The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 24th July 2015

[dagraham]

Chadli scored 11 goals in the prem last season. Pretty good figures for someone who didn't play as striker. Putting him upfront is not the worst idea.

Lampard, Gerrard and Scholes scored loads of goals too. Should they have played upfront?

 

[Spurger King]

Chadli scored 11 goals in the prem last season. Pretty good figures for someone who didn't play as striker. Putting him upfront is not the worst idea.

Not to turn this into a Chadli discussion thread, but scoring goals from midfield is no indicator whatsoever that a player could lead the line and do well as a striker. Completely different skills involved in order to anticipate breaks, find space, and finish well with a lot less time to think things through.

 

[SpartanSpur]

Actually JJ's non-committal answer means nothing it all. We don't learn anything new from it.

It could easily be "don't be so fuckin stupid" as equally as it could "yes mate, he's ours in 44 hours 24 minutes".

Ruling something out as not happening is not the same as saying it will happen.

Considering I, and most others no doubt, had so little faith in that express article it would have been a pretty safe one to poo-pooh IMO.

Since when have spurs wrapped a deal of that magnitude (£15m+) without there being a release clause involved?!

Soldado felt like it went on for a month!

By all means I'm still not expecting him to join tomorrow but does seem to me that he's becoming a serious target.

 

[Stoof]

Considering I, and most others no doubt, had so little faith in that express article it would have been a pretty safe one to poo-pooh IMO.

Since when have spurs wrapped a deal of that magnitude (£15m+) without there being a release clause involved?!

Soldado felt like it went on for a month!

He's said we're interested in SB (whose surname has deliciously just autocorrect on the iPhone as "averaging" - ha!) previously, hardly a leap to say "maybe" to something related to him?

Or am I being too cynical?

I'm just, as ever, trying to manage people's expectations.

 

[amathews3416]

The maybe from JJ is a clear indication we are after him. JJ has no issue poo-poohing any links in the past, pretty sure he would do the same here if there was no interest on our end. The maybe covers him in case of the miracle that we actually pull this signing off in 48 hours, but the interest and chase from Spurs is clearly on.

 

[jbstarr14]

= Supporters not turning up in their droves. So many empty seats in so many games last season

So we should just blow our load, enjoy it for a couple of seasons and fuck the long-term future of the club? No thanks, I remember Leeds and Blackburn.

Oh, and I didn't see too many empty seats at any of the games I went to last season - maybe you sit in the West Stand though...

 

[Spurger King]

He's said we're interested in SB (whose surname has deliciously just autocorrect on the iPhone as "averaging" - ha!) previously, hardly a leap to say "maybe" to something related to him?

Or am I being too cynical?

I'm just, as ever, trying to manage people's expectations.

For all we know, the club might be meeting with WBA tomorrow to offer them £15m. In which case there's a small chance that they agree to it, meaning a deal "may" happen.

I think if we had no interest at all JJ would just say so, but his tweets don't necessarily suggest that a deal is imminent.

 

[SpartanSpur]

He's said we're interested in SB (whose surname has deliciously just autocorrect on the iPhone as "averaging" - ha!) previously, hardly a leap to say "maybe" to something related to him?

Or am I being too cynical?

I'm just, as ever, trying to manage people's expectations.

Oh I agree with what you are trying to do.

I'm pretty cynical too actually, I try and be as rational as possible with the snippets we get.

I still think there's 0% chance we get him tomorrow and 5% chance before weds, just glad he clearly seems to be an option and most likely is keen.

I'm certainly not getting carried away.

 

[Mr Pink]

Actually JJ's non-committal answer means nothing at all. We don't learn anything new from it.

It could easily be "don't be so fuckin stupid" as equally as it could "yes mate, he's ours in 44 hours 24 minutes".

Not ruling something out as not happening is not the same as saying it will happen. Sorry for double negatives.

It mean its a possibility.

And given how quickly he normally rules out stuff I think you can take it as positive as opposed to just non committal.

 

[yankspurs]

Well we have about another 24 hours in the 48 hour window...whose gonna be the the airport/airplane itk to see if he comes to Denver

 

[Young Nasty Man]

My guess is IF we are after Berahino and IF we sign him in the next 48 hours, then he is still not coming to Denver. Such a long flight and hoping the lag doesn't effect the team too much.

 

[McFlash]

My guess is IF we are after Berahino and IF we sign him in the next 48 hours, then he is still not coming to Denver. Such a long flight and hoping the lag doesn't effect the team too much.

Are you in Denver?

 

[y1dk1d]

Love the ITK from tonight. Building for the future is certainly the way forward so that's great to hear.

Also, JJ's updates have really pleased me. I was concerned that McCarthy might have died off but the fact it's "ongoing" is at least encouraging. It does seem like we might be looking at a Kramer/Bender first, seeing the chances, cost etc of that and weighing it up against McCarthy. Then I guess we make the decision from there and if McCarthy is supposed to be "last resort" then it's certainly not a bad option to fall on. Out of those 3 McCarthy is actually my first choice, an unpopular opinion I would imagine.

The Berahino news is great too. I wasn't convinced when the link first reappeared but there's now no doubt in my mind that we've reignited our interest. As JJ pointed out, the fact he's ditched that dickhead agent could've been a big moment and I think we can all agree the attitude problems were blown out of proportion. I won't get massively hung up on the fact he's not ruled out the 48 hour thing but I did enjoy reading that I would be amazed if he signs in 48 hours but I suppose it is an indication that things are moving along nicely.

The only small downer is the part about the Germans because I think Werner would prove to be a great and very shrewd signing. I would've thought Werner would've been a fairly simple deal so I'm hoping it doesn't apply to him but if that is the case then it's the only downer of that update. I know it's asking for a lot but I think we can all agree that Berahino, McCarthy and Werner would complete a fantastic window, possibly my favourite ever in terms of the fact we're signing what we need and building a team, a foundation, don't think the same could be said for the exciting yet later embarrassing window of summer 2013.

The only thing is, and I'm not basing this on fact so it might be a stupid worry, but say we are considering going in hard for Berahino then would the fact we're currently in the US be a bit of a speed bump? Would've thought it'd make it more difficult but I'm not really sure

Edit: Actually didn't we sign Davies and Vorm whilst we were in the US last year?

 

[Irishspur83]

Love the ITK from tonight. Building for the future is certainly the way forward so that's great to hear.

Also, JJ's updates have really pleased me. I was concerned that McCarthy might have died off but the fact it's "ongoing" is at least encouraging. It does seem like we might be looking at a Kramer/Bender first, seeing the chances, cost etc of that and weighing it up against McCarthy. Then I guess we make the decision from there and if McCarthy is supposed to be "last resort" then it's certainly not a bad option to fall on. Out of those 3 McCarthy is actually my first choice, an unpopular opinion I would imagine.

The Berahino news is great too. I wasn't convinced when the link first reappeared but there's now no doubt in my mind that we've reignited our interest. As JJ pointed out, the fact he's ditched that dickhead agent could've been a big moment and I think we can all agree the attitude problems were blown out of proportion. I won't get massively hung up on the fact he's not ruled out the 48 hour thing but I did enjoy reading that I would be amazed if he signs in 48 hours but I suppose it is an indication that things are moving along nicely.

The only small downer is the part about the Germans because I think Werner would prove to be a great and very shrewd signing. I would've thought Werner would've been a fairly simple deal so I'm hoping it doesn't apply to him but if that is the case then it's the only downer of that update. I know it's asking for a lot but I think we can all agree that Berahino, McCarthy and Werner would complete a fantastic window, possibly my favourite ever in terms of the fact we're signing what we need and building a team, a foundation, don't think the same could be said for the exciting yet later embarrassing window of summer 2013.

The only thing is, and I'm not basing this on fact so it might be a stupid worry, but say we are considering going in hard for Berahino then would the fact we're currently in the US be a bit of a speed bump? Would've thought it'd make it more difficult but I'm not really sure

Edit: Actually didn't we sign Davies and Vorm whilst we were in the US last year?

Swansea were in the states at the same time.

 

[crokey]

A guy I know played with McCarthy when he was at Hamilton and he raved about him, said he was absolutely mustard, best player he'd ever seen up close, great attitude, hard worker, good trainer and was destined to have a massive future. Said that Real Madrid, Bayern, Liverpool, Arsenal and Spurs all watched him pretty regularly at Hamilton (where he debuted at 15).

For a young player to keep his feet on the ground with all that hulaballoo around him, move to the Premier League and take to it like a duck to water speaks volumes to me. Went to Wigan first, no doubt because he wanted to play...that also says something about the guy in my opinion, even the Everton move was a smart progression in his career. I do hope we're the next step for him, he seems to have been on our radar for a loooong time.

Over 300 professional appearances and 27 International caps in his career at the ripe old age of 24 is a staggering statistic even in today's game.

I played against him too growing up (in youth teams before he played first team), I've said this before but there was people at every single game watching him and almost everyone in the pro youth setup said he was the best player in Scotland for 15/20 years. Can't believe he chose Ireland!

 

[yiddo23]

I played against him too growing up (in youth teams before he played first team), I've said this before but there was people at every single game watching him and almost everyone in the pro youth setup said he was the best player in Scotland for 15/20 years. Can't believe he chose Ireland!

I can, Ireland is cool, Scotland is not as cool as Ireland

 

[Frozen_Waffles]

I have said a few times that to me McCarthy is a Carrick style player, not overly exciting or productive but important to how the team sets up.

We must be watching different players. Carrick distributes the ball excellently, controls the tempo of the game and has an excellent footballing brain. McCarthy is a energetic, hard working player with passable technical ability. 20m for this player is just insanity.

 

[crokey]

I can, Ireland is cool, Scotland is not as cool as Ireland

Green's a bit of a shite colour though isnt it

 

[spacessships]

I have a feeling this Germany trip is going to set the rest of the non-Levy special final week transfers in motion. There's obviously enough possibility of us getting some action in Germany since we're heading there (enquiries of "no chance" wouldn't be worth going there in person) and I imagine once we find out the prices and desire of the targets it will decide if and when we pull the trigger on any non-German targets (ie. wait on McCarthy and see the Benders' statuses first).

Just a theory. Let's get the rest of that deadwood out!