Dempsey

[Kingdawson]

Personally, i think we need a playmaker (be it a central playmaker or wide) and a striker.

I would counter the inclusion of Townsend and the playmaker by selling Huddlestone and Livermore, loaning out Carroll to a premiership team, and selling Dempsey (it's either him or Siggy and i don't want Siggy leaving). So:

Dembele
Sandro
new playmaker
Sigurdsson
Parker
Hotby
Townsend
Lennon
Bale


That's 9 players for 5 positions and a bit more doable imo.

 

[Kingdawson]

KD: That's one more player than we've had this season, isn't it? One central midfielder replacing Parker, one additional wide midfielder/winger coming in.

I think that's fine, although I think arguably we could send Carroll out on loan if we manage to find the right central midfielder and the right loan move for Carroll.

Edit: Holtby too, yes. That's still only one more player than we've had the second half of this season. And honestly in midfield apart from the Sandro/Parker injuries (essentially one player missing all season in total) we haven't had a lot of injuries this season.

yes but with different circumstances.

Siggy and Holtby will not be as accepting to warming the bench as they have this season (well Sigurdsson especially)...Carroll too tbh...and also Huddlestone. These ae 4 young players that need more game time (be it with us or somewhere else).

 

[braineclipse]

yes but with different circumstances.

Siggy and Holtby will not be as accepting to warming the bench as they have this season (well Sigurdsson especially)...Carroll too tbh...and also Huddlestone. These ae 4 young players that need more game time (be it with us or somewhere else).

Competition for places. I love it. Real options, pacey winger, inside forward, creative midfielder, all fighting for a place. Options from the bench to change the game, not just fresh legs to put on when we tire. I love it.

Could also mean a bit more rotation, could be a good thing I think.

If we want to be a big club I think we have to accept that there will be some players in the squad that won't get quite as much playing time as they would like, after some time if the better players make places their the players that aren't quite good enough get shipped out.

Wouldn't be surprised if one of the players mentioned a year later wants to leave because he couldn't fight his way into the starting line-up because others performed better than him. Excellent if so. That's the way it should be.

 

[Jordinho]

Guys, I've started a thread in the transfer forum for your summer wish lists. Let's keep this one on topic.

 

[Kingdawson]

nevermind..

 

[thfcsteff]

If we add the players you want the squad is full. I think we're going to struggle to find anyone to take Adebayor off our hands so assume we're stuck with him for another season. Say we bring in a new striker and a new playmaker. Assuming that Bale, Lennon, Sandro and Dembele are already on the team sheet, we'll have the following competing for the positions Dempsey can play in:

New striker
Adebayor
Defoe
-------------
New playmaker
Sigurdsson
Holtby

I don't see the need for him. If he wants to stay and be backup then fine, but I don't rate him above any of the players listed (maybe Holtby who I haven't made my mind up about yet, but it's still his first half season in English football so he deserves a chance), and I doubt at his age he wants to be that far down the pecking order - nor does it probably make financial sense given his wages to have a player that won't get any game time.

Also, 12 goals is a decent return but it's hardly outstanding. Van Der Vaart scored more than that in both his seasons here whilst playing in effectively the same position of behind the striker or as a wide player that comes inside. Kevin Nolan and Hal Robson-Kanu have both scored as many league goals as Dempsey this season, would you want either of them anywhere near Spurs?

Are you seriously comparing Clint Dempsey to Kevin Nolan or Robson-Kanu? Nolan is actually a useful player, albeit a nutter I wouldn't want near our side, and Robson-Kanu cannot do half what Dempsey does. Sometimes this geezer plays three positions in a match! After two days rest returning from half way around the globe. And he still scores clutch goals and provides clutch assists. We all loved Rafa when he was sprinkling the magic, but he couldn't even play en entire match every week, let alone 2 or 3 a week, let alone mix and match his positions!

Sorry mate, he's a great squaddie!

 

[Pandy]

Are you seriously comparing Clint Dempsey to Kevin Nolan or Robson-Kanu? Nolan is actually a useful player, albeit a nutter I wouldn't want near our side, and Robson-Kanu cannot do half what Dempsey does. Sometimes this geezer plays three positions in a match! After two days rest returning from half way around the globe. And he still scores clutch goals and provides clutch assists. We all loved Rafa when he was sprinkling the magic, but he couldn't even play en entire match every week, let alone 2 or 3 a week, let alone mix and match his positions!

Sorry mate, he's a great squaddie!

Most importantly we have no other goal poachers in our squad. Defoe finishes with little subtlety, is a poor reader of the game and is useless in the air. That isn't to say he would necessarily score more goals than Defoe in a season, just that he is capable of a wider range of goals, which counts more in deciding tight games. Not only is Dempsey a more rounded goalscorer than Defoe, but he gives more to the team (see his assist yesterday). Adebayor is a poor finisher but contributes a lot to the team and in a totally different way to Dempsey that in fact suits Dempsey's game and vice versa, which is why I think they work well together on the pitch.

The man scored 23 (?) goals as the centre-piece at Fulham last year. He has shown what he can do as the big fish in a small pond, but with his attributes he is certainly suited to the squad role at a bigger club such as ourselves as well.

 

[Raziel]

Agree with THFCSteff and Pandy

VDV got more goals, but started pretty much every game playing in his preferred role. Dempsey doesn't start every game, plays wherever the manager tells him, works his ass off, and contributes important goals.

Love VDV, but Dempsey is a great option to have in the squad.

 

[skyfarer]

Clint's a decent squad option so long as we sign a few creative 'build up' players who can supply him and make sure we retain control of midfield since we sacrifice a large number of passes with Dempsey (eg. compared to VdV). I prefer him over Defoe since his positioning seems better and he scores bigger goals, but like Defoe and Bale and Lennon he's a 'lying in wait' finisher of moves, not someone who gets involved in orchestrating play throughout the game.

OTOH, I think Dempsey and Siggy occupy roughly the same role since neither can lead the line and neither are really wing forwards so much as second strikers. I prefer Siggy in that case, trading Dempsey for a genuine wing forward like Son or Rebic.

 

[Spurs7891]

Anyone noticed Dempsey's on-field argument with Vertonghen in the first half ? I think Vertonghen was scolding him for conceding the corner, instead of kicking the ball out for throw-in. Instead, Dempsey was answering back Vertonghen which caused the argument. Fortunately, they calmed down after that. It was a really tense moment for the team until Adebayor scored the late winner.

 

[THFC6061]

Fine performance from Dempsey yesterday with a goal and an assist....

...in fact, Dempsey has the second best record behind Gareth Bale for goals & assists this season for Spurs.

 

[braineclipse]

Anyone noticed Dempsey's on-field argument with Vertonghen in the first half ? I think Vertonghen was scolding him for conceding the corner, instead of kicking the ball out for throw-in. Instead, Dempsey was answering back Vertonghen which caused the argument. Fortunately, they calmed down after that. It was a really tense moment for the team until Adebayor scored the late winner.

I noticed it too. I thought Vertonghen was angry because Dempsey let the Stoke player run in behind him and get free from a throw in. Whilst it seemed that Dempsey was of the opinion that Vertonghen should be there picking up that man, although there was no one else for Dempsey to pick up and it seemed reasonable for Vertonghen to get himself into the area in case Stoke launched it long.

I don't mind a good argument like that as long as it blows over quickly. Shows the right spirit I think.

We generally fall asleep way too often on defensive set plays, both free kicks and throw ins (and corners), it's something that's been a problem at the club for a very long time I think.

 

[Rorschach]

I noticed it too. I thought Vertonghen was angry because Dempsey let the Stoke player run in behind him and get free from a throw in. Whilst it seemed that Dempsey was of the opinion that Vertonghen should be there picking up that man, although there was no one else for Dempsey to pick up and it seemed reasonable for Vertonghen to get himself into the area in case Stoke launched it long.

I don't mind a good argument like that as long as it blows over quickly. Shows the right spirit I think.

We generally fall asleep way too often on defensive set plays, both free kicks and throw ins (and corners), it's something that's been a problem at the club for a very long time I think.

Absolutely correct. Gary Neville was highlighting it the other week too. And I find this somewhat surprising considering AVB is a Mourinho protege of sorts, and his emphasis on the transition phase. If I was to pick three things we need improve on over the summer/preseason this would be one of them - transition, off the ball movement and releasing the ball earlier would complete the list.


Edit: Add defending set pieces now that I think about it.

 

[Libero]

I have to say that after the first 3 months of the season I was distinctly underwhelmed by Dempsey and his overall contribution but he has settled in really well come the business end of the season. He has scored some crucial goals at Man Utd, Basle, home to Panathanaikos plus some very good assists too. Glad to have him as part of the squad.

 

[metalgear]

Elation: Dempsey knows his contribution for the winning goal was as important as that for the equaliser

 

[NWND]

Not only do I think Dempsey is a good player to have in the squad, I also get the impression he's a good character to have as well.

His improvised finish following their defender's mistake yesterday was great and so vital! As was his assist.

 

[glorygloryeze]

Dempsey is the kind of battler we need in our squad. With no little flair. I like the fact he seems to have a never say die attitude, he never gives up even when our fans (who are a tough crowd) sometimes get on his back. He is a more mature tougher-mentally version of Sigg imo. Imagine if we get CL what 'Pool fans will be saying...

 

[elltrev]

I like Dempsey, but am I the only one who thinks the 'hard-working' tag is becoming a bit of a thoughtless cliche? Personally I think Lennon, Siggy and Holtby are all noticeably harder working.

 

[glorygloryeze]

I like Dempsey, but am I the only one who thinks the 'hard-working' tag is becoming a bit of a thoughtless cliche? Personally I think Lennon, Siggy and Holtby are all noticeably harder working.

I think this tag comes from comparing him to those more skillful than him but who maybe when the skills aren't coming off (or the crowd are on their back) are more prone to be seen as 'hiding' or 'losing confidence'. Dempsey does keep plugging away even when things seem to be going wrong for him. Perhaps the most likely player that he gets compared to in this regard is Sigg.

 

[thfcsteff]

Fine performance from Dempsey yesterday with a goal and an assist....

...in fact, Dempsey has the second best record behind Gareth Bale for goals & assists this season for Spurs.

I think this has to end the notion that he is a player we can currently afford to sell. Incoming playmaker or not...