After a draw against a battling Villa side at the weekend saw us miss the chance to go third, there seems to be more dissenting opinions in the ranks. I will start by saying, the Villa performance was a good one, and ultimately a good point, which leaves with an excellent chance of finishing fourth and still in with a good shout of third. Anyway onto the the main issue at hand. I came home from work today, checked the Spurs news, pretty standard day really. To my surprise, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, the half decent but not very reliable Spurs left back, will be leaving to a "bigger club" in the summer if one comes in for him, and he has a an "agreement" with Daniel Levy to this extent. Not to worry Spurs fans though, as if we invest in the team he may consider staying. I keep checking the date, as I am sure it should be 1st of April with stories like this doing the rounds.
Firstly, if Spurs do invest in the team, after a centre forward, left back has got to be one of the main areas that needs improving. Benny (as he affectionately used to be known) has at times been unreliable this season, there is nothing good about a left back who constantly does Cryuff turns until he has no where else to go. He has put us in danger, and out of anyone in the team he is the one who creates a sense of uncertainty amongst the fans. I would love to say that going forward he was a class player but his crossing is average on a good day, and he hardly ever scores, so i really can't. I hate to agree with Alan Hanson, but he has sussed Benny out completely, the man ain't as good as he thinks he is.
Secondly, he wants to join a bigger club. Now the press are usually good at knowing when a player is attracting interest from other clubs. I don't think it is a coincidence that there has been no links with him going to any other club. Spurs are the eleventh richest club in Europe and consistently playing in Europe, in one way or another, how much bigger can you get? The idea that a top Champions League club would want Benny is laughable. Although I have heard that Mourinho wants him at Real Madrid, as he feels he can just add that little bit extra that they lack with only having Marcelo. He will face stiff competition from Ferguson though, he highly doubts the ability of Patrice Evra and is looking for a replacement.
Of all the players to think they are bigger than the club, Ekotto is not one i thought would be stupid enough to think he is. He should be pleased to have played for a club the size of Spurs, not the other way round. We all knew he was an insufferable w****r when he stated a few years back that he was not proud to play for Spurs, but this the next level up.
So please please please Mr Levy, let him go, obviously he will never go to a big club, but use him as a bargaining chip to bring in Baines, it will take us to the next stage and give us a real chance next season, as we would have a better team from that small change. If we can't find anyone who will take him off our hands, leave him in the reserves, we won't get any money for him anyway. It remains to be seen how the Spurs faithful react to him, but if this is still remembered next season I can see him being on a par with Hossam Ghaly, afterall has he actually done anything different from what the Egyptian did?
What is your opinion on BAE, will you be cheering him on next season or will you be giving him a frosty reception (presuming he isn't playing his home football at the San Siro or the Nou Camp; the only way he will get a Barcelona kit is by buying one off ebay.) ??
Strange thing for him to say, he has been more committed this season. He has sed it tho so must mean it, bring in someone like Baines, or maybe Bridge could still do a job, is harry type of signing, still will be life in thfc after benny is long gone. COYS
ReplyDeletehe has now come out and denied wanted to leave, levy had a word by any chance?
ReplyDeleteEkotto is an idiot but he's our idiot and has given the most consistent performances for the past 3 seasons. I'd luv to have someone like Leighton but Levy is tight git and will not spend the money. Especially the money that Everton would be asking.
ReplyDeleteAll this "I only play for money" is doodoo. Footballers are not made of wood so yes they wanna make sure they're sorted for later life but then that would make him half the player if that was the sole motivation. Although Wayne Bridge is made of wood and highly motivated by money (Chelsea>ManC>WetSpam=£££).
We need to keep him and have proper competition and proper squad rotation. Ekotto knows if by some miracle Leighton Baines did come he would rot on the bench and go off form until Baines got injured or was exhausted as Harry has done with him & Rose & Bale before that.
It is good that he has come out and denied wanting to leave, although having read the whole interview it still isnt brilliant. Only time will tell what happens, he is a decent player, and you are right he has been consistent, but attackers have caught on to his drag backs and turns, he really needs to cut those out, as one day it will cost us. If we are going to progress to the next level i reckon we need to bring in someone better tho, if Baines put some pressure on Everton, i reckon he could be gettable. Bridge is passed it, and too focused on money, I would steer well clear of him.
DeleteEkotto has done an all round consistently excellent job throughout the season and I for one believe that he deserves to move on to bigger and better things. Can really see a team like Barcelona bring out his true talents unlike his time at Spurs. Unfortunately I believe we have made him damaged goods which is unfortunate as a player with so much raw talent has been held back here. I will be sad to see him go but a world class replacement like Wayne Bridge would set us in the right direction again. COYT!
Deletein my opinion we will struggle to bring in quality players as we are a small club, fact! BAE is an average player and until we sign more world class players we will be average. Just glad Harry is staying!
ReplyDeleteGreat read mate. Looks like he's staying now, thank god for Redknapp working his magic.
ReplyDelete