midds

We were never ever going to get every single player we went for. I'm pleased with who we've picked up and the fees we've paid for them and I'm hoping we're still looking to improve the squad right up 'til August 31st. We've spent relatively little so far, balanced the books on wages (ish) and still should have a bit of wedge tucked away if the right players come along. Still only into July and a long way to go yet.

Probably rehash from some English-based rumours (I haven't seen yet). Dunno. From the link: Manchester City - as reported by Sky Sport 24 - has closed the deal with Arsenal for the acquisition of the playmaker Samir Nasri. Gunners will go to 25 million euros, while the player will sign a contract Pharaonic six million net per season. A small, but very important word. If it's all legit like obviously.

Change the blue to white.

No bother Schteve.

Last season, because of injuries and suspensions, I watched Ryan Taylor and Danny Simpson forced to play RW because of a lack of options. Got absolutely no doubt that Routledge is a far, far better bet than those two if it comes down to brass tacks. Get a replacement in and I'm fine with it. Getting rid before we've replaced him is just fucking stupid.

Got no ill will towards Routledge at all, signed for little and rubber-stamped our promotion. Doesn't look to be a PL player though although his biggest attribute is pace which will always mean he is a threat at most levels of the game. Tried his best, had a few shit games along the way but he ensured we bounced back at the first attempt with room to spare.

If both sides go into the game with a fully fit squad (as they are now) to choose from then I'd fancy us. It's ridiculously early in the season though and one team could sign a potential match-winner 3 days before the game ffs.

Honestly thought that Bardsley had nailed down the RB spot and O'Shea had been brought in specifically to play LB.

If he knows he's in demand he can even afford to giggle when he does it.

Bardsley needs to play on the right or not at all.He done well but is limited in what he can do due to him having to keep checking back onto his right foot,a new left back should have been a priority. Thought O'Shea was left-footed? All the Man Utd fans on Redcafe say not,a very good right full back according to them. Yep, my mistake.

Oh well, there you go. Thought I'd seen him fill in at LB a few times.

Bardsley needs to play on the right or not at all.He done well but is limited in what he can do due to him having to keep checking back onto his right foot,a new left back should have been a priority. Thought O'Shea was left-footed?

It'll surely be Gardner and Cattermole in the middle. Maybe Sessegnon on the right and Richardson on the left? Mignolet in goal and Gyan up top with Wickham? They'll set up as: Mignolet Bardsley Brown Bramble O'Shea Sessegnon Gardner Cattermole Richardson Gyan Wickham That about right, I'm guessing a bit? Hardly a frightening XI is it? Bench would be Westwood, Turner, Ferdinand, El Mohammedy, Korean lad, Malbranque & Larsson I must have missed someone.

So their back 4 is looking like: O'Shea* Brown* Bramble Bardsley with Turner and Ferdinand to bring in. *that's always assuming they get them signed obviously. Not exactly impenetrable is it? Running to stand still imo.

Honestly don't think that's the end of it tbh. If Levy wants to keep a player who doesn't want to play for Spurs then that's his business but it's not a situation that can go on for long. It's cutting off his nose to spite his face OR a clever negotiating move to get as much as possible when they relent and let him move on. Dangerous games to be playing though. How long has he got left on his contract? 5 years Signed 6 year contract last year £70k pw not £40k as SSN keep saying Thought it was only 2 or 3 years. In that case Levy can afford to call the shots safe in the knowledge Modric isn't walking away for nothing any time soon. Still don't think it's the wisest move in the world in keeping a player when the don't want to play for you though. The reaction of the fans will be interesting if he goes on strike, AWOL or his performances drop though. Might change Levy's mind a bit. It'll be interesting to see how it develops.

Honestly don't think that's the end of it tbh. If Levy wants to keep a player who doesn't want to play for Spurs then that's his business but it's not a situation that can go on for long. It's cutting off his nose to spite his face OR a clever negotiating move to get as much as possible when they relent and let him move on. Dangerous games to be playing though. How long has he got left on his contract?

Chicken sandwiches made with out of date chicken. Rock n roll.

I bet £50k a week doesn't half soften the blow a bit.

Because he didn't write a letter asking for a transfer? He's been passed round like a red headed stepchild despite an impressive pedigree, I hope for his sake he's either sold or given a chance this summer as last year seemed a false dawn. Has he asked for a transfer? He's not got a future at this club so it's best he moves on. He's obviously got talent but the only person who the transfer has worked out well for is Xisco's bank manager.

And yet he's never once asked for a transfer away...that's another thing that doesn't ring true.

This truly is car crash viewing tbh.

Here Spurs don't have massive loans from their owners, they don't spend money they haven't got, they do make profits on player trading, they never incur massive trading losses, they don't pay out ridiculous wages compared to their income. and they do alright. but that chart says they have a net spend of 91mill over those 5 years ? Aye surely the brackets should be around the Arsenal figure? It's showing spend so profit is a negative outlay? Or something.

Highly doubt he's even physically capable of playing 90 minutes of football. Can't even understand why people are suggesting it.

Fuck's gan on?

How do you arrive at that conclusion? He does nothing to earn his money. He does nothing to suggest he's prepared to sacrifice his massive wage to actually further his career. The fact he's on about £50k a week isn't his fault but he appears to be milking the cub for every penny he can whilst foregoing his career. What about asking for a transfer? Making money appears to be far more important than playing football for him. From what I understand, being settled and being happy is the most important thing to him now. At 22, he came here because of the ludicrous wage being thrown at him by Wise/Jiminez but ended up being painted as the "signing that broke the camel's back" - which was not his own doing. He's then been "managed" by Kinnear, Hughton, Shearer, Hughton again - who either doesn't rate him or doesn't like him as he sent him packing to Spain for a year while we were in the Championship*, then kept him out of the team during the first half of last season before arranging a loan back to Deportivo (this was supposedly delayed until the end of the transfer window "just in case Caroll was sold and we couldn't find a replacement" ) From what I understand, he genuinely likes the city and the fans (the weather, not so much) - he's hardly had a run of games to 'prove himself' - even in the cup matches (Accrington, Stevenage, etc.) he didn't even get a place on the bench. When he did get a few games for Deportivo, the match reports I read seemed to be getting more and more positive, they then found themselves in deep relegation trouble and the manager drops to one senior striker in a 4-5-1 formation and Xisco had to make do with 15-20mins off the bench for the last few games, almost scoring with his first touch in the Nou Camp (so it looks as though he was making the right run, he just hadn't got the composure to take the chance or hadn't found his 'game-feet' yet). When we're still paying the likes of Lovenkrands a wage and we don't have anyone knocking down our door to take Xisco off our hands (discounted or not), why don't we integrate him back into the club, make him feel like he's part of the squad and see how it pans out for the first half of the season. We cannot expect to get rid of Best and rely on Lovenkrands/Ameobi for consistent back up. *FWIW, I think a season in the Championship could have done wonders for his Newcastle career, in the same way Colo and Enrique were able to adjust. Not much in there to disagree with tbh. You obviously know a bit more detail about him and his performances than I've heard/bothered to read about. The fact he's been made into a bit of a pariah by successive managers means I barely even consider him to be one of our players any more. I've said on here before that to get caps for the Word and European Champions at U21 level he must have had something at one point. His wage isn't his fault but I'm still unsure as to why he wants to be settled in a place where he's blatantly not wanted. Never seen how hard he trains and perhaps his performances in training sessions are the very reason he's not been given a run in the team? Also a bit baffled as to the lack of interest in him from Spanish sides. If his performances for Depor were decent/good as you say then surely one of them would have had a little nibble knowing fine well he's got no future here? Something just doesn't ring true about the whole Xisco situation. Then again, considering the state of the club when he signed and the subsequent turmoil it's hardly surprising. Best for all concerned if he moved on - we get him off the wage bill and he can continue his career with a clean start.