The summer transfer window is arguably the most interesting time of the year for a Spurs fan. I must admit to reading all of the transfer rumours with slightly more interest than the match reports of a game I’ve just seen us play. We all know that a good 90% of the ‘stories’ that the tabloids churn out are pure fantasy, but that’s what makes it almost fun.
At this relatively early stage of the summer it seems that we’re set to be overloaded with rumours about our front line, what it needs and what it doesn’t. I think it’s fair to say that many of us Spurs fans are eager to see the goal tally rise next season. Supporters want to have a striker who is in with a chance of finishing as the top goal scorer at the end of the season.
These rumours linking us with various strikers make me smile. The response from some of the fans also makes me smile. It is nothing new to suggest that fans of football clubs have their favourites. But it seems to me that there is such a thing as a ‘fashionable’ footballer.
All of this talk about us being linked with Ruud van Nistelrooy seems to have exited many Spurs followers. “At that price we would be stupid not to” appears to be the most common reply on this website. “Dump Bent or Pav” also regularly pops up.
I have written this article, as I am interested in finding out why exactly fans are desperate to have ‘fashionable’ names in our team and are so quick to write off ‘unfashionable’ players.
Roman Pavlyuchenko joined the club after the start of last season. Signing on 1<SUP>st</SUP> September he not only missed the whole of preseason but also our first three league games. Nevertheless, over the course of the season he contributed 14 goals in 26 starts in all competitions (including goals against Liverpool (3) and United). I think that is a pretty sound return given the circumstances – a player not really seen as first choice up front and therefore not started in every game, a player who doesn’t enjoy full backing from the manager, a player who many of the fans don’t even rate.
Darren Bent, in contrast, had a fine preseason. At that point it seemed that many of his detractors were ready to give him a chance. We began the season in spectacularly poor fashion, yet in our first 12 league games alone, Bent scored 7 goals, including goals against Chelsea and Arse***). Add to that a hattrick and another goal in the UEFA Cup between the league games. At the end of the season, Bent had a return of 17 goals in 28 starts in all competitions. A very good tally that saw Bent as the joint-highest English goalscorer (behind Gerrard and his four penalties) in arguably the best league in the world. Not bad at all considering the circumstances – a player who was up front alone for quite a few of those starts, a player who was dropped when Defoe and Keane returned, a player who doesn’t enjoy full backing from the manager, a player who many of the fans don’t even rate.
Both of these players are seen as ‘unfashionable’ by many fans, while the likes of Keane and Defoe are worshipped. As a result, many are too eager to overlook their impressive contributions in favour of new faces, or old faces returning. They are the first two names put forward of the four strikers we have and I cannot understand it.
If Defoe had started the season with us and had scored 17 in 28 starts, everyone would be singing his praises. If Arshavin had signed three games into the season and scored 14 in 26, he would be rivaling Keane for worshippers. Incidentally, Arshavin was on the score sheet in just 3 of his 14 starts (a total of 6 goals in 14 starts thanks to 4 in one game). (I understand that they are different players, but this supports the ‘fashionable’ point I am trying to make).
What is the point in replacing Pavlyuchenko with van Nistelrooy?
Why on earth would we want to sell Bent – our top scorer, a proven Premier League striker?
Unfortunately I expect Bent to leave this summer. Bringing back Defoe was like a punch in the face, especially given Harry’s love affair with the former Hammer. No matter what Bent does, he knows he will not get start ahead of a fit Defoe. (That’s not to say I don’t rate Defoe). I also expect that Bent will do well wherever he goes. Personally I hope we keep them both and resist the temptation to bring in the ‘big name’ that so many crave.
At this relatively early stage of the summer it seems that we’re set to be overloaded with rumours about our front line, what it needs and what it doesn’t. I think it’s fair to say that many of us Spurs fans are eager to see the goal tally rise next season. Supporters want to have a striker who is in with a chance of finishing as the top goal scorer at the end of the season.
These rumours linking us with various strikers make me smile. The response from some of the fans also makes me smile. It is nothing new to suggest that fans of football clubs have their favourites. But it seems to me that there is such a thing as a ‘fashionable’ footballer.
All of this talk about us being linked with Ruud van Nistelrooy seems to have exited many Spurs followers. “At that price we would be stupid not to” appears to be the most common reply on this website. “Dump Bent or Pav” also regularly pops up.
I have written this article, as I am interested in finding out why exactly fans are desperate to have ‘fashionable’ names in our team and are so quick to write off ‘unfashionable’ players.
Roman Pavlyuchenko joined the club after the start of last season. Signing on 1<SUP>st</SUP> September he not only missed the whole of preseason but also our first three league games. Nevertheless, over the course of the season he contributed 14 goals in 26 starts in all competitions (including goals against Liverpool (3) and United). I think that is a pretty sound return given the circumstances – a player not really seen as first choice up front and therefore not started in every game, a player who doesn’t enjoy full backing from the manager, a player who many of the fans don’t even rate.
Darren Bent, in contrast, had a fine preseason. At that point it seemed that many of his detractors were ready to give him a chance. We began the season in spectacularly poor fashion, yet in our first 12 league games alone, Bent scored 7 goals, including goals against Chelsea and Arse***). Add to that a hattrick and another goal in the UEFA Cup between the league games. At the end of the season, Bent had a return of 17 goals in 28 starts in all competitions. A very good tally that saw Bent as the joint-highest English goalscorer (behind Gerrard and his four penalties) in arguably the best league in the world. Not bad at all considering the circumstances – a player who was up front alone for quite a few of those starts, a player who was dropped when Defoe and Keane returned, a player who doesn’t enjoy full backing from the manager, a player who many of the fans don’t even rate.
Both of these players are seen as ‘unfashionable’ by many fans, while the likes of Keane and Defoe are worshipped. As a result, many are too eager to overlook their impressive contributions in favour of new faces, or old faces returning. They are the first two names put forward of the four strikers we have and I cannot understand it.
If Defoe had started the season with us and had scored 17 in 28 starts, everyone would be singing his praises. If Arshavin had signed three games into the season and scored 14 in 26, he would be rivaling Keane for worshippers. Incidentally, Arshavin was on the score sheet in just 3 of his 14 starts (a total of 6 goals in 14 starts thanks to 4 in one game). (I understand that they are different players, but this supports the ‘fashionable’ point I am trying to make).
What is the point in replacing Pavlyuchenko with van Nistelrooy?
Why on earth would we want to sell Bent – our top scorer, a proven Premier League striker?
Unfortunately I expect Bent to leave this summer. Bringing back Defoe was like a punch in the face, especially given Harry’s love affair with the former Hammer. No matter what Bent does, he knows he will not get start ahead of a fit Defoe. (That’s not to say I don’t rate Defoe). I also expect that Bent will do well wherever he goes. Personally I hope we keep them both and resist the temptation to bring in the ‘big name’ that so many crave.