THE TALK

TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR. POSTED BY DAN CARRIER.

GOMES has commanded 100s of column inches since he went from being signed with the nickname of The Octopus to becoming a Damp Squid (sic). Harry used him as an example of the misguided transfer policy of the previous regime, his eyes heading to the ceiling in press conferences when ever he was asked about the Brazilian keeper in the first few months of his reign.

But now, with the news that the goalkeeper has tweaked a groin muscle and is a severe doubt for tomorrow's Champions League clash, the importance of the Brazilian cannot be underestimated. Harry has turned him back into an eight-tentacled creature of the deep, invigorating him to such an extent that his major failing point – collecting crosses – is now a distant nightmare, while his shot stopping is frankly exceptional.

His value to the side is bigger than his undoubted technical and athletic ability.
He has a smile on his face that rubs off on his team mates, like Bruce Grobelaar without the weird Afrikaner-Scouse accent, the allegations of betting rings and wobbly knees at important penalties: Gomes just guesses the right way and like Dr Octopus, extends a giant hand.

Then there is his rapport with the fans. It is incredible: he spends much of the game when the ball is up the other end enjoying banter with the terraces, and has a wonderful song all to himself, set to the tune of Franki Valli and the Four Seasons's I Love You Baby. We'd sung We Love You Gomes on the day Paul Robinson returned to Spurs for the first time since his transfer. We felt bad because we had showered the love on the opposing team's goalie, and while Gomes had not won us over, the song caught on and he was obviously thrilled.

So while missing Ledley King tomorrow will be a blow, Sebastian Bassong is a more than adequate replacement. But losing Gomes would ask a lot of his deputy Ben Alnwick, and unlike City. we're not going to grumble and try and sign an emergency loan, which to me is frankly cheating.

Meanwhile, we chased him for nearly three years, and I was all for signing him at one point. But let us thank our lucky stars Middlesborough chairman Steve Gibson made such a pigs ear over the proposed transfer of Stewart Downing, “the Premiership's best left footer,” and turned down our very attractive advances.

Because if Downing had joined, perhaps we'd have never seen the coming of Gareth Bale. And as Saturday's performance proved yet again, the Welsh winger is at the moment streets ahead of any one else playing in his position. Watching him swerve and run with the ball is to see an athlete show off complete balance and control. We should be aware of how very fortunate we are that Gareth's injuries have cleared up and his confidence is back. He is truly world class.

1.23PM May 4, 2010