Former Tottenham defender says club need four or five signings

Former Tottenham defender Graham Roberts believes that Harry Redknapp needs to strengthen ‘four of five’ positions this summer – starting with the entire back line.

Roberts made 357 appearances for the Lilywhites and scored 46 goals during his spell at White Hart Lane between 1980 and 1986 – and he admits that he has concerns over the current side’s defence.

“I think centre-half is a position Harry will be looking at,” said the 51-year-old. “We have had a lot of injuries in that position, and [Jonathan] Woodgate is not there any more.

“Ledley [King] has looked good when he plays, but he only plays one or two games a season and you really need to have a solid base.

“I also think we need a new left-back and possibly a right-back as well. There are probably four or five positions that Harry needs to look at.

“Harry needs to strengthen his squad and needs to bring a few players in, so hopefully he can do that as well as keep hold of his best players.

“We have to keep the likes of Luka Modric, and players like that. If we keep them we’ll have a good time.

“The club are going forward now and the chairman has to give the manager money like he has promised, and the players will come.”

During his time at Spurs, Roberts won two FA Cups and a UEFA Cup, scoring in the final against Anderlecht in 1984, before putting away his penalty in the shootout.

Roberts has since turned his hand to management, including spells with Yeovil Town, the Pakistan national team and now the Nepal national side.

And the former Tottenham centre-back believes that the current Spurs manager is up there with one of his former Spurs bosses, Keith Burkinshaw.

“Burkinshaw is the best manager I ever had, and probably Tottenham ever had after the great Bill Nicholson,” said Roberts. “Harry has tried to take that off them now, but Keith for me was the best manager.

“All in all, Spurs had a good campaign last season, but I think they put all their eggs in one basket. I think they tried to get to the Champions League final, but they were never going to do it.”