The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - 8th August 2012

[Super Tottenham]

I feel we are writing off our first game at least to penny pinch again. We are lucky that after Newcastle the next 2 aren't so difficult home games (they will be a lot harder than they should be with no Modric or decent lone striker).

 

[Montasura]

We had an awful start to last season but were luck in some ways as the 1st two games were arguably the toughest two (both teams finished top 2). This year the start is a lot nicer. If we mess up the first few games it could potentially not us back miles as we would still have the top teams to play and already playing catch up.
.

2 losses, followed by a run of 11 wins and a draw isn't really an awful start though, is it??

Iin fairness, though, your frustrations are shared by many, but maybe more fans should just relax a little and have some faith. The signs are there that we are looking for quality players, and people seem to forget that AVB made it very clear that he would use USA to assess the players. Given that we have a new manager and he needed that time for assessment, then its fair to assume that our transfer window, unfortunately, had to start a bit later than others. And then the Olympics have only added to the difficulties.

Yes we may start against Newcastle with an incomplete team, but I honestly believe that this window will be different from the past few and that we will definitely get another few quality players in, including two strikers.

 

[Colonel Dax]

Look, everyone is talking like we need a direct like for like replacement for modric, i don't necessarily buy into this, fair enough if we play the same system and set out our midfield shape the same way perhaps we will require a top drawer replacement, although AVB may set the team up completely differently, which could negate a need for the deep sitting possession midfielder so the replacement may not be needed, giving us money to further reinforce in other areas

Sorry, disagree. IMO Luka has been our most important player over the last couple of years. Midfield lynchpin, keeps possession, makes us tick. Lose him without a replacement and we will be worse off.

 

[Colonel Dax]

Using common sense and a will not to take everything uttered by an ITK literally. At least i'm pretty sure that was the method employed. Personally i'd rather take it as bad news and run around waving my hands in the air screaming. And mincing.

But JJ isn't known for winding people up? He even confirmed it later when someone asked him again: "I just answered this?!"

 

[robin09]

How did the consensus work that out?

Because the idea of Hudd replacing Modric is ridiculous.

He scores too many goals.

 

[spursfan77]

JJ said a few hours ago that Hud is Luka's replacement.

Massively massively crushingly disappointing, if true.

Agree its disappointing but not a surprise. I wonder if that was opinion though?

 

[JUSTINSIGNAL]

To be honest I am normally optimistic but there seemed to be a certain frustration in JJ's tweets last night. Very different to the optimism he has shown in the last few weeks.

I don't doubt we will sign a striker but the quality they will be is becoming lower by the day imo. I also feel very concerned that we have no wing cover. Even more so than a Luka replacement.

Last season at least we had Pienaar and Kranjcar to step in but at the moment we have a dissillusioned GDS and a untried and untested Andros Townsend.

What's even more concerning is both the gooners and chelski have bought well. I'm trying to remain optimistic but it's turning to pessimism the closer we get to the beginning of the season.

 

[Danners9]

Agree its disappointing but not a surprise. I wonder if that was opinion though?

i took it as a joke, he's the only one we've got left.. as no one has signed yet.

 

[jazz15c]

Oh shit...it's happening again...I'm starting to believe...HELP!

 

[FreddieYid]

Hmm... When asked if "wages similar to ade? same age? potentially better?" he answered "yes,yes,yes". No one asked if it was possible, previously JJ has stated that Llorente needed to halve his wage demands in order for it to be possible.

Perhaps if we can get City to subside some of his wages...

This.
He is potentially better than Ade
He is the same age.
His wages are around the same.

The big difference is Ade would cost us around £5 which would offset the sky high wages, whereas Llorente would cost in the region of £30m.

None of the above points actually indicate that he's a possibility.

Apologies people if this point has already been made

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

But JJ isn't known for winding people up? He even confirmed it later when someone asked him again: "I just answered this?!"

Absolutely JJ isn't a WUM, you're right. But he's been known to say things that were meant to be taken as a joke before or even make the odd sarcastic comment. Sometimes he forgets that everything he says gets put under the microscope.

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

This.
He is potentially better than Ade
He is the same age.
His wages are around the same.

The big difference is Ade would cost us around £5 which would offset the sky high wages, whereas Llorente would cost in the region of £30m.

None of the above points actually indicate that he's a possibility.

Have you read through the entire thread?

 

[AX-Spur]

Have you read through the entire thread?

Hey! Let the kid agree with me!

 

[Archibald&Crooks]

Hey! Let the kid agree with me!

Fair enough, you can have him

My theory received a Ryan wink, which gave me the horn and should help me recruit a few more disciples.

 

[atoubasrightfoot]

I'm feeling massively pessimistic this morning, my only hope is that we will see a flurry of signings after the brazil v Mexico game on Saturday, and that is the reason for the hold up.

Listened to the Tim vickery interview yesterday, he seemed to think we had a decent chance of signing Damiao and that he was a far better player then he was last year. He also mentioned AVB has a knowledge of the Brazilian domestic league (have seen this mentioned before) so there's every chance we might see perhaps another Brazilian with Damiao if he signs.

One thing to cheer us up - whilst we are looking at the Damiaos of this world, Villa are looking at the Danny Roses. Problem is they might well be successful where we are not.

 

[KURRYMAN]

For you who think JJ was being serious; Why would AVB, as reported, decline the opportunity to sign Sahin because of doubts regarding his ability to adapt to the "fast" premier league tempo, if his realistic alternative was Huddlestone?

 

[Keith Morris]

Sorry, disagree. IMO Luka has been our most important player over the last couple of years. Midfield lynchpin, keeps possession, makes us tick. Lose him without a replacement and we will be worse off.

I'm not disagreeing how vital modric has been, he is world class and as has been demonstrated any team would want him, all I mean is not every great team over the years has had a diminutive possession midfield aka modric mountinho, we may need one, but we should be open minded that different systems under different managers require alternative skills, I'd be horrified of huddlestone was used as a direct replacement, however think JJ was joking,

 

[Yiddo1982]

Every summer I let myself get carried away and believe we will sign someone truly world class, a true "sit up and notice" signing

The sad thing is, we haven't done this for 18 years since Jurgen arrived!

Ha ha. Eighteen years. How time flies.

 

[Sum Monsterism]

Let's hope DL pulls out the cheque book very soon. God forbid Defoe gets injured and we start the season with 1 striker (kane) on the books. It's actually rediculous considering we're now meant to be a top 4 club.

Listening to talkshite this morning. Everyone on there righting us off for top 4 and saying we will struggle with a top 5-6 finish. Unfortunately at this current time I agree

Even if we sign adebayor will he be match fit for Newcastle? Doubt it! If we sign leandro, will AVB straight away drop Defoe from the first team? Doubt it!

No matter what way we dress this transfer window it's going to be a difficult July-August IMO.

dude: THEY TALK SHIT TO GET PEOPLE TO OBJECT, CALL IN AND ARGUE. IT'S ALL BOLLOCKS. DON'T FALL FOR IT!

 

[FreddieYid]

Have you read through the entire thread?

My bad! Don't send me to Mr W's office again. He touches me in strange places and keeps telling me how he wants to put Seaman in the youth team?! He hasn't played for him for years!