Harry Redknapp's Xmas wish list

Since that defeat against Manchester City, Spurs went on an 11-match unbeaten run which was ended mainly as a result of some extremely questionable officiating at the Britannia Stadium. So now the real question is, do the Hotspurs really have the depth in squad and quality to win them their first Premier League crown this season?

After offloading Peter Crouch for £10m and with the likely departure of Pav, Pienaar and Dos Santos in the January transfer window, that should give old ‘Arry a transfer kitty of £25-30m. If Spurs really want to be title challengers, Chairman Daniel Levy is likely to throw in another £15m. That gives ‘Arry around £40m to spend in January. Here is how I think he should spend it…

Defensive frailty has cost Spurs dearly this season, with Dawson falling out of favour after his injuries, Bassong not performing, age catching up Gallas and King with his knee problems cannot be trusted to play the entire season; Spurs have really lacked a consistent back four. Only Younes Kaboul seems to have played regularly in central defence this season. Another quality centre back to partner either Kaboul or King in the centre of defence for the rest of the season is essential for solidarity at the back, and Spurs to have any chance of winning the league.

Options at CB:

Reported Transfer target

Chris Samba : A quick-fix solution to the problem at centre back. He’s big, tough, consistent, experienced and it would be easy to secure a move for the big defender away from Ewood Park. Spurs should be able to get him for around £6-8m.

Could be playing for spurs

Ryan Shawcross : A fine young English defender, the Stoke City captain would make a fine addition to the backline at White Hart Lane. He is strong and aggressive in the tackle and is a fine leader on the pitch. Shawcross is good in the air at both ends of the pitch regularly scoring from set pieces for the Potters. Possible fee – £10-12m.

The full backs have been alright, with Walker/ Corluka doing a good job down the right, but Assou-Ekotto just does not impress me a as a defender. I think spurs need better quality down that left hand side to support Bale. Assou-Ekotto would be taken to the cleaners by wingers like Matt Jarvis and Hoilett who play for teams currently in relegation zone.

Here are some of the options at LB:

Possible transfer target

Leighton Baines : Baines, the Toffees’ Player of last season, has been the second best left back in England for about three or four seasons now. He is great in the tackle, delivers a peach of a cross and has a devastating left foot from set pieces. He could easily fit in at left back and in any of the top four sides this season. He would be worth every penny at around £15-20m.

Cissokho could be a good option at LB

Aly Cissokho : At just 23, Cissokho has played for Lyon in the Champions league for two seasons. He was wonderful in Lyon’s 7-1 drubbing of Dinamo Zagreb and provided a couple of assists in the game as well. Missing out on a move to Liverpool in the summer, Cissokho is keen on a move to England and Spurs might just be the answer to his desire. He should be available for inside £10m.

Spurs currently boast of one of the best midfields in England, with Parker and Modric’ forming a formidable partnership in the centre of park. Bale and Lennon are two of the quickest and trickiest wingers in the country, and can both be extremely dangerous when in top form. Rafael van der Vaart too, is devastatingly accurate from both outside and inside the box and has continually found the back of the net this season. Spurs have got enough cover in the centre of midfield with the likes of Tom Huddlestone, Niko Kranjcar and Sandro. But I think, Danny Rose is still inexperienced, and Steven Pienaar just does not have the quality to challenge for a spot on the wings. Here are some of the options I jotted down for a wingman/forward that spurs could bring in.

Podolski could fit in well at White Hart Lane

Lukas Podolski : The German international has stressed that a move to another Bundesliga side is very unlikely, and wants to impress at another club abroad to prove his critics wrong. This season Podolski has already netted 14 goals in 15 Bundesliga appearances, as well as providing five assists. He has a belter of a left foot and can play on either wing. He scores goals, creates them and at just 26 has a good 5-7 years left in him. Podolski should be available for £15-18m.

Many suitors for Shaqiri

Xherdan Shaqiri : Shaqiri was instrumental in knocking Man United out of the Champions league. At just 20, he is wonderfully talented; he’s can put in excellent crosses from the left. His work rate and agility are equally awe-inspiring. He can slot in at either wing and could probably play the Van der Vaart role in the ‘hole’ or up front on his own as well. Shaqiri’s value would be around £8 – £12m.

Junior Hoilett could leave Ewood park

Junior Hoilett : Hoilett has been the only ray of hope in a fairly bleak season for the Rovers so far. He can play on both wings and loves running at defenders. His large frame makes him tough to mark and he is a threat in the air as well. He would be free to leave Ewood for nothing in the summer and though Rovers value him as highly as Phil Jones, who they had sold to Manchester United for £16.5m last summer, they may be forced to settle for as little as £9m in January.

Up front spurs don’t really have too many concerns with Adebayor, Van der Vaart and Defoe all finding the net when played. With Adebayor and Defoe being able to play up-front on their own and Bale/Modric and Van Der Vaart all capable of filling in behind the striker, Spurs have no real concerns in the striking department.

Here is the new look lillywhites starting line-up after the transfer window:

Friedel

Walker Kaboul/Samba King Cissokho

Lennon/Hoilett Parker Modric’ Bale

Van Der Vaart/Podolski

Adebayor/Defoe

Players out: Pavlyachenko, Gio Dos Santos and Pienaar(Possibly) .Total 15-25mPlayers brought in Samba, Podolski, Hoilett and Cissokho. Total amount spent – 6m + 15m + 9m + 10m = 40m.

Just inside budget I calculated and Spurs have got what I call a ‘Title winning side’.