Friday, 18 February 2011

Does 'Arry really need a bit more front?

Many football fans will have been disappointed that Harry Redknapp didn't engineer another smash'n'grab, last-minute swag deal on transfer deadline day. 


If reports are to be believed, the window slammed shut on our gaffer's fingers as he was failing to negotiate deals for forwards Sergio Aguero, Giuseppe Rossi, Diego Forlan and others. Since then, there has been a flurry of debate over whether our current striking options have enough in their tank to see us step up a level.


While Liverpool and Chelsea made huge signings, there seems to be a bit of fear among Spurs fans that we missed our chance and we could get left behind.


On BBC's 606, Kentspur says: "Suarez or Carroll would have been good… As has been said for a long time, we need a marquee striker purchase. Sad that 'Pool made two in the window."


Of our current crop, Jermain Defoe is struggling to find his form this season, Peter Crouch blows hot and cold and Roman Pavlyuchenko can't hold down a first team spot long enough to run on to a through ball. The goals are still coming, just from other areas of the pitch as Aaron Lennon, Rafa Van Der Vaart and lately Niko Kranjcar have provided the goods.


Everyone knows the dangers in bringing a big name in to a settled side but Spurs fans seem to be in agreement that we need something extra up front.


Also on BBC 606, Macdonaldo says: "It definitely needs freshening up. It's the difference between scrapping for 4th and challenging for titles."


But would adding a lethal finisher up front upset the balance of the team? The old adage says "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." If we continue to field a team with such quality all over the pitch then why do the goals need to come from strikers? 


If other players are finding themselves in goalscoring positions more and more often, then that must be testament to our style of play and proof of just how good and varied our movement is. I would hate for a "goal machine" to come in and grab 20 goals a season only for our style of play to change and our passing to focus towards him. That's how teams end up relying too much on one player. In the past few weeks we have coped brilliantly with big players injured because our goals can literally come from anywhere.


My main gripe is with the chances that go begging game in, game out due to either a lack of accuracy or composure and I never feel confident that any of our strikers can score a one-on-one or a penalty. So I'm all for a change but it's a delicate situation so as not to disrupt the harmony we have and the success we are enjoying. 


On Planetspurs.com, Bracknellyid says: "I think the majority of us Spurs want a big-name striker brought in. The fact we threw stupid money around Spain 48 hours before the January window shut tells me the manager and board also feel that way."


Harry and Daniel Levy do seem to be very much in the market for a striker and the summer could be very interesting. It would have to someone without a big ego and who can slot in to our style of play, not to mention having to meet our wage structure and then still provide the goals. 


It's a strict criteria and a decision that needs not to be taken lightly. Personally, I'm happy that the transfer window came and went and that the decision won't now be rushed. It's not like we're doing too badly as it is and I now have much more faith that we'll end up with the right man.


 

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