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Tottenham: Star under pressure
Written by Sawyer | 29th August 2006 | 20 Comment(s)
Only last week Jermaine Defoe commented on his battle for a starting position in Martin Jol's Tottenham side stating that competition for places could only be good for the squad.
Some may be wondering quite how the England forward will now feel following the return of Mido after he himself failed to force a way into Roma's plans and was relegated to the bench for their curtain raiser against Inter Milan.
Although Jol chose to play some of pre-season with three forwards, Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Defoe all in his starting line-up, the former West Ham striker appears to be looking forward to substitute appearances now that extra competition has arrived.
For Tottenham of course the blend of four strikers with slightly different attributes should stand the club in good stead for the coming campaign, especially with the additional pressures of European football on the horizon.
For Defoe it looks as though he will find himself in a similar position to last season which ultimately cost him his England place at the World Cup finals.
Granted Steve McClaren is unlikely to travel exactly the same road as Sven Goran Eriksson as he sensibly is letting Theo Walcott gain some valuable U-21 experience, but with Andy Johnson showing he has lost none of his scoring power upon his Premiership return Defoe will be desperate for some action in the forthcoming fixtures against Andorra and Macedonia.
One player that seems to have a little more luck with England is the much maligned Peter Crouch. Injuries to Wayne Rooney and then the unfortunate Michael Owen meant he is more or less a regular for England and to be fair he has taken his chance with his fair share of goals.
It will be vital for Defoe to do the same at Spurs when given his opportunity, and should he do so then Jol will have a problem that all managers crave.
This time last year Defoe was a regular in Spurs' line-up and seemed destined for Germany until Jol decided to bring in Keane for some matches to shake-up his forward line.
Unfortunately for Defoe those matches were very winnable encounters (Sunderland at home for example) and Keane was able to help himself to some goals and ultimately turn in performances that would make him an invaluable player to Tottenham's cause.
Unless anything surprising happens between now and Thursday it is likely that Defoe will have quite a battle on his hands, and there won't be many Spurs fans that will be unhappy to see the return of Mido.
Nevertheless, one wonders what Defoe's situation may be come January especially with clubs like Manchester United and Newcastle (although whether he would want to risk joining the Geordies considering their injury jinx on strikers is another matter) allegedly interested in the player. Liverpool was mooted to be another, but they would appear to have sorted themselves out since that particular piece of speculation.
Undoubtedly there could be plenty of others who would fancy Defoe, with Aston Villa and Portsmouth (where many Spurs players end up these days) likely to look to spend some of their newfound wealth.
Martin O'Neill hasn't wasted too much time, if the papers are to be believed, with an apparent £9 million offer, but Jol may be more interested in rotating his strikers for the time being and then making a decision in January.
You're probably thinking that Defoe has recently extended his contract at Spurs, but so did Jose Antonio Reyes at Arsenal and reports now allege that he no longer wishes to play for the club. In short contracts mean little these days.
Whether Jol can attain someone before the transfer window closes to solidify the left side of his team will be answered shortly. Stuart Downing would appear willing to fill the role, but whether Middlesbrough play ball is another matter.
With Steed Malbranque, Pascal Chimbonda and Julio Baptista also linked the next few days could be quite exiting for Spurs supporters.
However, Defoe will just want a chance to score some goals at some stage, which could lead to another frustrating period in a career that promised much but has yet to bear ultimate fruition.
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Comments
Comment by Your name here on Friday 20 October 2006 @ 6:07am
Comment by John Daly Johnson on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 4:31pm
Baptista is at spurs lodge having a medical. Expect him to sign by tomorrow noon! COYS
Comment by Brian on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 4:42pm
Keano isn't as sharp as he was earlier this year, so its time for JD to get a run in the stating line up... Alongside a big guy or two to hold play up, and with some class wingers, it could be a team that will simply win everything on the break. Mind you, leds is needed back badly!
Comment by gooner mad on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 4:01pm
we hate tottenham we hate tottenham, we hate tottenham and we hate tottenham, we hate tottenham we hate tottenham, we are the tottenham
Comment by spursy on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 11:16am
why the hell didn't we sign andy johnson
Comment by Your name here on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 11:31am
why the hell didn't we sign andy johnson
Comment by Your name here on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 3:39am
We all know that JD is a 20-goal a season player. We saw it in him 2 years ago. But with Robbie Keane with his creativity it could be hard for him. i am desperate to keep Defoe as he is one of my favourite players but he will need to prove himself. 4 top quality strikers is excellent and there is always one striker who is injured (well most of the time). But can you imagine this: starting with Keane and Berbatov for a half, then half-time substitutions for JD and Mido. Fuckin hav' it!
Comment by Englands no1 on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 1:03am
Defoe just needs a run of games to prove what he can do and we have all seen how much talent he has and as for Downing that would be a step backwards for us in signing him, what happend to Petrov or Ben Arfa
Comment by tjm19842002 on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 12:20am
Breaking News from about downing to spurs. spurs have put a bid on the table of 12 milion plus murphy for him
Comment by Ian on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 12:28am
Right back - Ifil Left sided midfield - Ziegler
Comment by Ian on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 12:33am
I meant to add that I expect in excess of twenty goals from Berbatov in all competitions this season, so Mido may well find himself warming the bench more often than not. Let's hope his infamous and still suspect temprament don't let him and the club down. Stability and unselfish commitment are all important to the cause Chimbonda anybody? . . . . . . . . . . . .
Comment by Oz on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 12:00am
He won't get in as he is not good enough
Comment by Ian on Wednesday 30 August 2006 @ 12:35am
Mido? Competition for Berbatov rather than Defoe I think. Little and Large etc. Speaking of big, athletic strikers who giv 100 percent, what about poor Lee Barnard? I for one, would be quite happy to see him given more than the occassional appearance in the stating line up. COYS!!!!
Comment by reedy on Tuesday 29 August 2006 @ 11:34pm
i think jd will come good just needs that first goal,also why dont we bid for ashley cole if chelski dont why not he is a quality player and you could push ekkotto further forward he is quick and a big lad wouldn't hurt
Comment by Your name here on Tuesday 29 August 2006 @ 11:26pm
You need 4 quality strikers everyone else apart from Newcastle and Portsmouth. look at Man Ure and the scum they all have four strikers.
Comment by LEWIS on Tuesday 29 August 2006 @ 11:56pm
4 CLASS STRIKERS!!!! GOALS GOALS GOALS
Comment by mark on Tuesday 29 August 2006 @ 11:10pm
perhaps if he scored some goals he wouldnt be on the bench would he?
Comment by Shannon on Tuesday 29 August 2006 @ 11:53pm
With European competition, there should be more than enoug opportunities for Defoe to stake his claim. I'd like to know why Robbie Keane is now taking free kicks and corners. He should be in the box to stick the ball into the net!
Comment by Derek on Tuesday 29 August 2006 @ 11:46pm
It is good for Spurs to have 4 class forwards. We will need to keep it that way if we are to challenge for CL, but our start hasn't been great. Davids may be over the hill which is a worry.
Comment by on Tuesday 29 August 2006 @ 11:11pm
jermain will get in the team in no time
tottenham are toss