Jermaine Fee agreed

[TURKISH]

Around 15m mark but whats funny about the deal is when we sold him we put a 4m sell on claus, which would mean we are only paying around 11m for him.:laugh: Thats why pompey were asking for alot of money.

It will be great stuff watching the fans going nuts for him tonight, a loyal player for us who gave his best for the club and has a real bond with the fans.

He may have his faults but i allways rated his talents and think he would offer more than bent.

This should get the lane buzzing tonight and i hope appiah stays injurys free and does well.

Also harry said he only has 14 prem class players...i wonder who he ment. 15 now with defoe.

[corkspur]

great news that he is on the way back.always thought it was a huge mistake to let him go in the first place.great finisher,can produce a goal out of nowhere.

[peterc]

Is it a good move to bring JD back?.

1). We paid double in less than a year to get him back. Is he worth £15 million?, Don't think so.

2) Two pluses are that he is legibile to play in the FA and League cup ties.

3). JD's away stats are not brilliant.

4). JD is not consistent enough to make such a great difference in the premiership.

Personally, I tihnk we should have bid for Podolski, yes no premiership expereince but his stats are impressive.

[TURKISH]

Is it a good move to bring JD back?.

1). We paid double in less than a year to get him back. Is he worth £15 million?, Don't think so.

2) Two pluses are that he is legibile to play in the FA and League cup ties.

3). JD's away stats are not brilliant.

4). JD is not consistent enough to make such a great difference in the premiership.

Personally, I tihnk we should have bid for Podolski, yes no premiership expereince, however, an extra striker to use in the cup competitions.

The fee is 11m as we had a 4m sell on claus.

Harry knows all about him and since he went to pomepey he has done really well. I don't think stats show him in a good light because he was allways subbed or was brought on as a sub.

Only time will tell but i believe he will do well here again and jd pav will be a good partnership imo.

Plus Podolski is a rish there is no guarantees that he would be a success in the prem, plus is he a goal scorer? Harry rated defoe so thats good enough for me, but we do need another striker so hopefully arry is looking.

[peterc]

The fee is 11m as we had a 4m sell on claus.

Harry knows all about him and since he went to pomepey he has done really well. I don't think stats show him in a good light because he was allways subbed or was brought on as a sub.

Only time will tell but i believe he will do well here again and jd pav will be a good partnership imo.

Plus Podolski is a rish there is no guarantees that he would be a success in the prem, plus is he a goal scorer? Harry rated defoe so thats good enough for me, but we do need another striker so hopefully arry is looking.


The main plus signs are that JD is legibile to play in the cup competitions except for UEFA Cup.

[olly27]

This has made my day....:001_smile:

Brillant news and we get back our wee Defoe. Regular starting birth for him now so we will see what he can do with the likes of Modric and an improved Lennon feeding him. I think the goals will flow for him and he'll be chumping at the bit, the motivation will be huge for him - happy days!

[wayne wonder]

We're so gay!!

We sell the guy then buy him back for a couple of million more we also sell chimbonda and want him back too it beggers belief sometimes!!

Lets go the whole hog and get kaboul, steed and tainio back too and robbie and berba and become one big happy family ffs!! :thumbdown:

I still want another striker in too just so we can get rid of that manc c*nt campbell!!

[spursmadnick06]

Brilliant news, and im going tonight, can't wait to chant his name again.

[gomessi]

The fee is 11m as we had a 4m sell on claus.

Harry knows all about him and since he went to pomepey he has done really well. I don't think stats show him in a good light because he was allways subbed or was brought on as a sub.

Only time will tell but i believe he will do well here again and jd pav will be a good partnership imo.

Plus Podolski is a rish there is no guarantees that he would be a success in the prem, plus is he a goal scorer? Harry rated defoe so thats good enough for me, but we do need another striker so hopefully arry is looking.

is there a link anywhere regarding that sell on clause I cant find anything.

and I'm uncertain about a defoe + pav combination but I'll give it time and will judge them by how they perform as a partnership and the goals they score obviously.

A potential modric and appiah partnership is what gets me more excited though:drool:

[Gino Ginelli]

We're so gay!!

We sell the guy then buy him back for a couple of million more we also sell chimbonda and want him back too it beggers belief sometimes!!

Lets go the whole hog and get kaboul, steed and tainio back too and robbie and berba and become one big happy family ffs!! :thumbdown:

I still want another striker in too just so we can get rid of that manc c*nt campbell!!

TBH, I'm a little embarressed by our club due to our chairman's antics over the last couple of seasons. Over the last 3 years we've sold Carrick, Reid (fat but best/only decent LW we've had since Ginola), Defoe, Berbatov and Keane. At the first dip in form we had in two years under Jol, we've gone "ooh, Sevilla looked good against us, let's get their manager!" chucked a load of money at it and sat back smugly. One year later, we're struggling to get it working so we jump again and go "uhhhh... wait, Harry Redknapp! Pompey look good and they beat us, let's get him!" and threw some more money at it!! Quick fix seems to have become Levy's motto this last two years.

The frustrating thing is that we were genuinely building an excellent team, capable of competing with Europe's best. But with poor transfer decisions being made, capitulation to bigger teams and refusing to meet wage demands required to hold onto the top players, we've lost the team we were building. It's barely recognisable now. I willing to put my neck on the block and say that I will be astonished if Lennon is still in a Spurs shirt next season.

The Defoe situation just shows a further example of this hap hazard, throw money around approach... aah, we've 3 great strikers here, but we're poor in LW and centre mid... I know lets sign Darren Bent, a superflous yet overpriced striker that we will never need and will just unsettle everyone... hmm, now we've got too many and it's unbalancing the side... we can't admit we made a mistake and sell Bent... Yeah lets sell Defoe... aww crap now we've NO strikers... damn I wish we still had Defoe... errr, please Mr Adams, can we have our player back please... we'll give you more money!

We just look like idiots. Sorry.

If all that wasted money had been wisely invested in the team or the wages of the key players under Jol... we would still be getting 5th / 4th place finishes. I'm telling you we would.

[Gino Ginelli]

Okay, I apologise for the moany, retrospective miserable sod post. It just pisses me off.

Being positive... Defoe is a cracking striker, and given a guaranteed starting place he will always, always, deliver goals. He's just a great natural finisher, and will complement Pav perfectly... but not only that we're back in the enviable position of having 3 top forward players again. He should have never been sold, and he's back where he belongs. Turns out he was the more loyal out of Keane and himself all along.

[olly27]

TBH, I'm a little embarressed by our club due to our chairman's antics over the last couple of seasons. Over the last 3 years we've sold Carrick, Reid (fat but best/only decent LW we've had since Ginola), Defoe, Berbatov and Keane. At the first dip in form we had in two years under Jol, we've gone "ooh, Sevilla looked good against us, let's get their manager!" chucked a load of money at it and sat back smugly. One year later, we're struggling to get it working so we jump again and go "uhhhh... wait, Harry Redknapp! Pompey look good and they beat us, let's get him!" and threw some more money at it!! Quick fix seems to have become Levy's motto this last two years.

The frustrating thing is that we were genuinely building an excellent team, capable of competing with Europe's best. But with poor transfer decisions being made, capitulation to bigger teams and refusing to meet wage demands required to hold onto the top players, we've lost the team we were building. It's barely recognisable now. I willing to put my neck on the block and say that I will be astonished if Lennon is still in a Spurs shirt next season.

The Defoe situation just shows a further example of this hap hazard, throw money around approach... aah, we've 3 great strikers here, but we're poor in LW and centre mid... I know lets sign Darren Bent, a superflous yet overpriced striker that we will never need and will just unsettle everyone... hmm, now we've got too many and it's unbalancing the side... we can't admit we made a mistake and sell Bent... Yeah lets sell Defoe... aww crap now we've NO strikers... damn I wish we still had Defoe... errr, please Mr Adams, can we have our player back please... we'll give you more money!

We just look like idiots. Sorry.

If all that wasted money had been wisely invested in the team or the wages of the key players under Jol... we would still be getting 5th / 4th place finishes. I'm telling you we would.


I agree with some of this but Jesus do you have to be so depressing!

[JuicE]

The sell on clause was correct but it was never a known fact at the time. The moral here i think is that perhaps they know better than we do! We only get the bit parts.

As for the money spent on the re-transfer, perhaps we need to take into consideration that we haven't paid his wages for a year. That helps a bit.

We really should never have sold him in the first place TBH!

We really have to reflect on JR's time, as a little bit Wobbly!!!!! To say the least! :cursing:

[bocayid]

just need the premership board to apporove it..which they should unless they wanna screw us for any reason...

have to get special approval to sign defoe back within a year...prem rule

[JuicE]

just need the premership board to apporove it..which they should unless they wanna screw us for any reason...

have to get special approval to sign defoe back within a year...prem rule

Had it for a week at least i read!!!

[gomessi]

officially signed now

I think in his first games he'll loads of goals, and after the honeymoon period is over he wont be scroring so prolifically and everyone will come to realise he isnt that differentt in terms of quality to bent.

Defoe seems to have little or no concept of the offside law and his team play is non existent. Its why keane established a wonderful partnership with berbatov.

IMO signing defoe will have a negative impact on pav who like to play as the most advanced striker. I hope I'm wrong but defoe will need to get more involved in build up play to convince me otherwise he is just another poor signing.

Sorry to be negative but thats my opinion.

[gomessi]

on a more positive note JDs record under Harry

15 in 28 games after Harry left its 2 in 12.

[Gino Ginelli]

I agree with some of this but Jesus do you have to be so depressing!

Yeah sorry about that... :blushing:

[Ginola's Son]

Defoe is back and I'm delighted because he should never have been sold, especially in the light of Keane and Berbo's respective betrayals.

But I do feel a little bit for Pompey, we have pretty much destroyed their football club.

Still, onward and upward, we got our boy back and hopefully, the ball will be in the back of the net a whole lot more often. Him and Pav could be a force.

[inthewoods]

Im delighted the wee man is back! Should never have been sold in the first place, but the Berba/Keane partnership was difficult to break up. I know, as many of my fellow yids have pointed out, that he has his flaws. He needs to learn to STAY ONSIDE and he is prone to the ol' dry spell now and again (goals that is) but he will show a bit of commitment for us and he WILL get goals. Also, we needed another bloody striker and Defoe is certainly good enough to get in our squad and help us climb up the table.

Enough of the depressing posts yiddos, lets celebrate the wee mans return! Look forward to the reception he gets tonight!

Jermaine Defoe- hes a yiddo!!

[inthewoods]

Defoe is back and I'm delighted because he should never have been sold, especially in the light of Keane and Berbo's respective betrayals.

But I do feel a little bit for Pompey, we have pretty much destroyed their football club.

Still, onward and upward, we got our boy back and hopefully, the ball will be in the back of the net a whole lot more often. Him and Pav could be a force.

**** them. Its dog eat dog. :001_tt2:

[olly27]

I actually think Pompey could get relegated......losing Diarra and Defoe is simply massive in my opinion. If they dont get some real quality in a real relegation battle is on the cards.

[irishspur]

officially signed now

I think in his first games he'll loads of goals, and after the honeymoon period is over he wont be scroring so prolifically and everyone will come to realise he isnt that differentt in terms of quality to bent.

Defoe seems to have little or no concept of the offside law and his team play is non existent. Its why keane established a wonderful partnership with berbatov.

IMO signing defoe will have a negative impact on pav who like to play as the most advanced striker. I hope I'm wrong but defoe will need to get more involved in build up play to convince me otherwise he is just another poor signing.

Sorry to be negative but thats my opinion.

I dont agree i think him and pav will be brilliant pav does come deep and holds it up well he has great first touch. When he plays with campbell and bent hes always further back. Now when we throw the ball into the box not only is there pav in there heading down we have defoe prowling around and hes a lethal finisher. Hopefully we will be more of a goal threat now because we have the lowest goals scored at home in the premier league:001_rolleyes:

[Ginola's Son]

**** them. Its dog eat dog. :001_tt2:

Yeah I know, but Portsmouth are a nice little club really. We can't moan when Man U take all our personel can we.

[Ioang]

Sorry to reiterate but once again, shame on you Robbie Keane.

Defoe kept saying how he wants to stay and how he loves the club and the fans, but you can't blame him leaving, being third choice. Had Robbie mentioned THEN his desire to leave then Defoe would have stayed on, of course.

Don't blame Levy for the turnaround, embarassing as it looks. And its not £15m cos of the sell-on fee, its about £11m and most of that is prolly cancellation of outstanding debts for Defoe, Pedro, Davis...

[Ginola's Son]

Sorry to reiterate but once again, shame on you Robbie Keane.

Defoe kept saying how he wants to stay and how he loves the club and the fans, but you can't blame him leaving, being third choice. Had Robbie mentioned THEN his desire to leave then Defoe would have stayed on, of course.

Don't blame Levy for the turnaround, embarassing as it looks. And its not £15m cos of the sell-on fee, its about £11m and most of that is prolly cancellation of outstanding debts for Defoe, Pedro, Davis...

Correct, and my rantings about that back in July got me in the London Paper !

Here's what I said at the time

What pisses me off more than anything is that Jermain Defoe spent at least 18 months doing his damndest to break back into the Spurs team. He wanted to be at Tottenham, his desire was to stay put, in the end, his career was going nowhere, he wasn't even making the bench, and nobody could blame him signing for Portsmouth

The reason Defoe couldn't get into team is because he could not dislodge Robbie Keane, a firm fans favourite and a player that has been quoted to be in love with Spurs and wasn't planning on going anywhere. Defoe couldn't compete with that. He had to leave....

Yet...6 months on, the ****er has gone anyway! And it wasn't a case of an offer we couldn't refuse, the player actively schemed with Liverpool to force it through. We could have sold Keane in January and kept Defoe! A man that wanted to stay. This is just awful.

I never could have thought this of Robbie, such a decent man, but all his promises, all his passionate words of wisdom over the years, for nought

This isn't as bad as Sol, after all, he's not gone to Arsenal...but the sentiment is the same, a player that constantly dashed talk of moving elsewhere, only to leave in shame like this. He has destroyed everything he has acheived with us.

All my carling cup celebratory stuff, adorned with Keane's visage, it all seems cheap and ruined now.

This isn't sour grapes because my fave has gone, this is sorrow and disappointment that such an apparent spurs servant, someone who could have reached a testimonial, has sold us out for the overrated lure of the champions league

I hope he chokes on his new red colours.

[choda]

officially signed now

I think in his first games he'll loads of goals, and after the honeymoon period is over he wont be scroring so prolifically and everyone will come to realise he isnt that differentt in terms of quality to bent.

Defoe seems to have little or no concept of the offside law and his team play is non existent. Its why keane established a wonderful partnership with berbatov.

IMO signing defoe will have a negative impact on pav who like to play as the most advanced striker. I hope I'm wrong but defoe will need to get more involved in build up play to convince me otherwise he is just another poor signing.

Sorry to be negative but thats my opinion.

I'm not too keen on him either, but I will suspend judgement until his all round game is driving me bananas again. I don't think he's top standard, much like Bent. Both clinical finishers but with all round games that can really damage your overall goals for and against. Not holding the ball up well (both), very selfish (defoe), head down (defoe), unintelligent crap movement (both) that sort of thing.

Defoe has better ball control and a stronger shot, Bent has a lot more power and aerial ability.

Having said all of that Harry does get the best out of the little man and is the only coach that seems to be able to develop his game. So I do have some optimism. Harry IS a very good coach. I mean Zokora was a lost cause, not to mention Dawson and Ekotto who now show some promise again.

I hope Defoe finally fulfils the early promise he had. It COULD be a great signing. But I feel Pav is the real class striker in our ranks if he keeps performing like the last game and the euros, as it was an all round superb performance.

Btw what's with people and Defoe's stats? They always give incorrect and very flattering ones for him. Setanta say he played 110 games and scored 62goals for spurs, lol. I don't know where they got that rubbish, played way more games than that. And on wikipedia they always had his league games and goals for all comps.

And the comments on loyalty are pretty misguided. He's not any more loyal until it is actually tested, but he was not wanted by cl clubs when he was here so it is entirely different.

Plus 'loyalty' is overated, you can't begrudge players that spend a lot of time here and always gave their all. They gave it a go and if it wasn't happening quick enough and they have a better opportunity for the big time towards the end of their career, then how can you begrudge them?

And shit happens with managers. Jol failed Levy so did Ramos by being the five million man that didn't learn english, no bad appointment of commolli will ever cover that over. I'd be flabbergasted if in a few years Hamburg are consistently better than they were. Plus was Commolli really that bad? Some of his buys (his buys being vetoed by the coaches too as well) don't look so bad now with a proper coach that can also speak english (gomes, bale, hutton, corluka, modric, pav, zokora, santos, Berbatov, campbell loan). That's good work.

The main problem with imbalance has been because all the coaches fancied Jenas way too much, and when a request was made for one, Commolli went and got MODRIC. The coaches until Harry are ultimately what let everyone down imo. It is only him that has actually managed to get Modric looking what he really is, world class.

Fans aren't rational a lot of the time, imo.

I only hate Berba because his attitude stank on the pitch and he DIDN'T give his all while he was here.

Just a thought but when things go well the coach often gets heaped with praise and can get the fans on his side and then when it goes to shit they are immune to it. But what if the foundation, the structure the money being poured in and players being hand picked had a lot to do with the success and that it was actually the coach that was messing it up?

I think the answer lies in looking at tactics and decisions made, which is what I am alluding to in this post. I see a hell of a difference in coaching and tactics under Harry to the previous two managers.

And people blame the DoF structure but what's wrong with it when the manager never gets any players he doesn't want bar kids? The difference when it is done right (we did do it right, manager got the final say) is actually negligible, both systems have their pluses and their negatives.

[choda]

Sorry to reiterate but once again, shame on you Robbie Keane.

Defoe kept saying how he wants to stay and how he loves the club and the fans, but you can't blame him leaving, being third choice. Had Robbie mentioned THEN his desire to leave then Defoe would have stayed on, of course.

Don't blame Levy for the turnaround, embarassing as it looks. And its not £15m cos of the sell-on fee, its about £11m and most of that is prolly cancellation of outstanding debts for Defoe, Pedro, Davis...

This has nothing to do with me rating Keane much higher, but Keane can't be blamed for leaving after six years and not enough progress at his age. He did love the club, thought he'd be staying as he is humble about his own ability (at least in public), but his boyhood club came in with an offer of a shot at the title and the cl. How can you blame him? Plus Defoe's highest offer so far is spurs, so you can't even compare, it's all hypothetical.

Pompey fans are probably saying the same thing you are right now about Defoe. Viewing it as a blind spurs fan is not rational.

[spursmadnick06]

Defoe will score more goals within one month of signing for us than Keane has managed all season.

A crowd favourite that should get the Lane buzzing again.

[choda]

Defoe will score more goals within one month of signing for us than Keane has managed all season.

That's pretty irrelevant to the long-term arguments of whether he is better or not, and he certainly hasn't been in the past.

I expect him to start with a bang, like what JS said, especially since he has been here before.

Goals are only fifty percent of the equation of course too. Would Liverpool be top of the table with Defoe instead of Keane? I doubt it, what many people don't realise is that pool are a much better team this year due to the football they are playing courtesy of new better players. Football that they couldn't play last year without Keane and Reira.

It's not just about goals it's about team goals for and against.

[olly27]

The biggest factor in Liverpool's success this season is Rafa isn't rotating for rotating sake.

[denis-cro]

Ok, we have signed JD again...but what makes me question is ... In which competition is he allowed to play for us except EPL?? Has he played for Pompey in CC, FA, UEFA cup ???

[choda]

The biggest factor in Liverpool's success this season is Rafa isn't rotating for rotating sake.

That is a factor but not the only one. Those two signings will be crucial to liverpool winning the title. Yes, you heard me, I said it ages ago. They are my favourites.

He's still doing a lot of rotating too buddy, often for strange reasons, agger being dropped for Hypia for one. His shenanigans have cost them at times. And Keane often has to play too deep.

I don't rate Scolari, I even started a thread on it and people are only starting to believe me now. And I'm unsure about United's hunger, especially with droopy no show leading the line. He may not have been dying for a move away and showing it in his performances at all you know, maybe he's just a lazy prick.

I'd pick Tevez every day of the week over Berba. The team has far more work rate, zip and purpose with him.

[GQCoolest]

Ok, we have signed JD again...but what makes me question is ... In which competition is he allowed to play for us except EPL?? Has he played for Pompey in CC, FA, UEFA cup ???

He is only ineligible for the UEFA. Like Pav, he can play in the Carling and FA.

[jrio]

And shit happens with managers. Jol failed Levy so did Ramos by being the five million man that didn't learn english, no bad appointment of commolli will ever cover that over. I'd be flabbergasted if in a few years Hamburg are consistently better than they were. Plus was Commolli really that bad? Some of his buys (his buys being vetoed by the coaches too as well) don't look so bad now with a proper coach that can also speak english (gomes, bale, hutton, corluka, modric, pav, zokora, santos, Berbatov, campbell loan). That's good work.
Yes, everyone's failed that great hero Levy, the foundation of our club. :crying: Ramos's English is no worse than Capello's, his accent being a lot thicker, and you'll notice Capello always has an interpreter by him who has to chip in with translations and suggestions.

God knows what even more horrendous buys we'd have had if Ramos hadn't vetoed several of them. The summer's buying and selling was disastrous. Ramos made a number of errors, compounded by Levy's and Comolli's ineptitude in acquiring new strikers in time for the start of the season(Campbell had nothing to do with Comolli as Levy insisted on his loan in the Berba deal. A number of the others - Gomes, Bale, Zokora, GDS - are still far from successes). The squad ended up more unbalanced than it's ever been, which is saying something.

Just a thought but when things go well the coach often gets heaped with praise and can get the fans on his side and then when it goes to shit they are immune to it. But what if the foundation, the structure the money being poured in and players being hand picked had a lot to do with the success and that it was actually the coach that was messing it up?

I think the answer lies in looking at tactics and decisions made, which is what I am alluding to in this post. I see a hell of a difference in coaching and tactics under Harry to the previous two managers.

And people blame the DoF structure but what's wrong with it when the manager never gets any players he doesn't want bar kids? The difference when it is done right (we did do it right, manager got the final say) is actually negligible, both systems have their pluses and their negatives.
An East End old school manager is noticeably different in tactics and coaching from a Dutchman and a Spaniard? I'd be shocked if it was any other way.

We didn't do it right, which you won't accept, as Levy insisted on interfering, setting Comolli against Jol, and dragging out personal disputes with United rather than concentrating on getting replacement strikers. The one manager you're praising didn't agree, as he refuses to work under that system. The coaches weren't getting the players they wanted, as mentioned by Jol once he was safely ensconced in his new job(I notice that not only have Hamburg made no approaches for the likes of Zokora, Kaboul or KPB, but that there is not the slightest sign of them wanting to do so), and evidenced by Ramos getting one cup-tied striker he wanted in exchange for 3 leaving. There won't by any confusion now as Levy is very much under the spotlight for fans

[denis-cro]

He is only ineligible for the UEFA. Like Pav, he can play in the Carling and FA.

Thanks for the tip... I was thinking that domestic cups regulation is somewhat like UEFA ...:blushing: Anyway, we´re still short in attacking option for the UEFA...

[choda]

Yes, everyone's failed that great hero Levy, the foundation of our club. :crying: Ramos's English is no worse than Capello's, his accent being a lot thicker, and you'll notice Capello always has an interpreter by him who has to chip in with translations and suggestions.

God knows what even more horrendous buys we'd have had if Ramos hadn't vetoed several of them. The summer's buying and selling was disastrous. Ramos made a number of errors, compounded by Levy's and Comolli's ineptitude in acquiring new strikers in time for the start of the season(Campbell had nothing to do with Comolli as Levy insisted on his loan in the Berba deal. A number of the others - Gomes, Bale, Zokora, GDS - are still far from successes). The squad ended up more unbalanced than it's ever been, which is saying something.

An East End old school manager is noticeably different in tactics and coaching from a Dutchman and a Spaniard? I'd be shocked if it was any other way.

We didn't do it right, which you won't accept, as Levy insisted on interfering, setting Comolli against Jol, and dragging out personal disputes with United rather than concentrating on getting replacement strikers. The one manager you're praising didn't agree, as he refuses to work under that system. The coaches weren't getting the players they wanted, as mentioned by Jol once he was safely ensconced in his new job(I notice that not only have Hamburg made no approaches for the likes of Zokora, Kaboul or KPB, but that there is not the slightest sign of them wanting to do so), and evidenced by Ramos getting one cup-tied striker he wanted in exchange for 3 leaving. There won't by any confusion now as Levy is very much under the spotlight for fans

No, there won't be any confusion which is the plus point of that system and less confusion for people on forums which really doesn't matter. And we are all speculating in truth, but that is what I think about it all.

One of the downsides of the DoF system is that it can bring enormous criticism to the board and DoF that was not warranted as people don't know who to blame and prefer to blame a suit than a charismatic manager who did well for a while.

Btw, some of your points are not backed by evidence but only a sliver of detail which is neither here nor there.

And I didn't mean that Harry was different in tactical style to the others I mean that he is doing the basics that any manager should be doing far better.

I simply don't think Ramos would be a success anywhere in England for reasons of language and possibly adapting to the style of play and I simply don't rate Jol as more than a very charismatic idealist who is lacking expertise and effectiveness over time (he may do well initially).

I do rate Harry and I believe he will progress this club without danger of collapse. The squad is imbalanced. Who to blame is another matter. Zokora is playing well now, Modric was bought and he's a droolfest. They bought Corluka for the back, couldn't get Dawson's confidence back which is being restored. The coaches simply couldn't get it to work before Harry. These are large factors whether you recognise them or not.

I would point to the success over the last few years in assembling so many good players (imbalanced but see last paragraph, or was it that imbalanced)

They did make a mess of replacing Berba.

Overall when they look back on Levy's tenure I'm sure it will be viewed as a very successful one. The club makes more money, which he pours into first team without racking up debt and has progressed the facilities, the staff, first and youth team and also has overseen qualifying for europe three years running. He also demanded a new stadium be built for the future.

I would be excited about the future.

[GQCoolest]

Thanks for the tip... I was thinking that domestic cups regulation is somewhat like UEFA ...:blushing: Anyway, we´re still short in attacking option for the UEFA...

Oh, it is the same, but he didn't play in Pompey's 3rd round thrashing by Chelsea in the Carling, and was "ill" for Pompey's FA Cup draw with Bristol City. Agree that I'm not sure what we'll do for the UEFA, other than certainly go with Bent and FC ongoing. When Giovani gets back, he will hopefully provide us with another attacking option for use in Europe, assuming he is not sold.

[Rojoknapp]

officially signed now

I think in his first games he'll loads of goals, and after the honeymoon period is over he wont be scroring so prolifically and everyone will come to realise he isnt that differentt in terms of quality to bent.

Defoe seems to have little or no concept of the offside law and his team play is non existent. Its why keane established a wonderful partnership with berbatov.

IMO signing defoe will have a negative impact on pav who like to play as the most advanced striker. I hope I'm wrong but defoe will need to get more involved in build up play to convince me otherwise he is just another poor signing.

Sorry to be negative but thats my opinion.

Unfortunately, my head agrees with you, I've never really rated Defoe as highly as most, but I've decided that I don't care and that I'm going to let myself get totally carried away by it, and enjoy singing his name and waiting for his first goal back. It's nice to have players who love Spurs, especially when the other ones (King and Bentley) are crocked and shit respectively :001_smile:

[wayne wonder]

TBH, I'm a little embarressed by our club due to our chairman's antics over the last couple of seasons. Over the last 3 years we've sold Carrick, Reid (fat but best/only decent LW we've had since Ginola), Defoe, Berbatov and Keane. At the first dip in form we had in two years under Jol, we've gone "ooh, Sevilla looked good against us, let's get their manager!" chucked a load of money at it and sat back smugly. One year later, we're struggling to get it working so we jump again and go "uhhhh... wait, Harry Redknapp! Pompey look good and they beat us, let's get him!" and threw some more money at it!! Quick fix seems to have become Levy's motto this last two years.

The frustrating thing is that we were genuinely building an excellent team, capable of competing with Europe's best. But with poor transfer decisions being made, capitulation to bigger teams and refusing to meet wage demands required to hold onto the top players, we've lost the team we were building. It's barely recognisable now. I willing to put my neck on the block and say that I will be astonished if Lennon is still in a Spurs shirt next season.

The Defoe situation just shows a further example of this hap hazard, throw money around approach... aah, we've 3 great strikers here, but we're poor in LW and centre mid... I know lets sign Darren Bent, a superflous yet overpriced striker that we will never need and will just unsettle everyone... hmm, now we've got too many and it's unbalancing the side... we can't admit we made a mistake and sell Bent... Yeah lets sell Defoe... aww crap now we've NO strikers... damn I wish we still had Defoe... errr, please Mr Adams, can we have our player back please... we'll give you more money!

We just look like idiots. Sorry.

If all that wasted money had been wisely invested in the team or the wages of the key players under Jol... we would still be getting 5th / 4th place finishes. I'm telling you we would.

Spot on you've just said exactly how i feel i tell ya:thumbdown:

[wayne wonder]

TBH, I'm a little embarressed by our club due to our chairman's antics over the last couple of seasons. Over the last 3 years we've sold Carrick, Reid (fat but best/only decent LW we've had since Ginola), Defoe, Berbatov and Keane. At the first dip in form we had in two years under Jol, we've gone "ooh, Sevilla looked good against us, let's get their manager!" chucked a load of money at it and sat back smugly. One year later, we're struggling to get it working so we jump again and go "uhhhh... wait, Harry Redknapp! Pompey look good and they beat us, let's get him!" and threw some more money at it!! Quick fix seems to have become Levy's motto this last two years.

The frustrating thing is that we were genuinely building an excellent team, capable of competing with Europe's best. But with poor transfer decisions being made, capitulation to bigger teams and refusing to meet wage demands required to hold onto the top players, we've lost the team we were building. It's barely recognisable now. I willing to put my neck on the block and say that I will be astonished if Lennon is still in a Spurs shirt next season.

The Defoe situation just shows a further example of this hap hazard, throw money around approach... aah, we've 3 great strikers here, but we're poor in LW and centre mid... I know lets sign Darren Bent, a superflous yet overpriced striker that we will never need and will just unsettle everyone... hmm, now we've got too many and it's unbalancing the side... we can't admit we made a mistake and sell Bent... Yeah lets sell Defoe... aww crap now we've NO strikers... damn I wish we still had Defoe... errr, please Mr Adams, can we have our player back please... we'll give you more money!

We just look like idiots. Sorry.

If all that wasted money had been wisely invested in the team or the wages of the key players under Jol... we would still be getting 5th / 4th place finishes. I'm telling you we would.

Spot on you've just said exactly how i feel i tell ya:thumbdown:

[berbzy 'G']

No, there won't be any confusion which is the plus point of that system and less confusion for people on forums which really doesn't matter. And we are all speculating in truth, but that is what I think about it all.

One of the downsides of the DoF system is that it can bring enormous criticism to the board and DoF that was not warranted as people don't know who to blame and prefer to blame a suit than a charismatic manager who did well for a while.

Btw, some of your points are not backed by evidence but only a sliver of detail which is neither here nor there.

And I didn't mean that Harry was different in tactical style to the others I mean that he is doing the basics that any manager should be doing far better.

I simply don't think Ramos would be a success anywhere in England for language and possibly adapting to the style of play and I simply don't rate Jol as more than a very charismatic idealist who is lacking expertise and effectiveness over time (he may do well initially).

I do rate Harry and I believe he will progress this club without danger of collapse. The squad is imbalanced. Who to blame is another matter. Zokora is playing well now, Modric was bought and he's a droolfest. They bought Corluka for the back, couldn't get Dawson's confidence back which is being restored. The coaches simply couldn't get it to work before Harry. These are large factors whether you recognise them or not.

I would point to the success over the last few years in assembling so many good players (imbalanced but see last paragraph, or was it that imbalanced)

They did make a mess of replacing Berba.

Overall when they look back on Levy's tenure I'm sure it will be viewed as a very successful one. The club makes more money, which he pours into first team without racking up debt and has progressed the facilities, the staff, first and youth team and also has overseen qualifying for europe three years running. He also demanded a new stadium be built for the future.

I would be excited about the future.

Our coaching staff is fantastic too. We have Tim Sherwood, Jamie Redknapp, Les Ferdinand. They are all experianced with excellent football brains, especially Sherwood. There is no way we can have a shit player with coaching staff at this advanced level tbh.

[Ioang]

Another UEFA cup tied striker! But we all know what Redknapp thinks of that competition this year priorities wise (ever think he's too level headed to be a spurs man...?).

[Ginola's Son]

Bent is our man for the UEFA, it will help calm him after losing his place to Defoe.

[peterc]

Had it for a week at least i read!!!

According to Sky Sports news the FA will decide at their next meeting whether they will approve the transfer or not, saying that, would we sign him with the risk of the transfer not going through?

[RuFuS]

I can't put my finger on it but for some reason i'm not entirely comfortable with JD's return. Dont get me wrong i like him as a player and i hope he gets more goals than Keane to become a true Spurs legend but some how it don't feel right.

[TURKISH]

is there a link anywhere regarding that sell on clause I cant find anything.

and I'm uncertain about a defoe + pav combination but I'll give it time and will judge them by how they perform as a partnership and the goals they score obviously.

A potential modric and appiah partnership is what gets me more excited though:drool:

JERMAIN DEFOE’S move to Spurs was yesterday held up by an amazing row over a £4million sell-on clause.

The England striker is desperate to rejoin old boss Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane and the deal should still go ahead.

But the move is complicated as Spurs insist they are entitled to a £4m payment if Defoe joins another club — even if it is them!

When Spurs sold Defoe to Portsmouth last January, they included the sell-on clause — although Portsmouth say it does not apply if he goes back to the same club.

Spurs value the star at £11m — which they say is actually worth £15m with the sell-on sum included.

But Pompey want nearer £19m, even though they still owe money to Tottenham from when they first bought Defoe last January.

A Pompey insider said: “The two clubs are still apart on their valuations and Portsmouth can’t believe Tottenham actually think they are entitled to their own sell-on clause. It’s unbelievable.”

The dispute led to a stand-off last night between Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Pompey chief Peter Storrie.

Spurs are still hopeful of getting the deal done but Redknapp has warned he may switch his attentions if a fee cannot be agreed.

He could make a renewed offer for West Ham striker Craig Bellamy.

Spurs play their Carling Cup semi-final first leg at home to Burnley tonight.

Redknapp said: “The chairman and Peter are talking. If they want to do a deal they will.

“I spoke to Daniel and there was no news so we will have a look and see if there is anything else around.”

Defoe would be eligible to appear in the Carling Cup for Spurs because he was a non-playing sub when Pompey lost 4-0 to Chelsea.

But even if Defoe signed today, it would be too late for him to play tonight.

Pompey’s England right-back Glen Johnson could sign a new deal this week despite interest from Liverpool.







Thats the Latest from The Oracle,ahem, I mean The Sun.

[Milney yid]

TBH, I'm a little embarressed by our club due to our chairman's antics over the last couple of seasons. Over the last 3 years we've sold Carrick, Reid (fat but best/only decent LW we've had since Ginola), Defoe, Berbatov and Keane. At the first dip in form we had in two years under Jol, we've gone "ooh, Sevilla looked good against us, let's get their manager!" chucked a load of money at it and sat back smugly. One year later, we're struggling to get it working so we jump again and go "uhhhh... wait, Harry Redknapp! Pompey look good and they beat us, let's get him!" and threw some more money at it!! Quick fix seems to have become Levy's motto this last two years.

The frustrating thing is that we were genuinely building an excellent team, capable of competing with Europe's best. But with poor transfer decisions being made, capitulation to bigger teams and refusing to meet wage demands required to hold onto the top players, we've lost the team we were building. It's barely recognisable now. I willing to put my neck on the block and say that I will be astonished if Lennon is still in a Spurs shirt next season.

The Defoe situation just shows a further example of this hap hazard, throw money around approach... aah, we've 3 great strikers here, but we're poor in LW and centre mid... I know lets sign Darren Bent, a superflous yet overpriced striker that we will never need and will just unsettle everyone... hmm, now we've got too many and it's unbalancing the side... we can't admit we made a mistake and sell Bent... Yeah lets sell Defoe... aww crap now we've NO strikers... damn I wish we still had Defoe... errr, please Mr Adams, can we have our player back please... we'll give you more money!

We just look like idiots. Sorry.

If all that wasted money had been wisely invested in the team or the wages of the key players under Jol... we would still be getting 5th / 4th place finishes. I'm telling you we would.

Absolutely agree with you mate. When you look back and see how great we once were, it almost beggers belief getting rid of Jol. One win off the Champions League one season, reached 2 quarter finals and one semi final the next season AND managed to still finish 5th in the league, and yet two games into the following season he was virtually gone. Sorry, but Levy is a complete clown. He was greedy, and thought that we could achieve more, but lets face it, if we could go back in time now and have the choice preventing Jol from getting sacked, how many of us would actually still sack him now?

[Rojoknapp]

JERMAIN DEFOE’S move to Spurs was yesterday held up by an amazing row over a £4million sell-on clause.

The England striker is desperate to rejoin old boss Harry Redknapp at White Hart Lane and the deal should still go ahead.

But the move is complicated as Spurs insist they are entitled to a £4m payment if Defoe joins another club — even if it is them!

When Spurs sold Defoe to Portsmouth last January, they included the sell-on clause — although Portsmouth say it does not apply if he goes back to the same club.

Spurs value the star at £11m — which they say is actually worth £15m with the sell-on sum included.

But Pompey want nearer £19m, even though they still owe money to Tottenham from when they first bought Defoe last January.

A Pompey insider said: “The two clubs are still apart on their valuations and Portsmouth can’t believe Tottenham actually think they are entitled to their own sell-on clause. It’s unbelievable.”

The dispute led to a stand-off last night between Spurs chairman Daniel Levy and Pompey chief Peter Storrie.

Spurs are still hopeful of getting the deal done but Redknapp has warned he may switch his attentions if a fee cannot be agreed.

He could make a renewed offer for West Ham striker Craig Bellamy.

Spurs play their Carling Cup semi-final first leg at home to Burnley tonight.

Redknapp said: “The chairman and Peter are talking. If they want to do a deal they will.

“I spoke to Daniel and there was no news so we will have a look and see if there is anything else around.”

Defoe would be eligible to appear in the Carling Cup for Spurs because he was a non-playing sub when Pompey lost 4-0 to Chelsea.

But even if Defoe signed today, it would be too late for him to play tonight.

Pompey’s England right-back Glen Johnson could sign a new deal this week despite interest from Liverpool.







Thats the Latest from The Oracle,ahem, I mean The Sun.

Sounded a bit worrying, but I suppose they wouldn't have brought him on the pitch if there was a potential problem, that would just be asking for trouble.

[nuttyhotspurs]

from the mirror

Tottenham have got the 26-year-old England star on the cheap. They will only pay around £6million for him as Portsmouth still owe them £7m from the original deal and on their other Spurs signings Younes Kaboul and Pedro Mendes.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/01/07/tottenham-pay-just-6million-to-sign-jermain-defoe-115875-21021454/

[Baleinho]

Too be fair we have been mugged slightly here. Levy just didnt get it right, albeit I do believe he did work with the Clubs best intentions in mind.

How many were excited by the arrival of Ramos? I was... Ill bet noone was singing Jol's praises as we were lifting the Carling Cup?

Id love to see Jol back again; but at the time he had to go... The club needed something new and Jol just couldnt sort out Berbasulk. If he came as a new fresh replacement for Ramos now? **** yes I'd be delighted.

[gomessi]

Unfortunately, my head agrees with you, I've never really rated Defoe as highly as most, but I've decided that I don't care and that I'm going to let myself get totally carried away by it, and enjoy singing his name and waiting for his first goal back. It's nice to have players who love Spurs, especially when the other ones (King and Bentley) are crocked and shit respectively :001_smile:

love spurs?

so nothing to do with the fact pompey are a sinking ship, he has all his mates in london (said so himself) and he can work with HARRY instead of a DONKEY!

[gomessi]

Sounded a bit worrying, but I suppose they wouldn't have brought him on the pitch if there was a potential problem, that would just be asking for trouble.

Its the sun whicj means its likely to be rubbish

[Baleinho]

love spurs?

so nothing to do with the fact pompey are a sinking ship, he has all his mates in london (said so himself) and he can work with HARRY instead of a DONKEY!

Well we all knew he didnt want to leave in the first place mate. I do believe that Defoe loves the club and now has the chance to become a legend (once again.) Hes the type of player who WILL give you goals, you cant argue with that. Its just a shame that he lacks the intelligence and HIS INABILITY TO STAY ONSIDE will hinder him from becoming one of the true greats of English football.

But hey, theres always time to change hes still quite young (within reason)

[gomessi]

Well we all knew he didnt want to leave in the first place mate. I do believe that Defoe loves the club and now has the chance to become a legend (once again.) Hes the type of player who WILL give you goals, you cant argue with that. Its just a shame that he lacks the intelligence and HIS INABILITY TO STAY ONSIDE will hinder him from becoming one of the true greats of English football.
But hey, theres always time to change hes still quite young (within reason)

also dont forget he was an arsenal supporter growing up (I know it doesnt mean much) but if a cl team offered him 60k a week he'd be gone in a flash and you know it.

Not many players "love" a football club.

[Baleinho]

also dont forget he was an arsenal supporter growing up (I know it doesnt mean much) but if a cl team offered him 60k a week he'd be gone in a flash and you know it.

Not many players "love" a football club.

You know what? I dont think he'd leave.

You might laugh at that, but honestly I do think he 'loves' the club.

[gomessi]

You know what? I dont think he'd leave.

You might laugh at that, but honestly I do think he 'loves' the club.

robbie "I can see my career ending here" keane also loved the club then lpool offered him a contract a nd he was gone in a flash.

[Baleinho]

robbie "I can see my career ending here" keane also loved the club then lpool offered him a contract a nd he was gone in a flash.

And theres the Ace card I was expecting lol.

[TURKISH]

from the mirror

Tottenham have got the 26-year-old England star on the cheap. They will only pay around £6million for him as Portsmouth still owe them £7m from the original deal and on their other Spurs signings Younes Kaboul and Pedro Mendes.

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/2009/01/07/tottenham-pay-just-6million-to-sign-jermain-defoe-115875-21021454/

Just about to post the same, not a bad deal then really?

[gomessi]

Just about to post the same, not a bad deal then really?

it still means we pay £15m for defoe

[TURKISH]

it still means we pay £15m for defoe

No because we still get 4m from the sell on claus. 11m isn't bad imo and we are hardly in a position to get a better goals scorer.

[gomessi]

No because we still get 4m from the sell on claus. 11m isn't bad imo and we are hardly in a position to get a better goals scorer.

oh I though you were talking about the money owed to us from previous dealings.

I'm still not sure about this clause because its been reported as £15m by most news sources.

[TURKISH]

oh I though you were talking about the money owed to us from previous dealings.

I'm still not sure about this clause because its been reported as £15m by most news sources.

Mmmmmmmmmm could be right, i suppose we just have to wait and find out pal.

[Gino Ginelli]

Can't wait to see the J-Dizzle smashing a 20 yard belter into the net on Sunday. Love him.

[Gino Ginelli]

Spot on you've just said exactly how i feel i tell ya:thumbdown:

Unbelievably I had a dream last night that Spurs brought Jol back in as manager!! :ohmy: It was a BBC Football Focus interview where he was saying that Levy admitted that the last 2 seasons ****ed us up, so he was correcting all the mistakes; bringing back Jol, Carrick and Defoe! was so wierd!

[Shuggie13]

from the reports Turkish is correct about the sell-on claus that was factored in and deducted from what will finally pay (worth around 4m).

Pleased to see him back, I chuckled when he said last night 'that to be honest I never wanted to leave'. Pompey fans will love that.

[TURKISH]

Can't wait to see the J-Dizzle smashing a 20 yard belter into the net on Sunday. Love him.

Love your advatar pal.:001_smile:

[jrio]

You know what? I dont think he'd leave.

You might laugh at that, but honestly I do think he 'loves' the club.
He gave the impression he was always content here, as long as he started enough games. All of his social network and family is in London and he doesn't seem especially ambitious - joining a club that could win the title or CL wouldn't really influence him, nor going to one that would pay him 100k a week. Playing for Wenger wouldn't appeal to him. Harry's someone with whom he has an almost father/son relationship and will make him first choice striker, meaning he won't have to shoot at every slight sight of goal to justify starting the next game.

[Gino Ginelli]

Love your advatar pal.:001_smile:

Gracias! :thumbup1:

Yours is... err... lovely too! :001_huh:

[apr82]

offside is back why?:thumbdown:

[berbzy 'G']

Unbelievably I had a dream last night that Spurs brought Jol back in as manager!! :ohmy: It was a BBC Football Focus interview where he was saying that Levy admitted that the last 2 seasons ****ed us up, so he was correcting all the mistakes; bringing back Jol, Carrick and Defoe! was so wierd!

I really do miss that squad we had in the 2005/06 season. The days where other teams absolutely shit themselves when they had to play us:001_wub:

[choda]

I really do miss that squad we had in the 2005/06 season. The days where other teams absolutely shit themselves when they had to play us:001_wub:

The squad is not far off that actually or even better. A water carrier in behind Modric in cm is a huge change back in that direction. The main difference between that team and the ones after it was A. we had a central midfield and B. we had an organised defence (possibly hanging over from Santini).

Added to the new central midfield... Pav starting to buzz, resigning Defoe, Lennon, a solid defence and some exciting kids means it is heading right back to that or better.

Don't underestimate the difference having a central midfield like the one we've seen in the last two games will make. Poor teams or not we've simply not had that flow and functionality since Carrick and Davids bar one or two games when O'Hara was played there and had a blinder. In fact the last two games bar the first half v Burnley was the best I've ever seen from spurs in cm.

I'd go so far as to say Modric is the best central midfielder we've had in over 15 years. This team should be built around him, he's utterly utterly class.

The amount of good ball the forwards and wingers got in the last two games I've not seen before from spurs and Pav is coming good and used it very well. The wingers (joh wasn't really on the wing last night) were actually well off form and we still battered them.

[Rojoknapp]

The squad is not far off that actually or even better. A water carrier in behind Modric in cm is a huge change back in that direction. The main difference between that team and the ones after it was A. we had a central midfield and B. we had an organised defence (possibly hanging over from Santini).

Added to the new central midfield... Pav starting to buzz, resigning Defoe, Lennon, a solid defence and some exciting kids means it is heading right back to that or better.

Don't underestimate the difference having a central midfield like the one we've seen in the last two games will make. Poor teams or not we've simply not had that flow and functionality since Carrick and Davids bar one or two games when O'Hara was played there and had a blinder. In fact the last two games bar the first half v Burnley was the best I've ever seen from spurs in cm.

I'd go so far as to say Modric is the best central midfielder we've had in over 15 years. This team should be built around him, he's utterly utterly class.

The amount of good ball the forwards and wingers got in the last two games I've not seen before from spurs and Pav is coming good and used it very well. The wingers (joh wasn't really on the wing last night) were actually well off form and we still battered them.

You always talk about Carrick and Davids but Davids played 90% of his games on the left. He and Carrick were never a cm partnership.

[choda]

You always talk about Carrick and Davids but Davids played 90% of his games on the left. He and Carrick were never a cm partnership.

But he tucked in and did his tackling. His presence was immense and we never lost midfield when he played, never. He wouldn't allow us to lose the battle and that was massive.

He'd have been better too if he played in the centre. He was often trying to up the tempo and do the managers job for him so to speak and then got some abuse when his teamates were asleep and not ready for action.

He was great for us even though he was definitely past his best when he got here.

[Rojoknapp]

But he tucked in and did his tackling. His presence was immense and we never lost midfield when he played, never. He wouldn't allow us to lose the battle and that was massive.

He'd have been better too if he played in the centre. He was often trying to up the tempo and do the managers job for him so to speak and then got some abuse when his teamates were asleep and not ready for action.

He was great for us even though he was definitely past his best when he got to spurs.

Totally agree with that. If indeed he and Carrick had been put together we may well have got 4th, you never know. He was a brilliant signing, I remember how excited I was when I heard we'd signed Edgar Davids :drool:

[berbzy 'G']

Gotta miss Edgar Davids :crying:

He actually added alot of pace to the team.

[Rojoknapp]

Gotta miss Edgar Davids :crying:

He actually added alot of pace to the team.

Maybe Didier can be the new Davids :thumbup: :lol:

[LifeTimeYido]

Maybe Didier can be the new Davids :thumbup: :lol:

Holy fcuk i just spilt me beer
LMFAO :lol: :lol: :lol: :lol:

[berbzy 'G']

Maybe Didier can be the new Davids :thumbup: :lol:

f*ck me. I'd hate to see Zokora stepping up to take the World Cup winning penalty for Ivory Coast. The ball would land in my back garden

[irishspur]

Haha davids and zokora are about alike as chalk and cheese davids was everything zokora is(super fit totally comitted good positional sense) plus being a tackler in the roy keane mold and a quality passer.

[TURKISH]

11 months on anyone still happy with the signing?


I AM!

http://i49.tinypic.com/6fvct3.gif

[choda]

I'm not too keen on him either, but I will suspend judgement until his all round game is driving me bananas again. I don't think he's top standard, much like Bent. Both clinical finishers but with all round games that can really damage your overall goals for and against. Not holding the ball up well (both), very selfish (defoe), head down (defoe), unintelligent crap movement (both) that sort of thing.

Defoe has better ball control and a stronger shot, Bent has a lot more power and aerial ability.

Having said all of that Harry does get the best out of the little man and is the only coach that seems to be able to develop his game. So I do have some optimism. Harry IS a very good coach. I mean Zokora was a lost cause, not to mention Dawson and Ekotto who now show some promise again.

I hope Defoe finally fulfils the early promise he had. It COULD be a great signing. But I feel Pav is the real class striker in our ranks if he keeps performing like the last game and the euros, as it was an all round superb performance.

Btw what's with people and Defoe's stats? They always give incorrect and very flattering ones for him. Setanta say he played 110 games and scored 62goals for spurs, lol. I don't know where they got that rubbish, played way more games than that. And on wikipedia they always had his league games and goals for all comps.

And the comments on loyalty are pretty misguided. He's not any more loyal until it is actually tested, but he was not wanted by cl clubs when he was here so it is entirely different.

Plus 'loyalty' is overated, you can't begrudge players that spend a lot of time here and always gave their all. They gave it a go and if it wasn't happening quick enough and they have a better opportunity for the big time towards the end of their career, then how can you begrudge them?

And shit happens with managers. Jol failed Levy so did Ramos by being the five million man that didn't learn english, no bad appointment of commolli will ever cover that over. I'd be flabbergasted if in a few years Hamburg are consistently better than they were. Plus was Commolli really that bad? Some of his buys (his buys being vetoed by the coaches too as well) don't look so bad now with a proper coach that can also speak english (gomes, bale, hutton, corluka, modric, pav, zokora, santos, Berbatov, campbell loan). That's good work.

The main problem with imbalance has been because all the coaches fancied Jenas way too much, and when a request was made for one, Commolli went and got MODRIC. The coaches until Harry are ultimately what let everyone down imo. It is only him that has actually managed to get Modric looking what he really is, world class.

Fans aren't rational a lot of the time, imo.

I only hate Berba because his attitude stank on the pitch and he DIDN'T give his all while he was here.

Just a thought but when things go well the coach often gets heaped with praise and can get the fans on his side and then when it goes to shit they are immune to it. But what if the foundation, the structure the money being poured in and players being hand picked had a lot to do with the success and that it was actually the coach that was messing it up?

I think the answer lies in looking at tactics and decisions made, which is what I am alluding to in this post. I see a hell of a difference in coaching and tactics under Harry to the previous two managers.

And people blame the DoF structure but what's wrong with it when the manager never gets any players he doesn't want bar kids? The difference when it is done right (we did do it right, manager got the final say) is actually negligible, both systems have their pluses and their negatives.

Harry has indeed done wonders for Defoe. The transformation has been as much as Ekotto, almost beyond comprehension if you don't forget how good the potential was when he first came to spurs.

The little just needed the right coaching and some quality gym work. His movement, hold up and link play has improved out of all proportion.

On the gym work his athleticism is sensational at the minute. The way he ran defenders down the channels yesterday and turned them with pure pace and mobility was actually outrageous. I'm not sure anyone could live with that kind of nimbleness and change of direction. He was turning blind alleys into leaving them for dead opening the whole thing up without any real effort! :santaclaus:

[earl warwick]

"I'm not too keen on him either, but I will suspend judgement until his all round game is driving me bananas again."

"But I feel Pav is the real class striker in our ranks if he keeps performing like the last game and the euros, as it was an all round superb performance."
:blushing:

Selective quoting, eh? Dontcha just love it?

[gomessi]

officially signed now

I think in his first games he'll loads of goals, and after the honeymoon period is over he wont be scroring so prolifically and everyone will come to realise he isnt that differentt in terms of quality to bent.

Defoe seems to have little or no concept of the offside law and his team play is non existent. Its why keane established a wonderful partnership with berbatov.

IMO signing defoe will have a negative impact on pav who like to play as the most advanced striker. I hope I'm wrong but defoe will need to get more involved in build up play to convince me otherwise he is just another poor signing.

Sorry to be negative but thats my opinion.

Well......I was wrong. Amazing transformation since his first spell.

[gomessi]

http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2009/11/23/article-0-0751F666000005DC-74_468x309.jpg

[earl warwick]

Well......I was wrong. Amazing transformation since his first spell.

Respect due, as most forumers are only too keane to highlight their foresight.

:top:

[choda]

"I'm not too keen on him either, but I will suspend judgement until his all round game is driving me bananas again."

"But I feel Pav is the real class striker in our ranks if he keeps performing like the last game and the euros, as it was an all round superb performance."
:blushing:

Selective quoting, eh? Dontcha just love it?

Well I wasn't too keen on it at the time because he was pretty ordinary and limited in his first spell, but I did say the potential was there and that possibly a coach like Harry could work miracles with him, and that's exactly what has happened. Different animal altogether these days, top player. It was a good considered and balanced post imo. Just about any other manager and we'd probably still be lamenting Defoe's poor movement, poor link play and hold up of the ball and he'd be trying the patience of a saint.

So I believe I was spot on in calling it as it stood. Basically if Harry knows he can change him then sign him on the spot, if not then it is a so so signing not really any different to Darren Bent. Harry did know he could change his game and improve him drastically and that's what has happened so therefore a brilliant signing.

I think even Harry is surprised by the extra improvement physically though, he's even gone up a notch I don't think anyone knew he had.

I think you are now talking about a player that if he's not world class he is damn close.

[Rojoknapp]

Waste of money. If we had to buy someone back it should have been Bobby Zamora :001_smile:

Like Gomessi, I have to admit that I wasn't over the moon when we signed him. In his first spell I thought he was wildly overrated, but now he is banging in the goals all over the place, and what's more, his hold up and link up play has improved beyond recognition. Earlier this season I saw him backing into John Terry while he waited for a ball to get to his feet!

Fair play to JD and Harry :thumbup1:

[choda]

Respect due, as most forumers are only too keane to highlight their foresight.

:top:

I always admit when I'm wrong, unlike you ever do. I wasn't wrong on this occassion at all.

And the little Keane comment didn't go unnoticed. I was also right about that as well if you actually understand the game. I said we needed a class all rounder that could bring some class to the general play and be a focal point that brings the quality of possession together and despite not hitting top form since he's come back he's been vital to the progression as a team and the 2 points per game since January.

He and Defoe is a class partnership that really works and makes us look like a top side when we dont fiddle with things too much.

And hopefully Keane will really start sparking again so we have the two of them in top form. But they are both wonderful footballers.

Issues I got totally wrong: Ekotto and Dawson, wrote them off entirely and got it badly wrong.

[earl warwick]

I always admit when I'm wrong, unlike you ever do. I wasn't wrong on this occassion at all.

And the little Keane comment didn't go unnoticed. I was also right about that as well if you actually understand the game. I said we needed a class all rounder that could bring some class to the general play and be a focal point that brings the quality of possession together and despite not hitting top form since he's come back he's been vital to the progression as a team and the 2 points per game since January.

He and Defoe is a class partnership that really works and makes us look like a top side when we dont fiddle with things too much.

And hopefully Keane will really start sparking again so we have the two of them in top form. But they are both wonderful footballers.

Issues I got totally wrong: Ekotto and Dawson, wrote them off entirely and got it badly wrong.
Stop squealing, beatch!

[TURKISH]

I'm not too keen on him either, but I will suspend judgement until his all round game is driving me bananas again. I don't think he's top standard, much like Bent. Both clinical finishers but with all round games that can really damage your overall goals for and against. Not holding the ball up well (both), very selfish (defoe), head down (defoe), unintelligent crap movement (both) that sort of thing.

Defoe movement, hold up play has only got better since he went to pompey and now he looks deadly. I think we are getting much more out of him than we ever dreamed of, he is making assists, making great well timed runs when players look up and holding the ball up.

Imo he was never one dimensional and has always had more to his game then head down and shoot.

Defoe is well respected striker and always has been.

[Gino Ginelli]

I didn't realise this was a ressurected thread! My heart leapt when I thought it meant we were selling Jenas!

[MarlowSpurs]

I didn't realise this was a ressurected thread! My heart leapt when I thought it meant we were selling Jenas!

Thats what I thought , bloody prick teasers:thumbdown:

[choda]

Defoe movement, hold up play has only got better since he went to pompey and now he looks deadly. I think we are getting much more out of him than we ever dreamed of, he is making assists, making great well timed runs when players look up and holding the ball up.

Imo he was never one dimensional and has always had more to his game then head down and shoot.

Defoe is well respected striker and always has been.

Opinions were really quite mixed mate until this year, a bit like Jenas. But players that can flash a bullet shot will always be popular with many people, even when they have big limitations. And he was always respected as a quality finisher by everyone.

But I don't think he's even comparable to what he was, he's come on so much.

[MiloMinderbinder]

All I will say on the matter is that when at Pompey this time last year I looked at Defoe and thought "bugger :damnmate:", I look at him now and I think "yay :dancing2:".

[choda]

All I will say on the matter is that when at Pompey this time last year I looked at Defoe and thought "bugger :damnmate:", I look at him now and I think "yay :dancing2:".

And before that you looked at him and called him a brainless rabbit killer and a super-midget. You weren't wrong but I'm just saying. :tongue: :bandit:

[MiloMinderbinder]

And before that you looked at him and called him a brainless rabbit killer and a super-midget. You weren't wrong but I'm just saying. :tongue: :bandit:

Prezactly my little green friend, hence the "bugger"...quid pro quo, I was wrong.:ciao:

[TURKISH]

Opinions were really quite mixed mate until this year, a bit like Jenas. But players that can flash a bullet shot will always be popular with many people, even when they have big limitations. And he was always respected as a quality finisher by everyone.

But I don't think he's even comparable to what he was, he's come on so much.


I think as a striker going past players, striking a ball deadly, making runs out wide and being able to link with strike partners shows that they are far from limited.

Yes he had areas in his game which he had to improve, but obviously he was a young lad and has matured which always makes a player improve. He has improved for sure but he was a fantastic little player who was unlucky to have two primed players who had a freak connection on the pitch in keane and berba.

[gomessi]

Suggesting that Defoe is "just doing what he has always done" (something I said in January I believe) is obviously wrong. If I was to hold that opinion now you could accuse me of running on prejudice and not using myeyes.

Sloppy journalism, for a change, has nothing to do with the current attention that Defoe is getting. He's getting it because he keeps scoring goals (his job, after all) and because he has visibly developed into a more effective, better-rounded footballer. It's been visible since he returned to Tottenham, but it's only this season that it's started to bring prolific results. * It's fair to say that his entire game has made a step-change over the past 18 months, especially as far as holding up the ball is concerned. Being able to play with his back to goal, which he has scarcely ever tried before this season (and couldn't do when he did try), puts him in a better position to play one-twos and execute turns. This is something Harry has noticed and he has stated a few times "Jerman is a lot stronger now and holds it up a lot better".

The next and final step is to get onto David Villa level (Choda likes to compare him to Villa). This means h will be outstanding in the the big games. Getting goals in the big games.

He needs to add this quality to his game before he can be spoken in the same breath as drogba/torres/. Before someone says "the team always plays rubbish against the top 4" you need to understand the truly world class players do it in the big games. Defoe has scored 8 agsinst hull and wigan.

This is merely an observation and it would help if he had a big game to play in before I make a judgment on his ability against the top teams. In JD defence he earned us a draw with two goals against international Holland. Not exactly the World Cup final, true, but international football is always a "big game" to an extent. This season JD has been triffic so I'd stick him in the top 10 strikers in the world. Close to world class but not there yet.

Defoe is a late developer and I think he will have a great season and hopefully many more after this.

[TURKISH]

Suggesting that Defoe is "just doing what he has always done" (something I said in January I believe) is obviously wrong. If I was to hold that opinion now you could accuse me of running on prejudice and not using myeyes.

Sloppy journalism, for a change, has nothing to do with the current attention that Defoe is getting. He's getting it because he keeps scoring goals (his job, after all) and because he has visibly developed into a more effective, better-rounded footballer. It's been visible since he returned to Tottenham, but it's only this season that it's started to bring prolific results. * It's fair to say that his entire game has made a step-change over the past 18 months, especially as far as holding up the ball is concerned. Being able to play with his back to goal, which he has scarcely ever tried before this season (and couldn't do when he did try), puts him in a better position to play one-twos and execute turns. This is something Harry has noticed and he has stated a few times "Jerman is a lot stronger now and holds it up a lot better".

The next and final step is to get onto David Villa level (Choda likes to compare him to Villa). This means h will be outstanding in the the big games. Getting goals in the big games.

He needs to add this quality to his game before he can be spoken in the same breath as drogba/torres/. Before someone says "the team always plays rubbish against the top 4" you need to understand the truly world class players do it in the big games. Defoe has scored 8 agsinst hull and wigan.

This is merely an observation and it would help if he had a big game to play in before I make a judgment on his ability against the top teams. In JD defence he earned us a draw with two goals against international Holland. Not exactly the World Cup final, true, but international football is always a "big game" to an extent. This season JD has been triffic so I'd stick him in the top 10 strikers in the world. Close to world class but not there yet.

Defoe is a late developer and I think he will have a great season and hopefully many more after this.


He scored against United this year, but he missed the scum game and to be fair the way Harry lined the teams up I'm surprised we had a shot on target. But would I bank on him to score against the big teams? No, not sure what his record is against the big teams. I know he scored against chelsea for pompey, he scored against them when he played for us, he has scored against liverpool and arsenal in the past.

I think we has made great strides since he left us and went to pompey with Harry. This year goal wise he has looked great, you can't fault him if he scores 5 goals during a game or three especially when his goal record away from home has improved. Also he missed three games because of a red card.

Lets see how well he is doing come end of the season, until then good luck son you deserve it.

[choda]

I think as a striker going past players, striking a ball deadly, making runs out wide and being able to link with strike partners shows that they are far from limited.

Yes he had areas in his game which he had to improve, but obviously he was a young lad and has matured which always makes a player improve. He has improved for sure but he was a fantastic little player who was unlucky to have two primed players who had a freak connection on the pitch in keane and berba.

He rarely went by players mate, and his runs were poorly timed, usually into the wrong areas for that time and when he picked it up his link play was really poor. He was usually just head down and smack it, as often as possible, with no regard to picking the right ball whether it be a pass, a pass and move or a shot.

You don't agree with that, that is fine, but I really believe that was the case. We both agree he's absolute class now so no point in arguing over it. But I think he's improved beyond recognition since Harry has gotten a hold of him again.

Before that think he was a flashier and more glorified version of Darren Bent, which still had merits for goalscoring but your top teams and what we have aspired to really don't want people messing up the teams overall attacking by not getting involved enough or being very frustrating when you do.

He's a different league altogether now, close to world class and any top team would want him, at least in the squad.

[sarah]

I thought we were signing another Jermaine. :blushing:

[sarah]

Suggesting that Defoe is "just doing what he has always done" (something I said in January I believe) is obviously wrong. If I was to hold that opinion now you could accuse me of running on prejudice and not using myeyes.

Sloppy journalism, for a change, has nothing to do with the current attention that Defoe is getting. He's getting it because he keeps scoring goals (his job, after all) and because he has visibly developed into a more effective, better-rounded footballer. It's been visible since he returned to Tottenham, but it's only this season that it's started to bring prolific results. * It's fair to say that his entire game has made a step-change over the past 18 months, especially as far as holding up the ball is concerned. Being able to play with his back to goal, which he has scarcely ever tried before this season (and couldn't do when he did try), puts him in a better position to play one-twos and execute turns. This is something Harry has noticed and he has stated a few times "Jerman is a lot stronger now and holds it up a lot better".

The next and final step is to get onto David Villa level (Choda likes to compare him to Villa). This means h will be outstanding in the the big games. Getting goals in the big games.

He needs to add this quality to his game before he can be spoken in the same breath as drogba/torres/. Before someone says "the team always plays rubbish against the top 4" you need to understand the truly world class players do it in the big games. Defoe has scored 8 agsinst hull and wigan.

This is merely an observation and it would help if he had a big game to play in before I make a judgment on his ability against the top teams. In JD defence he earned us a draw with two goals against international Holland. Not exactly the World Cup final, true, but international football is always a "big game" to an extent. This season JD has been triffic so I'd stick him in the top 10 strikers in the world. Close to world class but not there yet.

Defoe is a late developer and I think he will have a great season and hopefully many more after this.

Can I just ask something GM. Is this hold up play you talk about really that important?

I'm only asking because I've had a look at his wiki page and the only thing that strikes me as an improvement is his goal scoring in the premier league. This season he will almost certainly break his personal best so isn't it that and not his hold up the reason he is getting the extra credit.

[Gino Ginelli]

Holding the ball up is generally what can make a good striker (basically just a finisher) into a more well-rounded forward player who adds more to the team. By being able to keep the ball the player can retain possession if he finds himself too far ahead of his team with the ball and has no clear sight of goal until one of his team mates can provide support or run into space. Thereby he is "holding the ball (and the game) up".

Players like Crouch and Heskey can do it very well, which is why they are valued for offering more to the team than just goals.

[choda]

Holding the ball up is generally what can make a good striker (basically just a finisher) into a more well-rounded forward player who adds more to the team. By being able to keep the ball the player can retain possession if he finds himself too far ahead of his team with the ball and has no clear sight of goal until one of his team mates can provide support or run into space. Thereby he is "holding the ball (and the game) up".

Players like Crouch and Heskey can do it very well, which is why they are valued for offering more to the team than just goals.

It's not just that it also retains quality possession more which squeezes you up further, you take territory and over 90 minutes these things are very important.

When you have the ball more you tire less, they tire more and you create more chances for the team and the strikers. This is why I put so much importance on Keane because he one of the masters of it, along with his goal scoring.

Defoe has hugely improved in this area and the team gets better possession, Defoe and the team get more quality chances and he's always been the best finisher at the club.

They are still very different, which makes a good dovetail, Defoe is still mainly a finisher (but he's improved his hold up and movement hugely) and Keane is mainly a second striker, but both have enough of the other qualities you need to be a top player. Both terrific players and both vital to how we do this year.

[MiloMinderbinder]

It's not just that it also retains quality possession more which squeezes you up further, you take territory and over 90 minutes these things are very important.

When you have the ball more you tire less, they tire more and you create more chances for the team and the strikers. This is why I put so much importance on Keane because he one of the masters of it, along with his goal scoring.

Defoe has hugely improved in this area and the team gets better possession, Defoe and the team get more quality chances and he's always been the best finisher at the club.

They are still very different, which makes a good dovetail, Defoe is still mainly a finisher (but he's improved his hold up and movement hugely) and Keane is mainly a second striker, but both have enough of the other qualities you need to be a top player. Both terrific players and both vital to how we do this year.

For Pete's sake man, there's a Keane thread we're already (mass)debating on, this is a Defoe thread, leave it...:playingball: :ciao:

[choda]

For Pete's sake man, there's a Keane thread we're already (mass)debating on, this is a Defoe thread, leave it...:playingball: :ciao:

It's very related, I'm saying that Defoe has developed a lot of Keane's qualities and it has helped the team and himself enormously and that they are still a good dovetail because they still inherently rather different, better at different things and are both of very high quality.

And I realise this is a satire of Jrio, but I still wanted to make the point. This is becoming popular, gomessi did it last week as well. :ciao: :thefinger: