Transfer shenanigans
Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 1:14PM Sabastien Bassong to Spurs. Medical passed. Only a matter of time. £8M for a relegated defender. Look away now if stats scare you. Newcastle were better off without him in the side as they lost more and conceded more when he played. Add to it his record at Metz before signing for the Toon (22 games, Metz lost 14, drew 7and won 1 – two of those draws were achieve whilst Bassong went off injured due to injury). But we all know stats are misleading. Look at Darren Bent, great scoring ratio, but you won’t find a player more maligned. Bassong stood out in a very poor team, that mostly failed to match his determination. But at the same time, an inanimate carbon rod would have looked good playing for Newcastle last season.
We need a centre-back desperately. Woody is going to be out for a fair bit of time and Daws won’t be available for several weeks. However Bassong will miss the opening game of the season due to a red card offence from last term, so let’s pray King is fit for the big kick-off. Not sure where he fits in once everyone is fit and able to play. He must have been given some assurances over selection, so will be interesting to see what we do with Dawson once he’s available. May well be the case that Woody is out long term and with King’s troubles, there will be plenty of games available for the three of them to get along just fine.
Still, £8M? Wondering how good a prospect Beevers is at Sheffield Wednesday – who wouldn’t cost too much in comparison. Bassong may well prove to be a great signing for us. The stats I quoted above (and the ones SSN are displaying every half and hour) can be ignored. We all know that if you are a decent player surrounded by utter shit, you’re bound to suffer a little, mainly because your team-mates are not on the same level and can't offer support, so you end up having to do more than you should be doing.
£15M Rod bid rejected
We’ve had some defenders here at Spurs go through the same type of thing. King survived it. Gardner didn’t. Still, as discussed several times on this blog and currently cited in one or two message board threads – why does our scouting system not pick up players that would cost a fraction of the £8M? There must be plenty of undiscovered talents out there. We seem to do well picking up academy players and youth players – but when we want to fill a gap in the first team squad, we always go for the obvious.
Still, welcome to the Lane Sabastien. Good luck lad.
-
Darren’s a Sunderland player now and he looks rather happy, and as expect he fired a very subtle dig at Spurs (I’ve seen his interview and he isn’t resentful in an obvious way and good luck to him). His dig concerned what goes on behind closed doors:
'There is a lot of politics at Tottenham, but that's Tottenham as a club’
Basically, Bent never believed he would start the next game even if he scored in the previous one. My guess? Probably has to do with Robbie ‘undroppable’ Keane. Rumours of the Irish windmill having a little clause in his contract. I'm sure this myth will be dis-spelled cometh the new season. Unless that's the reason Robbie isn't too happy at the moment. I'll stop now before I drown myself in ITK whispers.
-
Talkng of which, a lovely piece of ITK information for you, this concerning Pascal Chimbonda (from rocknroll11 over at GG.co.uk):
Just wanted to put to bed all the random theories that are going round as to why we resigned Chimbo and what a pointless signing it is...
Sunderland never ever paid a penny for Chimbo, they were scheduled to pay after the first season. 6 months in he's obviously unhappy, missing the team bus, pissing off Keane etc... and 6 months in Harry's here thinking we lack a bit of steel and have a very small squad. Levy suggested we could get back Chimbo for nothing... so we went to Sunderland and said if you give him back we'll cancel the outstanding payment you own...
and that's what happened.
Lack of a bit of steel? Really? Still, it’s almost believable, although if true – I’m not sure anyone would have made any money out of the ‘transfer’ back to Spurs which is hard to believe considering the people involved.
-
And finally, the dream is over. Klass-Jan Huntelaar is off to AC Milan. Negredo is being linked with a move to Roma. Then again, so is Pav. And it’s all gone quiet on Sissoko. Perhaps having aided Madrid in creating interest for Huntelaar, they’re let us talk to a couple of their players.
Madhamadou Diarra anyone? Gosh, I’m dreaming again.
For the record, he’s not on Madrid’s transfer list. Neither is Gago (who some of you don't rate) but he's a far more likely target if we do plan to look that way.
We could still do with a midfielder. Don't think we're quite finished yet.
Reader Comments (32)
Levy fucks up again. the money is the bottom line with this creep, if we want to step up we have to pay up, sad but true, but levy wont.
One day there will be no Levy at White Hart Lane, one day.
There must be plenty of undiscovered talents out there ... there are but Harry doesn't seem to be the kind of manager that likes this categorie ... his choice of player is one that has some PL experience and a decent track record (allthough the stats above seem to counter that last argument)
But still , one CB in is better then nothing i suppose , bassong was a bit on the lousy side at Metz but they had an overall lousy team back then (due to financial problems ) and relegated that year if i m not mistaking. i follow the french league through a few of my ex team mates that have professional intrests over there and i must say there are better defenders to be found at far mor reasonable prices in France , Holland and Portugal for that matter.
Then again , he might prove to be the defensive stronghold that gets us trough the season ... it's like the new interpretation of the offside rule.... wait and see ...
Good signing IMO. Not a lot of hype either because of Newcastles relegation, and I hate to say it but £8M is about average in this day and age for someone considered half decent.
We have a habit of signing 'players of the moment'. The last player of the moment we got was Wilson so IN HARRY WE TRUST.
OssiesDream,
Honest question - how old are you? Not meant to lead on to an insult or even question your point, just that I'm fairly sure that opinions regarding Levy are split along age lines.
Bassong has already served one game of his suspension, and if we sign him after Newcastle play this weekend, he'll have served both. They're not stupid, this deal won't go through before Sunday. They wouldn't sign someone who can't cover the opening match
First things first.
Huntelaar - He would have been a fantastic signing and a real 'name' player. However, I would have always felt that his heart wasn't in it and I believe that we would have ended up with another Berbatov situation 1 or 2 seasons down the line which would have caused the club more harm than good in the transfer dept.
Compared to Huntelaar......................................
I'm backing 3 Metre Peter to do the business this year. I genuinely believe he wants to play for Spurs and that both he and Defoe are desperate to prove their worth in what is a World Cup year. Crouch is an underrated player and he's the kind of 'hold-up/link-up' man we've been needing since Berbatov left (I'm not saying they're similar players). I think that Crouch can not only get the best out of Defoe but his qualities may well just dovetail with Keane too.
Alot of Spurs fans have already written 3MP off as nothing but a gangly freak (sometimes I hate being a Spurs fan due to that kind of Spurs fan) I reckon he gives us a valuable option and skill set in the striking dept.
Incidentally the same fans have written off Bassong ALREADY. They ought to remember the last few players we bought from recently relegated clubs....... Defoe, Carrick, Lennon, Robinson!! Does that sound like a roll call of flops and losers to you?
Why do Spurs fans seem to top the league in berating a player before we've even given him a chance? It's one of the worst things about being a Spurs fan because you get tarred with the same brush as the fickle fans who love to write players off before they've even been unveiled.
Rant over
Westy
Good point mate
Lets see how good or bad Sebastien is before chruning out stats about how better newcastle were off without him. Not that much it seems obviously. Darren Ben't statistics stack up against the best in England over the past four years but, as you mentioned, he couldn't hit a cows arse with Sandras banj from three yards. He was the best of a very very bad bunch and, for one, I am pleased we have him. He is young, talented and has pace. Also good in the air. What more do you want? Some kid from Sheff Wed who we don't really know if he will cut it. He will play two games, he will get slagged off everywhere on website, papers etc etc. So please, give the lad a break and a chance cos, mark my words, he will be great for the mighty Spurs....COYS!!!
Harry got Wilson, JD and PSB in jan. All of whom were needed at the club. And if we got Chimbonda back for free then that is not bad business either. He has not yet put a foot wrong where transfers are concerned.
So have a little faith people.
I read the comment about Harry not liking unknown tallent. If I remember right he brought in quite a few unknowns at Portsmouth, they weren't outstanding, but did do a job.
Ill be happy with Bassong, young and already proven, So can sit straight in the team, think this time this could actually mean the end to chimbonda, reckon he might be off now.
THink there will be one more signing, would love it to be Drenthe for Madrid, but we can all hope that Levy's trip to madrid wasn't for nothing.
Yes, I agree ullspur, lets have faith. Would much rather read articles that are positive about a new signing. Why such a negative angle? Let's have a posiive discussion about how he can help the club. We needed a centre half, went out and got one who has played Premier League football and it is still not good enough. I know he went on and on about it last year but we did have 2 points from 8, our worst start EVER AND EVER and look where we finished. Is that not good enough? Should we have won every game 5-0 and stormed into second place?
We start the season joint first, no one is better, no one is worse. We have added to our already good squad (i use the word good and not great) with Peter Crouch, Kyle Walker, Bassong and maybe some others. We have got rid of DZ (bless him, If i wanted a runner I would go and watch Usain bolt) and Chris Gunter (oh look another untried that we probably heralded but wasn't good enough-yet - ) and also Darren Bent, who will score goals, just in another team that suits him..
So come on, stop picking and pulling at the seams before we have even kicked a ball in anger and get behind our team, with new signings on board, with quality that we added in January (again tried and trusted players) and see where this season takes us
PS yes, i know Kyle W is untried, but he is soooo much better than Chris G
I will calm down now and do some yoga!! :)
Aug 6, 2009 at 1:49 PM | Jamiespurs
--------------------------------
brilliantly put
i think harry's done brilliantly in the transfer market so far (with levy's backing). Palacios Crouch Defoe Keane Bassong (best player for Newc last year), and Naughton who looks electric, are all great additions to our team.
if we can develop some extra leadership qualities for 'when the chips are down' during games, we will have an excellent campaign next year.
At Newcastle Bassong looked bright and energetic. He is fit and has proved last season that he can play well (particularly for a foreigner in his first season in the prem). We should be happy that we have been able to bring in a player who has proved himself in the premiership. I would question whether Distin would have been a better signing but who is going to come to Spurs when there are already 3 decent centre backs in the squad. We should be grateful for getting Bassong and I will bet right now that come November when King is crocked and we have two games in a week, we will be counting our blessings that we can field such a good back up defence.
As for more spending, I think we have one more signing left in centre midfied. That will be our lot and I would suggest that we have a much stronger squad now than we did 12 months ago !!
Ossies Dream are you a f@cking idiot. i read your comment then felt compelled to reply before reading anyone elses. you obviously know jack shit about the goings on at spurs. How can you say Levy never puts his hand in his pocket. we have spent just as much as the top 4 in the past like 5 seasons, we've spent more on defenders than anyone else in the league over the past few years. we just spray it over average talent. granted the transfer policy before redknapp was a little all over the place but season on season we spend around 30mil at least a window so why are you moaning. he is a shrewed business man, he just got 16.5 mil back for Bent, in my eyes he is amazing for spurs... are you forgetting the new stadium, training facility and youth academy being drafted up as well???????
this window we've already got crouch so why would he buy huntelaar, a player who never wanted to come in the first place. he is a player after champions league footie, we cant even offer him europa. We got crouch this window, defoe and keane in Jan and Pav only last summer so why would we look to buy a 5th in a non european based season??
Basically your a bellend with no knowledge what so ever. maybe get a ticket and go and see the boys play down the lane this year. you might over hear some proper fans discussing some proper footballing issues
Aug 6, 2009 at 2:05 PM | Neilm
----------------------------------------
i think you mean Kyle N...he's the one ready for the first team and looks like a brilliant piece of business. like theo walcott but can actually put a ball in.(kyle w has gone back to sheff united on loan)
Barren Dent's goals per league game ratio is 0.38, better than Anelka, Drogba and Rooney whilst Ronaldo's was 0.39. Statistically Barren is hot shit, the reality for anyone who's seen him play for a season, is that he's little more than a championship player.
Statistics are an aid, they don't tell anything like the full story.
Oh and ossiesdream needs a reality check. We don't need to become the next Leeds or Newcastle thanks very much, and whilst Liverpool, Man U and Arsenal are succesful on the pitch, they're leveraged up to the armpits. City and Chelsea have sugar daddies, but for how long?
tell us why PSB is moody at the mo'
Ossie Dream
before Daniel Levy came along we had Alan Sugar and it was a nightmare.
we're getting a new stadium, new training ground,we have bought some excellent players, Levy is a Tottenham fan.
He isn't a murderer like Arsenals Usmanov, he doesn't steal his money from the pepole ( Abramovich)- he doesn't steal his countrys oil, (Man City). We aren't in huge debt- Liverpool- Man Utd- Arsenal.
He and Jo Lewis earnt his money honestly, and spends it generously.
We have one of the best chairman in the league, and he love the club, and I for one appreciate it.
He let Jol go with a 4 million pay off, so Martin was treated OK. Which seems to be why most people hate him.
Why the Levy haters? is he really that bad- come off it. No ones perfect.
Come on you lily whites- lets get off to a flyer...
Oh and Darren Bent's a tool
He reckons his move to Sunderland was aided by his 'Twatter' rant.
No it wasn't Darren. It was aided by the fact you were totally surplus to requirements after we signed Peter Crouch.
Another quote that proves what an idiot he is:
"I like the area, where I'm staying is lovely, has a nice view and it's not as cold as thought it was going to be. It's a nice place to be."
It's SUMMER all over the UK Darren, the temperature doesn't hit freezing as soon as you go above the Watford gap you moron
Ah yes, so I do. My fingers were going crazy at the time and the keyboard had steam coming off of it. Either me typing to fast or there is something terminal going to happen lol
This player worries me along with palacios is form since the lad has come back from home his thinking is slow giving the ball away going in to tackles recklesly i hope its is fitness .All football fans need to no is there is a culture of performance drugs that have exploded into football along with tv money and oil money from ritch arabs .I no of a dozen teams that are using energy drugs to supplement there fitness. Players have been caught taking a number of drugs last year bycelegonine and ephedrine to name a few the scandales news that broke about matt stevens and cocane highlited that 24 players had failed test for cocane and not one whas named and banned . The only player named whas paddy kenny for epherdrine this is a team drug i no of amateur rugby teams using this drug and gaining three promotions with endless tackling and energy .This is blatent cheating and stops players like moderic and co from using there skill by playing above there speed and fitness for long periods .Players dont realise that when they get intervied on tv you can tell they have been on ephedrine the sines red blotches all over there faces weight loss taken the shirt off to cool down consten drinking and now chewing even goalies to stop dry mouth .and who is dishing these drugs out medical staff and the bottem line is this drug can kill and cause strokes .W e have had a spate of deaths in rugby and football is this a coincidence i cant say because it wouldent be fair on the loved ones left but if my son whas starting out in football or rugby i would be worried .Last yera two youth players took bycelegonine and where caught banned for 3 and 5 months and there names kept a secret why this ia cocane based arthritic drug they couldent get this from the streets and it is not fair on other youth players that were injured for 5 or 3 months and suspected stop the cheats and mayby the moderics can show there skill once again and we will not waste money on foney players
Thankfully we have people sensible about Levy here.
He's one of the best (if not the best) football administrators in the prem. Think of the money we've spent yet haven't collapsed. Its incredible yet we are still one of the teams not making a loss.
People need to wise and realise Huntlear wanted the best option and waited until it arrived. No one else out there, we'd have got him but there you go.
Davspurs
You sure you're not on drugs yourself? I gave myself a migraine trying to understand that post!!
Davspurs always bangs on about this. I reckon he's a spam-bot.
Only the time we show now.1 more player will come-a CM and that will be our team for 2009/10.What will happend to JJ,Bentley,Hutton and Pav its mystery.The good thing-we build and the manager will have time to work couple more years-hardly happend since 1990's.Like it or not we have to accept the facts and live with them.As i say only the time will show what's right what's wrong.For sure-we need good scout searching for right players-not young prospects or already proven expensives and move to next level of been better -buy players for half million up to a million(Bassong&Wilson).Fingers cross that central middfilder we'll going to get is the right choice and good buy.i do applogize -once again little push for Ibrahim Afellay.enjoy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wbvFfxmIFO0
Bentley will be like a new signing for us. Wait and see.
You've changed your tune.
i watched a newcastle game last season and remembering that one of newcastle's centre back had performed impressively. successful tackles after tackles. did not know the name. then decided to check out and found out it was bassong. well, that's the story. so i really think we got a gem, based on that performance. king woodgate bassong dawson. we have the best central defence in the premier league, no doubt. so if the defence is leaking, i have no idea why it is that way.
I think Daren Bent should keep his mouth shot and get on with his business.its not behind the scene politics at spurs, its what is going on at all big clubs but since Spurs are your first big club thats why you are seeing it. Berbatof and Tevez sat on the bench at united and same with every club that has more than 2 decent strikers.So treasure the time you had here and shot up.
Sorry to point this out, but does Darren Bent really strike you as the sort of person to understand what 'club politics' are? this is a man who thought that having a rant on twitter was a good idea? Please, come on, for 'club politics' read 'I was a bit shit and the manager didn't like me very much when I kept missing golden opportunities'. 'CLub politics', I'm just amazed he knew the expression!
As for Bassong, well he has signed before the weekend and so won't be eligible. But then according the Beeb he will miss the first two games???!!! the beeb getting their facts wrong, they must have employed a journo from the sun or the mirror recently. WIll be decent enough for us, can see corluka and king for the first game and then we will see. But four (when all fit) solid cetre backs and four competitive centre forwards is not a bad start for a reassonable squad.
Let's just get this season started Now!
As for the Levy / ossie spur type comments, there are enough of us here who remember what happened to leeds, saints etc (as discussed on the previous thread). I'm no Levy fan when it comes to making long term strategic decisions, but he does at least have a tight reign on the club finances so we don't end up with the best stadium in Division 1 (a title currently held by recent FA cup finalists Southampton) so if you are going to slate him, try his appointment and faith in Comolli in the past, not taking the 'splashing the cash' route.
Huntelaar was NEVER coming to the lane!!! He just used our apparent interest as a bargaining tool in his discussions with Stuttgart and Milan and Madrid used our interest to generate further interest. Also Ossies Dream if it wasnt for Levy then we would be in the same financial mess as most of the teams in the prem and beyond. We are one of only 4 teams opperating at a profit and within our means that is thanks to Levy so take your vittriol elsewhere muppet. Sky are currently losing customers hand over fist so in the next 4 or 5 years a hell of a lot of money will be going away from the prem and then some of thase clubs will be in financial meltdown and there could be a lot of supporters looking for a new club to follow and I dont mean your johnnie come lately follow the fasionable club of the moment like yer manures and chavs. Then we shall rise once again to the cream of english football as one of the money clubs again, unlike manure for example who have a half a billion pound loan to finance or if the so called billionaires get bored then the likes of chavs and citeh will be deep in to do do. So lay off levy cos you dont know what your talking about!! Also, our govt has slapped a 50% tax on high end earners(top footballers) so the days of the foriegn elite coming here in droves will soon be over also, this made it almost impossible to match any wages offered even by stuttgart to KJH throw in the strong euro and his 90k per month wages would actually end up costing us something like 160k per month and we aint in that league so stop bloody daydreaming about superstars at the lane for a few more years yet cos it aint viable unless you want to end up like the geordies or leeds U.