Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[hartman_1982]

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

I'd love us to go in for Dembele. A midfield of Sanchez, Dembele and Delph actually excites me. Is that allowed?

[Des Little]

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

I'd love us to go in for Dembele. A midfield of Sanchez, Dembele and Delph actually excites me. Is that allowed?

Agreed.  Those three in the midfield, with Westwood on the bench and KEA on his bike.  If there's money in the pot, let's do it

[robbo1874]

I don't think he's crucial to us at all now gabby. He's obviously a villa fan and will be held in similar regard to Taylor and other fan-players we've had previously. He's also been a very good player and a loyal servant to the club, but times change, things move on and he's no longer pivotal (if you believe he ever was) to us.

There are current players I'd be more gutted to see move on- Guzan, Vlaar , Delph, benteke to name 4 and maybe a couple of others.

[dave.woodhall]

One thing I love about Gabby is that he's always been a big stage player and we've had precious few of those lately.

[peter w]

I'd take quite a few from that list if we had pots of money..

Townsend - I seriously doubt they'd let him go
Lennon - fast and direcxt. A modern day Tony Daley.
Dawson - v Senderos? Clark? Baker (who I think will be a very good central defender in the Prem if he's taken out of the firing line a bit more often)
Dembele - Very good player
Capoue - just didn't get enough games at Tottenham to see if he's any good
Chadli - as above

[LeeB]

One thing I love about Gabby is that he's always been a big stage player and we've had precious few of those lately.

Yes, regardless of consistency, he is still one of an increasingly select bunch of players we have that when on form can hurt the top sides.

[Damo70]

Of all those Spurs players listed the one I rate most is Dawson. However, if we get Sanchez then I think the Spurs player we need most is Lennon.

[Tom_Mc9?]

I don't think we'll buy anybody from Spurs. Their players will all be on too higher wages for us to manage.

[Dave]

I don't think we'll buy anybody from Spurs. Their players will all be on too higher wages for us to manage.

I wonder if anybody has any data about how their wage bill compares to ours?

(edited for punctuation)

[pauliewalnuts]

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.

I think our hand is going to be forced re Gabby pretty soon as he's in the last year of his contract (I believe).

[pauliewalnuts]

I don't think we'll buy anybody from Spurs. Their players will all be on too higher wages for us to manage.

I wonder if anybody has any data about how they're wage bill compares to ours?

Oh, happy days.

[PaulWinch again]

Dembele is a quality player and would massively improve our midfield, sadly he's way above where we're at currently.

[LeeB]

I don't think we'll buy anybody from Spurs. Their players will all be on too higher wages for us to manage.

I wonder if anybody has any data about how they're wage bill compares to ours?

I don't know, but I'm sure if somebody does it will make interesting reading, and the findings would be unequivocal.

[hartman_1982]

One thing I love about Gabby is that he's always been a big stage player and we've had precious few of those lately.

Yes, regardless of consistency, he is still one of an increasingly select bunch of players we have that when on form can hurt the top sides.

While Benteke had a great first season, I think it was actually Gabby that dragged us over the line that year. The winner at Norwich just summed him up. I also genuinely don't believe it is a can't be arsed attitude with him. He's had a lot of niggles over the last few years, I think he depends a lot on his physical attributes and when he isn't 100% he stands out like a sore thumb.
I expect the club to offer him a new deal but on reduced terms. I also think he will sign it.

[mr underhill]

sadly, all of the Spuds people out of our reach financially unless we have a new owner waiting and watching from the wing(s).As to Gabby, I'd let him go if any meaningful offer came in; a shame MON still isn't at Sunderland.