How wrong were we?... Spurs fans’ 2014 Harry Kane predictions

Discussion in 'Tottenham forum' started by Josh Bolton, July 10, 2018.

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  1. Josh Bolton

    Josh Bolton Active Member

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    Like an outstanding vintage wine, some things in life only get better with age. One notable exception, however, is the assertive proclamation — published on the World Wide Web; for all of humanity to see (and save) — that an unestablished football player/manager will prove a success/failure in the future. Or is it?

    Let me take you back. The year is 2014: Kim Kardashian “broke the internet” thanks to her gargantuan derrière, Scotland said “no” to going it alone, and Tottenham had a back four that included Federico Fazio and Vlad Chiriches TOGETHER. (Jesus, that last one made me shudder alright.)

    At the same time, contributors and guests on this forum found themselves debating whether a 21-year-old Harry Kane was good enough to lead the line for Spurs ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor and Roberto Soldado. Although not many could have predicted the irresistible and meteoric rise of Kane — who is to captain his country in a World Cup semi-final tomorrow — a lot, in fact, did. Others, well, the less said, the better.

    With usernames removed (for the sake of pride), here's what we — the fans — said...

    The Good:

    Kane might turn out to be the next Shearer.

    Kane is tireless and very brave; he shows you that personal qualities are as important as talent. He is a gem indeed.

    He’s a young guy who goes out every game and plays with his heart on his sleeve… Let’s hope that Harry keeps going the way he is and that Madrid don't want him next.

    He has a tremendous eye for goal, is very direct, tracks back, tackles well, finishes well and most importantly gives 110%… All players need time to develop, but [at the moment] he is good as any [Tottenham] striker since Berbatov.

    Harry is a very good striker who if he carries on the way he's going and gets some decent service will be top drawer.

    He has the perfect temperament to be a success, anyone who can't see the boy has star quality knows nothing about football.

    Kane, if well managed, will be the best striker England has ever had. If his confidence is boosted by the coach and the team, he can manage 2-3 goals per match.” [Mystic Meg, is that you?]

    The Bad:

    Kane, bless him, is so slow and leaden-footed.

    Kane is average at best. Never going to be a first-choice striker. If he is, then we are in trouble before we kick a ball. [He’s] back-up at best and not a very impressive one at that.

    Kane is a decent young player but will never be the kind of natural/gifted finisher capable of regularly leading the line for a club like Spurs. [I see] Kane as an ideal fit for a young, progressive Southampton side, and making him your no1 (or even no2) striker at a club like Spurs are two very different things.”

    Kane is a worthwhile asset for spurs at present (the best of a bad/poor bunch) but as Top Four forward, I don't rate him.

    Kane's OK-ish. But he does fall over a lot and his passing is not great. Can see him being a bigger fish in a smaller pond like Sunderland perhaps. We need a prolific, ruthless striker with guile ideally.”

    Kane, while as much as I like the kid, is not anywhere near Top Four standard.

    Kane. Seriously? Squad player at best. I’d move him on.

    The Ugly:

    Kane is a downer, looks like one and plays like one.

    Kane is slow and hasn’t got quick feet [which is] essential to get the ball under control and get shots off. He is reasonable in the air and works hard... but so was Mark Falco. He is back-up at best or Championship level. He scored a few end-of-season goals but missed more than he scored. He is not the answer yet and probably never will be. Nice lad though.

    No no no no!!! Kane is sh*t!!!!! We are getting really desperate now.. For f*ck’s sake Spurs fans! Wake up and realise that Levy is mugging us all off [by not buying a striker to replace Kane]!

    Kane is a Championship [level] striker. [We instead need] Remy, Bony, Rossi — all these players were mentioned but Levy as ever stalled so now we are reaping what we've sown.

    I really hope Kane steps up and becomes a powerful natural goal scorer for Spurs. Sadly, I don't think he will… It strikes me he's the kind of player who would leave the field happy if he managed to hit the woodwork, instead of angry if he scuffed a glorious chance to seal a hat-trick. I just don't see the hunger of the likes of Costa, Suarez, or even Defoe for that matter. We need a 25-goal haul from a striker. I think [Kane] will be happy with double figures. I hope I'm wrong.

    (Oh boy, were you wrong.)
     
    Last edited: July 10, 2018
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  2. Felon82 Well-Known Member

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    I still remember when he made a substitute appearance under AVB and there were groans in the South Stand haha

    Must admit I didn't think he'd make it but then Van Der Vaart openly said he thought he was Sh;t.

    Thing with Harry is and finally people outside of Tottenham are realising he is a special talent.

    Blood thirsty for not only goals but improvement in his performance all the Time.

    A 1 off , and a breath of fresh air in the climate of cheating pampered pre Madonna's football creates in the Modern World.
     
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  3. Gordon Mc

    Gordon Mc Well-Known Member

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    Hold my hands up here - I saw him in a SKY game while he was out on loan (think it may have been Norwich ?) and I was far from impressed. BUT I'm sure as hell impressed now, shows just how wrong you can be, don't it.
    Been said quite a few times over the last 2-3 seasons and I'll repeat for anyone who was mucking about at the back of the class and not paying attention - "what would be do without him ?". God Only Knows (with acknowledgements to The Beach Boys).
     
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  4. Cheshuntboy Guest

    I've no idea who produced the 'good' posts, but they were either incredibly perceptive or incredibly optimistic, and struck lucky on the monkeys and typewriters principle - you're bound to be right eventually! His transformation since 2014 speaks for itself, and although many people seem happy to credit Pochettino with the improvement (in spite of the fact that his magic signally failed where Janssen or Soldado were concerned), I think his own character and self-belief were key; Sherwood gave him his chance (i.e. a run in the first team) and he took it. I still don't think he's back to his best, though - he came back too quickly after his latest ankle scare last season, and has looked tired both for Spurs and England since, but let's hope there's still something left in the tank for tomorrow (and Sunday!).
     
  5. barney Guest

    (Oh boy, were you wrong.) yes hands up i really did not think he would make it when i thought of all the past strikers Bobby Smith Jimmy Greaves Alan Gilzean Martin Chivers to name just a few i thought back- up at least but Kane has through hard work and the will to get there he is one of the greats im glad to say yes i was wrong
     
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  6. hootspur New Member

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    A really good reality check. I'm always cautious and willing to give someone a chance. This has led to many disappointments (AVB, Soldado, Sissoko, Jansen, the list is pretty long). When Tim Sherwood was doing what he did well (i.e. before be became a manager) he had a lot of respect and spoke highly of Mr Kane. I was just about to come off on the wrong side of the fence, when suddenly it began to happen. Really pleased for us and for him. Once again it proves that if you have a goal and are prepared to listen to good advice and put the work in, you have a chance of success
     
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  7. I remember watchin a europa game against an irish team where kane scored and missed a penalty many years ago under redknapp...and at the time i liked him simply for his very cool surname...but he did not seem a world beater...then under sherwood he started our last 3 epl games and scored in each...the first against sunderland was on my birthday...and i started to get excited n think hey this guy might be legit n had hopes he would kick on the next year...but the following season under poch he got a glut of goals in the cups n europa before coming off the bench against villa to score that free kick n the rest is history...and i had been tellin everyone before the villa game once this kid gets into the team he was never gonna leave...n he proved me right and went and turned into my favourite spurs player ever usurping another great #10 mr teddy sheringham....
     
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  8. Assan Malik New Member

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    My Harry Kane moment was a couple of seasons back
    against Everton at White Hart Lane, Kane took a pass
    at least 30 yards out from goal took a step sidewards and the ball was in the net,I remember thinking that day, is there nothing that Kane can not do.
     
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  9. Bazza47

    Bazza47 Well-Known Member

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    For me the Chelski NYD fixture, out on the left level with the end of the box, cut across the pitch and buried it in the bottom left corner.....for me he arrived then.

    The other stand out thing is that he's more than just a goalscorer. His all around game is what makes him such an asset.

    I felt he was a bit leggy against Sweden, but with no service and that tosser Sterling as a partner, you just need to drop deeper and get yourself involved. He a full court player for me....just keep it up for tomorrow H and we'll worry about the rest after that.
     
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  10. Josh Bolton

    Josh Bolton Active Member

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    No shame in denying if you had Kane down wrong — his climb to the top table of football is frightening and sublime; a testament to who he is as a person, striving for better all the time.

    Typical of Spurs though: crying out for a world-class striker for years after Berba left. Finally thought we'd bought one (Soldado), only for him (Kane) to be under our nose all along.

    Poor how many rival fans are now only seeing Kane's class as he's in a side they support this summer (England). In fairness to them, what they're experiencing now is what we've had for the past four years.

    Best 9 in world football. All-round world class!
     
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  11. Cheshuntboy Guest

    Watching the France Belgium match, I've been pretty underwhelmed by Belgium (including the Great Dembele, whose performance was pretty typical; some clumsy fouls, some loose passes, no goals and no assists) but France look horribly capable of raising their game if necessary, and I worry for England if we do get past Croatia tomorrow, because our whole campaign has reminded me of a lower league team's cup run, with loads of energy and enthusiasm, but not much quality football, and such cup runs often end with a sharp reality check, often with the wheels coming off in a humiliating fashion. I'd far rather lose to Croatia in the semis than France in the final, but perhaps I'm being too pessimistic (me? Pessimistic?).
     
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  12. Gordon Mc

    Gordon Mc Well-Known Member

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    Yep Cheshunt - Dembele was pretty grim alrigh,t but Belgium as a whole didn't really look great. Only Hazard, in little bursts was in any way threatening, De Bruyne virtually anonymous, Lukaku, for me, did what he does best i.e. very little against quality sides, albeit with hardly any service, Fellaini - well, how he's a pro footballer, never mind an International, is way beyond my understanding.
     
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  13. Bazza47

    Bazza47 Well-Known Member

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    Another stand out moment for me shows his all around game. Last season at Wembley, can't remember who against, H broke on the right and hit a beautiful curling pass round the full back, Sonny coming in like a rocket buried a header past the keeper. Two brilliant player moments. We've seen some good stuff these last 3/4 seasons. Long may it continue.
     
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