Left Back Cover

[Gareth Keown]

too much of a good rthing is ultimately bad for you... as Al Citeh will continue to discover..

BAE is a top-class LB as he's proved over the last 2yrs.... we need an understudy to him that will not threaten BAE's status and primacy, but will be happy to learn and progress as opportunities arise when the main man is rested/injured...

Baines is too good and waaay too expensive (in wages too)a player to use as cover.... and its only after last night that I remember ANYONE asking for Baines for Spurs in the last 3 months.... he scores a nice goal last night and the knee-jerks come out to playthe following day.... coincidence ??

and those who understand English will fully comprehend that I suggested players that would fit the template of the type of striker we need in January.... of which 1, maybe 2, will suffice.... not every single one, like numpties are apt to think..

[Metalanimal]

I see your point GK but if we took that veiw in every position we wouldnt really move forward would we.

Competition is healthy, players have big egos that the managers have to manage and the bottom line is be better than your competitor and you are in the side, a dip in form injury etc and a chance comes!  example Hutton!

We cant have just BAE as king of the LB position with only an understudy who then could be put right in it, which would be damaging to both player and club.  We have alot of fixtures in a season with CL footi and there is room for each position to have at least 2 equal players battling for it.

Baines is quality as stated but he would cost a fair price and on that basis I think he would be a no go, plus with his international career beckoning he would want first team footi assured.

[Gareth Keown]

theres always a balance that needs to be struck..

we will get a LB to cover BAE, but also, as I;ve already mentioned, have the potential to progress into the side over time, therefore will inevitably offer some competition to BAE...

lets not forget that we also have Bale (currently) who can play LB if needed, and even Bassong as a left-footer can fill in there as an emergency LB (the main reason why he hasnt played regularly as leftside CB this season)..

we really do need to focus on the main point this January.... an effective target-man (for Pav/Defoe) come lone-striker (for Vaart, if he plays)....

[Biggs]

To be fair BAE really started stepping up when Bale started getting back in the first team, when he had some competition. Thats when we really started seeing the best of BAE.

because if you remember when Bale first got his place back, it was in the LB position, then got moved up to LM due to injuries and that's when BAE came back in.

Someone like BAE who strictly sees football as a profession and has said on a few occasions now he doesn't "love" football its just a job to him, won't get to disheartened by abit of competition i don't think.

Like i said, i think we only started seeing the best of BAE when he had that competition, it made him improve his game.

Competition for places isn't always a bad thing, it depends on the player. Some will step up & some will feel threaten

[Gareth Keown]

with respect Biggsy you ole goat, BAE was playing mighty impressively for a good season and a half before he got injured just before Xmas against the Spammers..... otherwise Bale would still be making the PG-Tips for halftime...

BAE didnt just step up his game after his hernia comeback after 3months out, when Bale was playing LB.... he was playing excellently before too, which kinda destroys the argument that he needs stiff competition to play at the desired level...

I will say tho, that BAE plays better with Bale at LM, as opposed to the great Modric, as he gets a damned sight more protection down the left than he ever could count on with the great Modric jogging along leisurely baxk into position...

[Biggs]

I wouldn't say BAE was playing mighty impressively before the start of last season. This season and last and last season are his best by far in a spurs shirt.

The fact that you was saying Competition will hurt a player...i was just pointing out that it's the opposite for BAE imo.

BAE only got his place after his injury was because Modric got injured and imo stepped up his game because he had to, because Bale came in and was doing well at LB




 

[Gareth Keown]

Bale being Bale did very well at LB when the chance came.... he was a huge attacking threat and improved defensively..

Modric was injured for a long period BEFORE Xmas and was actually back playing by the time we played Spam (the game BAE got injured)... in fact Modric even scored that game..

I agree that a degree of competition is healthy... but buying Baines to compete with BAE for LB is simply over the top... competition is like fire: too much and it will burn all a player's confidence and team-spirit (Al Citeh ??), too little and its ineffective..

[WilsonJet]

Gonna be a real homer here, but speaking of inexpensive options in Europe to provide LB cover - why not US captain Carlos Bocanegra? If we are really interested in Payet from St. Etienne we could work Bocanegra into the deal as well. He's cheap, experienced, happy to defend, and good in the box. If we wanted a veteran LB who can also play CB and provide leadership - he seems ideal. At his age though (31) I think he enjoys playing regularly in the first team.

[Gareth Keown]

the way we play with the 2 wingers in midfield making the playing area as big as possible, we need a better athlete than Bocanegra in his prime, never mind a 31yr old version...

ideally, we need a someone like Ars*nal's Gibbs, young, talented, pace and stamina, will be happy to play as and when needed for this year, then build on that the next season..

or someone experienced but past his best, looking to be a bag-man and happy to be so.... Roberto Carlos anyone ?? 

must be a few out there from either category to choose from surely....

[jaymeariel]

I have been saying this all year, Ekotto looks a beast of a player in possession very very surprisingly strong, and never over commits to injure himself but s##t does happen and if ekotto gets injured we are screwed

Bale isnt a left back and playing him there would lose soo much of our attacking play, because other team will tell there wingers to play high up the pitch and hug the line so Bale cant venture forward, I wouldnt like to give that prick Nani a 50 yard run on anyone.

In terms of replacements/cover 2 players spring to mind problem is they may turn out better than Ekotto, first is leighton Baines reckon he would cost 10mil, better than ekotto going forward and positionally better, although ekotto is more physical, and then Jose Enrique of Newcastle I would say he would cost 6mil, I really like him similar to Ekotto but technically in terms of passing the ball is much better.

I guess Gallas who played at left back for Chelski and Basson who played there for Newcastle in his first season could do a job there...... I would worry about Gallas there due to lack of pace, but Bassong is quick and left footed, the thing that lets him down is he isnt technically great but worth a try!!

[dedleysting]

What about either of the two Kyles (Walker and Naughton) we have? Isn't one a lefty?
 
That would be perfect 

[Metalanimal]

BAE is starting to look useful wne attacking too! still need cover and comp for him though.

[Gareth Keown]

cover: yes....... comp: NO!!

get some cheap, young Croatian from Zagreb who's a leftie and with some pace, and teach him to carry BAE's bags for away-games...

[Metalanimal]

He needs competition too mate, cant see him going of and sulking like a certain Keane and Berbatoss partnership days

[Gareth Keown]

BAE is the last player at Spurs to need competition.... he couldnt care less if he plays or not, as he aint that into footy as it is...

dont pee him off by giving the impression you don't trust him by getting in decent compo.... just trust him, make him feel loved and he will CARRY ON repaying you with excellent performances...