Matt Taylor ... almost a Spur

[DigitalTron]

Well earlier today I saw an interview on FSC with Matty Taylor. He was asked if he had been a Spurs fan growing up, and he went to great lengths to explain that he was and still is a Spurs fan. He mentioned how his favorite goal was against Arsenal--because it was Arsenal and he was a Spurs fan. Most of this has been covered before in previous threats; but hang on, then he said something I'd never heard before.

Taylor said that on a transfer deadline day a fee had been agreed and the contract signed and that the deal was a done deal ... then somehow hit a snag and it didn't happen. Now I know the papers have linked us with a deadline day swoop for Matty just about every transfer window--what with our deficiencies down the left side and him being English and a Spurs fan and all that. But apparently, in one of the windows, they were right!

I'm curious, does anyone know exactly which window this was? Does anyone know what the snag was? If I were to guess, I'd guess that the window was the January 2007 window almost 1 year ago. And I gotta wonder if Taylor could have settled last season and maybe provided us that spark we lacked in so many games this season ... like not scoring against Sunderland, or our shambolic defending against [__________] (fill in the blank, it could be any team these days).

Many of us on this board have a soft spot for a talented but not ultra-talented player who grew up a fan and is proud to tell the world even when he plays elsewhere. Obviously, if we had the choice of Taylor or Joaquin, or Taylor or Quaresma; Taylor wouldn't be the pick. But, those players aren't interested in us and would each cost at least £20M to get--even if Chelsea didn't enter the race at the last minute and scoop them away. So, a cool £4M-6M would be a good buy I think.

He can cover for the attacking left back both Jol and Ramos want. He can play left wing and contribute goals, or let Bale shift up to left wing midfielder. Clearly we're still in need of a player that can cover left back, and either a starter or swing player for left midfield. After hearing this interview, I'm even more in favor of that player being Matt Taylor

-Digital

[Hauler]

Yes, I was watching the same thing on the tube and he didn't even shutter when asked who his favorite club was. I would love to have him here cause he would play with his heart. He is decent talent wise and he and Bale could solve a lot of issues playing on that left side. In the interview he said that he wasn't getting a lot of run so why not bring him here. Lee, and bale are out to my knowledge and he could be the guy.

We need to do that. We need to start bringing people in that want to be here and play with heart. I like the thread and I would love to see him here.

"After hearing this interview, I'm even more in favor of that player being Matt Taylor"

You really made my night Digi Im glad that you brought this up man. :)

[pookspur]

saw it, too. "i still am". brill.

didn't much skirt around the fact that if spurs come in for him, he's off.

"you're spurs and you know you are!"

[Phillyspur]

Saw that too and it gave me a huge grin. And as was mentioned in the transfer thread, Pompey are willing to let him go, probably for not too much money. As Dig says, he wouldn't transform the team, but as a squad player he's an upgrade on someone like Tainio for example. It remains to be seen if Comolli and Ramos are as well-disposed towards Spurs-supporting Englishmen as we are.

[electrickeeper]

That made my day!

Thanks Digi!

[cdmphy]

Although, that being said, the prevailing rumor is that we are going to try and buy two CM and a CB. One of those CM's is still rumored to be Poulsen with his 7 million buy out. All speculation however.

As for Taylor, while Bale's absence does mean we need a LM again, Taylor is not the type of player that would fit into the preferred system. He's not gifted with terrific speed or lung power, which are key to Ramos' system. I think that 'Arry's acknowledgment that he can leave and Taylor's boyhood support, coupled with our past English first purchasing, make him seem like an obvious move. I don't Ramos will want him, and I think Levy/Comolli having given the man so much money, are now going to have to let him choose his players.

[greatbluekingly]

I think Levy/Comolli having given the man so much money, are now going to have to let him choose his players.

That would go against all precedent, it would be like willfully reversing the earth's magnetic poles....on the other hand, Levy/Comolli have taken so much criticism in relation to the manner in which they procured Juande's services, and just general criticism about their running of the club, they just might be willing to forego their urges to tinker (this would be a first in many years for our exec staff) and let Juande actually be a manager. Let's all spend a couple of minutes a day hoping so, maybe we can collectively alter the fabric of the universe...

[jumhed]

Taylor is English. Therefore, he will be overpriced.

[greatbluekingly]

Taylor is English. Therefore, he will be overpriced.

How dare you say anything negative about any English player:eek:...we are the best fans in the world and that means that we do not talk about our own (even if they are overpaid, over-rated, error-prone and underperforming). [;)]

[cdmphy]

That would go against all precedent, it would be like willfully reversing the earth's magnetic poles....on the other hand, Levy/Comolli have taken so much criticism in relation to the manner in which they procured Juande's services, and just general criticism about their running of the club, they just might be willing to forego their urges to tinker (this would be a first in many years for our exec staff) and let Juande actually be a manager. Let's all spend a couple of minutes a day hoping so, maybe we can collectively alter the fabric of the universe...

Actually its not against precedent, surprisingly. Back when Pleat was the original DoF, he lost purchase power (maybe to Hoddle) and was given a seperate transfer kitty for youth players.

Maybe I was to succinct in my previous statement. Both Levy and Comolli have bet "all-in" on Ramos (and it's looking like a decent bet at the moment). It's their last chance. We all know that Comolli is fired if Ramos fails. But also, Levy has made a mess of this and it's his last shot to up the value of the club before selling. If Ramos fails, valuation drops and eventually Enic will move to protect their investment. So they have no choice after their actions than to trust the man. If he says I need a CM, Comolli gives him a list and he chooses. If he says I want player A, and player A only, he gets player A. Obviously there are limits to that latter scenario, as he couldn't say give my 85 million for Ronaldinho, even if it was a possibility. But for the most part, I think its his team to mold, unlike with Jol.

[greatbluekingly]

Actually its not against precedent, surprisingly. Back when Pleat was the original DoF, he lost purchase power (maybe to Hoddle) and was given a seperate transfer kitty for youth players.

Maybe I was to succinct in my previous statement. Both Levy and Comolli have bet "all-in" on Ramos (and it's looking like a decent bet at the moment). It's their last chance. We all know that Comolli is fired if Ramos fails. But also, Levy has made a mess of this and it's his last shot to up the value of the club before selling. If Ramos fails, valuation drops and eventually Enic will move to protect their investment. So they have no choice after their actions than to trust the man. If he says I need a CM, Comolli gives him a list and he chooses. If he says I want player A, and player A only, he gets player A. Obviously there are limits to that latter scenario, as he couldn't say give my 85 million for Ronaldinho, even if it was a possibility. But for the most part, I think its his team to mold, unlike with Jol.

I think that under the circumstances, you may well be right--Levy/Comolli have little choice but to support Ramos; perhaps their blundering will work in our favor this time? :)