Kevin Bond urges fans to 'trust in Harry's judgement'

The former Everton striker adds experience to the Spurs squad, says Kevin Bond (Getty Images)

Kevin Bond, the Tottenham assistant manager, is excited with their January transfer dealings, even if some Spurs supporters are not.

The signings of Premier League veterans Louis Saha and Ryan Nelsen have left some fans underwhelmed, particularly after four first-team squad members left, but Bond insisted yesterday the fans should trust Harry Redknapp's judgement.

"I think we're a stronger squad now and the January window has freshened it up, not in terms of numbers but Harry felt that one or two of them needed to go out to play some football and the others have come in and are ready to play their part," Bond said. "It's been a good window for us."

"What you have said is news to me, I don't look at message boards," Bond replied when told about the fans' muted reaction. "I would be trusting Harry's judgement, with the greatest respect to people on message boards. That's their opinion.

"We think it is good business for us. Harry is very shrewd when it comes to bringing players into the club and knowing what we need."

While Roman Pavlyuchenko, Vedran Corluka, Sebastien Bassong and Steven Pienaar were sold or allowed to go out on loan, Redknapp brought in the experienced Saha and Nelsen, who have played 439 Premier League games between them. Bond was certainly confident the squad has been improved. "Overall you look at Louis and everybody believes he is a really, really good player," he said of the forward brought in from Everton on deadline day. "He has had one or two injury issues but it is difficult to find top-line strikers. And Louis is a top-line striker."

Saha has two Premier League winners' medals from his time at Manchester United, and Bond believes that experience will be vital for Spurs' title challenge for the remainder of the campaign. "He is a really good professional," Bond added. "He has been there and done it, won a championship. To have people like that in our squad will be really important for us."

Nelsen, whose move from Blackburn Rovers was confirmed yesterday, should be another positive addition to Tottenham. "He loves a challenge," said Bond of the central defender. "I have spoken to him; he has come here and relishes the challenge. He loves to train and puts everything into everything he does, wholeheartedly."