Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[Chris Smith]

The problem with Gabby is not that he can't do it or never does it anymore.

It is that he doesn't do it anything like enough.

How many times have we seen him 'do it' over the last few years?

I genuinely think he is in his comfort zone, coasting, and a move would be good for him and maybe for us, too. It certainly would if he's on big money now - and given the fact MON loved him, I suspect he will be  - and expects a new contract paying similar.

I agree with your analysis but for now am prepared to give the benefit of the doubt about your conclusion. He has been playing in a side where forwards have been starved of possession so it could be argued that his performances have suffered as a result. It might, therefore, that his game is a symptom of that or it might be that you are right and he is part of the problem.

The way I see it he has until the return to full fitness of Benteke and Kozak to show that one way or the other.

[bobdylan]

The problem with Gabby is not that he can't do it or never does it anymore.

It is that he doesn't do it anything like enough.

How many times have we seen him 'do it' over the last few years?

I genuinely think he is in his comfort zone, coasting, and a move would be good for him and maybe for us, too. It certainly would if he's on big money now - and given the fact MON loved him, I suspect he will be  - and expects a new contract paying similar.

Agreed, although the way he's going he'll be sat on the bench with Bent and Weimann starting, or one of them with a Cole or Zog etc. in the hole.

I agree with your analysis but for now am prepared to give the benefit of the doubt about your conclusion. He has been playing in a side where forwards have been starved of possession so it could be argued that his performances have suffered as a result. It might, therefore, that his game is a symptom of that or it might be that you are right and he is part of the problem.

The way I see it he has until the return to full fitness of Benteke and Kozak to show that one way or the other.

[PaulWinch again]

No medical until Sunday? that makes no sense at all.

[LeeB]

No medical until Sunday? that makes no sense at all.

We're doing them on the NHS these days, it saves a few quid.

[robbo1874]

I think we need to get this carlitos (what the Colombians call him ) signed up pronto. Hopefully someone's security mate can go and check he's not still sat in the bar at the malmaison as Des was worried he might be. I did laugh at that to be honest : )

[bobdylan]

Interestingly I don't think Holtby is on the list.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11029566/Tottenham-Hotspur-open-to-offers-for-11-players-in-desperate-attempt-to-cut-squad.html

[Ads]

I am not sure if this is really for this thread or a new one, but assuming Sanchez passes his medical, what is our best side and what is our best system?

I certainly feel we are a lot stronger and more exprienced following this summer.

[Des Little]

If the song we sing for him doesn't involve the words 'Dirty Sanchez' I'll be very disappointed.  That is all.

[robbo1874]

No medical until Sunday? that makes no sense at all.

i agree Paul. There's probably a good reason for it - maybe connected to the 3rd party ownership issue as others have posted previously when the deal looked to have stalled - but I reckon the longer you fuck about before the deal is closed, the higher the risk of some other club coming in and hijacking it with offers of better wages. That said, I can understand the club not wanting to fuck things up through a PL rule compliance error.

[Ads]

Spanish press saying his medical is today.

[ADVILLAFAN]

Interestingly I don't think Holtby is on the list.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/tottenham-hotspur/11029566/Tottenham-Hotspur-open-to-offers-for-11-players-in-desperate-attempt-to-cut-squad.html

Without looking at the list I assume they're all midfielders. Every season Tottenham seem to sign about 10 more midfielders.

[PaulWinch again]

Spanish press saying his medical is today.

Well since that's what I want to believe, I'm going to believe that.

[peter w]

As for gabby...he started off 3 seasons ago on firs, playing on the left, and then got injured around October or November (after Norwich I think). He struggled when he eventually got back into the team but then was moved to playing the lone furrow up fron with no support.

2 seasons ago his struggles from the previous season continued and then he again picked up an injury that laid him off. he returned and after Christmas he was excellent for us. Again, mostly from a wide position.

Last season was an on-off season and amongst excellence (he started the season very well), mediocrity and injury lay-offs I thought he did okay and was rushed back to soon at times from injury as he was our only outlet and source of creativity.

Gabby is crucial to us as when he's on top form he's unplayable. However, he picks up niggles and is constantly asked to play oiut of position. People look at his goals when being negative about him but forget he was up front with rubbish servioce or playing out on the left for 3 seasons.

Maybe it's indicative of our status that he has been one of our best playuers for the past 3 seasons and if he hadn't been injured quite a few times I think he would have carried us to mid-table as a minimum. I'm still a Gabby fan and think that he has still a lot to offer. I'm not prepared to give up on him and I also don't thimnk he likes to be over burdened with things like captaincy. Just let him run in a straight line and cut the ball back to someone. Put the ball behing the central defence and let him run on to it. When we play competently to his strengths then he and we look better for it.

[LeeB]

As for gabby...he started off 3 seasons ago on firs, playing on the left, and then got injured around October or November (after Norwich I think). He struggled when he eventually got back into the team but then was moved to playing the lone furrow up fron with no support.

2 seasons ago his struggles from the previous season continued and then he again picked up an injury that laid him off. he returned and after Christmas he was excellent for us. Again, mostly from a wide position.

Last season was an on-off season and amongst excellence (he started the season very well), mediocrity and injury lay-offs I thought he did okay and was rushed back to soon at times from injury as he was our only outlet and source of creativity.

Gabby is crucial to us as when he's on top form he's unplayable. However, he picks up niggles and is constantly asked to play oiut of position. People look at his goals when being negative about him but forget he was up front with rubbish servioce or playing out on the left for 3 seasons.

Maybe it's indicative of our status that he has been one of our best playuers for the past 3 seasons and if he hadn't been injured quite a few times I think he would have carried us to mid-table as a minimum. I'm still a Gabby fan and think that he has still a lot to offer. I'm not prepared to give up on him and I also don't thimnk he likes to be over burdened with things like captaincy. Just let him run in a straight line and cut the ball back to someone. Put the ball behing the central defence and let him run on to it. When we play competently to his strengths then he and we look better for it.

I wonder if he's played in the last couple of seasons whilst carrying injuries.

[Olneythelonely]

SSN have changed it from Sunday to Wednesday (today). Think they got confused by their super duper studio revamp.