5 Worst Tottenham Fan Diseases Today

After today's 0-0 draw at the Lane against Everton the Tottenham Twitter fans are out in full force. As much as we hate to admit it, our fan base has our share of stupidity. So without further delay, read the five diseases of stupid Spurs fans out there today and how to diagnose yourself as one. If you are suffering from any of these conditions please seek help immediately.

1. PochOutitus- Those suffering with this affliction constantly find themselves complaining about a lack of Plan B and frequently romanticize past relationships; particularly with AVB and Harry Redknapp. Symptoms often occur one with Levy Out and an obsession with 4 4 2. The best treatment plan is to listen to interviews with Brendan Rogers and look at Arsene Wenger photos until your view of Poch has clarified.

2. LevyOut Disorder- Characterized by obsessions with net spends and backing the manager this is most frequently found as a chronic condition. Often patients will find themselves obsessed with money and upon occasion, anti-Semitic. Best course of treatment is to study the history of Leeds United.

3. OneYearWonderaphobia- Poor souls suffering from this acute condition find themselves obsessed with Harry Kane and his conversion rate. They will annoy those close to them with blind attention on results and no attention to the subtle aspects of process. This condition latches on to Spurs fans suddenly and is usually transmitted from jealous fans of other clubs. The condition can only be cured by consistent Kane goals from open play.

4. Champions League Syndrome- Fans suffering from CLS are prone to flashbacks from the past and mutterings about what could have been. Patients are unable to gain enjoyment in their day to day lives and have their minds entirely consumed by League Table positon. There is no cure for CLS but it can be treated with too 4 finishes or Europa League titles.

5. Closet Arsenalitis- There is no treatment or cure. If you feel you may be suffering from this condition pursue euthanasia immediately to protect your loved ones.

Follow the Money: The Truth About Tottenham's Transfer Spending

Fans of Tottenham have taken to Twitter by the thousands to debate the merits of Daniel Levy's transfer policy as of late. Our Club boasts one of the lowest net transfer spends of any Premier League side in recent years. Those who feel that the Club lacks the talent to challenge for the top 4 point to this as the chief reason why. While I feel that fans are right to criticize the lack of investment from ownership in the transfer market I think many have taken it way too far. These fans forget that the transfer market is only one way that ownership can invest in the Club.

It's easy to look at just the net transfer spend and become irate at the Club's ownership. In the current window we all have a great deal of frustration at the lack of incoming players at the moment that makes us look hard at ENIC's dealings. Add in the failings of the "Baldini Era" and there is plenty of blame to go around and precious few to criticize. However, if we want to judge Tottenham's progress during this low net spend we have to dig deeper. We have to follow the money. For most of our competitors the whole story is in the Transfer market. For Tottenham it goes deeper.

There are two giant expenditures that have to be considered when evaluating this period of time. The first is the construction of our state of the art training centre. The top notch facility reportedly cost the Club somewhere around $45m. That's the price of one hell of a central midfielder. Instead of using those funds to make a splashy purchase that may or may not have worked out, Tottemham chose to invest in its youth system. Was this the right play? I think so, but it's certainly open for debate. Would an expensive signing have pushed us into the top 4 and opened up a huge Champions League revenue stream? I am inclined to say yes, ENIC made the wrong choice here.

While I think it was the wrong choice, it is certainly a defensible one. The building of the training centre has begun to pay dividends with better youth player purchase and development. It's hard to quantify those benefits financially but it doesn't mean they don't exist. Our current young core of Kane, Mason, Bentaleb, et al might not have signed or stayed with the Club without its construction. Perhaps Dele Alli's head was turned by the impressive facility and eased his acquisition. Maybe the right move was to clinch Champions League qualification with the right player purchase (assuming we bought the right player which history shows us is far from a sure thing) but instead the choice was made to build the you system up and hope that paid long term dividends. We will continue to see better youth players coming through our system as a product of this large cash out lay. We will be evaluating this debate years into the future.

The second expenditure is obviously the construction of a new stadium. Once built, it will allow us to produce ticket and sponsorship revenue at much higher levels than we enjoy currently. We hope this will put us on equal footing with all of our Premier League rivals. In that sense, it's s long term investment that I think all of us agree will pay off (how long it will take to pay for itself is debatable).

The stadium cost comes into play with our transfer policy because there will be some initial cash payment to begin construction. None of us outside the Club have a real idea of what the payment structure will be. I believe it is a reasonably safe assumption to say that the Club will pay some sort of down payment followed by debt service over some measure of years. The initial cash infusion is a huge piece of this. Just as when you buy a car, the down payment goes a long way when determining your interest rate and payment amount. While much more complex, stadium financing shares the same principles. The more money we can spend up front, the better our cash flow will be in future years. No matter what payment ownership envisions paying to defray the borrowed amount, that money has to come from somewhere. You have to think the lack of cash infused in the transfer market has helped increase that down payment. Again, you may think increases cash in the transfer market would have caused revenues to explode and you might be right. I'd be inclined to agree. We must acknowledge the fact that lowering stadium debt will allow us greater financial freedom sooner than financing it all.

This piece isn't intended to be "happy clappy" or pro-Levy. I don't think I am either to be quite honest. What I do want this piece to do is to shed more light on where the Club has spent money as of late. Maybe ENIC botched it, maybe not. Just don't sum up the Club's financial history with just one small piece of the puzzle. Follow the money and evaluate the whole picture.

Kane Reign? How long will Harry Kane and others stay at Spurs?

If you have been a Tottenham supporter for any length of time you've had to deal with the pain of player loss. Whether it was Gareth Bale's move to Real Madrid or Michael Dawson's sentencing to Hull you have seen a beloved Spur leave your Club of choice. With that in mind, what's the career expectancy of our current first team? Who's here for the long haul and who might be gone sooner rather than later? Enjoy our Blog's predictions on every current first team player!

Goalkeepers

-Hugo Lloris- Much speculation has centered around the French captain's future in Lillywhite, but I am more optimistic than most about him staying for the long haul. I believe we are a Club headed towards Champions League qualification and if that's true, Hugo will be hard pressed to find a better situation. A seismic move to PSG, Real Madrid or the like would pry him away from us, but I think there's a fair chance that he remains our starting keeper for five plus additional years.

-Michel Vorm- Vorm gets too much stick from our fans for not being Lloris, but he's a solid keeper in his own right. I can't see him being satisfied to be a second choice keeper for very long and I think he was brought here to protect against a Hugo departure. As soon as one of our young keepers is ready to ascend to the second spot, I think Vorm is a goner. Put his life expectancy at two years.

Defenders

-Kyle Walker- I get that Kyle Walker isn't exactly a cerebral defender, but most are way too hard on the guy. He's a freak athlete at right back who provides real width and can put in a good challenge in defense. He'll always be prone to switching off, but honestly, if he was 100% in focus all the time he'd be playing with Bale in Madrid. He will last at Tottenham five more years until at the age of 30, his elite athleticism begins to wane.
-Jan Vertonghen- Another sometimes enigmatic defender, I believe Vertonghen's status has been settled quite well after the addition of his Belgian teammate, Toby Alderweireld, to play along side him. There's always the chance he could run off to a bigger club, but I think he's safe for one more contract at Spurs so let's put his expectancy at four years.
-Danny Rose- He was a revelation for Spurs last season after he was given a contract extension that was universally maligned by fans. I think his status is safe through the remainder of that five year contract, but perhaps surprisingly, I think he's done after that. His diminutive stature coupled with his lack of skill on the ball makes him particularly dependent on his speed. Once that starts to go, he will go downhill quickly and be sold off. Call him safe for four years provided his health holds up.
-Eric Dier- I think the 21 year old is set to be a Tottenham cornerstone. I feel his future is definitely as a starter at center back as opposed to the midfield role he is currently immersed in. I've surprised myself even with this prediction, but I feel as if his expectancy is about eight years. He's one of the guys I'd feel most comfortable letter your kids become attached to.
-Ben Davies- He had high expectations coming in from Swansea, but he's been underwhelming at best. I think he's got one more year until we find a younger, cheaper deputy for Danny Rose. I think he's better than he's shown thus far, but he's a short timer.
-Federico Fazio- Not as bad as he's looked for us, but he's a ridiculously bad fit for Pochettino's high line. I realize the West Brom deal has apparently broken down, but I can't see him here past January and he certainly could leave in the next week. I'll call his expectancy six months.
-DeAndre Yedlin- I am not one of the people who believe the American was purchased just to sell shirts. I think the US fan base is more sophisticated than that now in terms of who they will support. They can see the games easier than most Brits given the available TV platforms. I think he's a three year Spur though. He will likely spend at least this season out on loan and then I think he's got a chance to serve as a back up right back until a youth team player knocks him off. Give him three years in our shirt and then back to MLS or a lower Premier League club.
-Kieran Trippier- This will surprise some people. I think his expectancy is capped at two years. His lack of athleticism keeps him behind Kyle Walker and ultimately, DeAndre Yedlin. He's a really skilled player and will be sold for a nice profit, but if Walker and Yedlin progress as we expect, they will pass the youngster by.
-Kevin Wimmer- Despite our recent ineptitude at signing center backs I think Wimmer has a chance to stick around. I don't think he's an every week starter, but I believe his expectancy is at three seasons until a Bundesliga Club overpays for him. He'll be good business and a solid backup, no more, no less.
-Toby Alderweireld- I'm afraid I don't see Toby at Spurs long term. He's shown a willingness to move around (three clubs in the last three years) and his skill on the ball will be attractive worldwide. Expect him to join the litany of players sold for a large profit after two years starring for Spurs.

Midfielders

-Erik Lamela- I want to like Lamela sooo badly, but I'm almost entirely out of hope. He will go to a softer league and light it up and people will argue for the next decade about whether or not we should've held on to him, but it's not working at Tottenham. I believe he has this year to build up some value and will show more flashes, but still be sold at a loss next off season. If you like the young Argentine, enjoy him this year, he's gone after one more season.
-Andros Townsend- While I still have a sliver of hope left for Lamela, I'm over Townsend entirely. His problems are 100% related to his selfishness. For a while I gave him the benefit of the doubt in calling it confidence, but his desire to shoot at all times has annoyed me, and more importantly Pochettino, to the point where I think a departure in January is likely. His expectancy will be six months of cup games.
-Mousa Dembele- We all keep waiting for Mousa to kick on, but we've waited too long. He's a serviceable squad player, but he will want more of a role than that. After this season we'll oblige him and someone else will overpay for his flashes of quality. His expectancy is one more year of never dribbling into the final third.
-Nacer Chadli- The Dolphin causes fans to cheer and curse almost at the same time. He can go through games entirely anonymous then pop off for a meaningful goal. I don't think that's enough given his time and location on the pitch and I suspect Poch doesn't fancy him all that much either. Put his expectancy at two years and then he'll be sold for a nice profit. He's more Clint Dempsey than Jay Rodriguez and that means he'll be out in 24 months.
-Christian Eriksen- Good news for all those who criticize the Dane for not being physical enough. You won't have to watch him past the next three years because he'll be playing for a bigger club after being sold for 40M. Enjoy our midfield standout while he's here, but I don't think he will finish his contract.
-Ryan Mason- This is one of the tougher predictions. At times, he looks physically over matched for top flight football but his determination and craft make him a standout at times. His longevity at Spurs, perhaps more than anyone else's, depends on what we're able to do in the transfer market. If we spend heavily in the defensive midfield and crowd him out, someone will make an offer too good to be true. Otherwise, he could be a regular starter for the next eight years. I'm going to land in the middle at four years with the thought that he'll be good when healthy, but injuries will make him surplus to requirements. Someone will overpay for the English midfielder to be an every week starter and Levy will make a deal to benefit all parties.
-Nabil Bentaleb- The Algerian star had a great run of form last season, but I'm not entirely convinced it was more class than form. I think he is a quality player, but I wonder if his opinion of his own abilities are higher than that of Pochettino's. I'm betting that's the case, and he will play a significant role until he is sold for a hefty profit in two years. Might be wrong here, but he just doesn't seem settled despite the new contract.
-Tom Carroll- He won't be at Tottenham long and despite Tim Sherwood's prediction, it won't be because of a sale to Barcelona. I think Carroll is a Premier League squad player whose tiny stature makes it almost impossible for him to compete in the midfield every week. Still, he's got some use, and my bet is that in January or next summer, he'll end up playing a prominent role for a newly promoted Premier League side. Set the expectancy at one year.
-Dele Alli- The first of hopefully many Mitchell signings at the Club, he has the look of a world class midfielder. I will put his expectancy at seven years and that might not be enough. If I had to bet on who our best midfielder will be when we open our new stadium I'd be sorely tempted to bet on Alli over any of his current competitors. I'll put the mark at seven years and hope it's even longer.
-Aaron Lennon- He's been a great servant to Tottenham, but his time has passed. I'm not a great fan of his unceremonious exit (ie not being given a squad number) but there may be more to Pochettino's disdain for Lennon than we know. At any rate, his expectancy stands at about two weeks.
-Alex Pritchard- His projection is a little like Ryan Mason's. It's difficult to project because of his youth and the possibility of others being bought at his position. Pritchard, just today, signed a four year extension and I think he'll be able to see that out at the Club. After that, he'll likely be replaced by a better and/or cheaper option. Set the expectancy at the four years his contract allows.
-Clinton N'jie- Speaking of difficult projections, it's really hard to make a call on this one. He ticks all the boxes of a Mitchell quality signing, but we've seen very little of the Cameroon native to know whether or not he'll stick. He signed a five year contract and I'll set the expectancy there as a testament to my confidence in Mitchell and his black box.

Strikers

-Emmanuel Adebayor- Barring a massive Juju reveral he's on his way out the door. He's been banished with the youth and I am not even sure that's far enough away from the first team. The sooner he's gone the better but of course, his wage demands make any move complicated. Our best hope is that a high dollar club loses a striker to injury and panic loans Adebayor for cover. Think this may happen in January though I hope I'm wrong. Set the expectancy at six months.
-Harry Kane- Many of you will disagree with this. I think Kane has the largest expectancy of any of our current first teamers. I'm going to put his expectancy at a whopping twelve years. I suspect that many of you think he'll be snapped up well before then, but I disagree. First off, I don't think he's going to hit 31 goals in a season again any time soon. Even when he scores say, 20, this season it will be viewed as sub par and will cool his stock. He will never be a hotter commodity than he was this summer and we seem poised to hold on to him through that. Secondly, I buy into the belief that Harry truly is one of our own and will be happy to be a one club player. Perhaps I'm falling in love with a narrative, but he seems a much simpler man than Gareth Bale or Luka Modric. He isn't worldly and that's part of his charm. I don't think Real Madrid or Barcelona is his dream like they are for so many of his peers. That leaves large English clubs ie Manchester United as the only real competition and I think Levy sees so much value in Kane that he'll refuse to sell. I believe that deep down Levy regrets selling Bale even at the massive price for which he was sold. He can understand the value that a superstar like Kane brings to the Club and as a result, he'll want to hold on to that as we move into the new stadium. That should buy enough time for the rest of the squad to catch up talent wise and compete for Champions League on a regular basis. Once that's done, United's position won't be superior enough to unsettle our Harry Kane. Book him for twelve years.

The Forgotten Rookie: What will Cameron Payne mean to the Thunder?

We have reached the doldrums of the NBA season. Minicamps are still six weeks away and Summer League is just a distant memory. For the Thunder, the offseason has seemed extra long. On top of the disappointment at the early end to last season the injury of Cameron Payne served to bore OKC fans this summer. While other rookies showed their wares this summer, Payne's injury kept him out of sight and out of mind. Let's examine what the rookie will mean for the Thunder in this pivotal year for the franchise.

At first glance it seems that anything Payne gives OKC this year is a bonus. His primary position, PG, is masterfully filled by All Star Russell Westbrook and the other guard slot is occupied by a conglomeration of more experienced players. Many fans might look at this and assume Payne will be sitting with Mo Cheeks a lot this year. I see another possibility though, a path where Billy Donovan thrusts Payne into an important role off the bench.

Scotty Brooks is not walking through that door. That fact is a point in Payne's favor because it is overwhelmingly likely that Donovan will provide the rookie more minutes than he could have seen under Robot Brooks. The question the is obviously, where can Payne fit in? I believe he will see the majority of minutes at point guard due to his lack of size. Simply put, he can't guard 2's in the NBA. Know who can guard 2's in the NBA though? Russell Westbrook. His versatility opens up way more options for Payne than a more traditional PG. Westbrook, in addition to being the Thunder's best PG, is also OKC's best SG. Think about it, wouldn't you rather play Westbrook at the 2 than Andre Roberson, Dion Waiters or Anthony Morrow? I'm not saying those guys don't have value, but in a vacuum Russell kills them all. Given that, the challenge may be to find a way to play Russ at the 2 with an above average point guard to maximize the Thunder lineup.

Then the question becomes who to play with Russ: Payne or veteran DJ Augustin. We know what DJ brings to the table. He can get the Thunder into the right sets and space the floor due to his quality jumper. We also know what he can't do. He is a below average defender and doesn't provide much in the way of creating for others. Certainly Payne's upside is higher. His quickness and inventiveness on offense should allow him to be a quality two way player. He can stay in front of quicker point guards that Augustin simply can't compete with and also is a better creator off the dribble. A more dynamic point guard could be a perfect tonic to cure the Thunder's stagnant offense. He also provides more spacing than any of the two guards other than Anthony Morrow. If the idea is to get your two best guards on the floor together then I believe you could see more Payne and Westbrook than you might think.

By no means do I expect this to be a starting lineup at any point nor do I think it is a combination that you will see early in the year. It may even be two years early to commit to this lineup in any real way. Just remember, the Thunder have been most dangerous over their time in OKC when Westbrook and Kevin Durant have played alongside another primary ball handler. I don't see another player who can perform that role a la Reggie Jackson or James Harden on the roster other than Cameron Payne. Maybe the baby faced guard from Murray State can be the difference this team needs to get over the hump and fulfill its championship destiny.

Anybody wanna Lallana? Should the Spurs make a stealth bid?

Spurs fans have been focused on adding attacking options for the majority of the transfer window, but the majority of that attention has been paid to the striker position. To be sure, cover for our boy Harry Kane is required, but are we really that much more settled in the three attackers behind our star striker? I would say that we have lots of room for improvement in the attacking midfield as well. After all, are any of you entirely satisfied that Lamela, Dembele, N'Jie, or Alex Pritchard should play big minutes this year? I thought not, here's my crazy idea: submit a stealth bid for former Pochettino star Adam Lallana.

Let me disclose that the chances of this actually happening are approximately 1,000,000 to 1. This is an exercise in the "what if" not the "what will." So suspend your disbelief a moment and let's look at the pros and cons. 

The Pros: There are quite a few obvious reasons why Lallana would be attractive to Tottenham. The first, is that he is a former Pochettino player who blossomed under our current manager who clearly knows how to utilize his strengths. Secondly, he is young and English. If you don't think that matters to Spurs then you clearly have not been paying attention over the past 18 months. Thirdly, let's not forget the lad is very talented. He was a borderline star for Southampton only two years ago and his performance catapulted him into the senior English squad. What's more, is that he would fit very well into our current collection of attacking midfielders. Imagine the possibilities of Eriksen and Lallana attacking the opponent in unison. Their interchanges would be as deadly as their strikes towards goal.

The Cons: The largest argument against this is that Lallana isn't really as good as he was two years ago for Southampton. His time in Liverpool has been lackluster so maybe he simply isn't as good as we once thought. He would also command a very high transfer fee given Liverpool's lack of desire to sell to Spurs coupled with the investment they made in the young starlet. Some would even argue that Lallana is too similar to Eriksen and would leave Tottenham too vulnerable on the defensive side of the pitch. The pitch against Lallana would center around his price tag and him not being "exactly" what the side needs (aka a striker).

Conclusion: While the price tag for young English players has been ridiculous of late, I think getting Lallana for around 20M would be a coup. There is some truth to the argument that he and Eriksen playing together would leave us light on the defensive end, but I think the addition of a stronger defensive midfielder would rectify this issue. We would have a squad weighted towards the offensive end of the pitch, but we're Tottenham..to dare is to do, remember?

Tottenham's Leverage Problem: Why Spurs may pony up 25m for Berahino

Saido Berahino is not worth a 25m transfer fee in a vacuum. A reasonable fee for him would likely be somewhere between 15 and 18m. For much of the transfer season I've been convinced that Tottenham would be able to purchase the young West Brom forward for a fee within that range. After this weekend's events on the pitch and today's news from Jeremy Peace I think we may be forced to meet their price.

That's right folks, I'm telling you that I believe Daniel Levy will be defeated by Jeremy Peace in these negotiations. The fact of the matter is that West Brom are armed with almost all of the leverage in this transfer tussle. Let's examine the undisputable facts. Working in West Brom's favor are quite a few key factors. They are in possession of the prized commodity (Berahino) and are under very little pressure to sell him. This could change if the player were to turn in a transfer request but as of yet that has not occurred. They also are not under pressure to move quickly since they have already signed Rondon as his replacement. In this game of chicken, West Brom has no need to blink first. They can comfortably wait until deadline to finish a deal prior to Deadline Day. Peace's statement today was also a master stroke by the West Brim chairman to make sure fan opinion doesn't turn against him and mitigate his advantages. He has solidified his base of fan support by publicly rejecting the Spurs' opening bid. This ensures his ability to continue negotiations without being criticized by fans as rolling over to Tottenham.

 On the other hand, Daniel Levy is entirely under the gun. Tottenham's need for strikers was obvious when the Window opened and the need has only grown since then. Emmanuel Adebayor has been banished, Roberto Soldado has been sold and now Harry Kane has been declared unfit by manager Mauricio Pochettino. Nacer Chadli and Erik Lamela are the squad's current backups at striker and both are entirely unqualified. Perhaps Clinton N'Jie can exceed immediate expectations, but surely the youngster can't be counted on for such a prominent role so quickly after his arrival. Every Spurs fan can agree that more strikers must be added to threaten the top 4.

While Jeremy Peace quelled fan pressure in advance, Daniel Levy's inaction has done the opposite. I suspect he was betting on West Brom's valuation for Berahino to drop as the window's close neared while the opposite has occurred. I'm not saying it wasn't a smart bet on Levy's part, but it hasn't paid off. Fan pressure has justifiably increased on the notoriously slow acting Spurs chairman which further compromises his negotiating position. 

The only card Levy can hope to play to turn things back in Tottenham's favor is the potential sale of defender Federico Fazio. Media reports have speculated the Baggies are hot after Fazio at a fee of around 5m. I'd expect Levy to hold up Fazio's sale to push Peace to negotiate more liberally for Berahino. I can't imagine this tactic being a huge success, but I can't see Levy giving an inch that could possibly help him.

So what should we expect to happen with Berahino in the next two weeks? My guess is that you will see reports of heightened Spurs interest in QPR forward Charlie Austin and likely some new striker targets as soon as tomorrow. No time can be wasted in scaring West Brom into thinking there is competition. As a reaction, count on more sabre rattling by West Brom too. Expect renewed Berahino to Man City rumors to increase and we may even see more public rhetoric from Peace about holding on to his starlet.

But what does it all mean??? Tottenham will end up paying very close to 25m for Berahino contrary to Daniel Levy's wishes. Fans will criticize the fee but will take some satisfaction at the addition of a young English talent with experience in the Premier League. Enjoy the next two weeks, it's going to be a wild ride.

Truth, Fairness and Daniel Levy

Daniel Levy is an easy target. He is tasked with operating Tottenham Hotspur Football Club in a responsible financial manner in an age where transfer fees and player wages sky rocket. He has an uncanny resemblance to Dr. Evil of Austin Powers fame and rarely engages the fans in any meaningful way. I understand why he frustrates us and becomes the punch line of a variety of jokes. The man even deserves serious criticism for a variety of his choices as Chairman (red on the kit, bowing too much to corporate interests, etc) but I am sick and tired of the venom directed at his negotiation tactics.

I am writing this on the eve of our match against Stoke and the story dominating Spurs at the moment is the possibility of Arsenal swooping in to hijack our long rumored purchase of Clinton N'Jie. This has produced a wave of anti-Levy sentiment citing his penny pinching as the reason for us losing out. The truth is we as fans are likely correct that Levy refusing to cave in on some relatively minor point of negotiation has caused this stress in the deal. Where our fan base is wrong, is when we classify this as some horrible character flaw of Daniel Levy that exemplifies his lack of ambition. 

Let's face some facts here. We are not blessed with the financial advantages of our competitors at the top of the League Table. ESPN recently released their kit valued for the season and we finished sixth in the revenue produced from sponsors. Our stadium size limits our revenue. We are not owned by an individual obsessed with winning at all costs. For us to have the type of success we want (aka competing for League titles and regular Champions League appearances) we have to punch above our weight. This isn't a death sentence but it is a reality we must recognize. It's part of what makes us Spurs.

Daniel Levy realizes this. He, more than any of us fights against this financial reality on a daily basis. He and the Club have taken very logical and systematic steps to address these issues. We built one of the finest training centers in the world to attract young (and therefore relatively cheap) talent. Whether we sell them for a profit or incorporate them into our First Team they help us compete financially. We are moving forward with plans to build a new stadium that will drastically improve our capacity for ticketing and sponsorship revenue. The stadium plans likely hamstring Levy's spending even more than normal in the short term but still will provide financial benefit in the long term.

So why do we repeatedly curse Levy's financial conservatism? It's not as if we are not investing money we save on transfers and/or wages back into the Club. Our training facility and upcoming new stadium are the clear benefits of our conservative finances. The millions of dollars that Daniel Levy saves the Club on multiple transfers throughout each season add up and pay for these things. The shirt sales that Khumalo sold in Africa? Those sales may have paid for the physio room in the training center. The money we got out of selling Lewis Holtby after just one season? Perhaps that's a concession stand in the new stadium. The point is that these "little negotiating points" add up to things that Levy sees are crucial to the future elevation of Tottenham.

Him working hard to save us money has undoubtedly cost us players who could have helped our squads over his tenure. Maybe an aggressive bid for Morgan Schneiderlin would've secured us a Champions League place last year. Those criticisms are fair and I will often join other fans in them. What isn't fair, is to paint Levy as a Chairman who doesn't care about winning. He likely cares more than you or I but sees a different path for long term success. He sees a new stadium as the key to making us financially strong enough go challenge any Club in the Premier League. That is why he is a miserly negotiatior. His savings go to strengthen the Club's foundation; not to the pockets of ENIC.

If after the new stadium is built and paid for we still lag behind our competitors in transfer fees and wage structures then by all means, let's fire away at Daniel Levy's ambition. Right now we don't have any reason to doubt his desire to help the Club we love be the world's best. Moving forward let us appreciate the cut throat negotiations that Daniel Levy presides over because each one gets us one step closer to an even playing field. 

There are plenty of justified reasons to criticize Daniel Levy. Lack of ambition for Tottenham just isn't one of them.

Building a Premier League Squad with NBA players

If you have read much of this blog you can tell that the two most common subjects will be professional soccer and professional basketball. The Premier League and the NBA are my preferred leagues to watch respectively. Rarely do I get a chance to write on both subjects at once so I've made one up. Hope you enjoy this piece where I form a starting 11 entirely from current NBA rosters that would compete in the Premier League. There are few rules to this exercise but it can only be active NBA players and selections are made irrespective of their actual soccer ability. For instance, I wouldn't select Dirk Nowitzki because he played a lot of soccer in his youth. Players are only selected on their athletic abilities and mental makeups. So without further explanation, enjoy my squad. Would love to hear your thoughts!

Keeper- Anthony Davis

This was a tough choice right off the bat. Picking one of the NBA's best shot blockers leapt immediately to mind. I considered DeAndre Jordan, but don't think he has the quick feet I'd like in a keeper. My dark horse thought was Willie Cauley Stein based on his length and switching ability, but I'm not sure he has the mental focus required. In the end, I choose the Brow because he is the total package. He has the length, quick feet and focus to keep the ball out of the net.

Center Backs- Tony Allen and Marcus Smart

I bet these choices surprise a few people but both of these guys embody toughness and the competitive streak I want to protest the goal. I considered going with Mike Conley to be a steady presence in concert with Allen, but ultimately think Smart makes the more intimidating pair. I considered a number of taller players but worried they lacked the foot speed of these two. 

Left Back- Mike Conley

I think I may need someone to calm the center backs down and Conley can certainly do that. Don't forget, he is left handed so he fits comfortably on that side of the pitch. He provides a solid two way option at left back that can contribute on both ends. I considered other lefties like James Harden and Manu Ginoibili here but Conley wins out due to his all around game.

Right Back- John Wall

With three defense first players in my back four I felt like I could be more adventurous at this spot. In steps John Wall as one of the fastest and most attack minded players in the NBA. He has enough pace to provide great overlapping runs and to recover on the other end when needed. 

Defensive Midfielders- Kawhi Leonard and Draymond Green

I wanted two guys in the middle of the pitch who can anchor the squad defensively while providing some threat moving forward. Both players have the bulk required and the quickness to guard more diminutive speed merchants. They also are constantly thinking one step ahead of opponents on the defensive end and are capable of countless interceptions as a result. There were lots of quality choices here but I wanted size, strength and height.

Left Winger- James Harden

Again, I wanted a left handed player on the left side of the pitch and it came down to Harden and Ginobili. With Conley protecting the position I felt good about going offensive first with my choice. Harden's ability to irritate defenders and draw fouls in dangerous areas would be a perfect fit for this team.

Center Attacking Midfielder- Steph Curry

I want my number 10 to have creative license all over the pitch and Curry is the most dangerous perimeter player in the NBA today. Imagine him pulling the strings and spraying passes all over the attacking third and just when you focus on the pass, bam, he drills a laser into the back of the net. He isn't the strongest player and might get knocked off the ball a bit but I'll take the creativity and compensate for the rest.

Right Winger- Russell Westbrook

I have literally considered the mercurial Westbrook at every spot on the pitch. He embodies the competitive spirit and motor required to be an elite Premier League player. On the right he would have license to tirelessly torment the opponent up and down the field. He would no doubt attack goal with wreck less abandon and his interchange play with Curry would be a nightmare for defenders.

Striker- LeBron James

I had to think about this one quite a bit as well. I considered going with a more selfish attacker like Kobe or D Wade but decided I wanted a more all around player instead. LeBron's physical prowess also worked in his favor because he could threaten defenses with a run in behind while also holding up player for attacking wingers. We would probably have to stress to him in training to always have an eye for goal but it's always easier to teach a player to try harder to score more as opposed to teaching him to involve his teammates.

Thanks for reading and let me know who you'd select instead. If the interest dictates I'll do a blog in reverse as well. I'll build an NBA squad out of Premier League stars.

Which Striker(s) Should and Will Tottenham Sign?

Tottenham fans worldwide are in agreement that our beloved Spurs must supplement our attack force to mount a heroic assault in the Top 4. A multitude of names have been bandied about but who are the realistic targets? More importantly who are the right targets? Read on to see my handicapping of the main target's odds of signing for Tottenham and the grading of the possible fit.

Target 1- Saido Berahino

Probability of Signing-50%

Fit Grade-A+

Berahino has been a name that has divided fan opinion a great deal. The majority of the debate hasn't centered around Berahino's ability, but rather his rumored 25M price tag. I view this sum as a slightly inflated number, but certainly not out of the realm of reason. If we can get him for around 20M all in I would find him to be a terrific buy. The positives are pretty obvious. He is a fast, Premier League proven striker that has previously established chemistry with Harry Kane. I'm not sure if the importance of finding a partner who plays well and gets along with Kane can be overstated. If we can make a deal that nets us a young, quality player who also makes us more likely to retain our young talisman then we can afford to overspend to acquire him. In fact, we can't afford not to make every effort to bring in the West Brom forward. Of course, U21 strikers who are proven in the Premier League are prized commodities which makes the deal difficult to complete. While I wish it were more likely, it's a 50/50 shot.

Target 2- Charlie Austin

Probability of Signing-20%

Fit Grade-C+

I think the QPR striker is a fine player and I even believe he is an above average Premier League striker. My only concern with him is that he is a poor man's Harry Kane. That in and of itself isn't a bad thing, it simply lowers his value to Tottenham. Given Pochettino's preference to play a single striker he is far from an ideal fit to play with Kane on a regular basis so what would he really be utilized for? He would be an excellent option to provide cover in case of a serious Kane injury and to play in Europa League and Cup competitons but can you really see Daniel Levy paying big money for that? I can't and that's why I see him moving to somewhere other than North London on Deadline Day. He is a good player, but not what Tottenham seems to be a priority at the moment.

Target 3- Clinton N'jie

Probability of Signing-50%

Fit Grade-B+

Most are pretty down on the young Cameroon striker signing for Tottenham and I think that's grossly unfair both to the player and the Club. If you are viewing N'jie's signing as the total sum of the Club's transfer plans then you are right to be disappointed. However, I don't think that is anywhere near accurate. Instead, I choose to view the young, pacy prospect as more of a wide developmental prospect and less of a backup striker. Given our lack of pace on the wing, he profiles as a player who can really help our squad now and in the future. Is he the answer to our needs? Who can know at his age, but he is worth a punt. I am, however, more skeptical than most about the chances of this deal happening. He is reported to be in London for his medical, but we haven't seen so much as an airport photo yet. Add the lack of that photo with the reported quotes from his current Club's president about there being no bid from Tottenham and it equals significant skepticism.

Target 4- Javier Hernandez

Probability of Signing-10%

Fit Grade-C

The Man United striker has struggled to find a home as of late and has recently been named as a Spurs target. I'm not entirely sure I buy this, but I'll indulge the press in this space. Much like Austin, I think he is a fine player but question his fit with Tottenham. He doesn't have the red hot motor that Poch requires as a pressing striker but does have a nose for goal that can't be denied. He would be fine as cover for Kane but not ideal. I can't see United offering us a cut rate deal that may strengthen us so I feel the odds of this coming off are quite low. Perhaps this could happen as a last resort on Deadline Day but let's hope it doesn't come to that.

Conclusion-In all likelihood we may end up with a striker and wide forward whose name hasn't reached the rumor mill yet. Berahino still represents the best case scenario we know about but perhaps Pochettino's "private target" will surprise us all!

Five Tottenham Questions That Will Define The Season

The season is nearly among us and the general consensus seems to be that Tottenham will once again finish just outside Champions League qualification. However, there seems to be a fair amount of uncertainty around major aspects of the squad. Given that uncertainty, I believe there is still a wide variance of where our beloved Spurs could finish. I see room to move up or down largely based on the following 5 burning questions.

1. How good is the Vertonghen-Alderweireld partnership be? 

Last year individual errors in defense plagued Tottenham more than anything else. In comes Toby Aldeweireld as the Club's highest profile signing to date as the man charged to fix this issue. I am very optimistic about the partnership based on several factors. First, Toby has a full season of Premier League football under his belt at Southampton where he performed very well. He will have a small learning curve and we don't have to guess whether or not he can compete. We know he can and a repeat of last year's play would be an upgrade for us. Secondly, he has a great relationship with Vertonghen stemming from their time playing together for Belgium. Let's face it, Vertonghen is not the easiest teammate to communicate with so their prior relationship eases my concerns there. Add those factors to the quality we have seen from both in the preseason and there is every reason to feel like the Spurs defense will be much more consistent this season.

2. Can Harry Kane avoid the sophomore jinx?

Harry burst onto the scene last year and lit up the Premier League and ultimately became an English international. Yet the past is littered with one season wonders who find goal scoring magic for a time but can't sustain it. While I must admit that I am not confident Kane will be a top 5 striker in the League this year I don't believe last year was a fluke. I think he will suffer some this year from increased defensive attention and the mental fatigue that inevitably follows such a rocket like rise to stardom. I am even almost certain that he won't match his goal tally from last season even considering he will have a full season as our first choice striker. He will however, continue to be a good striker for Spurs and his performance floor is quite high. The reason for the safety in projecting his performance is his tireless work rate. There is some randomness to finding the back of the net but he will continue to create chances because he will grind and put himself in dangerous positions. Worst case, we still have an above average striker who suffers a mild dip after his meteoric rise.

3. So Kane can score goals, can enough other players chip in?

This question will largely be answered by those who will fill the three spots behind Kane every week. Christian Eriksen is, in my view, a world class talent that will produce goals from open play and set pieces. If Alex Pritchard or another player can provide him more regular rest throughout the year I believe he will perform at a high level without the burnout that have sullied his last two campaigns.

The next man who will try to supplement the scoring is Nacer Chadli. Whether he is playing wide or as the backup striker he must contribute goals consistently. He had a good return last year in terms of goals but he must add to that this season while also impacting the game in other ways. I think he will continue to perform at a Dempsey like level which isn't enough to justify the minutes he will receive. He is a good squad player but relying on him to start every week speaks to the challenges we face offensively.

The third spot is the glaring weak link to the goal scoring tally. No matter who plays there, I don't see them contributing double digit goals. Lamela has the talent, but seems destined to flop at Tottenham. Mousa Dembele will provide quality support for the defense his aversion to penetrating the final third hamstrings him. Other options like Tom Carroll, Andros Townsend or Alex Pritchard also seem much better suited for Europa Leage time. The lack of quality at this position could be our undoing.

4. Is the Bentaleb/Mason pairing good enough?

I'm afraid the short, but accurate answer is no. Bentaleb has the ability but suffers from the lack of a quality, experienced partner to learn from. Mason, played reasonably well last season but seems to be better suited to play in a three man midfield. I admire his spirit too, but he might be out of his depth as a starter at a Club with Champions League ambitions. The strengthening of the back 4 will help mask this partnership's deficiencies at times, but not at the most crucial moments. The only hope I have for our CDM partnership is for a late transfer addition or a Delli Alli ascendancy rivaling that of Kane's a season ago. This could allow Bentaleb to assume the role of the holding midfielder which may suit him better in the long term.

5. Who will join before the Transfer Window closes?

No matter what you think of Daniel Levy it would be foolish to think we won't add talent closer to Deadline Day. Personally, I believe we will add a striker, a defensive midfielder and possibly a hybrid wide forward/striker. How would your outlook change if we added Berahino, Moutinho and Bender? I don't foresee this type of drastic help but if we could add three players who could benefit us three points each that could change our finishing position significantly. I think realistically we can add one player who will be a clear upgrade as a starter so I don't believe transfers will change my outlook all that much. Maybe Pochettino's private target is Gareth Bale or Paul Pogba? I suppose there are less likely things......like Jose Mourinho and Arsene Wenger revealing a torrid love affair between them.

So what will happen?

The season will be full of the usual twists and turns but our destination will likely be 5th once again. Success for me will be defined by how many first teamers we can develop from our youthful contingent. If several players like Delli Alli and Josh Onomah prove themselves as capable Champions League capable talents then our future is very bright. If not, we will enter the next off season still hoping for Levyto catapult us into the Top 4 with shrewd transfer business. Unfortunately we know how that story ends.

10 Slogans Vanderbilt Considered Before Choosing "We Don't Need Your Permission"

Earlier this week, Vanderbilt Athletics released the above marketing pitch for their upcoming football season. In January, two former Vanderbilt football players were convicted of raping an unconscious female student in her dorm room. For such a bright academic institution this is a ridiculously stupid mistake. So clearly, we're going to mock it further. See below for 10 slogans that Vanderbilt considered going with before "We Don't Need Your Permission."

1. We Score Even When You're Asleep!

2. Title IX Ain't Got Nothing on Us

3. Our Players are All In

4. No More Extra Points, We Always Go for 2!

5. Anchor Go Down

6. We're Finally Acting Like an SEC School!

7. Vanderbilt football: At least our police record is better than Florida's

8. Don't Sleep on the Dores

9. No Means We Go

10. James Franklin we love and miss you please come back..seriously we might fall into the bottom of the SEC again we'll pay you so much money, we're desperate! 

Hope you enjoyed this, keep your eyes on balls! 

An Ode to Baldini

There once was a man named Baldini,

He spent Tottenham's money too freely,

He came in from Rome, but now he's gone home,

And black boxes rule Spurs every day.

Lamela he bought,

But goals were still sought,

Till Harry from home saved the day.

Now home grown the lads all are,

One even became a big star,

And papers start rumors all day.

So farewell to Franco, his intentions were good,

His suits were well pressed and never included a gilet,

But he still's been sacked, the good sense he lacked,

Not to end up like Sherwood today!

Cameron Carter Vickers to Norwich?

Possible breaking news regarding Tottenham prospect and USMNT player Cameron Carter Vickers future. Unconfirmed reports have Tottenham in negotiations with Norwich City on a loan deal. The rumors have been stoked by Carter-Vickers himself who retweeted a Norwich player this evening who was promoting Norwich's tight knit team.

While there is a long way to go in these negotiations I'd be pleased with the move. If he can get regular playing time there it could make him ready for the First Team at Tottenham as early as next year. Stay tuned to this blog for more as the story develops.

It's Not About Race: Why Spurs fans prefer Soldado to Adebayor

Both Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado are seemingly at the end of their time as Tottenham strikers but almost universally, fans wish Soldado the best while hoping Adebayor is finally consumed by the Juju. Why do Spurs fans remain sympathetic to Bobby while burying Adebayor?

Right off the bat let me address the possibility that this is based on race. I imagine for some fans this might be the case, but I don't see it as the primary motivation for many fans. I think the cultural relatibility of Soldado for most fans is significantly higher than Adebayor's given their backgrounds but at best, that is an undercurrent for most.

The real reason behind the difference between the two in fan's minds comes down to visible effort in the pitch. Close your eyes and think of Soldado....chances are the image in your mind is of his face marred in angst after a near goal. Now do the same for Adebayor...you likely get an entirely different image. Perhaps you are like me and are cursed to see the image of he and Sherwood locked in salute, maybe you see him loafing after a loose ball or even in an Arsenal kit. The point is we have always been convinced of Soldado's effort and care for his performance while Adebayor has frequently been absent both physically and emotionally.

The psychology behind this is pretty straightforward. We can all relate to Soldado as a man who gives his best effort and is suitably frustrated. Who among us hasn't tried their best and failed at something? On the other hand, there are precious few Tottenham fans know what it feels like to squander enormous talent while being made rich with zero apparent misgivings. Adebayor is the classic villain while Soldado represents the quintessential Everyman hero. It is a story old as time. To sum it up, we like Soldado because he gives a damn. We ridicule Adebayor because he doesn't.

Lastly let me say to critics who will defend Adebayor due to his personal difficulties you can save your breath. I know that Adebayor's family is as crazy as a box of ducks and that he has done a great deal of charitable work. Ever wonder why we seem to know every twist and turn of Adebayor's life? We know because he wants us to see his personal life as a justification or counterweight for his lack of on field performance and effort. I don't blame him for the strategy but let's view it for what it is. It's a public relations strategy from his agent not a series of heartfelt mea culpas.

So fellow Yids continue on wishing Soldado the best while hoping the Juju finally does Ade in. After all, he once played for Arsenal. Do we need a better reason for our disdain?