- Dec 6, 2006
- 3,980
- 13,614
Quite a lengthy post - if you can't be othered to read all of it I have summarised the main points at the bottom.
Now then, I'm sure I am not alone in this, but over the many years of being a Tottenham fan, I have often thought we are only two or three players away from having a squad that can really challenge. That kind of thinking has only led to disappointment but I genuinely think we are closer than we have been in a very long time to gaving a squad that can sustain a challenge right at the very top end of the table.
Here's how our squad might hopefully will shape up for next season:
GK: Gomes + Cudicini / AN Other
Gomes is fast becoming a spurs legend and should be our no. 1 for many years to come. Cudicini is an able deputy but should he not recover fully we'll need to get a solid number 2. This is the one position that worries methe most for the rest of the season. Simply put, if Heurelho gets injured, we're fucked.
RB: Corluka + Walker
Charlie is a reliable defender overall, yet to see Walker play but he is highly rated. We also have Kaboul who can play there and possibly Naughton to come back (assume Hutton) will go so we are very well covered.
LB: Bale and Essou-Ekotto
Left back has been a problem positon as far as I can remember so it's very pleasing to have genunie competition here. Based on current form, Bale has to keep his place but great to know if he suffers a dip in form or needs a rest, Benoit is ready and able.
CB:
Dawson, Bassong, Kaboul and King/Woodgate/AN Other
Whether we need to strengthen here, depends on how Woodie and Ledley's ongoing injury problems pan out. If neither are able to carry on (and I think we need to be realistic about how often they are going to be able to play) we'll need an experienced CB as cover, but hopefully one or both will be ok to continue. My personal preference would be to build up a reliable partnership week in week out, eg Dawson & Bassong, with Kaboul and King or Woodgate ready to deputise. Much as I love Ledders, I don't think it's beneficial to the team to stick him in whenever fit. He should be kept in reserve and possible take on a coaching role as well.
CM:
Palacios, Sandro (or O'Hara or Similar)
Huddlestone + AN Other (or Kranjcar/Modders/Gudjohnsen)
This is an area that must be strengthened. Wilson is what we have been crying out for for so long but if he gets injured, we currently have no deputy. Thudd is much improved but can be a little erratic so we need genuine competition for his place. Without getting into a debate about Jenas, in my opinion he has to go. He has had too many chances and is the player who frustrates more than any other. He has obvious ability but it is equally obvious that he lacks the mentality to be a consistently good player, let alone a consistently great player. In an ideal world, I would love to see us replace him with a top quality goalscoring midfielder, but I think we probably already have the personnel in our ranks. I would be quite happy to have Modders or Kranky or Gudjohnsen deputise for Thudd when necessary. So long as we have an adequate back up for Wilson I'll be happy.
RM:
Lennon/Bentley
Nothing needs to be said about Lennon, recent results/performances illustrate his growing importance. If we can have the David Bentley of the last few games as his deputy, I will be more than happy. At a push, he could also deputise in central midfield.
LM:
Modder/Kranjcar
Another historically problem position in which we now have an embarrassment of riches. Could be argued that we lack pace on the left but with Bale at LB (or as a possible LM) option I don't think that's a problem. Personally, I'd love to see us buy Craig Bellamy (although I may be alone here) who would give us much needed pace up front and on the left wing when necessary.
Strikers:
Defoe/AN Other/Crouch/Gudjohnsen
Much depends on how Gudjohnsen does over the next few months. If we can get anything like the player we saw at Chavski or Barca we are in for a treat. Very clever and links up the play superbly. As number 10's, he and Crouch are fine. Number 9 wise, Defoe + someone else with genuine pace which is something we lack a little, especially if Lennon and Defoe are out.
I'd like to see Bellamy or Saha (fitness permitting) or perhaps a very pacy up and coming young striker. I really like Pav and hope he gets some playing time this season but I'd be amazed if he's a spurs player next year. Same goes for Keane, except the part about really liking him...in all seriousness, glad Robbie has gone. He should be lauded for what he has done for the club but in everyone's best interests that he goes.
To summarise:
We have a great squad that is currently worrying deficient in a couple of positions. If Gomes or Wilson get injured, we are in trouble. However, and I have said this before but this time I really mean it (honest), we are only three players away from having a squad that can genuinely challenge. A replacement for Wilson, eg Sandro, a very pacy replacement for Defoe (eg Saha, Bellamy or an up and coming young striker) and an able replacement for Gomes (assuming Cudicini is not able to continue).
We should be able to keep everyone happy as we hopefully we'll be battling on four fronts next season, although I suspect it will be Europa rather than Champions League. I hope I am being unduly pessimistic but I see us finishing 6th (with Liverpool and Man City finishing above us) - not sure if that will be suffient for Europa, can anyone clarify?
Now then, I'm sure I am not alone in this, but over the many years of being a Tottenham fan, I have often thought we are only two or three players away from having a squad that can really challenge. That kind of thinking has only led to disappointment but I genuinely think we are closer than we have been in a very long time to gaving a squad that can sustain a challenge right at the very top end of the table.
Here's how our squad might hopefully will shape up for next season:
GK: Gomes + Cudicini / AN Other
Gomes is fast becoming a spurs legend and should be our no. 1 for many years to come. Cudicini is an able deputy but should he not recover fully we'll need to get a solid number 2. This is the one position that worries methe most for the rest of the season. Simply put, if Heurelho gets injured, we're fucked.
RB: Corluka + Walker
Charlie is a reliable defender overall, yet to see Walker play but he is highly rated. We also have Kaboul who can play there and possibly Naughton to come back (assume Hutton) will go so we are very well covered.
LB: Bale and Essou-Ekotto
Left back has been a problem positon as far as I can remember so it's very pleasing to have genunie competition here. Based on current form, Bale has to keep his place but great to know if he suffers a dip in form or needs a rest, Benoit is ready and able.
CB:
Dawson, Bassong, Kaboul and King/Woodgate/AN Other
Whether we need to strengthen here, depends on how Woodie and Ledley's ongoing injury problems pan out. If neither are able to carry on (and I think we need to be realistic about how often they are going to be able to play) we'll need an experienced CB as cover, but hopefully one or both will be ok to continue. My personal preference would be to build up a reliable partnership week in week out, eg Dawson & Bassong, with Kaboul and King or Woodgate ready to deputise. Much as I love Ledders, I don't think it's beneficial to the team to stick him in whenever fit. He should be kept in reserve and possible take on a coaching role as well.
CM:
Palacios, Sandro (or O'Hara or Similar)
Huddlestone + AN Other (or Kranjcar/Modders/Gudjohnsen)
This is an area that must be strengthened. Wilson is what we have been crying out for for so long but if he gets injured, we currently have no deputy. Thudd is much improved but can be a little erratic so we need genuine competition for his place. Without getting into a debate about Jenas, in my opinion he has to go. He has had too many chances and is the player who frustrates more than any other. He has obvious ability but it is equally obvious that he lacks the mentality to be a consistently good player, let alone a consistently great player. In an ideal world, I would love to see us replace him with a top quality goalscoring midfielder, but I think we probably already have the personnel in our ranks. I would be quite happy to have Modders or Kranky or Gudjohnsen deputise for Thudd when necessary. So long as we have an adequate back up for Wilson I'll be happy.
RM:
Lennon/Bentley
Nothing needs to be said about Lennon, recent results/performances illustrate his growing importance. If we can have the David Bentley of the last few games as his deputy, I will be more than happy. At a push, he could also deputise in central midfield.
LM:
Modder/Kranjcar
Another historically problem position in which we now have an embarrassment of riches. Could be argued that we lack pace on the left but with Bale at LB (or as a possible LM) option I don't think that's a problem. Personally, I'd love to see us buy Craig Bellamy (although I may be alone here) who would give us much needed pace up front and on the left wing when necessary.
Strikers:
Defoe/AN Other/Crouch/Gudjohnsen
Much depends on how Gudjohnsen does over the next few months. If we can get anything like the player we saw at Chavski or Barca we are in for a treat. Very clever and links up the play superbly. As number 10's, he and Crouch are fine. Number 9 wise, Defoe + someone else with genuine pace which is something we lack a little, especially if Lennon and Defoe are out.
I'd like to see Bellamy or Saha (fitness permitting) or perhaps a very pacy up and coming young striker. I really like Pav and hope he gets some playing time this season but I'd be amazed if he's a spurs player next year. Same goes for Keane, except the part about really liking him...in all seriousness, glad Robbie has gone. He should be lauded for what he has done for the club but in everyone's best interests that he goes.
To summarise:
We have a great squad that is currently worrying deficient in a couple of positions. If Gomes or Wilson get injured, we are in trouble. However, and I have said this before but this time I really mean it (honest), we are only three players away from having a squad that can genuinely challenge. A replacement for Wilson, eg Sandro, a very pacy replacement for Defoe (eg Saha, Bellamy or an up and coming young striker) and an able replacement for Gomes (assuming Cudicini is not able to continue).
We should be able to keep everyone happy as we hopefully we'll be battling on four fronts next season, although I suspect it will be Europa rather than Champions League. I hope I am being unduly pessimistic but I see us finishing 6th (with Liverpool and Man City finishing above us) - not sure if that will be suffient for Europa, can anyone clarify?