FanPost

Could it be 'The Deadwood' that is holding up the big signings at White Hart Lane?

It has long been discussed that Tottenham Hotspur has become somewhat of a refuge of forgotten 'talent'. Over the last few years, Spurs have purchased many players over the course of the Jol, Ramos and Redknapp eras. Whilst many of these players have gone on to take Spurs to the upper echelons of the Premier League, there have also been many former big-name players left kicking their heels, languishing in the reserves.

And whilst it seems that everyone assumes that the Modric deal is holding up our ridiculously anticipated transfer dealings, it may very well be these very lost souls that are scuppering the club's new vision.

The usual suspects after the jump.

David Bentley

Perhaps the biggest flop in recent memory, considering his reported £17m transfer fee, and what I would assume were pretty hefty wages for what Spurs saw as their marquee signing in 2008.

'Bents' is now more of a shadow of his former self, rather than the 'next David Beckham' many had hoped.

An uninspiring loan to Birmingham in the season they were relegated (although Alex McLeish was manager), was followed by a loan to West Ham that never really got started as Bentley suffered a season-ending knee injury barely five games into the Championship season.

Bentley was given a chance in pre-season to show his worth, but like most of the following players in this list, showed absolutely zero worth to the system AVB has in mind.

I'm sure Daniel Levy would be content to let him go for next to nothing. But will any prospective employer want to take the gamble? Especially considering the wages.

Jermaine Jenas

Much like Bentley, Jermaine Jenas' 2011/12 season was ended pretty much before it started with a bad ankle injury suffered in only his 2nd game for Aston Villa on loan.

Again, Jenas showed all the signs of a promising star of the future, but typical of Jenas, he always flatters to deceive.

Jenas is perhaps the only player I've ever seen who seems to have a pathological fear of passing the ball forward. All action, with little substance. Jenas could still find himself a new club with his resume still perhaps untarnished in the eyes of some Premiership managers.

Unfortunately, at 29, not many would be willing to sign him on any deal that he has at Tottenham, which again would be quite handsome.

Sebastien Bassong

Somehow, Bassong managed to be a defensive mainstay in the Spurs side that qualified for the Champions League way back in the 2009/10 season. However, Bassong has still yet to justify his £8m price tag in the eyes of many Spurs fans.

A loan at Wolves did little to enhance his reputation, as the Wanderers fell out of the Premier League last season with a whimper.

All three of these players seem destined for loan deals this season, as clubs seek to not land themselves with players drastically out of form but who at the same time would expect a solid wage packet. A loan deal would at least free up plenty of space on the wage bill however for Spurs to bring in one big name.

Trouble is, these deals don't often get done before the deadline of 31st August. Which every Spurs fan now refers to as 'Groundhog Day'.

A recent report from 'The Guardian', claims that list is to be joined by fan favourites Tom Huddlestone and Michael Dawson, as both players are rumoured to have been surplus to requirements in Andre Villas Boas' new system. Both players mysteriously did not travel with the squad to Spurs' opening game of the season, a 2-1 defeat at Newcastle United.

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