eddiebailey
Well-Known Member
- Oct 12, 2004
- 7,455
- 6,719
Managerial failings apart, recent weeks have shown that our squad lacks depth in certain areas, most obviously defence. It also lacks balance, particularly in central midfield. Attack is perhaps less of a concern; it is too soon to give up on Soldado and the return to the fold of Adebayor gives us options.
January is not the best time to go into the market, but we do have the option of recalling of some of our loanees:
Benoit Assou-Ekottu – the Cameroon international is a fan favourite and on great from for QPR; leftback has been a problem position for 18 months, because AVB would not play Benny. Rose has emerged as a great prospect, but it is not clear his injury issues are entirely behind him, and in any case he cannot play every game. Fryers is not there yet, Verts hates the position and Naughton must never play there again. Benny has to be recalled.
Adam Smith – an England U21 international, already recalled after McLaren opted for a more defensive rightback. If Sherwood wants to play with pace then Smith could be a better option than Naughton, but his lack of Premiership experience would be a concern,
Bongani Khumalo – the Bafana Bafana captain has struggled to make an impression at Spurs, chalking up a series of loans; however he has settled well this season at Doncaster and is proving a steady performer. With Kaboul still struggling with injury, we have been short of numbers in this position, and when Capoue has been drafted in he has looked a fish out of water. Could the big South African cope better with the sort of aerial assault we received from West Ham?
Jake Livermore – the box-to-box midfielder has been a surprise hit at Hull. A rounded player, who if he possesses no particular strengths has no particular weaknesses, he is Spurs through and through, and would bring a welcome passion, as well as a willingness to follow instructions and maintain discipline. Could he provide the bite our midfield has been missing?
Tom Carroll – Tim Sherwood has been a passionate advocate of the diminutive palymaker; his probing distribution and conscientious pressing having been making QPR tick. Could he do the same for Spurs? Our failure to find a like for like replacement for Modric, compounded by the sale of Huddlestone, has much to do with our current woes. If Tim stays will he have the courage to trust his own judgement and recall the midfield prodigy?
Simon Dawkins – another Sherwood protégé. His forte is running centrally at defences, in the Dembele mould, perhaps with less strength and control, but judging on recent performances for Derby, rather more end product. He is more of a talent than most allow, but would he bring anything we particularly lack?
Ryan Mason – a three year contract suggests the club have not yet given up on the former Academy golden boy, but injury has prevented him from establishing a run of form for Spurs’ Swindon mini-me. A shame; if it had not been for all those injuries he could now be filling the no. 10 void left by the departure of van de Vaart.
Those are the potential options, with the case for Assou-Ekottu and for Carroll being strongest; but Livermore and Khumalo could provide useful cover. If Sherwood remains at the helm, I would also expect a larger role for Harry Kane.
Of our other loanees, Mason’s Swindon teammates Grant Hall and Alex Pritchard are not yet ready for the Premiership, Hall is still too easily bullied, and while Pritchard's free kicks would be an addition to our arsenal, he will benefit much more from being on loan than as a bit part player back at Spurs.
I am not sure international loans can be recalled, which would rule out Iago Falque and Christian Ceballos, not that I see much point in recalling them at this stage. But I shall add them to the poll for completeness.
January is not the best time to go into the market, but we do have the option of recalling of some of our loanees:
Benoit Assou-Ekottu – the Cameroon international is a fan favourite and on great from for QPR; leftback has been a problem position for 18 months, because AVB would not play Benny. Rose has emerged as a great prospect, but it is not clear his injury issues are entirely behind him, and in any case he cannot play every game. Fryers is not there yet, Verts hates the position and Naughton must never play there again. Benny has to be recalled.
Adam Smith – an England U21 international, already recalled after McLaren opted for a more defensive rightback. If Sherwood wants to play with pace then Smith could be a better option than Naughton, but his lack of Premiership experience would be a concern,
Bongani Khumalo – the Bafana Bafana captain has struggled to make an impression at Spurs, chalking up a series of loans; however he has settled well this season at Doncaster and is proving a steady performer. With Kaboul still struggling with injury, we have been short of numbers in this position, and when Capoue has been drafted in he has looked a fish out of water. Could the big South African cope better with the sort of aerial assault we received from West Ham?
Jake Livermore – the box-to-box midfielder has been a surprise hit at Hull. A rounded player, who if he possesses no particular strengths has no particular weaknesses, he is Spurs through and through, and would bring a welcome passion, as well as a willingness to follow instructions and maintain discipline. Could he provide the bite our midfield has been missing?
Tom Carroll – Tim Sherwood has been a passionate advocate of the diminutive palymaker; his probing distribution and conscientious pressing having been making QPR tick. Could he do the same for Spurs? Our failure to find a like for like replacement for Modric, compounded by the sale of Huddlestone, has much to do with our current woes. If Tim stays will he have the courage to trust his own judgement and recall the midfield prodigy?
Simon Dawkins – another Sherwood protégé. His forte is running centrally at defences, in the Dembele mould, perhaps with less strength and control, but judging on recent performances for Derby, rather more end product. He is more of a talent than most allow, but would he bring anything we particularly lack?
Ryan Mason – a three year contract suggests the club have not yet given up on the former Academy golden boy, but injury has prevented him from establishing a run of form for Spurs’ Swindon mini-me. A shame; if it had not been for all those injuries he could now be filling the no. 10 void left by the departure of van de Vaart.
Those are the potential options, with the case for Assou-Ekottu and for Carroll being strongest; but Livermore and Khumalo could provide useful cover. If Sherwood remains at the helm, I would also expect a larger role for Harry Kane.
Of our other loanees, Mason’s Swindon teammates Grant Hall and Alex Pritchard are not yet ready for the Premiership, Hall is still too easily bullied, and while Pritchard's free kicks would be an addition to our arsenal, he will benefit much more from being on loan than as a bit part player back at Spurs.
I am not sure international loans can be recalled, which would rule out Iago Falque and Christian Ceballos, not that I see much point in recalling them at this stage. But I shall add them to the poll for completeness.
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