Tottenham Squad Analysis Part Two Defend

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Tottenham Squad Analysis Part Two Defend

This is part two of my squad analysis. Please read part one if you havent already.The second part of my analysis will concentrate on the defence. And the defence really does highlight the inconsistencies of the club, as well as displaying our abysmal transfer market policies. If all Premier League teams were told to field a team of right backs, we would actually stand a chance of finishing in the top four. Corluka, Hutton, Chimbonda, Naughton, Walker and Gunter (who was recently sold to Nottingham Forrest) all play in the position, offering Harry Redknapp a multitude of options. However he doesnt have this luxury in the centre back position, with the club only having three specialist centre backs. The transfer market has been opened for a while now and yet still Harry hasnt bid Donald Parham Jr. Jersey for a senior centre back, instead choosing to sign a striker, two more right backs and po sibly an ageing defensive midfielder who once played for Arsenal. Whats going on! Weve got the money for another defender yet Mr Levy seems content with signing players who play in positions already well covered. After Ive reviewed our current crop of defenders I will also examine some po sible defensive transfer targets and, surprise surprise, the list wont contain any other right backs.BENOIT ASSOU-EKOTTOBAE is another player who benefited from the Arry revolution. Bought in by Jol in 2006 for three and a half million pounds, the Cameroon left back struggled to break into the Spurs side, his path blocked by South Korean YP Lee. When Ramos took over and sold Lee, it appeared A sou-Ekotto was now the clubs first choice left back but he struggled Kenneth Murray Jr. Jersey in Ramos early games and Gareth Bale took his position. Come Christmas, Harry Redknapp was in charge and after some poor performances from Bale, A sou-Ekotto was gifted his chance. A string of good performances saw BAE become a first team regular, and he was superb in games against Manchester United (when he nullified the Cristinao Ronaldo threat) and Arsenal.A sou-Ekotto is not one of the players whose name you will see plastered on the back of many replica shirts. Hes not a particularly glamorous player and his profile isnt sky-high (unlike his hair). In fact, BAE is one of the least well known Spurs players. But, in my opinion, hes one of our best. Benoit goes about his busine s quietly and effectively, a fantastic tackler of the ball and equally at home charging up the wing. I believe him to be one of our most crucial players and I see no reason why he cant play in all 38 of our Premier League games this season. True, he might have lost a bit of popularity with the Spurs faithful when he told journalists he wanted to move to PSG a couple of years ago but since Arrys arrival he has knuckled down and trained hard. Hell be very important to us this season, and we should strive to keep the 25 year old for the rest of his career. SHOULD HE STAY? 100%. BAE is incredibly important to us, and will also be pivotal in Cameroons World Cup campaign. A sou-Ekotto has really turned his fortunes around.SQUAD RATING: 9 (out of 10).GARETH BALEHe arrived on a wave of optimism and hope. Dubbed a hugely promising player with the potential to be better than Ryan (Giggs), many expected Bale to become one of the teams best players. There was jubilation when Jol captured his signature as bitter rivals Arsenal were also in the hunt and, at the time, his 5 million transfer fee looked a snip. It seemed Tottenham had a gem on their hands.But things didnt work out quite the way everybody had hoped.Bale started well enough, scoring against London rivals Fulham and Arsenal and then converting a beautiful free kick in a league cup clash against Middlesbrough. However not long after it was revealed Bale would be out for the rest of the season injured, and injuries have plagued Bales time at the club Khalil Mack T Shirts . After returning to training Bale played a few times under Ramos, setting the unenviable record of 24 Premier League games for Spurs without being on the winning side.Bales an annoying player. Hes definitely got the quality and at times he looks the busine s, but injury and inconsistency have tainted his time at the club. Hes also got Benoit A sou-Ekotto to contend with, a player revitalised under Redknapp and in the form of his life.SHOULD HE STAY? Whilst many wouldnt mind Bale being sold of, Id like to see him stay at the club. Its easy to forget hes still only 20, and I believe hell find his consistency with time. We cant expect all of our young players to be fantastic every game and, with a bit of confidence, Bale could deliver and fulfil the hype that has long surrounded him.SQUAD RATING: 6VEDRAN CORLUKAI love Charlie. Hes one of the players I rate highest at Spurs. Always giving 110 percent, and versatile acro s the back line. Corluka has quickly become a fans favourite at the Lane, Kemon Hall Jersey and will be an important player this season.We signed Corluka from Manchester City in September and the Croatian was initially deployed at right back. He didnt get off to the best of starts with our goalie, Heurelho Gomes, with the Brazilian keeper kneeing the defender in the chin. Corluka was knocked unconscious and rushed to hospital, but fortunately he left hospital with no serious injury. Corluka has been ever present in the Spurs squad since, making 31 appearances for Spurs.One of the reasons I rate Corluka so highly is for his versatility. Corluka is equally at home in any defensive position and has played in all three defensive positions for Tottenham. His natural home is probably on the right but with Hutton seemingly preferred on that flank, we could see Corluka fighting it out with BAE on the left. Wherever he plays, Corluka will always be a strong player for Tottenham.SHOULD WE KEEP HIM? Its highly unlikely Corluka will leave the club anytime soon, which is a good thing. The defender has reportedly settled in well at Spurs and became fast friends with Michael Dawson, as well as having countryman Luka Modric at the club.SQUAD RATING: 8.KYLE NAUGHTONTo be honest, I dont know too much about the young right back. His name was frequently in the go sip column a few weeks ago, with Everton favourites for his signature. However Levy stole Naughton from the Toffees, and the 20 year old could feature as back up for the more experienced Alan Hutton. Naughton made his Spurs debut in our Wembley Cup game against Barcelona, and played in 40 games for his former club, Sheffield United.Naughton was bought for 11 million, along with fellow Blade Kyle Walker. As part of the agreement, Walker was sent straight back on NFL Los Angeles Chargers Jersey loan to Sheffield United, so I have neglected to include him in more detail here. Naughton looks to be very promising and many Tottenham fans were happy with his signature. But as earlier referenced, do we really need another right back? Levy apparently thinks so, and this season should

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