Will the next Spurs manager be more decisive?
In a poll on our website on Thursday we asked Spurs fans their preference to start next season in goal.
At a time when supporters are split evenly on who should be the next manager, forgive us asking a difficult question, but it remains a pressing one all the same.
Brad Friedel is 41, Carlo Cudicini hasn’t played regular football since 2003, and Heurelho Gomes hasn’t even played for a year.
Ben Foster is available from Birmingham for around £4-5 million, and is 29, 12 years younger than Friedel, a good goalkeeper and more than sensible option.
Those were our four options, plus ‘other’. Here are the full results…
Brad Friedel – 29 per cent
Ben Foster – 25 per cent
Carlo Cudicini – 19 per cent
Heurelho Gomes – 18 per cent
Other – 8 per cent
The ‘other’ suggestions from fans? Several nominations for Newcastle United goalkeeper Tim Krul, French goalkeeper Hugo Lloris, and young England and Birmingham ‘keeper Jack Butland.
In addition there were single shouts for Michel Vorm and Udinese goalkeeper Samir Handanovic.
So Friedel wins the vote and after a steady season last year – exactly what was required after Gomes’ gaffes the season before – you can understand why.
Yet at 41, how much longer can he carry on? A new manager will arrive with fresh ideas and approaches and may decide to bring in a ‘keeper he is familiar with.
We’d recommend not rocking the boat, keeping Friedel on and looking at a replacement in January if required, and until then Cudicini is good cover, but he has earned his right for a second chance regardless of age.
Do you agree? Who would you start next season?
image: © wonker
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