Upgrades, Backup & New Aquisions In prep for next season

  • The Fighting Cock is a forum for fans of Tottenham Hotspur Football Club. Here you can discuss Spurs latest matches, our squad, tactics and any transfer news surrounding the club. Registration gives you access to all our forums (including 'Off Topic' discussion) and removes most of the adverts (you can remove them all via an account upgrade). You're here now, you might as well...

    Get involved!

Latest Spurs videos from Sky Sports

Sort by date Sort by reaction score
realgoneyid

realgoneyid

Who?

Champions League next season, if achieved... does bring with it some pressing staff issues.

Starting from the back

Brad Friedel, born 1971 40 years young, 41 days from reaching his 41st birthday. Cudacini 38 yrs old as Back up & Cups. This arrangement has done well thus far, 3rd & a semi in the FA cup backs that up.

Change/upgrade this summer???? Yes/No???

---
King & Gallas

Are they champions league standard? One has a hit/miss fitness problem (Risky & could have to come off mid game) & the other will be a few months away from 35 & 1/2 years old when the last 16 of the CL kicks in?

replace/upgrade this summer??? Yes/No??

I would be happy if we at least got 1 new aquisition in this position
--

If the team stays 'as is' I cant see anymore p45's needed tbh..... apart from fringers like Dos Santos, Bentley etc

Any Upgrades? Or would you be happy to stick with the lads we have?

---

Back up

Lennon, Bale, BAE, Modric for me.... all other positions are juggly and can be covered but if any one of these players gets sidelined we will suffer imo.

Cannot see us getting them all sorted so Lennon & BAE would be my priority in the summer.
----

I would make do with.... A world class Keeper, a world class CB, a decent LB (as backup), a decent RW (As backup)...... & HOW MANY TIMES DO WE HAVE TO SAY IT ...a world class (20+ goals a season) striker.
 
Blanchflower said:
I think Naughton will come back to cover left and right back and Caulker to contend for a starting spot at centre back.
Click to expand...

They can both be regulars in the Europa League... :gomes:

I think Norwich might buy Naughton. A few of their fans I know rate him as a right full back but have said he is constantly caught out of position at left back. I guess this is because he is primarily a right back of course, but I can't see him being any better than Danny Rose as a back up.
 
If we had to sign new players in the positions
ST - Llorente or Schurrle - Solid striker (This is the only one I think we MUST sign)
LB - Baines - Back up left-back, unlikely we will sign him though.
CB - Skrtle - I like Skittle, Liverpool are a sinking ship. Let him jump off and into the Spurs boat.

But our young boys have grown up :') Caulker will be a solid cover for centre-back.
Not sure about Naughton though!
 
Ramsingh said:
If we had to sign new players in the positions
ST - Llorente or Schurrle - Solid striker (This is the only one I think we MUST sign)
LB - Baines - Back up left-back, unlikely we will sign him though.
CB - Skrtle - I like Skittle, Liverpool are a sinking ship. Let him jump off and into the Spurs boat.

But our young boys have grown up :') Caulker will be a solid cover for centre-back.
Not sure about Naughton though!
Click to expand...

Baines will not want to be a backup LB. That being said, he'd get a decent amount of gametime in the cups.
 
So much depends on whether Harry stays or goes, and who replaces him if it's the latter. I'd love to see us make a move for Eden Hazard - comfortable out on the left wing - just in case Bale gets a world class deal offered. I think Bale is more likely to leave if Harry does. Vertonghen at CB (from Ajax) would be a good move to cover Ledley and Dawson, and of course, a world class striker...

There's been a lot of talk about Llorente. I've heard rumours that we've been linked with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, from Schalke. I'd love to see that happen, especially if we nab Vertonghen. Countrymen mix well together.
 
But who has the heart to tell Benny he's on the bench this weekend for another player?

Look at his face :bae:
 
Ramsingh said:
But who has the heart to tell Benny he's on the bench this weekend for another player?

Look at his face :bae:
Click to expand...



Assou-Ekotto is better than Baines, without question - but that doesn't mean Baines would accept being his understudy when he can play every week at Everton.............
 
antastic said:
I've heard rumours that we've been linked with Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, from Schalke. I'd love to see that happen, especially if we nab Vertonghen. Countrymen mix well together.
Click to expand...

Vertonghen is Belgian, Huntelaar is Dutch, so not countrymen... Unless you meant Hazard and Vertonghen?

Aaaaanyway. CL or no CL we need a centreforward. Id love Huntelaar to rockup at WHL and he isnt unrealistic as a purchase. Goalkeeper (Rene Adler is available on a free at the end of the season...) and cover at LB (no idea who) are next on the list, followed by cover for the wide players, Hoilett being a decent shout there.
 
If Modric goes , we should try to get Moussa Dembele , he does not score so thats about the same as Modric , but Jol had a stroke of genious when he turned him into a midfielder , the boy has skills galore and is ready for the next step
 
If Monday match only shows us one thing is that we A new centre-back, although Nelsen was quite competent, and new need another Striker who can play along side JD, as Saha and Adebayor were both fucking woeful.
 
Here's my take on everyone. Joined date and contract expiration are after date of birth.

1. Heurelho Gomes
15th February 1981 (31)
27 Jun 2008
2012 (+2 year option)
SELL - 2 year option will be activated to get money for him.

23. Carlo Cudicini
6th September 1973 (38)
26 Jan 2009
2012
KEEP - One last 1 year extension (1x GK)

24. Brad Friedel
18th May 1971 (40)
03 Jun 2011
2013
KEEP - 1 more year (2x GK)

27. Ben Alnwick
1st January 1987 (25)
02 Jan 2007
Unknown
SELL - No point.

35. David Button
27th February 1989 (23)
2005/06 (Academy)
2013
PROMOTE - 3rd choice, with a view to 2nd choice (3x GK)

57. Jordan Archer
12th April 1993 (19)
2009/10 (Academy)
Unknown
KEEP - Send out on another loan (4x GK)

xx. Oscar Jansson
23rd December 1990 (21)
02 Jan 2007
2012
SELL - Contract expires, won't make it at Spurs.

xx. Mirko Ranieri
8th February 1992 (20)
30 Jun 2008
2014
KEEP - Final chance out on loan or 4th choice. (5x GK)

Friedel, Cudicini and Button as our keepers. Ranieri and Archer out on loan. Gomes, Alnwick and Jansson released/sold. We may need to find an "Alnwick replacement" as backup should we get unlucky with injuries and should look at giving one of the youth GKs a professional contract.
Click to expand...

4. Younes Kaboul
4th January 1986 (26)
30 Jan 2010
2014
KEEP (1x CB)

13. William Gallas
17th August 1977 (34)
20 Aug 2010
2013
KEEP - Need one of the old heads around, last year (2x CB)

19. Sebastien Bassong
9th July 1986 (25)
06 Aug 2009
2014
SELL - Wants more game time, won't get it here.

20. Michael Dawson
18th November 1983 (28)
31 Jan 2005
2015
KEEP (3x CB)

26. Ledley King
12th October 1980 (31)
1997/98 (Academy)
2012
RETIRE - but stay if Gallas and Nelsen go.

33. Ryan Nelsen
18th October 1977 (34)
02 Feb 2012
2012 (+1 year option)
SELL - but stay if King and Gallas go.

36. Bongani Khumalo
6th January 1987 (25)
07 Jan 2011
2015
KEEP - needs to prove himself on loan (4x CB)

xx. Steven Caulker
29th December 1991 (20)
2007/08 (Academy)
2014
PROMOTE - should be involved in first team next season (5x CB)

xx. Bruno Uvini (on trial)
3rd June 1991 (20)
15 Feb 2012
Apr 2012
KEEP - or not, send out on loan if yes (6x CB)

Kaboul, Dawson, Gallas, Caulker (promoted) and 1 MORE as our center backs. Uvini and Bongani out on loan. King, Bassong, Nelsen released/sold. We should look at getting a top class center half to be first choice. Our professional squad could do with an addition or two, whether from youth team or purchases.
Click to expand...

16. Kyle Naughton
17th November 1988 (23)
17 Jul 2009
2013
PROMOTE - Challenge Kyle Walker at RB, backup for LB (1x RB/1x LB)

22. Vedran Corluka
5th February 1986 (26)
01 Sep 2008
2014
SELL - Contract running down, won't mind if he stayed though, he is keen to stay in Germany.

25. Danny Rose
2nd July 1990 (21)
25 Jul 2007
2015
KEEP - Send out on a LB loan (2x LB)

28. Kyle Walker
28th May 1990 (21)
17 Jul 2009
2016
KEEP (2x RB)

32. Benoit Assou-Ekotto
24th March 1984 (28)
09 Jun 2006
2015
KEEP (3x LB)

xx. Nathan Byrne
5th June 1992 (19)
2008/09 (Academy)
Unknown
KEEP - another loan spell (3x RB)

xx. Adam Smith
29th April 1991 (20)
2007/08 (Academy)
2013
KEEP - another loan spell (4x RB)

Walker and Naughton (promoted) to fight for the right back berth. Smith and Byrne out on loan with a view to recall either should injuries get bad. Corulka sold.

Ekotto and Naughton (promoted) as backup where necessary. Rose out on loan to a team that will play him as a left back with an option to recall should we get injuries. Potentially look at signing another top class left back as well but low on priority as Bale can cover there too. Our professional squad could do with a couple of additions.
Click to expand...

3. Gareth Bale
16th July 1989 (22)
25 May 2007
2015
KEEP (1x LM/W)‬

7. Aaron Lennon
16th April 1987 (25)
15 Jun 2005
2014
KEEP (1x RM/W)

21. Niko Kranjcar
13th August 1984 (27)
01 Sep 2009
2013
SELL - last year on contract, he won't stick around.

31. Andros Townsend
16th July 1991 (20)
2007/08 (Academy)
2016
PROMOTE (2x LM/W)

38. David Bentley
27th August 1984 (27)
31 Jul 2008
2014
SELL - Please.

40. Steven Pienaar
17th March 1982 (30)
18 Jan 2011
2015
KEEP - give a chance (3x LM/W)

43. Ryan Fredericks
10th October 1992 (19)
2009/10 (Academy)
Unknown
KEEP - Get this boy a loan (2x RM/W)

Lennon needs competition, we need to bring in a top class right winger to provide this. Fredericks to go out on loan to get some game time. Bentley sold. A couple of additions need to be found for the professional squad.

Bale, Pienaar and Townsend (promoted) as backup where necessary. Kranjcar sold. Pienaar is best played on the left of a 5 man midfield with Bale either dropping behind him or having a free role in an attacking position. Our professional squad could do with an addition.
Click to expand...

6. Tom Huddlestone
28th December 1986 (25)
01 Jul 2005
2015
KEEP (1x MC/1xDMC)

8. Scott Parker
13th October 1980 (31)
31 Aug 2011
2015
KEEP (2x DMC)

8. Jermaine Jenas
18th February 1983 (29)
31 Aug 2005
2014
SELL - Please.

14. Luka Modric
9th September 1985 (26)
26 Apr 2008
2016
KEEP (2x CM)

29. Jake Livermore
14th November 1989 (22)
2006/07 (Academy)
2016
KEEP (3x DMC/3x MC)

30. Sandro Raniere
15th March 1989 (23)
26 Mar 2010
2016
KEEP (4x DMC)

45. Massimo Luongo
25th September 1992 (19)
Jan 2011
Unknown
KEEP - Send on loan (5x DMC/4x MC)

46. Thomas Carroll
28th May 1992 (19)
2008/09 (Academy)
2016
KEEP - Another loan (5x MC)

47. Jake Nicholson
19th July 1992 (19)
2008/09 (Academy)
2012
SELL - Unlikely to have contract renewed.

xx. Giancarlo Gallifuoco
12th January 1994 (18)
01 Feb 2012
2014
KEEP - Send out on loan (6x DMC)

Parker and Sandro with Livermore and Huddlestone as backup defensive midfielders. Gallifuoco and Luongo out on loan. Nicholson released.

Modric with Huddlestone and Livermore as backup central midfielders. Carroll out on loan. Jenas sold. One more addition for the professional squad.

Squad depth here allows us to play 3 quality players in central midfield positions if necessary.
Click to expand...

11. Rafael van der Vaart
11th February 1983 (29)
31 Aug 2010
2014
KEEP (1x AMC/CF)

34. (27.) Yago Falque
4th January 1990 (22)
25 Aug 2011
Unknown
PROMOTE - Gio replacement (2x AMC/CF)

41. John Bostock
15th January 1992 (20)
30 May 2008
2013
SELL - Just get rid.

44. Cristian Ceballos
3rd December 1992 (19)
11 Jul 2011
2014
KEEP - Send on loan (3x AMC/CF)

54. Alex Pritchard
3rd May 1993 (18)
2009/10 (Academy)
2012
KEEP - Renew, bright prospect, send on loan (4x AMC/CF)

56. Jesse Waller-Lassen
26th December 1992 (19)
2009/10 (Academy)
Unknown
KEEP - Send out on loan (5x AMC/CF)

58. Dean Parrett
16th November 1991 (20)
01 Feb 2007
2013
SELL - Just sell.

xx. Ryan Mason
13th June 1991 (20)
2007/08 (Academy)
2013
SELL - Last year of contract, unlucky with injuries. Maybe keep, final chance.

These players should only really play in a 4-4-1-1, 4-3-2-1 or 4-3-1-2 formation, always behind the striker and in front of the midfield. Whether we should play any of those formation is debatable, especially the latter two and for another thread. Some of these players are also comfortable across midfield positions.

Van der Vaart with Falque (promoted) as backup. Ceballos, Pritchard and Waller-Lassen out on loans to teams who can actually utilise them. Mason, Bostock and Parrett sold.
Click to expand...

10. Emmanuel Adebayor
26th February 1984 (28)
25 Aug 2011
2012
LOAN EXPIRES - We won't buy him.

15. Louis Saha
8th August 1978 (33)
31 Jan 2012
2012 (+1 year option?)
KEEP - Take 1 year option (1x STR)

17. Giovani Dos Santos
11th May 1989 (22)
18 Jun 2008
2013
SELL - Last year of contract.

18. Jermain Defoe
7th October 1982 (29)
09 Jan 2009
2014
SELL - Contract running down, won't get wanted game time.

37. Harry Kane
28th July 1993 (18)
2009/10 (Academy)
Unknown
KEEP - Send out on loan again (2x STR)

42. Simon Dawkins
1st December 1987 (24)
2004/05 (Academy)
2013
SELL - Contract to expire after MLS loan anyway.

53. Cameron Lancaster
5th November 1992 (19)
2009/10 (Academy)
2012
KEEP - Renew and give chance out on loan (3x STR)

xx. Jonathan Obika
12th September 1990 (21)
2007/08 (Academy)
Unknown
SELL - will never make it at Spurs.

xx. Kudus Oyenuga
18th March 1993 (20)
2009/10 (Academy)
2013
KEEP - Send out on loan for some game time! (4x STR)

Saha plus two top class first team purchases as our 3 main strikers. Oyenuga and Lancaster on loan. Adebayor loan expires, Defoe, Dawkins, Obika and Dos Santos sold/released. Need to bring some players through to the professional squad.
Click to expand...

I make that a 26-man squad (excluding loanees) of:

3x GK

2x RB
1x LB

4x CB (+1 purchase)

1x RM (+1 purchase)
3x LM

3x DMC
2x MC

2x AMC
1x STR (+2 purchases)

Caulker and Townsend will be classified as U21 players so registered squad size of 24, allowing us to purchase someone else if needed(perhaps GK or LB).
 
For me, it depends what our aspirations are. If we want to challenge for the league we will need serious upgrads as everyone else around us will improve. For me, that means...

Upgrade on Ekotto - probably my second fav player at Spurs but I think at times he will let you down by doing something silly. He's not a title challenging player for me.
1x WORLD CLASS CB to play alongside Kaboul and Caulker
1x WORLD CLASS right sided player to replace/challenge Lennon, who for me, is such a nearly man. Too often injured and doesnt bring enough to the team to be in a title challenging squad imo.
1x WORLD CLASS striker.
The MOUN on a stick also.

Obviously this is in addition to keeping the likes of Bale/Modric.

We also need some more players who show utter determination/will to win/refusal to lose a la Parker/Gallas and to a slightly lesser extent, Walker (I think he's gonna be a beast of a player in a few years.....

But obviously we wont get all of those so who knows really. If we are going to keep hold of 4th/win it back next season we will need to improve though, thats for sure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom