The Daily ITK Discussion Thread - READ FIRST POST 4th July

[DaveTheYido]

If we swapped Rafa for Huntelaar then It would be a good deal as we need a striker and AVB will play 4-3-3 and not 4-4-1-1.

 

[Grapo2001]

First of all, would be gutted if we sold Rafa, loves us as much as we love him.

IF he is sold, where does it leave us with experienced players? Players who'll rally the lads to get back into the game late on or chase a winning goal in the last 10?

Not many of them about now.

I just don't buy that. I doubt we would force him out. If he goes it would be because HE and the club want him to go.

 

[hughy]

I honestly think selling VDV would be a bigger mistake than we'd possibly be able to account for. I see no reason to sell him, and no reason for him to want to leave. We have a huge season ahead of us, and currently are sporting one of the best midfields in the league, with or without Modric. But to lose a player with the quality, leadership skills and desire of VDV over a 50-game season will quite frankly be disasterous.

 

[ChristianBaler]

we will need 3 energetic, hard working central midfielders and sadly VDV doesn't have the pace/fitness to run around for 90 mins week in week out.

This was the case in his first season due to playing through the season with numerous injuries. Last season his fitness improved tremendously due to staying fit. He covers the most pitch of any of our players every single game, at the rate that he goes one cant really blame him for not finishing every single game. However, this statistic improved as well as he completed a lot of games last season.

 

[MilkyBarYid]

Would be a error to sell VDV, even if we play 433, VDV gives us the opportunity to mix things up a bit, he is a class player.

 

[r_baker]

Did you try and maintain that Malaga will never finish top 4?

i dont really know why i mentioned that part, just came to my head to try and back up that they are miles off barca and real.

the point still stands though, the finished over 40 points behind real madrid which in the premier league, was the difference between man city and norwich last season.

take from that what you will!

 

[Spurrific]

Rafa is my current favourite (after Leds naturally). I thought he might be tried in the centre of AVB's front 3, but don't know if that'd work. Anyway, would be sad to see him go.

 

[mpickard2087]

So the Rafa departure rumours are growing... seriously wtf? If true we had better have someone damn impressive as a replacement, certainly not just Glyfi Sigurdsson.

 

[Roynie]

Even though VDV is a clever player and has scored us a lot of goals, I always feel he hasn't lived up to the hype. (cue neg reps...)

Agreed, he is a very good player, but last season he seemed to tire in the last quarter of the game and he isn't quick. That said he has a sharp footballing brain and such players can make up for their lack of speed. If he is sold, we really do need a quality replacement, and a good price for him.

Like someone else commented though, I am also concerned about the lack of leadership with Gallas going and VDV (apparantly) going and King (apparantly) retiring. Let's hope there are some leaders amongst the new signings.

 

[hughy]

Plus, for those saying he couldn't fit in to a 4-3-3/4-2-3-1, that's what you have a squad for. There's no point having a top-quality starting 11 and no quality on the bench to dip in to - just look at the back end of last season. AVB will rotate a lot more than Harry, which means we should be looking to have 15/16/17 players who would be considered good enough to start a league match for us, not just 11.

 

[King of Otters]

The VDV thing makes sense purely from knowing how Levy works. He hasn't got this club competing at this level by letting 30 year old high earners run down their contracts and leave for free. If he can get a good fee, he'll sell imo.

 

[faze_coys]

fuck selling rafa and modric in one summer.

some shocking transfer policy.

rafa should be getting a new contract tbh. Is not like his game relies on pace so he will be performing at a top top level til at least 35.

 

[ChristianBaler]

Even though VDV is a clever player and has scored us a lot of goals, I always feel he hasn't lived up to the hype. (cue neg reps...)

What else could you want besides goals and assists? He's a footballer, he's done his job since he's arrived.

 

[Gedson100]

I'll understand if VDV goes.

I can't be the only one who wondered if he had a 'can't be dropped' clause in his contract. Redknapp, for all that he had favourites, would pick him religiously throughout his time here, regardless of form of other players or how well playing with a dropped off number 10 suited us in a particular match. Invariably he'd substitute him, which often felt like he'd fulfilled his quota. He'd take as many free-kicks or dead balls as he liked, from anywhere on the pitch, regardless of who else was on there, even though our set-pieces were useless.

Problems in the Dutch camp immediately after he's dropped, moans and complaints, gets the captaincy for their last game.

He just fancies himself as the centre of things and I can foresee AVB enforcing far more of a squad ethos. More than any other player, I can see VDV having problems with this; it appears he likes to be the focal point.

We qualified for the Champions League without him playing 4-4-2 and arguably AT TIMES not playing a standard 4-4-2 and accomodating him hampered our options.
But, he's pushing 30, unlikely to take to not being first name on the team sheet, our chairman is a businessman and our manager is looking for control. All factors that might lead him, unfortunately, to leave.
For all this he's a great player, genuine eye for goal, beautiful left foot, just shy of world class. Maybe though in a fluid, mobile system, he's a bit of a luxury.

 

[Grapo2001]

What else could you want besides goals and assists? He's a footballer, he's done his job since he's arrived.

Could have finished 90 mins

 

[jedimonkey]

I really don't want us to sell our, IMO, best player. He works hard, retains the ball well, scores goals, creates chances, is one if the best passers of the ball at the club, has so much experience and quite frankly is the only bloke I'd let smash my backdoors in.

Don't go, Rafa.

 

[talkshowhost86]

Away from the Rafa news which important trying to ignore...

Are people genuinely asking why Alan Brazil of talksport might promise something sensationalist and then not back it up? I'll give you a clue...the key word is talksport.

 

[jedimonkey]

I'll understand if VDV goes.

I can't be the only one who wondered if he had a 'can't be dropped' clause in his contract. Redknapp, for all that he had favourites, would pick him religiously throughout his time here, regardless of form of other players or how well playing with a dropped off number 10 suited us in a particular match. Invariably he'd substitute him, which often felt like he'd fulfilled his quota. He'd take as many free-kicks or dead balls as he liked, from anywhere on the pitch, regardless of who else was on there, even though our set-pieces were useless.

Problems in the Dutch camp immediately after he's dropped, moans and complaints, gets the captaincy for their last game.

He just fancies himself as the centre of things and I can foresee AVB enforcing far more of a squad ethos. More than any other player, I can see VDV having problems with this; it appears he likes to be the focal point.

We qualified for the Champions League without him playing 4-4-2 and arguably AT TIMES not playing a standard 4-4-2 and accomodating him hampered our options.
But, he's pushing 30, unlikely to take to not being first name on the team sheet, our chairman is a businessman and our manager is looking for control. All factors that might lead him, unfortunately, to leave.
For all this he's a great player, genuine eye for goal, beautiful left foot, just shy of world class. Maybe though in a fluid, mobile system, he's a bit of a luxury.

Fairly sure he is the vice captain anyway, so when van Bommel was dropped Rafa was always going to be captain.

 

[mil1lion]

I've mixed feelings re VDV - don't get me wrong, I think he's a great player and contributed a lot of goals and assists to the team BUT ... if AVB is going to go with a 4-3-3 next season, we will need 3 energetic, hard working central midfielders and sadly VDV doesn't have the pace/fitness to run around for 90 mins week in week out.

If he is to leave then I would only deem anything in excess of £15m as acceptable.

Rafa is one of the few matchwinners we have in the team. He is a step ahead of the opposition in his mind so the pace isn't an issue. His work rate is 2nd to none as well, and even though he isn't always up to 90 minutes of running, the time he does spend still makes all the difference. It isn't simply a case of getting young energetic players, it's about getting the right balance. You need experienced players mixed in with all the young talent. We need the likes of VDV and Parker to lead the new generation.

I would like to think we will strengthen the squad this summer, and that means adding to the quality we already have. It's bad enough that Modric wants out without selling another top class talent who actually loves it here. We should be looking to rotate VDV with some of the younger talent. I also feel the sale of VDV will upset the dressing room spirit. He is our Sheringham, a class apart.

 

[stoddle]

I'll understand if VDV goes.

I can't be the only one who wondered if he had a 'can't be dropped' clause in his contract. Redknapp, for all that he had favourites, would pick him religiously throughout his time here, regardless of form of other players or how well playing with a dropped off number 10 suited us in a particular match. Invariably he'd substitute him, which often felt like he'd fulfilled his quota. He'd take as many free-kicks or dead balls as he liked, from anywhere on the pitch, regardless of who else was on there, even though our set-pieces were useless.

Problems in the Dutch camp immediately after he's dropped, moans and complaints, gets the captaincy for their last game.

He just fancies himself as the centre of things and I can foresee AVB enforcing far more of a squad ethos. More than any other player, I can see VDV having problems with this; it appears he likes to be the focal point.

We qualified for the Champions League without him playing 4-4-2 and arguably AT TIMES not playing a standard 4-4-2 and accomodating him hampered our options.
But, he's pushing 30, unlikely to take to not being first name on the team sheet, our chairman is a businessman and our manager is looking for control. All factors that might lead him, unfortunately, to leave.
For all this he's a great player, genuine eye for goal, beautiful left foot, just shy of world class. Maybe though in a fluid, mobile system, he's a bit of a luxury.