More movers and shakers as Ramos gets radical

By: Gary | August 2nd, 2008

Tottenham boss Juande Ramos continued to ring the changes this week as he continues to re-mould the squad ahead of the new campaign. Spurs Offside take a look back at the transfer activity at White Hart Lane which has seen two departures, two new contracts and two fresh signings.

Sunderland just cannot enough of us at the moment can they? If Teemu Tainio and Pascal Chimbonda weren’t enough for them, Steed Malbranque has joined Roy Keane’s former Tottenham clan at the Stadium of Light.

I think it is fair to say most fans will be aggrieved to see the back of the Frenchman this summer, after he steamed into second in the player of the season poll last year.

But without meaning any disrespect to Steed, that statistic probably tells us more about our season punctured by under-achievement instead of the quality of Malbranque.

Do not get me wrong I am an avid fan of Steed, especially on the days when things are not going so well. He is a true grafter and a work horse who will run through walls for the team.

But it almost seems as if this type of player is becoming redundant at White Hart Lane as Ramos continues his search for technique over labourers.

The signings of Luka Modric, Giovanni Dos Santos and David Bentley hint the Spaniard is trying to imbed an ethos of fluid football back at N17.

This is not to say Steed lacks quality, there have been times when his ability has been overwhelming. But the more and more Ramos stamps his mark on the Spurs side, the more a player such as Malbranque continues not to fit.

At Fulham, he showed exactly what he can do when given a license to roam but with his position in the Tottenham ranks being reduced to a bit-part role since newer arrivals, it signals his departure was rather inevitable.

Like Tainio, I expect Malbranque to be a massive hit with the Black Cats. And we may well start to miss the influence of Steed when games turn a little pear-shaped.

Anthony Gardner at last sealed his loan switch to Hull City this week too. All I am going to say on the matter is, why is this man still at our football club?

That is not a dig at Gardner. In fact I rate him fairly highly as a centre-half. When given a solid run in the side I think he could transform into a fairly useful commodity.

But there is clearly no room at the inn. While a manager like Phil Brown would be delighted to tie up a deal for a player like Gardner, why are we keeping hold of him? Why are we thwarting his progress further?

Haven’t we done enough to derail his career. Maybe the price is not quite right. But why again? This sounds harsh but he is worthless to us. When did he last play?

Give the lad a chance. Give him a fresh start.

This week also saw new bumper five-year deals signed by Michael Dawson and Jermaine Jenas.

A new contract for Dawson will no doubt come as a massive relief after summer speculation hinted he may have been destined for a move to Bolton Wanderers.

I must admit I am not the greatest fan of Daws, who has been raved about from certain areas of the terraces since his emergence into the first team fold.

He is a sturdy and solid centre-back but too often for me struggles to compete against the best striker in the Premier League.

Fernando Torres proved on the final day of last season he may be slightly out of his depth for a side pursuing a route into the elite top four.

I am surprised Ramos has decided to keep him at the club, especially after seeing players such as Marlbranque leave beforehand.

On the other hand. our searches for a new defender have hardly produced fruits in the close season. But a five-year deal suggests he is more than just a covering player.

Maybe there is something beneath the frail performances we witnessed last term.

After all what is technique when playing at the back. John Terry has proved a no-nonsense approach can be effective for a top side.

Maybe I am just being too harsh. Maybe this is the season Daws makes the step up. Maybe Ramos knows something we don’t about the long-term fitness of Ledley King.

Jenas is another player who will have to show progression this season after being rewarded with a new contract.

Since the arrival of Ramos at White Hart Lane, Jenas has definitely stepped up his level of performances in a Spurs shirt.

I can count a handful of games where he has bossed the midfield battle in scintillating form. But still these occasions are nowhere near on a consistent enough basis.

These glimmers of class give us hope of Jenas finally reaching his undoubted Premiership potential. The new system to be introduced by Ramos may be the best thong that has happened to the former Newcastle man.

Maybe at last he can win over the fans.

We have also seen two new signings either side of the scale this week.

David Bentley enrolled as the latest big money move, lifting the gloom sensed after Robbie Keane’s exit.

The winger is one of the country’s brightest talents and promising plenty.

Our other new signing is Derby County reserve goalkeeper Stephen Bywater. The former West Ham custodian seems a bizarre addition but after an interview with Rams chief Paul Jewell, it appears all is set for his signing.

I am not going to get too heated over our choice of back-up stopper. But it is a rather dubious call.

If Gomes stays fit, the credentials of this transfer will never be tested though.