Best window ever

Cooko · Sep 1, 2015

I'd give the window a middle of the road 6/10
Firstly very happy with the outs, not having to watch Paulinho plodding around or Chiriches giving me chest pains in a massive plus!
However more disappointed with the incomings, have high hopes for Son and Toby, they're definite upgrades imo. But that's it, Clinton has promise, but like Wimmer will probably only get a run out in the cups.Trippier should be our first choice RB , looked great pre-season. Bug somehow finds himself behind Walker!!
I like many others feel that the lack of a DM, will probably high us harder than the ST situation. Dier looked ok against Everton, but will get found out by many of the other teams, and Bentaleb and Mason, just aren't good enough.

Roll on January!!

fortworthspur · Sep 1, 2015

havent felt this low after a window since Berbatov left and we got Frazier Campbell as his replacement, tbh.

mrlilywhite · Sep 1, 2015

fortworthspur said:
hey I agree its not an ideal solution. but no back up at all is a bigger liability. Ade gives us an option. not the option we wanted, but an option.

The thing is, Ade has shown he is prepared to sit on his 100k and do nothing. He does not want to play, otherwise he would be looking to pick up his career elsewhere. He proved that he does not want that twice already this summer! The fan's don't want him at the club, and have thrown copious amounts of abuse his way directly on twitter, so that will play a part, and on top of that, arguably the biggest reason is how much of a negative influence he has been in the first team. We are struggling for good performances now, can you imagine how badly morale will be affected if Ade has a part in the first team? He is a bigger liability than having nothing up front, because we will always have someone who can "do a job".

dk-yid · Sep 1, 2015

Arse supporters seem to think this window was a bit unsuccessful

Not a single outfield player signed.

As for us I'd give it a 8/10 based also on what I consider realistic expectations - good young signings in key areas, better balance and some pace finally.

Would have like to see a striker and CDM but not just to fill numbers. Witsel and Berahino would have pushed it up to 10/10

danielneeds · Sep 1, 2015

6.5/10 - Promising start, Trippier and Alderweireld good PL experienced defenders. Wimmer obviously one for the future.

Son could be an outstanding signing, but I really fear for him if Kane was to get injured and stick him up top. Would be a classic way of destroying potential talent by misusing it:

Clinton will be a wild card pace option, but we should temper our expectations, give him time.

Obviously great that we kept our Crown Jewels in Lloris and Kane, but fear but former will be off next summer and latter will be run into the ground with no support.

WiganSpur · Sep 1, 2015

I am still really frustrated by it all but what the hell here are some positives anyway:

-The signings we have made are good signings, not one I did not agree with.

-We are lacking depth in midfield, but who predicted Mason's rise to the first team last season? There is also hope for the likes of Harry Winks and Dele Alli who are more likely to get a chance now. I also think we should be trying Josh Onomah there.

-There is now pace in the side, and hopefully more movement at last

-Not everyone will agree but Lamela is still with us #keeplamela

-Strikers. It's actually a positive that we have Chadli, the striker situation could turn out to be a blessing in disguise I suppose, as although completely untested, Chadli has the attributes to play the lone striker role if he applies himself. Also could be opportunities for the likes of Shaq Coulthirst and Shayon Harrison to show what they can do in cup competitions.

-Our subs bench will be far far stronger than it was last season, there is no question for me that a good bench can win you a game if it's used well enough.

-If it turns out we've really fucked it at least we've probably only fucked it for half a season until January comes. There's a chance to strengthen then and build up a good run of form for the following season.

I'm unhappy about the window but no point crying anymore, protests won't get us anywhere so might as well suck it up, hope for the best and see the positives.

Sevens · Sep 1, 2015

Time will tell but I think this has been a poor window. We haven't addressed the issues of balance in the first XI at all. But is this the sort of window we can come to expect until the new stadium is paid off?

knowlespurs · Sep 1, 2015

been a usual awful window
think our tenth on the trot with no net spend, and as usual the squad short in key areas
one striker though who has only played one season, played all through the summer and currently out of form, i mean thats special, even for levy

Xeeleeyid · Sep 1, 2015

In terms of this window, I think it's been an excellent window from the club, because I believe it is the first window in which the manager was well and truly backed to the hilt and that the club did not waver from their strategy even in the face of a situation where many clubs and us in the past would have panicked and spent for the sake of spending.

1) Clearing the deadwood. At the beginning of the summer, it was clear from the press articles that Pochettino wanted a smaller, leaner, younger, more flexible squad, with more players able to play in multiple positions and interchange and less numbers. He also wanted the players that weren't part of his plans cut loose so they wouldn't create disharmony. With the exception of Ade, who let's face it is a unique case, we have got rid of every single player who that manager categorically didn't want around. The club have for many seasons been accused of failing to get rid of players because Levy wanted large fees. This summer the manager has clearly been backed to the hilt in this regard.

2) The incomings have clearly upgraded the team in key areas. Yes, we didn't strengthen in two of our areas we could improve on, i.e. defensive midfield and striking cover, but these can be added in winter or next summer. I think the key thing we have really lacked in terms of our displays has been pace and directness. I think Son and N'Jie both offer this and should create a lot of space for the likes of Kane, Eriksen, Chadli and Lamela in breaking forward. I think Alderweireld has shown signs of forming a proper partnership with Vertonghen and while they haven't immediately strengthened the first-team, Wimmer has allowed Dier to be utilised as a midfielder in the squad who has since shown promise as a DM and Trippier will either push Walker in the same way Davies pushed Rose, or he will take his place and improve on him.

3) We didn't sign anyone on deadline day when our targets didn't work out. WHAT??? I hear you cry. This is a positive? Yes, it is. It's so tempting for the club to feel the pressure of fans about "only going into the season with one striker" and "sign someone Levy!" In the past we always have signed people in this situation and often it seems against the manager's wishes.

We missed out on Willian and couldn't do a deal for Hulk, so we signed Eriksen and Lamela above AVB's head. He clearly didn't want either of them and it created a rift between him and the board that wasn't healed. Of course, politically, the club felt they had to sign players having sold Bale. Anyway, it's clear to me from what he's said and done that Pochettino is a man that believes that if he can't sign the right players, players he is confident and analysed for his system, he'd rather develop academy players and make do.

It would be easy for Levy to go and sign someone who wasn't on our list when our list didn't work out. But on this occasion we have backed the manager and let him succeed or fail by HIS decisions in my view.

We have clearly got a list that we are working on of Pochettino's long-term targets and we're not going to sign anyone not on the list, even if it means Shaq Coulhirst backing up Kane until January at least.

Yes, it will mean the fans want to put Levy in the stocks, but I believe this is the most coherent and long-term window we've had as a club and the first where it felt the head coach and chairman have seen eye to eye.

PT · Sep 1, 2015

Xeeleeyid said:
In terms of this window, I think it's been an excellent window from the club, because I believe it is the first window in which the manager was well and truly backed to the hilt and that the club did not waver from their strategy even in the face of a situation where many clubs and us in the past would have panicked and spent for the sake of spending.

1) Clearing the deadwood. At the beginning of the summer, it was clear from the press articles that Pochettino wanted a smaller, leaner, younger, more flexible squad, with more players able to play in multiple positions and interchange and less numbers. He also wanted the players that weren't part of his plans cut loose so they wouldn't create disharmony. With the exception of Ade, who let's face it is a unique case, we have got rid of every single player who that manager categorically didn't want around. The club have for many seasons been accused of failing to get rid of players because Levy wanted large fees. This summer the manager has clearly been backed to the hilt in this regard.

2) The incomings have clearly upgraded the team in key areas. Yes, we didn't strengthen in two of our areas we could improve on, i.e. defensive midfield and striking cover, but these can be added in winter or next summer. I think the key thing we have really lacked in terms of our displays has been pace and directness. I think Son and N'Jie both offer this and should create a lot of space for the likes of Kane, Eriksen, Chadli and Lamela in breaking forward. I think Alderweireld has shown signs of forming a proper partnership with Vertonghen and while they haven't immediately strengthened the first-team, Wimmer has allowed Dier to be utilised as a midfielder in the squad who has since shown promise as a DM and Trippier will either push Walker in the same way Davies pushed Rose, or he will take his place and improve on him.

3) We didn't sign anyone on deadline day when our targets didn't work out. WHAT??? I hear you cry. This is a positive? Yes, it is. It's so tempting for the club to feel the pressure of fans about "only going into the season with one striker" and "sign someone Levy!" In the past we always have signed people in this situation and often it seems against the manager's wishes.

We missed out on Willian and couldn't do a deal for Hulk, so we signed Eriksen and Lamela above AVB's head. He clearly didn't want either of them and it created a rift between him and the board that wasn't healed. Of course, politically, the club felt they had to sign players having sold Bale. Anyway, it's clear to me from what he's said and done that Pochettino is a man that believes that if he can't sign the right players, players he is confident and analysed for his system, he'd rather develop academy players and make do.

It would be easy for Levy to go and sign someone who wasn't on our list when our list didn't work out. But on this occasion we have backed the manager and let him succeed or fail by HIS decisions in my view.

We have clearly got a list that we are working on of Pochettino's long-term targets and we're not going to sign anyone not on the list, even if it means Shaq Coulhirst backing up Kane until January at least.

Yes, it will mean the fans want to put Levy in the stocks, but I believe this is the most coherent and long-term window we've had as a club and the first where it felt the head coach and chairman have seen eye to eye.

That's refreshing. Thanks.

ultimateloner · Sep 1, 2015

I think we had a good window.
Clinton and Son give us pace and width. Neither are genuine strikers but both can play off one so I'm happy enough.
There is a general shortage of difference-making strikers, so rather than sink 30m+ into Berahino (who would have been too expensive a gamble because he scored less than 15 league goals with 1 season exp), we are better of waiting until a genuine option turns up.
Defensively we look solid. We kept our star players which is enough of a challenge on its own. Dele Ali looks like he is ready. Pritchard is getting some game time too.
For me this looks a squad that has a good balance of potential and experience.

Main gripe is we still have some of the deadwood from previous seasons (Townsend/Ade) but this is not surprising.

Xeeleeyid · Sep 1, 2015

You've also got to compare our window to other clubs windows. Man U only have one first-team striker in Rooney and couldn't get their targets, despite all their money. Real Madrid screwed the De Gea deal up, the biggest club in the world.

Chelsea haven't got any of their main targets and Arsenal didn't manage to sign a single outfield player.

Liverpool have splurged, but they have sold or lost their two best players so politically they had to and strategically, watching them against West Ham, they look no stronger than they did last season, they look slower and less incisive going forward and just as ridiculous at the back.

Clubs are saying no now. West Brom, Everton and Southampton all said up yours, we're not selling, no matter what the money... to us, to Chelsea and to Man U.

There is has been a bit of a sea-change, hence the boring deadline day. Before, you'd wait until late when clubs had to sell... Now the mid-tier clubs, because of the TV deal don't need the money. They can say no. In fact they get so much money from the TV deal that it is actually worth it more to keep their players and gain a few extra places in the BPL, than accept a £50m bid from Chelsea for Stones.

BuryMeInEngland · Sep 1, 2015

fortworthspur said:
I dont think he's been focused on his job for some time now. But why wouldnt he play if selected?

Would he play or would he just go through the motions? In terms of loyalty and pride it's pretty obvious that he owes this club nothing.

Spursidol · Sep 1, 2015

...and how was the play Mrs Lincoln ?

Now having calmed down a bit from the end of the TW, my conclusion .................This TW is a real curates egg.

Positives

- Sale of 8 players we hardly used last season ( Kaboul, Chirches, Capoue, Stambouli, Lennon, Holtby, Paulhino, Soldado) - far more than I thought possible, I had thought it would take 2 TW's. Rumours that we almost struck a deal with Adebayor to leave several times, being the only player we really wanted to leave to still be with us.

- Defence sorted out massively. Alderweireld >> Capoue and Wimmer >> Kaboul (the injured one), with Trippier being a much better back up RB than Yedlin could be in the short term. With 5 decent experienced Centre Backs (albeit Dier may play CM this season) and 4 full backs, we should have a rock on the back to build from.

- Adding pace and goals with Heung- Min Son and Clinton N'Jie

- We lost none of the core squad, in particular keeping Lloris, Kane & Eriksen whilst in addition strengthened the squad through loanees Dele Ali, Alex Pritchard and Tom Carroll returning - and given our shortage in DM's. I'd like to add Milos Veljkovic to that list as EL/cup cover for Dier.

So what was done was done well.

Negatives

- Blindingly obvious from last season is that we needed an alternate striker to Kane - everyone seemed to love Soldado but his lack of goals meant it was impractical to keep him. New boy Son is likely to massively outscore him, and it was right for Soldado to go.

Personally never really sure Berahino was the perfect solution, but after Ings and Martial he was no 1 choice. What I find unbelievable was that there was no plan B - for the last 2 weeks it must have been obvious that WBA were not going to roll over and whilst I thought there would be a last minute deal, it beggars belief that we did not have a relatively cheap less perfect striker lined up to acquire at the last minute - even a free agent. I thought that's why Mitchell and co were brought in. Not identifying and not securing the 2nd striker defies all the usual business practices of risk management - unless Poch had already agreed to consider using a 460 or other formation where an alternate striker is not required.

- Whilst Mason/Bentaleb was a decent combo last season - doing far better than the more experienced Capoue and Stambouli for example - a more experienced DM/CM was always high on the agenda. The good news is that the returning loanees Alli and Carroll have strengthened that position from last season, and Dembele is still available to add experience to the CM area (albeit he does not pass fast enough forwards to be Poch's best choice there) and Dier has been showing he's not a bad option there. However never seeming to have a no 1 CM choice after Scneiderlein always looked amateurish - and so it proved when no-one arrived. I think we'll survive without the experienced CM, but how much better could we have been with that signing

So there you have it.

We are actually not short of players - 25 who can be called first team players plus youths such as Winks, Onomah and Veljkovic .

But a big hole in not having a 2nd striker and more experience in the middle

IMO the lack of the other striker will mean Poch has to be tactically more flexible when Kane needs to be rested...........but will he ?

eddiebailey · Sep 1, 2015

We felt we needed to strengthen two more positions and we failed to do so. There is no dressing that up as anything other than a bad outcome.

I'm concerned our young squad could struggle.

fortworthspur · Sep 1, 2015

BuryMeInEngland said:
Would he play or would he just go through the motions? In terms of loyalty and pride it's pretty obvious that he owes this club nothing.

since we didnt sign another striker I have no choice but to be optimistic about Ade, and I havent been a fan for some time. He's behaved atrociously. I wouldnt mind signing Berbatov though.

SugarRay · Sep 1, 2015

People are being far too dramatic I think. Leaving it this late to address our issues meant we were never going to sign any real quality today or yesterday. Only Martial can be considered a quality purchase of today's business, and he's the only one I would have taken at the Lane but he was far too expensive for us.

Son has the potential to be an absolute star for us. He's a proper buy, great age, great pedigree and plenty more to come potentially.

Football has shown us that anything can happen, and yes, that means Adebayor potentially returning to the fold at some point if we are desperate. No need to buy just for the sake of it, players like Song, Moses, Tiote etc all being linked today reeked of desperation and I'm happy we didn't bother with any of them.

trasores · Sep 1, 2015

shipping players who don't play and replacing them with players who wont play means nothing.

fortworthspur · Sep 1, 2015

my summary of this window:

One - we tried hard, and two - we're still dear friends.

Lifeson · Sep 1, 2015

knowlespurs said:
been a usual awful window
think our tenth on the trot with no net spend, and as usual the squad short in key areas
one striker though who has only played one season, played all through the summer and currently out of form, i mean thats special, even for levy

I'm nitpicking here but this is a personal bugbear of mine. A striker doesn't score for a few games and suddenly he's "out of form". Doesn't matter how he plays, he's shite now. Not a personal attack at you, just something that seems to come around all the time in the media.

Kane's still been one of our best players so far even if he hasn't scored, he's clearly not out of form.

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