeper, as is (even if it’s through Jol’s choice not mine) Jenas, I doubt we’ll see the exit of Malbranque either; so I do think one of Tainio or Huddlestone could leave although I’d like to keep both. Taarabt is no doubt earmarked for progression on the left wing this season what with the loan deal becoming permanent, and it does not seem there is a way back for Routledge so he’s out, I wouldn’t keep him anyway.

The way I see it out squad is great and well-covered in 75% of areas now, once that game gripper and a leftie are signed I really do believe 4th is the minimum achievement for next season. I personally believe we can get higher. Onto the leftie, who is it going to be??? There have been no clues whatsoever….

[olly27]

Ok, so with the signing of Kaboul confirmed, we are now looking strong in all areas, except for that midfield. We still need to clear some deadwood to recoup some of our outlay, but the main thing is that with the news of the three signings and Defoe’s determination to stay (Brilliant stuff) the only area that now needs attention is our midfield. And a tricky one it is, because I have outlined the deadwood I would like removed from the squad and am still left with seven, yes SEVEN, midfielders – all of whom I would like to keep, but with an attacking/creative force needed and that ever-elusive leftie, is there room to accommodate nine midfielders in four positions? (Assuming we do sign two more midfielders, that is.)

This is how I have broken down the current squad:

GK Robinson, Alnwick
CH King, Dawson, Kaboul, Rocha
FB Chimbonda, YP Lee, Bale
RW Lennon
CM Zokora, Jenas, Tainio, Malbranque, Huddlestone
LW Taarabt
CF Berbatov, Keane, Defoe, Bent

Off-loaded: Cerny, Stalteri, Gardner, Ekotto, Murphy, Ghaly, Routledge, Mido

I think we can get at least £15m recouped from that group. Anyway we have a dearth of central midfielders yet I still think we need that game gripping creative outlet, and my number one choice would be Wesley Sneijder. Zokora is without doubt a keeper, as is (even if it’s through Jol’s choice not mine) Jenas, I doubt we’ll see the exit of Malbranque either; so I do think one of Tainio or Huddlestone could leave although I’d like to keep both. Taarabt is no doubt earmarked for progression on the left wing this season what with the loan deal becoming permanent, and it does not seem there is a way back for Routledge so he’s out, I wouldn’t keep him anyway.

The way I see it out squad is great and well-covered in 75% of areas now, once that game gripper and a leftie are signed I really do believe 4th is the minimum achievement for next season. I personally believe we can get higher. Onto the leftie, who is it going to be??? There have been no clues whatsoever….

Yes would love Sneijder and think Drenthe looks excellent but perhaps has not been watched enough for the club to be making a move this summer...Petrov has this dodgy knee and that is obviously a concern...so its anyone's guess at the moment regarding the left side. Either Jol already has a plan for this up his sleeve..or we can expect another addition for the left..:cool:

[wayne wonder]

I think Steed will be cover for Lennon so we dont need another winger just in case he's injured again or out of form.

We need 2 more players deffo centre mid and a left sided midfielder BUT i reckon we're gonna need a right back if chelski come back with a bigger offer for chimbonda

[shoot_ffs]

it's funny how we all see things so different. i've heard a lot of people on here mention the need for an attacking mid, and we have malbranque, tarby, and huddlestone. you might shrug at the last one but he can open teams up in his own way. tarby i'm assured is a right winger not left although he looks very good on the ball so could probably play midfield well. i'm happy with our attacking options, if jol wants to have the flair come from the middle and not the left. i think we would need a combative left, perhaps even tainio, to allow us to play a creative in the middle.

i still feel we have two problem in the middle tho, lack of bite from hudds and zokora, and no natural left winger. with the money already spent so far, i only see us fixing one problem, but to be fair bale could cover left wing and tainio centre mid, so we could go into the season ok if there are no grade A targets.

as for drenthe, ghaly came from feyenord and i think we sent some of our youngsters over there for a weeks training last year so he should be well scouted. lets hope the scum don't get him.

[wayne wonder]

I think we'll make one more signing and that'll be a left winger!!

If you had the choice what would you do get a left so we have balance or get sneijder in to play in the middle????? hahaha **** the balance i'd go with sneijder all day

For some reason if Jol doesn't get a leftie he'll go with Ekotto left back and Bale Left Mid!!

[TomMcLaren]

I have no idea who we'll sign next. I think Petrov is out, and Drenthe is all talk - haven't even seen us linked with him in the Current Bum. Sneijider? Maybe, if we sell Murphy/Ghaly/insert CM here, can't see him coming in to sit on the bench.

Think Bale on the LW is a real possibility, as is Ekotto (who used to play there), or else some random guy that we don't know about. Or Downing, which would be bad.

[Gino Ginelli]

or Downing, which would be bad.

Expect that to happen though. You just know they'll plump for the predictable option. Okay it's buying english, but it'd buying mid-table quality at an inflated price.

We all know what needs to happen; a good clear out of average to crappy central midfielders, and a good LW.

I agree with the sentiment that Jol may be planning to develop Bale as a LW, and continue with Lee at LB. But even if Bale is intended for LW purposes, we still need good left sided backup for him, so the requirement still remains.

As far as CM goes, four is all we need really. 2 starters and two backup, or play whoever is best suited to the tactics at hand (if there are any (ooh, controversial?)) Zokora & Hudd are my first choice, and JJ, Malbranque are there to back them up. Indeed I see that a few people, whilst sharing my disbelief at JJ's ineptitude, also saw a change come over him in those last few games, and this maybe the season where he finally gains his confidence and comes into his own. And of course Malbranque is multi purpose (apart from DM naturally).

The rest of them, Murphy / Ghaly / Tainio (is there more? I forget); pack em off please.

[Ossie]

I'd go for Sneijder AND Gamst Pedersen

If Jol wants Sneijder, he should hurry, as I've read he's considering a move to Fiorentina

[JJ]

Where's Jason Wilcox when you need him?

[TURKISH]

Where's Jason Wilcox when you need him?

Lol. I can see us having a bigger squad next year but im concerned that we have not brought a left winger. We normally allways buy our main transfer targets straight away and i think we have done that this time. Just knowing what spurs are like at times i can see us not buying a left winger.

[highlander]

we need 2 lefty's. Adel Taarabt is as much of a left winger as Malbranque or Tainio

[TURKISH]

we need 2 lefty's. Adel Taarabt is as much of a left winger as Malbranque or Tainio

Yer i beleieve he is right footed. But maybe he will do a aaron lennon?

[choda]

we need 2 lefty's. Adel Taarabt is as much of a left winger as Malbranque or Tainio

How do you know that?

I'm just wondering becuase we haven't seen him much in the first team. Have you seen him play in the reserves?

Jol says he can play left wing, centre, in the hole or on the right (mainly left wing or centrally). I think it was also said that he is left footed.

[joshua_snodgras]

i personally would be sad to let Cerny go, as when ive seen him play he's been great and imo could easily have the number 1 spot at many prem clubs.

[Spur]

i personally would be sad to let Cerny go, as when ive seen him play he's been great and imo could easily have the number 1 spot at many prem clubs.

Completely agree. He's much better than several first choice keepers, and I think he could give others a run for their money.

[TomMcLaren]

Isn't he like 36 or something now?

[highlander]

How do you know that?

I'm just wondering becuase we haven't seen him much in the first team. Have you seen him play in the reserves?

Jol says he can play left wing, centre, in the hole or on the right (mainly left wing or centrally). I think it was also said that he is left footed.

from what ive seen of him in spurs colours and for the french under-18's he can do a job on the left but is prodomenantly right footed and prodomenantly a central midfielder

[choda]

from what ive seen of him in spurs colours and for the french under-18's he can do a job on the left but is prodomenantly right footed and prodomenantly a central midfielder

Very interesting.

I think he will be so good that he could play anywhere though. Nedved nearly always played left midfield. The playmakers with some pace can perform there.

I think some of us are thinking about Malbrainque and not wanting another scenario like that. He was okay, but he's not really a great player.

I like him but I just think he is good and no more. But there are players that can play there with a right foot. I believe Taarabt could be one of those.

And I agree that he may well end up in the centre when he is bit older and stronger.