TOPSPURS - Jim Duggan's Tottenham Hotspur Site

Jim Duggan's TOTTENHAM HOTSPUR site

Player histories from Jim Duggan season ticket holder, White Hart Lane resident and supporter since the early 70's.

Gustavo POYET

Midfield

Birthplace

Montevideo, Uruguay

Age 36

15-Nov-67

League

FA Cup

League Cup

European

TOTAL

2001/2002

Height:6ft1in

2002/2003

Weight:13st1lbs

2003/2004

Uruguay: 27 caps, 3 goals

Tottenham Career

Tottenham Debut

18th Aug 2001 - Aston Villa (h) - Spurs drew 0-0

Signed from Chelsea on 10th June 2001 for £2,250,000

GPGame

21.95%

23.47%

(Season Preview 02/03) Over the last two seasons, despite being largely anonymous in his midfield role for much of the time, Poyet has more often than not paid his way in terms of important moments for Spurs, the last of which being a memorable winner against Birmingham in April, but after many outstanding seasons in the Premiership his legs have gone and the only way he can really be effective is a few minutes from the bench at the end of a match. If used sparingly, Poyet can still be effective for Spurs and he is sure to chip in with a few more important goals coming on for the last 20 minutes from the bench

(Jan 03) With 18 goals in 60 appearances, Poyet has been a great signing by Glennda but recent evidence suggests that he does not have the legs to compete effectively for 90 minutes in the Premiership anymore, esp. away from home but his experience and knack of scoring goals is very valuable to Spurs. Seems best place as a weapon from the bench for the last 30 minutes but no one has really convinced the manager that they are better than Poyet so far

(Oct 02) Reports of his injury were not as bad as feared and he came back for the last 20 minutes against Bolton and made all the difference - setting up the second goal. Remains a great favourite - just wish he was 5 years younger

(Sept 02) Out for till around November with an injury - something that could be a blessing in terms of our final run in next Spring

(End of season Report 01/02) When you read stats of 14 goals in 41 starts from midfield (joint leading scorer in the League), you have to conclude that Poyet has had an excellent season and has been a great buy on the cheap, but beyond the bare stats things are less clear cut. After a slow start inc a stupid sending off, Poyet's goals were the mainstay of our great run of form in Oct and Nov but as the season wore on he was less able to last the whole minutes and we were often one short in midfield as a result. This should take nothing away from Poyet who has been a fine player and a massive positive influence on the team, but if we are serious about progressing to the top six, we cannot have a 36 year old in midfield from the start, esp. when we have Davies and Acimovic ready to step in. Whatever happens, Poyet has given us many great memories and will always be held in high esteem by the fans

(Mar 02) Sometimes I think I forget what an important player Poyet is - he has scored great and important goals and has maintained his 1 in 3 goals scoring record & while he might play a bit at walking pace when he has n't got the ball - he has been a great signing and a player Spurs fans will look back on with great fondness in the future

(Feb 02) Bangs in the goals and is a great player in terms of motivation and spirit. A bargain buy by Glennda

(Dec 01) I love him! Its great that we have such a talented and committed player at the club. He has now scored 6 times in the 8 matches up to and including Charlton and is our main goal threat. While I always liked Poyet as a player, I was a little sceptical of his performances at the start of the season - getting sent off against Everton and modest contributions during September - but he has earned my respect and is a real favourite

(Nov 01) Anyone who scores an injury time equaliser against the Arse deserves credit and Poyet is beginning to fulfil the expectation we had at the start of the season. Its not just the goals (although 4 in the last 5 in an excellent record for anyone), he is also playing better and making a much better contribution to the team.

(Oct 01) Scored in three consecutive games in October, inc the brilliant chip against Derby and the all important second against Newcastle - and seems to have the happy knack of doing important things. Has only had a few games to settle into the play, and is getting better game by game. Is more effective in an advanced role in a 3-5-2 than a wide role in a 4-4-2. Will be pressed hard by the excellent Davies for his position for the rest of the season, which is good news in terms of players competing for places

(Sept 01) After the pre-season form, I expected Poyet to be a revelation for Spurs - but this has failed to happen. He got himself stupidly sent off at Everton, reducing the team to 9 men for half an hour and has not had the impact up front from his subsequent wide right midfield role or been able to cover back. More is required, and while he still has it to prove for me, it is still early days and a switch back to 3-5-2 with Poyet playing the advanced midfield role should suit his talents a lot better.

(July 01 - Season 2001/02 Expectations) Already a big hero with the Spurs fans judging by the reception he received at Orient, Poyet could turn out to be one of the most inspired purchases in recent seasons. As well as his great talent and goalscoring ability, Poyet is a positive character with great experience and he should be a major force for Spurs next season. I will pray nightly that his knees hold, and look forward to him retaining his record of a goal every three matches and never being on the losing side of Spurs - Chelsea matches!

(09 June 2001) A 4pm press conference at White Hart Lane revealed new signing Gustavo Poyet, who moved from Chelsea in a £2.25m three year deal. Uruguayan International Poyet has done well at Chelsea for the last few seasons and has scored plenty of goals from midfield, which I hope he can continue at the Lane. A lively personality in the dressing room and non stop chatter has earned him the nickname Radio from his former team mates at Chelsea. Chelsea fans are gutted he is going and this looks like being a good signing

(Poyet Factfile) He played for River Plate and Bellevista in Uruguay, before moving to Europe to play for Grenoble and Real Zaragoza, standing shoulder to shoulder with Nayim in the 95 cup winners cup final against Arsenal. Joined Chelsea in 1997, but suffered cruciate ligament damage to his knee in his first season. He managed to score over 10 goals a season in all of his seasons at Chelsea and moved to gain regular first team football. He played 147 times for Chelsea, scoring 49 goals - a better ratio of goals to games than Iversen!