Europa League Afterthought

By William Taylor
With Manchester City and Liverpool dominating the transfer window in the Premier League this season, it would appear unlikely that Spurs will be considered favourites among bookmakers to win the title.

However, it appears as though manager, Harry Redknapp has the title in his sights, with a return to the Champions League a must for the club.

First of all, though, it is imperative that the club keeps hold of it's star players – a move to Chelsea for Luka Modric could significantly reduce any chance of winning the title.

Furthermore, it is essential that the club bring in the sort of players that know what being in a title race is all about. It will be unpopular among many Spurs fans, but the truth is, Emmanuel Adebayor would be a fine addition to the current squad of players.

Despite having played for Arsenal in the past, the former Togo international reminded Tottenham supporters just what a talented player he is, with a devastating performance against them at the Bernabeu for Real Madrid in last season's Champions' League.

Redknapp has now come out and admitted that success in the Europa League could be harmful to his side's chances of winning the Premier League.

There could be some truth to that as well, for even though the Champions' League last season brought much needed income to the club, the fact is, the team struggled to replicate the sort of form that got them there in the first place.

For a club like Spurs, the Premier League is the real deal. It is your bread and butter, and realistically the main source of revenue. Should Tottenham go as far as the final of the Europa League this season, it will add an extra 17 games to an already hectic fixture list.

For Spurs to compete in the Premier League, younger players with ambitions of wearing the England Away kit one day, will have to step up to the plate and prove themselves on the European stage.

Redknapp pointed out that the likes of Jake Livermore and Andros Townsend would benefit from being involved in those sorts of games.

For now though, the club must focus on holding onto its key players, as without them, Redknapp will struggle to achieve his lofty goals.

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"We've got him and we won't sell him to anyone!"

Well, that was Redknapp's rant on TalkSport just now in reference to the Luka Modric transfer situation.

"The chairman has said that we ain't selling him and that's good enough for me...we've got him and we won't sell him to anyone. He's worth 40 or 50 million easy and he's under contract. I want a lot of things in this life but can't have them. Luka's a wonderful lad and has had his head turned, but to be honest, that doesn't bother me as Daniel [Levy] has said a few times that we won't be selling any of our players, no matter what the bid and I believe him because you can't make a statement like that and then go against what you've said."

Oh really? Harry either doesn't know Daniel Levy too well, or the Southend sun has gotten to him.

I suppose at only 40k per week and tied into a 6-year deal, the Spurs Board could tell Luka to lump it? But let's face it, Daniel Levy runs the ship. All we need now is the official Spurs website to issue a statement, telling us that "an offer from Chelsea was received but was exceedingly below what our valuation of the player is, given the recent transfer activity in the Premier League. Luka Modric is on a long-term contract and we expect him to honour that."

He'll be sold by the end of the transfer window for around 40 million or 30 million plus Lampard. We all know it, so we may as well own up to it and strike a deal now, rather than spoiling it for the rest.

Tottenham Hotspur.....the fashionable selling footballing institution.

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Redknapp really could leave Tottenham Hotspur

Staying? Going?

As I am sure you've heard, Harry Redknapp has emerged as the shock favourite to fill the position left vacant by Carlo Ancelotti at Chelsea.

Redknapp’s odds to replace the former AC Milan manager have been slashed as owner Roman Abramovich goes in search of the man who he believes can bring him success in the Champions League. That'll be 'Arry then.

It's looking as though the Russian has been impressed with Tottenham’s performances in Europe’s leading club competition this season. Redknapp has come in for criticism by the way we missed out on the Champions League places for next season to Man City. You've got to admit that with only three wins in our last 15 games in all competitions, Chelsea is the only place left for old Harry.

Now Redknapp is the favourite for the role, Goal.com report that the Spurs board would not stand in the way of an approach from Chelsea, although he does still have two years remaining on his deal at White Hart Lane and is the favourite to replace Fabio Capello as England manager once the Italian steps down after Euro 2012.

If anything, it looks as though we're to blame again; the Spurs phone-in public. I mean, who are we to start asking questions about the manner in which our club surrendered the final remaining Champions League spot? I suppose we're the "idiots" for maybe wanting some more off our Lilywhite lads?

Roman Pavlyuchenko, Jermain Defoe and Sebastian Bassong have all spoken out about their frustration at Spurs, while a list of players headed up by Wilson Palacios and Jermain Jenas have been told they are free to leave the club.

But perhaps the over-riding factor against a move for Redknapp by Chelsea is there reluctance to go for a British manager with minimal experience at the top level.

Ancelotti’s former assistant at Chelsea Ray Wilkins enforces the belief the Blues would likely favour a manager from with extensive Champions League experience – with Marco Van Basten and Guus Hiddink said to be their main targets.

"I personally don’t see Chelsea going for a Brit, but Harry has come in to the frame. There must be some smoke out there in the footballing world so we’ll wait and see what happens. It’s been the last couple of years where Chelsea have gone for foreign managers so I see no reason why they won’t go for another one," Wilkins told the Godfather of all thing football, TalkSport, with Durham as Master and Commander.

Redknapp himself has dismissed the links with Chelsea and insists he is happy, but after a season which proved to be one of extremes (although Redknapp and I, to a degree, somewhat bafflingly, describe it as Tottenham’s best ever), Redknapp finds himself at a crucial period during his time with us. He's also said to be unhappy with the club’s transfer policy and the lack of backing from the board, although whether this rumour is true or not will be proved this summer as Redknapp goes in search of improving his squad. It must have been another Board that bought the likes of Palacios for 14 million then...

For every Sandro, who we will miss when he goes off to play in the 2011 Copa America tournament later this year, there has been a Kevin Prince "Jackson" Boateng or Giovanni Dos Santos.

He will likely hold out for the England job next summer, but he will have to be careful about not alienating fans or his squad further, or he will risk being pushed before he is jumped.

Thing is, if I were Levy, I would sit down with Redknapp and ask him to sign a new long-term deal with club, in effect ruling himself out of the England and any other jobs. I would give him a two week period in which to think about it. If he decided to not sign the deal after two weeks, I would hand him his P45 and wish him all the best. After all, how can the club plan for the next few years if they're unsure about the manager?

I have a feeling the Redknapp conundrum will be sorted when this court case is done and dusted.

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Pablo Osvaldo In, Defoe Out?

It must have been a frustrating season for Jermaine Defoe. Anticipated to lead the line in Tottenham’s maiden Champions League campaign while expected to score the goals that would keep Manchester City at bay long enough for the club to secure their place in European football’s premier competition once more; for one reason or another it never really happened for our lad.

It could have been so different for him. Having returned from the World Cup as one of the few English players to emerge with credit from the fiasco in South Africa, football betting backed Defoe to start the season with a bang.

But with injury and selection decisions going against him, Defoe failed to register his first goal of the Premier League campaign until March, against Wolverhampton Wanders.

And so that trend continued, with the 28-year-old struggling to hold down a starting place and failing to find the net when he did manage to make it on to the field, mustering just four goals in 21 Premier League appearances.

So when the forward spoke out about his future earlier this week, it came as no surprise that he was unhappy with the way things have gone this season.

“When you feel like you are working hard, training hard and being professional and then you are not playing, it is difficult.

“I love the club and I still get the same buzz that I did when I first walked out at White Hart Lane, which is important.

"But for me, the main thing is playing football and if I am not playing football then I am not happy, because I love my football." He added.

Unfortunately for Defoe, his future at Spurs could follow a similar pattern to this season. It's obvious to all and sundry that we're in desperate need of a new striker and have already begun our search for a man to lead the line next season.

Football bets have backed Espanyol’s Pablo Osvaldo to join the club this summer already and could even make a £13 million switch in the next month should Fulham’s overtures be rejected by the Argentine born striker.

A new boy in town is exactly the opposite of what Defoe needs, but after a season in which none of the three main strikers were able to stake a convincing claim for the role as leader of the front line, fresh blood is inevitable.

While Defoe was busy declaring his discontent to the world’s media, it was perhaps the comments of one of his team-mates to the media on the same day which could spell trouble for the diminutive striker’s future.

Rafael Van Der Vaart confirmed he was happy to stay at Spurs for the remainder of his contract, and should Osvaldo join the club to link up with the Dutchman playing just behind him, it is difficult to see where Defoe fits in.

With Harry Redknapp’s insistence of playing Peter Crouch up front on his own in Europe, should Spurs secure Europa League football for next season, Defoe’s opportunities look to be even more limited than ever.

He remains a dangerous striker with a natural instinct for scoring goals. Had his season not been disrupted so badly by an Achilles injury he may have been able to replicate the form that saw him force his way into England’s summer plans in the first place.

But with the pressure on Redknapp to match Man City blow for blow and the failure of the club’s front line to fire in the second half of the season, Defoe may find himself marginalised – Redknapp must be seen to do something about the lack of goals and show ambition with a big name striker joining the club in an attempt to match City.

So where does this leave Defoe? Unfortunately the man who has endeared himself to the Spurs faithful may find his best days at White Hart Lane have been and gone.

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Aaron Lennon Has Found His Form

For those that were at the ground on Saturday, how many of you actually kept your eyes on Aaron Lennon? I know I did and for the first time in what has seemed absolutely ages, the lad looks like he's getting back to his best.

Harry made the change in the second half against Villa, replacing Roman Pavlyuchenko with Aaron Lennon, and asking Rafa to slot in just behind Crouch. What may have looked obvious to a lot of us, proved to be the Redknapp masterstroke.

In the end, it all seemed too much for poor old Villa. With Lennon bombing up and down on the right, Bale on the opposite flank and Van der Vaart playing just off Crouch, Harry has shown us all that the 4-5-1 formation can work wonders.

I know everyone is ranting and raving about Rafa at the moment, but let's face it, the lad is world class and therefore performances like the one he put out on Saturday should be expected. I am more interested in the resurgence of Lennon. We have all craved to see Bale and Lennon on fire in the same game. On Saturday, we got a glimpse of things to come.

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Transfer Window Latest!

Right then, what does the internet have in store for us today?  Same old rubbish really, although there was a bit of news that caught my attention.

Manchester City's Togo and former Arsenal striker, Emmanuel Adebayor, has been linked with a loan move to us.  Now, I'm no genius, but this is the same Manchester City that declined Craig Bellamy a move to us a couple of weeks ago, right?

talkSPORT have gone crazy over the rumour that Harry Redknapp is about to sign the player.  The tabloid-style radio station has even discussed his contract, stating Tottenham Hotspur have agreed to cover half the players wages.

Utter rubbish.

We can also forget Klaas-Jan Huntelaar signing for us.  He's made the move to yet another league.  If he can cut it in the Bundesliga, I'll take back everything I've said about him.  Can't see it myself frankly, therefore, expect him to be included in the vast list of players to be linked to us next season.

"At the end of his career, Huntelaar could be an interpreter - Holland, Spain, Italy, Germany...." - TonyRich

The Sun's Ian McGarry was asked last night on the BBC FiveLive Monday Night Club which players Harry is likely to sign.  He didn't mention any names, but it was obvious that he was alluding to Rossi, although he did say that there's very little chance of getting him.

What are we left with? Scott Parker, surely?

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Harry is no Wheeler-Dealer

Please be warned that the below video has explicit language in it and shouldn't be view by minors.

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"Spurs Could Win The League"

Nick Anelka has topped us as being dark horses for the Premier League title. To be honest, I still think we're one or two players short of winning the league.

Can we stay in the top four and cement our place there? In Harry's words "for sure". No matter what you think of our current squad, it is still a very strong one and will continually grow in stature.

Having Jamie O'Hara back and Gio Dos Santos, is like us having signed two new players, although both could be used as bait as Harry tries to wheel and deal. Shame really, as I would like both players to stick around and bolster our squad.

Harry was being interviewed on talkSPORT yesterday evening by Spurs season-ticket holder, Danny Kelly. Redknapp sort of hinted at us maybe doing some business with Villa, but only if they sell Milner, which Harry thinks they will. The business with us and Villa could be the sale of Keano to them, as well as other players. Jenas, anyone?

Transfer markets all over the world are dead at the minute as clubs simply don't have the cash to strengthen their sides. We look to be in the same boat unfortunately. If Anelka's words about us challenging are to be proved right, it looks as though we'll have to ship out a couple before being able sign anyone.

Seems ironic that we spend the worlds fortunes on trying to get into the Champion's League, but now that we're so close to it, the money pit has dried up.

Harry did say that it looks like all our business will be concluded towards the very end of the window. Just our luck.

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Harry Redknapp is Angry

I was at The Lane last night and watched us play some good football at times, but saw us ripped apart by a team that knows how to keep the ball and counter-attack. There, I said it. Now, let's move onto Harry being angry.

Today I read that Harry Redknapp is just a tad bit angry with Tweedledum and Tweedledee over at West Ham. He was obviously upset at the way we lost to the Yellow Submarines last night and so let fly on the situation relating to Spurs fan, Scott Parker.

In Harry's words: "Who made it public that we've made an offer?"

I don't think Harry could have put it any better. The first I heard of us being strongly interested in Parker was when the David Gold was interviewed on talkSPORT. Something about us trying to unsettle their player and that £7 million wasn't enough.

Now, let me give you my take on this. West Ham are in real financial trouble. They need to sell players, but unfortunately, they don't have too many that can be sold for a decent amount.

I can picture the two David's discussing how they can sell on their best player, but keep the fans happy.

David: "Spurs were interested in Parker, weren't they?"

David: "I think so."

David: "Great. Have you got Danny's number or does Kazza have it?"

David: "No, no, here it is. Now, listen up Dave, I've got an idea. What we can do, is offer Scott Parker to Spurs. We won't give them a price; we'll just wait till they offer us something. Danny's so tight with his money, so I'm sure he'll offer us nowhere near what Parker's is worth."

David: "What is Parker worth?"

David: "No more than £6 or 7 mill mate. Anyway, once we get the offer, I'll call up my mates in the media and tell them just how unhappy we are with Tottenham. We'll tell all my mates down at talkSPORT that Parker is not for sale at any price and that it's obvious that Harry and Danny are trying to unrest him."

David: "What you want to do that for?"

David: "Look mate, we need to sell him, but after you opened your mouth and told everyone that he ain't going anywhere, you sort of put us in a tricky position. So we'll act as though there's no way Parker will be going anywhere. But we both know he wants to join them, after all, he is a Spurs fan, isn't he?"

David: "So they tell me."

David: "Well, Scotty will want to have a word with us about the Tottenham bid. When he does, we'll tell him he can go, but he mustn't say a thing. In the meantime, we'll look like this entire situation has been taken out of our hands and that we're not to blame at all."

David: "Quality mate. Nearly as good as Debbie Does Essex XVII".


A bit far fetched? I don't think so. Speak to any Birmingham fan and they'll tell you exactly how these two act. We saw/read their superb inspirational displays toward Zola. I can see them acting as though Tottenham and Parker are useless. Anything to get the high ground.

Expect us to now sign Parker, although I can see this one being somewhat protracted.

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Portsmouth and their Squad

As you can see from the above image (taken just now from the Portsmouth FC website), Pompey won't have any problems naming their 25-man squad.

Tal Ben Haim is also on the list, which is strange, seeing as he left the club after they got relegated.

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Enough about them. Who will Harry include in our 25-man squad? Players up to the age of 21 don't count and Harry has to name 8 "Homegrown" players (players who have spent at least 3 seasons in the English or Welsh league systems).

September 1st looms and yet no signings to speak of.

Maybe it's true that we really are waiting for City to finish their spending spree before making a move?

Source: COYS

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"Signing a centre-half is our priority"

Hmm. So said the Evening Standard last night. Apparently Harry's been on about us needing a central defender. Can I ask why though?

We've all heard the news that Woodgate hasn't been included in the final 25-man squad and Ledley's got a dodgy knee, but we've still got Michael Dawson, Seb Bassong and Younes Kaboul. Charlie is a natural centre-half, although I, like most, don't fancy him in that position.

Is this another Harry ploy? I think we all know Harry well enough to understand the psychology of his comments. "Signing a centre-half is our top priority" can also read as "Dan, I want to add players to this squad, so hurry up and get your cheque book out!".

I had personally hoped that our signing of the "special one/two/three" would have been done and dusted by now. With the season fast approaching, it would have been better to have had a settled squad.

Hopefully Harry can get a few players in prior to our Champion's League qualifiers.

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Our mate, Melsey, was in the same hotel along with the Manchester City squad in the States. He asked Bellamy if he would be joining Spurs and Bellamy replied "I can't keep moving clubs, although I do like and respect Harry a lot".

Melsey then asked one of the waitresses to ask Shay Given if his name was Joe Hart. Very funny indeed, he apparently looked furious.

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Jol in for Keane

Even though Big Martin Jol has yet to be named as Fulham's new manager, The Telegraph have our former boss down as already having lined up a bid for Robbie Keane.

If we are to believe all the reports, it looks as though Jol will be Fulham's new manager before the end of this week. I also think The Telegraph may be onto something here.

Jol was always an admirer of Keane and Robbie, on various occasions, spoke highly of Martin. Both Robbo and Keano spoke out about the way Jol was treated by the Spurs Board after that embarrassing affair.

Maybe this is the end of the line for Robbie Keane? If so, I do wish the lad well.

It will feel kind of weird seeing Jol in Fulham's dugout, won't it? It'll also be interesting to see how Martin fares in the Premier League. Ajax are in financial meltdown, so I can see our old boss swooping in for some of his former players.

Maybe Luis Suárez will be back on Harry's radar, now that Joe Cole has moved up north (for footballing reasons of course).

Source: The Telegraph

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Mesut Özil to Spurs?

Werder Bremen's Sporting Director, Klaus Allofs, said that "we will have to listen to those offers if that is what Mesut wants."

By "those offers", Allofs is alluding to the fact that Werder Bremen simply cannot offer the German playmaker the wages he wants.

We've all heard Harry talk about that "special player", well, I doubt they come as "special" as Mesut Özil.

Let's forget Joe Cole for the time being, for it looks as though he will be donning the new Liverpool kit shortly. If Harry is so adamant in purchasing a player that fits into the Cole formula (can play off a striker, in the hole behind one or two strikers, on the left, in midfield, etc.), surely Özil is that player?

The Telegraph has reported that £20 million should be enough to prize him away from the Bundesliga outfit.

I know who I'd rather sign.

German Prima Donna, Aged 21 or English Prima Donna, Aged 29. You decide.

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Harry allows Keane to talk with Villa

Sky Sports News "understands that Tottenham Hotspur have given Robbie Keane permission to speak with Aston Villa".

Don't you just love the "understands" bit?

Now that our Harry has finally tied the knot with Daniel, it looks as though our rebuilding "adding one or two new special players" session will commence.

I know I've said this before and it's looked as though I've gotten egg all over my face, but I think exchanging Keane for Carew would be a decent move.

Harry's been ranting on about us deploying a loan striker this coming season. If the Forlan deal doesn't come off, or even if it does, I do believe that big ole' John can do a job for us.

I have prepared myself for the humiliation that is about to follow.....

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New Tottenham Hotspur Kits

What do you make of them?

When I look at the home kit, I can't stop thinking "Bolton".

I do like the darker away kit, although I've never liked the sky blue kit donned by Lennon.

Now that we've got our kit and three quarters of a sponsor together, I can expect Harry to commence his Football Manager signing spree.

PS. Cheers to COYS for the image.


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Harry Redknapp Re-Signs

Sorry, I couldn't resist!

It's great news that Harry Redknapp has agreed to extend his contract until 2013.

Expect him to get the sack by November.....

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Harry on Fab

Our 'Arry is at it yet again, this time stating that Tottenham Hotspur could be interested in signing the Brazil International striker, Luís Fabiano, from Sevilla.

"To be perfectly honest, I haven't sat down to discuss any transfer targets with our chairman Daniel Levy, apart from trying to do a deal with Joe Cole", said Harry Redknapp.

Come on Harry, we know that's not true. A lot of us heard you say that "Diego Forlan is interested in coming to Tottenham". Maybe Harry did that behind Levy's back? Who knows?

I personally can't stand Luís Fabiano. If he's not constantly falling over, he's telling everyone just how good he is. Thanks, but no thanks mate.

We all know Harry Redknapp would love Craig Bellamy, Diego Forlan and Micah Richards at the Lane. Thus far, Harry has told us (live on talkSPORT) that "Craig Bellamy is a player that could do a job for Tottenham", that "Joey Cole is a player that we are in talks with and are pretty close to signing" and that "Manchester City may allow us to speak with Micah Richards".

Diego Forlan, in my honest opinion, is the "special player" that Redknapp desires. Craig Bellamy isn't everyone's cup of tea, but he could do a job for us. I'm a bit baffled at the inclusion of Richards, but then again, I am sure Harry knows what he's doing.

I personally wouldn't mind the following transfer transactions to take place over this summer:

In
Diego Forlan
Craig Bellamy
Micah Richards
Joe Cole

Out
Robbie Keane
Roman Pavlyuchenko
Alan Hutton
Adel Taarabt
Jermaine Jenas

I suppose we'll have to wait and see how the summer pans out. If only Levy would conduct his business promptly so that our squad could settle before the Champion's League Qualifiers....


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Harry Redknapp interview on his transfer targets

Harry Redknapp was interviewed on talkSPORT earlier today and said that we are no closer to signing Joe Cole as the lad wants to review all his options.

Being totally against us signing Cole when all this fuss first kicked off, I have to say that I have started to take a liking to the idea. If it comes off and he doesn't mind being part of a squad, then great. If not, he can join another side. No one should be guaranteed a starting position and thank God, in Harry, we have a manager that isn't scared to shuffle the pack.

When asked about any other players that he may be interested in, Harry said: "Scotty Parker is a player that I've always admired. He is a massive Tottenham fan and could do a decent job for any club in the Premiership."

I have to agree with him. Parker was West Ham's best player last season. If Harry is to implement a new system, Parker could fit in nicely alongside Palacios or Huddlestone.

I suppose a deal hinges on the price West Ham place on his head. Either way, he's got my vote!

Harry also commented on Craig Bellamy by adding "Craig is a fantastic professional. He's the type of player that is needed when things aren't going your way.

"I do like the lad, but he's a City player. If he [Bellamy] was to become available, I would definitely be interested."

Would you mind Parker and Bellamy signing up? I wouldn't. They would add a great deal of steel and depth to our squad in my opinion.

Also, as per the article yesterday, a lot of you said that Defoe isn't the sort of player that can play up top on his own. I have to agree with you. I hate to say it, but Darren Bent is the sort of player that could be deployed in a 4-2-3-1 or 4-5-1 come 4-3-3 formation. He's proved that at Sunderland. Anyway, there's no point crying over spilt milk.

Maybe this is a long shot, but I wouldn't mind seeing big old John Carew at the Lane. Surely Harry could work his magic and do a deal which involved Robbie Keane going in the opposite direction?

We've finally reached that time of year me ole chums.....

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Interest in Shaun Wright-Phillips Grows

You've got to be kidding me? I know that we've come to the point in this pre-season when the tabloids go into overdrive, but Shaun Wright-Phillips??

"Arsenal face competition from Tottenham and Liverpool as they try to sign Manchester City winger Shaun Wright-Phillips." - Daily Mail

Who dreams this stuff up? I personally think the guy is useless. If the ball isn't deflecting off his shin, then it's coming off of an opponents body part. Has SWP really fulfilled his potential over the past decade? To be fair, he was pretty decent prior to moving to Chelsea, but since then, he has been awful. How he got on the plane to South Africa still baffles me. The fact that he still thinks he's worth £75,000 per week is also a conundrum not many of us will ever be able to answer.

In other news, Niko Kranjcar has fully recovered from the ankle injury he picked up against Portsmouth in the F.A. Cup semi-final. It will be good to see the lad back in action once again. Maybe his form in pre-season can persuade Harry Redknapp to not sign Joe Cole?

I have started to warm to the idea of Cole joining though.

Before I go, Harry is set to be on talkSPORT later on today. Should be interesting!



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Redknapp on possible formation and Cole

Harry Redknapp has recently spoken about Joe Cole and the possible formation that Tottenham will be implementing.

When asked where he would play Joe Cole (if we were successful in signing him), Harry had this to say: "I think you'd either play him in behind, like the boy [Mesut Ozil] plays for Germany - he could play that position off a striker and be free - or I even think he could play in the middle of the park in whatever system.

"If you play with two up front you could play with a diamond. He could play in behind. I think Joe's strong enough, he's a lot stronger than people realise. He can run all day, he plays with great enthusiasm and skill, I think he's got everything.

"I think there's a good chance [that we can sign him]. A few weeks ago I probably didn't think there was a lot of chance. I really felt that Joe maybe had decided to go somewhere else. To be honest I thought he had maybe done a deal with another club.

"But I don't think he has now and if it's possible to get him I would like him. I'm not going to tell a lie, yes I have spoken to Joe. He's got lots of options, I think quite a lot of clubs want him but I had a great relationship with him as a kid [at West Ham]."

As regards the formation we'll be using next season, Redknapp said: "I think that rigid 4-4-2 formation is the problem when you go in to play teams who can keep the ball.

"Chelsea and Arsenal didn't go into Europe playing that way. Liverpool don't go away from home in Europe and play this way.

"Take Germany - they played with Ozil in the hole behind the striker, two midfield players, and they popped it around.

"I think you can get away with 4-4-2 in the Premier League. Most teams are playing open, but in the World Cup, in European games, and certainly away from home in Europe... I think we're going to have to look at it [at Tottenham]."

With the players we currently have in our squad, I feel that we could implement the below system (click on the image to enlarge it). If Cole does sign, I suppose you could rotate him with Niko Kranjcar.

Source: Ham & High

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