I have to confess, I was one of those fans who were a little confused about Spurs signing Ryan Nelsen. He had clearly been a big part of a Blackburn side (172 appearances ranging from 2005-2012) that didn’t always click and had been through a number of injury problems. To say that he was a bit of a gamble is an understatement. But has Harry Redknapp been proven right yet again?
His injury problems began back in the 2010-11 season which saw him suffer a niggly knee injury that kept him out of contention for some time. Unfortunately he only managed to make one appearance for Blackburn this season (in a 3-1 loss) before picking up another injury and jetting off to New Zealand to spend time with some medical experts.
Blackburn eventually lost patience and released Nelsen on the 31st January 2012. Who’d have guessed that it would be Tottenham who snapped him up? This was a player with a bad injury track record who hadn’t been tested at the top level.
Yet it was Nelsen who set Spurs on the road to an FA Cup semi-final showdown with Chelsea, scoring his first goal since moving to White Hart Lane. Nelsen’s 74th minute header broke the deadlock allowing Tottenham to eventually run out 3-1 winners. Harry Redknapp was clearly ecstatic:
“I thought he was fantastic, just think he is a great professional and a real good player. I couldn’t believe I got him on a free. I felt it was an amazing player to bring to the club, he is a player I have chased for years.
I have always thought he was top class, a great pro, a great trainer, a fantastic person. He has got a six-month contract. At the end of the season you have got to keep him here next year because he’s worth his weight in gold just to have around for other people to look at the way he works, the way he trains, the way he behaves, his attitude.”
Whilst I initially felt that Tottenham had no need for yet another injury prone centre back (I’m thinking Ledley King and before that Jonathan Woodgate) I’ve come round to the idea of Nelsen operating as a decent squad player. His attitude is clearly excellent, he’s experienced in the Premier League, he’s a role model and he can be effective.
He can organise the defence, make decent tackles and has generally performed well (barring a mistake against Stevenage).
At 34-years-old he’s not a long-term solution and I’d argue he’s not a first teamer either. But for Tottenham to have such quality in reserve stands them in good stead.
So I think it’s fair to say that Harry’s done it again. A top transfer at a bargain price – good work.
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must be joking right??? one game, and it is a coup by redcrapp!!??? this is bullox!
I’ll admit I was of the same opinion about Nelson and the jury is still out for me, 1 good game doesn’t a star make. Prefer younger players to be consistant and gain understanding. As for “Another Redknapp masterstroke,” when was the last one?
Whilst I don’t necessarily believe Nelson to be a masterstroke, I feel he will be useful in and around the first team.
In response to baggy shorts, I’d have to say Scott Parker, Brad Friedel and Ade on loan have been 3 masterstrokes.
Personally I’d prefer to see Defoe on the field but Saha has outperformed expectations too.
Nelsen is a decent stopper and stop-gap. Do I prefer him to Bassong? Yes. Is he better than Kaboul? No. Will he get regular games? No. King’s career is sadly over. Gallas might be on his way. Dawson doesnt have top-level class though you cant fault his bravery or commitment. Caulker however will be next seasons Kyle Walker – a regular first-teamer with a years Prem experience. With Kaboul alongside him and Nelsen, Dawson and maybe Gallas as our back-ups.
Redknapp transfer coup? – er…..VDV for £8m; Parker; Walker.
Is this a joke. He is the slowest player I have ever watched play. He is not prem league quality. How can one goal and a handful of poor performances make him a “Masterstroke signing”?
I’m with Harry, Would have tried to sign him years ago.
Getting on a little now, but still a lot to offer, and great to have that sort of experience to come off the bench if your regular CB goes down.
Dawson is 1000 times this waste of space.
Morgan are u a gooner in disguise.Dawson a 1000 times better.Dawson a decent player ,but a 1000 times better.Thats the sought of moronic statement We expect to hear from gooners.One has only to go on one or two other sites(ie the sun ect)To see that that the average gooners iq is pretty low.Full of hate and bile not only towards ourselves,but Manu/manC.Its quite pathetic really.
Im living in hope,that one day,I will actually,meet a gooner who is a half decent human being.But I thinking that I could be waiting a hell of a long time.