Saints rebuffed in Andros Townsend bid

Sky Sports claimed yesterday that the South Coast club had tabled an offer of £12million for England winger Andros Townsend, who did not feature in yesterday’s 4-0 win over Queens Park Rangers.

Townsend is the next target on Southampton list, having shot to stardom last season thanks to his Spurs breakthrough and subsequent England appearances, adding 5 caps and a goal to his CV after a frustrating start to life at Spurs which saw him go out on loan 9 times.

However Sky Sport’s Bryan Swanson broke the news that Southampton’s improved offer – upping their initial offer by just £2million – would be rejected.

@skysports_bryan “We're told Southampton have made £12m bid for Andros Townsend - but Tottenham have told all clubs he is not for sale. #saintsfc #THFC”

The bid comes as a surprise to most as it seemed to be that all negotiations with the Saints would be off following the Morgan Schneiderlin debacle. The French midfielder looked set for a move to Spurs until the fee was bumped up over the £25million mark, and eventually scrapped as he was told he was going nowhere.

The thought that Daniel Levy would be willing to sell our young prospect Townsend to a fellow Premier League club after they had refused us access to one of their assets is simply a non-starter.

Although all reports have claimed that Townsend is not for sale – a stance held by the club – his omission from the 18-man-squad for yesterday’s win over QPR spoke volumes, especially thanks to a cryptic tweet by Andros’ Dad on the morning of the squad announcement.

(Troy Townsend) @Towno10 “Everything is perfectly clear now!!!”

With the number 17 out of the squad for no apparent reason, and the boys performing well in his absence, Southampton are likely to come back to test the resolve of Daniel Levy. Mauricio Pochettino has already stated he is not after any more attacking talent, making departures are unlikely but not out of the question.

But more tellingly, Levy is more likely to show Southampton the door because of past politics. This is a chairman you do not mess with.

 

It makes a pleasant change that saints are pushing to get a player from spurs rather than the other way round. Cannot see this happening, there is too much bad blood between the 2 clubs...

 

Why not offer Andros for Schneiderlin and see what happens ! Certain to open or shut the door one way or the other.

 

The people just behide the goal on Paxton road will not miss he's natural shooting ability.

 

There are some players you just don't sell... Not if you can, possibly, help it!

I spoken a lot about Andros and my belief that he can go on to be a world-beater given the right coaching, and commitment to improving his game, in the past. Absolutely nothing has changed, as far as my way of thinking is concerned.

Like I always say, I prefer not only to look at a player for what he is today, but I also tend to spare a thought for what he can be tomorrow, and in Andros I see a player that can go right to the top of the game given the right support, coaching and environment/conditions.

I mean, what more do you want from a winger/wide man, in regards to technical and physical attributes? (pace, good dribbler, good technique, two good-feet, strong, great balance, can cross, shoot (off both feet), pick a pass, take set pieces, has a trick, etc, etc.

Yes, the kid can still improve the mental side of his game (i.e. movement off the ball, anticipation, work rate, decision making) but these ARE all things that can be work on/instilled in him, providing he is willing to learn, which I have been given no indication that he isn't.

Townsend carried the team in the early part of last season, as well as the England side despite only making 3/4 appearances for his country.

People can talk about Sterling, Barkley, Lallana and Barkley until their blue in the face, but how many of them have had the kind of impact Andros has had for their country?

Despite having a few areas to develop on the mental side of the game, one thing that doesn't need changing, as it's a MASSIVE part of what AT so special, is the FEARLESS manner in which the youngster approaches the game.

Direct, relentless and determined, the young winger has entered and gone about every game he has played (that I have seen) intent on making a real impact on proceedings, and that is a quality that I can't help but admire.

Say what you want about the kid, but he NEVER downs tools, shirks responsibility or attempts to go missing regardless of the circumstances. In fact, I can honestly in all the years I have followed his career, I have found the exact opposites to be true.

What Tottenham should be doing with a talent like Townsend is not flogging him to the highest bidder, but coaching/teaching him so that he can fulfil his enormous potential.

After all, wasn't that part of the reason that the club decided to go for someone like Mauricio Pochettino, and invest in a world-class training facility, in the first place?

It's not as if we're talking about a player who CAN'T help the first team, here. He has already proved he can!

Bottom line is, for me, I believe Townsend has all the physical/technical attributes to be a superstar, so selling him in my opinion would be MADNESS.

 

I really can't see us selling any of our young talent to be honest. Andros is frustrating but only through his naivety. Given time, he could really shine and the fact that competition for places is likely to be a feature of Pochettino's reign, can only push him to take his chane when it comes along.
I think we will sell but only the likes of Dawson, Sandro and Paulinho.
I wouldn't be too surprised if we still sign another player or two, simply because of Levy, but I am confident that the likes of Townsend and Lennon will still be Spurs players come September second.

 

Sounds like a bit of tit for tat from the saints but don't expect A.T going anywhere. He's very raw and probably started believing his own press early last term and I suspect like paulinho is just being given a lesson in fighting for your shirt. Would be offering lennon maybe as a makeweight and cash for Schneiderlin

 

Keep Townsend at any cost - offer Lennon, Naughton & Chiriches/Paulinho to Saints for Schneiderlin.
Let Dawson go get in Fazio, then buy a proven PL striker or two (Remy/Bony/Hernandez/Welbeck/Benteke - any one/two of these would do) - then it's job done I reckon.

 

Hope we keep Townsend as he showed some glorious glimpses of talent last season, especially for England. The narrow WHL pitch doesnt offer the wide wing play oppurtunities of a Wembley pitch but the top players find ways to influence a game. We need to keep our home grown talent as they surely offer a connection to the club that is irreplaceable. Coys

 

Theres still time for a few late moves but I dont expect Andros to be going anywhere but if the recently cashed up saints want to spend a bit of money they could try Lennon instead

 

Andros has potential, and frankly, if we aren't bringing in any more attacking talent, he should not be sold.

I see our wide options being a battle between Lamela & Lennon for the right, and Chadli & Andros for the left. Selling Andros leaves us 3 wingers for 2 spots, which is just not enough cover (and no, Eriksen should not be used on the left).

 

I think what Andros has to do to impress Poch, and to develop his overall game, is box a bit more cleverly.

Sometimes Townsend has a tendency to want to beat one man, than beat another, instead of perhaps getting his head up and looking for a pass. If he can get a better handle on the right time to dispatch the ball, rather than perhaps taking taking on another man, then I get the feeling he will stand a better chance of fitting into the 'team ethic' that Mauricio likes promote.

I think, sometimes, Andros has to let his PRESENCE be an asset to the team, as opposed to his dribbling.

What I mean by that, is that Townsends has earned a reputation which automatically demands/attracts the attention of, no less, than 2/3 players, at anyone time. If he can get his head up, whilst being surrounded/opposed, and pick a pass infield, then it stands to reason that the team will be well placed to benefit from the additional space his presence alone would of created.

To be fair, I think Andros looked to make his presence do the talking, as he developed his game, last season, but the lack of movement in the team around him meant that Spurs didn't always reap the (full) rewards.

Now, Townsend pace can make it difficult for his colleagues to catch up with him, but if Pochettino can manage to get more Spurs players in direct support of Andros (quicker), then I think the winger, and in turn the team, will benefit greatly simply from the England International having more options on the ball.

With options, comes the opportunity to mix-up your game. It will also give the opposition more to think about in regards to countering the threat coming at them.

Townsend is NOT just a good dribbler. He has so many more strings to his bow. Getting more Spurs players in support of Andros, instead of just leaving him to get on with it, will allow Townsend to show the people who aren't aware, exactly what this kid is capable of.

Spurs youth academy has undergone a bit of a renaissance in recent years with players like Livermore, Carroll, Bentaleb, Kane and Townsend all competing at EPL level this season. I agree with stevethespurs completely, when he says that it's important to keep the home-grown talent at the club, providing they are good enough.

And, for me, Townsend is certainly good enough!

 

Didn't Townsend have 98% of he's shots off target last year I seem to remember ?