OTF

We mugged the Spurs with the sale of Bassong BTW. He's been ordinary for them. He looked better than he actually was for us simply because he's a vastly superior athlete compared to Coloccini and Taylor who he was playing alongside. I'm not saying he's bad but he definitely has a lot to learn. He has a very nasty habit of using his arms when defending, which can be very costly - remember when Heskey (I think) made him look like a complete mug? Was sent off rightfully so. I'm hopeful that Sol will be superior to Bassong for this season. If not Williamson I think is a better reader of the game, but lacks the pace and power of Bassong. Coutesy of Beye though they were technically a better set of players on paper. In practice Enrique wasn't as assured and attack minded as he is now and Coloccini's confidence was shot midway though the season and continued to get worse. Depth wise we're certainly better off with four central defenders who should be comfortable starting in the league. In addition Kadar has developed nicely. Right back is certainly a pain point. I don't care how much better Perch has looked in the last two games when he commits a foul in the box like he did against Wolves. Thankfully the ref missed that because I doubt we'd have got anything from 2-0 down.

Of course this would be better served at the close of the season, but unfortunately my Deloreon is getting its timing belt changed. On paper our 2008/09 team was better in some areas (right back, striking options) but weaker in the key area of midfield. That's before you look at how things actually went throughout the season. Even still I couldn't resist commenting on the performance of the players in 2008/09. Something that did strike me as noteable out of this whole excercise is that with any sort of decent investment we would have a squad that easily eclipses the one we went into the 2008/09 season with. When I say decent investment I'm talking only half of the funds raised from the many outgoing players from 2008-2009 - Milner (£12m), Given (£5.7m), Beye (£2.5m), Martins (£9m), Bassong (£8m), N'Zogbia (£6m), Duff (£4m) = £47.2m. That's before you consider the massive wage savings of our current squad compared to the 2008/09 one. Owen, Viduka, Martins, Geremi, Butt, Duff and Given were no doubt on very high wages. Milner would have been on a tidy packet, likewise N'Zogbia and Beye. Edit - Agree there JawD, but was talking specifically about the playing rosters here. With a relatively even squad our expectations going into the season have been set somewhat lower than going into the 2008/09 season.

Thought that it would be interesting to make a comparison between the squad that we were relegated with, and the team that we have now. Oddly enough I feel in many ways that we're in a better position than we were then. Remember at the start of the 2008/09 season everything was looking good after we picked up a point at Old Trafford. Sure we were ultimately relegated, but that did seemed less than an extremely remote possibility at the start of the season. The contributing factors to that relegation extended well past the players, though certainly a decent amount of the blame can be sent in their direction. Goal Keepers We started the 2008/09 Season with Shay Given in goal. Undoubtedly an exceptional goalkeeper that to his great shot stopping. Some may question his distribution and ability in the air. Certainly though he's alround a better keeper than Steve Harper, who has been a good shot stopper, but lacks composure and has had a shaky start to this season. In the reserve stakes we have Krul and Forster, both of whom were around then and now. In that time they have of course improved, with many supporters feeling that Krul whould be given a chance to prove himself. Then: Shay Given (until January), Steve Harper, Tim Krul, Fraser Forster Now: Steve Harper, Tim Krul, Fraser Forster Winner: Then (with Shay), even without. Defenders Three defenders stood out in 2008-09 - Sebastian Bassong, Habib Beye and Jose Enrique. Beye unfortunately missed a crucial period of the season with injury (played 22 games). Bassong started the season in obscurity but due to an injury to Steven Taylor quickly found himself in the first 11, where his pace allowed him to excel alongside the more fancied Coloccini. Coloccini despite a solid start to the season really dropped away horribly. His confidence seemingly shattered he was a mere shadow of the player that he threatened to be. Despite this the Argentine started 34 Premier League games for us, testament to our lack of depth at the back. When Taylor returned from injury he played a mix of central defense and right back covering for the then injured Beye. Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini and Jose Enrique remain. Sebastian Bassong was sold for what now appears to have been an excellent price (£8m). Habib Beye was also sold (£2m). Cacapa was thankfully released. Fringe player David Edgar was sold for an amount in line with his exeprience. In their place we have added Mike Williamson, Sol Campbell, Danny Simpson and James Perch. It's an odd mix of experience and youth. Despite our weakness at right back I feel our defense is now a little stronger (and certainly has more depth). Enrique has improved as a player, and Mike Williamson looks to be a solid aquisition. Then: Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Sebastian Bassong, Claudio Cacapa, Habib Beye, Jose Enrique, Ryan Taylor (after Jan), David Edgar, Tamas Kadar Now: Steven Taylor, Fabricio Coloccini, Sol Campbell, Mike Williamson, Jose Enrique, James Perch, Danny Simpson, Ryan Taylor, Tamas Kadar Winner: Now (largely due to depth). Midfielders Our midfield really let us down in 2008/09 with a combination of injuries and a persistance of playing the likes of Nicky Butt. There was no doubt some talented players there with N'Zogbia and Duff, but neither of them had a good season with Duff looking tired and N'Zogbia far from consistent. The Frenchman was sold partway through the season, with £6m and Ryan Taylor going the other way. Nolan also arrived in January, but despite his age looked slow and past it picking up more red cards than goals (it only took 1 red - rightfully given for a horrible challenge on Anichebe). Barton barely featured courtesy of multiple long term injuries. Our current midfield looks superior in virtually all positions. A return from injury for Barton looks to be going well, with the midfielder already contributing both scoring, and assist wise. New signings Tiote and the heralded Ben Arfa look to add more movement and skill. Guthrie has improved as a player, and Routledge adds pace that was sorely missing from our then side. Dan Gosling could prove to be a good pickup, though we'll need to wait till 2011 to see him on the pitch. Then: Nicky Butt, Danny Guthrie, Damien Duff, Kevin Nolan (after Jan), Joey Barton, Charles N'Zogbia, Jonas Gutierrez, Geremi, Alan Smith Now: Danny Guthrie, Kevin Nolan, Cheick Tiote, Jonas Gutierrez, Joey Barton, Wayne Routledge, Hatem Ben Arfa, Dan Gosling, Haris Vuckic, Alan Smith Winner: Now Forwards Talent and experience wise up front should arguably have been our strongest area in 2008/09. In practice it proved to be anything but, with injuries and poor form contributing to an underachieving frontline. Mark Viduka managed just 6 league starts (with 6 further appearances from the bench). The inconsistent Martins started 21 matches with 3 from the bench. Michael Owen, a shadow of his former self, played 28 times, 7 of them from the bench. Later in the season he was deployed in a deep lying midfield position. Owen and Martins were our leading scorers with 8 goals each. In our now side our key forward is Andy Carroll, a player who was a scorer in our then side. Since then he has improved quite markedly and hopefully will continue to do so. Outside him though, the ability drops off considerably. Lovenkrands could be a handy player off Carroll, but take away our number 9 and we're looking at Shola Ameobi starting. Then: Obafemi Martins, Michael Owen, Mark Viduka, Shola Ameobi, Andy Carroll, Xisco, Peter Lovenkrands (after Jan), Now: Andy Carroll, Peter Lovenkrands, Shola Ameobi, Leon Best, Xisco, Nile Ranger Winner: Then (if Carroll stays fit/available it would be close). Agree/Disagree?

That is one weird looking donkey Has the same look in his eye as our Shola after he's just tried and failed at a stepover, or has just kicked the ball out off himself.

I thought it was Des who was shagging Daphne anyway?

Have some genuine excitement abot seeing Ben Arfa (And Tiote) run out in the black and white in a week and a bit.

For mine I'd have: Krul Simpson Taylor Coloccini Enrique Routledge Barton Tiote Jonas Ben Arfa ....Carroll Has the pace and attack for us to genuinely trouble many defenses in the league. Tiote, like many here I don't know a great deal about. I know he's toted to play a defensive midfield role, but I have a feeling that he likes to push up into attack which could be dangerous for us with our slow central defenders. You could just about throw a blanket over Taylor, Coloccini and Williamson for me in selecting my preferred two. Williamson has been solid, and it's been such a long time out for Taylor that we don't know what we're going to get when he's back playing. Campbell could turn out to be good enough top be a starter, but we'll need to see him play first. For all I know it could be four under the blanket. Barring injuries though I hope Hughton can choose a pair and stick with them so they can develop an understanding with each other, and our other defenders. Don't know for sure who's better out of Simpson and Perch, but I feel Simpson may have the edge there. Neither inspire and sort of confidence. THought about playing Taylor there, but don't think he would be too happy to play there consistently and he's not very good on the ball, or pacy so we could miss out on the opportunities to overlap with Routledge down the right.

As long as he speaks football he'll be alright.

He is. Kadar would be a better shout to play there. He seems to like being on the ball a bit, and is actually left footed.

If we'd signed Gosling (AND Goslting) for £7m, then David Moyes and Bill Kenwright would still be dancing in joy. I get your point though.

I like that losing his hair figured in your analysis. I won't bother going through some of the superb baldies.

Hopefully that's not your Best argument...

I was expecting worse and so have been pleasantly surprised. Realistically that was only because I had set the bar so low. A lot will hinge on how Ben Arfa settles in the side, and whether Hughton plays him in his preferred position and gives him time. Lets also not forget that we're not privvy to the details of his signing. If he has a good season it's hard to see other premier league clubs not being interested given the relatively low price tag for a player of his apparent quality. Sol Campbell could prove to be a handy player for us, adds some depth and a lot of experience to our backline. Obviously though there's no long term viability in the signing. Dan Gosling looks to be a handy opportunistic signing, though I'm far from convinced that he will improve our first 11 once fully fit. Tiote hopefully will add the legs and movement that we've been missing from our central midfield for some time. Like Ben Arfa he'll need to be given a consistent run in the side. Something tells me that Chris won't be willing to drop his old guard from the get go, which could hinder his adaptation to the premier league pace. The jury is still out on Perch, but even if he does turn out to be ok, as other have pointed out it has seemingly proved to be a false economy signing young or fringe players to fill the right full-back position. We've now got Simpson, Perch and Ryan Taylor none of whom stand out as definitely being of premiership quality. The collective funds required for their transfers coupled with their wage could surely have afforded us a first choice right back who improves our first 11. Not signing any kind of forward could prove to be a costly decision. I know the plan in a lot of games will be to play a midfielder (Nolan or Ben Arfa I'm guessing) off Carroll, but what guarantee is there that Carroll will be fit throughout the entire season? If he's not the quality drops off sharply. We're putting a lot of responsibility onto Carroll a player who has very little Premier League experience. He seems up to the challenge at the minute, but it's a long season and the better he does the more he will be targetted by opposing defenses, particularly if all of our attack goes through him. I think the fact that we have quite a few strikers prevented any sort of movement in the market there. Quantity unfortunately does not equal quality.

What's the price? We've had an empty goldfish bowl for a while...

How many midfielders (central bolded) do Tottenham want? Huddlestone (£3m), Jenas (£7m+), Palacios (£12m), O'Hara (academy), Modric (£16.5m), Bentley (£15m+), Bale (£10m), Kranjcar (£2.5m), Sandro (£8.25m), Van der Vaart (£10m), Lennon (£1m). Fair wad of cash spent assembling that bunch! £84m+ How far down the order is old boy Jermaine Jenas. A little ironic that he claimed to be going there for European football, and when they finally get to the big show he'll be warming the bench if he's lucky.

Robinho and Adebayor will be on ridiculous wages. No sense in Traore coming here if he's not going to get a game.

Disappointing considering he looked our best outfield player against Accrington Stanley. An injury to Jonas and or Routledge and he's suddenly of a much greater value to the side. Certainly much greater value than someone like Leon Best.

I wonder if he checked why they changed the rules. Perhaps specifically to stop Ameobi from being 'eligible'.

...like a virgin Touched for the very first time

No further word on this, and no major speculation around. I guess we'll find out in the next day, but has anyone heard anything further?

Field a young side I say, our first team don't need the dent in confidence that this is likely to be, plus no sense in risky injury. Fire up the young and fringe players - nothing to lose here.

Where's it from? Presumably somewhere incredibly bad to contain such obvious mistakes.

Some idiotic play from some of our team towards the end there, giving away dangerous free-kicks and picking up needless yellow cards. Perch's was a dead cert for penalty, I was shocked when it wasn't blown. Incredibly lucky there. Joey Barton copped a number of ordinary tackles, how their captain stayed on the pitch is beyond me. Unfortunately towards the end Barton showed yet again (if only we'd had long enough to forget) that he can be a complete dickhead, carrying on like a right twat after giving away a stupid free-kick and getting himself a 3rd yellow in as many games for his troubles. Ameobi is rubbish, but he did almost score/set up Nolan with his first touch (off the head). For me, Nolan should have come off, but in many ways it was a wise decision to take Andy Carroll on a yellow card out of a game like that. I think certainly though Hughton should have made a move a little earlier. 1 point is ok, but the game was there to be won and it felt like we didn't go all out to do so. All said and done it could have been very different if Perch's tackle was given as the penalty that it was. Oh, Harper looked slow out there again.

Moving on quickly from that... I said it before but I reckon he looks a little similar to Jenas, and plays a little similar to Dyer. If he's anything like Dyer in other areas we won't have to worry about him playing 21 games.

If we keep with our current rate of improvement we should score 6 against Wolves, concede negative 3 and soon catch Chelsea's for and against