The players being shown the exit door in the new year

Having looked at two potential incomings already, To the Lane and Back will now take the opportunity to focus on the players that face a potential January exit as part of the Tottenham shake-up.

Heurelho Gomes

The Brazilian moved to White Hart Lane in 2008 on the back of a reputation for being one of the worlds best shot stoppers. And while he still looks impressive when it comes to denying the impossible, it is the simple tasks that any goalkeeper should be accustomed to that he messes up on.

Claiming crosses is one aspect of any 'keepers game that should be second knowledge to any professional, regardless of team or league. But, Gomes continuously made the fans edgy on numerous occasions over the last two-and-a-half years, often electing to punch the ball away or, even worse, drop any ball that came into the box. This was evident last year in the 1-1 draw with Blackpool where the 30-year-old showed the best and worst qualities of his attributes, first saving a Charlie Adam penalty before coming to claim to resulting corner only to drop the ball and concede another penalty, which Adam duly tucked away.

More errors flew his way, conceding a number of sloppy goals against Chelsea, both home and away, Real Madrid, again both home and away and the aforementioned Jekyll and Hyde performance against Blackpool. His erratic displays in goal saw him relegated to third choice this season, with new arrival Brad Friedel preferred in goal for the Premiership while former Chelsea benchwarmer Carlo Cudicini often in between the sticks for Europa League encounters.

The lack of first team action has seen Harry Redknapp admit that Gomes isn't happy about the situation and while the Spurs manager has said he wants to keep the Brazilian at White Hart Lane, the former PSV Eindhoven shot-stopper is keen for a move back to his former club, especially with the 2014 world cup in his homeland and game-time much needed if he is to be part of the Brazil 23-man squad in two-and-a-half years time.

Likelihood of leaving: 4 (out of 5)
Value: £6m

Sebastien Bassong

Bassong can consider himself somewhat unlucky to not be part of the starting XI this season, or last for that matter. The Cameroon international was instrumental alongside Michael Dawson during the clubs Champions League attaining campaign but currently finds himself fifth choice centre-back behind Younes Kaboul, William Gallas, Ledley King and Dawson.

Nonetheless, with Kaboul the only registered fit centre-half, Bassong has once-again been thrust into first team duties as of late, much to the despair of fans. Bassong now looks more and more cumbersome at the back with each passing season, often allowing the ball to bounce from opposition goal-kicks leaving attackers the chance to break in behind him and a potential opportunity on goal.

It is these moments of madness that have ultimately cost him his place in the starting XI and much is made of the fact he came close to leaving for QPR in the summer, only for the move to break down because Spurs and Bolton Wanderers couldn't agree a fee for Gary Cahill. Nonetheless, the former Newcastle United star has already spoken of his desire to leave White Hart Lane in January and this time, he may well obtain the exit he currently has his heart set on.

Likelihood of leaving: 4 (will only leave if Spurs bring in a replacement)
Value: £5m

Giovani Dos Santos

The signing of Dos Santos had many fans rubbing their hands with glee. Touted as one of the hottest prospects in world football, while earmarked as the new Ronaldino, the Mexican bought with him an aura of excitement with the finest tricks of the trade. However, many were equally bemused as to why Barcelona would allow such a prodigious talent to leave, and at such a low price (around £4.5m, to be exact).

Then the other side of the Mexican began to rear its ugly head. Rumours of all night partying, tardiness and a lack of effort in training all began to circulate the internet faster than a Kyle Walker break down the right. Juande Ramos may have put up with it but Redknapp refused to accept his behaviour off the pitch before relegating Dos Santos to reserves. Subsequent loan spells at Ipswich Town, Galatasaray and Racing Santander saw the former Barca trainee fall off the radar, albeit, temporarily.

Sevilla, however, remained keen on Dos Santos and a move to the Spanish side over the summer broke down at the last minute, much to the frustration of the player. Whether Redknapp now sees him as a player who can do an effective job in his squad or he is simply holding out for a higher price, we will never know but Sevilla still remain interested on him yet are currently put off by the reported £9.6m asking price for him. Used sporadically thus far this season, racking up more minutes in the Europa League than the Premiership, it remains to be seen how Dos Santos will force himself into the Spurs starting XI, especially with the form of the players ahead of him in the pecking order.

Likelihood of leaving: 5
Value £5m

Roman Pavlyuchenko

Living up to the standards of Dimitar Berbatov was always going to be difficult for Pavkyuchenko. One of the most talented players to ever take to the White Hart Lane pitch, the Russian remained positive that he could replicate the form of the Bulgarian when he signed just days before the close of the 2008 summer transfer window. Confidence is much needed asset for a striker and despite the pressure from the fans to perform instantaneously, especially with a superb Euro 2008 showing behind him, the 29-year-old was in-faxed by the high expectations set in front of him.

Under Redknapp, Pavlyuchenko has struggled to really make his mark on the team. Often used as a sub, while inconsistently showing glimpses of his ability to find the back of the net on a regular basis, the player himself has become increasingly frustrated by his lack of first team football. Yet, when given a chance to prove his worth, the former Spartak Moscow striker has often looked lazy and un-motivated to really prove he deserves a starting spot ahead of Emmanuel Adebayor, Jermain Defoe or Rafael Van der Vaart.

With only two goals to his name this season, both coming in the Europa League, fans have been quick to criticise Pavlyuchenko with many hoping that January is the month he leaves. The player himself wants and despite Redknapp claiming he wants him to stay at White Hart Lane, it is highly unlikely that the mangers words will convince him to stay with the club. Rubin Kazan, Spartak Moscow and Anzhi Mackhackala appear to be the thee clubs in the running for his signature and if Spurs should receive a decent offer for him, it should be accepted in order to help bring in a striker that can help the clubs pursuit of Champions League football.

Likelihood of leaving: 5
Value: £6.5m

Ben McAleer

Comments

[JOHN]

THIS IS THE SAME OLD CRY AGAIN ABOUT PLAYERS GETTING THE PUSH NEARER THE EXIT DOOR BUT THEY ARE STILL HERE THE SAME CREW STILL GETTING WELL PAID , WE NEED A BETTER CLASS OF PLAYER WHO WILL GET US TO THAT FINISH LINE IE THE TOP FOUR POSITION STOP BRINGING IN THE ALSO RAN AND THE STUPID SIGNINGS LIKE PIENAAR , AND HUTTON WHO LEFT US AFTER A £9,000,000 SIGNING FROM RANGERS JJ WHO NEVER SERVED US ONCE FROM NEWCASTLE COME ON HARRY YOU ARE TAKING THE JOB IN WAITING THE THREE LIONS DON`T LEAVE US WITH THE ALSO RANS OR SILLY PLAYERS WHO YOU KNOW WON`T EVER MAKE THE PREMIERSHIP DON`T LET LEVY ROLL YOU OVER AND TICKLE YOUR TUM CHUM !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Hugh]

With regards to Gio, we do know, he stayed because Udinese offered £11 plus £2 million of add-ons and Seville only offered a third of that. He refused to go to Udinese to play football preferring to sit around and do nothing. No other reason why he is with us, it certainly isn't because we want him, because we don't.

[essexian76]

All those mentioned equate to much needed funds and squad places being tied up for the foreseeable future. They're being touted because their performances have been poor and for no other reason. All fans have their favourites as do managers, but not one of those mentioned are essential to us or will be missed if and when they've moved on. The author is also forgetting the likes of Bentley and Jenas who still represent a considerable sum in transfer fee's. The clear-out that began in the summer must continue until we're rid of these under-performers and hopefully we can then pay the wages expected to entice better players to the Lane. Money talks, but not to the detriment of the clubs future. Levy has to balance the books and last summer proved how he's having to do it.