Luka and ITK mathematics

Luka Modric to Manchester United for £25M. That makes sense. It makes sense we were rejecting £40M bids from Chelsea last summer and would now take a hefty price cut on the valuation of the player so that we could make a divisional competitor even stronger on the cheap.

Does the player still want out? Probably. There's no denying it's about the wages more than anything, far more than Champions League itself (much like Redknapp alluded too the other day). Even if we finished 4th and got into Europe's elite competition, the player (and agent) would still look to orchestrate another attempted move. Why?

125k per week
Several million pounds for the agent via fee

That's two reasons.

Levy made his stand and his point last summer with the player and Chelsea/Dail Mail's attempts to sign him, retaining his services for the 2012 season. It's not rocket science to think he will appear to do the exact same thing this summer, but with one small detail of difference. If we do receive a bid that meets the players valuation, then we'll let him go. That's OUR valuation and not the Manchester United supporting tabloid journalist's valuation when attempting to broker the deal via back page hype, without source or quotes.

I'm not even sure what my point is now. Shouldn't really be expecting anything different from the 'news feeds', especially this time of year. What's wonderful about this particular Luka story is the matter of fact title 'Luka Modric to join Man Utd' and this gem of knowledge planted in the middle of the 'article':

The Croatian said he had no intention of quitting Spurs having signed a six-year deal in May 2010.

Had no intention? Back in 2010? What about last summer dickhead? Surely if you're going to make stuff up there's a time and place for it and stating the truth would actually fit in better with the agenda, on this particular occasion.

I can't see our chairman bending over for them, not with their past form (Carrick, Berbatov) and with the no-way stance of last summer. Okay, so we always bend over for them, but there's been so much control with our 'we won't be selling our best players' mantra over the past two seasons that...who am I kidding? Words are just words. Levy knows how to drag it out. Whatever happens will be because he wants it to happen and its conclusion will satisfy everyone.

So if they want our prize commodity (which will mean we have to change the way we play-make and shape up in midfield) then they need to compensate us for the detrimental impact it will have on us and the bitter reality that they will become stronger off the back of it.

I guess my point, the crux of it, is that these tabloid stories are always about appeasing the club attempting/chasing the signing rather than perhaps seeing a headline that states:

"Spurs tell Utd: £40M or forget about it"

Elsewhere?

I've layed off from ITK bashing for a while now as there is hardly any difference between them and the tabloids. I don't for a second think there are no people with connections (some strong, some tenuous) that might be privy to information. That never means said information can be trusted as there is only one certainty in football and that is the lies and game-playing agents/football clubs/players swim around in to get what they want. If you have info, share it if you wish to share it. Do so with transparency if you can (or not to protect yourself or the source). Sadly with Spurs we appear to have around 40 or so people that claim to have inside knowledge of what is going on and they all seem to hang around online, cryptically teasing us with non-events of tittle tattle in closed off membership forums.

Possibly the best thing I've seen that sums it all up is an ITK answering questions relating to whether we are interested in signing anyone to replace Luka if/when Luka is sold. His response:

Replacement(s)

Yes. We might have a replacement or more than one replacement lined up. But can't tell you anything more than that because I'd be giving it all away so I'll add an 's' in brackets to the back end of the word 'replacement' to leave it all ambiguous and mysterious, like I know something that you don't but I'll remain non-committal about it.

Do one.

Nobody is interested in whether you know something you can't share. If you can't share it don't go telling us you can't share it. It has no relevance in the public domain. You're better off making something up, which is what most people do 99% of the time.

I'm on my period, deal with it.

I miss the days of Teletext and Monday mornings at school where everyone would discuss the weekends football. I remember following Gascoigne's transfer to Spurs via the very same maligned tabloid back pages. You knew the player signed when the player actually signed. I miss those innocent days of the late 80s. That and skipping past white dog poo in the street.

Levy Mathematics

Sign a player for £2.5M. Sell him for £7M.

Goodbye Niko, we didn't see enough of you in a Spurs shirt. That wasn't always your own doing. Graceful with flair and wonderful hair. Wasn't to shabby to look at either.

Good luck at Dynamo Kiev.

We'll have to wait and see if Levy has more maddening skills this summer with pulling in more than the £4M he wants for dos Santos and forcing Everton to buy back Pienaar for more than they sold him for.

All more likely than signing a centre-back.

 

I'll Hazard a guess it won't happen

I don't follow French football neither do I follow Belgium football and their prodigy's to a point where I could blog or tweet an opinion with cast iron certainty. I have to take the word(s) of others and rarely do unless I know without a shadow of doubt that word counts for something. Do you know much about Eden Hazard and his family? No? Read this: Understanding Eden Hazard.

I've seen the array of video clips of the player, a few live games and been kept apprised of his club form for some time now. But it's not quite the same as weekly intakes of the Premier League. So Belgian Spur and his word is good enough for me. And his connection to Hazard is pretty much one that can't be ignored. The latest news however might leave me with egg on face, as Man City are in the strongest position to sign him - not because of the wage packet they can offer (Spurs, Utd are just as competitive with the financial side of things) but because they are truly pushing the emphasis on game time and development. Eden wants to become the best footballer he can be and I guess Eastlands exuberant playground is a foundation that can't be ignored even if there is potential for the rather obvious stigma for joining the all too obvious choice. For all the hate we have for the project, they will continue to attract the very best players (much like Chelsea did in the Mourinho era) and will compete for silverware every season.

We have a deal in place with Lille (as do Utd). Arsenal don't. City are ahead of everyone. As expected.

The Hazard clan will do what's best for Eden. They want greatness which will only really come with guaranteed first team football to aid relentless progression, with the player playing in his strongest position and at the highest level (Champions League is key). Two clubs can offer that. One might be able to. Maybe it will come down to wages in the end, as much as the player (and myself) would have us believe it's not about the money. If money is simply a bonus if all clubs can offer Hazard football in its purest sense, then why not take the biggest bonus on offer?

He's claiming he prefers blue to red. Does the blue on our white shirts count?

Hazard's dad tells us what we know already

Hazard

Pretty much inconsequential until we hear official word but off the back of Eden Hazard citing Tottenham, his dad (in a follow up interview on Belgian tv) has stated the following about his in-demand wonder-kid son:

- Eden wants a move to an English club (no shocker, we know this)

- The English club has to offer him room to grow in combination with Champions League football + attacking style of play (I think we can be confident of appeasing him on both accounts)

- There is 'very serious interest' from Spurs

- Eden has stated he likes Spurs (having initially felt we were some way short of his expectations of a prospective club last season)

- He's been following us closely and our ambition combined with our playing style is right up his street

- Negotiations are in progress, but nothing has been signed

This is not ITK. This was an interview, so make of it what you will (hold back getting his name on your shirt) but it appears to be fairly encouraging. More so when I'm told Eden is not your textbook mercenary who is after the best wage so no reason why his dad would be attempting to engineer a transfer war for his sons signature.

(thanks to Belgian Spur for the update)

Bruno Uvini

Hands up how many of you instantly browsed to You Tube and searched for footage? Yeah, me too. He's a central defender (not a Rodrigo Defendi with any luck, but both hold Italian passports) that has only appeared a handful of times for his Brazilian club Sao Paulo. U20's captain and U20's World Cup winner. That's about as much as I know and footage of robust defending on You Tube wont tell you anything more other than perhaps good editing by the uploader.

He's on loan/trial. Move could be made permanent in the summer. 'One for the future'.

Tommy Huddlestone

Another op so no disguised passes or Hollywood cross field balls this season as he looks to sit it out with only his Afro for company (if he continues his charity drive not to have it cut until he scores a goal, then BAE will have mad competition come the start of next season). Tommy might be slipping down the pecking order but having him available would have been a positive not to be frowned upon. Quality player. Shame this season has past him by.

David Bentley

The Forgotten Beckham is apparently seeking a move to the MLS ASAP to get fit, according to his agent. Apparently he's already kicked his luggage across the Atlantic. No confirmation yet if it landed in a skip.

Happy?

Is it safe to come out yet?

Gut reaction to the transfer window? Looks like Levy is taking a gamble, looking forward to the next manager perhaps, with what might well be a war chest of funds (if the money isn’t lost in and around Northumberland Park). Pressure is now on Redknapp to excel to leave behind some reminisce of a legacy that includes more than just scapegoating, sound-biting and talking about results as manager of Tottenham rather than Harry Redknapp, currently at Tottenham. Still, responsibility is one to be measured collectively, so the players need to step up too.

One or two of you have already echoed this, but the squad *is* still strong. It’s improved (be it not to the extent most would have wished for) but improved it has. And Redknapp now needs to improve his focus and show everyone that he didn’t just get lucky in 2010. Selection, tactics...inspiring team talks. It's all in the hands (and mouth) of the manager, influencing the feet of the players. Foot and mouth that is bound to drive everyone mad.

We could have really gone for it in this window. Ruiz ended up at Fulham (I guess we don’t rate him) and regardless of where Harry will be next season the new manager in is unlikely to be too concerned about having top quality players bought a season earlier. Unless Levy is expecting change in the New Year. Have to say, selling Crouch in the manner we did suggests that even though the chairman ‘buys’ players Harry wants he also looks to sell players he believes are no longer necessary. Would be interesting to know if he simply sold Crouch because nobody bid for Pav. Would also be doubly interesting to know if Harry finally admitted Crouch is hardly suited the way we should be playing football.

It’s not been slick and it’s a shame we haven’t moved forward with fluidity on and off the pitch, but if this is considered a problem, it’s a good one to have. We’re hardly mid-table with no direction. And if we were heading there, then the Harry-haters will get their wish at Christmas. If Harry pulls it out the bag again, then stability is regained and the next man in arrives without the soap opera dramatics that surround a sacking.

It all smells of yet more Machiavellian tactics from the chairman who is quite content to hold back to see how things play out. If that’s the case, then Redknapp is hardly in the best position meaning that he might not retain the sufficient focus that’s required. The hope is Harry still cares about his brand name to produce the goods. Harry being Harry can not be seen to lose face. Although quite how one loses a face like his, especially when said face endures a 5-1 home thrashing is any ones  guess. Tabloids might be able to answer that gem.

From Levy’s perspective, the gamble is that if we fail to finish top four, the likes of Modric and Bale would most definitely be off. So if you take the profits from those two and add to the money made this window and the money from the CL – there has to be a fair bit to spend. Guess the chairman requires a manager that sees eye to eye with him. It's all just assumption based at the moment. But we are definitely set up to be 'safe' for any eventuality.

So, in summary...

In

Freidel

Adebayor

Parker

Coulibaly

Ceballos

Yago

Out

O’Hara

Keane

Hutton

Palacios

Crouch

Woodgate (released)

Loan

Jenas

Bentley

The three kids we’ve signed are unlikely to figure. Freidel allows for competition for the number one shirt and Adebayor will solve the problem we’ve had in terms of finishing off gilt-ridden chances. He’ll prove a far better target for our midfield and flankers than Crouch. For now at least (with Rafa injured) it looks like it’s going to be 442. Back to basics.

Parker is a player that I’ve always been quick to criticise and will gladly admit I’m wrong if he proves me wrong. I do (perhaps in desperation) understand what he will bring fundamentally in terms of engine-room dynamics and leadership. Something we are seriously lacking when King is not available (the latter that is). Engine-room we don’t have full stop, what with Sandro on the sidelines too. So a perfect opportunity for Parker to prove he can influence when surrounded by a better quality of player(s).

Should add that Luka (on form) provides that deep-lying engine room with allowing possession to flow in our favour, so Parker will bring much needed protection. Could end up being a wonderful combination. If Luka sorts out that delicate little head.

We could have done with a centre-back (was Cahill worth the £10M punt?) and a right-sided winger/forward (Ruiz not fancied). But apparently we at least attempted to sign Cahill but regardless we are left with King, Gallas, Dawson, Bassong and Kaboul. Once upon a time Bassong was signed as potential, had a great season and has now been forgotten about. If we’re going to spend money, we can at least attempt to place some faith in our signings. We’ll have to hope (how often do I use that word?) for the best and that injuries are kind to us at the back.

Players out has been a fruitful one re: wage bill. Obviously the secret of success is to be on the ball with the fiscal rather than the physical. So Levy achieved some smart house-keeping. None of the players had a future at the club (perhaps Crouch at a push – push not strong enough by Harry and Kevin). Top four nailed on now.

Jenas could still have done a job for us. Seriously, don't be laughing. He seems to do well when expectation is not high (that’s when coming off the bench or deputising). Someone will no doubt quote the stat that we apparently win more points per game when JJ plays than when he doesn’t. Stats aside, Levy’s poster-boy mantra has failed. On loan at Villa, it will be of massive interest to see if he re-invents himself as a consistent performer. Here’s hoping he scores a brace against the scum.

As for Bentley. I guess West Ham United require someone who can kick balls into skips. What’s that? That’s not a skip, it’s the Chicken Run? Soz. Couldn’t tell the difference.

So are we stronger? Yes. Are we stronger in terms of matching Utd and City? Of course not. One team has Ferguson the other has unlimited funds and a wage structure that allows for the club to pay the players taxes. Don’t kid yourself, we can’t compete with that.

Liverpool have bought some solid players but are hardly sexy, par that over-rated Suarez up front who just flatters to deceive with this goals and his assists. Arsenal have signed players that we would have been mocked for had we signed them. Although they only have to be 2% better than us to dominate North London in the Prem. Times are changing, and regardless of some of the knee-jerking – it’s hardly suicide watch.

Yes, we should have spent more money and done our business fair earlier in the transfer window, but it seems we waited too long for certain players before opting for the textbook ones. Yes, Harry has lost his mojo (lucky or not, he still got us into the CL). Best we can do (as fans) is support players/club and then freak out when we’re sitting with two points from eight or so games.

It wasn’t a perfect window but it was not a disaster. We held onto our best players. Be it our very best player has been a **** for most of the summer. Everyone is accountable. Window is shut. The dramatics are over.

There might be a twist or turn or three by Christmas or we might be competing for 4^th and then all the haters can dream about the summer of 2012. Although I expect us to splash some of that money in January (if we have any sense) – if we’re competing top four.

But it's way too early to start bitching about stuff that hasn’t even played out yet.

Onwards, right?

-

From the world famous secret studio of The Fighting Cock podcast team, it's episode six. Discussed in part one: Twitter re-tweet mission update. Man City debacle autopsy. Livermore > Modric. The truth behind Luka's performance against City. Formation headaches. Centre-back headaches. Positivity and negativity. Harry Redknapp is dissected (it gets ugly) along with our transfer dealings (pre-deadline day) and Neil the Cabbie is back with a brand new rant. In part two we laugh at the scum (lol) and whether we should in fact be laughing at them. We laugh at them anyway. We've got emails. Also Daniel Levy. Do we love him? Or do we not? Do you love him? A twist on the Tottenham Whisper. And we end with a super-quick game of Killer.

Love the shirt.

Jim White's head set to explode. Don't forget to tune in.

Another deadline transfer day. Another opportunity for us all to witness the explosion of Jim White's head on Sky Sports News. We live in hope, however Jim's head appears to be explosion-proof. Unless it explodes off camera after the deadline closes shut. Perhaps Sky have cloned him or in fact he might be an android, which might explain the over the top euphoric emotions when explaining to viewers that someone, possibly of Earth origin, has been seen walking in and around the Chigwell area. Does Jim dream of Harry in a Range Rover?

Still, those of us with the privilege will tune into SSN regardless of the disdain that is sometimes shown towards their passion for yellow-ticking the most mundane content (low-key Prem player is injured for four weeks...let's stick 'breaking news' on the top left-hand corner of the screen and proceed to bang on about it for three hours). Don't forget the massive wide-screen touch-screen that not only displays all  the current ITK nonsense doing the rounds but can also display the Surf Report, if 1 foot waves on the coasts of England and Wales is your thang.

Just pretend it's satirical. It turns instantly to genius.

However, today, I'll accept in terms of pure entertainment...they capture the scatter-gun madness of the count-down brilliantly. Reporters outside all the expected-to-be-busy clubs/training facilities, dramatic high voices (go Jim go!), special guest commentators in the studio to give their invaluable predictions and Harry Redknapp in a helicopter (because it's quicker to collect the pizza than it is to wait for the bloke on the delivery moped).

It's epic. It's ridiculous. It's brinkmanship. It's panic. And that's without Sky Sports. With it, parts of your brain might haemorrhage with the overload of anticipation. Mostly always much ado about nothing because we know that sometimes the anticipation is far greater than the pleasure. I mean come on, Sky actually call it 'Deadline Day' like its box office movie. It's in HD and sh*ts gonna happen, Yippee-ki-yay Daniel Levy! Everything is Hollywood baby.

Cue frenzied vocals and snazzy on-screen graphics...

"...right now let's go to Loftus Road, shall we, breaking news, QPR, let's get the latest...Rachel Brookes..."

"Right, well, I can confirm QPR are interested in Craig Bellamy..."

Hmm...Okay then. That's an actual direct quote from this morning.

Talking of breaking news, Harry has already been at it first thing, arriving at The Lodge, leaning out of the window, mic in face. Confirming Modric is not going (1,000,000%) and that Crouchie might be the one to shift out because he's the one in demand. Cahill also on the radar. Hot. Off. Press.

The bad news is, I'm tragically not going to witness the hopeful explosion of Jim White's head this evening. In fact, from around 5pm till gone 10pm I'm going to have to rely on my 3G connection and Twitter. Travelling up to Manchester (to kidknap Adam Johnson). No guarantee that I'll see anything when checking into the hotel either due to commitments. Might well be offline for most of Thursday also unless I can sneak in some interweb time on the sly. I'm sure Twitter will rescue me. Although judging by the way journalists and fans (and Tom Huddlestone and Danny Rose) are currently sharing/discussing protracted transfers, its an even bigger mess of hype than Sky Sports News.

I guess, it's not that important what happens leading up to it, in the build up because it's what happens right at the end that matters most. Hold on, why am I talking about sex?

So what of the transfers?

I guess brinkmanship is the reason so many clubs wait until the final day. The selling club hoping for that extra million or two from the panicking buying club and the buying club hoping the selling club panic and sell on the cheap. We can only guess that the reason we've waited until the last minute to sign Scott Parker is because we've spent the best part of a month and a half attempting to sign Diarra. Hardly decisive, are we? Seems every player we lust after requires a minimum 6 weeks of flirting before we know whether we're going to capture their signature or not. If we were talking about sex, Tottenham would last all night making gentle love, but never reaching a climax. Here's hoping Daniel Levy is good with his hands.

When using the fax machine. I'm talking football again.

Parker, Cahill + one other player (another forward or perhaps one that can double up and play right-wing/midfield, you know, like that Ruiz fella who has signed for Fulham) would be a good solid final day. When our injured warriors are back, we'll have a beastly team. The question at that point will be whether Harry works out a consistent cohesive formation for them to fit into. Let's not forget, we've signed Adebayor. He'll make a monumental difference up front.

Parker, bless him, handing in a transfer request just for show to appease the Green Street faithful (Big Sam preferring Nolan, porn barons not wanting too lose too much face). He'll fix one issue (engine in midfield, leadership). Although he has plenty to prove once he wears the Lilywhite. Still worry that he excels in average teams and struggles in decent ones...on hold up, he'll be perfect for us then! lolololol and so on.

Other targets? Diarra is still being linked. Bellamy (he's being linked to everyone). Leandro Damião da Silva dos Santos? Not a chance in this window. Yossi Benayoun? Joe Cole? I hope not. Gignac
is being linked to Fulham. Cheeky bid? And Mario Ballotelli's profile has been removed from Man City's official player profile page, so nailed on medical at The Lodge due in 3...2...1...

Everyone wants a van der Vaart Part II last second special from the chairman. You know, just without the excess weight and injury plights.

As for players out? Other than Crouch, Pav is whoring himself again. Jenas to QPR is much touted but would be shocked to see it happen. Bentley won't move on as nobody will pay the £30M Levy wants for him. Hutton, you'd hope someone would take the plunge. As for Gomes, do not believe we'd be stupid enough to loan him out. Bassong might form part of a swap deal for Cahill (do swap deals still happen?). Anyone want to save Niko from central midfield? One thing looks certain at the time of writing, dos Santos looks to be anchored to us once again.

Hold onto ya hats then.

It's a massive day for Harry Redknapp and Daniel Levy. Today will define just how good of a squad Tottenham Hotspur will have in Football Manager 2012.

COYS.

Love the shirt.

Join me on Twitter @Spooky23

-

The Fighting Cock is a brand new THFC podcast. You can stream it or download it here on DML (make sure you have a Quicktime plug-in installed).

Love the Shirt.

Flav, tehTrunk, Spooky, Ricky, Chicago Dan.

The FC Podcast group on Facebook.

Also listen to The Fighting Cock via:

iTunes
rss feed
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e-mail: thefightingcock at gmail dot com - we want your feedback, suggestions and e-mails.

Deluded thought of the day

You'll all mad if you think Levy isn't working his cotton socks off trying to bring in players. Our problem is always going to be our ambition (we need to sign players better than what we have or to the standard of our 'world class' players) and the fact the market has been clusterf*cked in recent seasons meaning mental transfer fees and astronomical wage demands.

Shame we can't scout a bargain (I guess we have with the Brazilian Leandro Damiao at Internacional, although not so much a bargain any more thanks to his new contract) but if we're aiming high, remember we're dealing with players who are obsessed with CL and clubs that want to milk us for every penny.

Snapshots from 'The Rose' pub in London Bridge, recording ep 3 of The FC Podcast

Something has to give. What Levy has to accept is that we might just have to pay that extra £5M or lose a little on players we wish to move on.

Failure to improve the squad will be massively detrimental. Which is why I still hold faith. If I can see it, Levy can see it.

If you think I've gone soft on Mr Chairman, that's not the case. Benefit of the doubt because strike three and you're out is just not a conclusion we could all possibly embrace. I'm not going to spend the lead up to the closure of the transfer window depressed if there's the potential that I'm going to spend the entirety of the season depressed.

Cometh the Spurs.

Love the shirt.

-

The Fighting Cock is a brand new THFC podcast. You can stream it or download it here on DML (make sure you have a Quicktime plug-in installed).

Love the Shirt.

Flav, tehTrunk, Spooky, Ricky, Chicago Dan.

The FC Podcast group on Facebook.

Also listen to The Fighting Cock via:

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e-mail: thefightingcock at gmail dot com - we want your feedback, suggestions and e-mails.

Juan is a target, but it probably won't Mata

Reading this article very late last night relating to confirmation of our interest in Juan Mata along with an increasingly worrying midfield issue (lack of depth believe it or not thanks to injuries) should have given me a sleepless night.

Sandro injured, Huddlestone needs to see a specialist, vdV asking to be substituted early on against Brighton, Wilson 'coming back' from injury but mostly spending the summer on the verge of leaving which links me nicely onto all this leaving us with just Luka Modric and Jenas. A player who wants to leave with a player many wouldn't object to see leave (although JJ has always proven to be a decent squad player rather than a first choice). Regardless, it's hardly inspiring and here's me thinking all we had to do is pick up a couple of forwards and a centre-back.

Still, no sleepless night.

Diarra is constantly linked. You can understand why based on the above.

Mata is an interesting one, Harry saying Levy is 'dealing' with it. A midfielder who can also play on the flank, I'm still trying to figure out where he would fit in* exactly in a side that will include Rafa, Luka and Bale. But perhaps it would be wasted energy to do so based on the fact that there is a tangible suggestion he isn't that fussed about leaving Valencia. Neither is he that fussed (supposedly) about us. He'd much prefer a CL side (like most upper tier players). However the hope is that if his buy out clause is matched and said CL side (guess who) do not bid then Valencia might well ask the player to consider what is best for the club and accept the move.

*Mata could probably fit in anywhere in midfield or even up front. Would ADORE him if he signed for us.

If we're in for him at least our positive scatter-gun approach is still in full force. The club (if it is to be believed ) have inquired for one or two top drawer players but nothing has pushed on to the point of completion. Whether its because we're being used as transfer pawns by agents/clubs or because we fall short in terms of wages or lack of CL you still wonder whether strategically things could have played out with a better tempo of decisiveness.

All the deadwood won't shift out until we start signing players. But the season is not too far off now. With some additional extra weeks to do some business after it kicks off and before the window shuts.

The reality for us is that the players we are going for are not of the ilk of transfer that is rubber stamped with unequivocal certainty. Liverpool signing Adam and Downing for example. That's not because they are more decisive but simply because you have three that are willing to do business (i.e. Blackpool/Villa happy to sell, Liverpool willing to bid the valuation, the player(s) wanting to sign). Probably nobody else that interested. And the players are 'promoting' themselves in terms of club stature. It's easy street and nobody is walking alone down it.

Can any one player we've 'aimed' to get be tagged with such similar certainty? No one appears to be that desperate to leave their club or that desperate to join us. On the surface at least it seems that way although all that we read can simply be for the benefit to drive a hard bargain - so selling club and player get the best deal.

I cannot see anything more than this being a stand off not too dissimilar to an Italian Western. Plenty of eye-balling and sweat and then BANG it's over in a flash. We can't be left looking like cowboys. Finger on the trigger. Our Spurs must jingle.

It might be improbable that we sign every type of player we truly require (imo - 2 forwards, a midfielder, a right-winger for cover, a centre-back) and then sell every splintered piece of deadwood. But the hope is that we sign at the very least two key players and the fabled domino effect sees us streamline in time for our high octane opening fixtures.

Might feel like nothing will happen but I simply can not envisage such failure.

I'm sleeping without the night terrors.

It will happen. Have faith. Then we'll all laugh about the days and weeks spent shrugging despondently drowning in our impaitence.

The Fighting Cock is a brand new THFC podcast. You can stream it or download it here on DML (make sure you have a Quicktime plug-in installed).

Love the Shirt.

Flav, tehTrunk, Spooky, Ricky, Chicago Dan.

The FC Podcast group on Facebook.

Also listen to The Fighting Cock via:

iTunes
rss feed
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e-mail: thefightingcock at gmail dot com - we want your feedback, suggestions and e-mails.

No place like home

Pains me to see Sergio Aguero signing for Manchester City. At this rate they'll ruin any joy in managing Tottenham Hotspur in the next revision of Football Manager 2011 because all the top players will be unattainable meaning I'll have to raid West Ham as I plot to conquer the giddy heights of the top four and Champions League.

Reality has consumed the world of fantasy. Guess I'll have to invest in scouts and trail the world for rough diamonds and unknown talent.

Hey, at least I'll still have Luka Modric pulling the strings in midfield.

And Pav. And Defoe. And Crouch.

You can almost understand why it's such an impossible task for us to penetrate this sugar wall of prospective transfer targets. It's because we are limp. But we do try ever so hard. What with the chasing and the flirting. Sometimes, too much of it spent on visuals rather than the real thing. The best practice would be to focus on one tangible potential rather than risk a sensory overload going blind salivating at a dozen. Either we are aiming too high or not aiming at all. One thing is for certain, we haven't touched the sides for a while.

You have to be ambitious right? So you have to target 'top drawer' players. Except these players are only interested in signing for an elite group of clubs or preferring the 'better the devil you know' mantra and staying put. It seems the love everyone had for us in our swashbuckling debut in the Champions League has expired on the continent.

So what of the ambition? The targets? It's there, it must be there. By virtue of what we desire, what we need. How genuine these targets are is down to how much faith you have in our activity and the media coverage.

Rossi. Vucinic. Lukaku. Llorente. Mata. Osvaldo. Benzema. To name a few (won't bother adding the variety of midfielders we've been linked too).

Out of the above Vucinic is the likely one based on the fact that he probably wouldn't be considered top tier for those bloated big brands and the fact that after we allegedly bid for him Man Utd were supposedly interested (a blatant planted story to drive up his price by his club).

The rest?

Lukaku won't join. Elite only.
Rossi. Not sure we're willing to pay the asking price.
Llorente. Have we actually been linked with him again or is this a flashback to the last window?
Mata. Will want CL.
Osvaldo. Would rather not.
Benzema. If I can sign him in Football Manager then there's always a hope.

It's crazy I know but if you asked me what player I'd like us to sign this summer, I couldn't possibly tell you. Just a forward.

As for Adebayor on loan, I'm left scratching my head at the fact that this might be a possibility based on the fact that Levy doesn't have to over-extend with a hefty bid for anyone else until perhaps the summer of 2012 when we appoint a new manager that might have his own ideas (I read it on the internet Harry won't be with us after this season).

As pointed out many times, it's not the long term we need to be thinking about. Well actually, it is. But it's the short term that will define the long term. If chairman and manager are on a mission, behind closed doors, then I can live with the uncertainty all the way up to the closure of the window. But I'm not sure I could handle another blank shot.

We are left with a month or so to repackage the THFC forward line-up. Tick tock.

I'd promote Harry Kane and be done with it. 4th striker (I'm desperate, let's take the risk of ruining another kid). Then it's a case of signing that elusive 'big signing'.

Then perhaps move Crouch on to QPR.

Leaving us with: Big signing, JD, Pav and Kane.

I'd rather it be two big signings up front, but based on the previous two windows and the current landscape of modern football I think that's a step too far into the land of rainbows and floating pink unicorn hearts.

Where do we go? Where do I go?

Reality? Fantasy?

How about limbo? Better yet, purgatory.

No place like home.

Coming soon...

The Fighting Cock is a brand new THFC podcast. You'll be able to stream it or download it here on DML (make sure you have a Quicktime plug-in installed). You'll also be able to subscribe to it on iTunes in the near future.

Love the Shirt.

Flav, tehTrunk, Spooky, Ricky, Chicago Dan.

The FC Podcast group on Facebook.

email: thefightingcock at gmail dot com

Frank Spurnatra

I've done this before. Considering the repetition in this summers transfer window, there is no harm revising it a little to synch in with how I'm feeling presently whilst the media coverage surrounding Spurs continues to regurgitate transfer nonsense without remorse.

To the tune of the epic My Way (original lyrics by Paul Anka, sang definitively by Ol' Blue Eyes) but on this occasion sang by you whilst reading this blog.

♫ Online, a club insider talks;
And so we face the transfer window.
N17, written on bedsheets:
We must keep Spurs in North of London.

We chant and the cockerel crows
We've travelled up and down the country.        
Marched in, whilst our fingers danced,
Come on you Lilywhites...

Luka? Gone broke my heart,
But then again, so did Dimi.
I did what I had to do
I smoked crack to release the tension.

An effigy I hanged and burnt -
Each expletive spat at Sky Sports reporters.
And Harry, you talk too much
Come on you Lilywhites...

Yes, there were games, I shook my head.
We lost to West Ham, I beckoned my death.
And through it all, when there was Crouch,
I pulled my hair, I punched the ground.
I kicked my gran and she blacked out
Come on you Lilywhites...

I've cried, I've bitched and moaned,
I've had enough - we need a forward.
There's JD, once more offside,
I still find our tactics highly confusing.

To think Levy holds the key,
And may I say, his head is shiny -
Oh please, please spend the cash,
Come on you Lilywhites...

For what is a yid? What has he got?
If not his swagger - he'll lose the plot.  
Just sign that forward we truly need
No more hoofed balls over the midfield.
OptaJoe shows we can't score the goals...

Come on you Lilywhites...

Yes, we are the Lilywhites... ♫

Sky Sports understand that they understand something about understanding

"Modric is currently with Spurs on their pre-season tour of South Africa, but we at Sky Sports News are desperate for him to make the move to West London"

Read the breaking news here. It's yesterday's news today. Tomorrow, Sky confirm Luka is human and lives on planet earth with other humans.

£30M Chelsea bid expected. Like adding £3M onto the last bid is going to make a blind bit of a difference to anything. The ankle injury is also part of the deception. Right? Waiting for Sky to confirm. Exciting times.

Dig in, Levy. We shall not be moved.