Gio dos Santos and Adel Taarabt walk into a pub...
Monday, June 27, 2011 at 12:41PM The landlord looks up to see the two men approach the bar.
"What would you chaps like to drink?"
Gio surveys the bottles behind the bar and responds, "I'll start on the left and work my way through to the right".
The bar man nods, "And you sir?", he asks of Adel.
Adel pauses with thought, astonished by his surroundings, then responds.
"I don't understand this joke, where is it going? Why would I even partner up with Gio and even consider sharing a drink with him in a pub? This makes no sense to me. I should be enjoying a cup of expresso el fresco with the likes of Ronaldo and Messi".
Gio laughs out loud, "Ridiculous".
Adel looks across to him, "What? What is so ridiculous about that?"
"Share?", replies Gio, "I'm not sharing a single drop".
So goes the story.
Exactly how does one go about answering the questions posed by the young Mexican and his international form compared to his Premier League isolation? Is the wall between club and country one built solely on stubbornness and mismanagement? Are we walking straight into the same paradox that has come to passing since we sold Taarabt to QPR, who then led them to promotion, winning accolades and awards in the Championship. With subsequent self-promotion hoping to finally cement that move to a Champions League club. No international football for Adel to draw another parallel similar to the one Gio has. The Moroccan has retired on the basis of being too good for it.
Gio and Adel. Misunderstood by many and controlled by few.
Have to admit I'm not sure I'm the best to answer this question in terms of game for game analysis of performances as I've seen very little of Gio's most recent loan spell at Racing Santander and only highlights and reviews of Adel's title winning season. If we intend to base our opinions on You Tube videos then someone fire up a compilation of Jermaine Jenas best bits.
However, taking into account what we have seen (in Lilywhite colours) and what we know of the players stints at our club...going with your gut instinct is probably enough in both cases based on the (lack of required) qualities in question outside of their audacious talent - with regards to Spurs. Even though you might debate Harry's agenda with both players. Did they get ample chances to impress? With both players he gave us a clear indication they we're given the opportunity to prove themselves at Spurs but both (for different reasons) were ultimately pushed away.
Gio
You have to question the application and effort of a player who seems to be focused and vibrant for his country and anything but for his club. Barcelona saw something in the lad to plunge him into their first team squad. Perhaps his playboy personality (birthed because of his Barca break?) was always going to work against him which is why he was sold. They didn't feel he was worth the extra work to keep hold of. Or maybe cruelly deemed surplus due to the players ahead of him at the club. At Tottenham, Harry cited weekend away trips back in Barca and resulting failure to turn up for training. Gio was not taking it seriously.
So goes the story.
Harry quotes aside, with the money spent on a Barca prodigy, you'd think the club would have worked to settle him in England. He settled so well he had no qualms with doing as he so wished.
What does it matter the skill you possess, the goals you can score if you don't want to stick in a shift and prove yourself to the team and the club? It's easy to always pin the responsibility on the manager.
Just going to randomly mention David Bentley here.
The very fact that Gio plays well for his country and not for us is not because they are managing him better or giving him a free role or building the team around him. It's because he gives a sh*t for them and doesn't for us.
Would a different coach have got the best out of him? Maybe, maybe not. I reckon we - Harry included - would have if dos Santos cared enough. What I do know about his La Liga loans is that he's had some sparkling performances mix in with the mundane. His performances for Spurs (last time of asking) we're hardly inspiring. Did well for Ipswich once or twice I seem to remember.
Pressures of breaking into the Barca team so early might have elevated his ego to the point of no return.
Would I love to see Harry take him back and work some man-management magic and instil some renewed confidence in the player 'domestically' back here in England? Sure. But Gio's profile back in La Liga means this is player the club won't struggle to sell - especially off the back of his performances in the Gold Cup. Copa America might add even more value.
He's too much of a risk to keep, not worth the gamble. Therefore easy money on the transfer market.
Adel
This one has yet to conclude as it's still on the march to a satisfying (or otherwise) finale. The opening three or so months of the new season will tells us whether we were right to get rid of him (that's if he's not been signed up by Jose).
Here's a lad called a genius by Redknapp then shifted out on loan, then sold. Sometimes, on occasions, players have to be sold on for them to truly find their place and develop and mature. Whether it's a reality kick in the teeth or simply the aid of a prolonged run of games (even if it's a league lower than where they started from) it's quite easy to say in hindsight 'we should have kept hold of him'. Had we, he might still be on the fringe of first team action or worse.
I can't comment on whether the club did enough when he was there because I wasn't on the training pitch or at the Lodge day in day out.
So what of this genius?
Pockets of plushness accompanied by playground posing. Tricks and step-overs aside, he was obviously too raw and immature. I always had this overbearing emotion that people who enjoyed watching him for us (in those cameos) smiled and laughed out of enjoyable embarrassment. Some of us loved him because of his sheer audacity to be so care-free and without an apparent air of awareness of where he actually was. The Prem and not the playground.
His loan spell was meant to fix that. He was meant to discover the art of grafting and improve that lack of self-awareness and find the right balance between tempo and team-work. But we still didn't see enough to retain his services (but just in case of an err we pencilled in a nice 40% sell-on clause) and allowed QPR to take him permanently. Championship Player of the Season later he still shows traits of self importance and priority of individuality on the pitch and plenty off it. But he's adapted well down there, just below us. He's now coming back up for his second chance.
Sustained form in the rough and tumble second tier from Adel, but whether he'll have time to stand on the ball and outwit the very top players is altogether a different question that will no doubt be unequivocally answered. One that we could not have possibly found out at THFC because he did not want to buckle down and prove his worth with us. This genius felt he had nothing to prove. You have to love the self-belief and arrogance. If Jenas had a tinge of it, he'd be < insert long-winded theory that Jenas is a confidence player here >.
Alas, this self-belief and arrogance appears to be far more self indulgent and deluded than it is Zidanesque. Actions speak louder than words but not for Adel. His words come with megaphone and neon lights.
I'm still not inclined to believe Harry 'didn't fancy him' because he was too flash. Bostock was also put in his place by Harry. Players being marginalised because of the gaffers ego? Don't all managers favour certain players and don't all managers look to move on players who have no future at the club? Hopefully Bostock will come good.
Granted all managers get it wrong from time to time.
Much like Gio, Adel has attitude and simply won't adjust it to accommodate the team and his manager. Unless that team is QPR and the manager is Neil Warnock. If you proclaim to be that good you can make it work anywhere. Even if it means waiting and fighting your way through into the first team. If you simply don't possess the patience to work alongside the skill then that's your problem, not ours. Help yourself to aid others to help you. He found the Championship more comfortable for him to bed into the English game. That's the path he choose, it's not one that could have involved us.
Gio and Adel talented? On both accounts, very much so. But you need your head in the right place. You also need to sacrifice some ego in the process. Adel has at the very least proved he does know how to get on it. The Championship is hardly forgiving, even though it's nowhere near the same level as the Prem.
Both players were reluctant to do so in our colours. Good luck to both, but it's their loss, not ours.
Curveball? Bale was famously almost loaned out/sold before he returned into the team. Sometimes fate takes hold of your destiny and forever changes it. But unlike Gareth, Gio has not been with us for a while now. He's already been cut loose. As for Adel, he will no doubt provide some entertainment next season.
In an ideal world I'd have both of them at Tottenham on the bench. Because both are capable of producing something crazy and magical. But their world is on a completely different axis.
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Reader Comments (53)
A thoughtful analysis, however, at the end of the day it is really sad that we lose such talent, and even Bentley could bwe considered to fall into that category. The only good news today was an article that says Parker should join Arsenal instead of Spurs. That should help to keep the average age of the team below 30.
Gio shows signs of great abilities, but only in a Mexico jersey. Barca obviously knew something we didn't, hence letting him go.
Adel showed signs of great abilities, but only in his head. Spurs hopefully knew something QPR didn't, hence letting him go.
David - sometimes you get the breaks. Sometimes you don't.
I think we have a clear history of signing flaky players. Waiting for them to catch breaks is hardly the best method of development. If you're quality you will come through in the end. Bentley doesn't seem to be arsed most of the time. Gio and Adel - as I wrote about - lacked that extra mile for the Lilywhite shirt.
As you say Spooky, both players are undoubtedly loaded with natural skill & talent. Both of them appear to also have the egos & belief in themselves to match.
I'm not sure whether either of them were / have been given enough opportunities to prove it at Spurs. One of the problems is 'Arry himself though. If you look at the teams he has built through the years, they are very few flair players in the mould of Gio or Adel. Off the top of my head, I can only think of Cole & Di Canio. at Spurs, he has inherited the flair, with the exception of VDV who, without doubt, is a player of world class ability that Redknapp couldn't leave out (although he is always his first choice to substitute it would appear).
Others will probably argue that Modric is playing his best football under 'Arry. That may well be the case, but he was an already proven player. I wouldn't include Bale in that ilk of player, even though he does have many of the qualities, he is someone that is first and foremost a power & pace machine.
And I meant to say that Taarabt has a 40% sell on fee, so that does protect us somewhat. Lets hope we do something similar with Gio.
I thought we had pulled on anabsolute coup when we signed Gio, and for something like £6 million iirc. Was the first signing in long time that I was genuinely excited.
Similarly, with Adel, I thought it was only a mtter of time before he became first teamer and became the flair player in the Premier League (the seconf part of that may still come to pass of course).
For whatever reason, it didn't really work out for either of them at THFC. Not sure whether the fualt lies with players themselves or mismanagement - I suspect it's probably combination of the two. It does however seem a shame that we couldn't more with players of such obvious talent.
Sometimes, in football, at work and life in general - a particular situation just does not work - and it is better to walk away. This could be for lots of reasons, including culture, people, personal reasons etc. In both Adel and Gio's case this was a problem. Remember Gio was brought in my Ramos who played him quite a bit at first. But even he dropped him. I can barely remember a single performance in a Spurs shirt that really stood out. Adel did well at QPR because Warnock built the team around him. See http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/paulfletcher/2011/03/adel_taarabt.html for a really good example. When you have the likes of Modric, Bale, Lennon etc on your team with lots of invention, you cannot afford the luxury of an Adel.
spurs did the right thing selling Adel. They should say thanks to Gio and sell him too - use the money to get what we need.
I think you need the odd loose cannon or you end up being Everton.
Harry is at times reactive to selections (like Bale only escaping loan due to BAE's injury).
Another manager might have taken both players aside and sorted them out. But it's a little bit like saying another manager other than Gerry Francis would not have called Zidane wooden and signed him up.
I'm not saying Harry is without a single ounce of responsibility but I can't believe they were completely side-stepped. Can't see him passing a chance to break them into the team and claim credit for it. Perhaps he didn't try enough, gave them a couple of chances and then the cold shoulder.
But then if you're young and you're ambitious why would you not grab it by the scruff of the neck and prove to the gaffer your worth?
Starsky - exactly. Off the bench, a bit of mentalist footie that adds a twist to the game, shakes it up a little.
Gio did spend time on bench, but alas nothing more.
Adel was just too loose to accept the bench.
I don't understand. What's with the considered rumination on what it takes to bring the best out of maverick talents? And with suggesting the players have to take some responsibility for themselves?
Surely this should read "Redknapp is a c*nt. End of."?
Yours, Confused of Seven Sisters Road
Good article, too many rose tinted specs looking back at two players who did'nt cut it.
As a club there has to be a few gambles with players who may or may not come good. Gio was sold by Barca for 4.7m, not a lot for a young player with some reputation. Ramos was at the helm and he fancied him, but he did'nt come good.
Adel was exciting but bloody terrible at times too. Build a side round him and you MIGHT get him to achieve but who really fancies building Spurs around a 17 year old?
Taarabt - Jol, Ramos, Redknapp did not fancy him. They all tried. Even if he did play reasonably well, he would be like Kranjcar is, and still surplus to requirements. The boy has skill, but Ruel Fox had skill too. Not sure what people are crying about. We finished 4th & 5th in the last 2 seasons without Adel and Gio, so we haven't missed anything. Gio just does not fit in. He seems better in international and Spanish football - let him go. Even if he were to reproduce something like his Mexico form, again he'd be in a Kranjcar scenario and will be surplus. Both the players had chances. in a top5 club, you need to be able to earn your place off the bench. Both Taarabt and Gio are not impact players, and they will never oust Modric and co, so the must work harder to fit in, or leave.
I'd rather have (sadly out of favour) Krankjar than either of them and they are both well below the level of Modric, VDV, Bale and Lennon, in terms of effectiveness and application.
Add a 3rd to the list Kevin Prince Boatang, all these players are talented ego maniacs that need to understand that there are 10 other players because its a team game. None of them would be happy with being an impact bench player or SuperSub.
It might be argued that Adel, Gio and KPB were all bought because they had potential/were good investments (ie they cost a lot less than they might do when they reached their peak) rather than being what we needed, and were all too young/immature to move to Spurs/play prem league football.
We had no reserve team so they werent getting the football they needed to develop properly. In my opinion we should either not have bought them in the first place, or loaned them back to their clubs/other clubs straight away then brought them to Spurs when they were ready to compete for regular first team football (in the same way as has been done with Kyle Walker - hopefully)
Its not worth buying these types of players with a manager like Harry who is really only interested in putting his strongest 11 on the pitch every game.
Getting rid of Adel was essential. Yes, he has been good for QPR, but its that "for QPR" bit that's important there.
The fans are happy for him to lose the ball and then stand there moaning, because they haven't seen creativity like that down at Loftus Road for a generation.
Trust me, it would give us the bang hump.
hows this for ITK....
spurs fan upstairs just came and told me that his mate knows a cabbie who picked up samuel eto'o from the airport and took him to spurs where he's unergoing a medical and set to sign tomorrow.
you heard it here first!
I'll be gutted to lose Gio, I've been a big fan of him for some time but you're clearly right in that he doesn't seem to have his heart in it here.
I'm praying he gets some more bench time like at the start of last season and comes good before Harry/Levy decides he's had enough of him.
Sorry Liam, that time is now. Gio is now above 21 and needs to be a named squad member. That means he will take up the place of someone who actually has a chance of playing games. He must go this summer. Let's just give him our blessing. We have nothing against the guy.
I am a hypocrite as I have no problem with my favourites like King and Keane getting drunk and making fools of themselves in the papers
Nice comment from Harry R , Some players can go all out and get drunk and whatever while others ... I actually am convinced that Harry has a big issue with flair players that have a strong personality (read big ego)
I for one believe that players as GDS can be 'saved' by the right manager. But i am not a pro football manager so i could be very wrong.
Neither Gio nor Adel ever received a run of games at Spurs, so we simply will never know how they might have played out at Spurs. Gio had some unfortunately timed injuries over the years, at moments when a Carling Cup performance or two made it seem like he might break through.
It's a competitive squad, and Harry strength (and weakness) as a manager is his ability to establish stability and consistency within a group of players. It's clear that he likes to pick the same 11 again and again, get some confidence working and build on it. It didn't work at the end of this season, and Harry made some surprising mistakes including not giving Niko a role on the left after his two saving sub goals.
I'm not saying there weren't good reasons not to give them a run in the team, but I actually think that if either Gio or Adel had been given ten games at any point in their tenures with us, they would have come good.
The answer is Redknapp.
His approach to management is not one based on the growth of a club over time to become a force, growth that will naturally involve the development of youth/potential, his approach is results now achieved with proven quality, and plenty of it.
This approach is borne out of Redknapp's mind set of not actually committing (in his mind at least) to staying anyway long term; always open to a better offer if it came along. Therefore why invest time and money in youth when it rarely brings instant results and you may not be around to reap the benefits.
This approach is evident at Spurs, where youth in the form of Bale and Rose and even Sandro only really got a chance when injury lists dictated team selection. If BAE had not got injured, would Bale have hit the scene with such a massive impact or loaned/sold off the following month? Who knows.
The likes of Sandro, Walker and Naughton have all been purchased on the recommendation of our scouts, i do not consider that HR really has much input or desire to get involved, especially if it is taking up precious transfer kitty/wages that could be spent on aging proven talent
The problem with both is that Spurs fans like audacity [Ginola; Gazza; Hoddle; Hazard - to an extent - Alfie Conn; Greaves]. The Dos Santos goal v. USA is amazing, outrageous - like a Greavsie/Gazza goal. Clearly the manager knows what we don't - the day in/day out 'no show' 'no commitment' at training sessions. I'm not convinced by HR but, in the very best games last season would either Dos Santos or Taraabt have added more? In the worst games [and there were more of those] then I would have shot Crouch/Pav/Lennon for their mostly useless contribution but, again, would T or DS have helped the team beat the Wigans and Blackpools, brought the points that were there for the taking - and fourth with it? Again, I doubt it. The Premiership has been a nightmare for Spurs - all the 90s were were some brilliant goals by Sheringham and some great Klinsmann and Ginola moments; the 200s only picked up with Keane and Berba - when Modric goes it Tottenham will go backwards, back into the mid-table mire, and, once more neither DS or T could reverse that.
It is all very well saying that we should give players runs in the team, but we simply cannot. Niko could not get a run in the side because that would mean dropping Bale, and we would lose the balance on the left because we know that Niko has no interest in staying left. Combine that with VDV in the same team, and you have 2 players in free roles. Add Modric in that team, and Modric is forced to play a disciplined and less inspirational game. People seem to think that you can keep adding flair into a team without weakening it. I don't know about you, but I would not be prepared to sacrifice 6 league points if it allowed Taarabt or Gio to get a run of 6 games. But that could be the result. It really isn't worth it. Lennon, Bale, Huddlestone and pushed their way into the first team without the need for a leg up. Why can't Gio and Taarabt? There is only so much flair you can have. This is why Niko was left out. I have seen enough of Taarabt to know that it would take too long for him to break through. But we have VdV, Bale, Lennon, Modric - so why to we even need Taarabt?
Too many folks have used the Taraabt/GDS failure as a stick to beat HR with (there are plenty of others but not that one), when it's clear they've not got the application and professionalism to impress week-in, week-out. If GDS was that much of a genius, how come Barca let him go, and how come his main suitor at the moment seems to be Sevilla rather than a 20m+ bid from Chelsea. This idea that "a run in the side" would transform a disinterested champagne Charlie content to coast along on talent alone into first-pick genius just isn't realistic. And one wonder goal against (*snork*) the USA doesn't cut it.
Why do we seem to land these kids with huge potential that just seem to implode or lapse into mediocrity? It's happened many many times over the years. More than I could possible list here. Postiga, Iversen, Rebrov(!)... either we're very bad at guessing or we've never handled any of our future talents properly.
I think the key comparison that you didn't make (unless I missed it) is with Van de Vaart. Quite simply Harry was willing to break his system to fit VDV (a player who naturally didn't fit into the side at the time) in and base the team around him, sometimes to the detriment of other players who suddenly found their own roles changing. Harry did this because VDV was a proven, experienced, international which meant that few people would raise any eyebrows at it. He clearly doesn't have the courage to make the same sort of gamble around a relatively unproven youngster, and to be honest who can blame him?
It's just a shame that we're going to lose another potential star just because nobody would take a risk on him.
Players like Traabt are an absolute joke......watch how Barca play and how they all, to a man, buy into the work ethic that is necessary for their pressing game to work. Their pressing game is the basis of their success.
Taraabt in his head thinks he is good enough for Barca and while his skills maybe stunning, he thinks he is above the basic work level, the graft and team play required of a modern player / team.
EPL teams cannot carry players. Look how players like Arshavin are viewed by the fans! Goons will throw many stat at you about his assists & goals and compare him to Modric, but deep down few of them like him (including Wenger) because he simply does not work hard enough for the team. Even in the NLD he came on, fresh legs, and when Lennon (i think) played a give and go on the half way line, smoothbum stood there and watched Lennon run off and made no attempt to track back. You cannot say that about any of our team, Modric, Bale, Lennon VDV, they all put a shift in. Its only really Pav & Defoe that frustrate occasionally....Taraabt would frustrate time and time again. Even QPR don't expect him to work hard without the ball, and that will be his downfall when the season starts and I think after an initial big impact he will become a liability and be benched, looking for a move by January.
I'm totally split on this; I've always been an admirer of two saints. Have always maintained that he hasn't been given a fair crack of the whip but to get that crack he needs to put it in training which according to reports he doesn't do. I don't know whether that's true but it would make sense such as his absence from the team. The question is how can a guy as talented as Gio come through the Barca ranks (if you had any idea how difficult it is to get promoted to the first team for Barca) and always stands out for his national team yet he cannot get anywhere near our first team, how does that happen?
As for Adel, well he's way too inconsistent and not worth the hassle, if you want a showman then great but such is his ego, he's not willing to get his head down and be a team player. Has he really developed?....well we all know he had the tricks and skillz but the application to be a top player isn't there, only turns it on when he wants to and unfortunately we can't afford that in our team.
One thing that has puzzled me is why don't we have a reserve team, I mean if you're looking step up how are you supposed to get motivation and a focus into breaking into the first team? When these players are sent out on loan surely it sends a mixed message to them especially if they're being sent away?
And I hate saying this and I guess many of you are tired of hearing this but our neighbours have the blueprint of bringing up players firmly in place, you cannot help but think that the likes of Adel, Gio and even Bostock would have been playing some sort of sufficient first team football had they been there.
I fear for Bostock I really do....
Bill Nic, Clough, Shankley and Stein always had a players character checked prior to signing them up. That rarely happens anymore. If it does, then it didn't happen when Tarrabt, Gio and Bentley were being signed. There's some people who 'blow it' because they are not right for the task mentally, although it's clear for all to see they have an abundance of talent. The just won't knuckle down. Harry seems to be the type of person who, if he gets pissed off with a player, he doesn't change his mind or give them a second chance, although I don't think these three boys are 'knuckling down' material, for anyone, anywhere.
Always thought Traabt should have been a tennis player, cos he never passes the ball always wants to do it all on his own, lets see how he does next season in the premier, but i may well be eating a huge portion of humble pie, Gio has also had his chances and whilst it is frustrating to he him scoring goals like the one against the USA, how many chances can you give the lad at club level, clubs havnt exactly been queuing up to sign him. But what ever happens i wish them both good luck, exept Traabt when he comes to the Lane, because you all know he is going to score against us and start this debate all over again.
Firstly, is Gio required to be registered now? Because the rules aren't as clear cut as they seem, as its age on a certain date (January i think). As if he doesn't have to be registered this year, it could be his final chance to get a bit of game time, and be a serious player in the CC and Europa League.
Also, Taarabt reminds me of a young Lennon, both great in certain areas, but really struggled in others. Taarabt seemed to just feel that the negatives didn't matter and he was good enough. However Lennon went away and really worked on his end product, and is now a key player for us.
someone's already got a viral of jj's best bits, it's at:
www.concentratinghardwhilstsatonabench.co.uk/marmite.htm
Both don't give a shit about us and we shouldn't give a shit about them. We were right to get rid of Taarabt just as QPR are trying to do now. One day he may grow up but we don't need to wait, there are plenty of other fish in the sea.
Gio again has the wrong attitude so get shot of him quick and get someone with skill who will do the hard work too. Man U found out, but we got the dud.
Good riddance both of you.
There but for the grace of BAE turning his ankle, goes Gareth Bale. I asked this in an earlier blog: Why haven't any of the younger players broken into the first team? Tend to agree with Devonshirespurs view on Harry's management style--proven prem players only, and play the same eleven as much as possible. Doesn't leave much in the way of opportunity for new and/or young players.
Which once again raises the question of why don't we have a reserve team? Levy likes to buy youth, Harry doesn't like to play them, and Spurs don't participate in the reserve league. So where, pray, are these players supposed to "prove themselves" ? Send them out on loan and no matter how well they do, the response is "well, it's only (insert European or Championship side here.)
It's certainly comforting to think that all of our youth players have personality defects which is why they're not "coming good" for Spurs but that's papering over a bigger problem: We can't afford to buy established CL level players and evidently we can't develope the talented youngsters we can afford to buy.
Pre-Harry our track record for breaking in the yoof has hardly been rock'n'roll.
Huddlestone and Dawson came to as "young" players from lower division.
And I don't blame Harry for getting rid of the reserves, just saying there's a problem with having a strategy of buying young and cheap if you consistently fail at developing them.
Lennon was what? 18 when we bought him from Leeds...
Hmm. Perhaps we're inherently racist?*
* j/k
This from a Mexican point of view. Did anyone ever heard GDS complaining? The only declaration he ever made in his Spurs' days was the he must work harder to get into the first team. Is there any tangible "smoking gun" prove about the "not showing for training" story? Is there some concrete evidence of boozing (except for that pic of a 18 year old kid after a xmas party). Did HR make some detailed, explicit, on record, account of GDS behaviour? The answer is no. All there was were rumours, hints. No other manager (Roy Keane, Frank Rijkard, Javier Aguirre and Marcelino) has complained about Gio's attitude.
Redknapp may be a good tactician, but he does have an attitude problem. Once he decides he does not like a player, there is always going to be a rumour, a story. What strikes me about him is that there is always a problem with his "legacy" once he leaves a team. I am affraid that in Spurs' case that legacy will be Giovani Dos Santos.
This from a Mexican point of view. Did anyone ever heard GDS complaining? The only declaration he ever made in his Spurs' days was the he must work harder to get into the first team. Is there any tangible "smoking gun" prove about the "not showing for training" story? Is there some concrete evidence of boozing (except for that pic of a 18 year old kid after a xmas party). Did HR make some detailed, explicit, on record, account of GDS behaviour? The answer is no. All there was were rumours, hints. No other manager (Roy Keane, Frank Rijkard, Javier Aguirre and Marcelino) has complained about Gio's attitude.
Redknapp may be a good tactician, but he does have an attitude problem. Once he decides he does not like a player, there is always going to be a rumour, a story. What strikes me about him is that there is always a problem with his "legacy" once he leaves a team. I am affraid that in Spurs' case that legacy will be Giovani Dos Santos.
I forget, was it Gio's parents who turned up at the club and apologised to Harry?
According to Harry.
I must admit David S has a point , Taraabt never shuts up but GDS has never spoken up in the press or anything (as far as i can remember) , i still think he can cut it at a top level
Most of you dont rate KPB but he is not doing very badly for himself both in country and team , Ac Milan arent the giants they used to be but still a decent title winning , CL participating squad
Adel was a bloody nightmare. Remember seeing him against Newcastle and tearing my hair out.
GDS just not sure where to play him. Off a striker? Did he ever get a game there? Always reminds me of the way robbie plays. Can only seem to remember seeing him at right midfield though. Probably wrong.
I'd rather have luka and vdv. But think they will both have good careers, just not meant to be in lillywhite.
Gio works his nuts off on the field, a trait all Barca academy procuced players have as it is essential to their high-pressing game, so that is a total myth that goes with all 'flair' players. As for his so called bad attitude, not once has he openly complained about his isolation from the first team picture here. And for a 'party boy' I don't recall seeing more than 2 or 3 pictures of him stumbling out of a nightclub, all of which were with a number of other players, so thats another myth. All in all it baffles me why he doesn't get a look in. Anyone other than Redknapp and I'd think there must be a reason, but it wouldn't be the first time
Taraabt did the square route of bugger all when he played, aside from the odd trick here an there. Gio has scored and assisted goals, worked for the team and showed intelligent touches and flashes of undoubted ability in his limited oppurtunities. When Gio inneivetably moves on, I will be disappointed at what could have been. When we sold Taraabt I couldn't care less
Harry is just like my missus.
Very set in her ways...
Has moments of pure inspiration when you think she is indispensable
But sulks like a bitch if you ever dissagree
Can't tell her fuck all cos she has all the answers and is never wrong
And if you piss her off....well you can forget it for at least a month or three.
S'funny anyone with common sense would say get rid !!!!
Shame DL aint looking at HR in the same light ....or is he ????
Redknapp is not alone in not picking a player he does not like.
Fergie has got rid of the likes of Beckham, RVN, Stam, Kanchelskis, Sharpe, Yorke when they fell out of favour with him.
Oh, come on. That comparison is just silly on so many levels. First, depth of Manu squad. Second, attractivenss of Manu to equivalent or somewhat younger but same level of talent players. Third, ability of Manu to pay both big transfter fees and higher wages. Fourth, Ferguson's record of achievement in putting together winning sides.
Ferguson has the means to and to some extent earned the right to indulge in pet peeves. Harry hasn't and doesn't.
Gio's best position is in the VDV role, which is what he essentially plays for Mexico with Chicarito as the out and out striker, or in the left front side of a 4-3-3. His chances at Spurs were mostly playing Lennon's position, for which he is not the sort of player. He thrives playing in the middle, not totally unlike what Rooney does for MU, but with more finesse. Would be a shame to see him go as he has a proven ability not only to score but assist yet couldn't get a game at his best position. Looks like he's heading out the door so hopefully he will be replaced with another striker.