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IT has been some time since Spurs have had a solid defensive midfielder. It almost became a mantra for the procession of managers: 'I need a battler in the middle of the park...” as if signing one somehow went against Bill Nick's legacy. Go back as far as Gerry Francis, when Darren Anderton made a song and dance about coming off the flanks and into the centre: his inability to stick a foot in was, in my view, the reason for Ramon Vega's rapid decline as a centre back.

 

The hapless Swiss defender would have to step forward to plug the gaps in the middle and then, not being the fastestbunny on the planet, would find himself hopelessly out of position. Under Glenn Hoddle, we had Tim Sherwood, but rumours said they didn't see eye to eye and Hoddle's wish to sign a new battler led to him falling out with Daniel Levy, who when Glenn came to for funds, pointedly asked what was wrong with Tim? Then there was Steffen Freund, who of course we loved for his efforts, but would you win anything relying on him to be a stopped? The answer was no.

 

So Palacios was a very welcome addition – we've waited long enough for it. But Harry thinks we need cover, and today the signing of Brazilian Sandro was apparently completed in time for next term: Sandro is one of those box-to-boxers, happy to get stuck in, but also with the Brazilians eye for a pass – something, gawd bless him, which is clearly not one of dear Wilsons strong points. And on the same day, Tom Huddlestone signed a new contract to bring him in one with other top earners at the club, cementing his position in Harry's plans. It can only be good that these two middle men have been given first class seats on the Redknapp express: fingers crossed they'll be strutting their stuff for the Lilywhites in the Champions League come next season.