James

The thing about Spurs is that they have a significant spine of players who are either English, or who have been in the division for some time either for Spurs or other teams so they have the luxury of selling a player like Townsend without the fear that they will lose stability or English grit or whatever. However in our case we have tried to bring in too many players without PL experience in too fast, whilst selling other established players. I think we have also been considerably lacking leadership on the field, not just Nolan types, but also the likes of Cabaye and Ba whom were highly influential amongst the players. The players who have been brought in are often luxury players like Sissoko whom without support from a decent spine of the team, are just playing for personal glories. I think we are now trying to redress this, not just by signing English players like Shelvey and Townsend, but also players like Mbemba, Mitrovic, and now Saivet whom could all potentially prove a good spine especially if descriptions of Saivet as a leader are accurate. Obviously this winter it isn't necessarily going to be easy to redress the issues with the overall balance of the team particularly with the position we are in now, but perhaps we may now see some sort of redress back towards having a decent spine of the team. Unfortunately I do think we are going to have to just survive first and then see what our dealings are like in the summer to determine the exact ins and outs of our new policy.

Hope he gets caught up in some naked photo scandal where it is revealed that his erect penis is as big as his little finger

Think it will be a midfield three of Colback, Saivet, Shelvey. Sissoko, Wijnaldum, Perez, De Jong, Thauvin, Aarons, Mitrovic and Cisse to compete for the top three positions.

12 is the new 6 these days

If Shelvey and Saivet do what they are meant to I would expect the team to significantly improve in all areas lessening the need for others...

I think that reflects my fears too in that like Wijnaldum and Sissoko we will be told he is a box to box midfielder, when really he is another luxury attacking midfielder.

I still can't believe that many think a centre back and striker followed by a winger are the most important signings. Two new and good central midfielders will significantly improve us all over the pitch.

I don't think Dawson is amazing but he would make a better centre half club captain than Coloccini. Also, I know some myself included decry the lack of British backbone and leadership in the team, but we also miss leadership amongst the foreign ranks. Ba and Cabaye were very influential in terms of being able to speak good English and also being leaders amongst the French speaking players so are missed as more than just players. If there was some player available in France even if they lack real ability it could be an option.

That midfield is horrible and would get us relegated. Unfortunately Colback and or Tiote are necessities right now until a point where we actually sign two competent central midfielders.

RIP Pav. He made me like being a keeper. Him in the Tyne bridge sunset top was a defining image when I was younger

Wishing Pavel a speedy recovery. In addition to being a memorable keeper for us, he is a huge friend of the club and the fans.

One of the legends of the game. RIP

You can only motivate players if they want to listen

The big thing is that no one is man enough to tell Ashley that the 54 million was spent very poorly. He is probably being told by Charnley that the players are all great the manager is great, everything is great.

In defence of Janmaat he is actually injured at the moment but playing regardless. So loss of form is understandable

He does have one recent saving grace which is that he wanted to sign Dele Alli long before others were interested but Charnley wouldn't pay the asking price. But otherwise the rest are shit or not rocket science to sign.

I know he was, the point is that the opposition can just walk right through our midfield, hence "missing"

The midfield is so bad that we are actually missing Colback!

While I don't doubt his quality Perez has never looked effective on the wing. Also it is pretty common for new managers coming in to utilise players in their so called best position either to: 1. Work out for themselves which positions need fixing 2. Demonstrate to those with the purse strings where the money requires urgent investment.

Exactly. McClaren should have done his homework before leaving our best player on the bench in favour of one of our worst. Perez best position in the opening game was taken up by Wijnaldum, who also has the same best position, albeit different types of players. The £15m new signing was always getting in ahead of Perez first game and Perez has shown both his worth and character in shifting Wijnaldum from that position. Obertan is a red herring.

Can't see what McClaren has said wrong there. He has acknowledged Perez's importance but believes he can get even better so is challenging him to do so.

I wonder if the club will be prepared to invest more in players from the lower leagues after what happened with Dele Alli

I have had enough of Sissoko. He should be the best of all our players, but he only turns up when he feels like it, e.g. Against the big clubs or if he is due a France call up. His attitude stinks and it seeps through to others. Krul Janmaat Mbemba Dummett Mbabu Wijnaldum Colback De Jong Thauvin Mitrovic Perez

Anita is shit. We have an appalling record when he starts, he doesn't dictate play, he doesn't put in a good defensive shift and he loses every midfield duel ever. He lost to Dan Gosling today FFS.

Got Mbabu for that