Spurs have taken "massive gamble" on Louis Saha

60 second pundit

05Feb

Spurs have taken “massive gamble” on Louis Saha

With Tottenham still in the title race, it was no surprise to see them add to their squad in January. But is the injury-prone former Everton striker, Louis Saha, the right man to improve Harry Redknapp’s team? Redknapp’s hand was effectively forced by the departure of the unhappy Roman Pavlyuchenko, but John Cross of the Daily Mirror admits he was shocked to see Spurs make such a risky signing.

“If I had a pound for everyone who said that ‘when Saha is fit and playing well, then he’s among the best strikers in the league’,” he says of the new Tottenham man. “We all know that the trouble is, he’s never fit.

“He just doesn’t string a run of games together, and that’s the great frustration. I think Tottenham have taken a massive gamble there. They were talking about shaking up the strike force and bringing in a stellar signing, and they ended up with Louis Saha. It’s a very strange one. Maybe he can be parachuted in on the odd occasion and deliver something decent.”

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Bwble

i think it has more to do with Mr Levy not wanting to hand the manager any money with the current court case and the verdict not until the transfer window closes. Nightmare scenario is that he has to replace the manager and the players he inherits are not the ones he wants. More spending and uncertainty. Saha was free and will not “create” about sitting on the subs bench and being moody when he is asked to come on for 15 – 20 mins
Anonymous

As Saha is effectively third choice – if adebayor and Defoe were out or perhaps if Spurs needed to change from their usual formation – its hardly a massive gamble…
He certainly isn’t going to need to “string a run of games together”….
Muddsy

I agree and the more we save cash and reduce our wage bill the better chance we have of affording that quality player who can really improve the first team when we can offer champions league football. Every club needs to consider the new fair play rules. Also he has let go those who were negative in the squad and brought in players who will bust a gut to get playing. This will improve team spirit. I just wish De Santos had the heart to fight for a place rather than have his manager complain he is not getting a chance.
Smiley Spud

perhaps Harry “had”millions to spend but somehow “forgot” which account it was in. Levy bailed him out with a couple of freebies.
Muddsy

I do think we need a more tactical manager as when thing have not been going well in games Harry has made some rare substitutions. Cant deny that by picking his preferred 11 we have developed into an exciting team unit but he will never be able to keep a top quality squad happy and first 11 fresh with these tactics.
Dr Richard Esp

Tottenham Hotspur! mr levy tried for loic remy leandro damiao seydou doumbia moussa sow m`baye niang and will try again c`mon!
DAVspurs

This is a good signing for now why buy a top striker too sit on the bench . Saha will wait for his chance just like Defoe and will be a great success the way we play with pace with Defoe or Ady
Jennierevans

I don’t think he will, or was bought for, playing 15 games in a row…

But if he can go on a 6/7 game hot streak like Yakubu…he could be very very useful indeed.

He is seasoned enough to possess the quality
Lodvic

Why is it a gamble? He won’t have to play, he’s only been brought in as back up to Defoe and Ady.

I would expect he has a 6 month contract much like Nelson from blackburn, with an option to extend if they exceed all expectations. However it is likely they will both be sold/released in the summer.

These are stopgap players who are unlikely to have to take too much first team responsibility, unlike Arteta at Arsenal. Old, injury prone, and expensive at £10mil but expected to replace Fabrigas.

Would it have been better if we had spent £35mil on an injured striker with a bad attitude and a pony tail?
Winston

Why do fools continually demonstrate they don’t know about football and squads? He has been signed to sit on the bench and play in an emergency, if that is beyond the comprehension of so called professional journalists then they should find another profession or write about something they actually know about.
Skitz

Why are folks shocked that Spurs made such a signing? We did it once before in the 2009-2010 season when we got Gudjohnsen (also a golden oldie then) on loan till end of the season. He scored in our 2-1 win against Stoke to ensure it was 3 points to Spurs instead of just 1 the year we got into Champs League. If Saha can help us get 2 extra points as well which brings us into the Champions League then why not? I certainly don’t expect Saha to score 10+ goals or even start 10+ games now to the end of the season. Just do a Gudjohnsen and he would have done well by my books.
DannyMackay

How’s it a gamble? Spurs replaced a fourth choice striker who had appeared only a couple of times this season for a fourth choice strker who’ll appear only a couple of times this season – but with no long term commitment (6month contract) and no fee (Pav went for a fee). So what was put at risk?
http://zimbabwe.iwooho.com/?p=19761 Louis Saha confident he will fire soon for Tottenham Hotspur – bettor.com (blog) | Zimbabwe – iWooho.com

[...] Saha on the deadline day of the January transfer window, and the attacker might be given his …Spurs have taken "massive gamble" on Louis SahaLife’s A Pitch (blog)Saha on goal trailThe SunSaha so good! New striker keen to earn his Spurs [...]
bill fish spur

the kind of gamble which DIDNT cost 35 million and then wait for 15 games to fit in.as with carroll at liverpool?….he’s hungry, experienced and talented……….and knows how important his contribution will be……………..
william shake(thesports)speare

can we have some excellent sport journalism please ……..all this internet crap on show theses days is dumbing people to death out here……as my parrot just said…cut and paste…cut and paste…!!
Winniebryan

Saha has been fit for quite a bit now, he’s just been cack.
Midyid

never a gamble, i say! saha in. pavs out. saha is quick, good dribbler and CAN score goals! maybe a change in team and being around good players with good service is just what he needs to kick him back into gear. come on you spurs!
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