Manu wants to leave - Spurs source quoted in The Sun

[kdspur]

He made his bed by skipping pre season to go on holiday and dragging every last penny out of City instead of concentrating of having a successful season with us. Much better suited to our system than Defoe but if he wants to kick up a fuss he can fuck off, needs to earn his place in the team like everyone else, no wonder he's got the reputation he has

i agree one million per cent but adebayor was the only striker that would sign for us over summer. no one esle would and anyone who was interested levy would not pay going rate for so we are stuck with him for now.

 

[spud]

i absolutely agree. i can certainly see why there is support for defoe: he is scoring goals. but while there is no way to prove my theory, i suspect our team as a whole would be scoring more goals if ade was getting defoe's time on the pitch. defoe is playing well according to his standards in that he is scoring. he has a striker's instinct, and there is certainly merit in that. the trouble is, this also means he is only looking to score himself. he rarely looks to pass. when he does pass, it is usually because a ball has been played wide and he has no sight of the goal, and can only pass. 9.7 times out of 10, he is looking to shoot. this is part and parcel of the striker's instinct. there was a telling moment in the first half saturday when defoe found himself just outside of the penalty area with his back to the goal. caulker and lennon were in acres of space, both gesticulating for the ball. rather than passing to one of two open team-mates who had a clearer path to score, defoe turns and shoots. i readily admit it took skill for him to even get a shot on goal. but cech easily gathered, as there was very little pace on the ball. simply laying off for caulker or lennon would have been his better option. and this sort of thing happens all of the time.

You should also mention Defoe's superb hold-up play and pass in the move for our third goal at Old Trafford. Plus the excellent turn and pass that put Siggy through on goal in the second half on saturday. Just two examples - off the top of my head - of his much-improved hold-up play and unselfish teamwork.

I agree that Defoe looks to shoot; so he should, he's a striker. But your post and others like it simply ignore the fact that his all-round game has improved immeasurably this season and he is offering far more to the team with his movement (outside the box) and all-round play than he is given credit for.

Adebayor may well be a more 'complete' player, and he may be more suited to AVB's preferred style of play. But you are wrong to pigeonhole this year's Defoe with the Defoe of previous years. He is offering us much more than just 'shift and shoot', and more than deserves to keep his place on current form.

 

[glking]

You should also mention Defoe's superb hold-up play and pass in the move for our third goal at Old Trafford. Plus the excellent turn and pass that put Siggy through on goal in the second half on saturday. Just two examples - off the top of my head - of his much-improved hold-up play and unselfish teamwork.

I agree that Defoe looks to shoot; so he should, he's a striker. But your post and others like it simply ignore the fact that his all-round game has improved immeasurably this season and he is offering far more to the team with his movement (outside the box) and all-round play than he is given credit for.

Adebayor may well be a more 'complete' player, and he may be more suited to AVB's preferred style of play. But you are wrong to pigeonhole this year's Defoe with the Defoe of previous years. He is offering us much more than just 'shift and shoot', and more than deserves to keep his place on current form.

i can agree with that. he has improved. his pass for the 3rd at old trafford happened because he was too wide of goal to shoot. but take nothing away from it. it was a great move. it's also proof that he's capable of playing as a wide forward, alongside adebayor.

but if we can only play one, i think we should play the better player, hence my frustration.

 

[Mr Pink]

You should also mention Defoe's superb hold-up play and pass in the move for our third goal at Old Trafford. Plus the excellent turn and pass that put Siggy through on goal in the second half on saturday. Just two examples - off the top of my head - of his much-improved hold-up play and unselfish teamwork.

I agree that Defoe looks to shoot; so he should, he's a striker. But your post and others like it simply ignore the fact that his all-round game has improved immeasurably this season and he is offering far more to the team with his movement (outside the box) and all-round play than he is given credit for.

Adebayor may well be a more 'complete' player, and he may be more suited to AVB's preferred style of play. But you are wrong to pigeonhole this year's Defoe with the Defoe of previous years. He is offering us much more than just 'shift and shoot', and more than deserves to keep his place on current form.

I definitely agree that Defoe has improved, very good against United and his second half display against Chelsea was the polar opposite of the first - he was excellent. However a fit and hungry Adebayor is still the vastly superior option to play this role in this system, which sees a more effective impact for the overall team dynamic. Defoe has improved though, that there is no denying.

For me, Adebayor has to put the effort in to take his place back. I also think there is a strong case for playing both of them in some instances.

 

[spud]

I definitely agree that Defoe has improved, very good against United and his second half display against Chelsea was the polar opposite of the first - he was excellent. However a fit and hungry Adebayor is still the vastly superior option to play this role in this system, which sees a more effective impact for the overall team dynamic. Defoe has improved though, that there is no denying.

For me, Adebayor has to put the effort in to take his place back. I also think there is a strong case for playing both of them in some instances.

I would be very interested to see how Defoe would fare in the middle of Lennon and Bale behind Adebayor. Neither Dempsey nor Siggy have staked a particularly strong claim to that position, and I think that this year's Defoe might be devastating if played there.

 

[RichieS]

I would be very interested to see how Defoe would fare in the middle of Lennon and Bale behind Adebayor. Neither Dempsey nor Siggy have staked a particularly strong claim to that position, and I think that this year's Defoe might be devastating if played there.

Given how Ade plays, I'd be inclined to let him wander around and have Defoe on the shoulder of the last defender. Defoe did do well from the inside left position on Saturday though.

 

[Real_madyidd]

Apparently the source of this story was the telephone of a dead schoolgirl, combined with a journalist eating cheese before bed.

 

[Mr Pink]

these comments from AVB certainly imply Defoe is first choice:

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/176031.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

 

[southlondonyiddo]

these comments from AVB certainly imply Defoe is first choice:

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/176031.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

Oh Dear

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

I would be very interested to see how Defoe would fare in the middle of Lennon and Bale behind Adebayor. Neither Dempsey nor Siggy have staked a particularly strong claim to that position, and I think that this year's Defoe might be devastating if played there.

It would just turn into a 442.

Defoe has never ever shown the vision or creativivity required to play the number 10 role effectively.

 

[Bergsy]

Just watched the interview on SSN. Nothing new really, Ade will play when we rotate the strikers. Cant drop Defoe when he is scoring.

Standard stuff.

 

[Misfit]

these comments from AVB certainly imply Defoe is first choice:

http://www.espn.co.uk/football/sport/story/176031.html?CMP=OTC-RSS

Indeed and AVB has enough nouse to know that Ade on top form beats Defoe on top form from a variety of angles. There must be a reason why AVB is saying this, aside from the fact that Defoe has obviously taken to the coaching to a degree. Manu needs to pull his fingerout on the training pitch, he is the highest earner after all - hardly an unreasonable request, and make it simply too hard for AVB to ignore his claims.

Maybe that isn't happening but it would be very old and familiar Tottenham, to all of us, if Manu isn't pulling his finger out yet still gets to waltz into the side. We've been doing similar for yrs and ultimately, that only takes you so far. If AVB is trying to change that culture at the club, it can only be a good thing. I guess it depends how strong AVB thinks his hand is really in terms of how far he can take it.

Obviously all the above is pure speculation but eh, his lateness in joining and his injury means he's been playing catch up.

 

[southlondonyiddo]

It's all about manmanagement and getting the best out of his players

There is little doubt from most sane people that Ade is better than JD

.....Over to you then Boss!

 

[Krafty]

Wouldn't be that surprised if he had another 'knock' though that meant he could lounge around until friday

Suffice to say surprised I am not.