Until recently the focus on Spurs had started to wane. After months of speculation and daily tabloid insanity, Tottenham finally went through with the media vindicating action of removing Martin Jol and giving the Head Coach's position to Juande Ramos.
Ramos' quiet demeanour when interviewed, coupled with the lack of genuinely newsworthy rumours coming from the Lane resulted in Spurs dropping of the crisis map created and run so efficiently by the red-tops. There's a distinct possibility that the focus could be back at the Lane shortly, but with a new focal point - Damien Comolli.
Much has been made of the Sporting Director set-up in the press, largely it has to be said erroneously, however Daniel Levy made clear in his comments at Spurs' recent AGM that the appointment of Ramos was very much Comolli's doing and that he would live or die by it.
Nobody will question the wisdom of the appointment - the preceding antics and press hounding of Martin Jol were inexcusable but in Ramos Spurs have a student of the game, a man who could well, given the time and support, become Wenger-esque in his status in the Premier League.
The questions will begin to be asked of another area of Comolli's brief. Under the much-maligned system employed at Spurs, Comolli is responsible for the final decision on player signings. He consults with coach and chairman, but is ultimately designated as the person who says yes or no.
With that in mind, fans and critics alike are starting to identify the frailties in the Tottenham squad. Granted there has been an extreme situation at the Lane with central defenders - so much so that the likes of Didier Zokora and Pascal Chimbonda have both had to play with varying levels of success in a central position.
Ultimately though it is the quality of the signings made by Comolli that are under scrutiny. Chimbonda, after an excellent first season, appears to have become a shadow of his former self - still excellent from corners but ultimately positionally poor and seemingly lacking in effort.
Zokora is perceived by many as a slightly more mobile Steffen Freund, his distribution and actual role in the team in question a great deal (he doesn't defend well, but going forward he is pacey but largely clueless) and Younes Kaboul has to date flattered to deceive a great deal.
In Kaboul's case he should be given more time, however the signings of Hossam Ghaly, Zokora, Chimbonda, Kevin-Prince Boateng, Ben Alnwick and the re-signing of Mido have all been completed under Comolli's watchful gaze - and apparently not with the complete agreement of the coaching staff at the time.
Comolli will argue that he has signed good players - and on the face of it the players appear able - however whether he has signed players who can play together is becoming increasingly up for scrutiny. Michael Dawson is missing Ledley King more than Heather Mills McCartney misses her leg, while the communication skills of Paul Robinson have only been questioned since the club captain's lengthy lay-off.
King's return is still some way away and with injuries to Anthony Gardner, Ricardo Rocha and Dorian Dervite, Comolli may have no choice but to break with tradition and attempt a top class signing in January. Spurs are languishing many points off a European spot and more worryingly just above the relegation zone - it will take a great deal of Ramos magic to get Spurs into Europe, even if as main focus he must get Spurs past that magical 40 point mark.
In a season that promised so much, change has torn up the form book and left Spurs with a mountain to climb. In Ramos the club trusts, however what about Comolli? January's transfer window, and the fitness of Spurs’ defensive line-up may well define that.
http://www.clubfanzine.com/tottenham...ws.php?id=6539
IMHO, I`ve never had faith in anyone with past associations with the goons, be that Terry Neill, GG or this mug..........time for him to Go!
Yes or No?
12-12-2007, 12:04 PM
which is all the more puzzling considering Ramos would like Real Zaragoza’s Diego Milito, aged 29, but the club’s interest has been tempered by his age.
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