I’m sure I wasn’t alone in registering some surprise when Tottenham finalised a move for goalkeeper Brad Friedel. Sure, Harry Redknapp’s side needed to go out and buy somebody to replace Heurelho Gomes, but was it the right move to get somebody who is clearly at the end of their career? Friedel has had a remarkably consistent and accomplished career between the sticks, but as he increases in age there’s a good chance that mistakes might start to creep into his game.
He does however provide more reassurance than the hapless Gomes. As such the Tottenham back four are always more confident, safe in the knowledge that they are not the very last line of defence and less prone to panic when the opposition sweeps forward.
Friedel also offers Tottenham an expert command of his area. He knows when to come and claim crosses, when to come out for a 1-on-1 with an opposition striker and when to punch the ball away instead of attempting to catch it. Essentially he’s been there and done everything so he knows just what to do in any given situation. This kind of experience could prove to be invaluable for Tottenham.
Gomes also seemed to struggle to deal with long-shots, whilst Friedel doesn’t share this inability. In almost every aspect, barring age, Friedel appears to best Gomes. But does that make him a good signing?
I personally would have preferred to see Shay Given join Spurs. I’d say that Given and Friedel are on a similar level when it comes to ability (with Shay probably just edging it) but given that Shay is 35, he has another 3-4 years left to offer his club. Of course, there’s every chance that City would have refused to sell Given to Tottenham, but that doesn’t change the fact that he’d have been a better signing.
I was hoping that Gomes would view Tottenham’s acquisition of Friedel as a bit of a challenge. It’s not like Gomes is completely without ability. On his day he’s an excellent shot-stopper, if a little error-prone. However as of yet Heurelho hasn’t really had another opportunity to stake another claim to the Tottenham goalkeeping spot and I’m not sure he ever will again.
My general feeling is that though Friedel was a good enough signing, I’m not sure he was the right signing for the club. I’d rather have seen someone younger brought in who had a chance of being with the club for a number of seasons. As it is, it looks like Harry will have to dip into the transfer market once more this summer.
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Harry probably new what Brad would bring to the team. And that has given him more time to look for Gomes’s replacement.
Exactly!!!!!
shitty would not have sold us given, obvious,.
Thats that done.
friedel is a quality signing and now we (massivey more importantly) and the defense can relax, and not worry so much at the back..
How much better do most of u feel without gomes there god bless him?
so do king kaboul etc.
pointless article, obvious upgrade.
Now if can redknapp to stop playing a dutch maestro MIDDLE OF THE PARKgenius
…on the right,.. then we will be gettin somewhere!
😉
Sorry mate nonsense, awesome solution to Gomes coming down with shell shock. I mean for goodness sakes he was free, trying to anaylise something that is working well so push off will ya?
Nice article, I do think that Brad was/is the right man for Spurs, as much as I like Gomes, his errors probably cost us more points than his amazing and sometimes miraculous saves earned us. I think he will be good for this season and maybe next, so ‘Arry needs to get on and find a good replacement, with Gomes clearly on his way out and Cudicini aging too, we need a good, experienced keeper in the team.
Regarding the nota about Given, I think, like most people, that he would have been a great signing, however, I don’t see him moving this far south, he will always stay up north.
And yea, I meant ‘note’ about Given, not ‘nota’ before anyone points out my stupidity…
Can’t agree with knows when to come or when to stay. Of course me makes fewer mistakes he never leaves his line. Gomes would’ve been much better playing in defence marshalled by King a fact you fail to mention.
bolox
Forget Gomes, he’s a pre madonna & the league cup game against Stoke proved once again that his mental strength isn’t there. I have to commend Carlo, as he is patient, takes his opportunities and ever since his accident, he’s come back stronger & better than Gomes IMO.
Friedal is the best choice, as can be seen by his assured performances especially as like Ledders in the back, he brings a calm to the defence.
What Harry has said all along with Spursm is that they needed real men in the squad not weak fairies. He has bought leaders of men both on & off the field in bringing Friedal and Parker.
Take a look at the characters we’ve gotten rid of in this season, who were frankly spoiling the broth, Bentley, Hutton, Keane, O’Hara, Jenas all of which overstayed their welcome and moaning they weren’t first team regulars.
It’s a game of balance and by the looks of it, we have some good balance now, just need more of that killer touch to finish teams, when we’re all over them. ie wigan 1st half.
Gomez has not played for us tgi’s season it was Carlo in goal for the cup game against stoke
City would not have sold Given to Spurs, just as Chelsea would not sell Parker and Duff to Spurs previously. But since, Given is now with Villa, we can approach Given in 2 years time when Friedel eventually retires.
It’s so hard to tell if Brad is any good or not as I could have played in goal against Arsenal and still only let one in!
These are the startling facts Freidel with King games four conceded 2 without King conceded 8. Gomes had a record number of shut outs at home with King in defence and another fact Gommes has never made a mistake with King its no surprise to me when King plays all our keepers play well. The acid test will come if King don’t play.
Friedel is great right now, if we can get CL football next season we could sign a top class keeper like Lloris, Akinfeev etc
i think you can take it as a given that friedel is a stop gap.either january or the summer a younger replacement will arrive.must say friedel is a great signing and inspires confidence.
Not even going to bother reading the article after such a stupid headline. If you don’t have the brains to figure out why he was signed don’t ask us to do your thinkng for you.