Kranjc up the quality

In a relatively quiet transfer window by the big four, and a characteristically chaotic window by Spurs, it's no surprise that we've signed yet another player. Although at first glance I'm excited about seeing more and more players pile into an already packed training ground full of international talent, in perspective I wasn't as excited last night as the window slammed shut for another few months.

However, I should have been. The signing of Niko Kranjcar from Portsmouth this summer is an absolute gem of a sale. At reportedly 2.5million, we've snapped up the Croatian in a piece of 'Arry magic. Harry Redknapp's eye for a bargain shines through again, although the 12m signing of Peter Crouch seems almost as bad as Juande Ramos' terrible lapse of concentration as he accidentally signed a contract to bring Darren Bent to Tottenham for around 17m. At least Crouch can score during the season as well as just pre-season I suppose.

The Croatian now joins up with international team-mate Vedran Corluka and close friend Luka Modric, the man whom Niko will replace on the left wing whilst he recovers from a fractured left fibula. He also lines up alongside England international and ex-Pompy frontman Crouch, who so far this season is already starting to convince me he's not too bad a signing - at least aerially.
At least with Modric temporarily unavailable, Kranjcar can really stretch his legs and prove his worth (plus more) up until possibly Christmas. Then after that, he can challenge for a space on the right flank against Aaron Lennon; perhaps even grab a place in left midfield as Modric is miles in front of any challenge for the left wing.

Kranjcar was the heart and soul of Portsmouth, and with the team yet to grab any points four games into the season, the only way the south-coasters are going is down. With any luck, Spurs can strive on to become an even bigger team than they are already, and perhaps we can finally grab a somewhat realistic fifth place in the League this season.