Redknapp - The long-term solution?

Writing yesterday, I questioned how anyone could have any doubt that Harry Redknapp is the right man to lead spurs but a few people rightly pointed out that, like him or not, he might not be in the job long-term.

If it's not his summer court case that tears him from our grasp, then it could well be the England job. Redknapp himself is quick to admit that he would love a crack at managing the national side and, whilst he can play the Press like a fiddle, who could blame him for wanting a go?

The flailing international outfit seems bereft of motivation in recent years, so who better for the job than the great motivator himself? And, from his point of view, if he is the missing ingredient to drag a bunch of highly paid toerags into line, then a World Cup campaign could prove a beautiful swansong to his career.

I'm not wishing his Spurs tenure away or anything. Where Tottenham Hotspur is at stake, I couldn't care less for the national side, but I need to write about something from day to day. So while the subject is hot, if Harry was to move on, who could continue his work without us falling off the pace again?

David Moyes emerged this week as a serious option. Well, when I say "serious", I mean the Press have started throwing his name about.

Popular opinion is that he has worked wonders with Everton on a shoestring budget and, given the backing of a club like Spurs, could develop into a real contender as a big-name manager.

Moyes demands respect and has no time for egos. However, given the gap that has recently opened up between Spurs and Everton, I'm not convinced that he could slot straight in and impress himself upon a bunch of lads who are all rapidly growing in fame quality and stature.

This group of players are starting to realise their massive potential and the ball needs to keep rolling. Everton as a club is vastly different from Spurs and Moyes has spent the best part of a decade doing things their way - too much of a transitional period could see our big names look elsewhere.

Mourinho's name is starting to be thrown around by the more fanciful of Spurs fans. Whilst it would instantly brand us with the tag "Massive Club". He is probably too big for us and, if not, then he probably sees himself as too big. I can't help think that Mourinho is playing time out around Europe until the Manchester United job comes up.

In the past, I always liked the idea of Martin Jol coming back in if Harry leaves in 2012, but I would have liked to see him stay at Ajax and give Europe a real go, or have a few years at another big club in-between. The fact he's fallen quiet indicates that maybe his priorities lie away from football in the long-term.

If we want to protect our style of football, however, and continue to build on the great strength of character currently developing, then in my mind the only factor against Bolton's Owen Coyle is that it might be just too early for him.

The most important thing in any new manager is that they are strong-minded enough to stand firm over Daniel Levy's principles. Whilst the chairman is now doing a great job running the club I don't trust that, given the chance, he won't attempt a return to the director of football system that we know he so adores.

It has been mooted that Harry has the press wrapped around his little finger, and that by registering his interest in the England job, he knows he'll be able to negotiate a better contract that could keep him at Spurs until he retires.

If that proves to be the case, then let's hope his charms work just as well in a court of law over summer.

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.