GONE - Anderton, Poyet, Ziege, Hirschfield, Jalal, and Foster. STAYING - Redknapp - 1 Year Extension Who made this decision? We haven't got a manager! Granted, they're all broken down (even Redknapp), but I'd have liked Dazza to finish his career with us. He's been a great servant for the club (fcuking well paid servant), even enjoying man-to-man love with the physio (I made that up, but it'd explain a lot). Give him a new contract, Levy, and pay him in bandages! http://www.spurs.co.uk/article.asp?article=202796
no, i think this a good thing. we need a total clearout, and this is an obvious declaration of intent to really rebuild the midfield and sign a new LB. and hirschfeld has been kicking round too long without advancing. i doubt redknapp will carry on as captain (king or carr possibly?) and would expect him to be a squad player next year. this makes me a bit more optimistic.
And another thing, since we have now gotten rid of both of our reserve keepers in Hirsch and Jalal, does this signal a confirmation that Spurs do indeed have a gentleman's agreement for Robinson. Does the exit of Ziege point to a re-opening of the Convey transfer? Does the exit of Anderton signify that Spurs will no longer tolerate knackered old clappers cluttering up the squad and draining the wage bill? Does the re-signing of Redknapp negate the above paragraph?
I think this is the best news for Spurs since the signing of Robbie Keane, or at least Jermaine Defoe. This means that an cange (an almost certain upgrade) in midfield is a PROMISE. It's time for shell out as much as you can to do whatever is possible (without pulling a Leeds) to try & get somebody like Van der Vaart (Malbranque?), as well as a quality ball-winner (maybe van Bommel, or even Appiah or Kehl) and try to bargain Forest down for Reid. Then, a decent & experienced CB - there are a good few to pick from. For LB I would suggest giving Wilfred Bouma (PSV) or Julio Arca (Sunderland - may only sell if they don't get promoted) a shot. And obviously Robinson. Yes, it's asking too much, but I'd love to see an exciting Spurs, again. How about this lineup next season -----------Robinson Carr-----King---Gardner----Bouma/Arca Davies---DM---Malbranque----Reid --------Keane----Defoe If that MD could be Van Bommel, Appiah or Kehl that is a dangerous side. Theo nyl question is if Tottenham can, or will shell out the cost Reid has a 5-7mn estimate Robinson a 2.5mn estimate - that's between 7.5-9.5mn (maybe more) gone already. Then Malbranque, Kehl/Appiah/Van Bommel, Arca/Bouma, & a solid, experienced CB will set you back quite a bit. Spurs are quite rich, but here is where they have to risk some of it, if you ask me.
this is meaningless; every year we go through the same thing, new exciting players, new manager or a new owner, axing old/under performing players, then we all sit around talking about how this season is going to be different. i'll bet dollars to donuts that a year from now spurs are finishing ~10 again, and levy/new manager are going through another big signing/offloading phase.
I can't complain about those moves. I thought Hirschfeld had potential, but he certainly wasn't indispensible. I have a soft spot in my heart for Redknapp, and when healthy, he's very versatile, good attitude and solid player. I'm glad that they only gave him a one year extension though. I agree with letting the others go. It would have been nice to get some transfer money, but at least we've gotten rid of the wages and opened up spots for healthy players. Convey is a real possibility, but I have no idea how the new manager (whomever that is) will rate him seeing as he's American. There's still a huge anti-American sentiment out there. But, IMHO, his game is tailor made for the Premiership. He's extremely good at getting off dangerous crosses, and that type of flank service would do wonders for Postiga and Kanoute ... if they're still around. I think it would benefit Keane as well. But let's get one thing straight, he doesn't have the physical defending to play left back in the Premiership, he's strictly a midfielder. Van Bommel would be perfect, but until he's signed and healthy playing his first game in a white shirt at the Lane, I'm not counting as reality. I think Malbranque is a bit of a flash in the pan, one good year doesn't convince me. Definite agreement on the center back position. Hofland was rumored a while back, he'd be a good addition. We definitely need a Southgate type who can organize the back. Gardner and King have a lot of raw talent, and when healthy, either could be a wonderful 2nd center back. But, without that organizer, they'll get caught out of position and look mediocre. They need someone to teach them and direct them. I was hoping that would be Richards, but it didn't happen regularly enough. Robinson will probably come, but don't be too harsh on him. He's not a top notch keeper just yet. He's solid, nothing more. Without a decent defense in front of him we'll still leak a lot of goals. If you say you want him, then be willing to stand by him when he starts to flake look out of sorts and when he has a confidence crisis. Frankly, Leeds defense was far better than ours, despite our talent level. Robinson will be soundly tested by the end of his first season at Spurs. Unless, or course, we bring in a good Dmid and organizing center back. -Digital
I looked at this season as optimisim. It didn't turn out, but we have the makings of something solid. Depending on who we bring in, this could be a season of promise. I am somewhat sad to see Dazza go, but his wages didn't justify his time off. I've always been a fan of Poyet, but he was just too old this season.
I'm sad to see sicknote go, 12 years at the club and one of our only (with Carr) long serving players. We were paying him 35K a week though which is ridiculous. Redknapp should probably have gone as well but I do like him. Overall we are getting rid of old tired players and freeing up some serious cash.
Redknapp must have been a difficult choice to renew, but the glimpses of quality and determination over the past few weeks must have swung it. I think it's a wise choice, 1 more year of an experience player is not a heavy cost and the club can't replace everyone.
i suppose they also thought they couldn't let EVERYONE go. we really don't have that many midfielders left! as it stands: davies, redknapp, brown, jackson, ricketts - and isn't that pretty much it? as it stands, we'll surely have to sign at least 3 new. i imagine they thought they couldn't affors to sign central midfield cover, as well as starters, and that's where redkanpp comes in.
I believe Cloughie said in his cloumn "If my nickname was sicknote, I'd be damned ashamed of myself" Bye Darren
True, and Redknapp was one of the more motivated (despite his injury troubles) of the veterans. I think his leadership and attitude will be helpful during the transition as our new look squad comes together. Think about it. Spurs 'Veteran' Starters Keane Davies Redknapp Carr King Gardner 'New' Potential Starters (years as a Spur in parens) Kanoute (1) Postiga (1) Brown (0.5) Defoe (0.5) Dmid (0) Left Mid (0) Left Back (0) Robinson (0) Of the 14 or so players who likely stand a good chance at playing time, 8 of them have a combined 3 years at Spurs. Not much in the way of chemistry I'm afraid. -Digital
He has more appearances than anybody else in the Premiership since its inception. His nickname hardley seems fair. True he has sustained injuries, but he has played well and often as well. I think it speaks volumes that he is still competitive at his age. I am sure he will get several offers before we are done. Perhaps his contract will be per game, but he has been one of THFC's finest for twelve good years.
I don't think thats right. Spurs have played over 500 EPL games since its inception, and Dazza has played in just over half. I can think of several players who've played more games.
Phew, glad you had veteran in 's. Most of them are under 25! I think the releases were a good idea, but the timing is bad. Just before the last game, would it be better after the season has finished and the window is open for new players to join immediately. Not really sure.. although i do think ITV's The Guvnor is a total w**ker. Saying that although we have no manager we are able to sign players, what happens if the new manager doesn't like these players. He also predicts us to roll over against Wolves and lose 3-0.
Yup, Spurs has an extremely young team, and they have very little chance of having any chemistry on the field. Even if it is a talented squad that can be kept together for a long time, it isn't likely to gell straight away. And our 'veteran' leadership includes a lot of young players. The long term future is bright, but in the short term it may be difficult and inconsistent for us. West Ham had a bright and promising squad ... and look at them now, relegated and stripped of most of those young gems. Cole not getting playing time at Chelsea. Johnson splitting time at Chelsea. Kanoute seems the odd man out despite producing a lot of goals in a short period of time for Spurs. Defoe appears to be the only real success. Carrick had a decent year in the First Division, but he's not even in the Premiership. We cannot take a completely new team and expect them to be good immediately. I think Ranieri had a ton of talent, but even Chelsea struggled to find their rythem early. I'm fearful of how we'll start next season. Chemistry is important. -Digital
You are right. Turns out that man is Gary Speed who has 400 League appearances. I think Darren must be close to that by now though. Wonder if he will reach that mark?
Roy Keane & Alan Shearer have to be up there, since they have always been key players at their clubs, and have until this season been able to start almost every game of the year. Only problem is Keane had a huge injury in 98 (iirc) and Shearer was somehow benched by Gullit for a while (what an ego, or just plain stupid... you decide).