With less than a week to go now until Spurs kick off their Premiership campaign with a tough trip to Newcastle, we find ourselves in a strange situation. The ‘on/off’ Adebayor deal looks to have fallen through, and we only have one senior striker on our books – Jermain Defoe. This is unfortunate as Defoe […]
Kane and able?
With less than a week to go now until Spurs kick off their Premiership campaign with a tough trip to Newcastle, we find ourselves in a strange situation. The ‘on/off’ Adebayor deal looks to have fallen through, and we only have one senior striker on our books – Jermain Defoe. This is unfortunate as Defoe cannot lead the line on his own. This is clearly a problem due to the formation we play. The only alternative Spurs have is to start with 19-year-old Harry Kane. Kane is an England Under-19 regular that in the past scored bucket loads of goals for the youth team, and most recently enjoyed a successful loan spell at Millwall. He’s a tall, strong player that is suited to playing up front on his own. While it is great to see Kane succeed in the Championship, it’ll take a lot more to convince most Spurs fans that he is ready to lead our line when our competitors have the likes of Rooney, Aguero, Torres, and Van Persie.
[linequote]If I was AVB I would not be confident about having this rookie up front because there is simply not enough evidence to suggest he can make in impact in the Premiership.[/linequote]
My biggest concern about Harry Kane is based purely on what I have seen of him in the flesh. During our ill-fated Europa League campaign he started up front regularly after an impressive pre-season (scored a cracker against MK Dons). I can remember being genuinely excited to see him play against Hearts only to be disappointed after his penalty miss. I know all the best players in the world are capable of missing penalties, but it was not the best first impression. After this, I get the feeling Kane lost his confidence, and his performances in Europe were average at best, but for his goal against Ireland’s finest – Shamrock Rovers. This local lad who is a lifelong Spurs fan wanted to impress so much, and perhaps there ended up being more pressure inside his head than there was on his shoulders.
Harry Kane has featured for the first team in pre-season, and started in the dull 0-0 friendly against Liverpool in Baltimore. He recently grabbed a hat-trick against Southend FC for the Tottenham XI aswell. He is therefore capable of scoring goals, albeit against teams in the lower leagues. If I was AVB I would not be confident about having this rookie up front because there is simply not enough evidence to suggest he can make in impact in the Premiership. He has already outshone our previous hope of a striker coming through the ranks Jon Obika, but this says little as he has spent all of his career on loan at Yeovil Town, without setting Devon alight. We do also have Coulibaly that has had a top pre-season, but he is only 17, and is more similar to Defoe. Come Saturday and Kane’s name is on the teamsheet I will be willing him on 110%, although I desperately hope a top-class striker, be it Adebayor or Leandro Damiao, will be arriving at the Lane very soon!
[author name=”Joe Alexander” avatar=”https://twimg0-a.akamaihd.net/profile_images/2251583663/Spurs_and_School.jpg” twitter=”JoeAlexander1″ tag=”JoeAlexander[/linequote]
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10 Comments
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13/08/2012 @ 7:25 pm
All true Spurs Supporters think the same way. Kane, stay fit and score many goals, Spurs splash the cash and buy a couple of international strikers!
13/08/2012 @ 7:30 pm
all true spurs supporters dont want kane upfront on saturday so where u get that idea from no one knows, we need striker/s in by sat or we’ll be struggling, FACT
13/08/2012 @ 10:56 pm
Erm, excuse me dvl, but who are you to tell people that they’re not true Spurs fans just because they may have a different idea about team selection to you??
If we can’t get a top striker this week, then Kane will HAVE to be upfront on Saturday, whether YOU like it or not. Frankly, I think it’s the best experience of the Prem he can get. He will be dedicated as he’s from our own academy and so will throw everything he has into the game.
You can’t make a rookie into a pro without putting him in the same environment and making him learn from the senior players and his own mistakes, of which he won’t make many.
“Kane will score if he plays on Saturday” – Mark my words. I’m an ITK ;)
13/08/2012 @ 7:46 pm
Thing is in the future I don’t think he is as suited to leading the line. From what I’ve read, he seems better playing as a second striker in a partnership, as a number 10. Kind of like Clint Dempsey.
13/08/2012 @ 8:20 pm
Not sure we NEED anyone new ,in terms of strikers, in by saturday, as I feel that in the odd game we are capable of getting away with playing Defoe as our main striker (as he did away at Man City, last season).But, obviously over the longer is vital that we bring in two strikers if we are serious about competing in two competitions, let alone four. I have seen a fair bit of Harry Kane in pre-season and last years European fixtures, and unfortunately I haven’t seen ANYTHING to make me believe that the lad is capable of leading the line in the EPL, for one of the leagues top sides.
You have got to ask yourself what the kid would bring to the team? What unique attribute does he posses that is going to improve the overall dynamic of the side?
I have know doubts that Kane is a decent player, but Spurs are at a stage in their evolution where decent should no longer be considered good enough. Would Kane get a game in the sides of ANY of our rivals? The answer is simple…no!
Besides, for me Coulibaly, although slightly younger than Kane himself, shows more promise of developing in to the kind of player that can make a REAL impact at this level, and for the club. So if any one is given an opportunity to shine in a Spurs shirt this season, for me it should be the Ivorian younster.
13/08/2012 @ 8:40 pm
Kane scored 5 goals from corners when he was eleven. My kid went to school with him at Chingford (Beckham’s old school!). That’s got to be a mark of a decent player. He is a lovely kid from a good family and I hope he comes good. He is not exceptionally quick but he’s over 6 foot and a cultured player. Looks a bit ‘Berbatov’ in his style at times but he knows where the net is, and unlike others, can score from 30 yards out. We haven’t got Llorente or Hulk and we’d never pay their wages, So let’s be realistic and give him a chance, and give him every chance. A homegrown lad, will work his arse off and needs time- like any other player new to the premiership. Good luck Harry. After the olympics, I’m fed up of shitty primadonnas and players like Harry deserve their chance.
13/08/2012 @ 9:23 pm
still havnt forgiven DEFOE for last season at NEWCASTLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
13/08/2012 @ 11:49 pm
u not a true spur then?
13/08/2012 @ 11:24 pm
Kane, isn’t good enough; end of.
13/08/2012 @ 11:44 pm
give kane a chance, we wanna build for the future then we need young blood, not 30yr old + has beens. roll on the new era coys. respect avb. chelsea were full of overpaid divas who convinced everyone he was no good. but who got them where they are? not di matteo!!! roman didnt even want him