da bet7k： Tottenham Hotspur boss Harry Redknapp commented after his side’s 1-0 defeat at Upton Park that he wanted more flair players in the order of Rafael van der Vaart. Never one to be overtly partisan he expressed admiration for Arsenal’s fluid attacking style. “I’d like to get another couple of flair players for the side to go with the likes of him (van der Vaart) and Modric. You don’t give the ball away when you’ve got players like that.” His side have endured wretched luck with injuries recently but is the former Portsmouth tactician neglecting the talents of last year’s purchase of the summer? Niko Kranjcar joined the London club from Pompey for a fee of around £2 million but has been largely anonymous this season. Should Redknapp turn to the creativity in his ranks before scouting more flair players?
da spicy bet： Kranjcar has yet to start a game for Spurs this season which is inferably peculiar given his excellent maiden season in north London. Signed on transfer deadline day last year for a relatively bargain price, the Croatian was reunited with Redknapp once more. It was an astoundingly astute piece of business which warranted the manager’s unwelcome tag as a ‘wheeler dealer.’ He initially had to fight for a starting berth with his international colleague Luka Modric but later profited from the playmaker’s injury. In 29 appearances in all competitions last season Kranjcar scored 8 goals and established his credentials as an adroit creator too. Often deployed on the left side of midfield, the Croatian midfielder scored his first Tottenham goal in a 2-2 draw against Bolton Wanderers. He netted an impressive brace against Manchester City at White Hart Lane last year. His second goal was breathtaking as from a City clearance he skipped past Emmanuel Adebayor and then fired a low shot past Shay Given from an acute angle. Redknapp said of the player after the match, “If you don’t get a man of the match award for that tonight you’re never going to get one.”
Sublime goals followed against Peterborough and Stoke City as his long range striking ability attracted numerous admirers. His goal scoring expertise coupled with his ability to assist others allowed him to have a substantive impact on their remarkable season. However his authority subsided after being trumped by the emergence of Gareth Bale in the latter stages of that campaign. Both players have a direct, attacking style but the Welshman’s pace is far superior. Kranjcar’s chances this season have been restricted further by the constantly progressing Bale and the renewed competition from fit again Modric and van der Vaart. The No21 may therefore have to bide his time before an opportunity presents itself. However when the Lilywhites’ play can become too intricate, as it did at West Ham, Kranjcar is worthy of inclusion due to his explosive shooting and incisive style of play.
The competition he faces is intense as Bale is arguably one of the most promising wide players in Europe, particularly when freed from defensive duties. Despite missing a penalty and seeing red for two bookable offences in their 4-1 win over Dutch champions FC Twente, van der Vaart is rapidly becoming a fan favourite and the key creative conductor in their midfield. His volleyed goal past Nikolay Mihaylov was executed with aplomb. Spurs have received countless plaudits from neutrals for their manager’s penchant to play open, attractive football with verve and purpose. In his post match press conference on Wednesday, Redknapp said, “We picked an open team, we went for it.” But should his team require an added burst of unpredictability and ideas he would be wise to not look far beyond his substitutes, especially Kranjcar.
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