Hoddle's signings bring a sheen to Spurs

Matt Hughes Monday July 16, 2001

It's been a busy weekend for two former England managers, though for different reasons. While Glenn Hoddle spent the sabbath putting together an enticing package to lure German international Christian Ziege to White Hart Lane, Bobby Robson was locked in crisis talks to keep Kieron Dyer at St James' Park, following a reported Ł20m bid from Leeds.

Rumours of the 22-year-old England midfielder's desire to leave the north-east have been doing the rounds for months, though Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said today: "For once and for all, Kieron Dyer is not for sale. I have had a long, frank and amicable discussion with both Kieron and his agent where I reiterated Kieron's future lies with Newcastle United."

We'll see. Dyer is said to be unhappy at Robson's failure to attract big-name signings, and with Craig Bellamy and Robbie Elliot the only close-season arrivals, who can blame him? Dyer wants to join a club whose ambition matches his own lofty aspirations, and with Newcastle still paying back the sizeable cost of the new stand at St James', it's by no means guaranteed that they can withstand the temptation of cashing in on their prize asset.

The developments over the last couple of days are a microcosm of both clubs' current fortunes. While Hoddle is quietly assembling Spurs' strongest squad in years, Robson is floundering, barely able to keep the players he has, let alone purchase new ones.

When Hoddle joined Spurs from Southampton in March, he announched his intention to supplement his young, talanted squad with experienced players of requisite quality and so far he has been true to his word. This approach proved successful at Chelsea, where players such as Roberto Di Matteo, Dan Petrescu and Mark Hughes turned mid-table strugglers into cup, if not championship, challengers.

His signings for Spurs, Teddy Sheringham, Gustavo Poyet, Goran Bunjevcevic and now Christian Ziege, fit this pattern of quality players seeking a final challenge. The comparsion between Mark Hughes and Teddy Sheringham in particular - both are deep-lying, ball-playing centre-forward's signed from Manchester United - is irresistible and if Sheringham makes half the impact at Tottenham that Hughes did at Chelsea, then Hoddle will be a happy man.

How Bobby Robson must wish for a Teddy Sheringham or Mark Hughes to play alongside Alan Shearer. For that matter, he'd probably settle for a fully-fit Shearer.

In attempting to remedy Newcastle's woeful lack of firepower Robson has plundered the opposite end of the transfer market to Hoddle, and in Craig Bellamy has signed an unproven, and at Ł6m, an expensive, youngster. Sound familiar? Robson's solution to his striking dilemma last season was Carl Cort and Lomano Lua-Lua, who with seven goals between them made little impact, though injuries didn't help. By signing Bellamy it looks as if Robson is in danger of repeating past mistakes.

The attitudes of fans are perhaps the best barometer of a football club's atmosphere and here again the differences are striking. Whereas Spurs fans, despite the loss of Sol are clamouring with anticipation for Saint Glenn's first full season and have snapped up all available season tickets, the indications are that St James Park won't be packed to its increasingly lofty rafters.

The Newcastle ticket office are refusing to say how many season tickets they have sold, claiming they are "still processing" applications, but the prevailing mood of supporters is decidedly sombre.

For the moment at least, the stereotype of the enthusiastic, expectant Magpies and the miserable, long-suffering Lillywhites has been turned on its head.

• You've read the piece, now have your say. Send your comments, as sharp or as stupid as you like, to football.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Answers

answers please

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

what part of London is this guy from?

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

What a tosser! He's not worth a response. The trouble with football 'jounalist's is that they can never leave their loyalties behind even though they are supposed to be objective. This bloke is proably a Spurs fan. Why even compare the 2 clubs? What's the link?

You see it all the time - the affinity some writers have with certain clubs is often clear in the words they write. Look at the Tabloids for instance, all Man U, Arsenal and West Ham.

I suppose if I was a journalist, I would be tempted to do the same.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Furthermore ( I'm annoyed now) does he really think we would have been overjoyed at Sheringham coming to NUFC? I don't think so.

As for 'woeful lack of fire power' he fails to mention both our first team strikers were out of action for much of the season and I think our goals scored tally was at least average.

Can't even get his facts straight.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Is that rubbish on their site today?

If so we should swamp him with mails pointing out how stupid and ill informed his article is...

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

I liked the part where he said that Cort failed to make an impact last season. Yeah, that's what I would call a goal every other game.

Rebrov 28 games 9 goals
But he had a HUGE impact

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

yep gav, thers a mail ad. at the end of my first post, go lyndy go!

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Agree this article is written by a Spurs fan for Spurs fans.

"While Hoddle is quietly assembling Spurs' strongest squad in years, Robson is floundering, barely able to keep the players he has, let alone purchase new ones." - Sorry - I thought it was Campbell who left Spurs - Remind me again who's left Newcastle!

Take the blinkers of and see the picture - Spurs buying cheap has- beens, Newcastle chasing the best around. Time to fire up email. :o))

I saw something on text last night (I think Sky Text) saying that we'd ONLY sold 94% of season tickets and could expect average gates of around 40,000 this season. Even the maths is total bollocks! Is this open season on NUFC or what?

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Also on Guardianunlimited:

Tottenham Hotspur striker Sergei Rebrov has given a clear hint that he will soon be seeking a transfer from the north London club.

I rest my case!

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

The only thing the article shows is how fans are capable of massive self delusion to keep themselves optimistic. After a period of mediocrity longer than Newcastle's recent flirtations with success, your average Spurs fan is desperate. What did Hoddle achieve at Chelsea? An FA Cup and mid-table mediocrity I seem to remember, but I may be wrong. He hasn't stayed in any managerial position long enough to really assess his qualities - Chelsea, England, Southampton...he's started a job and moved on, in each case. As said above, do they really think the rest of the premiership is drooling over Sheringham, Ziege, Poyet and Bunjyjumper or whatever his name is? Ageing mercenaries after their last pay packet, they'll no doubt be reliable enough to ensure they aren't relegated, but don't really show long term ambition do they? 1 year stop gaps at most.

I won't even start on the inaccuracies about Newcastle. Oh go on then...paying off the stadium expansion? Selling Dyer wouldn't contribute to that, as transfer income is ring-fenced from the stadium financing. It would all be profit to be used for the footballing side. Ambition of the club? Rich coming from Spurs. We might have problems realising our ambition, but it's self evident that over the last 10 years it's been greater than Spurs. As for season ticket sales..hahaha...we might whinge and be demanding, but at least we don't stay away in droves like your average Spurs fan when things aren't quite going to plan. Fine, I wouldn't want to quash their new-found optimism (based on absolutely nothing tangible), but by trying to do so by belittling Newcastle shows how wafer thin their optimism must be. It's a long season and will seem even longer when all Hoddle's clever signings are packing out the injury room.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Peter Miller has said it all really, and it achieves little to rise to the bait.
I can kind of understand the need for Lahdnan-based Journos to dream up optimistic articles pandering to the capitals ever-fickle fans, especially when The Prodigal Son is now plying his trade at WHL.
However, when they embellish their gutter-crap with totally ill-informed nonsense about a major Club 300 miles away, without having the gumption or the good sense to check one single fact, then their "art" should simply be put to the use for which it was pre-destined, @rse-wipes!

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Hoddle is quietly assembling Spurs' strongest squad in years

Well that shouldn't require a great deal of effort ...

:-)))

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

the football editor of the guardian is actually a sunderland fan not a spurs fan...

tee hee

bit like the match of the day editor (BBC so ex motd editor) being a filthy mag....

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Strongest squad for years? Would that be before or after lsoing Sol Campbell on a free.

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

Er, haven't we sold more season tickets than Spurs have got seats?

-- Anonymous, July 18, 2001

It's been a busy weekend for two former England managers, though for different reasons. While Glenn Hoddle spent the Sabbath putting one last pay packet together to attract ageing pros to White Hart Lane along with possibly the worst German international in recent history, Christian Ziege. Bobby Robson was chewing the fat with the current England Manager whilst watching the first of his sides European adventure.

Robson of course has a wealth of international talent at St James' Park but the jewel in the crown, Kieron Dyer, is valued in excess of ÂŁ20m, a bid from Leeds has already been turned down. Indeed, Dyer is in talks to extend his contract , a club of the stature of Newcastle United will not be losing a valuable player to their rivals without receiving a penny. Rumours of the 22-year-old England midfielder's desire to leave the north-east have been made up & exaggerated for months despite Newcastle chairman Freddy Shepherd said today: "For once and for all, Kieron Dyer is not for sale. I have had a long, frank and amicable discussion with both Kieron and his agent where I reiterated Kieron's future lies with Newcastle United."

Robson has been linked with a number of big-name signings, and with Craig Bellamy and Robbie Elliot they already are attracting potential quality. Dyer wants to join a club whose ambition matches his own lofty aspirations and with Newcastle having the most advanced stadium in the country at St James', he must know there aren’t many clubs in Britain that are bigger. While Hoddle has lost his best player for nothing, he knows he must assemble Spurs' strongest squad in years if he can avoid relegation. Robson though has been able to choose the players HE wants to keep for the coming premiership & UEFA campaign.

When Hoddle joined Spurs from Southampton in March, he announced his intention to supplement his inexperienced squad with mercenaries looking for one last fat signing on fee before opening a pub. This approach did keep Chelsea from relegation despite having the club’s longest losing streak in their history, ironically this run was halted by a 1-0 win against the future England manager Kevin Keegan’s entertainers. He bought players such as Mark Hughes in to avoid relegation and even a cup run, it wasn’t pretty to watch but typical of a Hoddle team, they played with determination that was reminiscent of his Swindon side. His signings for Spurs, Teddy Sheringham, Gustavo Poyet, Goran Bunjevcevic and now Christian Ziege, fit this pattern of mercenaries seeking a final pile of cash. How Bobby Robson must be relieved that he has avoided amassing a squad of 30 something’s on big long contracts that will become an albatross around the club’s neck. Whilst some players such as Alan Shearer are closing in on 30, he knows that there would be a queue from Gallowgate to Kings Cross all vying for his signature if he were placed on the transfer list.

In attempting add to Newcastle's firepower Robson has plundered the opposite end of the transfer market to Hoddle, attempting to poach world champion, Robert from PSG. In Craig Bellamy he has signed an unproven youngster. Sound familiar? Indeed, the comparison with Dyer is irresistible, both learned their trade in East Anglia and who’s to say Robson will not be fending off £20m bids in a year or two. Added to the young Carl Cort who despite an injury ravaged season averaged more than a goal every other game, £2m Lomano Lua-Lua has already opened his European account with a spectacular overhead kick reminiscent of Dennis Truart. The attitudes of fans are perhaps the best barometer of a football club's atmosphere and here again the differences are striking. Whereas Spurs fans are as fickle as they come, coupled with the loss of Sol Campbell they have sold less than 25000 season tickets which could leave the tiny WHL a little soulless. Stories ran by ill- informed tabloids concerning tickets sales at St James Park suggested Newcastle had only sold a few thousand more. However, the true figure is closer to a magnificent 45000 season ticket sales with only the most expensive corporate packages remaining despite a disappointing season by Newcastle’s increasing expectations. . The Newcastle ticket office are refusing to say how many season tickets they have sold, However, despite they are "still processing" applications, it’s likely some Geordies will miss out. Amazingly, they expect in excess of 20000 for an inter-toto tie which after a 4- 0 first leg advantage is already over. • You've read the piece, now have your say. Send your comments, as sharp or as stupid as you like, to football.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2001

A very thoughtful, balanced and objective piece DLF!

-- Anonymous, July 19, 2001

Nice one DLF ;)

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

Hope you sent that to the Guardian, DLF. :-)

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

Dave, I hope you sent this!

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

DLF - been on the cucumber sandwiches again, mate?

;7)

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001

Yep, I've got too much time on my hands, it went to football.editor@guardianunlimited.co.uk Matt.Hughes@guardianunlimited.co.uk

-- Anonymous, July 21, 2001