Life’s a Pitch: supermarket sweep

Some enjoy every second, others can’t wait for it to finish. The transfer window seems to polarise opinion among football fans, with hundreds of millions of pounds spent in the mad rush of the final few days.

For the rest of us it makes for fascinating watching, as clubs desperate to add to their playing staff spend the final few days behaving as if they’re taking part in a supermarket sweep. The window closes at midnight on Friday (31 August), and as usual Tottenham are one of the more active clubs.

Spurs’ Daniel Levy can strike a good deal like no other chairman, but in leaving much of his transfer business until Luka Modric sealed a move to Real Madrid earlier this week, he had the task of bringing in numerous players in very little time.

Our vodcast panellists considered it a very dangerous strategy, when we were discussing it this week, and asked why Levy didn’t get the Modric deal done earlier if so many inbound transfers depended on it. Surely it’s better to take £5m less on a sale than risk having a poor start to the season because your team isn’t competitive until after the window has closed.

Their north London neighbours Arsenal have also been at the centre of much transfer speculation this week, with rampant rumours that Theo Walcott would be leaving the club after being unable to agree a contract extension.

Panellist John Cross, speaking before it emerged Walcott was staying, put his neck on the line and explained why he believed the 22 year old would remain at the Emirates.

Another Arsenal issue for Arsène Wenger to deal with is who will play the defensive midfielder role after Alex Song left for Barcelona. Abou Diaby and Mikel Arteta seem the most likely two, but are both, or either, up to the job? Should Wenger buy a specialist? John Cross gives his view.

Up at Anfield, Kelly Welles looks at the psychological damage Andy Carroll’s failed Liverpool move is having on him amid speculation that Newcastle could yet resign him this summer. Which could, in turn, free up some much-needed cash for Brendan Rodgers to continue his rebuilding job with young, talented players. Something Nick Miller takes a closer look at.

Elsewhere, we look at the biggest transfer rumours and assess whether the deals already done will be money well spent, or money down the drain.

Expert pundit videos

“These next three days will define Spurs’ season”

The Life’s a Pitch team discusses Daniel Levy’s last-minute scramble for players before the transfer window closes on Friday.
Risky business >

Walcott to Man City, Liverpool eye Sturridge, Nani to Zenit?

The Life’s a Pitch team take a look at the latest transfer rumours, judging how likely they are to happen before the transfer window slams shut this week.
Deadline deals >

Should Diaby or Arteta anchor the Arsenal midfield?

The Daily Mirror’s John Cross discusses his concerns over who will play the defensive midfield role at Arsenal this season in the absence of a specialist.
Defensive lynchpin? >

Miyaichi, McEachran and Huddlestone: Hit or miss?

Will Ryo Miyaichi, Josh McEachran and Tom Huddlestone shine in pastures new this season? Our Life’s a Pitch experts give their verdicts…
Hit or miss? >

Lively opinion blogs

Carroll’s Liverpool failure may haunt him forever

Andy Carroll’s future at the top level may have been damaged by his enduring Liverpool nightmare writes Kelly Welles.
Psychological damage >

Rodgers puts youth at the centre of his Liverpool plan

Brendan Rodgers’ plan to turn Liverpool’s fortunes around are based firmly on the development of young, talented players, writes Football 365’s Nick Miller.
Trusting youth >

Raheem Sterling needs nurturing, not adulation

Those getting carried away with Raheem Sterling should remember he is only 17 and still has years of developing ahead of him, writes Mike Calvin.
Still a boy >

Time Mancini made the best of his resources at Man City

Mike Calvin is growing increasingly tired of Roberto Mancini’s complaints over a lack of significant investment in the Man City squad this summer.
Stop bleating >

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