Ryu Seung-woo @ DSC Arminia Bielefeld 2015/16 [R]

They should still be able to get out of their group, Roma might be an obstacle.

 

Although I thought it was a mistake from HMB to not include SHM, it was justified at the time. And HMB was the one who led us to the bronze, so we should be extremely thankful for all the hard work he put in for 3 years to guide that squad to that level.

 

You put guys like SHM on the roster in any tournament with a chance of exemption. That just my selfish long term outlook opinion.

 

Son's departure should be confirmed soon; Bayer Leverkusen is already trying to sign Kampl from Borussia Dortmund for 11M euros. Also, I hope the Lamela to Inter deal doesn't fall through though whether he leaves or not Son should be ahead in the pecking order for the time being.

I wonder if Spurs would still chase aftrr Berahino after signing Son.

 

Why does Spurs need Berahino when they have Kane?

 

Because Pochettino wants to play 4-4-2 and he made this clear last week in explaining why he needed to sign Berahino.

 

Lets not forget Son was a lot more promise than product at the time.

 

Given that he established himself at a Bundesliga club, I think he still deserved the place more than someone like Kim Kee-Hee.

 

Looks like Berahino isn't coming anyway.

 

According Sport1, SHM passed his medical today and they're negotiating a 4-year deal.

http://www.hitc.com/en-gb/2015/08/2...assed-tottenham-medical-four-year-deal-in-pla

 

I agree. After Son's transfer, given that West Brom wants 25M for Berahino, I highly doubt the Spurs would match the valuation. Also, WBA has said he will not be sold unless a replacement can be found. Maybe the spurs would sweeten the deal with Adebayor going the other way.

Also, now I think about it, I wonder why Bayer is trying to sign Kampl. They already have replacements in Brandt and Mehmedi, and backups in Ryu and Kruse.

 

Aranguiz is injured. Also, Kampl excelled with Schmidt at Red Bull Salzburg.

 

Kane is Spurs only option up front - Pocchetino doesn't want to play 4-4-2, he's played all of pre season with a 4-2-3-1 and has continued with that. They'll sign another natural striker, Berahino has put in a transfer request and it should eventually go through even if it is on deadline day. If it doesn't, then they'll have to get someone else in even if it is a bit of a panic buy. You can't go the whole season with just Kane, and then a few potential false 9's when you've got as much expectation as Spurs have. Spurs do have the sort of money to spend big on Berahino and SMH, they've made a big net profit so far this transfer window and have got plenty of money to spend with the television rights the way they are in the UK.

 

He's been playing 4-2-3-1 because he had to until now. He's apparently said that he wanted to try out 4-4-2 formation last week when asked about Berahino.

Poch: “This season we can play in two different options, two different systems. We worked very hard in the pre-season to improve this" #COYS

— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) August 21, 2015

Hope is for NJie, Lamela (+ the new guy) to be able to be deployed as support strikers behind CF, or from wider areas in a 4-2-3-1 #COYS

— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) August 21, 2015

Mauricio Pochettino is hoping to experiment more with 4-4-2 this season (a-la Stoke with Chadli/ Kane) Idea is for versatility #COYS

— Lyall Thomas (@SkySportsLyall) August 21, 2015

 

I don't think SHM will fit in 442 formation...

 

Kampl to Bayer is basically done.

 

Playing off the lead striker should suit Son fine given thats what he usually does at Leverkusen anyway

 

It depends how they use the 4-4-2.

 

You know Schmidt played a 4-4-2 variant all last season right

 

ah ok ok, so he'll be fine

 

Well if Poch seriously wanted to use that formation, then Levy's let him right down. He can't realistically look to be playing 4-4-2 with any sort of regularity if he's in all likelihood only going to have two strikers, as he won't be able to do any sort of rotation up front.

If he does want to do that, then serious questions have to be asked as to why Spurs have already played 3 games (and dropped 7 points) without having enough strikers for Poch to play his preferred formation. Against Stoke, Kane got injured and they had to play the last 20 minutes with a 4-6-0, Stoke piled on the pressure and got an equaliser as a result.

 

In case anyone is curious about Tottenham as a team, here is a reddit preview: https://www.reddit.com/r/soccer/comments/3fnkoo/team_preview_tottenham_hotspur_premier_league/

 

Exactly. But is it that surprising given that it's Daniel Levy we're talking about? He's no Huw Jenkins when it comes to signings, and to be harsh he's exactly the opposite. Just look at how he deals with managers as well. The messy dealings with Redknapp, followed by premature sacking of Villas-Boas, and yet again followed by mind-boggling sacking of Sherwood.

In any case, this is why I thought Berahino would/should have been a top priority for the spurs. They have signed N'Jie, but they need at least one more striker, maybe two.

 

The team looked spineless. I don't have much to hope for this season, but maybe SHM can fit in well enough to keep me interested.