Last week saw the Testimonial of ex-Tottenham Skipper Ledley King. After a pretty depressing and underwhelming season at the Lane, celebrating a Fans Favourties career was a welcome moment. However, it also pointed out another problem with the current first team (which has been mentioned now and then) - There aren't enough of 'Tottenhams own'.
Every side wants the best players available to them seletected - that's the obvious. However amongst their faults last season, Spurs supports lack of connection with their side was one which became more and more apparent. It's not a case of saying that Supporters don't relate or have a rapport with players brought in from elsewhere. The best example of this from a few years back being Rafa Van Der Vaart, who oozed class but also a passion which was popular with the Lillywhites faithful. There are basically none of the current side who come close to that - not even Lloris or Eriksen, despite good form making them appreciated. Long termers Dawson and Lennon both have built up a decent connection with Fans, but they are unlikely to be regulars for years to come. Forward Harry Kane is an academy product, who became a regular and success at the latter part of last season. However there will likely be doubts over whether he will ever be a true first choice, with the likes of Adebayor at the club and the lure of Signing the next exciting foreign star.
A player will be given the chances he deserves if he's truly worth it. There's no use sacrificing success to wait and wait for Academy produced talent to progress. However, with Tottenham having one of the best training grounds in Europe, it's surely not too much to find a gem or two every few years. The only real success was the afore mentioned King - and he retired two years ago now. Who knows maybe someone like Tom Carroll can return from QPR and show his potential? Nothing would be more welcomed at the club than to see the next Hoddle.
Source: DSG
