Jol Late Bid on DeJong

[SpursGlory]

Spurs making late bid on DeJong, another good young player from Ajax...

http://home.skysports.com/list.asp?hlid=356378&CPID=9&clid=&lid=2&title=Spurs+make+late+De+Jong+move

[BennyNL redded]

He's a gem. Excellent technique..what you would expect from an Ajax homegrown youngster. High work rate, always wanting to go forward. Can be used as RB but is a natural RMF and plays at his best on that position.

The problem of Ajax youngsters these days is that they have to carry the team as there are no good experienced players around. This brakes them up and makes them perform very inconsistently. Look at vdVaart, who is now absolutely brilliant in the Bundesliga, after some terrible last months in Amsterdam. I think the same will go for de Jong

[MrTea]

I'd love to get him, I'm sure he's pretty much got the world at his feet though.

[PoshSpur]

As for some previous questions as to where 'The Long Kid' can play - He will battle Stalteri big-time!

He can play anywhere in defence, although he's not the best left back in world.

[sendorange]

Dont really need him for right midfield, although I've heard Routledge may be making an early departure so that would cover us.

If he can take over as an attacking right back, that would be great.

[PoshSpur]

He can take over from Stalteri full stop! But in a year. He does need to gain some experience first.

[KMJvet]

although I've heard Routledge may be making an early departure

Why?

[Spur_Forever]

Because he's unhappy not to have been a regular in the team since he came back from injury. As it is, he's 3rd choice for his preferred position on the right of midfield, with both Jenas and Lennon ahead of him.

[KMJvet]

Okay, so just his choice and not the club's because I was thinking with him never playing due to the early injury, I can't see how his value would have increased so they can recoup the investment made in him.

[RSLRugbyFan]

I would love to see him at Tottenham. He is highly rated in my book and has fantastic potential. He would be a great signing.

[DigitalTron]

I wouldn't count on NDJ being in a Spurs uniform too soon. His price is low and he has plenty of suitors. I definitely think we need to bolster the Right Back position eventually, but if we could get a good Left Back I wouldn't mind trying Lee on the Right either.

As for Routledge, I kind of feel bad for him. I wasn't sure he was the answer at right wing, but he definitely had proven himself a quality attacking right winger last season. I was excited to see how he would do, especially next season after a year of adjusting to the team ... but the injuries seemed to have stifled some of that and the frustration/confidence resulting from that may precipitate a move. IMHO, Lennon will eventually claim that spot, and it appears as though Jol has already given it to him ... which leaves very little room for Routledge as both are really just attacking players.

Jenas is the more combination option ... I just wish 75% of his runs didn't result in him turning the ball over by overdribbling, bad passing, or just plain atrocious finishing. He certainly gives his all, has good speed and decent size, and plays far more defense than the rest of them. He's even got some good bite in his play, which is necessary in midfield. IMHO, only Davids, Jenas and Brown have any real bite in their play to make opposing midfielders hesitate. I'm a big Carrick fan, but that's not really his game, and our other attacking midfielders aren't quite as physical.

On another note, with Davids sideline for a short while this is Carrick's chance to impress. If he can lock down other teams defensively and prove that his pace isn't an issue, I think he can break into the England squad for the World Cup. Really, that position is wide open, particularly with Sven finally realizing that both Lampard and Gerrard are going to play Attacking Central Midfielder on the World Cup stage. While the Premiership has some good Dmids, England isn't particularly strong there.

Just to cram more stuff into this post ... Davids injury also allows Jenas and Lennon to play together, which gives us a lot of speed going forward. I wonder if Routledge will get some playing time from all this, or if Jol decides to plug Brown into one of the spots?

-Digital

[KMJvet]

Jenas is the more combination option ... I just wish 75% of his runs didn't result in him turning the ball over by overdribbling, bad passing, or just plain atrocious finishing. He certainly gives his all, has good speed and decent size, and plays far more defense than the rest of them. He's even got some good bite in his play, which is necessary in midfield. IMHO, only Davids, Jenas and Brown have any real bite in their play to make opposing midfielders hesitate.

The problem I have with Jenas is that I haven't seen him have a good game. Great free kicks yes....short periods that look promising yes....but never a full 90-minute good game. I think that's the same frustration you have with his numbers of give-aways. Maybe I'm just judging him to harshly.

I do like Lennon a lot. if it came down to Lennon or Roultege, I'd pick Lennon but I'd have to admit that I haven't seen enough of Routlege to judge him. I think it would be better to have both because speedy, crafty wingers are often injured because defenders get frustrated and tend to kick them as they're flying by.

[PoshSpur]

I sort of agree with you Kathy on the fact that JJ hasn't exactly set our team alight (and there is a but coming), but he has that extra something that would make me put him in the starting line-up every game.

He and Teemu are the only midfielders we have that seem to pop up in the box at exactly the right time.

I just wish we could have played the system Chelsea play. I would have had Carrick as the holding midfield man with JJ & TT in front of him in midfield.

[PoshSpur]

This is the formation I would deploy if I was the Spurs coach. We have been using this system at Orpheas this season and it has been great. It was difficult at the beginning as I had to play in a new position and overall the team has to work harder to pull it off, but when you do, most teams cannot cope.

http://img11.imageshack.us/img11/1724/pitch8qk.png (http://imageshack.us)

[nxttc]

I wouldn't count on NDJ being in a Spurs uniform too soon. His price is low and he has plenty of suitors. I definitely think we need to bolster the Right Back position eventually, but if we could get a good Left Back I wouldn't mind trying Lee on the Right either.

lee just doesn't seem to play well on the right. he's definetely more comfortable on the left, and, to me, even more comfortable, when playing in a more attacking role on the lwm. but yes, right back is a position that needs to be bolstered. salteri is only servicable, not a permanent solution. maybe dejong might be the answer.

[PoshSpur]

I feel de Jong may also be the answer.

[Danners9]

I think he's quite good, don't know why West Ham were linked to him. They're not good enough.

[Colm]

I think he's quite good, don't know why West Ham were linked to him. They're not good enough.West Ham are bit like us a few years ago, linked with everyone. Of course theres lots of West Ham supports in the tabloids.

[PoshSpur]

West Ham are bit like us a few years ago, linked with everyone. Of course theres lots of West Ham supports in the tabloids.


....I blame the Essex Water Board. They are behind the conspiracy.

[sendorange]

Apparently De Jong deal may be off due to his wage demands, he is said to want up to 50 grand a week. Which is way over the top. The club are said to be willing to pay up to 35 grand and a decent signing on fee, which is line with the wage structure.