Tottenham are flying at home and in Europe...so why do they need the David Beckham circus?

03 January 2011 10:06
They were talkingabout it as the baconrolls and cups of teawere taken on boardbefore kick-off andthey were still talking aboutit as they headed for a post-matchpint. [LNB]It is a measure of David Beckham'siconic status in the game that, in aweek in which Tottenham haveearned three wins to stay in the titlehunt, his potential loan move toWhite Hart Lane meant minds weredistracted away from how wellHarry Redknapp's side are doing. [LNB]That sort of distraction is surelythe most important issue to be consideredby the club when weighingup the pros and cons of offeringBeckham a last hurrah inEnglish football. [LNB]Golden boy: Wherever David Beckham goes he brings with him a media frenzy[LNB]Why upset the apple cart by signinga player for two or three monthswhen his arrival will see the gaze ofthe world's media sporting andotherwise swing in the directionof Tottenham? [LNB]The 'Beckham Effect' is alreadybeginning to be felt. After fieldingquestions about keeping a cleansheet against Fulham, Michael Dawsonwas asked about his thoughtson sharing a dressing room with theformer England captain.[LNB]On the move: David Beckham is a target for Tottenham[LNB]'It's not for me to talk about playerswho aren't at the club. I'll justleave that for everyone else,' saidDawson. [LNB]When pushed on the subjecthe was whisked away. Fairenough, you might think. After all,what has Beckham got to do withthe excellent position Spurs findthemselves in?[LNB]But Redknapp is confident that,once the training-ground gates areshut, the travelling media circuswho follow Beckham, 35, aroundthe globe will have no adverseeffect on his preparations orthe focus of his squad. [LNB]There is, of course, a precedentto support this argumentgiven that three years agoBeckham spent a month orso training with the Arsenalsquad, his presenceprompting only the oddquestion to ArseneWenger about whetherhe wanted to sign him.He did not, but Redknappdoes. [LNB]One journalistbegan a questionabout signing Beckhamon Friday by saying:'Being serious . . .' [LNB]'I am being serious,'interjected Redknapp,wondering why therewere some who thought he might not be. The Tottenham manager is interested only inimproving the fortunes of his teamand it is clear from his words thathe feels Beckham's dedication tothe sport in the twilight of his careercan serve as a positive example tohis squad. [LNB]He also feels that the former Englandcaptain's crossing and passingability can provide a differentoption for his side when required,an option which outweighs the factthat whatever pace he had as ayoungster has long since gone.[LNB][LNB]Don't worry: Tottenham boss Harry Redknapp reckons the media frenzy that comes with Beckham won't be a problem[LNB]With David Bentley likely to leavethis month and Tom Huddlestoneinjured, you could argue he couldplay an occasional role in centralmidfield or on the right wing.Redknapp is clear in his thinking:'I just get feelings for people.[LNB]'I brought William Gallas here andeverybody said I was mad. Howgood has he been? What a player!I took Kanu to Portsmouthsix years ago. [LNB]'People who aresupposed to know said, 'He'sfinished', and he's still playingthere now.' [LNB]Spurs struggled to playthrough a Fulham side intenton a point during Saturday'sturgid 1-0 win. with AaronLennon's pace failing tounlock the opposition. Insuch circumstances it iseasy to imagine Beckhamcoming off the bench tochange things. [LNB]But while Redknapp isonly envisaging what Beckham cando on the field, plenty within theTottenham corridors of power arelicking their lips at the prospect ofwhat he can bring off it. [LNB]Can he cut it? Questions remain over whether Beckham can still be a force in the Premier League[LNB]It is whypicking up his £80,000-a-week basicpay at LA Galaxy does not representan issue for them. [LNB]Rather than being concerned atthe furore Beckham's arrival wouldcause, they will be delighted by it. Ifyou want the name of TottenhamHotspur on everybody's lips and ifyou want to sell lorry loads of shirtsbearing his name that exposure isexactly what is required. [LNB]COACH BECKS FOR 2012, SAYS LORD COELord Coe has suggestedthat David Beckham would be a good coach for Britain's London 2012football team. Speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live's Sportsweek, Coe said heliked the idea of the LA Galaxy midfielder in charge. 'David Beckham ascoach sounds good,' argued Coe, 'and I've gone well beyondmy brief now.'[LNB]Beckham is a marketing man'sdream but woe betide anyone whodare suggest that, aside from hisfamily, football isn't the most importantthing in his life. [LNB]Even when 'Brand Beckham' wasat its height following his move toReal Madrid, his primary focusalways remained on his football. [LNB]Real fans, like AC Milan's afterthem, soon appreciated his dedicationto the cause before going outto buy a shirt with his name on theback in recognition of that fact.It remains to be seen whetherhardcore Spurs fans will do thesame should he come. [LNB]The onlybarometer they will use to determinewhether signing him was agood idea is whether his arrival producedbetter or worse results. [LNB]Either way, they will still betalking about it until New Year'sDay 2012.[LNB] Beckham says yes to Spurs! And he's set to make his debut against UnitedBentley set for Newcastle move to make way for Beckham at SpursSpurs DO want to tempt Beckham back to England on loan, admits Redknapp[LNB]  Explore more:People: David Bentley, David Beckham, William Gallas Places: Madrid, London, United Kingdom, Europe

Source: Daily_Mail