The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 2 July 2011

[AngerManagement]

There's no way we'll get Rossi and Llorente.

As for Parker the key thing in that article is his 70k wages. If that's what he wants we may need to look elsewhere which is a shame as he'd occupy one of our 8 homegrown slots and actually be of use to the squad (unlike, for example, JJ who rarely played last season).

I pretty much agree with everything you say there.

The only thing I would pick up on (whilst not necessarily being my actual opinion) is the use to our squad between JJ and Parker.

While both would help the English quota, Parker would probably command a first team birth would could potentially force Sandro to the sidelines where as Jenas would fill the space and continue to be willing to play a covering role as and when he is needed.

There are pro's and con's to both. Personally I would like to think an upgrade on Jenas would lead to increased quality and competition making us stronger over all but of course the harry bashers will suggest he plays his favourites only and never rotates and this would lead to us stunting Sandro until such time he demands to leave.

 

[Wellspurs]

Just wondering where the claims of him turning us down are from.

His quotes on France Football just mentioned Arsenal was the best team for him. No mention of Spurs or anything.

Philippe Auclair, who has good contacts in French football said the other day on Danny Kelly's show that only Paris St Germain and Arsenal were the only teams with serious interest in Gervinho.

At the end of last season Harry said he had looked at players in the French league and they weren't as good as Pav.

 

[StartingPrice]

I would rather we sign Hazard than Gervinho anyway, and If Arsenal lose Fabregas and Arshavin (potentially Nasri also) Gervinho will have to be outstanding to actually improve them on the whole it would also take 2-3 more special signings.

...Gervinho will have to be immediately outstanding to actually just maintain the level they are at now...:wink:

As I said the other day, the difference between us and the Goons is that (so long as we keep our top players), we only need to buy some quality in order to significantly improve, whereas, if they lose 2 or 3 of the above, they will need to buy significant quality just to stand still (and that doesn't include having to sort out their long-standing 'Keeping/central defensive issues).

Looking at it objectively, obscene really is going into a make-or-break period. He hasn't really won anything since the (English) centre-halves and goalie he inherited retired, and now he could be losing the most potent portion of his midfield.

 

[woodward]

I pretty much agree with everything you say there.

The only thing I would pick up on (whilst not necessarily being my actual opinion) is the use to our squad between JJ and Parker.

While both would help the English quota, Parker would probably command a first team birth would could potentially force Sandro to the sidelines where as Jenas would fill the space and continue to be willing to play a covering role as and when he is needed.

There are pro's and con's to both. Personally I would like to think an upgrade on Jenas would lead to increased quality and competition making us stronger over all but of course the harry bashers will suggest he plays his favourites only and never rotates and this would lead to us stunting Sandro until such time he demands to leave.

Anyone that plays Parker ahead of Sandro wants their head read.

 

[michaelden]

Ryantegan - best ITK I've read. Loved the round up.

Looks like 2 young forwards on Leandro and Pedrozo, plus 1 superstar

 

[AngerManagement]

Ryantegan - best ITK I've read. Loved the round up.

Looks like 2 young forwards on Leandro and Pedrozo, plus 1 superstar

so only 1 established striker coming in, does this indicate we plan to play with just one up top and VDV in the hole? we expect Leandro to make an impact sooner than later? or we think one or more of our current strikers are good enough to continue to play a key role?

 

[talkshowhost86]

I pretty much agree with everything you say there.

The only thing I would pick up on (whilst not necessarily being my actual opinion) is the use to our squad between JJ and Parker.

While both would help the English quota, Parker would probably command a first team birth would could potentially force Sandro to the sidelines where as Jenas would fill the space and continue to be willing to play a covering role as and when he is needed.

There are pro's and con's to both. Personally I would like to think an upgrade on Jenas would lead to increased quality and competition making us stronger over all but of course the harry bashers will suggest he plays his favourites only and never rotates and this would lead to us stunting Sandro until such time he demands to leave.

I think it's always better to have better players in the squad competing for places which is why I'd replace JJ with Parker.

I too am concerned that Harry might play him ahead of Sandro on a regular basis but we'll have to trust old aitch on that one.

 

[opensaysme]

Any one else read the article on SSN that Bolton are interested in taking Keane off us?

Could this be part of a deal to bring Cahill to WHL.

http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11661_7014905,00.html

 

[yido_number1]

Ryantegan - best ITK I've read. Loved the round up.

Looks like 2 young forwards on Leandro and Pedrozo, plus 1 superstar

That was his least accurate ITK to date... he ended up eating at Harvester!!!

 

[phil]

Ryantegan - best ITK I've read. Loved the round up.

Yep, typical ITK; there is no such place as Tunbridge- onlyTonbridge and Tunbridge Wells. Perhaps it is another cryptic?

 

[StartingPrice]

so only 1 established striker coming in, does this indicate we plan to play with just one up top and VDV in the hole? we expect Leandro to make an impact sooner than later? or we think one or more of our current strikers are good enough to continue to play a key role?

Yes.
Yes.
Yes.
IMO.
I don't think ti would be a good idea to start the season with a completely new strike force. I suspect Redknapp is warming to the Pav. a bit (not least because he did actually score last season - if not enough).
I would like to see us bringing in two top(ish) level strikers, but both would pretty much be expecting to start straight away, and continue playing.

VDV is also going to expect to be playing. Which presents something of a conundrum (which has already engendered plenty of formations on here, including dropping Lennon and playing VDV on the rightmg. With one marquee signing, we would know that our top players would be playing, Pav. has come off the bench and scored (even if he's not that happy doing it), and a young player like Leandro could come in and potentially make an impact (much like Sandro). And I think that is the idea, he looks like he might hit the ground running - and, along with Pav. would probably get sme run-outs in the cups.

Then there is the prospect of this Mexican lad, and the likes of HarriKane.

That is what I'm expecting, anyway. We could always bring in another higher profile striker in January and sell Pav, if it wasn't working. And if it works we may have our strikeforce sorted for a good while.

 

[AngerManagement]

It seems to me that this limits the type of star striker we can be bringing in and means we really should go more for the Adebayor type than the Rossi mould as it would enable us to play said striker up front with VDV behind where as a Rossi or similar may require Crouch ahead of him for example and struggle to form an effective partnership with VDV.

Whilst I am of the opinion two highly skilled and intelligent forward players could work regardless I do also see the potential for problems arising from having now aerial threat in a physically demanding league like our own.

Although personally I see Bale and Lennon often playing great bales on the ground and pulling the ball back which a striker like Rossi could take advantage of with his movement and clinical finishing inspite of his stature.

I do suspect Harry will want a big man leading the line though.

 

[gibbospurs]

so whats happening with leandro then?? all gone quiet recently. Anyone heard anything? Cheers...

 

[HailKingLevy]

Think it would be much more sensible, and viable, to bring in 2 very good forwards
and not just a marquee superstar signing for say 30 - 40 mill.

By spending 12-16 mill (each) on two different players it gives us better options
of changing systems, covering injuries, loss of form, ACN duty. Etc.

I for one would be much happy with 4 in and 4 out . Our current strikers dont actually
deserve another chance.

Football is a ruthless business, and im sure there is a lot of us in our jobs, that
had we fucked up as often as our strikers had, then we would of been gone.

Thanks for the memories keane, congrats on the 100 goals JD, Good luck Pav, Shut the door on your way out Pete.

 

[pythonboy]

I think he'll keep Crouch, Vdv benefited from him last year and new forwards take time to settle.

 

[neogenisis]

I think he will keep Crouch too unless a good good offer comes in.

 

[Darrkespur]

so whats happening with leandro then?? all gone quiet recently. Anyone heard anything? Cheers...

Last word from various ITKs is that it's done, fee and personal terms are agreed, but like with Sandro we're discussing with Inter when he'll actually join us, as they want to keep him a bit longer.

 

[jedimonkey]

I think we will end up keeping Crouch and Pav.

Crouch is a useful option to have, though I wouldn't start with him as much as we have done in the past, and Pav has already said that he is happy to stay and that he doesn't mind not starting every game, as long as he is getting some game time.

Keane needs a fresh start elsewhere and Defoe can go and have one of his purple patches elsewhere, as we really need a main striker who can be relied on more.

 

[Hot-Spur]

Well gervinhio seems to be claiming he turned us down so at least it shows it we're trying I guess...(Trying to be optimistic)

Not ITK but I'm just about to get a spurs tattoo and no they aren't tacky ;-)

mg: Don't do it, they are tacky :razz:

 

[HailKingLevy]

Apparently he is getting two little cockrels one on each ear like ear-rings.