110 million wasted?

Article by John Shepherd

Players under performing and typical Spurs of old, great one game and average the next!

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So, we all know that AVB was sacked before the beginning of the new year with the 5-0 home result against Liverpool the last straw. Enter Tim Sherwood, who took over and has since gained 3 wins, 1 draw and 1 loss since taking charge permanently. Not a bad start and seems to play the Tottenham way, but with the players brought in over the summer (which seem to have been brought in to play AVBs formation), where does this leave Holtby, Sigurosson & Capoue who don’t seem part of Tim’s current setup?

I think it is good to have depth in all areas, but eventually they will become unhappy with the lack of playing time and the World Cup is around the corner. Will Defoe go or stay? With Defoe leaving in the near future, the money be spent on another striker or two with Soldado appearing to be misfiring.

Based on the season so far, here is my break down on the players who have been brought in over the summer –

1. Paulinho – Centre Midfield - £17,358,000

I feel he has been one of our outstanding signings, shows real quality going forward and keeps going throughout the 90 minutes. I was impressed with him in the recent game over Stoke where I thought he was brilliant, until Charlie Adam ended his game!

2. Chadli – Left Wing - £7,172,000

Undecided on Chadli, he looks good for the first 20-30 minutes and then disappears and I often think he has left the field. Lack of playing time doesn’t help, but he has the right attributes to become a good player. Saying that, he definitely won’t be keeping Aaron Lennon or Andros Townsend out the team.

3. Soldado – Striker - £26,400,000

Spanish International who promised so much. However, I feel he was often isolated with lack of service under AVB, but I can see him getting back to his best (his Valencia days) now that he has a strike partner in Adebayor. He scored most of his goals in Spain in the second half of the season, so let’s hope he proves the doubters wrong come May.

4. Capoue – Defensive Midfielder - £9,680,000

Very solid player and versatile, happily dropping to centre back to help the team. I can see him playing a big part once he gets used to the Premier League. He reminds me of Sandro when he first joined Spurs, a bit erratic at times but now he has the strength and quality in the middle of the park to win the ball back for the team.

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5. Chiriches – Centre Back - £8,360,000

I have been very impressed with him, his ability to come out of defence with ease and no fear. Although I was gutted to lose Caulker (as a number of Spurs fans were), who I believe to be a future senior England player. He lacks concentration at times, but I feel more playing time will help, which he should get now that him and Dawson are our only fit centre backs.

6. Eriksen – Attacking Midfielder - £11,880,000

Potential to be one of the best attacking midfielders in the league. I see him as a Modric type player. If he can be as good, only time will tell. Only negative is that if he is closed down he often struggles to make an impact, but given time and space he can be lethal!

7. Lamela – Right Wing - £26,400,000 (potential to rise near to 30m)

There has been plenty of talk in the press and forums about Lamela going to Italy on loan and describing him as a flop. I disagree. He is a young lad, new country, different way of living and not enough game time, but with the depth in the squad will he get a chance to show his worth? I don’t think sending him on loan to an Italian team will do him any good as he will not learn the English language or the style of the football over here. I think a loan deal to a relegation threatened team would be a more beneficial change to prove his ability, potential, being the leading player and learn to be more physical.

(prices of players captured from http://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/en/tottenham-hotspur/transfers/verein_148.html)

With the league so tight and only 2 points off our objective of the top 4, I still think it can be achieved. Tottenham's style has come back since Tim Sherwood has taken over and reminds me of when Harry Redknapp was in charge. I would definitely take a 4th place finish come May.

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