Welcome Woodgate - A Super Signing

So Tottenham have finally tied up the deal for Jon "Woody" Woodgate, in doing so dashing the hopes of Keegan and Wenger (who is still clearly in denial about anything to do with Spurs).

Now I'm sure there is going to be a whiff of negativity from some quarters about this transfer, but not from me fellow yids - I think this is a bloody fantastic signing. Woodgate is a huge talent and back in the day looked like one of the best centre halves in the world. Moneybags Newcastle certainly thought so as did European powerhouses Real Madrid, splashing out £9m and £13m respectively - if I remember rightly the latter even bought him while he was still injured!

But it is that injury record that is going to be the focus of the waste-of-money brigade. The fact is though that Woody has been a regular fixture in the 'Boro team all season and has made nearly 50 appearances for his home town club since returning from the continent - come now chaps, that's not a bad return is it?

It seems to me (and it looks like the medical team at the Lane agree) that the worst of his problems are behind him. At only 28 years of age he is hardly over the hill and should have at least 4 more good years left in him. Even more likely when you consider that he will probably be part of a rotation system that allows both he and Ledders to play and rest.

I think that Woodgate's history has actually worked in our favour as someone of his profile and undoubted quality would usually expect to come to a club like Tottenham and walk straight into the first team week in week out. Woody knows he is not going to play every game and he's obviously alright with that. That gives us the bonus of two experienced heads in him and King, both of whom have plenty of time to impart their knowledge and show their experience by stepping into the leadership role and mentoring the likes of Dawson and Kaboul.

That's right, I said Kaboul. Contrary to the popular press I don't expect him to be going anywhere. He has shown tremendous promise but perhaps lacks a bit of focus or direction. He's a good prospect who currently thinks he's better than he actually is. I would suggest that the most likely casualties of this signing are to be Rocha and/or Gardener. I don't think Gardener has ever been good enough; Rocha is a decent utility man who would benefit from a run of games - but ain't gonna get 'em. So no loss there really.

Sounds to me like we are going to get an announcement regarding Gilberto quite soon, which would be brilliant as well. With Chimbonda disgracing himself and the shirt it looks like the Alan Hutton deal became more urgent and is as good as done, but I have reservations. A good player perhaps, but if he doesn't want to come then let him stay in Scotland. I admire his commitment to his current club, but the cynic in me suspects he is more likely waiting for Fergie to wave his wad, something that doesn't bode well for his long term future at Spurs.

Just three more days remain before we can get back to the business of football. Until then all we have to look forward to is the potential partnership of Woodgate and King shoring up our leaky defence - hopefully as soon as tomorrow night against Everton. Hutton, Woodgate, King and Gilberto as a back 4 against Man U this weekend - now that WOULD be a turn up for the books!

So Jonathan, it's a big welcome from SpursClub, we appreciate you being a man of your word and blowing out Keegan and whoever that mystery third club was. Now if someone could only recommend a decent barber...