ToffeeWeb - Season 2007-08

The Mail Bag

Tom Huddlestone

Just read that Huddlestone might become avaliable in January. I was just wondering what people's thoughts were to the mighty Blues signing him in January. I personally feel that he would be a very good addition.
Chris Rogers, Bristol Posted 06/11/2007 at 15:59:51

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Michael Hunt
1 Posted 06/11/2007 at 18:06:28

I fear he is a lazy, overweight, big time charley who’ll never reach his footballing potential...therefore can’t see Moyes taking a punt on him, esp. as he’ll probably cost quite a bit...better to go for Stephen Appiah or some other proven, more complete midfield dynamo type.

Roy coyne
2 Posted 06/11/2007 at 18:11:36

Depends on the price as hes a gamble but maybe he needs a manager like Moyes to sort him out

Connor Rohrer
3 Posted 06/11/2007 at 18:11:24

Huddlestone has got potential but that is it potential. His passing is immense but his all round game is poor. He’s lazy, slow and doesn’t get stuck in considering his size.

Even Appiah I’m not so sure about. He’s a good player but he’s not a passer and not a creative midfielder. He is like a better version of Didier Zokora at Spurs. Lots of pace, energy and athleticism but not much talent on the ball. I’d still have him like but I think there are better options out there.

John Lloyd
4 Posted 06/11/2007 at 18:22:24

Appiah is a world class player, if you have ever seen him play you wouldnt compare him to Zokora!! I dont think that Conor has ever seen him, just heard about him as he is a creative midfielder who has is the main creatve force for his national side ghana (essien is his water carrier!!) and for his club side. The only doubt is the could he handle the pace of the premiership, as he is a very continental footballer.

Huddlestone is very talented player who with a task master like Moyes could blossom into a fine midfielder comfortable in the tackle & with the ball. Or he could be a big time charley as stated & end up being a bigger problem than asset, unsure on that one, I am.

Neil McKinney
5 Posted 06/11/2007 at 18:31:18

As has been mentioned above, regardless of your opinion of Huddlestone’s ability the main problem with him is that he is young and English. We all know that this means hefty price tag, even when unproven.

I have to agree with the analysis above. He does not affect the game enough (see Carrick) especially for someone of his stature. His passing looks ok, but if you’re going to sit in the middle of the park then you’re going to have to do more than spread a couple of passes now and again (see Carrick).

For me that’s the problem with all young English talent. As soon as they show any promise a big club comes in, pays over the odds and that just heaps a load of pressure on the lad to be an instant success. Some of them have coped with the pressure, but many fall by the wayside.

I will say one thing about Huddlestone though, when he hits the ball it stays hit! He’s got a cracking strike on him.

Viv
6 Posted 06/11/2007 at 18:53:35

Appiah is only 5" 10. I’d love to see him sign for us, but alas he’s not tall enough if you believe the article before this one!

Seriously though (coz we must be stupid to be looking for a tall player, not a good one!)I think if he can play with Essien, he could adapt. Essien certainly did! He should be our next target.

Peter Pickle
7 Posted 06/11/2007 at 19:31:02

"If you could say that anybody single-handedly made apartheid a world issue then that person was Huddleston" - Archbishop Desmond Tutu

Dont think he’ll get into our current team though, he died in 1998...

Dave Roskin
8 Posted 06/11/2007 at 19:53:45

I definitely don?t think Huddlestone?s a world-beater (is there one in our price range?), but I?ve almost always been impressed by him. He?s quick for a big man, very hard to knock off the ball and has a cannon when he connects from distance. Moyes might be the man to shake some sense into him as far as work ethic and team play goes. For the right price, I think he could be a good pick-up and provide some much-needed height and strength in the center of the park.

I?ve only seen Appiah in the World Cup and he?s definitely massively skilled. Would doubtless be a great addition as well. Although he?s not a giant, from what I?ve seen he could make for a very effective bulldog enforcer in the mode of Essien.

Phil Jones
9 Posted 06/11/2007 at 20:08:58

I’m writing from the States, and am an American toffeeman. I’ve seen Huddlestone play on a few occassions, and have to agree with the overall sentiment towards him - he’s a bit much in the pay department, and a bit slim in performances. He’s streaky - when he’s on, he’s really on, but he’s most often not - or simply disappears altogether. I wholly agree with Neill McKinney’s assessment of how these bigs clubs pay way too much over market for these young English guys, and they have all this expectation to live up to.

I know Moyesey is a stern disciplinarian of a manager, but this doesn’t mean he straightens up streaky players (see Andy Van der Meyde). Speaking of Andy, he’s my singel greatest disappointment in the toffees. I reemmber watching him play for Ajax, and even occasionally in the Champs league when he was with Inter, and was so thrilled when he signed for us. What a complete waste.

No, I think we ought to go with Steven Appiah. He’s hard, athletic, and can pass the ball. I agree that he can be another Michael Essien. Let’s hope we can go out and get him in January.

Gavin Harris
10 Posted 06/11/2007 at 20:31:29

I have followed this guy for a couple of seasons and my mates who support spurs say he is a class act.

Would be a great buy.

Paul Godley
11 Posted 06/11/2007 at 20:40:21

He’s shit.

Mark Pendleton
12 Posted 06/11/2007 at 20:58:56

Great scouting report from Paul Godley.

Jason Broome
13 Posted 06/11/2007 at 21:07:57

Yet again another transfer link to mediocrity. Huddlestone is a midfield grunt who can’t cut it at White Hart Lane (that is why someone so young and English is so available), yet for some he is our next Arteta!?

We should only be linked with players in the calibre of Appiah and Fernandes... anything else is a waste of cyberspace.

Allan Hobbs
14 Posted 06/11/2007 at 21:25:30

Paul Godley said it all.

Mark Pendleton made it funny.

Connor Rohrer
15 Posted 06/11/2007 at 21:51:08

John Lloyd, why would I comment on Appiah if I hadn’t seen him play? He isn’t a creative midfielder as his style is more box to box similar to his counterparts Essien and Muntari. He has cracking pace and energy and an excellent shot on him but for me he is not a natural creative player like say Fernandes or Arteta.

World class? Your pushing it there son. Maybe you need to watch him more. He’s a good player but he’s far from world class. If he was world class then he wouldn’t be playing for Fernabache and clubs like West ham and Everton wouldn’t be after him.

Mike Oates
16 Posted 06/11/2007 at 21:56:05

Huddlestone was originally a centre half with Derby ?, and has been moved to midfield by Spurs . Considering our lack of cover at centre half (unsure whether Jags can cut it there due to lack of height) then Huddlestone might well fit Moyes love of man for all jobs.

I personally feel he wants to slow it down too much for today’s flavour of the game which is often based on quick counter attack.

Jeff Cooper
17 Posted 06/11/2007 at 23:21:13

Nothing special, rather see our own youngsters given a chance!

Connor Rohrer
18 Posted 06/11/2007 at 23:24:18

I actually saw that picture of Fernandes getting our of a car with Arteta. Did anyone else?

harry charles
19 Posted 07/11/2007 at 00:48:33

I really like Huddleston pure class, hardly had more than two games on the run ,he can also become a cracking centre half,moyes would make him,would have to be a realistic price though. 3M.

Dave Aitchison
20 Posted 07/11/2007 at 03:25:56

It would be better to buy Koumas ahead of Huddlestone or Appiah.

Dave Jones
21 Posted 07/11/2007 at 04:19:31

Have to say Connor is spot on with his assesment of Appiah, vastly overrated and not at all what we really need. Huddlestone is an excellent prospect but as has been commented money is a big issue. For £3m i?d take him without a doubt, would they sell for that though?? Highly unlikely. When you start talking £5m plus it becomes a huge gamble. He often looks mighty impressive for England U21?s but that is a far cry from the Prem. You jave to ask, in the face of such limited competition, why isn?t he getting more game time at Spurs? Maybe when viewed at close quarters he doesn?t cut the mustard.

Ian Butchard
22 Posted 07/11/2007 at 14:22:04

We were talking about this at the match, I’d like Huddlestone, Carsley is 33/34, and Huddlestone is a much better passer of the ball, maybe he needs a Moyes type on his case to get the best out of him