We need a leader - but who?

[basskadet]

Its quite clear that we are in need of players in CM. Huddlestone has done well enough recently, but he blows hot & cold too easily, Jenas is finally finding some consistency (just a shame he is consistently bad instead of good), Wilson can be excellent but clearly needs some help and that's about all we have in that position.

You could say that, when Modric is back, we'll have him & Kranjcar both able to do a job there but neither are traditional centre midfielders.

If you believe that we are about to bring in the young Brazilian Sandro then he would definitely help us, but even then we are a little short, especially if we are holding Champion's League aspirations.

My big problem is that we have some good players there, & a good mix of power & grit, skill & technique, defence & attack but we don't have a real character in there, someone who will look our own players in the eye & gee them up, get them going when the chip's are down. They are all quite young also, no real experience in there at all with JJ being the eldest, most experienced CM we now have!! Says it all really!!

So I was wondering who might we look at who can bring a cool head to our midfield, a bit of wizened experience & a strong, inspirational voice. Whoever it is they HAVE to be able to play also - not just throw himself about or simply bring strength & a bit of steel but no technique.

Its not an easy thing to solve really.

The ideal player (altho he is still quite young tho, but he plays with that exact determination, never say die attitude whilst still having plenty experience) would be Daniele De Rossi, but before anyone says him, there is NO WAY he'll ever leave Roma & even if he did, he wouldn't come to Spurs

We need PASSION, & he would bring it by the truckload
Gattuso? Personally I think he is getting a little too long in the tooth, & Vieira is well passed it!

My suggestion would be the man taking Gattuso's spot in the Italian national team recently - Angelo Palombo

I think Palombo would be perfect - he is 28, captain of Sampdoria (who are having a particularly good season), he is influential, vocal, strong & skilful. He would also relish the chance of playing in England also, having spent his entire career in Italy &, altho Sampdoria would fight hard to keep him, I think we could persuade him to join in the summer - especially if we have already qualified for the CL

Anyone else have any suggestions?

[kevfball63]

I'm of the opinion i'll get torn a new arsehole here but Harry thinks like you do bassk , and thats why he keeps renwing his interest in Patrick Vierra . Who else can we buy that brings that much experience at a price we can afford .????

[woody]

i think i might get shot for this but i think michael ballack is a punt in the summer

he is available on a free, a world cup winner, a captain of his country, strong, can tackle, can score a few goals, can lead, and is experienced

[basskadet]

I don't think Ballack is enough of a character tho. I know what you're saying, his attitude can be excellent, but he doesn't have that passionate edge that I think we really need to stir the team when they are starting to slack.

I agree Kev, I think Harry is still looking at Vieira but, as I said in my initial post, he is deffo past it & while his experience would be invaluable for us, I don't think he can provide us with that 'inspiring' figure in midfield we really need

For me, Palombo would be absolutely ideal &, altho we've not been linked with him, I hope we take a good look at him soon as his stock will rise fast after the WC, especially if Italy do well. He's a class act imo, & full of guts & glory.

Appiah would've been good also & I'm intrigues to see how he does in June also.

Another player I would love to see & who I think would do the job admirably, so long as language was not an issue, is Tymoschuk, altho having only recently signed for Bayern, I doubt he would leave anyway.

Palombo (I love watching him 'having a word' with notorious troublemaker & teammate Antonio Cassano!): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-EHUa27A8ug

Tymoschuk:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKdmHw89eNU

[HeroesComesandGoes]

Scott Parker, consistent at West Ham, and, allegedly a Spurs fan - I'll jump at any opportunity to play for my beloved team a la Bentley

[CmonyouSpurs]

Bass you watch Ligue 1 a lot - what do you think of Jean Makoun???

[kevfball63]

I don't think Ballack is enough of a character tho. I know what you're saying, his attitude can be excellent, but he doesn't have that passionate edge that I think we really need to stir the team when they are starting to slack.

Ballack would never come to us after the wages he has been used to at the Bridge. so spot bassk

I agree Kev, I think Harry is still looking at Vieira but, as I said in my initial post, he is deffo past it & while his experience would be invaluable for us, I don't think he can provide us with that 'inspiring' figure in midfield we really need

Harry is looking within our wage stucture mate so even though Vierra is past it as you say :- he could run our team without having to kick a ball at the moment = we are that poor in the middle sometimes

For me, Palombo would be absolutely ideal &, altho we've not been linked with him, I hope we take a good look at him soon as his stock will rise fast after the WC, especially if Italy do well. He's a class act imo, & full of guts & glory.

Wage structure again

YouTube - DJ Samp: Angelo Palombo

Appiah would've been good also & I'm intrigues to see how he does in June also.

He spent time here and was not deemed Harry material

Stephen Appiah Training With Tottenham? - Goal.com

Another player I would love to see & who I think would do the job admirably, so long as language was not an issue, is Tymoschuk

Tymoschuk Now this guy has vision , presence , strength and a touch of a class . Not scared of a battle and fights like a lion

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKdmHw89eNU

HOW MUCH £?

[Roscono3]

I think Scott parker is a great shout and his at a good age.

I know his getting on but what about Mark van Bommel i know his 32 but his a born leader and has loads of experience. And wouldn't cost loads!!!

Mark Van Bommel Profile, Statistics, News, Game Log - Bayern Munich, German Bundesliga - ESPN Soccernet

[kevfball63]

I think Scott parker is a great shout and his at a good age.

I know his getting on but what about Mark van Bommel i know his 32 but his a born leader and has loads of experience. And wouldn't cost loads!!!

Mark Van Bommel Profile, Statistics, News, Game Log - Bayern Munich, German Bundesliga - ESPN Soccernet

Yeah i would take parker as a player , but bassk is asking for a new leader . To lead by example , do you think Parker can do that with all the guys we have ????

[BigDub]

It's Sulley Muntari for me. I don't know if Spurs actually have a realistic shot at signing him but from what I remember reading it doesnt seem like an impossible task. He is physical but posses good skill. Obviously he is aware of Harry's tendencies and I think would be interested in a move back to England. Again, I dont know if we could actually complete this.

[kevfball63]

Hang on a minute , we might as well go and buy the rest of the pompey squad ffs . We have got enough already , the class part , and they are starting to blow hot and cold .

Fresh blood will sort this lot out as bassk says

[Dinamo ZG]

Tymoschuk definetly...yes definetly...

[Roscono3]

Yeah i would take parker as a player , but bassk is asking for a new leader . To lead by example , do you think Parker can do that with all the guys we have ????

I think he could kev to be fair mate. When ever ive seen the spammers play he always looks like the only player on the team that pulls the team together and always looks like he really really cares. Not great flair ok but he really puts a shift in and this rubs of on other players. Id have him!

[BigDub]

Understandable. Although I don't consider Defoe a Pompey buy, really. So Niko and Crouchy....am I forgetting someone? If not I would say I rate Muntari above the other 2. A regular first teamer for Mourinho...that says something. Could care less where he once played. I just like the kid as a footballer.

[kevfball63]

I think he could kev to be fair mate. When ever ive seen the spammers play he always looks like the only player on the team that pulls the team together and always looks like he really really cares. Not great flair ok but he really puts a shift in and this rubs of on other players. Id have him!

I'm gonna have to pay closer attention to Parker and forget whats happening on the ball .