The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 11 June 2011

[Rout-Ledge]

This luka shit is getting on my nerves

I don't blame him. He could move to pretty much any club in the world. He's not kicking up a fuss, just gently hinting that we need to take the bull by the horns and show everyone we mean business. Quite frankly, I'm concerned that that isn't going to happen.

 

[DanNolan]

I met JD on wednesday in Vegas. Expect him to leave, he isnt happy sitting on the bench in what he called "his peak". Would welcome a move to arsenal, his agent is exploring possibilities.

Personally i think we should add two to defoe and Pav. Would hate to see him leave but he is unhappy that HR didnt keep him in the team after games in which he scored. Says he had no chance to regain sharpness becaause it was basically 1 week on 1 week off (no reserve games didnt help).

 

[StartingPrice]

I think this summer is massively important. I will be very angry with both Levy and Harry if we fail to show ambition. I won't be complaining if we bring in a top player and it doesn't work out, but if we don't even take a risk I'll be disgusted.

p.s. maybe he changed it after seeing that David Baddiel film :wink:

Yeah, I was gonna ask if he was frightened by the Baddiel-Witch-Hunt-thang:grin:

I don't actually buy the "qualify for the CL and Modric will stay line". A player of his quality should be competing for and winning the league and CL, not just aiming to qualify for it.

Yes, Brett, but Luka has also recently said he believes we are building a team that can compete at the very top and win things. Presumably that is why he has said he is happy to stay.
You have to take them together: if we don't qualify for the CL next season that rosy picture will be seriously dented. We will face a loss of prestige, and financial muscle, that would make it highly unlikely that we could compete at the top and in things, or keep hold of our star players. If, however, we qualify for the CL (and maybe win something, too, next year - I'm thinking theEuropa would be nice), yuo would have to imagine that it would go a long way to confirming Luka in the opinion that this team can win things and compete at the top. Plus we would have a higher profile to attract top-line performers, and more money with which to buy them.
In other words, next season is pivotal, and providing we show ambition in the transfer market this Summer, and perform in the Prem next season, Luka will be happy. If not, come next Summer, he really would be wanting to move in order for his career to progress (and who could blame him).

You have to remember, Brett, of all of those stories of Dan levy going to restaurants in Zagreb with the President of Dinamo and Luka's agent, followed by strolls through the old town, discussing plans, and the way Dan Levy dived in, pioneering mutually beneficial relationships with LCubs like Dinamo (Inter, etc), and how it is potentially helping revitalise these locations.

Dan Levy is a smart guy and he has been working on a Global strategy to make THFC one of the big hitters of English football AGAIN.

 

[Matrix]

I don't blame him. He could move to pretty much any club in the world. He's not kicking up a fuss, just gently hinting that we need to take the bull by the horns and show everyone we mean business. Quite frankly, I'm concerned that that isn't going to happen.

I fear the same. Its definitely time to go all out. I dont think it will happen though. This is make or break for us. We dont improve significantly this window we will be left behind again while Man City rule for the next 10 years. Its the closest its been for years, we should not stay stagnant.
We should always be looking to improve on our 1st 11, Thats what Ferguson has been doing for years at Man U. Unlike us who rather buy upgrades for bench players.

 

[Rout-Ledge]

I fear the same. Its definitely time to go all out. I dont think it will happen though. This is make or break for us. We dont improve significantly this window we will be left behind again while Man City rule for the next 10 years. Its the closest its been for years, we should not stay stagnant.
All well and good trying to get a new stadium but we will have the biggest stadium for a midtable side!

People don't seem to be cottoning on to the fact that the team we can be leapfrogging next year is Arsenal. They're just sitting around waiting to be overtaken. I'll reserve judgment until the end of the window, but if we don't bring in at least one very very good striker I will be seriously disheartened.

 

[Matrix]

People don't seem to be cottoning on to the fact that the team we can be leapfrogging next year is Arsenal. They're just sitting around waiting to be overtaken. I'll reserve judgment until the end of the window, but if we don't bring in at least one very very good striker I will be seriously disheartened.

Totally with you on this. Its the closest we have been to the top 4 teams in years, with a team with 5 or 6 world class players. I cant remember a Spurs side since the 1994 season where we have had a cluster of world class talent.
We just need to keep adding more world class players. World class players attract more world class players. The only reason Arsenal are above us is because the football they play and regardless of who plays the football played is the same. So any average player can fit in and do a job. They are set up very much like Ajax and Barcelona.
With us, if any of our top 3 players are out we have no ideas on how to attack and play.
Hypothetically we should be looking to improve on everyone in our 1st eleven.

 

[CorlukaModric]

The VDV info is rubbish. He is staying. It was a worry for Harry and the coaching staff that since his arrival we did have to change our formation to accommodate him in the free role. But we are in the market for a top CF to play infront of him. Crouch to Sunderland looking very likely. Either a straight cash deal or a swap for Gyan however Bruce is reluctant to let him go but could happen. We enquired for Gervinho and the Lille chairman made it public to try and start an auction and alert the interested clubs. We are looking to bring in a winger hence the Gervinho interest and im told we are interested in Downing and N'Zogbia.. Leandro deal very close now the itk update on him from Brownhead pretty much spot on. Still haggling on whether he will be here at the start of the season and a few future installments... Also told that there could be 2 outgoing transfers next week

 

[JD82]

I met JD on wednesday in Vegas. Expect him to leave, he isnt happy sitting on the bench in what he called "his peak". Would welcome a move to arsenal, his agent is exploring possibilities.

Personally i think we should add two to defoe and Pav. Would hate to see him leave but he is unhappy that HR didnt keep him in the team after games in which he scored. Says he had no chance to regain sharpness becaause it was basically 1 week on 1 week off (no reserve games didnt help).

Cheers for posting Dan. I think JD was given enough game time to regain his match fitness but still didn't score the goals, so consequently found himself in and out the team. I would have thought (not got the stats) that he was given more chances than Pav and Pav scored more goals.

Having said that I'm not convinced we should sell him. For me it's tricky which striker(s) we should replace. Up until Pav's strong finish to the season, I would definitley wanted him to be the one to go, but now I am not so sure. One of Pav or Defoe (along with Keane) have to go for me. I'd keep Crouch as he offers something different.

I'm still leaning towards keeping Defoe over Pav....just!

 

[Dr Know]

The VDV info is rubbish. He is staying. It was a worry for Harry and the coaching staff that since his arrival we did have to change our formation to accommodate him in the free role. But we are in the market for a top CF to play infront of him. Crouch to Sunderland looking very likely. Either a straight cash deal or a swap for Gyan however Bruce is reluctant to let him go but could happen. We enquired for Gervinho and the Lille chairman made it public to try and start an auction and alert the interested clubs. We are looking to bring in a winger hence the Gervinho interest and im told we are interested in Downing and N'Zogbia.. Leandro deal very close now the itk update on him from Brownhead pretty much spot on. Still haggling on whether he will be here at the start of the season and a few future installments... Also told that there could be 2 outgoing transfers next week

Thanks m8, I don't think anyone actually believed the VDV off rumour but guys kept asking for ITK so someone gave it!!

 

[JD82]

The VDV info is rubbish. He is staying. It was a worry for Harry and the coaching staff that since his arrival we did have to change our formation to accommodate him in the free role. But we are in the market for a top CF to play infront of him. Crouch to Sunderland looking very likely. Either a straight cash deal or a swap for Gyan however Bruce is reluctant to let him go but could happen. We enquired for Gervinho and the Lille chairman made it public to try and start an auction and alert the interested clubs. We are looking to bring in a winger hence the Gervinho interest and im told we are interested in Downing and N'Zogbia.. Leandro deal very close now the itk update on him from Brownhead pretty much spot on. Still haggling on whether he will be here at the start of the season and a few future installments... Also told that there could be 2 outgoing transfers next week

Cheers as always CM. I can't see VDV going anywhere. I hope the interest in wingers doesn't mean Azza is off. Hopefully we are looking to add to Bale and Azza not replace them. The more options the better.

CM could you post your updates to the ITK RO as I've notced a few of your posts have been missed in amongst the mass depression and Harry is a c*** posts.

 

[dvdhopeful]

Sunderland fans would surely go into meltdown if they got rid of Gyan, especially if it is a swap for Crouch. Gyan might not be the superstar people are hoping for, but one thing you will get with Gyan is the knowledge he'll be a success in the EPL and won't need time to settle in.

If we are looking at a winger, are we looking for a direct Lennon replacement? Or someone to rotate with him? If you could replace Lennon with a pacey winger who would grab you 10ish goals, it would be a huge bonus this off season. Marin seems the type, along with Gervinho? If we bring in Marin+Gyan, what would people think of the offseason?

 

[StartingPrice]

People don't seem to be cottoning on to the fact that the team we can be leapfrogging next year is Arsenal. They're just sitting around waiting to be overtaken. I'll reserve judgment until the end of the window, but if we don't bring in at least one very very good striker I will be seriously disheartened.

Was just about to make the same post.
If (and this is by no means certain) they lose Nasri, Arsh-Shaving and Fabregas, and Whinger has to (finally) buy the type of centre-halves who can actually cope with the English game (awwwww, he's only had a decade to get it right:rofl, they could be left hoping players will gel/adapt in a very transitional season.

Totally with you on this. Its the closest we have been to the top 4 teams in years, with a team with 5 or 6 world class players. I cant remember a Spurs side since the 1994 season where we have had a cluster of world class talent.
We just need to keep adding more world class players. World class players attract more world class players. The only reason Arsenal are above us is because the football they play and regardless of who plays the football played is the same. So any average player can fit in and do a job. They are set up very much like Ajax and Barcelona.
With us, if any of our top 3 players are out we have no ideas on how to attack and play.
Hypothetically we should be looking to improve on everyone in our 1st eleven.

Would also like to add, because it seems to be something folk aren't processing: Levy set out to break into the Big 4, and to all-intents-and-purposes he did just that. We have excluded Liverpool from the CL spots for two seasons running, now, and allthings being equal, it is only the totally unexpected mega-financing of Citeh that has prevented that from being more apparent.

 

[haslemereyid]

the defoe itk seems pretty definitive and all rings true - i think it will be a shame to lose him and bet he will be fantastic success where ever he ends up

whilst his form hasnt been good last year or so the injuries plus rotation have definitely played a part

 

[HildoSpur]

Personally I wouldnt be too upset to see Defoe leave, he's a good player but not really the class of striker we need to get to the highest level, he blows too hot and cold for my liking. If we can get a decent price I'd sell him in an instant.

 

[ravo]

the defoe itk seems pretty definitive and all rings true - i think it will be a shame to lose him and bet he will be fantastic success where ever he ends up

whilst his form hasnt been good last year or so the injuries plus rotation have definitely played a part

Crouch + Defoe for Gyan and a bit of cash could be a good deal for both parties.

 

[Mr Pink]

if city really do want modric it will happen, we'll get a huge fee for him and he'll get offered huge wages.

50 million and it will happen imo.

 

[haslemereyid]

People don't seem to be cottoning on to the fact that the team we can be leapfrogging next year is Arsenal. They're just sitting around waiting to be overtaken. I'll reserve judgment until the end of the window, but if we don't bring in at least one very very good striker I will be seriously disheartened.

the big big prize in front of us is that if we can get ahead of arsenal and managed to exclude them from the top four then it could be the end of wenger.

By definition a new manager would be different to wenger but the whole of the club is based around wengers philosophies. it would be chaos there for years as suddenly players who have been almost robotically taught to only play in one style have to adapt to another managers ways

player turnover would be massive and it could set them back years - you cannot underestimate how much of the club at all levels is based on wengers DNA (i will leave the joke to starting price:grin

wenger leaving leading to arsenals downfall all because we got ahead of them is the ultimate dream

 

[faze_coys]

if city really do want modric it will happen, we'll get a huge fee for him and he'll get offered huge wages.

50 million and it will happen imo.

fuck the money, we could not sell to city off all people.

 

[Mr Pink]

funny you should make that point regarding Wenger...I wouldn't be one bit surprised to see someone like Martinez take over from Wenger sometime in the future...

 

[Mr Pink]

fuck the money, we could not sell to city off all people.

I agree, but if City want him bad enough they'll get him, not sure though if they really would want him that badly...they probably just want to stop United replacing the class act of Scholes.