Who's the new 4th striker?

[yanno]

What? Get rid of Defoe then scrap around to borrow a striker? Sounds very much like short sighted mismanagement here!:shrug:

Why? If the bid for Defoe was late, and Levy decided to take the cash rather than see Jermain run his contract down, there may have been no time to get a striker in permanently.

However, in the window we were linked with some quality strikers who've never played in the EPL - eg Saviola, Vagner Love, Jo. If we got a couple of striker injuries, and we could get one of these players in on loan with an agreed price to buy in the summer, then that would be good management. Because if it turned out they couldn't adapt to the EPL, it would only have cost us some wages rather than a multi-million pound transfer fee...

 

[SpurSince57]

But they already knew that while Defoe didn't sign a contract there was a possibility that he would be sold rather than let him go on a free. Also if Ramos rated Barney that highly he would have at least made the bench while Bent is out with an injury.

Ramos could have seen little if anything of Barney.

 

[sim0n]

Adel Taarabt

Seems the logical move -- seconded -- Taarabt in behind Bent

 

[bubble07]

We would be extremly unlucky if bent and berbtov were injured at the same time. If 2 out of our 3 strikers are injured and its not berbatov and bent they could easily play the lone striker role.

All 3 strikers could play in any partnership, they will all now get more playing time (particularly bent).

Only problem is defoe scoring loads which i think he will at pompy

 

[yanno]

Agree we can't keep four first team strikers happy and sharp, but I concerned there is no reserve pressing to make the breakthrough.

And 4-5-1 only works if you have width, which is not our strong suit.

I agree with both points, although Gilberto and a fit Bale will sooner or later provide us with genuine width on the left.

It's also interesting that Ramos ended up with five top strikers at Sevilla: Kanoute, Luis Fabiano, Kerzhakov, Chevanton and Arouna Kone. Admittedly, Kanoute and Kone were heading to the ANC, but the end result was highly predictable. Kanoute & Fabiano were clear first choices, and the other three strikers have played very little and don't look match sharp when they do get on.

I think the decision to sell Defoe was essentially driven by his contractual situation, and we'll have a much clearer situation of the squad balance Juande wants at the end of August 2008. I still wouldn't be surprized to see us having four top strikers at the start of next season.

 

[longdistancespursfan]

taarabt, lennon, barcham, dawkins would all be in the frame.

very good chance ramos would play 1 up top and pack the midfield though,

 

[don1]

Agreed

I would have thought the recent demise of proven goalscorers Mido, Bent & Defoe would have made people realise that we cannot accomodate 4 strikers and keep them sharp.

this a very good point:up:

 

[eViL]

It's pretty obvious the coaching staff know something that we don't.

Strange that eh?

 

[michaelden]

I'd like to see either Taarabt or Pekhart given a few run outs if we need those possies filled.

 

[yanno]

Here's the answer from the top table:

Juande Ramos: “I am comfortable in having three strikers because we have players here who can also operate as a second striker in the likes of Aaron Lennon, Steed Malbranque and Adel Taarabt. Jermain Defoe’s departure also gives an opportunity for some of our younger forwards to impress and stake a claim for a regular place in the First Team squad and, with the quality we have coming through the Development Squad and Academy, that is important. Jamie is an example of how productive that route is.”
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news/articles/transferwindowwrapup.html

 

[DEFchenkOE]

I think you're on the right lines here. If we're unlucky and pick up two striker injuries, I suspect we'll switch formation - either to a Dutch 4-3-3 or a Spanish 4-2-3-1. Both formations effectively mean a lone central striker with an ACM, and we have several candidates for ACM: Boateng, Taarabt, Steed, Rose, even Gilberto and the Hud.

This is my thoughts exactly and is probably why we was looking at bringing in Tiago. Remember that Darren Bent was top English goalscorer for 2 seasons playing as a lone striker. If we get an injury to a striker then we could easily play with Berbs or Bent up top on there own. We have lots of midfield options now and the possibilities are endless.

4-3-3

------------------------GK

Hutton------Woodgate-----King------Gilberto

----------------------Tainio
-------------Jenas-------------Hudd

--Lennon-----------------------------Malbranque

-------------------Berbatov


4-2-3-1

-----------------------GK

Chimb-------Woodgate---King-------Bale

------------Zokora----Huddlestone

Lennon----------Malbranque--------Gilberto

-------------------Bent

Just using these players as an example but we have many players that could fit into these systems, even Pekhart could probably do a job as a lone striker as he only really needs to hold the ball up and put himself in the box. I'm excited about the 2nd half of this season and next season.

 

[YidoLee]

when we signed bale did comolli/jol say that he could play up front, i remember hearing that?

 

[Blotto]

I think that the 4-2-3-1 is the most likely formation. DEF's line-up is pretty good, IMO, there is room for O'Hara in this configuration as well as KPB and Taarabt in the AM roles. Wonder how Defoe would have done in such a set-up...

 

[KentuckyYid]

Dawson can score a goal, lets stick him up there if necessary...

 

[Spurs_Q8]

------------------------GK

Hutton------Woodgate-----King------Gilberto

----------------------Tainio
-------------Jenas-------------Hudd

--Lennon-----------------------------Malbranque

-------------------Berbatov

a great post mate, i could agree with this one while Bale is out, but i think Keane is much important player than Malbranque, he can do good job as LW/second striker.

 

[Mullers]

Ramos could have seen little if anything of Barney.

He would have surely consulted with Allen at least. I can't see him just letting him go without seeing nothing or not consulting anyone about him at all.

It is a shame that Barney didn't get a chance in the first team. One goal could have changed everything for him.

 

[Dibby]

Lennon. No doubt in my mind that he's the man for the job. He also used to be a striker for Leeds, right?

 

[Mullers]

Lennon. No doubt in my mind that he's the man for the job. He also used to be a striker for Leeds, right?

I don't know, but I believe that he is improving all the time, still needs work on his shooting though if he is going to be a second striker.

 

[Oscar22]

This is where i wouldn't be suprised to see someone like Kherzakov. (I know I can't spell it :lol

 

[yanno]

I posted this before, but people don't seem to have noticed. Juande himself has answered the question:

“I am comfortable in having three strikers because we have players here who can also operate as a second striker in the likes of Aaron Lennon, Steed Malbranque and Adel Taarabt. Jermain Defoe’s departure also gives an opportunity for some of our younger forwards to impress and stake a claim for a regular place in the First Team squad and, with the quality we have coming through the Development Squad and Academy, that is important. Jamie is an example of how productive that route is.”
http://www.tottenhamhotspur.com/news...dowwrapup.html