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« Slating Spurs | Main | Making excuses for JJ and Hudd »
Friday
Jul102009

The next 'big name signing'?

Stupendous day. If you're in central London, hop onto one of those open bus tourist tours and have yourself a parade. Pennant has gone to La Liga. I haven't cried since that Gazza yellow card in Italia '90, but have no shame in admitting I shed a tear when I read that the arrogant and over-hyped, ex-scum 'wonder-kid' had agreed to join Real Zaragoza. If we struggled to get an in-form winger (Bentley) to work in the team, what chance an inconsistent petulant prick?

The ITK community had us along with a couple of Italian clubs interested and that it was a done deal for him to sign for Harry once we got rid of Bentley. It's like these attention-seekers are playing a grand version of connect-the-dots with one dot in London and the other next closest dot somewhere hidden in the depths of the Eagle Nebula.

I'm actually a lot calmer now with all this incoming outgoing transfer circus. I've re-discovered patience and also some respect for our esteemed chairman for standing firm with Sevilla over the Zokora saga and bagging and alleged £8.65M (although we did pay them a bundle for the Ramos compensation). Bent's long running 'will he won't he' be the next Spurs player to make the trip up to Sunderland looks like coming to a happy conclusion with us finally agreeing a fee. It's not going to be anywhere near the £16M we paid for him. No doubt this will result with day long street parties in the East End. For us, it means more money in the kitty as we look towards bringing in a new forward.

Carew from Villa is the man marked by all. Big, strong, great at holding up the ball. All ingredients that Harry likes and we need. Might not be prolific or the best natural finisher - but alongside Defoe, it might just work. He won't cost too much, but as a consequence of the club he plays for currently and the fact we just sold Zokora - Nigel Reo-Coker might become part of the package.

The irony is not lost on me. From one 'Do do do' to another. Excuse the pun, but for the love of God…do one. Carew, I can live with if he's cheap. I'd much prefer a younger player with bags of potential and a proven record. But if things are tricky in the transfer market (which they are) then we need to be a little shrewd. Reo-Coker isn't shrewd. It's a mistake.

Talking of mistakes, did anyone see a story about Birmingham chasing a certain Inter player? Tabloids linking him to a return to the Prem. So what happens next? Cryptic messages start appearing on Spurs forums about how we are in for a player who - if signed - will make you laugh or cry.

Patrick Vieira? In Lilywhite? Sacrebleu!

I think I'm about to lose that calming feeling.

Reader Comments (38)

Carew over Bellamy, any day of the week.

Far more realistic this than signing Klass or Ruud. As for the ex-goon. Don't expect him to leave Serie A.

Jul 10, 2009 at 10:44 AM | Unregistered Commenterfilthy

Seems that Spooky takes a half-hearted attempt at ITK from a spurs forum, posts it, and now others are picking up on it: http://www.spurs.vitalfootball.co.uk/article.asp?a=7501544

I expect The Daily Mail to be running with this by tomorrow morning.

Jul 10, 2009 at 10:46 AM | Unregistered Commenterirk me

Carew I'd take with open arms. Viduka is another with the power we need - but he's past it. Isn't he?

Crouch is presumably Harry's top target and while I admit calling the guy a freak, at full volume, during matches at the lane I would be happy to see him in our colours. Again.

The Viera thing is amusing and I think it might just work. It's something our manager did to good effect at Pompey - old players were often rejuvenated - Viera is no box-to-box player but could have a sparkling effect on Wilson. Just like Davids, he could offer more than just playing. His type around the place might gee some others up.

Jul 10, 2009 at 10:47 AM | Unregistered CommenterBiz

Carew doesn't excite me. Don't think he's the answer, but then neither is Bellamy and we don't seem to be in for anyone else at the moment. Hoping we pull something out of the bag that nobody expects.

Jul 10, 2009 at 10:48 AM | Unregistered CommenterKingofKings

please get CF= Huntelaar or Crouch LW = Maxi , bastos or this young Argy kid . last resort Drowning

please don't get . Pennant , Carew (unless 5 mill or less) Bellamy , barton ETC

as much as i beleive the players above may give us some steele and improve us on some levels ....i feel would be detrimental to our core values and traditions .

its just not the spurs way ! COYS

Jul 10, 2009 at 10:49 AM | Unregistered Commentermjd1

Don't think Viera is half the player he was. But probably still good enough to do the business in the EPL. Don't think it will happen though. Arsenal connections and all that.

Jul 10, 2009 at 10:50 AM | Unregistered CommenterOops

Is there a lack of quality the world over? Since Comolli was sacked, do we not use some form of scouting network to look at other Berbatov style targets? Or are second class Prem players and improbable big name signings our only avenues in this window? We need to be more ambitious. But at the same time I'm happy to take on non-sexy signings if they are decent strong consistent players. We tend to buy way too much hype and it never works (well mostly never) so if Harry thinks someone like Carew will work in the team, then so be it.

Someone like Bellamy can fuck off.

Jul 10, 2009 at 10:54 AM | Unregistered CommenterJep

Spooks, had you put 'Vieira' in your headline you'd have got a ton more hits.

Well done for the subtly.

Jul 10, 2009 at 10:55 AM | Unregistered CommenterThe Machine

Carew will do. Nigel Super-Soaker can do one.

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:03 AM | Unregistered CommenterPLN

Vieira the new Davids?

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:04 AM | Unregistered CommenterHarrys Heroes

I am still content with lack of action in market, do not want the usual last minute panic, if business not done in next two weeks should just go with settled squad for the year it could not be worse than some of the panic buys we have done in the past then not had enough time to bed them in the team, hence poor starts to seasons in recent past. Viera was a gooner therefore he can whistle, well past best before date, would still take Henry though. Start the rumours, surely someones seen him at the Lodge

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:06 AM | Unregistered CommenterIrish Spur

We just signed a young Arsenal reject who is a fan of the goons so why not an old Arsenal reject

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:13 AM | Unregistered CommenterIrish Spur

i think seeing as veloso says he wants to leave sporting we should snap him up it wasn't long ago that he was being linked with 20mil moves now sporting are holding out for 8.5mil, another defensive mid alongside palacios is just what we need, good battle between the two, i honestly think that gio should be given a run in the side on left mid but that argy kid (de federico) does look a bit special, but then again if ashley young was a possibility i'd take him all day!! spurs targets should be A.Young= Bentley & Jenas - Huntelaar = £15mil - Veloso = £8mil and Heinze = £3mil COYS!!!

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:14 AM | Unregistered Commenterleggy

John Carew? Where's my sick bucket? An injury prone donkey, if ever there was one. Let's get proper busy and sign the man Huntelaar, FFS.

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:16 AM | Unregistered Commenterjonathanhotspur

Viera to Spurs? Who's phone did the journos have to hack to make up that one?

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:18 AM | Unregistered Commenterrobh

lol!

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:22 AM | Unregistered CommenterHarrys Heroes

Do you not think we are missing a trick?? If the blogs are true it seems that Real have accepted a bid of 20 million Euros from Stuttgart for Huntelaar! the guy is young, full of promise and looks like he can handle the Premiership. Get him, get rid of Bent and Keane and promote Obiki to fourth choice and we have potentially a great strikeforce. Let’s see if Pav has spent any time learning the lingo and resting and then judge him in January.

Pennant gone, thank God, let’s hope someone buys that Welsh Prick next and all will be good. we need to be a little patient and trust Arry buys only players that will improve the squad along with at least two unknown African players no one has ever heard of but end up being a gem!! COYS

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:29 AM | Unregistered Commenterfolkestone_yid

I thought necessity was the mother of invention, turns out it's the transfer window. I'd guess hell would have had to have frozen over, before Levy would have touched another sky andrew player with a shitty stick. Pennant was never an option. Suddenly we're supposed to be interested in the aged and infirm, as if we don't have enough of a reputation for monopeds, hypochondriacs, alcoholics, manic depressives and the work-shy.
Would whoever it is that invents this bollocks, please link us with some talented, fit young men, in their prime and with a bit of work ethic and ambition. It's no good for the self-esteem of the fans or the club, to be linked to the second-rate, past it, crippled or downright misanthropic. It's all bollocks anyway.

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:30 AM | Unregistered Commentersilver_spurfer

I'd like to retract my support for signing Carew.

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:42 AM | Registered Commenterspooky

Expect Becks to be linked again.

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:47 AM | Unregistered CommenterWe won it in black and white

"I'd like to retract my support for signing Carew."
Lol, quality.

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:49 AM | Unregistered Commentersilver_spurfer

Carew is a great hold up man and to be honest I think he'd be a fair signing if he stays fit, he always looked dangerous when he wasnt carrying a knock. Re Huntelaar ok he was good in Holland but so was my Nan he did naff all in Spain dont get why all the hype!! Crouch would also be a decent signing he and Defoe work well together and were full of goals so why not give it a try?

Jul 10, 2009 at 1:01 PM | Unregistered CommenterHodgey

Forget carew,Just keep looking for players at your level like reo coker and old men like figo

Jul 10, 2009 at 1:06 PM | Unregistered CommenterDopeyspursfans

Leggy I dont get your Maths?

A. Young = bentley + jenas - Huntlear? Does that make Huntler 20mil and jenas and bentley minus 12 mil combined, as the combination seems to be worth '15mil - Veloso' as veloso is about the 7mil mark apparently?

And then 8mil + Heinze = 3 mil? so what we get paid 5 mil to take him off their hands. I'd get levy on the phone now!

Are you Harry's accountant as well by any chance?

Jul 10, 2009 at 1:12 PM | Unregistered CommenterTricky

Carew has one very big thing going for him. He's not Bellendenemy. Other than that traget man can hold up play 'check', not too expensive 'check'. So maybe a 5 out of 10 option, good but not great. Recent injury and attitude not brilliant either!

Jul 10, 2009 at 1:14 PM | Unregistered CommenterTricky

have you ever seen huntelaar play hodgey ? And i wouldn't go as far as to take the holland league lightly , have you seen the amount of dutch players in clubs all over europe ... and the dutch national team ... and then we still forget the dutch coaches. off course it's not as strong as the PL or PD/german league but it still is a country with a extraordinary vision on developing talent (in almost every sport) and that for a small country with only 16 million (give or take a few thousands) inhabitants ....

Current place on the fifa ranking = 3th .... England = 7 th , that doesnt mean a lot but still gives a hint as to the amount of talent produced by a very small country in comparison to the rest of the top 10

Jul 10, 2009 at 1:37 PM | Unregistered Commenterbelgian spur

carew is ok and good enough for now..he is just the player to come in and do the job the gaffer wants..unlike some players who cant follow instructions..just fin watching replay of us v villa at villa and carew was alright came on as a sub and got a goal..hes a big git isnt he..i mean that in a pleasant way....

Jul 10, 2009 at 2:24 PM | Unregistered Commentersimon

I am an ITK (irish talking Karp) ,and i can let you know the following,which ive heard on v good authority.

Spurs are going to resign Diider Zokora back from sevilla in 20 minutes for 15million,levyhas sanctiioned it.

I cant confirm tho the rumours about levy putting in a bid for Torres,its a load of bull

Jul 10, 2009 at 2:24 PM | Unregistered CommenterFasTUNA Aspiralla

also,when bent signs for sunderland,he is coming straight back to spurs on loan,were paying his wages

Jul 10, 2009 at 2:30 PM | Unregistered CommenterFasTUNA Aspiralla

he can go to sunderland, but he has to be home for tea

Jul 10, 2009 at 5:26 PM | Unregistered Commenterdarren bents mum

is it me .......but ........there must be some awesome players around europe and central america all looking to get in the premier with a high profile club such as spurs,instead of whats left floating around.in the tabloids.....also what about some of the players from the championship etc who are contenders.....didnt burnley play well against us.isnt swansea playing with a nice spanish style.....the left winger that flies .....? another palacios? ledley king defender in the making?.......

Jul 10, 2009 at 6:53 PM | Unregistered Commenterbililospur

Fit, Young Players are in the current climate 4 times as expensive than they were just 2 - 3 years ago, and for that we can thank Real, Chelsea, and now Manchester City, and perhaps we ourselves haven't helped. That leaves us in a position where for want of money, we do not have the funds to compete for the great players of the day. What we are left with, are the leftovers, or the overlooked, and we shall still be exploited for the stigma that comes with being the club that has spent a very large amount of money over two years on whim purchases for players that last 6-12months

Someone like Carew, who has had a good career, despite not yet meeting his full potential, we may have a shrewd bargain here, still, he will cost us a pretty penny himself, his large frame and competetive spirit will benefit our forward play. He may not have the sparkle that comes with Klaas, Ruud or Etoo, but he will come with premiership experience, lower wage demands, and he will be here to play football before he picks up his paycheck. I would not be disappointed to see JC as our first purchase this season

Pokey,
Considering which of the new kits will make his ass look smaller, but hey in that thing, no one will be looking at my ass

Jul 10, 2009 at 7:38 PM | Unregistered CommenterPokey

PS, left wing? look no further than Mcgeady *sends subliminal... ok not so subliminal messages to Levy*

Jul 10, 2009 at 7:39 PM | Unregistered CommenterPokey

What Arry says about Citeh is true. They've made it extremely hard for us to get even a sniff at the best of the rest. Until they get CL footie it's gonna be this way for some time. We are gonna have to be patient and bide or time, something us Spurs fans are not very good at unfortunately.

Get a combative midfielder to partner Wilson to help those long journeys back from the arse end of nowhere a little easier to stomach!!

Jul 10, 2009 at 8:25 PM | Unregistered CommenterSpurf

Mr Levey you have been in the sun to long normaly you speak with wisdom but this one has gone a bit wrong .Bent will score goals if he has the right sort of pass the only players that could do this were out wide and on the bench moderic and huddlestone .If bought eto with this midfield we would struggle to create lennon palacios jens moderic there lies the major problem .All our strikers would score if huddlestone played every week and not sporadicly the under 21 missed him and so did we ,This midfield would create goals lennon palacios huddlestone moderic or dosantos or bale or bentley or jenas but not with moderic and the one player who can play in all them permatations is huddlestone .these players have scored of his passes campbell for spurs and 21s.defoe keane pav bent .so Harry needs to prove what iam saying his right in the wembley and asia tournaments and stick with what we have .This lad will come of age and also play for england DAVSPURS CAN SEE IN THE FUTURE.

Jul 10, 2009 at 11:57 PM | Unregistered Commenterdavspurs

Babel.

That is all.

Jul 11, 2009 at 1:50 AM | Unregistered CommenterdRb

quick trivia: who played up front for the mighty lillywhites when we ended loserpool's opening unbeaten run to the season?

answer: some useless tossers that we need to get rid of. i love defoe, but jesus some spurs fans have a fucking man crush on the guy and i dont know why.

Jul 11, 2009 at 5:08 AM | Unregistered Commenteranon

Everyone on this site should kill themselves

Jul 11, 2009 at 7:50 AM | Unregistered CommentertottenHAM

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