Thanks for that
Sorry to be a pain but I've only just got foxtel back after a 3 year hiatus, so my knowledge about the squad is quite limited atm. So it's fair to say I'm looking forward to watching this season.
Firstly in your opinion. With the players likely to come in less the players likely to leave what do you think is the best possible lineup (when everyone's fully fit)?
Secondly how many of those bought with the Bale money could or should be sold or loaned?
Thirdly my uni buddy who is a Man U fan, was befuddled as to why Vorm would come to us given his position on the periphery of the Dutch squad. His conclusion was that it must be as a safety net for if Lloris either leaves or a killer offer comes in for him, as why would he go to a club where he would be backup when the Euros are 2 years away?
Sorry to be a pain but it's clear I have some catching up to do
Question 1:
---------------- Lloris ------------------
Walker - Musacchio - Vertonghen - Rose
---------- Capoue - Schneiderlin ---------
Lamela -------- Eriksen ----------- Holtby
-------------- Soldado ------------------
That's my personal opinion. I'd expect most people would have Davies over Rose right now, but I think Rose with Holtby providing cover would work perfectly & I think Rose will improve a lot this season, contrary to a lot of peoples' expectations.
I know a lot of Spurs Fans rate Dembele, but I do not, and I don't think he's suited to the fast tempo, high pressing football Pochettino plays at all; he always plays at a slow tempo & his passing range isn't anywhere near good enough for the regista role he's been employed in for the last two years. Sandro is another option for that central role, but I currently prefer Capoue because he has more strings to his bow, whereas Sandro is very much a defensive midfielder (I wouldn't complain if Sandro started however). If we get Schneiderlin, he's a dead-set lock, but the Southampton Chairman & Manager have both re-iterated on numerous occasions that he's not going anywhere, and it's beginning to resemble the Modric situation back in 2011, where nothing happened.
There are also people who rate Adebayor ahead of Soldado which is fair enough considering he finished last season on fire, but I think Soldado will thrive in the Pochettino system, and he's always been a consistent pro in Spain where's Adebayor's been hot & cold his whole career, so I currently prefer Roberto. There's also the possibility we'll bring in a Wilfried Bony or a Mattia Destro; not so sure what to do in that situation.
Question 2:As for players being sold, it's recently become apparent that we're listening to offers for 11 players: Andros Townsend, Aaron Lennon, Roberto Soldado, Michael Dawson, Benoit Assou-Ekotto, Kyle Naughton, Vladimir Chiriches, Sandro, Etienne Capoue, Nacer Chadli and Mousa Dembele.
-Assou-Ekotto is an obvious departure.
-Andros Townsend is one of Redknapp's main targets at QPR, and Hoddle suggested they'd try to engineer a Remy/Andros swap deal.
-Harry Kane has been linked to QPR on loan.
-Michael Dawson is one we've been trying to get rid of, but he's refusing to leave & wants to fight for a spot.
-Kyle Naughton is one that should be off soon seeing as we've signed another right-back in DeAndre Yedlin.
-Nacer Chadli was very underwhelming last season, but by all reports Poch wants to keep him.
-Dembele should be sold unless we plan on trying him out wide. Useless in central midfield.
-Lennon should be sold; just isn't dangerous enough.
-Chiriches, Sandro, Capoue & Soldado should not be sold. Will be gutted if any of them do.
Question 3: Vorm may well be our insurance for if Lloris does leave, but it certainly won't be this window, fresh off re-signing with us for 5 years. He's almost certain to start all the cup games, whereas Lloris will play in the Premier League.
Forgot one last thing; we've also signed a Young American Right-Back, DeAndre Yedlin & a Young, English Centre-Half, Eric Dier. Both are depth purchases, but they look very very promising from what I've seen.