Is a back up/rotation striker now our only real priority for January?

[$hoguN]

No way would I sell Chadli. He's not perfect for the system and does fuck-all a lot of the time but he does score goals so he's very valuable in that sense. I'd hold out on selling Dembele as well, but eventually I'm sure he will go (probably next Summer). Fazio can definitely definitely go.

Different strokes for different folks. To me we have Eriksen, Son, Lamela, N'Jie, Pritchard, Townsend, Carroll, Onomah and Oduwa all who either are or will be vying for a role in the 3 behind the striker and It feels like a good time to move him on in my opinion. Failure to move players on in this scenario is how you end up with squads bloated with deadwood

 

[danielneeds]

If we're going well by Xmas it would be great for morale and general perception if we bring in another young, hungry player with a good goalscoring record.

 

[BobbyB]

Quick overview of current squad.

GK
Lloris/Vorm
Only reason to buy a GK would be to have a replacement for Lloris next summer/long term. If the club think they can´t keep Lloris for the 16/17-season it might be a good idea to buy his replacement in January. Then you can have him settle in and get used to everything before being first choice. Vorm not playing great but too costly and risky to upgrade a second choice GK.

RB
Walker/Trippier
No realistic way to upgrade.

LB
Rose/Davies
No realistic way to upgrade.

CB
Vertonghen/Alderweireld/Wimmer/Fazio
Fazio is done. Can´t imagine Poch playing him in any game of significance again. Might be sold in January and we should probably promote from the youth setup. CCV/Veljkovic.

CMD
Dier/Bentaleb
Bentaleb signed a new contract this summer and is obviously in Poch´s plans for the years to come. Honestly don´t see how we can improve on first choice (Dier) and buying a backup when you have Bentaleb and more options in the squad is just a waste of money and could hinder our youth development.

CM2
Mason/Alli
Mason injured at the moment so Alli playing. Two young players who are playing very well. No reason to upgrade. Also Carroll coming through.

AMR
Lamela/Townsend
Clinton attacked on the right against City, so ample backup for Lamela who is going to destroy the PL this season. Townsend a very good backup or a player you can sell for a lot of cash and upgrade. Don´t see us buying anyone before selling either of them.

AML
Son/Chadli
Buying Son has left Chadli out of the team for now. Will get plenty of playing time either as AML or AMC, but also might get sold. Same as Towns, don´t think we will buy anyone as long as he´s in the squad. Possible upgrade next summer.

AMC
Eriksen/Dembele
Eriksen a clear first choice when fit. Dembele will have trouble getting playing time with both Son and Lamela playing well and the CM positions being crowded. Might be sold and an upgrade being bought. Both Alli and Lamela - and even Son - can play AMC so plenty of cover.

FW
Kane/Clinton
Kane impossible to upgrade for our club for every reason, Clinton offers something different and can also play on either side of the attack. It´s very public that we wanted more options in the summer window, but both Clinton and Son have started well in the PL. If we can make a bargain we will probably buy someone, but not for any price (as proven with Berahino).

Summary:

GK, RB, LB, CMD, CM2: no chance with current squad to upgrade
CB: think we will try to get rid of Fazio and promote a youth player
AMR, AML, AMC = possible to upgrade if we sell someone first (unlikely to happen in January)
FW = Well known that we want to have more options, but not likely unless we get the absolute right player for a good price.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Different strokes for different folks. To me we have Eriksen, Son, Lamela, N'Jie, Pritchard, Townsend, Carroll, Onomah and Oduwa all who either are or will be vying for a role in the 3 behind the striker and It feels like a good time to move him on in my opinion. Failure to move players on in this scenario is how you end up with squads bloated with deadwood

He's not exactly deadwood though...he's been a starter for the most of the time since last season.

 

[THFCSPURS19]

Quick overview of current squad.

GK
Lloris/Vorm
Only reason to buy a GK would be to have a replacement for Lloris next summer/long term. If the club think they can´t keep Lloris for the 16/17-season it might be a good idea to buy his replacement in January. Then you can have him settle in and get used to everything before being first choice. Vorm not playing great but too costly and risky to upgrade a second choice GK.

RB
Walker/Trippier
No realistic way to upgrade.

LB
Rose/Davies
No realistic way to upgrade.

CB
Vertonghen/Alderweireld/Wimmer/Fazio
Fazio is done. Can´t imagine Poch playing him in any game of significance again. Might be sold in January and we should probably promote from the youth setup. CCV/Veljkovic.

CMD
Dier/Bentaleb
Bentaleb signed a new contract this summer and is obviously in Poch´s plans for the years to come. Honestly don´t see how we can improve on first choice (Dier) and buying a backup when you have Bentaleb and more options in the squad in just a waste of money and could hinder our youth development.

CM2
Mason/Alli
Mason injured at the moment so Alli playing. Two young players who are playing very well. No reason to upgrade. Also Carroll coming through.

AMR
Lamela/Townsend
Clinton attacked on the right against City, so ample backup for Lamela who is going to destroy the PL this season. Townsend a very good backup or a player you can sell for a lot of cash and upgrade. Don´t see us buying anyone before selling either of them.

AML
Son/Chadli
Buying Son has left Chadli out of the team for now. Will get plenty of playing time either as AML or AMC, but also might get sold. Same as Towns, don´t think we will buy anyone as long as he´s in the squad. Possible upgrade next summer.

AMC
Eriksen/Dembele
Eriksen a clear first choice when fit. Dembele will have trouble getting playing time with both Son and Lamela playing well and the CM positions being crowded. Might be sold and an upgrade being bought. Both Alli and Lamela - and even Son - can play AMC so plenty of cover.

FW
Kane/Clinton
Kane impossible to upgrade for our club for every reasons, Clinton offers something different and can also play on either side of the attack. It´s very public that we wanted more options in the summer window, but both Clinton and Son have started well in the PL. If we can make a bargain we will probably buy someone, but not for any price (as proven with Berahino).

Summary:

GK, RB, LB, CMD, CM2: no chance with current squad to upgrade
CB: think we will try to get rid of Fazio and promote a youth player
AMR, AML, AMC = possible to upgrade if we sell someone first (unlikely to happen in January)
FW = Well known that we want to have more options, but not likely unless we get the absolute right player for a good price.

Bentaleb isn't a DM and we don't really have anyone else who is.

 

[Shadydan]

Most definitely, I feel we have enough cover elsewhere but to challenge in all comps we're gonna need to rest Kane from time to time.

 

[BobbyB]

Bentaleb isn't a DM and we don't really have anyone else who is.

Being realistic with our squad and budget, you think we will buy a CMD this January who will keep either Dier, Bentaleb, Mason or Alli out of the team - or even be on the bench himself? I just don´t see us buying a CMD in January, doesn´t make sense, think Poch much rather want to learn Bentaleb a few tricks about defensive work.

 

[cjsimba]

Quick overview of current squad.

GK
Lloris/Vorm
Only reason to buy a GK would be to have a replacement for Lloris next summer/long term. If the club think they can´t keep Lloris for the 16/17-season it might be a good idea to buy his replacement in January. Then you can have him settle in and get used to everything before being first choice. Vorm not playing great but too costly and risky to upgrade a second choice GK.

RB
Walker/Trippier
No realistic way to upgrade.

LB
Rose/Davies
No realistic way to upgrade.

CB
Vertonghen/Alderweireld/Wimmer/Fazio
Fazio is done. Can´t imagine Poch playing him in any game of significance again. Might be sold in January and we should probably promote from the youth setup. CCV/Veljkovic.

CMD
Dier/Bentaleb
Bentaleb signed a new contract this summer and is obviously in Poch´s plans for the years to come. Honestly don´t see how we can improve on first choice (Dier) and buying a backup when you have Bentaleb and more options in the squad is just a waste of money and could hinder our youth development.

CM2
Mason/Alli
Mason injured at the moment so Alli playing. Two young players who are playing very well. No reason to upgrade. Also Carroll coming through.

AMR
Lamela/Townsend
Clinton attacked on the right against City, so ample backup for Lamela who is going to destroy the PL this season. Townsend a very good backup or a player you can sell for a lot of cash and upgrade. Don´t see us buying anyone before selling either of them.

AML
Son/Chadli
Buying Son has left Chadli out of the team for now. Will get plenty of playing time either as AML or AMC, but also might get sold. Same as Towns, don´t think we will buy anyone as long as he´s in the squad. Possible upgrade next summer.

AMC
Eriksen/Dembele
Eriksen a clear first choice when fit. Dembele will have trouble getting playing time with both Son and Lamela playing well and the CM positions being crowded. Might be sold and an upgrade being bought. Both Alli and Lamela - and even Son - can play AMC so plenty of cover.

FW
Kane/Clinton
Kane impossible to upgrade for our club for every reason, Clinton offers something different and can also play on either side of the attack. It´s very public that we wanted more options in the summer window, but both Clinton and Son have started well in the PL. If we can make a bargain we will probably buy someone, but not for any price (as proven with Berahino).

Summary:

GK, RB, LB, CMD, CM2: no chance with current squad to upgrade
CB: think we will try to get rid of Fazio and promote a youth player
AMR, AML, AMC = possible to upgrade if we sell someone first (unlikely to happen in January)
FW = Well known that we want to have more options, but not likely unless we get the absolute right player for a good price.

You forgot Pritchard for AMC

 

[BobbyB]

You forgot Pritchard for AMC

Didn´t forget, just tried to name our first and second choice but you might be right - that he will be considered before Dembele.

 

[spurs9]

Bentaleb isn't a DM and we don't really have anyone else who is.

We don't need a DM for every game though, just certain games against quality opposition. Bentaleb is good enough in the majority of games and if Dier was injured, the amount of games we would "need" a DM for wouldn't be worth signing another player. I'm more than happy with Dier, Alli, Mason, Bentaleb and Carroll for now and if Carroll doesn't start to impress and is sold, I would just promote Winks. The only reason we should sign a DM, IMO, is if we are planning for Dier to go back to CB.

 

[whitesocks]

Out of the league cup and the europa league stages,
it is more likely we sell/loan players - Carroll, Townsend, maybe Rose if he is not getting games.
It will be the 1st 11 for all games in the second half of the season - I can't see us adding to the squad.

 

[spurs9]

An opinion I would be interested to hear is, if/when we well Fazio, would you rather:

We promote a youth player (with Veljkovic looking like he won't sign a new deal, the next in line would be 17 y/o CCV)?
We sign a new CB?
We promote a youth CM (Harry Winks?) and move Dier back to CB?
We sign a new DM and move Dier back to CB?

 

[JayB]

Being realistic with our squad and budget, you think we will buy a CMD this January who will keep either Dier, Bentaleb, Mason or Alli out of the team - or even be on the bench himself? I just don´t see us buying a CMD in January, doesn´t make sense, think Poch much rather want to learn Bentaleb a few tricks about defensive work.

It's a question of how the potential loss of Dier would affect our tactical setup. Bentaleb has a habit of giving the ball away casually and putting the defense under pressure, I rate him but I wouldn't feel comfortable with him being given the job of shielding the back line for a prolonged period of time. It's not about whether this hypothetical rotation option at DM would keep Dier, Mason, Bentaleb or Alli out of the team when all are fit and in form. Rather, it's about whether we have a viable alternative to Dier that we can turn to without changing the way we play when he's in need of a rest or unavailable.

As for the question of the budget, we were evidently willing to splash the cash on the likes of Kramer, Bender, or Witsel but their clubs or the players themselves weren't interested in dealing. We could also generate funds by moving Dembele and Carroll on, both of whom are well down the pecking order and won't be getting much of a look in except in the case of an injury crisis.

 

[BobbyB]

It's a question of how the potential loss of Dier would affect our tactical setup. Bentaleb has a habit of giving the ball away casually and putting the defense under pressure, I rate him but I wouldn't feel comfortable with him being given the job of shielding the back line for a prolonged period of time. It's not about whether this hypothetical rotation option at DM would keep Dier, Mason, Bentaleb or Alli out of the team when all are fit and in form. Rather, it's about whether we have a viable alternative to Dier that we can turn to without changing the way we play when he's in need of a rest or unavailable.

As for the question of the budget, we were evidently willing to splash the cash on the likes of Kramer, Bender, or Witsel but their clubs or the players themselves weren't interested in dealing. We could also generate funds by moving Dembele and Carrol on, both of whom are well down the pecking order and won't be getting much of a look in except in the case of an injury crisis.

I see your point, but splashing the cash on a CMD was an option before Dier confirmed in eight straight matches that he´s a top PL central midfielder. That was probably what we were trying to buy this summer. Now we have him. Buying a CMD now will just limit playing time for our other young midfielders and as pointed out by spurs9 earlier in the thread: we don´t need a CMD in every match anyway.

 

[benski]

Think we will move on dembele and faz, get a new striker in and promote others from within

Only way we will sign anyone else I think is if they will improve our first team which is not gonna be easy to find!

 

[tommyt]

Also more chance of finding the right player available come the summer,
Unless it's another under the radar purchase.

http://www.onevalefan.co.uk/site/2015/09/rumour-vales-andoh-linked-with-spurs/

??

 

[JayB]

I see your point, but splashing the cash on a CMD was an option before Dier confirmed in eight straight matches that he´s a top PL central midfielder. That was probably what we were trying to buy this summer. Now we have him. Buying a CMD now will just limit playing time for our other young midfielders and as pointed out by spurs9 earlier in the thread: we don´t need a CMD in every match anyway.

I agree we don't need a DM in every situation, but Poch has elected to play with one in every single match thus far, even against the likes of Qarabag at home. It's central to how we are setting up tactically this season and I don't see that changing.

I also agree we don't need to shell out a big fee for a second DM. Dier has made the position his own and whereas we were clearly targeting a first choice-caliber player for that position in the summer, now we should be looking to bring in a young player with high potential but who won't cost the Earth and who won't mind being blooded in as a rotation option. I don't know who that player might be but that's why we have Mitchell & Co. Honestly I'd prefer that Veljkovic be given an opportunity but it seems Poch does not rate him. As for the issue of taking away opportunities from Mason, Bentaleb, or Alli, none of them play (or IMO even should play) DM so it would hardly be a case of blocking their progression.

 

[double0]

We don't need to buy another midfielder ie defensive box to box creative however you dress it...We're good.

We could do with another electric quick striker to back up rotate play with Kane.

Fazio is OK back up until one of our promising young development CB's are ready to step up.

 

[DaSpurs]

An opinion I would be interested to hear is, if/when we well Fazio, would you rather:

We promote a youth player (with Veljkovic looking like he won't sign a new deal, the next in line would be 17 y/o CCV)?
We sign a new CB?
We promote a youth CM (Harry Winks?) and move Dier back to CB?
We sign a new DM and move Dier back to CB?

My opinion would be that we look for a new, young CB similar to the profile of Wimmer if possible, but certainly content finding a promising young British CB also if possible. Dier has surprised me with his development at DM, so as long as he continues to be supplemented with a good passer of the ball next to him, I'm well content with keeping him there and in the starting lineup.

 

[ItsBoris]

I'd be very happy with Berahino in January, who could be a back up to Kane but also would upgrade our first 11 in the wide position IMO.