The January Transfer Window Conundrum: 3 Potential Signings

@_aaronelliott, writer for @TactTottenham takes a look at our current transfer predicament.

So here we are again. Sitting here, 7 days before the end of the transfer window, and still a forward eludes us. Déjà Vu, anyone? Of course not. The Cambridge online dictionary suggests this is 'the strange feeling that in some way you have experienced already what is happening now'. That implies it only happened once. Try the past 3 transfer windows. Anyway, I digress. Time to get down to the meat of this post. Who's the right striker for us?

Candidate number 1: Gary 'SPL's Van Persie' Hooper
We want goals, right? Goals win games. Goals are good. Goals can be celebrated by all manner of crazy Polish dance. But do we really want the guy who scores hatricks past the likes of Inverness? It's hard to say. For some, Gary Hooper genuinely is the greatest thing to grace Scotland since Irn-Bru was invented. But for this blogger... well, he's skeptical. Is Gary Hooper the type of marquee signing a team battling for Champions League football needs? Unlikely. Look at Ferguson. Loses out on the title on goal difference, goes out and buys arguably the world's best striker. Now, of course we're not in a position to attract one of the world's best. But you'd like to think we could do a bit better than Gary Hooper.

The next best thing to Flake 99.

 

I'm told it's the Brazilian Gangnam Style.

Candidate number 2: Leandro 'permalinked to Spurs' Damiao
Now here's one that'd be nice. Having been linked with us since AVB was a sprightly young manager in the Virgin Islands, Damiao is a name that Spurs fans will no doubt remember. Possessing a tremendous amount of skill as well as poise in front of goal, Leandro would no doubt be the signing to get our taste buds watering. A fee somewhere in the region of 20 million euros has been touted for the Brazilian striker, which would no doubt rinse Levy's pockets. It would also prove a massive gamble, seeing as though Damiao has not so much as kicked a ball in competitive European football. Sadly, Yids, it's a gamble I can't see Mr Levy taking.


Candidate number 3: Son 'Sorry I'm out of funny names but this one does itself' Heung min
Recently linked with Spurs, Heung-min is described as a winger-come-forward who uses a combination of pace and dribbling to beat his opponents. He's also no stranger in terms of goalscoring, netting 6 times in 16 appearances from wide areas this season. While it is unlikely that Son would take the role of centre-forward, he would provide healthy competition in and around the first team and for only £8 million it seems like a bargain for one of Bundesliga's brightest young talents. The 20 year old also stands at 6ft tall. Combining speed and power like that is rare. Remind you of anyone? Fingers crossed.

 

2 noodles with beansprouts

 

The message this post delivers is a rather inconclusive one, but I feel that represents where we are in terms of signings this window. AVB has kept his cards rather close to his chest (unlike his predecessor) which is something I admire from this manager. If we are to make a purchase in the forward position this window I'd like it to be the right one, not a stop-gap that'll drain the wage bill or a potentially mediocre player from another league. In Saha and Rasiak, we've seen these signings before. We're at a vital stage in terms of our club's future, having the chance to secure our future as the fourth best team in England. We can't afford to slip up. I know people may want Levy to pull Llorente out of his arse, but it simply won't happen. Realism is key, folks. Don't forget we've already signed two players and in five years time we might be looking back and talking about how great those purchases were.

Let's just see what deadline day in particular brings us.

#InLevyWeTrust

 

No score bore draw leaves one ex-manager the happier of the dapper chaps

@_aaronelliott takes a look at today's game.

'Alright lads, I want 10 men behind the ball at all times. Don't try and score. Don't even think about scoring. Unless you get forward a bit, then have a dig.'



"Faakin' mark up"

This is something along the lines of what former man of the moment and egomaniac Harry Redknapp's team talk would have sounded like. Partial slander aside, I think we can all praise QPR for reducing our efforts down to just the odd glimpse at goal. They set out to frustrate us and, well, they did. Kudos.

"...and beyond the relegation zone!"

The game started promisingly enough from a Spurs' perspective; our possession was good, and it looked like only a matter of time before we broke the deadlock. Unfortunately, a mere 10 minutes in, this is where the match climaxed. Defoe rifled a trademark shot from outside the box which looked destined for the top corner until Julio Cesar met it with a sublime save to tip it onto the post. That's where Adebayor picked up the rebound, beat a defender, then had his tame effort saved by Cesar. A brilliant double by the Brazilian. He's certainly come a long way from being animated and voiced by Tim Allen. That was undoubtedly the highlight of an otherwise dull match. Redknapp's line-up was virtually the same as the side that somehow won at Stamford Bridge, with the exception of the industrious Park now playing the full 90. Industry was the theme of the day, it appears, as QPR worked their proverbial socks off to leave us disappointed with a point. One other moment of entertainment came from Stephane M'bia's attempt at rolling through the space-time continuum after our own Hugo Lloris 'may' have clipped him while play was stopped.

"The mean man kicked me"

So what really caused this stalemate. QPR's stout and resolute defending? Or was it our lack of creativity? So many times I've seen us pass the ball around a team without cutting through them. And this isn't just this season, it happened when we had Modric too. We've struggled for some time to break teams down and it appears a fundamental problem that hasn't been addressed. Having said that, we should have had enough on the pitch today to win. Adebayor's run of poor form took another shocking turn as he seemed unable to hold the ball up, Defoe huffed and puffed but apart from the odd glimpse seemed ineffective, Bale and Lennon were not able to affect the game at all, Dawson's love affair with the 70 yard diagonal pass continued... I could go on naming issues with today's game but I'll put it down to 'just one of those days'.

Oh god, I sound like Redknapp.

Anyway, it's not the end of the world. A win would have been nice but considering we lost there last season maybe a point will prove handy in the long-run. One thing I would like to see however is some investment this window, y'know? A real sign of intent from Levy, the sort that was lacking last January when we hoped for Llorente and got Saha. I spose we'll just have to wait and see. And to end on a positive note, AVB reckons Sandro will be fit for the United game thank god.

Let's just hope the Mancs spank the Goons tomorrow.

Queens Park Rangers vs Tottenham Hotspur Match Preview

Queens Park Rangers vs Tottenham Hotspur Match Preview

André Villas Boas' is taking his in-form Tottenham squad to Loftus Road on Saturday.  The manager at QPR, Harry Redknapp, was sacked by Tottenham on 13 June 2012.  Villas Boas and Redknapp have exchanged some heated words in recent days but you should expect nothing less from two competitive managers.  QPR pulled of a very surprising upset at Stamford Bridge when Shaun Wright-Phillips scored the winner for the away side.  QPR will be looking for two league wins in a row which has not occurred all season.

Predicted Line-Ups:

Tottenham-

4-4-2

Lloris;

Walker, Vertonghen, Dawson, Naughton;

Sandro, Dembele, Bale, Lennon;

Adebayor, Defoe

QPR-

4-1-4-1

Emmanuel Adebayor

Caesar;

Unuoha, Nelsen, Hill, Fabio;

Derry;

Mackie, Mbia, Granero, Wright-Phillips; 

Taraabt

Players To Watch-

Tottenham: 

Emmanuel Adebayor- The Togolese international will be looking to prove to his coach and team that he is still top class.  This may be his last game before departing for the AFCON so he will be giving it his all.

QPR:

Shaun Wright-Phillips

Shaun Wright-Phillips- The English winger will be looking to prove to Harry Redknapp that he deserves a spot in the squad each week.  He will also be looking to follow up his magnificent goal against Chelsea. 

My Prediction:

3-0 Spurs ;

Bale, Lennon, Adebayor

Written by @WFWorldFootball

5 Predictions for Tottenham Hotspur in 2013

5 Predictions for Tottenham Hotspur in 2013

 

 

Pick me, Mr. Levy!

1) We're going to break our record transfer fee.
The current one-off payment for a player currently stands at £16.5m for former talisman and all-round transfer whore Luka Modric. Money well spent in anyone's books. However, times have moved on; we're a better side than we were when we picked up the Croatian in 2008, and it is debatable whether or not we have the time to nurture a potential world-class talent or whether we have to break the bank to secure one now.
So who would be the new star signing? The usual suspects such as Damiao and Moutinho have all been mentioned and are likely to cost in excess of £16.5m (despite reports claiming Internacional would accept £15m+Gomes). After making an alleged £11m profit on our summer transfer dealings, it is not beyond the realms of possibility that AVB will bid to strengthen his squad with a blockbuster signing either in this transfer window or the next.

2) Jake Livermore to leave the club.

Part of Tottenham's future or past?

Whether this one happens on loan or permanently is open to debate, but one things for sure is that young iron-shoulders won't be happy with his current role (or lack of role) in AVB's set up. Perhaps a loan move is on the cards for the 23 year old with the aim of regular football and ultimately follow in the footsteps of the Kyle's or Steven Caulker. Cleary a year of top flight football can do wonders for a player, giving them both the confidence to succeed and also experience playing both alongside and against international players. However, a more likely outcome is a permanent move to a bottom half team followed by the swift realisation that his potential is no higher than average at best. Jamie O'Hara style.

Just a couple more euros please...

3) Madrid to tempt Tottenham with muchos euros for Bale.
Time to talk about the elephant in the room. We, as Spurs fans, have seen Gareth grow from a young Simeon into arguably the best left-winger in the world. Yet there will inevitably come a time, much like there did with Luka, when one of the world's best teams will tempt the player with the prospect of playing alongside the world's elite. Madrid boss Jose Mourinho has made no secret of his admiration for Bale, and just about every tabloid in the world has linked the former Chelsea manager with our Welsh wing wizard. It would take a bold chairman in charge to turn down an offer of up to €50m. Lucky we have Daniel Levy in charge then, ey? If anyone is stubborn enough to refuse trivial offers time and time again it's that man. And so long as we keep improving the team and succeed in securing Champions League football, there's no reason why we can't keep Bale for at least another season.

4) Tom Huddlestone to recapture his form of the 2009-10 season.

The jury is out on Big Thudd

Potentially the most controversial of the 5 predictions, it is nonetheless a distinct possibility. The sad thing is, Tommy is likely to leave the Lane in order to gain regular first-team football, with Fulham mooted as a potential destination. This would reunite Huddlestone with former boss and Tottenham hero Martin Jol. A move would likely suit both parties; Huddlestone needs to be playing games, and Fulham desperately need a creative central midfielder to compliment their other talents such as Ruiz and Berbatov. Should Huddlestone be playing regular football, it is not impossible that he could become the player he was when we made it to the Champions League; a bulky yet subtle midfielder with an excellent range of passing and an eye for goal. The neutral in me says this move is ideal, but my heart would break a little bit if he were to leave. Perhaps injuries have ruined this once England international, but given the chance he could become an important player for one side.

5) AVB to get the sack....just kidding.

5) Sandro to be talked about world-wide as a world-class player.

Err, yeah. Sorry, Peter.

Perhaps an obvious assumption, but it appears from conversing with other football fans that the tough-tackling Brazilian is perhaps not as highly rated amongst neutrals as he is by Yids. After losing his place to Scott Parker last season, Sandro was given his chance to impress by AVB this year and hasn't looked back since, winning MOTM in many games already as well as the hearts of virtually every fan. There is something enigmatic about Sandro. From his eccentric YouTube video ("PAIIIIINNNN!!!!!") to his heroic on-the-pitch performances, it is clear that this lad is a real character. Combine that with his incredible tackling ability and ever-improving all-round game and you've got a WHL legend on your hands. I made a prediction after the AC Milan away game that Sandro would become world-class, and my mates at college all laughed at me. 'One good game', they said. But his determined attitude was what really struck out as he managed to keep the likes of Pato and Seedorf quiet. Yes, a world-class Sandro looks a distinct possibility now (if not already a reality).


Thanks for reading.

Article by @_aaronelliott, writer for @TactTottenham 



Tottenham vs Coventry match report

Tottenham Hotspur will play in the fourth round of the FA Cup after beating Coventry City by 3-0.

After a historic game in the 1987 FA Cup final, everyone was hoping this to be an exciting and nerve-racking game... Well, we were wrong.

Two goals from the American Dempsey and one from Gareth Bale made this an easy game which led to Andros Townsend and Thomas Carroll get some minutes on their legs.

The game was so relaxing that Adebayor was sleeping and sometimes woke up to jog a little.

First half went by with Spurs creating innumerous chances to score but Adebayor wasn't in his best days. Coventry put in a few crosses but Friedel was there to meet them.

In the second half, the game stagnated and Villas-Boas sent Thomas Carroll and Townsend to get some minutes. Dembélé came in also to make sure they didn't screw up our midfield. Friedel made an amazing save to justify having him as the GK in the Spurs lineup.

Villas-Boas gave Parker his first start of the season and returned to "the old" 4-2-3-1.

Assou-Ekotto returned from his long-term injury and played well along side with, Dawson, Caulker and Naughton, with Friedel in the back.

Midfield with Parker and Huddlestone, Sigurdsson on a creative attacking midfield role with Bale and Dempsey on the wings. Adebayor played up front.

Tottenham Hotspur (4-2-3-1): Friedel, Naughton, Dawson, Caulker, Assou-Ekotto, Huddlestone, Parker (Dembele 80), Sigurdsson (Carroll 79), Dempsey, Adebayor, Bale (Townsend 70).

Coventry (4-4-2): Murphy, Adams, Edjenguele, Wood, Jordan Clarke, Baker, Jennings (Fleck 71), Bailey (Thomas 59), McSheffrey, Moussa (Barton 50), Leon Clarke.

Goals: Dempsey (14, 37), Bale (33).

+ Plus:

• Gareth Bale: Once again showing why he is one of the best wingers in the world.
• Dempsey: Scored two goals and keep on showing that he is on top of his form right now.
• Friedel: After some time on the bench one could say he would be rusty... Wrong again. He kept a clean sheet and was on form throughout the whole game. Even though he didn't had much to do.

- Minus:

• Adebayor: A striker that can pass but can't meet the crosses. 
• Coventry:  Had one or two good shots but the Sky Blues were spectators of the match.

Tekkers! No, wait, that was absolutely rubbish by Fryers!

Watch Ezekiel Fryers desperately trying to regain possession for Manchester United whilst losing 2-1 AET in Old Trafford! Yes, that is in fact our new signing.

Anas Sharbini has been linked with a move to Spurs

Anas Sharbini, a 25-year-old Croatian Midfielder that has been called “The new Modric”, might be moving to London according to his agent Ned Kujundzic.

Sharbini is currently playing for Al-Ittihad which signed him in the summer of 2012 for a transfer fee of around £ 1 million. He also represents Croatia National Team.

He was selected by IMScouting as a player to watch due to his performances for Rijeka and he was tracked by a number of top European clubs.

When asked about a possible transfer Ned Kujundzic said: "His club Al Ittihad and Tottenham are in talks about transfer and I can only say that Spurs really wants Anas. It is now up to clubs to agree transfer."

Let’s look at 5 facts about this player as I'm sure he is a little bit unknown for a lot of Spurs fans (HITC Sports):

-       He was chosen as captain of Rijeka at the age of just 19-years-old. He made 72 appearances  for the club and scored 28 goals.

-       He has represented Croatia at six different levels of international football: Under-16, Under-17, Under-18, Under-19, Under-21 and full senior level.

-       His total career record currently reads 167 games for all clubs and internationals with a return rate of 48 goals making him just below a 1 in 3 player.

-       He can play two positions effectively; left midfield and attacking midfield. He was used as a left winger at Hajduk Split but plays centrally for Al-Ittihad.

-       He has Europa League experience from playing with Hajduk Split and was selected as a Croatian reserve for Euro 2008 and he was also in the squad for the World Cup qualifier against England in 2009.

Tottenham vs Coventry Preview

Tomorrow, Tottenham will face Coventry City for the third round of the F.A Cup. AVB and Steffen Freund had a word regarding the game and we will be posting the quotes on our twitter account (@TactTottenham).  We will also bring to you here on the blog a possible starting XI for tomorrow's tie at White Hart Lane. Our coach Villas-Boas will probably use more reserve players and maybe some youngsters could also feature - such as Tom Carroll and Iago Falqué. And, as the game is "lighter" than a Premier League one, the likes of Sandro, Dembélé will probably rest. Here is our predicted starting XI:

Friedel, Naughton, Caulker, Dawson, Ekotto; Parker, Carroll, Lennon, Dempsey, Falqué, Adebayor;

Younès Kaboul remains injured as his time sidelined has been extended until mid-February because he couldn't recover quickly enough (he was predicted to return at Christmas). We will be updating team news and match highlights on twitter, followed by our match report. Come on you Spurs!

Ezekiel Fryers and Lewis Holtby on board!

We have good news for the fans, as within just two days, the club has signed two players - Ezekiel Fryers and Lewis Holtby. We will have some details on the players and some commentaries by me.

 Fryers, a former Manchester United left-back, joined from Belgian side Standard Liège for a fee around 2.5 million pounds, whilst Holtby will join us from Schalke 04 on a free transfer in July. Both Ezekiel and Lewis are very young, and the best is that they show a lot of promise, and might become fantastic players in the future...At least that is what our beloved assistant manager thinks of Holtby! Here are some quotes of Steffen Freund on our new sigining: 

"For Lewis it will not be a problem," Freund said. "He is half-English, he loves the Premier League.

"He is captain of the Under-21s for Germany, he will lead the team at the European Championship in Israel.

"He is out of contract... I don't have to say any more!

"I worked for under-16s and under-17s for the last three years, that is why I don't know him really well but what I can say is that he is a really good player."

Holtby, 22, has already been capped by the German National Team and was called a few years ago to the Under 18 and 19's team, and now he is the captain of the Under 21 side. He has scored twelve goals in twenty appearances for the Under 21's, and has assisted many more. His dominance in midfield and creativity will be very influencial to Spurs, and we hope that he makes impact on our style of play and help the team get Champions League football again.

However, the club did not make any commentaries towards Fryers but they have stated on their official twitter account that he will play for the youth team, as he already did before at Old Trafford, when he won the F.A Youth Cup with the Manchester team. "Zeki", as he is called, already played in the Champions League and featured in some matches of the Premier League, but always as a substitute. 

The purchase of the 20 year old player has raised the rumors that one of our left-backs will be leaving in this transfer window. Benoit Assou-Ekotto has been linked with a move to our rivals Chelsea, but the Camerounaise has suffered from an injury and has not been in action for us recently. 

We hope that these additions to the squad come out good and that we will see Fryers breaking into the team this season and Holtby in the next one! Come on you Spurs!