BAE: 'What sort of mercenary stays for seven years?'

[Nocando]

From ESPN:

He revealed that, during a frustrating four-month lay-off with a knee injury at the start of the season, he had watched home games incognito, sitting among the Tottenham fans.

"I now feel I have a better understanding of what it is to be a supporter and, for me, there are two types," he explained.

"There are the fans who pass judgment quickly - who say, from the comfort of their seats, how they would have cut the ball on the inside, swung the ball around or brought it down. It was like I was sitting with Messi, Ronaldo and Maradona.

"Then you have the other supporter, who understands the technical things a bit more and is patient. They are smaller in number, but they do exist."

It's so true though. Everyone notices it and yet you still get a massive amount of people both at the ground and on forums acting as though they know better.

 

[Liquidator]

Others have summed up Ekotto a thousand times, but for once more, he has good technique and can play a bit of football however he isn't outstanding at either end of the pitch really. He's been a good servant and definitely the best left back we have had in the 18 years I have been a fan but I don't think he is irreplaceable. I think we could command £7-8m for him and if the management/scouting team pull their fingers out they should be able to identify someone younger and cheaper (in other words not going for the established names rumoured such as Coentrao, Periera et al) and more importantly someone who is a better fit in a 4-3-3 (eg. a bit more pace, and a bit more threat going forward).

I would rather every man jack of our scouting staffwere out researching strikers.

Surely that is way more of a priority than disposing of "the best left back we have had in the 18 years" since you have been a fan?

 

[mpickard2087]

I would rather every man jack of our scouting staffwere out researching strikers.

Surely that is way more of a priority than disposing of "the best left back we have had in the 18 years" since you have been a fan?

Surely it isn't hard to work on more than one thing at a time?

 

[SpursTillIDie1882]

he is a cool dude!

 

[mill]

Can't help feeling this is a swansong interview and he's off in the summer, sad really, he has been at the club during its most succesful era and made only a handful of mistakes, don't understand why anyone would want to see the back of someone this consistent.

I'm embarrased for you

 

[SoulDog]

Hope he starts today

 

[Capocrimini]

I don't get the stick he is getting this season. Clearly been injured and unfit for a lot of it, last two seasons I thought he was fantastic.

 

[Liquidator]

Surely it isn't hard to work on more than one thing at a time?

You think?

 

[alex3]

hope we sell him in the summer he really is annyoing

 

[ilikeost]

Today was a great example of why he shouldn't be with us next season, dreadfull display from him. He looks like a cool dude and got the best hair in the entire league but he is a liability.

 

[srups34]

Thought he had a poor game today.

 

[Mullers]

Maybe he's stayed for 7 years because he hasn't had a better offer, if the likes of Man Utd came calling, I wouldn't expect him to still be here or anyone else for that matter.

 

[senseispab]

Yes, fair enough point really. You could also be forgiven for pondering if his love of the club would be out of the window if a Yanited or Barca came knocking. He is a professional after all and that would be a hell of a promotion.

But, as he says, he doesn't indulge in that badge-kissing hypocrisy. I admire him for it.

As he says, it's a job ultimately but I don't doubt his sincerity in saying that he's become fond of the club having been here for so long and London, despite what moany fuckers everywhere bleat, is a bona fide world mega city. Much worse places to be whilst earning millions.

I agree with this

Another interesting interview with BAE. Shame on him for giving footballers a good name.

 

[Capocrimini]

Yeah BAE had a poor game, but players go through bad patches, remember Bale? Out of his 200 odd appearences I'd challenge anyone to say he has had more poor then good games. I don't understand the degree of criticism he is getting at the moment, considering I think we are set well at LB with Rosé coming back next year too.

I'm far more concerned upfront as IMO we would've been coasting third had we had a top class striker.

 

[Eric_s]

BAE had a poor game? Spurs played poorly but BAE was our best defender. He was clam under Southampton pressure and made the most interceptions. Dawson made the most stupid errors and got beaten by his man more often than BAE. Walker being walker gives away possession or make silly passes to put us under pressure.
If you dont like BAE that is your preference. But BAE had a poor game when compared with the other two mentioned above? Do yourself a favour and shut up. He was the only fullback that showed the urgency and determination of wanting to win the game.

 

[thinktank]

It's so true though. Everyone notices it and yet you still get a massive amount of people both at the ground and on forums acting as though they know better.

To be fair to fans, how many times have we said what needs changing, posting on here, and then when those changes are made things get better...? Fans do have their moments and there's a fair bit of knowledge in this forum on the technical aspects of the game.

 

[Mikegold]

He was injured for so long at the same time a new manager came in a changed the system
so not only has he had to regain fitness being in and out of the side
he's also had to get used to a completely new defensive line as we tend to play higher
and he's player next to vertonghen which he isn't used to with lots of dif players but none of them being Bale which he's used to playing ahead of him
Before reading that I had been thinking we should maybe sell, but I think pre season etc and learning from AVB he might be good again next year

 

[Mikegold]

Maybe he's stayed for 7 years because he hasn't had a better offer, if the likes of Man Utd came calling, I wouldn't expect him to still be here or anyone else for that matter.

I don't think he cares if they're good just if they'd pay him more money. In which case I would place a bet that some crap team hasoffered him more and he's rejected them to stay with us. I think he's genuine with his love affair with us

 

[Nocando]

To be fair to fans, how many times have we said what needs changing, posting on here, and then when those changes are made things get better...? Fans do have their moments and there's a fair bit of knowledge in this forum on the technical aspects of the game.

I think people give themselves too much credit. Easy to 'talk' about doing something and over inflate a couple of opinions that appear to be correct. However put into the actual situation and I think 99% would be in for a big wake up call.

 

[Bus-Conductor]

A well paid one ?