The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 11th August 2014

[diamond lights]

I know I'm pessimistic but I can feel this window slipping away ie; no ms or mm. And so far all we have really added to our squad is a left back that I didn't notice was on many teams must haves. If Poch is happy with sherwoods squad lets hope he finishes higher than him.

There was never a lot wrong with our squad - just how it was managed. We've bought a back up keeper (much needed), a quality young left back with EPL experience, a talented young centre half and there's 3 weeks to go in the window. As I recall at this stage last year we had bought Paulinho, Chadli and Soldado - we still brought in Lamela, Eriksen, Chiriches and Capoue. It's early days and we don't need a squad overall. MS and MM are still on the radar and I think most of us and the management would be happy with that.
So yes you are pessimistic

 

[RamonVega'sShinners]

Why do you think we are ignoring Pochettino's requests? We already brought in 2 very much-needed positions (backup GK and lb). Also, everything I have read lately about the Musacchio deal has led me to believe it is happening, Villareal are just delaying it. As for other targets, Scheiderlin is proving to be tricky, and I think Southampton are reluctant to deal until season starts. So, there is not much to do there for a few weeks.

Outside of that, we are likely looking at a striker and a wide forward (lw) as potential positions to improve upon if the right deal comes along. This is also probably dependent upon who we can shift away from the club. As Pochettino stated, we have too many players as it is. We need to move some players off the books before we can look to add an upgrade to positions that are not critically in need of such (as lb was).

Finally, the market is a bit crazy right now. If you look at the prices some players are moving for, it just doesn't make sense for us to pay big cash for a "bonus" player when we could wait and attempt to do a deal in the final day of the window. We likely couldn't afford most of these players at current value. We need that discount price to afford many of the players on the market. I'm likely sounding like a BSODL here, but our club just doesn't operate the same way as Chelsea, United, Madrid, etc.

Nailed it matey, completely agree 100%. I will however be a bit annoyed if we don't sign a centre back it's the one area we definitely need upgrading.

 

[prawnsandwich]

Southampton don't need the cash so MS would definitely not happen on the last day of the window. They'd know if they say no that once the window shuts that he either has to knuckle down or go without playing football for at least four months

Risky tactic from Levy.

Risky tactic for Soton. I think the club is for sale and MS will go on strike if the transfer does not go through.

 

[millsey]

rather than price as ITK says, I personally think the sole reason for last minute deals is that we simply cannot afford to bring more players in without getting rid of some current players due to a massively oversized first team squad.

But is that due to Levy asking silly prices, ala Bentley, Gomes, Benny ect, because if we havent shifted them yet its not going to be easier in the last week or two

 

[CockOnBall]

Not true, everyone knew Valencia needed the cash and it was effectively a way of saving the president face by making it sound like we agreed the buy out which technically we did but half the fee was in add ons much of the add ons stacked very much in our favoiur and unlikely to be achieved. The reported price was simply a face saving exercise

Think about it, City not known for skimping on price paid £16 mill plus £4 mill in add ons for Negredo a striker with very similar goal record and 9 months younger. Daniel Levy known for squeezing the last nickels and dimes out of a deal and then demanding a discount and you think he agreed £26 mill up front no add ons?

How do you know it's not true?

"Daniel levy known for squeezing the last nickels and dimes out of a deal"

Not last year. Paid the release clauses for Paulinho and Lamela. Both premium fees.

 

[prawnsandwich]

Could see Levy offering 10 mil plus Naughton for Bony more like lol

Could be the deals are connected hence the £6 mill ask.

 

[ItsBoris]

What's all this "If Yedlin wants it enough" stuff? Where did that come from? I could fully understand Spurs going in with the softly, softly approach and selling him our club (he was rumoured to be off to Roma after all), and telling him "Of course we'd like you to finish your season and win your silverware. Then come to us".

I'm not convinced anyway that Walker won't be playing next weekend. He has been training after all, although I don't know at what level. I haven't seen any ITK or injury update on him - was there some?

[Edit] - before anybody answers the second bit, I now see there is some in the press. Apologies on that one.

He looked pretty chubby in one of the training photos - maybe that's why. Looked out of shape.

 

[moomin]

He looked pretty chubby in one of the training photos - maybe that's why. Looked out of shape.

honestly when i saw him in person in seattle i thought he looked a lot bulkier/stronger. then again, i haven't seen the training photos where he looks chubby

 

[Barry Mead]

How do you know it's not true?

"Daniel levy known for squeezing the last nickels and dimes out of a deal"

Not last year. Paid the release clauses for Paulinho and Lamela. Both premium fees.

That was the generally accepted word in Spain, as for Paulinho and Lamela Paulinho was still 24 just coming up for 25, Lamela was 21, Soldado was 28, Levy would never have paid anything like 26 mill for a player with no chance of any substantial resale value

 

[Geyzer Soze]

I don't think there are any worries about having too many players. No doubt Poch wants to see players and see who arrives before arranging loans , but no doubt a number of potential loan deals have been discussed and we should easily place a few players[/quote]
'Arry will have the lot. Last day. Bish bosh. Luvly.

 

[prawnsandwich]

I don't think there are any worries about having too many players. No doubt Poch wants to see players and see who arrives before arranging loans , but no doubt a number of potential loan deals have been discussed and we should easily place a few players

We have an effectively 32 man squad but 5 are under 21.
So that's 27 including Ceballos, Carroll and Mason but not BAE.
Depending on whether our transfers are home grown or not I would guess we need at least 3 out.

 

[Barry Mead]

We have an effectively 32 man squad but 5 are under 21.
So that's 27 including Ceballos, Carroll and Mason but not BAE.
Depending on whether our transfers are home grown or not I would guess we need at least 3 out.

I would imagine all those three will go on loan, there's already a loan offer for Carroll, I would have thought Fredericks might be loaned out too and we have three weeks to sell a player or two if there's any interest

 

[dondo]

But is that due to Levy asking silly prices, ala Bentley, Gomes, Benny ect, because if we havent shifted them yet its not going to be easier in the last week or two

Can see us selling a couple and 4/5 going out on loan in the last few days in the window

 

[CockOnBall]

That was the generally accepted word in Spain, as for Paulinho and Lamela Paulinho was still 24 just coming up for 25, Lamela was 21, Soldado was 28, Levy would never have paid anything like 26 mill for a player with no chance of any substantial resale value

I think it was generally reported in Spain that Soldado's fee was fixed instalments but we'll have to agree to disagree as this isn't the right thread.

Obviously would prefer you are right!

 

[RJ1882]

No, he really isn't.

He's a decent RB at this level and actually is pretty experienced now. Plenty of years ahead of him to.

I disagree. He doesn't tackle, doesn't head, isn't very adventurous on the ball and doesn't try to take a man on. I'd say he's bang average at best. Which isn't good enough for us. Rose gets pelters and he's a better player by a distance in my eyes.

 

[gerishep]

There was never a lot wrong with our squad - just how it was managed. We've bought a back up keeper (much needed), a quality young left back with EPL experience, a talented young centre half and there's 3 weeks to go in the window. As I recall at this stage last year we had bought Paulinho, Chadli and Soldado - we still brought in Lamela, Eriksen, Chiriches and Capoue. It's early days and we don't need a squad overall. MS and MM are still on the radar and I think most of us and the management would be happy with that.
So yes you are pessimistic

Well, your post is upbeat but its not early days any more and, we have bought only one person likely to start, who was pretty anonymous before we bought him.

 

[Mr Pink]

I disagree. He doesn't tackle, doesn't head, isn't very adventurous on the ball and doesn't try to take a man on. I'd say he's bang average at best. Which isn't good enough for us. Rose gets pelters and he's a better player by a distance in my eyes.

Gone from God awful to average in the space of a few hours!

In another few he'll be decent and you'll be round to my way of thinking

 

[RJ1882]

Apologies for spamming the thread. Forgot which thread I was in. Back to ITK.

 

[diamond lights]

Well, your post is upbeat but its not early days any more and, we have bought only one person likely to start, who was pretty anonymous before we bought him.

It's early days in terms of when we usually do our business. As I said above this time last year we'd brought in three and still added 4 more. We definitely don't need another 4 this year so in comparison 'early days'.
Modric, Bale, Berbatov, Bentaleb, Lennon, Kaboul, Walker, Mabbutt...........were all pretty anonymous before we bought them. Doesn't mean a player won't be a huge success for us.
Just trying to drive out your pessimism. Plenty of time for that once the season starts

 

[Yid]

Why do you think we are ignoring Pochettino's requests? We already brought in 2 very much-needed positions (backup GK and lb). .............................***************

And don't forget a young quality CB (who can also play DM & cover RB as well).