Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Spurs In For Midfield Dynamo

The name in the frame is nineteen year old Jonny Howson. Mmmn. So one of Mr Comolli's 'one for the future' jobbies then. He's a central midfielder...

"Jonny Howson has been outstanding... Everybody wants to talk about the goalscorers and the position we are in but I want to talk about Jonny. Over the last week we have changed the team and put a few youngsters in. They have come out with flying colours." Denis Wise.

And here's two recent comments made about him I dug up on a Leeds forum...

"Jonny is a class act, footballing ability he is in a different league to the rest of the squad. The lad gets the ball down and plays the game the way it should be. Yes he will have off games due to his age etc... but I believe he has all the tools to go right to the top. "



"Howsons come on leaps and bounds, perhaps if we had started on zero points wise might have given him more of a chance, hes still short on stamina for me, I think he drifts a little in the last 20 minutes. will be a quality player in time though."

49 comments:

Anonymous said...

Blimey, Leeds are our feeder club!

Anonymous said...

Sounds like the boy has promise harry,could be 1 for the near future...still no more news on goofy then and looks like we could be looking at aquiring another Barca legend "eto'o" if berbatoff decides to leave WHL.......you heard anything harry.

Harry Hotspur said...

The Eto'o thing seems to be a combination of the abysmal translation of as.com's cobbled together piece, the misty memories of the player once dedicating a nutmeg on Sol to Tottenham fans everywhere and a substance not disimilar to snake oil...

That said I expect the first sightings of him buying BeefEater Dolls in plastic tubes on Oxford Street to kick in by Friday...

Anonymous said...

so leeds are our feeder club??? dont know how true this is but here we go! we cant afford eto'o's wages so i was told? BUT if the so called deal for berba to move to realgoes ahead we would get a very hefty sum plus granero, the rest of the money how ever would also remain in spain (poem there somwhere) and would go from the bank of madrid into the bank of valencia!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

"The name in the frame is nineteen year old Jonny Howson. Mmmn. So one of Mr Comolli's 'one for the future' jobbies then. He's a central midfielder..."

Hunter Davies's: "The words just stand there, on their own, not making much sense" springs to mind.

Come on Harry, what leads you to believe young Mr Howson might be on the verge of relinquishing the chance to play first team football for the foreseeable future by joining our reserves? Have you been polshing your crystal ball/s, or is this missive based on something more substantial?

Anon 14.11 why do you need to ask such questions. Be assured of nothing else save that Eto'o'and/or 'Goofy' will not be joining our illustrious club in the summer, no matter what is lost in translation. Please refrain from reading The Daily Mail or Epping Forest Guardian at all times.

Harry Hotspur said...

14.56 My O Level Latin Teacher told me...

Anonymous said...

Noli habere bovis, vir

But seriously now H, has this got legs?

Anonymous said...

14.56 You stick to the official site son, then you'll know where you are.

Anonymous said...

Thought I'd add some grist to the end of season rumour mill! I have heard from a good source close to the club that Robinson and Lennon are off to Villa and Cudicini and Bentley are coming in. And there has been contact with Ronaldinho! Then again, he could be wrong!?

Harry Hotspur said...

14.56 I would hold up on getting his name on the back of your shirt.

But we have been to see him and that comes from someone in Leeds who I have no reason to doubt. Add of course the Gus Poyet link and you have a classic fairytale of a local lad who makes the historic journey from fan to 1st Team and then buried in our reserves.

Harry Hotspur said...

15.17 I have a pal who's a mad Villa fan and he is completely and utterly convinced Robbo is going to them.

The Cudicini thing I have heard but it is only the most inauble of whispers... I think he's a tremendous goalie.

Bentley, you say? Let's hope.

Anonymous said...

Aren't people fed up with these ridiculous rumours? Eto'o? Ronaldinho? Why on earth would they forsake everything they have, to take a huge pay cut and play out UEFA football and mid table premier league finish?

These rumours only serve to embarrass us as a club, we have to face facts that Berbatov will leave and the only way of finding someone of a similar calibre is to have the courage to pick up a relative unknown...

Anonymous said...

That's probably Roy Bentley the former Chelsea striker !

Anonymous said...

Harry, thanks. Your analysis is always appreciated.

Dick (15.14). Reliable sources rather than unsubstantiated, frequently mischeouvous (I'm being polite) and often bitter (as the Mail's sister paper, London's Evening Standard, is banned from WHL) reporting from an outdated rag.

14.56 Anon

Anonymous said...

"...I believe he has all the tools to go right to the top."

Surely he's leaving a bunch of them behind?

9.37 Anon

Harry Hotspur said...

You guys at WACCOE.COM are a curious bunch, where did you get a 50% strike rate for my transfer predictions from?

Anonymous said...

I know I'm one of the people pouring scorn on the vast majority of these player links! Yet in the past day I have come on here and yesterday posted what I'd read in Spain regarding Eto'o. I agree, generally it is best to ignore the rumours! I guess I was inbetween picking my jaw up off the floor and trying to contain my excitement at the possibility. I don't know much about "lost in translation". Not that my Spanish is "muy, muy bueno" but it isn't completely awful, either. The Spanish rag seemed quite clear to suggest that negotiations had taken place, and would continue in London.

A couple of things. Eto'o is not too happy with the lack of trophies. He perhaps also feels a bit left out in terms of not getting due praise/recognition for his contribution with Messi in particular getting all the plaudits. He has been the victim of some racist taunting on more than one occasion. Oh, and he has a 150 million Euro release clause in his contract...

The original article also suggested this move would only be possible provided Berbatov moved on. But then Eto'o has also apparently come out recently and said he would be a Barcelona player next year.

I would conclude by getting a grip on reality and revert back to type. In that I'm (usually) the type to ridicule most of these "hype" links. At present count there's at least five goalkeepers we're after. A number of defenders (I understand the Diaz "link" is already dead in the water btw), a few midfielders... not too many strikers yet, but hey, only four months left of this! Also Spain is not that unlike Blighty when it comes to sensationalist journalism without much factual basis. I should remember this a little better!

As regards this young Leeds fella, I presume he'd want to come to Spurs for much the same reasons Danny Rose joined us.

And I think we have also established that the Daily Mail (though not the original source of the Eto'o report) is indeed possibly the worst "newspaper/site" on the planet, and is best avoided at all times!

Anonymous said...

Harry can you replace the blog picture you have at the biginning of the page please?
I can't look at Berbs face anymore without feeling utterly depressed

Stu & White Army

Anonymous said...

Also, agents of Spanish players peddle links to English clubs (because wages in the EPL are substantially higher) when negotiating new deals, in the hope that this will 'progress matters'.

Anonymous said...

All

For those of you missing our dear departed Jose...

http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=I%27m+on+Setanta+sports&search_type

Enjoy :)

Ian

Anonymous said...

http://www.rochdaleafc.premiumtv.co.uk/page/NewsDetail/0,,10441~1296271,00.html
Button recalled with only 2 a few games left? could we possibly see him in goal

Anonymous said...

HARRY - any news to report on the left back front?
I see Philipp Lahm is looking to move, with ManU poised to reunite him with his old mate Hargreaves. Would the German not be the perfect answer to our LB problems?

Waddle's Mullet

Harry Hotspur said...

Not being cute but my answer there would have to be Bale, Gunter etc etc... Lee might be off... but doesn't want to go...

Anonymous said...

Really? Gunter's young and a back up at best (at least right now) and I see Bale on the wing, as he's a better attacker than a defender. Lahm is a brilliant fullback and, can get crosses in from the left (even though he's right footed)!

Anonymous said...

..and I think Ekotto will take the pitch in the Lillywhites before Lee ever does.

Anonymous said...

As Lahm is a right footed left back I would think Tottenham are the obvious choice for him.

Harry. It would be interesting come September to look back on all these Transfer Window rumours I think. If you agree why not advertise for an official HH Statto ?

Anonymous said...

Well, being right-footed hasn't seemed to hinder his performances. Correct me if I'm wrong, but Lahm is considered to be one of the best LB's in the world, no?

Harry Hotspur said...

Advertise? How crude.

Anonymous said...

Hes bad.

Anonymous said...

The Mirror seem to be confirming the gist of your Ronaldinho story this morning. Does that make it more or less likely to be true?

Anonymous said...

Just means they got round to reading the blogs from the past week.

Anonymous said...

Hey Harry,

Off topic, but need to let supporters know...I just posted this on Spurs Community...

TAKE NOTE!

http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/417801

If this ever comes into fruition, everyone needs to fight this at all costs. As a Spurs supporter living in Toronto I know the how MLSE continues to take and take from Toronto sports fans. The Toronto Maple Leafs (hockey) have not won the Stanley Cup since 1967 and even though throughout the years have been the richest club in the NHL, they fail to spend to win.

Also, as owners of the recent expansion club in the MLS, Toronto FC, they have increased food and drink prices and ticket prices after the first season by 10-15% (not sure of the exact number). This is with 17,000 season ticket holders for a stadium of only 20,000. They could have expanded the stadium quite easily (its aluminum, not concrete!) but decided to take advantage of the thriving football community in the city.

Be warned.
COYS!

EL said...

Trust no-one.

Anonymous said...

I have a question which is most definitely off-topic. Why would we recall David Button if Paul Robinson is fit? It makes no sense...in fact when I heard that we had recalled him, I assumed that it meant we'd be playing the last few games of the season with Forecast and Button or something similar...thoughts?

EL said...

Trust no-one.

Summerspur said...

HAROLD

i think i can shed some light on the ronaldinho transfer. it seems that ronnie wallwork and dean ashton were discussed as possible targets this summer, but alas, and sadly, between the 3 amigos, the creepy french bloke and the accountant, a mix up in translation occured so "get me ron an deano" led us to this current speculation.

i know you hate to be corrected harry but the sanity of many spurs fans is at stake here

Harry Hotspur said...

Quality Summerspur. If I was wearing a hat I'd duly remove it...

Anonymous said...

Luka Modric has just signed for Spurs..

20million apparently..

Anonymous said...

I just saw, hows good intent - i hear he is highly rated but haven't seen him play, is he any good?

Anonymous said...

The Club is delighted to announce that it has reached agreement with Dinamo Zagreb for the transfer of Croatian midfielder, Luka Modric.

Personal terms have been agreed with the player and he will now undertake a medical and apply for a work permit.
Welcome to the Lane!!

Anonymous said...

Hey there my brothers! For those who don't know who Modric is i will say this. I am Serbian and am expected not to back this singing due to ..you know why, but i will say this. I have watched this guy play on numerous times. I am more glad that we have singed him then any of those rumors such as Eto, Ronaldinho etc. This guy is AMAZING! his vision is enormous, very quick feet, mobile and ....i am lost for words. He is something that we have lacked for years. I know that has only played in Croatian League but, my god, can he play. Trust me when i say this! I believe that this kid will be one of the best singing we have singed in a long looong time. am so f***** excited. Mark my words, he will be the biggest hit in the Premier league. For those who doubt me.....wait and see. IT HAS BEGUN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Modric. 25 goals in 87 games for Dinamo Zagreb, aged 22 and is (was) their captain. In the Croatia side that beat England home and away. Nicked from under the noses of barcodes and gooners apparantley. Quality. Excited. Very.

coys

Anonymous said...

hopefully this will show the right ambitions for that big head Berba, If not,, he can fuck off with my blessing......

Anonymous said...

'Spurs In For Midfield Dynamo'.

Your prescience is spot on again, Harry.

I felt something like this was in the air. I do think the board has learned from past errors, and I sense an enhanced mode of conducting business. The Ronaldhino rumour may still be true, but it may have just been part of smoke and mirrors, the signing of Modric being the result (or one of the results). When I read that Modric was up in Newcastle my intuition told me that (if he really was there) he was just passing through; or maybe Spurs were attending to matters remotely, in order to swerve prying eyes. Well done, the Spurs board.

That said, there's a certain logic to him coming to the Lane. London and Ramos are surely greater pulls than Newcastle and Keegan. And Chavs look set for a summer of discontent, if rumours are true of player / coach upheavals. At least Spurs offer a more solid base. As for him going to Ar*e, they already have a few good playing staff in the middle of the park. And Wenger is a stubborn man who likes to do things his own way.

Now, the question is: are we effectively pushing Berbatov to the door to fund this (and other) purchases, or is there a surprise in the tail of the season, and he announces he'll stay. The club's intent is clear to all and sundry. But Berbatov's in a hurry, he's an asset and he's saleable. In an ideal world I'd see him stay, but the reality is probably that his star is fading at the Lane and another (or others) are rising.

9.37 Anon

Anonymous said...

One other thing that occurs to me: Ramos must be enjoying his new role, assured that (although funds aren't unlimited) he has far more financial resource to shape a team than he ever had before. 'Like a kid in a sweet-shop' is probably not 100% accurate, but the sentiment comes to mind.

Obviously, with money comes responsibilty, expectation and consequences. So time will tell how next season shapes up. But I do remember a few months ago in a previous post, it being pointed out by HH that the Ramos factor in attracting new players would be huge. I look forward to seeing what other signings this magnet pulls.

9.37 Anon

EL said...

20.5 mil with add ons

Central midfield playmaker. Can play on the left.

Quick feet.

Two footed.

Not a big lad put with a powerful shot.

Good at finding offensive positions when without the ball.

Hard in the tackle.

Captain material.


Allegedly.

Sounds like just what the doctor ordered.

Next.

Anonymous said...

Christ! Bolton now. Can we play Modric next game?

shanemac said...

fucking embarrassment. we haven't won in 5 matches. last four have been 1-1. what the hell is going on? doesn't anyone have any bloody pride? nothing to play for? how about the badge on the shirt or the bloody fans in the stands.

EL said...
This comment has been removed by the author.