Soccer Banter: What are your thoughts on the summer transfer wheelings and dealings of Tottenham?
Jim McGirr: I am thoroughly excited with the “wheelings & dealings” of Tottenham this summer. As opposed to years gone by where we have been foolish and bullied into selling players like Keane, Berbatov & Modric then failing to replace (which resulted in missing out on a Champions Leauge spot two years running). Daniel Levy (Spurs chairman) has done very well from a business perspective, making huge money from the sale of those players, but this time around has used those funds making sure to guarantee Spurs would be a better team before the selling of Bale (fantastic player, but even I don’t feel he was worth that kind of money after only one year of glory).
Spurs were never going to get caught out again with purchases like Paulinho, Capoue, Soldado, Lamela, Chadli (or anyone else with a lot of vowels in their name) and the late purchases of Eriksen and Chiriches. On a side note: last year’s purchase of Lewis Holtby and the return of Kaboul & Sandro will be a huge boost to the team as the season goes on...
I do believe though, as witnessed in the 1st half of Sunday’s derby against Arsenal, it will take these players some time to gel and get accustomed to the intensity of a derby and the style of play in the Premier League week in & week out.
SB: Do you believe Clint Dempsey settled as a player by joining MLS and the Seattle Sounders?
JM: Dempsey’s achievements in England are well respected, I don’t think he settled at all by returning to the MLS, he was a proven success in one of the top leagues in the world. I feel he accomplished more doing it for a club like Fulham, as opposed to playing for the top four. He was also a valuable player for Spurs last season, while he didn’t replicate his goal tally from his time at Fulham, he scored some important League & European goals for us. In my opinion, his decision to come back to the MLS was calculated more towards the National Team and probably the best decision at this point in his career, with his focus being on the upcoming qualifiers and what could be one his last World Cup.
Jim McGirr: I am thoroughly excited with the “wheelings & dealings” of Tottenham this summer. As opposed to years gone by where we have been foolish and bullied into selling players like Keane, Berbatov & Modric then failing to replace (which resulted in missing out on a Champions Leauge spot two years running). Daniel Levy (Spurs chairman) has done very well from a business perspective, making huge money from the sale of those players, but this time around has used those funds making sure to guarantee Spurs would be a better team before the selling of Bale (fantastic player, but even I don’t feel he was worth that kind of money after only one year of glory).
Spurs were never going to get caught out again with purchases like Paulinho, Capoue, Soldado, Lamela, Chadli (or anyone else with a lot of vowels in their name) and the late purchases of Eriksen and Chiriches. On a side note: last year’s purchase of Lewis Holtby and the return of Kaboul & Sandro will be a huge boost to the team as the season goes on...
I do believe though, as witnessed in the 1st half of Sunday’s derby against Arsenal, it will take these players some time to gel and get accustomed to the intensity of a derby and the style of play in the Premier League week in & week out.
SB: Do you believe Clint Dempsey settled as a player by joining MLS and the Seattle Sounders?
JM: Dempsey’s achievements in England are well respected, I don’t think he settled at all by returning to the MLS, he was a proven success in one of the top leagues in the world. I feel he accomplished more doing it for a club like Fulham, as opposed to playing for the top four. He was also a valuable player for Spurs last season, while he didn’t replicate his goal tally from his time at Fulham, he scored some important League & European goals for us. In my opinion, his decision to come back to the MLS was calculated more towards the National Team and probably the best decision at this point in his career, with his focus being on the upcoming qualifiers and what could be one his last World Cup.
SB: What's your prediction for the top four places this season, in order?
JM: 1. Chelsea, 2. Manchester City, 3. Manchester United, 4. Tottenahm (I have too much belief!)
SB: Which three teams will be relegated?
JM: Hull, Sunderland, and Fulham. **I feel WBA saved themselves with those two late signing of Anichebe and Sessegnon
SB: What's your all-time Tottenham Eleven during your lifetime?
JM: GK – Pat Jennings
RB – Steve Perryman
CB – Gary Mabbutt
CB – Ledley King (when he was healthy…)
LB – Chris Hughton
MF – Paul Gascoigne
MF – Glenn Hoddle
Wing – David Ginola
Wing – Gareth Bale (have to!)
Fwd – Jurgen Klinsmann
Fwd – Gary Lineker
Sub: Teddy Sheringham
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JM: 1. Chelsea, 2. Manchester City, 3. Manchester United, 4. Tottenahm (I have too much belief!)
SB: Which three teams will be relegated?
JM: Hull, Sunderland, and Fulham. **I feel WBA saved themselves with those two late signing of Anichebe and Sessegnon
SB: What's your all-time Tottenham Eleven during your lifetime?
JM: GK – Pat Jennings
RB – Steve Perryman
CB – Gary Mabbutt
CB – Ledley King (when he was healthy…)
LB – Chris Hughton
MF – Paul Gascoigne
MF – Glenn Hoddle
Wing – David Ginola
Wing – Gareth Bale (have to!)
Fwd – Jurgen Klinsmann
Fwd – Gary Lineker
Sub: Teddy Sheringham
More Premier League Previews
Brian Tompkins - Yale University Head Men's Soccer Coach
Lee Billiard - Boston Breakers General Manager
Elie Monteiro - UMass Lowell Head Women's Soccer Coach
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