I was under the impression GDS is a number 10, rather than a lefy wing so his natural competition would be Keane or Modric in a central role rather than out on the wing. If so, we have never seen him in his best role at Spurs and that might be why he hasn't done as well for us as internationally.
I think the reason he hasn't done as well for us as he has internationally may have something to do with the standard of opposition.
I think the main problem is that when Gio joined us we all were hoping that he was going to be the new Ronaldinho/Kaka/Messi and some of us still have hopes that he could still be. I hope to god that he could be, but think that it may be wishful thinking.
I'd sell Keane and have Gio as our second 'little-man' up front, but would also use him as back up for Lennon and Modric on the wings.
Then I'd go buy Huntelaar.
A side note to all of this: In my opinion we need to keep little gems like Gio and Huddlestone at all costs (and rebuff future offers for the likes of Modric and Lennon). If we lose the exciting players, we'll just be left with a team of Jamie O'Haras.
That's not a dig at O'Hara (I understand that you need grafters too) but if Tottenham Hotspur doesn't have the sort of players in it's squad that excite you as soon as they get the ball, we're not being true to our traditions.
I remember that awful period after Klinsmann left, when we had nothing in that mould for a number of years, with the exception of Ginola. I don't want that to happen again. Flair players must have a place in our team, and it is the manager's job to work out how to do this.
You Latinos are certainly passionate, no doubt about it!
The whole 'lightweight' issue may well be true. Lennon, Modric, Defoe and Gio is definitely one midget too many for any attacking force. Although we can now help to equalise them with lanky Crouch!
Redknapp obviously feels as though three Weiners are easier to stomach than four. So Gio has to be Redknapp's least favourite weiner. Bad analogy?!
I just think he offers us something different, those who all say he is a left winger obviously dont realise his preferred position is on the right where he can cut inside and use his electric pace. He plays on the right of a 4-3-3 / 4-5-1, a formation which Spurs will not use currently but one I think Ramos wanted to try hence he was bought.
I do believe in a 4-4-2 he is probably best playing off and around a tall striker.
I also think the lightweight comments are silly with people using his height as a factor in this, this lad can bounce off people using his pace to get away from them similar to Lennon, yea he is never going to be an ariel threat I can accept that but we didnt buy him for that reason. Just because he's small it does not mean he isnt strong.
At the minute I think as Arry would say is a triffic prospect but that's it, only a prospect, maybe his party boy antics ended his spell at Spurs but in that case then a fair few of our players should be frozen out too.
The problem is his face just doesnt fit at the minute but with Crouchy signed, I just think as an option if Modric plays on the left when Lennon isnt getting any joy on the right use Gio to cut inside and curl in some crosses for the big man. Keepers hate crosses coming in at them especially when they have a 6'7 beanpole to think, also full backs hate lads who cut across them.
I think your right in the fact that he may well deserve a go in the first team, but only when someone has fallen out of form and not simply just to give him the minutes.
Also, with a fantastic crop of youngsters coming through, is it about time we start using the Carling Cup to give them a run out?
Gio is obviously a player of huge potential. But in the position we were last season when harry came, he was too much of a risk. Harry stated that the squad as a whole was too lightweight for a relegation fight, so who do you think was going to make way? Lennon, who was in great form and has over 100 premiership appearances? Modric, a star in the euros and someone who has a maturity way beyond his years? Or Gio, who has a lot of potential but doesn't even know his best position yet?
Redknapp said that due to the situation he would not be able to give young players much of a chance last season. Hopefully this season he'll be able to 'phase in' a number of youngster such as Rose, Bostock and indeed Gio, as hopefully we'll be in a much more stable situation.