leffe186

We made a profit on Pienaar because he was near the end of his contract at Everton, no magic there. As I said before, everyone ultimately did OK. 10M for Dawson would be f***ing magic. 5.5M would be faintly disappointing. I'd be happier keeping Dawson as cover, but if we are keeping Gallas then that sounds manageable. Kaboul, Vertonghen, Gallas, Caulker is fine by me, and I'd like to see another kid come in (we don't have any more young CBs who are even close to ready). Dawson and - most obviously - Bassong just don't fit with AVB's requirements. Kaboul, Vertonghen and Caulker are all young, strong, and mobile CBs who can play on the ground. Dawson and Bassong...well. Other players supposedly on the way out include Jenas and Rose, which suggests that AVB is (a) no fool (b) knows exactly what he wants from his players. Hudd would be a pity, but as you found out yesterday AVB's big thing is mobility and pressurising the opposition when they have the ball (apart from Tiote, who we gave a bit more space because we're not as worried about his distribution). Hudd's big problem is his lack of mobility. You say it like you beat us. I read your post-match jubilation .

We made a profit on Pienaar because he was near the end of his contract at Everton, no magic there. As I said before, everyone ultimately did OK. 10M for Dawson would be fucking magic. 5.5M would be faintly disappointing. I'd be happier keeping Dawson as cover, but if we are keeping Gallas then that sounds manageable. Kaboul, Vertonghen, Gallas, Caulker is fine by me, and I'd like to see another kid come in (we don't have any more young CBs who are even close to ready). Dawson and - most obviously - Bassong just don't fit with AVB's requirements. Kaboul, Vertonghen and Caulker are all young, strong, and mobile CBs who can play on the ground. Dawson and Bassong...well. Other players supposedly on the way out include Jenas and Rose, which suggests that AVB is (a) no fool (b) knows exactly what he wants from his players. Hudd would be a pity, but as you found out yesterday AVB's big thing is mobility and pressurising the opposition when they have the ball (apart from Tiote, who we gave a bit more space because we're not as worried about his distribution). Hudd's big problem is his lack of mobility.

I get all of that, but tbh I'd quite like to be the underdog.

I'm not being funny but if you offered me Arsenal's team and Tottenham's team currently ( keep in mind Modric is leaving and Adebayor has'nt been replaced) I would take Arsenal's all day every day and they have better depth, i think RVP's transfer has gone straight to people's heads Arsenal still have a fantastic team and they are definitely in a lot better condition than Spurs are atm. Opinions are opinions though. Absolutely. This same argument happens every year, and the same outcome results. Arsenal have broadly the same team as last year (with less injuries) who have been training the same way with the same manager/coaches for a while. We have a completely new coaching staff, and one or two glaring gaps in our first team (let alone our squad). If we can get through the transfer window without too much damage and get a couple of class additions then we might be OK. Otherwise, I think the absolute best we can hope for is Europa again. I fully expect Chelsea to be back in the top four, and it would only take a couple of defeats for the media to jump on AVB's back again. Add in 'arry in the commentary box, and the whole thing looks wearily predictable. Spurs boards are all pretty depressed right now. I think that many are forgetting that we're actually a pretty good squad even without Modric and Adebayor, but there's plenty of opportunities for disaster to strike.

There's a lovely little rant from a guy on one of the Spurs boards in response to Igor Stimac saying: "'Daniel Levy promised a year ago that if an offer came from Madrid, he would let him go. And when the offer came, he changed his mind. I believe this guy is trying to become famous in the world of football, but this isn't the way to do it. When something is promised, it needs to be delivered." Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-2188588/Luka-Modric-latest-Igor-Stimac-blasts-Spurs-chairman-Daniel-Levy.html#ixzz23pS3nFsm Part of the response: "Made a promise, did he, Igor? Prove it. Where's the document that says Daniel Levy 'promised'. Has anyone seen this, now legendary, promissory note? Documents that make promises, document that make promises. I'm sure there's some legal term for that sort of thing... I know! It's called a contract. Now, if only Daniel Levy had made a contract with Modric, then that would be the basis of an agreement. Wait a moment! They did sign a contract! Isn't the promise for Modric to play fro Spurs for six years?" It's bullshit, and as the man said, they need a slap.

The thing is, they are still generating enough money to get away with the major fuck-ups. In 2010-11, their income was ninth amongst the world's footy clubs. Matchday income was less than Spurs', TV money 18M less than Spurs', yet their "Commercial" income was 40M more - 77M against 37M. This was the year we were in the Champions League, too. Until everyone around them stops loving the "brand", then they will still be there or thereabouts. That's what's particularly galling about the continued media love-in, despite them being not so great and massively unlikeable cunts over the last couple of years.

Oh God I hope so. Problem is they're still followed in numbers abroad (the red colour thing?) and until this is eroded they will continue to generate enough money to compete. If they are still struggling by the time we build our new stadium then that might be curtains for them.

I never go on there, but having a smiley for every player is actually class. Would make formations more interesting, and mean that you didn't have to see 18 different spellings of Marveaux/Tiote/Coloccini etc etc

You can add in the way highlights shows (like that one the Football League used to have at two in the morning) do the same thing. I'd like to at least pretend I don't know what's going to happen.

They must be paying him a canny wedge too, he turned down Spurs because he didn't like the wages he was offered. Ha ha, as if any player ever turns down Spurs! Well players might (if we don't throw silly money at them), but... ..luckily, Villa didn't.

God, I hope not. We're just expecting to play 4231 with Sigurdsson as part of the three or on the bench.

Yep, Livermore and Jenas will do me nicely. I'd be playing Sandro and Huddlestone if I were AVB. Assuming Sandro is back with the squad. So would i, although i don't think Sandro is back my post was more in hope as that was the midfield 2 they used in thier last pre season game. Any Spurs fans know how Huddlestone has been doing? i always liked him but unfortunately injuries have pretty much halted any progress. Hope we play Sandro. With Parker out he will be essential. Huddlestone has only played 45 mins in pre-season, but looked OK. Problem is, he's barely played any football for months. I'd be very surprised to see him start on Saturday, but not at all surprised to see him coming off the bench. Hudd divides us almost as much as Jenas, and into almost exactly the same groups of people. He strikes/passes the ball so gracefully, yet turns like a tanker and can be completely bypassed by possession teams. I'd like to see him next to Sandro on Saturday, because that would mean AVB is confident he's fit. None of it will matter if we don't buy a striker though, as I can't see either Defoe or Kane making that position work.

Part of me wants us to sell one or two players to City, just for the crazy money.

Oh wow. Didn't see that coming - didn't realize he was ill. Can't share that with anyone over here either. RIP indeed.

Starting?

I'd love to think they're all injured, but don't believe it for a second.

Not that pointless. I think if you gave him to any one of Spurs, Arsenal, or Chelsea we'd have run them close. He's that good.

Not depressing for me, I find it hilarious. Apart from the fact it gives the Arse a lot of money. The bonus for me is that it makes it less likely Fergie will try to snatch Modric. Those wages make me physically sick though. He could buy our house with three days' pay. Fuck off.

There's a thread on one of our boards speculating about our line-up, and I don't think I've seen the same one twice. God only knows who will be playing. All things being equal I wouldn't expect to see Sandro so soon after the Olympics, but we so obviously need someone like that in our team right now. Of course, we have one or two players who can still make the difference, but I would def take a point as things stand. That would change if Modric and a new forward were playing. Walker/Kaboul/Vertonghen/BAE; Sandro/Modric; VDV/Sig/Bale; Ade looks an awful lot better than Walker/Dawson/Gallas/BAE; Livermore/Jenas; Lennon/Sig/Bale; Defoe.

Absolutely. I've heard it said after the opposition have parked the bus, which can be extremely hard to break down.

Sauce? Most twitter bullshitters. Hence why I said apparently. Not the best choice of words "According to twitter" would suffice.

rumours modric is training on his own. heard anything ? Well, allegedly he refused to go on tour, and then refused to train with the team. However, since they have been away in Spain, then . One rumour is that he isn't the brightest, and relies on his advisors a lot a la Tevez. There remains a distinct possibility that Fergie is biding his time and will come riding in with a sack of cash just before the deadline.

Nice, cheers. We currently have Dish, and that would be a welcome addition.

Wouldn't have minded getting Lukaku, tbh. In an ideal world we'd be taking Sunderland to the cleaners for Defoe, but it's looking increasingly likely that we'll not have anyone in for you guys. If that's the case, I'd take a draw right now.