What's new

Jack Grealish

Maxtremist

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2014
1,530
3,300
Only Spurs can make signing someone like Grealish such a drawn out saga that by the time we sign him fans will have forgotten how ambivalent they originally were about it and will now herald him as the second coming. It's what happens when he appears to be the only signing of the window so far. Very clever by Levy. You just have to hand it to him.

I feel like we always feel our sagas are more drawn out than others cause we're following ours every step of the way on this forum whereas for other clubs we're only seeing what's on BBC Gossip and the final signing.

We don't know how many twists and turns they deal with and we don't follow every single bit of news and itk that comes in for other teams dealings.

I mean look at the Jorginho transfer. He was linked with a few clubs. So imagine all their message boards and forums and itks watching every step of it.

I honestly feel like Spurs transfer dealings are really no different to other clubs for the most part. The only difference is between is and the money rich teams who will just spunk out 60 or 70 mil per signing but even then that still can be drawn out (look at Mahrez to city or Sanchez to City).

People on this site seem to act like Spurs cannot make a single transfer happen and we have an awful squad that needs a dramatic overhaul while every other team is perfect and signs their first choice player immediately with no hassle which is just utter nonsense.

Has this window been great for us so far? No. But this window isn't over. Let's wait and see what happens.
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
I'm not as bothered about the drawn out nature of this transfer thus far. Mainly because I don't see how a AMC is a priority for us. Im not really sure why people are getting so pissed off by the delays. Really, we should be trying to get him for as little as possible. The only transfer we really need is a CM and the lack of publicised movement on that front is worrying me, especially when the only name doing he rounds is Gomes. Players like Martial and Grielsh are not priorities so any delays in getting them are not really worth the worry. Grealish after all is a youngster from championship, how much impact do people really expect him to make in a team trying to win the PL.

I get the impression that we may be looking at using him deeper than expected, apparently he has had some success deeper for Villa there using his close control, dribbling and passing ablity to good effect. It was suggested that that was Poch's plans for Barkley.

If true, and we were looking to use Grealish (or Dele) and Eriksen in front of a DM in a similar MF shape to City and England as has been hinted (and backed up by the strong links to new wide forwards over creative CMs) then I'd personally want him to get integrated as soon as possible (i.e. the USA tour). Otherwise it might be a struggle for him to earn Poch's trust as with many of our squad signings late in windows (Sissoko, Son, Moura, all were rotation players that struggled to integrate for 6-12 months).

If we are sticking to the 4-2-3-1 and 3-4-2-1 then I agree with your stance at getting the best possible price, and he'll just have to impress in training and domestic cup games.
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
So much panic. So much anger and frustration.

The club aren't stupid. They know we need reinforcements, the manager knows, we all know. People getting frustrated over 'drawn out' deals or 'sagas' clearly haven't learned the lessons of countless transfer windows previous - is Damaio going to play this year, do you think?

I too am anxious. Liverpool look very strong and flashing the cash in a big way. But they need to. They're spending money on positions is which they're weak. However, the window has a way to go and while we're currently in the chasing pack, perspective is the key ingredient to measuring the success of this window. They clearly had their priorities and secured the talisman and the manager, and what else goes on beyond closed doors is anyone's guess.

I also remember very similar discussions when people were panicking because we 'didn't have a defensive midfielder' and then Eric Dier happened. It's possible that Pochettino sees the answers from within. Maybe they're not panicking about Toby because Juan Foyth is going to knock your socks off. Unlikely, i'll grant you, but I think the manager has earned our trust.

So be frustrated and whatever else, but maybe also go outside and breathe.

Good points, however the bolded is part of the reason I'd rather Grealish in this week. If he hit the ground running like Dele then he could be one to make the same impact, especially with most of our starters knackered from the World Cup.
 

Maxtremist

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2014
1,530
3,300
Good points, however the bolded is part of the reason I'd rather Grealish in this week. If he hit the ground running like Dele then he could be one to make the same impact, especially with most of our starters knackered from the World Cup.

We signed Dier on the 4th of August and he scored on his debut on the 16th and then again on his home debut. We got Dier in late and he hit the ground running too. It can and does happen, and that was Dier without a big US tour pre-season or anything IIRC

I'd love to get Grealish in for our tour but it's not the end of the world if he isn't.
 

dave5150

Well-Known Member
Aug 31, 2011
766
3,748
WTF there's so much talk of Liverpool's transfer business that we've lost sight of the real purpose of this thread...

2eaqn2.jpg
 

Gilzeanking

Well-Known Member
May 7, 2005
6,093
5,019
What slightly concerns me is the niggling suspicion that some TW info might be controlled by the club . It was generally accepted
on here in the past that that was happening .

The upbeat start to each TW is so regular its becoming a cliche (150 mill ... transfers done before WC anyone ?) . Then the slowdown . The cynic in me wonders if this process has anything to do with getting people's season ticket renewals etc .

I'm not even blaming the club if this is their MO , its just something that occurs every year like clockwork .

Be great if there could be a new tune on the ol' fiddle...just for a change .
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
We signed Dier on the 4th of August and he scored on his debut on the 16th and then again on his home debut. We got Dier in late and he hit the ground running too. It can and does happen, and that was Dier without a big US tour pre-season or anything IIRC

I'd love to get Grealish in for our tour but it's not the end of the world if he isn't.

Dier got in the side as a right back if I recall. The following season he was moved to DM in preseason. If they get decent game time early on they are usually fine, Sanchez being a prime example.
 

Maxtremist

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2014
1,530
3,300
Dier got in the side as a right back if I recall. The following season he was moved to DM in preseason. If they get decent game time early on they are usually fine, Sanchez being a prime example.

Indeed, Dier got in at Right Back but hit the group running, like Alli did. Like Sanchez did. If memory serves only Alli had any form of a pre-season tour with us. So whilst I do agree with you in that I'd prefer to have Grealish in for our US tour, I don't think him not coming in is that terrible.

It's also why I'm more than fine with Grealish getting game time with Villa in their pre season. Yes, it's not our regime or tactics but he's getting a pre-season and will be fit for the start of the season (maybe not Poch fit but no-one is Poch fit, especially after a world cup)
 

nickspurs

SC Supporter
May 13, 2005
1,608
1,389
Makes total sense to me. If you are in financial trouble, you’re constantly trying to get creditors off your back with compromise payments. AV want to be pleading poverty and getting as many quiet for a few months before they formalise a deal to sell their biggest asset.

They’ll be saying that ‘we’ve only got one buyer and we’re only able to get a small sum at best so this is the best we can offer you’. As opposed to ‘Er yeah, it’s true we’ve just been paid £10m into our accounts with £15m more to come so I guess we can pay you what you’re asking’.
 

diamond lights

active member
Aug 31, 2012
1,442
5,657
Are you really surprised as to why?

We were led to believe we'd finally be signing top top quality players this summer. Moving into a brand new stadium and all that, we'd be making a statement to our rivals.

Yet now you expect us all to be delighted we are signing Grealish and for some reason can't accept people moaning about it. No-one could have given a shit about Grealish in April. There probably wasn't a single poster on here that genuinely wanted him. On top of all this it is taking an absolute age to sign the player. Literally dragging on for months. As a fan I'm sure we are entitled to feel very aggrieved the way this window is panning out.

Of course it could all turn around and Grealish turns into a little footnote this summer, but as it stands right now there are no genuine links or movement with any quality names.

No back up to Kane. No new WF. No Dembele replacement. No Toby replacement.

There is less than a month left of the window. Yet Chelsea have signed Jorginho. Liverpool are going at it hammer and tongs on buying proven CL quality players. It's a bit depressing and all too familiar.
Just for clarity. I have wanted us to sign Grealish for some years. I think he will be a top signing and be a starter for England within the year.
We will also sign a few other players as we always do towards the end of the window and there is no point looking at what others do. This is our business model and has served us well in recent years.
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
Indeed, Dier got in at Right Back but hit the group running, like Alli did. Like Sanchez did. If memory serves only Alli had any form of a pre-season tour with us. So whilst I do agree with you in that I'd prefer to have Grealish in for our US tour, I don't think him not coming in is that terrible.

It's also why I'm more than fine with Grealish getting game time with Villa in their pre season. Yes, it's not our regime or tactics but he's getting a pre-season and will be fit for the start of the season (maybe not Poch fit but no-one is Poch fit, especially after a world cup)

Alli had been training with us on and off from the January he signed. He impressed in preseason and the rest is history.

I do agree with what you are saying but you are missing my point a little bit. My point was that Grealish may be in more of a situation like Sissoko or Moura than say Sanchez if we sign him late (Sanchez was signed as more of a starter really).

Midfield (defensive and attacking) seems to be the area that Poch has the most tactical instructions for (press/shape/etc...) so I would rather he came over as soon as possible, but I do agree it's not the end of the world if he comes after the US tour.
 

mil1lion

This is the place to be
May 7, 2004
42,341
77,595
Just for clarity. I have wanted us to sign Grealish for some years. I think he will be a top signing and be a starter for England within the year.
We will also sign a few other players as we always do towards the end of the window and there is no point looking at what others do. This is our business model and has served us well in recent years.
It's also the reason why we've been able to fund this amazing new stadium. While a team of equal size like Everton are years behind us.

I find it baffling that fans are so impatient over this signing. Given the situation at Villa why on earth would we try and rush a deal through? We have a great opportunity to sign a top prospect for well under their market value. I guess we should just pay over that just so that we can get him in a few weeks early and satisfy our fans.
 

Lighty64

I believe
Aug 24, 2010
10,400
12,476
@tiger666 and @Vinny_Sammways_left_peg what exactly are you defending here? It's not the integrity of the thread...

We have 3 weeks to shift double figures of players before we sign anyone according to ITK.

According to ITK we are not that far apart on valuation of Jack.

we don't have to shift them all before we start buying. if Toby went tomorrow for the 55m+ it would most probably mean Grealish in a lot quicker.

the problem is we expect to of received firm bids on the main outs, and by the sounds of it, we haven't
 

Yid-ol

Just-outside Edinburgh
Jan 16, 2006
31,097
19,276
we don't have to shift them all before we start buying. if Toby went tomorrow for the 55m+ it would most probably mean Grealish in a lot quicker.

the problem is we expect to of received firm bids on the main outs, and by the sounds of it, we haven't

Don't think it would. Delay is with Villa apparently, so how would that help speed up the move?!
 

Maxtremist

Well-Known Member
Jun 11, 2014
1,530
3,300
Alli had been training with us on and off from the January he signed. He impressed in preseason and the rest is history.

I do agree with what you are saying but you are missing my point a little bit. My point was that Grealish may be in more of a situation like Sissoko or Moura than say Sanchez if we sign him late (Sanchez was signed as more of a starter really).

Midfield (defensive and attacking) seems to be the area that Poch has the most tactical instructions for (press/shape/etc...) so I would rather he came over as soon as possible, but I do agree it's not the end of the world if he comes after the US tour.

Moura is a bit of a different case considering Moura was a January signing and hadn't really played for PSG so whilst I kinda get the point for bringing him up, hard to compare.

Sissoko one is a better point. I can't remember his start to our season too well but I do believe Poch played him fairly early on but then Sissoko was just generally not that good and then had a red card fairly early on in his Spurs career so I doubt that went well with Poch.

I feel like we agree that we both want Grealish in as early as possible and just see him coming in a bit later as having different degrees of effectiveness. I feel it won't be much of an issue and he can hit the ground running/won't have to change too much.
 

SpartanSpur

Well-Known Member
Jan 27, 2011
12,552
43,063
Moura is a bit of a different case considering Moura was a January signing and hadn't really played for PSG so whilst I kinda get the point for bringing him up, hard to compare.

Sissoko one is a better point. I can't remember his start to our season too well but I do believe Poch played him fairly early on but then Sissoko was just generally not that good and then had a red card fairly early on in his Spurs career so I doubt that went well with Poch.

I feel like we agree that we both want Grealish in as early as possible and just see him coming in a bit later as having different degrees of effectiveness. I feel it won't be much of an issue and he can hit the ground running/won't have to change too much.

He does look an intelligent footballer (the opposite of Sissoko), so I do hope I am just exaggerating the importance of it. As long as Eriksen and Dele come back in form there's no real pressure on Grealish early on to be fair.
 

Lighty64

I believe
Aug 24, 2010
10,400
12,476
Don't think it would. Delay is with Villa apparently, so how would that help speed up the move?!

if we had the funds in we want guaranteed, I'd expect for a signing that most probably wasn't on the cards till Villa went to the wall might of meant the initial fee of the structure might of been easier for Levy to think it was worth the risk.

we originally had ITK that we had an amount to spend which would then be clawed back with sales, now we have news that due to the squad size we need to shift to make room for new signings, so perhaps it is Villa holding up to make sure the 1st payment hits at the right time.

I know Poch hoped to get players in before pre-season, but it sounds like other than Grealish, we have had to move to plan B's and those plan B's who we don't officially know about where involved in the WC.

it's going to be a long 20 days a head, but I still have faith, and have been totally behind this signing since it was 1st sprung(y)
 
Top