Poyet Identifies Transfer Targets: Video

Citing a Catalan publication Sport, the Daily Mail quotes Gus Poyet identifying two Espanyol players as transfer targets. This confirms what we have been tracking here on DCSpurs. Talking about keeper Carlos Kameni and central defender Dani Jarque, Poyet explains "we haven't yet taken a definite decision to bring them in. But we will try to do a deal for them in the future."

The full Daily Mail story with video highlights.

Spurs Headed Up

A few stories circulating affirming Spurs are headed in the right direction:

Ramos rejects parade. Spurs manager declines a Carling Cup parade celebration insisting that the team not lose its focus with the the UEFA Cup and the Premier League. The Spaniard insists Tottenham are not yet a top team and wants the team to continue to fight for greater glory.

On the good news front, it looks like Berbatov is poised to sign a new a contract. While a new deal doesn't preclude a transfer, it should quiet speculation of a summer move.

Bubble boys. Fitness training in a sealed, oxygen-depleted chamber helps Spurs replicate high-altitude conditions optimal for endurance, Daily Mail.

Keeping it in the family

BBC is quoting The Sun in saying that:

"The Spurs fan who gatecrashed his team's photo as they celebrated winning the Carling Cup at Wembley has been revealed as the cousin of Chelsea star Joe Cole."

Well damn, not even the family of Chelsea players likes Chelsea. It certainly feels nice to not have a gaffer that has lost the plot. Juande Ramos, we salute you.

Songs from the Lane

In case you missed it on YouTube, here's a compilation of chants from the Lane.

Transfer Targets and Results

OK, so everyone needs a month-long break right? Back to business then. Now that the transfer window has closed, it's a good time to size up Spurs signings. Below is a purely subjecting ranking of our transfer targets, some of which may be speculative based on wide-ranging reports. Clearly we have further acquisitions pending, but from my perspective, our January window actions were pretty fruitful.


Keeper
1. Carlos Kameni from Espanyol, Video
2. Maarten Stekelenburg from Ajax
3. Robert Green from West Ham

Left Back
1. Gilberto from Hertha Berlin
2. Andrea Dossena from Udinese

Center Back
1. Dani Jarque from Espanyol: Video,
2. David Abelda from Valencia
3. Ezequiel Garay from Racing Santander
4. Jonathan Woodgate from Middlesborough
5. Tal Ben Haim from Chelsea
6. Wes Brown from Manchester United
7. Daniel van Buyten from Bayern Munich

Right Back
1. Alan Hutton from Rangers
2. Jose Bosingwa from Porto
3. Miguel from Valencia

Left Mid
1. Diego Capel from Sevilla, Video, video, video,
2. Stewart Downing from Middlesborough

Center Mid
1. Yaya Toure from Barcelona
2. Tiago from Juventus

Striker
1. Andrei Arshavin from Zenit St. Petersberg
2. Fredi Kanoute from Sevilla
3. Fred from Lyon

Fulham Video

All the goals from the 5-1 thrashing at the Lane.

Aftermath of Birmingham Defeat

It would be easy to focus on the negatives from Sunday's crushing defeat. Conceding a late goal again, losing Keane for 3 more matches, losing Bale for who knows how long.

Interesting, though, has been the a change in formation and strategy that Ramos has been employing recently. This Guardian article recounts some of the recent aggressive attacking play of Spurs, likening it to Mourinho's start at Chelsea. Not only has Ramos started three strikers, but he has also moved Bale into attack, played Lennon at right back for a stretch, and juggled our defensive line.

One thing is for certain: while shortcomings at center back and defensive midfield have forced his hand, Ramos is adapting, playing Spurs' best players and emphasizing their strengths until defensive reinforcements can arrive.