Modric, stuck out on the left...
Sunday, July 5, 2009 at 12:07PM Are we going to sign a left-winger? Young? Downing? Anyone? It's the quest that never ends, usually because we are never looking, and it's a question that gets repeated over and over again and with each passing transfer window we are left empty handed and confused.
The only reason I care to mention this is because of Luka Modric. And the little matter of our midfield. At the moment he dinks in, drifts around at his heart's content, conducting play and creating havoc. All from the left-wing. I discussed this at length - click here to read it - and the conundrum was simply whether our Croatian wizard was better suited in the middle.
With Palacios now commanding the centre park, the protection is in place for Luka to slot into a more natural position for a player with his abilities. But there is no indication of what Harry is planning other than a complaint about Man City 'moving the goal posts' and being able to outbid everyone around them citing Barry and Santa Cruz - indicating we were interested in both. Which means we are still looking to bring in two players of similar ilk. Ignore his comments relating to not bothering to strengthing the side if we can't find players that would improve us (Harry mind games):
"I have spoken to the chairman Daniel Levy and we've decided if we can't get players who will improve the team we're not going to bother. We've already got a decent squad, many of whom are going to get better. But we recognise we have to improve"
Not a chance he won't get involved in some dealings.
a) Because he's Harry Redknapp
b) Because we DO need to strengthen the squad
A CM and a number 9 type of forward player are the current targets based on Harrys comments (if you read between the lines, and I know I might be reading way too much into it). He also mentions Glen Johnson, so it's possible we are also looking at the right-back position too. You know, because, we need one of them due to the lack of depth in that area of the squad since Pascal Chimbonda was involved in a training ground accident involving a tear in the space time continuum that sucked him into a worm hole.
Now I know I'm basing all this around the obvious and there is no clear indication, but I hope (and pray) we don't simply sign players just because they are available (regardless of their hype) and that we sign players that we need because they WILL improve the side.
Barry would have completed our midfield. Santa Cruz, I'm not too sure about. So maybe I've got that one wrong. All irrelevant now anyway.
Signing Barry would have meant Modric remaining on the left-hand side. If we do sign another CM, it's possible that the player will be a back-up (with Zokora on his way out). Whatever happened to the Scott Brown rumours? We've also been linked to several La Liga based midfielders in recent weeks, but it's all speculation - our tabloids repeating what their tabloids are saying. If we sign a major player for the CM role, then Luka will no doubt remain drifting in from the left. There is no real clarity and definitive ideology of selection based on the transfer rumours. But then I wouldn't expect that to be the case.
Not a clue about the 'number 9' - and whether we end up with a tricky goal-scorer or a tall/big/strong Crouchesque player. If we do sign another forward, then the Keane/Defoe issue will no doubt resurface.
And back to the left-sided question. Downing is injured and I'm not sure when he'll be back to full fitness - so signing him would still mean we begin the season with no left-winger. Anyone would think there's a shortage of wingers. It's gone quiet everywhere. Ashley Young too.
I guess one thing to be completely positive about is that we are not rushing into making any signings. Whether this is because we are waiting to sell players (or swap them) or because we are biding our time to find the right (left) type of player to bring to the club - it gives me the impression we are a little more calculating this term, than in previous seasons.
Either that or the transfer window is in a state of reverse flux, with clubs nervous about spending too much on the wrong player.
Until we make a signing, we won't know where Moddle will be starting. But at least he'll be starting in Lilywhite.
Reader Comments (25)
Also. Harry mentions 'Two points eight games' in the interview with the Daily Mail.
Touch.
its a good point isnt it?modders in the middle next to wp...lennon on the right and joe blogs on the left...unless joe blogs is an outstanding winger/lm who can tackle like wp me thinks our midfield is a bit...not soft but underprepared.. unless we use a 3-5-2 system? and modders drifting in and out and around and up and down...not to worried about lack of signings..especially cisse gee we woz realy unlucky to miss out on im..bugger...
Does seem like we are not quite sure who it is we need. If we go for a CM will we go for a first choice CM and if we do that must mean we wont be signing a left-winger. I'm nervous if we buy one or the other because we cant find the best fit and then adapt accordingly.
If he wants Modric in the middle then he as to go full out for a left winger. I'd still buy a CM to cover Palacios and then use Adel as an option.
i think modric should stay on the left. He's great when cutting inside and hard to defend. he can dictate play from the left. This gives the LB space to go forward and get crosses in from a advanced position (bale..ekoto). We can play modric from the center againts weaker opponments or when chasing a game. I believe intwo hard working strong cm players like palacios and even jenas.
Hmm tricky one, left winger is a must we have been missing that since the departure of David Ginola,
Would love to see Adel or Gio get a chance both very skillful and technical players and need games to progress.
dont think we need another CM maybe a back up but wit Hudds, Jenas, O'Hara all suitable back ups, although young Matic looks promising. Need a striker definitely, Berg, Huntelaar would be my focus
Cant wait for the new season
Reading between the lines leaves me a bit navy blue.
It's strange isn't it? Nico Kranjcar (sic) was moved to the left to accommodate Modders in CM in the Croatian national squad, yet we're moving Modders out there for us. If he can improve on some of the form he was showing last term, then I won't care whether he's on the left or in the middle. My real worry, is assembling a squad together in time to work out what formations work before the season starts proper.
Gomes, Corluka · Woody · King · BEA ( Heinze) , WP · Jenas, Lennon · MOD · Bentley, JD. 4-2-3-1 with Lennon and Bentley switching wings.
On Scott Brown this was in the Scottish Sun 23/06/09
Celtic midfielder Scott Brown needs ankle surgery and is a doubt for the club's Champions League qualifying campaign.
Thank the Lord. Don't fancy Brown at all.
Modric on the bench if we can't find a buyer, more like.
I'd really like us to buy another Wilson type CM (Cana?) over a LM. 2 High intensity, no-nonsense players in the middle would stop teams over-running us (ManUre debacle) and allow the creative players and fullbacks to get forwards and impose our will on the game. We need to start bullying teams when we haven't got possession, otherwise will still be a soft touch and also-rans.
With regards to Modric, I'd like to see him be able to play anywhere across the pitch. His effect on games will be when he appears where the opposition least expect him. If we have two tough tackling CM's he'll have the confidence and freedom to going looking for the space in the last 30 yards of the pitch and cause havoc from there. With Keane, Taarabt & Gio on the books still, you'd like to think that we'd always have options to play a fluid front-line, with anyone of them being able to interchange with Modric from left to centre.
We all know what Harry's like and there is no chance of him not having a bit of a mix up.
I think they are keeping things on the low so that Man City dont start pouching the players
we want. Also you got to bear in mind that THIS YEAR we dont have Camolli (twat) so all
the work is being done between Danny Boy and Harry. I still believe by the we are out
there for pre season we shall have the answers were looking for (hopefully Young and a
Good N9) but rest assured that happy dayz are round the corner
why do spurs fans think wp is/ever was a defensive midfielder
bdaSpur's 4-2-3-1 is what I play in fifa but usually with bent
Will we sign anyone this summer????????????
If its true we missed out on Santa Cruse then Harry is defo looking for a new striker? who will it be? any ideas??
I wouldn't rule out Kenny Pineapple.
And Joe Cole.
Gareth Bale
Ok lets take a good look at the other talent at our disposal............
de santos!,tarabt,bostock..etc......if we get a new player or two fair enough.........but
talent on loan is develpment.....but we are a club who should be bold i think these players are to be used
.get them to move up agear etc...id like to see redknapp
help these player become the strong tenacious in attack with style type spurs players etc supporting the rotation he will have to do over a season........all the market place looks a strange animal now with sheik you blx etc
its ok......to dare....
I see our summer transfer wheelings and dealings looking like this:
1st - Bent sold to Sunderland
2nd - Signing of a big name or striker (at least by our standards; i.e. Robben, Crouch)
3rd - A player or two being loaned out (possibilities = Tarabt, Bale, Dos Santos, Alnwick)
4th - Two other players brought in (not necessarily big names but soldiers similar to Palacios)
5th - Signing of Downing on loan until his injury heels and then purchase to be determined over the January window based on his performance
For some reason, I see us keeping Bentley, Jenas and Huddlestone. We don't need much to change in our squad. I was looking at the pics from the new kit's microsite and realized that we have some quality players. We don't need to tamper much but we just need players who will come in and help pick up our pace on the pitch. Anyone agree, disagree? Spooky??
COYS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Apparantly we have placed a bid on Fernando Llorente from Ahtletic de bilbao ... i ve seen him in action several times and he may be the striker we are looking for ... He's big, strong and has a decent level of technical skills , remains to be seen if he can settle in the Uk ...
I m finding it hard to follow up on the maxi rodriguez soap , has he signed at WHL yet ?
A friend of mine works 2gether with a sports agent and i must say that they joke around quite a bit when adressing the topic "spurs transfer dealings. Even over here spurs have the reputation of jumping on almost everything and often losing out to bigger (or must i say richer ) clubs ... We all follow the european transfers trough a french site (footmercato) and almost every day there's a new player linked to spurs ...
Latest joke/rumour : spurs are trying to convince luis figo to come out of retirement !!!
The Figo story is ridiculous and just lazy journalism. Most players linked with Spurs are just agent and tabloid talk and Spurs haven't shown a genuine interest.
PLEASE NOT DOWNING!!
Ashley Young, Juan Mata instead please dear gawd!