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Gylfi Sigurdsson and Michael Dawson are reportedly subject to transfer bids from Crystal Palace and Hull City respectively. The alleged hold up on both deals being completed is that Sigurdsson doesn't fancy Palace and wants to prove his worth at Spurs whilst Dawson wants a bigger contract than the one being offered by Hull or a bigger pay off from Spurs. It's all very probable as both seek to guarantee their future whilst Daniel Levy struggles to sell before Mauricio Pochettino can buy.

So what of both players? Are they surplus to requirements at Spurs or do they have a realistic chance to compete for first team places?

Sigurdsson hasn't truly settled since arriving at Tottenham. He lacks pace and is inconsistent (the latter being one of the popular traits of a fair few players we've had over the years). What's his position? When does he impact games and what type of influence does he have if given a prominent role to attack the final third? All types of questions where I'd base my answer on his last performance rather than being able to convincingly tell you with conviction. Much like Clint Dempsey swaggering around Craven Cottage then looking lost at White Hart Lane, Sigurdsson doesn't really fit in and as become an option from the bench and the occasional bright spark when brought on to carve something out.

He's more than a decent player and one that would lead within a lesser side (not to be disrespectful to him or any team he might join). The fact he wants to stay and fight, if this is a genuine stand of defiance, makes me think twice about letting him go.

As for Dawson. I remember (not very well) being at an away ground possibly in the Midlands, when news filtered through that we had signed Andy Reid and that Michael Dawson was also part of the deal. He's been part of the club during its rise from mid-table mediocrity to Champions League contenders (pretenders) and yet remains a player that has to deal with plenty of scapegoating from the faithful.

Yes, he's not the fastest. Yes, he can struggle when up against top quality opposition. His best form was alongside Ledley King (no surprise that you would ooze confidence next to that particular legend). There are better centre-backs at Spurs for sure. As a first team choice, he wouldn't be selected unless injuries plagued us. Yet he can still display good form to silence those that would prefer to cash in. As long as the tactics don't ask too much of him. Blood and thunder, not high-line and off-side.

Dawson's sheer enthusiasm and pride might be too much of a sentimental reason to keep hold of him, but it serves as a reminder that if the better footballers at the club had even 10% of his passion we might actually possess spirit and guile that remains unrelenting. If you believe it, he's looking to be compensated for his loyalty to Spurs (before being sold to Hull) as he nears a testimonial year. Or should he simply be grateful to us for remaining loyal to him? Of course not. Something something guaranteeing future.

If they both leave, I wish them all the best. If they stay, they are both hardly back up options you would scoff at. But just back ups.

As for needing the funds for new players? That makes me nervous.

via Club Metro

dml will be back with consistent original content the closely we creep towards losing to West Ham United away on the opening day of the season.